If you are one of those girls who have committed to guarding your heart, than you know it is not easy. This world and everyone in it is very tempting. Especially when you let your emotions get the best of you. I often have to stop and ask myself, does my heart belong to me, or do I belong to my heart?
Here are a few tips I have found handy-
1. Whenever I find myself thinking about boys, I start praying for my future husband. It's distracting, in a good way.
2. If my mind is just flooded with in-pure thoughts, (and it happens to all of us) than I just place my hands on my head, as if I'm grabbing those thoughts, and push them away from me, as if I'm throwing them away. I know, it's silly, but it seems to work for me..
3. I haven't tested this one out yet, but if you are feeling tempted or distracted, or simply tired of waiting, get out your journal or a piece of paper and write a letter to your future husband. Or, if you'd rather, write a letter to God. Just tell him how you feel.
4. Read/purchase a good book. There are several books on purity and 'waiting' out there. They really helped me.
5. Pray. Talking to God helps with everything. It makes everything and anything better.
6. Read the Bible. There are plenty of verses and scriptures on purity and guarding your heart. It's a big encouragement boost when I'm doubting at all.
Hope these help!
Love,
Genesis
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Black Friday in All The Wrong Ways..
First off, our family is not materialistic at all- or at least we try not to be. So when Christmas comes around, we celebrate it a little differently. (more to come on that.)
But anyway, we went to Walmart Thanksgiving night, to get a good deal on some bikes for Jude and Zane because they were outgrowing theirs and we needed them for our camping trip next week.
I had never gone Black Friday/Thanksgiving shopping before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It was around 9pm and we had just eaten wayyy too much so I was half awake. Which just added to the INSANity in that store. I had never seen a store so crowded in my life. There were huge lines through out the store, of people waiting for the release of some electronic. There were several moms with sleeping kids in their cart. But that's not what made my stomach turn. (and neither was the food.)
I think it just hit me while I was walking down the aisles full of toys and accessories. It hit me that hundreds of people will come out and spend hours shopping and standing in crazy long lines, while there are millions of orphans around the world, hanging on a thread. I was hit by the question, 'Would Jesus be pleased to see this?' Just because we may not see anything wrong with obsessing over these Black Friday deals and materialism, doesn't mean it's right.
I imagined millions of people flooding orphanage gates with toys and food and warm clothes. I saw families loving on orphaned kiddos. And THAT, is what I believe God made us to do.
We were made to live for and spread the word of God. To make disciples. To be Jesus in this desperate world. To love the least of these.
Think about it- If Jesus came to earth every Christmas, do you honestly think you would see Him standing in lines at stores? Do you think you would find Him writing letters to Santa? No. I think I would see Him spending the holiday with the homeless, and orphans. I think the greatest gift someone can give is love. Jesus gives that gift to us everyday, and never stops giving it. And I find that much more valuable than a plastic toy that a kid's going to get tired of in the next three weeks. Much more valuable than any laptop or tv that's going to brake or go out of season in a year or two. And much more valuable than any piece of clothing that's going to be outgrown and out of style before you know it.
I much rather spend my time advocating for orphans, and giving to the poor and hungry. I see the impact and memories lasting a life time. Verses a materialistic gift, lasting only a few months, if even.
I'm not trying to bash those who go Christmas shopping. I'm just saying, don't say you don't have the time or money to give to the less fortunate. Or to do outreach in your community, or donate to an adopting family, when you're standing in lines for hours or spending hundreds of dollars. I'm sharing my opinion, and my guess at what Jesus sees. I'm also hoping that when you're done reading this, you will be changed. Take a minute and ask God to break your heart for what brakes His. To open your eyes to the bigger picture, and to the lost and hopeless around the world. Ask Him to help guide you towards outreach. To show you the needs, and to help you love like He does. Go ahead. Do it right now.
Happy holidays,
Genesis
But anyway, we went to Walmart Thanksgiving night, to get a good deal on some bikes for Jude and Zane because they were outgrowing theirs and we needed them for our camping trip next week.
I had never gone Black Friday/Thanksgiving shopping before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. It was around 9pm and we had just eaten wayyy too much so I was half awake. Which just added to the INSANity in that store. I had never seen a store so crowded in my life. There were huge lines through out the store, of people waiting for the release of some electronic. There were several moms with sleeping kids in their cart. But that's not what made my stomach turn. (and neither was the food.)
I think it just hit me while I was walking down the aisles full of toys and accessories. It hit me that hundreds of people will come out and spend hours shopping and standing in crazy long lines, while there are millions of orphans around the world, hanging on a thread. I was hit by the question, 'Would Jesus be pleased to see this?' Just because we may not see anything wrong with obsessing over these Black Friday deals and materialism, doesn't mean it's right.
