Born To Fly

"But how do you wait for heaven,
and who has that much time?

And how do you keep your feet on the ground
when you know, you were born to fly."

I'm so excited and proud right now. One of my sheep has found her heart story.  Her God song.  Her calling.  Her place.  Her American Honey.

A few months back I had lots of posts about my heart, God, and jumping where he wanted me.  Certain close friends also got a 78 page book about this.  My point in all these ramblings was that God showed me what it's all about.  It's not about the money, society's view, or the popular choice.  It's not even about the easy choice.  It's about finding your God given desires and destiny and living straight from your heart by doing those things...no matter what other people think or say!

Gosh this has been such a big thing this year.  I have relocated and changed my whole outlook on life because this Spring I learned what faith was.  I learned how amazing of an adventure God has planned for each and every one of our lives.

We all have an adventurous story and a boring story. Every one of us stand before a road of two paths...especially people my age--college and life decision making time!  We stand at the break in the woods.  We can turn one direction and dive head first into the dark and mysterious unknown, letting nothing but our faith in God lead us.  Every minute of every day is a surprise and there are absolutely no plans and no promises.  Trust in God with everything and he will provide above and beyond for you, leaving you breathless and excited.  

BUT, we also have the choice to turn in the opposite direction.  This is the common, easy, simple direction.  Most people have labeled it the "Duh" choice.  Why?  Because everyone else does it.  Our parents did it, and so did their parents, and so did their parents.  This choice leads us into a safe, convenient, comfortable life.  The biggest risk you'll ever take on this path is deciding to wear plaid underpants to bed instead of white ones.  You'll have all your appointments, housing preferences, finances, etc planned out for the next 1-5 years easily.  The big surprise will be a medical bill from a small accident that involved hanging pictures around the house.  Yes this choice is safe and easy, but deep down you'll always be miserable, hoping for something more.

Of course, I guess this is in essence, the Christian life.  Trust God and let go, or hang on for dear life and keep everything in your "control."  

I posted "Born to Fly" because it is my friend's heart song.  Tonight she kept saying this phrase, "I just don't know what it is about this song...or what it's supposed to mean..."

Sister, I'll tell ya exactly what it means.  It means God has put you at the end of a ledge and is giving you a great big option of choosing his way or their way. This song pulls on the strings of your heart because it says just that.  How do you keep your feet on the ground when you know you were born to fly?

How do you choose the everyday mundane lifestyle when you know God has something way better out there for you?

You don't.

You follow your heart and enter the promised land.  If God tells you to go, you go.  If he tells you to stay you stay.  

When the Lord speaks to you, you'll know it.  His voice is unmistakable.  At the same time, right after you hear his voice you should beware of your stupid thinking.  Over analyzing and thinking through God's command will leave you doubting, worried, and troubled over making this huge leap of faith.

Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Matthew 6:33

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all this will be added to you as well."

Matthew 22:37
"Love the Lord  your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment..."

A Woman's Heart

"...at the heart of every woman you will find that she wants three things: to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty...most of our addictions as women flare up when we feel that we are not loved or sought after."
--from the book Captivating

 Psalm 45:11 "The King is enthralled by your beauty."

How many of you have ever felt unloved?  Are there any women in your life whom you look at instantly sense their dire need of attention?  Are they..or you..addicted to a secret sin?  Perhaps it's not because they are crazy.  Not because they want to be annoying, clingy, witchy, etc.  Perhaps it is because they have not once in their life felt loved and wanted.

Often times we are all too quick to judge the quirkiness of others.  At the same time, we are much to slow to diagnose the problems of our own addictions.

I've read Captivating, by John and Staci Elderedge five times in my life.  I am now starting and round six.  I love it.  It is and forever will be, my most favorite book.  It has changed and shaped my life over and over again.  Each time I read it I learn something new about women, myself, and God.  Did I mention I never reread books?

As I am reading it tonight...I can't help but stop and think of all the women in the world who feel unloved.  I think the truth is that most of these women are loved, but do they feel it?...no.  That sounds like something very small and trivial, and of course it is something we (women) all downplay to excessive degrees.  In fact, if you were to ask most women if they felt unloved, I bet the majority wouldn't even admit it.  Why?  Because we are STRONG,  INDEPENDENT, Rosie the Rivoter type of women who wouldn't dare confess a need or a want, much less one that depends on a man.

