Don't stay Silent!

The question that I have been pondering for a few days, is a really tough one. One that needs a lot of thought. So the question is; How do you speak up for righteousness and justice, even if you have to tell someone you love, something that they don't want to hear, without being judgemental or sounding so? I've been reading "Why You Can't Be Silent" by Tom Minnery, and it has had a big impact on me! I don't want to look back on my life and think that I had a chance to help someone, but I didn't because I couldn't get out of my turtle shell. I don't want to ignore the problems of the world and just stick my head in the sand. I don't want to be SILENT! It feels like a nightmare sometimes because, I don't want to be the cause of someone ending up down the wrong path because I didn't become their friend and tell them what Jesus would have told them. This question has morals and values behind it that have been brewing in my mind for several years. It's not just an idea that is only a few days old. I had bits and pieces of that question going through my head as I got older, but it's only been this past two months that I've actually been formulating this. Another thing that the book addresses is standing up for the unborn children, for purity, for one man, one woman marriages, for marriage itself, for our rights to pray, and worship, our Lord Jesus Christ, and many other things. I want to use my voice for God! Yes it's one small voice, but the more voices we can get, the more damage we can do in the devil's camp! No he will not be happy that God's people are standing for righteousness, but we have to do it anyway. There is a call of purity in the church and we have to respond. We need to be a holy Bride for Jesus! Do whatever you can do to be a voice for purity and righteousness! I'm speaking to myself as well. Let's not be like the foolish virgins in Matthew 25, who did not have extra oil for their lamps. Let's keep our lamps burning so we can be ready for the Bridegroom, and help others light their way as well (v. 6- But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there should not be enough for us and you...)! Don't back away and find yourself in a turtle shell as I have done. I have not intentionally done that. It just happened. Sometimes things happen and it is so slow that you don't notice until it's too late or almost too late. So, yes I know that I need to speak up, but how? And how do we do it so as not to sound judgemental? *Thoughts still in progress* but, for now I'm going to use my voice like I am now, so that it I am not targeting one person but just putting a few subtle hints out there and letting God do the rest. Encouraging your friends to do what is right by living what is right is a good thing to do, but also just having one on one talks that get to the deep stuff is important too. I can't remember who said this and It's not word for word, but I love this quote; "The only Bible most people will open is the example you have set of following God in your life." Well, I need to go to bed now, I had to finish this though or else I would forget most of it. Whoever reads this I hope it will inspire you to use your voice and the rights that we still have and stand for the things of God! Oh, one more thing I don't want to talk about what I want to do but I want to do it! Team work is an excellent way to get things done, so let's pass this on! OK...goodnight!

WAITING ON GOD'S BEST

I've been wanting to write an article for a long time, with a topic along the lines of purity, not flirting with boys, dating vs. courting, etc. That was one reason I wanted to have a blog. One thing that was hard for me, for a long time was the not flirting with boys thing. I took the totally opposite way and was mean to the boys that I knew. Then I went through this phase where I had a crush on someone but couldn't talk to the person! I was so nervous to even talk! That's really not me, is it? I like talking, but, when it came to the boys I just couldn't talk. I would act funny when around boys. Especially if the one I had a crush on, was around! It was irritating! Why couldn't I have a normal conversation with them, like I could with my female friends? The point to this is that I didn't know how to interact with them on a normal level. It was like a crutch that I was trying to walk on but, it was wobbly. That is why I'm writing this, so that I can help young girls like myself with this "crutch". I want to tell you that it doesn't have to be this way! I prayed, asking God to just take away these feelings so I could talk normally without giggling or acting weired. It took me awhile to figure this one out. Don't continue reading this without realizing that I'm not perfect at this either. I'm trying to help you not make the same mistakes that I've already made even though I didn't even have a "boyfriend" (I turned the meaning around, for me anyway, taking "boyfriend" to be, a friend that also happens to be a boy! That helps!). It's because I love you, and I love purity, and wisdom that I'm posting this! :) I've had this on my heart for a few years. I want to help girls! What I have done with these feelings is; 1.) When they arise ask your parents for help. Tell them all about it. You probably won't get in trouble with them there to give you wisdom and guidance. Remember they used to be young too, and have gone through these things! 2.) Take it all to the Lord! He cares for you and Has even more wisdom than you can even imagine! Right when you have an impure thought take it to Jesus! Rely on God, you will fall more in love with Him when you have no one to focus on! It's the most amazing feeling when you know it's only God that helped you OVERCOME! 3.) Another thing I have done and has helped, is to write down special qualities that I want in my future husband. Your Dad would be a good person to have go over this list with you. I also have observed young godly men and their character that was closest to, or on the list. Wishing my husband will have all of these traits all wrapped up in one man (which would be amazing, but it helps get your thoughts off of one guy). 4.) I have also done another thing that has been one of the most beneficial things, and that is to pray for my future husband. Not having a certain someone in mind just praying in general thing that you want him to be. Pray for his spiritual walk with God. Pray also for the person you have thoughts about. Pray for his future wife and her heart (may it be you or not, only God knows). Pray for their eyes, mind, body, and heart, that they may be kept pure only for themselves. For yourself and your future husband pray the same things. This has helped a lot like I said! I'm not perfect but, I have had some help with this myself, so I wanted to take the opportunity to help someone else. :) I have found it very easy to talk to young men now in a normal way, just visiting! :) This past year I've been able to look up to my Savior and just focus on him instead of boys! It is absolutely amazing to be in His presence and know that I am His precious child! Not that I wasn't his before but now I am more in love with Him now and I know I am His! I have a relationship with Jesus! Get your mind off of boys and get it on JESUS because He's awesome!!!!!!! Your "someone" that God has hand picked just for you will come in God's timing! Just be a Lady in Waiting! :) :) :) I hope this has been helpfull to someone. I'm only trying to put this out on the table finally. Like I said, I love you, and this is why I'm writing what God has put on my heart. I'm not perfect. No body's perfect. I still take things to the Lord. Some websites that I've loved are; http://www.bloom-blog.blogspot.com, and http://www.therebelution.com I hope you enjoy and glean from this.