Last week I was finishing my devotions and was briefly thinking about how Jesus died on the cross and suddenly a thought came to me: Jesus didn't have to die for us! Of course He didn't have to, but what I mean is that it wasn't like Jesus needed us to live with Him or provide Him with food and shelter. Acts 17:24-25 says this:
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."
God doesn't need us(sorry that sounds so terrible!), but He loves us so much that He would send his only Son to die for us, people He doesn't need! He could have said,"Oops! They messed up! Too bad for them!", but He didn't! Instead He lovingly came to earth and took all our sin so that we could live with Him for eternity. He doesn't need our praise or our sacrifices, but we so need Him, don't we? It struck me that Jesus would die for us, not because He had to or because He would be lost without us, but because He loves us and because we would be entirely lost without Him! Remember to thank for all He's done for you. I know He has redeemed me and blessed me far beyond what I deserve. Oh, praise His glorious Name!
~Princess Gloria
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Above Reproach Rules
No, this doesn't have to do with any math, science, or language rule.
These rules are now a part of my(Catherine's) life, or, at least, I try to keep them to the best of my ability. But sometimes it gets hard when I'm excited and forget, or just aren't thinking about them and forget. So here are some rules, and they are.....
The Above Reproach Rules! :)
In all, there are probably more above reproach rules in the world, but I'm going to talk about two of them. But before I start, I want to give you the definition of the word "reproach".
According to dictionary.com, "reproach" is "to find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame".
Now I don't know about you, but I don't want to be found fault with or blamed. So staying above reproach sounds like a good thing.
I will do the second Above Reproach Rule in this next post, but, without further to do, here is the first Above Reproach Rule:
1. The Rule of Three
This is the rule that is simple to understand and keeps you above reproach (imagine that! ;). But this rule, when not used to it, can see rather "overly cautious" or "not needed". What do you do in this Above Reproach Rule? It's simple; you always have a third person with you and a guy, so you and a guy are never alone together.
So you need to always be with a third person when there are guys and girls in a group. No sneaking off with some boy or being in a room alone with him. When there are guys and girls in a group (say, a school event), you always want to have a third person there with you and him.
This might be confusing, so do you gals mind if I, in my examples, give the people in examples names? May I use the name "Bob" for a boy and "Beth" for a girl name?
Thanks! :)
Here's an example:
Bob and Beth are both at a school event. Beth knows about the Rule of Three, and she always has her friend Britney stay with her so she isn't ever alone with Bob or any other boy. This way, no one can talk about her and Bob or her and another boy. The evening is fun and both Bob and Beth can enjoy themselves without having to worry about anyone mistakenly believing that they consider anyone at the party more than their friend because Britney (and a couple of other friends) is (are) always with them. And the other good thing was they could be around each other, and other members of the other gender, without being awkward because they are alone together.
Now let's pretend that Beth doesn't follow the Rule of Three......
Bob and Beth are both at a school event. Beth doesn't follow the Rule of Three, so she goes into different rooms alone with Bob. Britney, her friend, starts circulating rumors about the two "love birds", but Beth and Bob aren't even friends. The people at the event are whispering and giggling about the two of them, and Bob goes home thoroughly confused while Beth is in tears because of the "terrible mistake".
I understand that this is more of an "extreme" situation, but the point is the same.
This rule- the Rule of Three- is logical; think about it. The more you are with a boy alone, the more people will talk (both boys and girls). The less you are with a boy alone, the less people will talk. In fact, it probably won't even cross their mind.
So, to stay out of the gossip and mean glares, hurting words, etc. I would strongly recommend this Rule of Three.
Here's another good thing about the Rule of Three; it works even when you are married.
No, let me rephrase that; it is the most important when you are married.
Think about it for a second (or maybe a minute ;). If one of your parents saw their spouse in a room alone with another person of the opposite gender, would they be fine with that?
Here's another example:
Let's say that someone found the President sitting and talking in a room alone with some woman. We'd all know about it. Media would make it some dramatic event, the First Lady would be furious either at her husband or the media, and the President would then have a "bad face" just because he was talking to some lady! That all could have been avoided with one rule; The Rule of Three.
Now, I understand that sometimes it can't be helped, but to the best of your ability, obey the Rule of Three!
So if you don't remember anything else, remember this quick little tip to keep this rule in your head: stay in groups of three when in mixed company!