I've asked a few married women in my life if they felt like their husband was leading them spiritually.  In both cases the women teared up and shook their head no, admitting to a lifetime of pain.  Now I sit and think of how many women--young, old, married, widowed, single--who walk around this life feeling unloved.  There must be millions!  What do they do?  How do they cope?  Superficial relationships with men?  Do some cover up the pain with cosmetics? Others might fill the void with food, alcohol or illegal substances even.  Then there are the select few that turn to the Lord and lean on him for their strength and fulfillment.  That of course works, but I know there still must be painful nights when those women need a strong pair of shoulders to lean upon and call "daddy" or "husband."

Please don't take this post as a bashing on the men in our lives.  There are many things women fail at too, and I would never put down men just to be mean.  I know 90% of the men I've met try very hard to be who they need to be for their women...I think they just don't know exactly what they need to do.  Anyhow, the point of my post is to point out the issue so that women and maybe even a few men, can understand more about the heart of a woman.  Once we understand a woman's heart, then we understand her hurts, and when we understand someone's hurts we understand their annoying habits.  Put all this together and you have a recipe that can only add up to help, healing, and freedom.

Think about it.  Every woman wants to be pursued by a man.  When we are little it's daddy, and when we grow older it's a man...but not just any man.  It's the man we can call husband.  I think many young women would argue that it doesn't have to be a husband that pursues them, but when you break it all down, it truly is.  Think of Jennifer Aniston's role in "He's Just Not That Into You."  She lives with a man she has dated for 7 years.  They love each other and are very faithful to one another, yet her heart aches and aches because he refused to marry her.  Why?  Because we are women and we were designed to be married, to be someone's helper, and to be the wife of a specific man God picked out for us.  Don't buy what I'm sellin'?  Read Genesis 2-4.

The heart of a woman screams commitment by a steady, faithful, forever man.  Daddy to husband, nothing in between or temporary.  Yet when we live too long without being pursued by one or the other we tend to get lost in the temporary pain-numbers many call "losers", or "bozos."  Ahh...this must be why we date.

Woa.  Did I just say that?   Can't wait to hear the controversial comments on that line. :)

Anyhow, I have a friend who loves his kids a whole lot.  He always says he's "taking them on an adventure." What adventure are ya'll going on today?  I'll ask him when I know he has a day off.  Oh, the zoo...a museum...mountain climbing...a strange restaurant.  He always replies with some fascinating answer and a jam-packed agenda for the day.

I love, love, love this action-packed form of fathering he has goin' for him. I told him the other day something he never even realized.  By keeping those kids in the middle of an adventure, you are doing them a huge favor.  When they grow up and become teenagers they won't have to rebel and look for adrenaline and excitement, because they will know in their hearts that their whole life has been an exciting adventure.  Why? Because Daddy showed them so.  He taught them how to live life to the fullest without sneaking out, experimenting with drugs, or doing harmful things to their body.

A woman wants to be a part of an adventure...with a forever man.

Life--with all it's surprises, demands and gifts--is definitely an adventure.  Facing the hard stuff head on is always a well-worth it challenge that definitely counts as adventure.  So men, lead us through it instead of running.  Women, trust that he will get you to the other side, hang on, and love every minute of the adrenaline-packed adventure.  I promise you, you won't be bored.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..."

Jeremiah 29:11

Courageous: How Women Can Do Their Part

Thanks to The House FM, my friends and I watched a free showing of Courageous last night.  Everyone loved it.  What a touching film it was.  Although the message of the movie is directed at fathers, there are important lessons all of us can benefit from.

As a student of relationships, marriage, and broken people, the message to fathers and men definitely came close to my heart.  I have written several posts dealing with the same message:

My Plea to the Guys
A One Woman Man
Making the Stand
"Can this man pastor me?"
Rise up Warrior!

Although I highly recommend men watch the film and read these previous posts, I will not be speaking to the men in this post.  I am keeping the same topic, yet speaking to the young ladies, single or not.  While it is true that following and submitting come easiest when your husband or father is stepping up, we have no excuse to control when they are passive.  In fact, our role requires just the opposite.

First, we need to examine our hearts, for from them everything else flows (Proverbs 4:23.)  As I said in my post Trust, Follow, Submit, our relationship with God directly affects our heart attitude toward the male leader in our life, (whether it is a father for a single woman, or a husband for those who are married.)  Do you trust God even when you don't agree with what he is doing?  Do you blindly follow him every day of your life, trusting that he will guide you with his right hand?  Do you love him whole heartedly without a second thought regarding your circumstances?

When we can answer yes to all these questions, a gentle and submissive spirit (1 Peter 3) will follow quickly after.  God is the ultimate source of our love (1 John 4,) and without him, it is impossible for us to look past our pride and fully love and respect the men in our life--regardless of how they may or may not step up.