I imagined millions of people flooding orphanage gates with toys and food and warm clothes. I saw families loving on orphaned kiddos. And THAT, is what I believe God made us to do.
We were made to live for and spread the word of God. To make disciples. To be Jesus in this desperate world. To love the least of these.
Think about it- If Jesus came to earth every Christmas, do you honestly think you would see Him standing in lines at stores? Do you think you would find Him writing letters to Santa? No. I think I would see Him spending the holiday with the homeless, and orphans. I think the greatest gift someone can give is love. Jesus gives that gift to us everyday, and never stops giving it. And I find that much more valuable than a plastic toy that a kid's going to get tired of in the next three weeks. Much more valuable than any laptop or tv that's going to brake or go out of season in a year or two. And much more valuable than any piece of clothing that's going to be outgrown and out of style before you know it.
I much rather spend my time advocating for orphans, and giving to the poor and hungry. I see the impact and memories lasting a life time. Verses a materialistic gift, lasting only a few months, if even.
I'm not trying to bash those who go Christmas shopping. I'm just saying, don't say you don't have the time or money to give to the less fortunate. Or to do outreach in your community, or donate to an adopting family, when you're standing in lines for hours or spending hundreds of dollars. I'm sharing my opinion, and my guess at what Jesus sees. I'm also hoping that when you're done reading this, you will be changed. Take a minute and ask God to break your heart for what brakes His. To open your eyes to the bigger picture, and to the lost and hopeless around the world. Ask Him to help guide you towards outreach. To show you the needs, and to help you love like He does. Go ahead. Do it right now.
Happy holidays,
Genesis
Saturday, November 10, 2012
When Modesty Calls
A week ago, my mom and I went to Dannah Gresh's Pure Freedom conference. It was amazing. We went home with a few books in hand. One titled Graffiti (by Erin Davis) and another named, And The Bride Wore White, one of Dannah's best selling books. (click HERE to read more on the book)
So anyway, I'm half way through it, and I hit a familiar topic- Modesty.
At the end of every chapter, Dannah encourages the reader to journal and pray about the last chapter and what not. So, I pulled out my journal and a pen, and sat against my dresser on my bedroom floor. I did just as the she had asked, "go through your clothes and kick out whatever needs to go. Get rid of all immodesty. Then, tell God how good you feel..". It actually wasn't that bad. I turned on some music, prayed, and eventually, had a nice sized pile of clothing. Any short shorts, (that I wore around the house- don't worry, I would never actually wear those things out in public!) shoulder-showing shirts/sweaters, etc. I felt pretty great. As I sat there, continued to read and write in my journal, and give thanks to the Lord, I felt a sense of...freedom. I felt as if I was beginning a new life. A new life of modesty!
See, I have always thought modesty was important. So that's not what changed. It's just that since I've been reading And The Bride Wore White, my views on modesty have changed. I used to think certain things were okay, like you may see no harm in wearing mini skirts. That is your opinion and perspective. But Dannah and her book have helped me to realize that the deep, true reason for letting your shirt hang off your shoulder, is to fill your natural desire. The natural desire every girl has, to attractive a guy. Even if you don't admit it, it's most likely true. And it's okay! We all have it. In fact, we were created with it. God made each of us to one day desire attention from the opposite gender. Just, the right attention.
So long story short, I've realized that since we don't need to go out 'searching' for a guy, there is no need for us to dress immodestly. Plain and simple.
So anyway, I'm half way through it, and I hit a familiar topic- Modesty.
At the end of every chapter, Dannah encourages the reader to journal and pray about the last chapter and what not. So, I pulled out my journal and a pen, and sat against my dresser on my bedroom floor. I did just as the she had asked, "go through your clothes and kick out whatever needs to go. Get rid of all immodesty. Then, tell God how good you feel..". It actually wasn't that bad. I turned on some music, prayed, and eventually, had a nice sized pile of clothing. Any short shorts, (that I wore around the house- don't worry, I would never actually wear those things out in public!) shoulder-showing shirts/sweaters, etc. I felt pretty great. As I sat there, continued to read and write in my journal, and give thanks to the Lord, I felt a sense of...freedom. I felt as if I was beginning a new life. A new life of modesty!
See, I have always thought modesty was important. So that's not what changed. It's just that since I've been reading And The Bride Wore White, my views on modesty have changed. I used to think certain things were okay, like you may see no harm in wearing mini skirts. That is your opinion and perspective. But Dannah and her book have helped me to realize that the deep, true reason for letting your shirt hang off your shoulder, is to fill your natural desire. The natural desire every girl has, to attractive a guy. Even if you don't admit it, it's most likely true. And it's okay! We all have it. In fact, we were created with it. God made each of us to one day desire attention from the opposite gender. Just, the right attention.
So long story short, I've realized that since we don't need to go out 'searching' for a guy, there is no need for us to dress immodestly. Plain and simple.
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