Blessings,
Princess Catherine ~*~
These rules are now a part of my(Catherine's) life, or, at least, I try to keep them to the best of my ability. But sometimes it gets hard when I'm excited and forget, or just aren't thinking about them and forget. So here are some rules, and they are.....
The Above Reproach Rules! :)
In all, there are probably more above reproach rules in the world, but I'm going to talk about two of them. But before I start, I want to give you the definition of the word "reproach".
According to dictionary.com, "reproach" is "to find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame".
Now I don't know about you, but I don't want to be found fault with or blamed. So staying above reproach sounds like a good thing.
I will do the second Above Reproach Rule in this next post, but, without further to do, here is the first Above Reproach Rule:
1. The Rule of Three
This is the rule that is simple to understand and keeps you above reproach (imagine that! ;). But this rule, when not used to it, can see rather "overly cautious" or "not needed". What do you do in this Above Reproach Rule? It's simple; you always have a third person with you and a guy, so you and a guy are never alone together.
So you need to always be with a third person when there are guys and girls in a group. No sneaking off with some boy or being in a room alone with him. When there are guys and girls in a group (say, a school event), you always want to have a third person there with you and him.
This might be confusing, so do you gals mind if I, in my examples, give the people in examples names? May I use the name "Bob" for a boy and "Beth" for a girl name?
Thanks! :)
Here's an example:
Bob and Beth are both at a school event. Beth knows about the Rule of Three, and she always has her friend Britney stay with her so she isn't ever alone with Bob or any other boy. This way, no one can talk about her and Bob or her and another boy. The evening is fun and both Bob and Beth can enjoy themselves without having to worry about anyone mistakenly believing that they consider anyone at the party more than their friend because Britney (and a couple of other friends) is (are) always with them. And the other good thing was they could be around each other, and other members of the other gender, without being awkward because they are alone together.
Now let's pretend that Beth doesn't follow the Rule of Three......
Bob and Beth are both at a school event. Beth doesn't follow the Rule of Three, so she goes into different rooms alone with Bob. Britney, her friend, starts circulating rumors about the two "love birds", but Beth and Bob aren't even friends. The people at the event are whispering and giggling about the two of them, and Bob goes home thoroughly confused while Beth is in tears because of the "terrible mistake".
I understand that this is more of an "extreme" situation, but the point is the same.
This rule- the Rule of Three- is logical; think about it. The more you are with a boy alone, the more people will talk (both boys and girls). The less you are with a boy alone, the less people will talk. In fact, it probably won't even cross their mind.
So, to stay out of the gossip and mean glares, hurting words, etc. I would strongly recommend this Rule of Three.
Here's another good thing about the Rule of Three; it works even when you are married.
No, let me rephrase that; it is the most important when you are married.
Think about it for a second (or maybe a minute ;). If one of your parents saw their spouse in a room alone with another person of the opposite gender, would they be fine with that?
Here's another example:
Let's say that someone found the President sitting and talking in a room alone with some woman. We'd all know about it. Media would make it some dramatic event, the First Lady would be furious either at her husband or the media, and the President would then have a "bad face" just because he was talking to some lady! That all could have been avoided with one rule; The Rule of Three.
Now, I understand that sometimes it can't be helped, but to the best of your ability, obey the Rule of Three!
So if you don't remember anything else, remember this quick little tip to keep this rule in your head: stay in groups of three when in mixed company!
Blessings,
Princess Catherine ~*~
Saturday, December 19, 2009
What Should I Do While Waiting?
“Come on Rebekah, why do you have to be so old-fashioned? It’s not like anyone really cares anymore.” Rebekah shifted her head scarf to shield her eyes from the bright desert sun, turning away from Leah, the girl who lived down the street.
“Look, I’ve told you before, Leah. I want to follow God’s plan for my life because the husband he brings me will be way better than whoever I would get acting worldly.” Leah snorted in disapproval and tossed her head.
“Whatever. Have fun dreaming.” She said arrogantly, turning sharply around and walking away. Rebekah was left feeling depressed and doubtful. What she had said sounded good, but was it really true?
“Am I waiting for someone who doesn’t exist?” She wondered, turning sadly and walking home.
“Look, I’ve told you before, Leah. I want to follow God’s plan for my life because the husband he brings me will be way better than whoever I would get acting worldly.” Leah snorted in disapproval and tossed her head.