Ephesians 5:21 says, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."  How in the world do we expect to see this happen when we haven't even submitted to Christ?  How can you obey your father with respect when you don't see Christ as the leader of your own life.  When you put your whole faith in God, you are agreeing to follow his protection, guidelines, and gifts.  God puts parents in the lives of single girls to protect, pray, and guide them during this journey.  Respect the man God has provided for you.

After we get our hearts right, it will be easier to control our tongues.  Matthew 12:34 says "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."  This is why we must do things in the order in which God designed them.

Our speech is important because from one tongue, we have both the power to lift up and destroy (James 3:9-10.)  So if you want your husband or father to step up and lead you according to God's design, which do you think will be more helpful in accomplishing that goal?

            A) "Ugghh, Dad, why can't you just be more like Jamie's Dad?!  He always takes her on father-daughter dates, and buys her new clothes.  All you want to do is sit around and watch football!  What a pathetic excuse I have for a father!"

            B) "Dad, thank you so much for providing me with food in my belly and a roof over my head.  I am grateful to have a father in my life.  You have so much power that naturally lies within you.  It is a joy when release such leadership skills around Mom and I.  It's almost like watching Clark Kent turn into Superman!  I love you and am praying for more opportunities to see Superman."

If you guessed "B" you are correct.  Men have a deep need to feel respected, and yelling in their face that they are worthless only tears at their pride and makes them feel just that...worthless.  Ephesians 4:29 says we are to only speak words that lift others up according to their needs, words that will benefit those who listen.  I don't think arguing and complaining benefits anyone.  In fact, Philippians 2:14 says we are to do everything without complaining.

When a complaint comes to your mind from now on, why don't you try to flip it and say what you are thankful for instead.  For instance, say the microwave at home keeps messing up and this time you've really had it.  One more spark and your fuse is lit!  Instead of reacting angrily and complaining/screaming at your husband, how bout this:  "I am so grateful for all the cooking appliances you've provided me with dear.  I could stop and complain about this half-broken microwave, or I could turn around and take full advantage of an oven that works beautifully.  In fact, I think I'll show my appreciation for this oven by baking you a cake!"

A little over the top maybe, but you get the picture.  How can you lift up the man in your life this week?  What are some ways you can show him respect?  Do you pray for him regularly?  Are you submitting to him out of reverence for Christ?

Take Me Into the Beautiful

Take Me Into the Beautiful-Cloverton (lyrics at bottom)

I've heard this song on the radio a thousand times and I've always claimed that I loved it, and it is indeed a great song.  The last few days God has been really working in my heart showing me things here and there that I need to work on.  As he's been leading me through a healing transformation process, this song has been playing in the back of my head over and over.  Usually that means something, especially because I couldn't even sing the words (I only knew the beat and "la la la la something about Beautiful.")  I also hadn't heard the song in a week or so, so I knew it had to be of God.

This morning I sat down and listened to the song while reading the lyrics.  Wow, so powerful.  It really captures the essence of a woman, and how she was made in the image of God, his softer side.  Many of you have read the book Captivating by Stasi and John Elderedge.  If you haven't read it, you really should.  The book's subtitle is "Unveiling the mystery of a woman's soul," which is exactly what God has been showing me lately.  Yes, I've read the book 5 times through, I found my identity in Christ largely because of it.  But God showed me something altogether new this time.  It started in my daily life and led me back to this old book of mine.  How important this lesson was.

Around chapter 4, the book explains that each and every one of us have been wounded, hurt, and broken throughout our lives.  This wound usually takes place at a very young age, as we grow up this wound becomes the biggest lie of our lives.  We walk by the definition of this lie instilled in us as young girls.  Now, I won't go into great detail about where the wound comes from or how it effects us, because that is precisely what the book is for.  Rather, today I am going to emphasize the importance of letting Jesus heal our wounds.

A woman healed is vulnerable.  I do not mean this in a sexual way, nor do I mean to contradict everything I've said about guarding your heart.  When I say vulnerable, I am speaking of a softness that comes from a woman who has been healed, sanctified, and cherished by her loving father and creator.  Look at the first verse of the song we just heard:

Take me into the beautiful, won't You take me back again
With a love unexplainable, come fill up this dry land
Let it open our eyes to see a world we've never seen
Let it open our hearts up to feel You inside of us
You're here inside of me.

This beauty, this vulnerability, love, and mercy comes from God.  When we are set free in his love, we are set free to love others with an open and unrestricted heart.  Do you love like this?  Is your beauty flowing out to those who most need love?  Do you show people the mercy of God through your actions and words?  Perhaps you need to heal a deep wound.

...And KEEP Guarding That Heart!

I'm starting to think I could write a book on this subject.  I hope all of this babbling is making sense.  PLEASE post questions and comments if you don't understand.

Today I want to look at Luke 12:22-34

In this passage Jesus is instructing the disciples not to worry about anything.  Worrying about what to eat, what to wear, who to marry, how to dress...it's all meaningless!  Jesus tells us to examine the birds.  They are so carefree and at rest with their surroundings.  Sure they don't have a house, a promised meal, or even certainty that they will survive the day, but they don't care.  They joyful live life at rest with God leading them every step of the way.  That's how we ought to be.

"And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; 

do not worry about it.   

For the pagan world runs after all such things, 

and your Father knows that you need them.  

But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well."

This verse reminds us that worrying our hearts out about things we can't control is like telling God we don't trust him.  The passage also explains to us that these things we worry about do not effect our eternity anyways, so why do we care?  If food is what you worry about, that shows that you treasure food.  If finding a boyfriend is what consumes your mind, then that is your treasure.  If pursuing the things of God is all you think about, that is your treasure.  

Verse 31 pointed out that if we pursue God first, all of our other worries will be taken care of.  Why? Because God is truly the only thing that matters.  Focus on the eternal things.  Food, relationships, popularity, your figure...all of that will surely fade.  But God and God's word will never fade away.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Luke 12:34

Where is your treasure?  Where do you spend your time?  Does this reflect your pursuit of God first or does it reflect the worries of the world?

The desires of our heart control how we act and respond in situations.  Every circumstance is either helping us obtain that desire, or standing in our way of what we want.  What you worship controls you.

What's in your treasure chest?

Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands talks a lot about this issue.

Alisson's Story-2

(Continuing from Alisson's Story)

...The next morning I woke up in a major state of confusion. What was  God’s will? Tate wasn’t a bad guy and he had actually rededicated his life this past year. Why wasn’t he the one for me?  Can I still date him? How do you know what God’s will is??

I went to Julie and we discussed it some more and she suggested I talk to her discipler, Mandy. So Julie gave her my number and within a few hours I was talking to Mandy! We talked and I told her about Tate and I asked her what a spiritual leader looked like for a guy? She started thinking and came to the conclusion that there wasn’t a specific answer to this question, but she said, “First and foremost, you want a guy who loves God with all his heart.”  Then she gave me some great words of wisdom and told me to boldly pray to God, asking him to show me if Tate was the guy God picked out for me or not.  I prayed that if he was the right guy things would continue to be good between us, and if he wasn’t, I asked that the door would slam shut on our relationship!

                               (read more tomorrow!)

Maybe you have been unsure/uneasy about your own relationship lately.  Perhaps you should take that bold step by praying that God would slam the door shut if it is not his will.  After all, if God's not in it, it won't last anyways right?

Proverbs 16:9

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

Proverbs 20:24

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can anyone understand his own way?"

"Should I tell my boyfriend everything??"

Its funny how often times we try to run from God…and it never works out.   

About a month ago I had decided to read about Samson and Delilah; I began the story and then went off to camp and forgot to finish it.  Well today in my quiet time I was asking God about a completely different topic and of course, he led me to Samson and Delilah.  He has the best sense of humor sometimes…Anyhow, what I learned in Judges 16 turned out to be very valuable and so I thought I would share it with you all. 

If you go back to Judges 15, you can understand a little bit more about Samson’s character—for time’s sake I will give you a brief summary.  In my opinion, I picture Samson as being that tough guy-popular-jock-man from high school.  He is super buff, very liked by the people, and he wins every election or award.  Now, this isn’t the super hero star athlete, this is the cocky/bully stud that walks around thinking he owns the school.  Everyone loves him because their scared of him!

In fact, after Samson won a battle he bragged about his victory and demanded God reward him with water!  Wow…yeah, he’s that guy.  As the story goes, we know that that guy always gets the girls, and whoever they want mind you, therefore bring in Delilah.

Delilah was gorgeous, mysterious, and to be honest—a tad bit manipulative.  Anyhow, she got Samson to fall head over heels in love with her.  After they had been, umm.. we’ll say dating,  for some time, Delilah was offered big bucks to find Samson’s weak spot.  So she did what women after the fall do best; she nagged and manipulated.