“Whatever. Have fun dreaming.” She said arrogantly, turning sharply around and walking away. Rebekah was left feeling depressed and doubtful. What she had said sounded good, but was it really true?
“Am I waiting for someone who doesn’t exist?” She wondered, turning sadly and walking home.
Rebekah probably had a lot of the same problems you do. She probably knew people who had much loser morals than she did; she might have even had friends that were already married. Sometimes she probably questioned what she believed and stood for. But, through it all, Rebekah stayed faithful and pure, following God’s plan for her life. We don’t know all of what Rebekah did during those years, I wish we did. However, we do know that when God brought her once-in-a-lifetime chance along, she was found much more attractive that the other girls simply because she had maintained her purity. The only thing is, the devil has a way of planting seeds in our brain that we don’t want. Seeds of doubt. Seeds that grow up to tell us that what we’re waiting for doesn’t exist. One way to keep doubts from maturing is to not just sit around thinking and wondering about them. That brings us to the main question. What should I do while waiting? Let’s pick up my story where we left off and see what Rebekah did.
Rebekah sighed as she continued on her way to the spring, holding a clay jar on her shoulder. That was where she had been going when she met Leah on the road and gotten into a conversation. Though it was early evening, the sun was still hot. As Rebekah got closer to the spring outside of town, she noticed a strange sight. An entire caravan of camels loaded with all kinds of beautiful things from far away places were kneeling down by the spring to rest. A man only slightly younger than her father was making sure each of them knelt down before he himself sat next to the well. He watched Leah and the other girls from Rebekah’s town draw water for a second, then closed his eyes and folded his hands in front of him as though praying. Rebekah stepped quieter, not wanting to disturb him. Before he finished praying, she had reached the well and lowered her jar down. She lifted it out and began to walk away just as the man opened his eyes. Suddenly the man got up and hurried after her. Rebekah stopped, wondering what he wanted.
“Please,” He said, “give me a little water from your jar.” Rebekah, who had always been taught to help weary travelers, quickly lowered the jar off her shoulder, politely saying,
“Of course.” After he had taken a drink, Rebekah thought quickly and decided to go the extra mile.
“I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking.” Quickly emptying her jar into the camel’s trough, she ran back to the well to draw more. Without saying a word, the man watched her closely.
Now, this may not seem like such a big deal. Water the camels? You see, there is more to this than there appears. The man had ten camels, and one camel is only done drinking when he has had around 70 gallons of water! Can you imagine how many times Rebekah would have had to fill that jar to give each camel 70 gallons? Just to add something else to the mix, if you’ll notice she was running the whole time. Wow! So, what did Rebekah do while waiting? She helped others, doing what God wanted her to. It is also interesting to note that Rebekah helped the man without any hesitation. What an example! What would it look like if we were that willing to serve God every day of our single (and married) lives even if it meant helping a stranger or watering ten camels with 70 gallons of water each? Sorry, I’m a slight bit off topic.
The point is, Rebekah gives us a perfect example of what to do while waiting. We should follow God’s plan for our life and work for Him in all ways possible. We should show others that, (unlike some teenage girls) we have decided in our hearts to wait on God’s timing by serving Him in the process. Rebekah loved God and showed it. I think we should do the same, even when it’s sometimes hard. It will always bring rewards in the end! Do you want to see Rebekah’s reward? Just watch.
Finally, as Rebekah finished, the man spoke to her.
“Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” he asked.
Rebekah felt glad she knew her family history, and also glad they had a spare room.
“I am the daughter of Bethuel and the granddaughter of Nahor. We have plenty of room for you.”
“I am the daughter of Bethuel and the granddaughter of Nahor. We have plenty of room for you.”
The man seemed excited and followed her. It was only later that Rebekah found out that this man was the servant of Abraham, her grandfather’s brother. Abraham’s son Isaac was not married, and the servant had come here, to Abraham’s home town, to find a wife for him. He had prayed to God and God had brought Rebekah. He wanted to bring her back with him to where Abraham lived. Rebekah was overjoyed when her father and brother said yes.
“Rebekah!” Rebekah looked up to hear her mother’s voice. It was the next day since the servant had arrived, and Rebekah, somewhat alarmed, wondered if he was already ready to leave. When she arrived, she found the servant of Abraham, her mother, and her brother standing outside the house.