“What’s your weakness darling?”  She asks him one night.

He  quickly come up with a lie and tricked her into believing it.  Then while he was sleeping, she tried to capture him, using what he had told her.  However, because it was a lie it didn’t work.  

“No really babe, what’s your soft spot?”

He lied again.  She tested it and was made a fool again.

Finally after begging him and begging him until he was “Tired to death,” as the bible literally says, she says, “Samson, if you really love me you’ll tell me your weakness.” 

Ahhh…the killer line!  How many times does that line come up through the teenage years!  We all know what happens next..

Judges 16:17  (NASB)

“So he told her all that was in his heart…”

Worst mistake he ever made. 

I have had girls ask me many times, “Should I tell my boyfriend everything about my spiritual life?” thinking that that will bring them closer together…but the answer is NO.

There are certain things a woman must keep secret in her heart.  1 Kings 8:39 says only God knows our hearts.  Other people can only know what we tell and express to them..they will never fully understand our hearts—not even our husbands. 

Also, Micah 7:5-7 tells us not to put our hope and trust in friends, family, spouses, or neighbors—but to trust fully in God and eagerly expect him to deliver us from whatever our present troubles may be.  Too often we run to our husbands for assurance that this job situation will work out, or we beg with our boyfriend to marry us so we can have some type of security in our life.  But the truth is these men aren’t God!  They’re just human like you and I.  They will mess up, they will scare us, and they will let us down.

You’ll save yourself a lot of grief and heartache if you put your whole trust in God and God alone, then no matter what change is thrown your way—you know without a doubt that the God of all gods is holding you tightly in his hands, and not only that, but he understands your heart.  He gets the very core of your being and existence, and he wants to help you every step of the way.  He wants to love you into security and joy and life. 

Stop telling every man you get into a relationship with your heart secrets.   

Those are for you and God to treasure together. 

Further reading:
Judges 16
Psalm 146:3
Psalm 145:16
Living Chocolate 

Guard it!

As girls living after Genesis 3:16, I think many times we look around and say, “Hey there’s a male, perhaps he could love me and care for me...I think I’ll go give him my attention!”

Obviously our thoughts aren’t that blunt, but our hearts sure are. The sad thing is we don’t even notice we’re doing it most the time…it’s just the curse of woman.

Satan has twisted our minds and desires so much that we think it’s normal, healthy, and natural for women to throw themselves at men—when the truth is, women were not made to be like that. There’s a reason we were created with the desire to be pursued—the desire to be the princess rescued by the prince.

When we women turn around and seek after the men that interest us, we often wind up hurt and confused, wondering if he really even loves us. Duh! That’s because your heart was made to be pursued. It wasn’t meant to be thrown around to whatever pig comes running up.

The other day I was praying and I God laid this on my heart:

Daughter of the King,

Princess,

Beautiful creation,

I have created every intimate detail about you. I know your thoughts, your heart, and your desires— all of which are wonderful and beautiful. I made you the way you are for a purpose and a reason. You may be missing the reason, but I still love you regardless.

Out of all the special things about you, the dearest to me is your heart. Here is where I have placed both your emotions and your desires, the two most powerful things within you. Here is where I give the choice to you—love me or reject me. Your heart is where people look to either see more of me, your creator—or more of your selfish ambitions that lead to destruction.

You see--your heart is something so wonderful, so sweet, and so precious, that it was made to be pursued. Your heart is worth being pursued. Don’t throw your treasures, gifts, and secrets at every male you meet. In fact, I want you to guard it above everything else. Keep it carefully locked safe and sound in my hands. Give it to me and at the perfect moment, I promise I will place it in the right hands.

Remember my promise to give you something so amazing that all of your temporary pain and waiting will seem silly. Hold tight to my hand, and I will lead you to my plans for you. Please, trust me and I will lead you there, into the Promised Land.

I love you and want to give you the best,

God your Father

Proverbs 4:23

“Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

While You're Waiting...

So many times we here older women's stories about how they found their husband, and it seems so simple, so easy, so effortless. Although if you asked them they would tell you their story was not as easy as it looked from the outside, we only know the surface level and that is what the devil uses. He uses something beautiful like marriage and twists it into a distorted reality that causes us single ladies to be tempted, devastated, lonely and afraid.

Well Jesus came to set us free with the truth, so I'm here to tell you all the truth: We all struggle with singleness. Why? Because it's a beautiful gift and the most wonderful time to enjoy life and seek God's face--the devil knows that, so why wouldn't he go after your heart and whisper lies in your ear until you are so weak because you have believed the lie that you are alone, unloved, and unworthy. Girls, let me tell you right now that if you think this about yourself, you are seriously wrong.

• Truth #1: You are NEVER alone. Isaiah 41:13 (msg) says, "That's right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go." My friend actually blogged about this this morning. If you struggle with this lie or feel like God has left you, please check out her blog. http://bit.ly/gKYpQ8
• Truth #2: You are VERY loved. You are loved unconditionally and fully by the creator of this very universe. 1 John 4:9-10 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
• Truth #3: You ARE worthy. Jesus paid the ultimate price for you. He died for you. What more could you ask for in a friend? John 3:16

It's so easy to get caught up in all the couples around you and let the devil destroy your faith and confidence through that--BUT DON'T LET HIM! God has greater plans for you!! If you hold on tightly to the promises of God and keep your eyes on him, not the world--you will be blessed beyond your wildest dreams, you will experience true freedom in your singleness. You will see the wonderful gift you have been given for this portion of your life! Please, don't lose heart now--God has something wonderful for you, if you'll only wait.

Isaiah 40:31

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Another Girl's Story on God's Fulfillment

Hey girls! 1 week ago I posted "Marriage Longings and God's Fulfillments," based on and idea I read in Lady in Waiting. Well soon after that post I found out one of my dearest friends had just recently made her own list of her desires and how God could fulfill them. So I thought it would be neat if she shared her list, and here it is! :)

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My heart is His because He rejoices over me! He pursues me with every part of Him and desires only the best for me! I know without a shadow of a doubt I can place my heart in His hands and He will protect it and care for it like no one else I know! :) Thank you Jesus!

(Isaiah 62:5)

Hello ladies!
So Haley asked me to show you girls my list! ☺
Its actually very interesting that I am doing this because I realized tonight that where I thought I had been guarding my heart I was really just letting it go! SO!!! This is the list I made for the current guy I have let have a piece of my heart! (let me state that by worlds standards I didn’t give him any of my heart… spiritually or God’s standard… possibly!)

The list!
Boy:
o How he cares about other people
o How he seeks after the Lord and the Lord’s heart
o He is easy to talk to and I am comfortable around him
o Superficially- he gives good hugs! ☺
o He is fun to be around
o He cares about me

God:
o God created everybody and loves each person to the utmost!
o The Lord is the one he is seeking— am I seeking the Lord the way I should be, especially in this?
o Jesus knows my heart and there is nothing that will ever change the love he has for me
o Jesus holds my heart—which is much better than any hug!
o Jesus is the ultimate Joy giver
o Jesus cares not for me not only when I am being happy and joyful but even when I am shaking in fear or balling my eyes out over the same old thing! (pst…. Idk if you know this but the Lord is patient!)

Now by no means am I “hating” on this guy! He is one of my best guy friends and I would never look down upon him! But as a girl I have to remember who created him and His heart… that would be the Lord! Why be seeking out a relationship with someone when I already have the best one I could ask for! ☺

What's on your list? Have you made one?

Give Your Heart to God First..(again!)

"I love you God. Even if you're all I'll ever have."

A week ago Thursday I posted something called "Let God Give Your Heart Away." Several posts since them have mentioned the same theme so I'm not going to retell you what they say. However, God has laid this so hard on my heart and I feel like I need to share it with you all one more time. Give your whole heart to God, EVERYTHING, then trust HIM to give it away when the time is right. Don't settle for anything less, don't strive for anything more. Let God be God. Yesterday I posted about this too, I talked about how we tend to analyze every little detail about every single guy, wondering if he could possibly be the one, when the truth is it doesn't matter! If your heart is set solely on God and HIS purpose for your life, everything else is going to fall into place. Matthew 6:33 proves this! "But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

I am seeing more and more that God isn't going to give us something we're not ready for. 1 Corinthians 10:13 in fact says, he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. If God doesn't think you can keep him Lord of your life and a boyfriend second, (or 3rd or 4th or 5th) then he's not going to give you one. Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else guard your heart..." Guard it. Fill your heart with the presence of God. Fill it with scripture and joy and peace and love. Things found only in God! (Colossians 2:2-3) No significant other will EVER give you this kind of gift.

So ladies, please. Do yourself a favor, and fall in love with God.

Give God your heart

Let God Give Your Heart Away

“Father, my heart is fragile and delicate and easily broken. I have tried to find one who will cherish me, whithout Your view. My heart has been broken and my emotions bruised. I ask You to take and guard my heart. I will choose not to entertain thoughts and emotions of love which cause me to give my heart away too readily. I will come quickly to You when I start feeling like I am in love. Please hold the key to my heart and emotions until a day I can give it to the man You have prepared for me.”