“This man wants you to leave with him now.” Her mother explained, tears standing in her eyes.
“Rebekah!” Rebekah looked up to hear her mother’s voice. It was the next day since the servant had arrived, and Rebekah, somewhat alarmed, wondered if he was already ready to leave. When she arrived, she found the servant of Abraham, her mother, and her brother standing outside the house.
“This man wants you to leave with him now.” Her mother explained, tears standing in her eyes.
“We have decided to ask you if you will go now or stay a few more days.” Rebekah hesitated.
She would really miss her family, and she might not ever see them again. Then again, this whole encounter had to be God’s blessing on her life, and she wasn’t sure it would be wise to wait before following His plan. With a deep breath, she made her decision.
“I will go.”
“I will go.”
Rebekah had a chance to follow God’s plan, and she took it. The best thing about this story is, it’s true! The somewhat longer biblical version can be found in Genesis 24. Next time you wonder what you should do while waiting, remember Rebekah. Get out and serve God!
Princess Melody~*~
Friday, December 18, 2009
Question #6: How Long Should You Wait?
How long should you wait? A year? 20 years?
The answer is, either until he comes or until the world ends.
The only one who knows exactly how long you will wait is God. And since we don’t know, we wait until our waiting is rewarded and Prince Charming comes.
Look at this scenario I made up about a woman named Lisa:
Lisa has been waiting faithfully for Prince Charming, and she just turned thirty. All her other friends have gotten married almost a decade ago, and she’s starting to wonder “What’s happening? Did I do something wrong? I mean, I’m thirty and I still haven’t gotten married yet!”
As I said before, we don’t know when exactly your husband will finally come. For your best friend it could be at age nineteen. For you, it could be at age thirty. But don’t be worried! God is in control, and even though you might not be able to see it now, his plan is so much better than the ones we think up.
But just for debate, let’s look at what might happen if Lisa doesn’t wait any more.
After her thirtieth birthday, Lisa gives up. Anxious to end her singleness, she marries the next man she meets that looks like he might pass for a Christian. After all, he goes to church! He might have some other things that aren’t quite so good…but she can’t be picky!
Well, then it turns out that this guy wasn’t a Christian after all. Five years later, Lisa gets a divorce.
What happened to Lisa could have a great possibility of happening to you if you go your own way instead of waiting for God’s greater plan to finally un-roll.
Now, let’s look at what might happen if Lisa did wait.
It took a while, but finally Lisa meets a godly man who truly loves her. He too has been searching for years to find a wife, and after courting, they get married. Twenty years later, their marriage is still strong and God-honoring.
And that, fellow princesses, will hopefully be the happy ending to your story as well as to our fictional character, Lisa’s.
I seem to be getting a little into Princess
Some people won’t get married. Even though God plans for many people to get married, there are some people who are called to single ministry. Think of Paul, an apostle who wrote a huge chunk of the New Testament! (He was helped by a married couple,
But the majority of Christians are called to get married—and do great things, too. An example is Esther, who used her marriage to the king to save her people. Not to mention all the others, such as Adam and Eve, Boaz and Ruth, and Isaac and Rebekah.
Just to name a few.
Ladies, don't give your heart away to the first knight who comes questing for it just because you're afraid that you'll become an old maid if you don't grab at the first chance. It's always worth it to wait for the right guy.
In Christ,
Princess Izori
Thursday, December 17, 2009
What If People Ask About Waiting?
“What if people ask about waiting or about why I’m waiting?” she wailed. “What would I say? People will think that I’m a geek! I mean, how many people nowadays wait for their future husband? Some of the girls at school are always talking about what boys they’re going out with now, and who dumped who, and I just know that they’ll ask me someday about who I’m dating. What will I say?”
1) Be prepared. This one is a bit hard (for me, too!) because it means taking the time to think about what you’ll say and do before this happens and to plan for it. It’s hard to sit down and do that when we don’t really see that situation happening to us, or when we think we’ll be able to deal with it right then and there.
2) Who cares? This can be hard also because we care about what people think of us. We want people to think good things about us and to like us, and if we say that we’re waiting, people may think that we’re weird, perhaps even too weird to hang out with! But I would encourage you to stand up for the fact that you’re waiting, though it may get hard. If people think you’re weird, that’s their problem, not yours, since you are honoring God in waiting for your future husband.