This prayer comes from a woman whose story is in the book “Lady in Waiting.” I share this with you today because I think this woman has the right view on dating. She has recognized that her heart is weak and fragile.  

We too should know this—look at how quickly we attach ourselves to guys, how many texts from a guy does it take to make your heart beat fast when you receive one? How often do you catch yourself daydreaming about a guy? And on the other side, how bad does it hurt when you get rejected, how often do guys break your heart? 

The answer to these questions will quickly show you how fragile your heart is. Dating is a game of giving pieces of your heart away and never getting them back. The more you date and become attached to people, the more of your heart you give away.

That is why this woman, and many others (including myself) have figured out the best way to save your whole heart for the man of your dreams is to wait. How do you wait? You give your whole entire heart to God and everything that goes with it. Tell God he can have it completely. He is the only one who really knows who your husband will ultimately be anyways, so why not wait for his discrection to give your heart out?

Giving God control of your heart is not easy though, it requires much trust, patience, and discipline. Notice in the prayer she said she would quickly come to God whenever she felt feelings for a guy. She says this because she knows the heart is easily mislead (Proverbs 16:2.) By constantly checking emotions and feelings with God’s will she is keeping God in control and allowing him to protect her heart.

Collossians 3:1-3 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

What does this look like in real life? Well, first you need to have a long talk with God, sharing with him this commitment and allowing him to fully take over your heart.

Then, the next time you start to get feelings for a guy, before you can entertain the thought or text your best friend, you immediately go to God and ask him if this is someone he wants you to be with. 

Check your list of standards, does this guy seem like he might even come close? (The excuse: “I don’t know him yet” does not count here. If you noticed who the guy was you have obviously noticed some of his behavior or speech. It is not hard to tell right off the bat what a person’s heart is. 

I do not have the gift of discernment yet I can tell you very easily if someone is living with God as the center of their life or not.) Next, pray that God’s will would be done and not yours, and mean it! Allow God to be in control of the situation—don’t Facebook stalk the guy, don’t “accidently” get his number from a friend—just stop. Relax, wait. Let God handle what you have already asked him to handle.

After you have brought everything under God’s control, then you have to focus your thoughts on God or else we all know they will be focused on this guy. So pick a verse to memorize or a prayer to pray, anything that can remind you to bounce your thoughts upward. I know all these steps may seem hard and overwhelming, but God has a special person designed for each and every one of you and he doesn’t want you to give your heart away until he shows you the perfect guy he has for you in his perfect time.

So give your heart to God first, and trust Him to give it away to your husband in his time. Try it and see what happens. J

Proverbs 4:23 “Above ALL else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Lacey's Post

Let God Write Your Love Story

Hi, my name is Lacey Oxford, and I want to share with you some important aspects of dating that God has laid on my heart to tell teenage girls as they date and prepare for marriage.

As a teenager myself, I never really dated because I was too busy with sports and other things. I had some boyfriends in High School, but nothing ever too serious. As I began college and started longing for a relationship, I began to get really impatient. It seemed as if all the good guys were taken. However, if you don’t get anything else out of this blog, my best advice to remember is that “Love is patient!” (1 Cor. 13)

I was in Salt Cellar one day and came across a book called When God Writes Your Love Story. It was the perfect guide that I used to RE-prioritize my life, be patient, and trust in God’s greater plan for not only my dating life, but life in general. I believe there are 5 very important key issues that the book mentioned and I would like to share them with you.

1. Heart Matters- First, ask yourself where is your heart at. You have to have your heart right with God FIRST, before you can give your heart away to another guy. It is crucial that God be at the center of your life, your partner’s life, and your lives together.

· “Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:12

2. Who’s the Captain of your Love Boat?- If you want a God-written love story you must lay a foundation for it. You cannot base your love life on the sands of foolishness and pride that will eventually be washed away, but you must let God be your solid foundation. Let Him be your rock, your anchor, and the captain of your love boat, because His plan is PERFECT!
• For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
3. Give God the Pen- This point is pretty self explanatory. If you want to see amazing results, give God the pen, and let HIM write your love story! We can try to plan our own way of life, and try to make things happen in our own timing, but God has the ultimate decision. His plan will unfold in His timing, we just have to be patient. It will always result in a happy ending, when you trust HIM with your love life!
• “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9

4. Hold Out For Higher Standards- Once again, we see that patience is key. Holding out for higher standards is what I struggled with daily. I was ready to settle for less, just because I was desperate. But God had a greater plan for me. He convicted me to make a list of everything I wanted in a guy (be logical here), and to never settle until I found someone that met EVERY requirement. I would encourage each of you to do the same. It really helped me to remain patient, and know that if a guy did not meet every single standard I had written down, then it was not meant to be. Sometimes we just have to stop trying to work everything together for ourselves, and BE STILL and let God work!