3) In standing up for what you believe it right, you may encourage someone else to do the same. There could possibly be someone who has been too shy or scared or self-conscious to stand up for waiting. If they realize that you stand up for it, you may help give them the courage to do the same, and through it all you may gain a new friend. Am I saying that there are people like that in every crowd and in every situation? Not necessarily, but there could be. Even if there aren’t, I would still encourage you to stay strong for your beliefs.
4) Pray. Ask God to help give you the words to say, and then to have the courage to say it. Ask Him to help you stand strong, no matter what! Ask Him to use you as a blessing and/or encouragement to someone as you stand.
I hope that this is helpful to you, and remember, if you are God’s princess, this is what he says to you:
~Princess Gloria
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Am I Waiting For Someone That Isn't Real?
Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick, tock. The clock in the waiting room kept up the steady beat of ticking and tocking throughout the day. Rachel coughed loudly, but remembered in time to keep her arm over her mouth. Why did she have to get sick too? Frustrated, she sat hunched in the doctor's waiting room, drumming her fingers on the hard, cherry-colored wood that was the armrest of her chair. She twined her fingers into her shoulder-length brown hair, curling the locks around her shaking hands. Why was she always so cold but still sweating? A shiver coursed though her body.
I hope the doctor helps me! Rachel thought with anxiousness. Without giving me a shot!
It wasn't like she was going to die or anything, it was just that she didn't want her other family members to get sick too. But if she was sick enough to have to get a shot.....Rachel slumped in her chair again. Why couldn't the doctor make her better without giving her a shot? Sometimes things didn't make sense to the seven year old girl. Sighing, she drummed her fingers faster, the noise drowning out the doomed sounding ticking and tocking of the clock. Suddenly, the waiting room door burst open and a nurse burst into the room.
"Rachel? The doctor will see you now." She called to the girl.
Rachel's mother followed behind her daughter, gently nudging Rachel onward with her eyes.
The nurse led them into a room with one of those soft sitting tables and a chair for Rachel's mother. The nurse turned to Rachel's mom and said politely "The doctor will be in with you shortly." and then closed the door.
The doctor came in, gave Rachel her medicine, and told her she'd be fine in a couple days or so.
Even though all these other thoughts ran though Rachel's mind, she never once thought "Oh, maybe there isn't really a doctor in the room! What if I'll be sick forever and ever?!" That would be ridiculous to assume that, right?
If they went to a doctor's office, you would expect to see a doctor, right?
The mother never would have given the girl a false hope that a doctor could have made her better if she knew that there was no doctor. That would be almost cruel, wouldn't it?
Here's another story that is also the same thing:
They said they'd come. They said it a million times! Okay, not a million, but pretty close! Okay, Okay, not pretty close to a million, but they said they'd come! But why are they late? There wasn't a clock in the room, so Jessica didn't know what time it was, and she once again wished she had brought her watch to keep track of time. She grabbed another blue string that served as a decoration and stuffed it up by the unmoving ceiling fan, making the room look more party-ready. Samuel will come before they do if they don't hurry up! Jessica thought with a tad of annoyance at her friends. Suddenly, she heard a knock at her front door and rushed to it with hope in her heart. Yes! There were Peter, Matty, and Gretchen, all standing at the door! Jessica's friends had agreed to assist her in decorating and celebrating Samuel's 16th birthday, and now they were here! After giving Matty and Gretchen hugs and Peter a handshake, Jessica and her pals started preparing for Samuel's party. Other people would come soon, but Jessica had wanted her best friends to help her with preparing for Samuel's party. After all, how often do people turn 16? Peter blew up the balloon, Matty decorated the tables in the dinning room, basement, and living room. Gretchen busied herself preparing the food and drinks for the guests, while Jessica herself worked on the birthday cake. She had been saving it for him, and had even protected it from her sugar-hungry brothers. With the help of her friends, Samuel's party was all prepared and the guests started arriving. When Samuel walked in the door, he had no idea that he was going to have a surprise birthday party! And the cake Jessica had made was especially delicious.
Jessica never doubted that Samuel would come, and even though she had to save the cake a few times, she kept it perfect for just the right moment. And no one ever said "Because you are keeping it a secret from him, he won't come! You saved the cake for nothing!" NO! That would be ridiculous, to say the least. Remember that list of requirements we talked about? (If not, click here) That is what we are looking for in our Prince Charming or Knight.
But does that person really exist?