· “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

5. A Forever Kind of Love- After getting your heart right with God first, letting Him be the captain of your love boat, giving Him the pen, and holding out for his higher plan, you will begin to see results and will be prepared for a forever kind of love. However, you must realize that this forever kind of love is not going to develop over night. Relationships take A LOT of prayer, even before you even meet “Mr. Right.” I would encourage you to start praying now for your future Christian relationship, and LISTEN to God as He reveals His plan for your dating life.

· “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” Colossians 4:2

It’s never too late to start fresh, and begin letting God write your love story! I pray that you would let God create in you a pure heart, and transform you into the young, Godly women He wants you to be. Never give up or get discouraged. Place your hope, faith, and trust in God, and if He is writing your love story, it will be BETTER THAN A FAIRY TALE!!

Thank you for letting me share with you. I hope you enjoyed it. I am always here if anyone needs a prayer warrior or anything else at all. May God Bless Ya! J

Lacey's Post

Let God Write Your Love Story

Hi, my name is Lacey Oxford, and I want to share with you some important aspects of dating that God has laid on my heart to tell teenage girls as they date and prepare for marriage.

As a teenager myself, I never really dated because I was too busy with sports and other things. I had some boyfriends in High School, but nothing ever too serious. As I began college and started longing for a relationship, I began to get really impatient. It seemed as if all the good guys were taken. However, if you don’t get anything else out of this blog, my best advice to remember is that “Love is patient!” (1 Cor. 13)

I was in Salt Cellar one day and came across a book called When God Writes Your Love Story. It was the perfect guide that I used to RE-prioritize my life, be patient, and trust in God’s greater plan for not only my dating life, but life in general. I believe there are 5 very important key issues that the book mentioned and I would like to share them with you.

1. Heart Matters- First, ask yourself where is your heart at. You have to have your heart right with God FIRST, before you can give your heart away to another guy. It is crucial that God be at the center of your life, your partner’s life, and your lives together.

· “Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:12

2. Who’s the Captain of your Love Boat?- If you want a God-written love story you must lay a foundation for it. You cannot base your love life on the sands of foolishness and pride that will eventually be washed away, but you must let God be your solid foundation. Let Him be your rock, your anchor, and the captain of your love boat, because His plan is PERFECT!
• For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
3. Give God the Pen- This point is pretty self explanatory. If you want to see amazing results, give God the pen, and let HIM write your love story! We can try to plan our own way of life, and try to make things happen in our own timing, but God has the ultimate decision. His plan will unfold in His timing, we just have to be patient. It will always result in a happy ending, when you trust HIM with your love life!
• “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9

4. Hold Out For Higher Standards- Once again, we see that patience is key. Holding out for higher standards is what I struggled with daily. I was ready to settle for less, just because I was desperate. But God had a greater plan for me. He convicted me to make a list of everything I wanted in a guy (be logical here), and to never settle until I found someone that met EVERY requirement. I would encourage each of you to do the same. It really helped me to remain patient, and know that if a guy did not meet every single standard I had written down, then it was not meant to be. Sometimes we just have to stop trying to work everything together for ourselves, and BE STILL and let God work!

· “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

5. A Forever Kind of Love- After getting your heart right with God first, letting Him be the captain of your love boat, giving Him the pen, and holding out for his higher plan, you will begin to see results and will be prepared for a forever kind of love. However, you must realize that this forever kind of love is not going to develop over night. Relationships take A LOT of prayer, even before you even meet “Mr. Right.” I would encourage you to start praying now for your future Christian relationship, and LISTEN to God as He reveals His plan for your dating life.

· “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” Colossians 4:2

It’s never too late to start fresh, and begin letting God write your love story! I pray that you would let God create in you a pure heart, and transform you into the young, Godly women He wants you to be. Never give up or get discouraged. Place your hope, faith, and trust in God, and if He is writing your love story, it will be BETTER THAN A FAIRY TALE!!

Thank you for letting me share with you. I hope you enjoyed it. I am always here if anyone needs a prayer warrior or anything else at all. May God Bless Ya! J