All the examples are just allegories, but what about the "real deal"?
Here are 3 reasons why I believe that my Prince (who fits all my "need" standards) is real:
1. I See Evidence in the Bible
The whole story of Ruth and Boaz is a beautiful one. Naomi, her husband, and her two sons lived in Bethlehem, but because of a famine, they went to Moab. Then Naomi's husband died, and so did her two sons. The famine in Bethlehem was gone, and so Naomi decided to return to her hometown. Her two daughter-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth, can stay in Moab or go with Naomi to Bethlehem. Orpah decides to stay, but Ruth, in honor of her dead husband and for Naomi, stays with her mother-in-law. Because woman couldn't own land, Ruth had to go and gather grain from other people's fields, so Ruth went to gather grain from a field owned by a man named Boaz. It turns out that they are related because Boaz was related to Ruth's late husband, and so, as was custom, Boaz took Ruth as his wife. He didn't have to because another relative had a right to marry Ruth first, but he didn't want to lose his inheritance so he refused to help Ruth. Boaz, like a gallant knight, came to Ruth's rescue and treated her kindly. Did you know that Ruth and Boaz are in Jesus' family tree (see Matthew 1:5), and Ruth is one of four woman mentioned in the family tree? Cool, hu? Gallant men are out there!
But wait, this is in Bible times, so does it apply to today?
I still think it does, and here's reason number 2:
2. I See Evidence Today
What? You mean today?! In the 21st century? Ha! You're joking, right?
Nope! Not at all!
Leslie and Eric Ludy both lived "set apart" lives. They didn't joke about dating. That kind of relationship means a lot to them and they took it seriously. Leslie waited for her Prince Charming to come but didn't let that hinder her from serving the LORD. Eric followed (and still does) the LORD and didn't try to gain the attention of girls. His focus was (and is) on God. God honored that in both of them, and brought them together. Now, 15 years and 4 children later, they are still happily married and sharing their testimony with others to encourage them (see http://www.setapartlife.com/Our_Story.html for more information)! They even write songs together, including "Faithfully" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZzrmGoixME)! Cool, hu?
3. I See A Want For It
Nobody wants to marry someone they hate or think is less than the requirements, right? People want to be loved; it's how we are created! People want someone to talk to; it's how we are "wired" (if I may use the term). People don't want to spend the rest of their lives with someone that is not respectful, mean, and just all around discouraging. People want someone that is the perfect person for them, that's why they created dating websites like eHarmony, Match, and Chemistry, right? They wouldn't have created those websites if they knew that no one would use them! They saw a "need" (it was really a want, not a need), and they met it with those websites. People want people who love, respect, and cherish them, but they rarely wait for that person to come in God's timing. Instead, they try to take things into their own hands, and that might work out, for some, but it would had been 1,000 times better if God had done it and not them. What is more special, a relationship that was planned by a computer company that you don't even know much about or a relationship that was planned by the all powerful, all knowing, all loving God who created you, knows everything about you, and knows your thoughts before you even think of them? The answer should be blindingly obvious. And guess what! HE knows everything about everyone in the whole world, past, present, and future! So HE knows who would be the "perfect match" for you!
So, are you "Waiting for someone that isn't real?" NO!!! God has a story for you, and, like Mr. and Mrs. Ludy say "Give the pen to HIM!" Don't try to write the story yourself, but trust in the all knowing, all powerful, and all loving God!!!!
Keep waiting faithfully!
I hope the doctor helps me! Rachel thought with anxiousness. Without giving me a shot!
It wasn't like she was going to die or anything, it was just that she didn't want her other family members to get sick too. But if she was sick enough to have to get a shot.....Rachel slumped in her chair again. Why couldn't the doctor make her better without giving her a shot? Sometimes things didn't make sense to the seven year old girl. Sighing, she drummed her fingers faster, the noise drowning out the doomed sounding ticking and tocking of the clock. Suddenly, the waiting room door burst open and a nurse burst into the room.
"Rachel? The doctor will see you now." She called to the girl.
Rachel's mother followed behind her daughter, gently nudging Rachel onward with her eyes.
The nurse led them into a room with one of those soft sitting tables and a chair for Rachel's mother. The nurse turned to Rachel's mom and said politely "The doctor will be in with you shortly." and then closed the door.
The doctor came in, gave Rachel her medicine, and told her she'd be fine in a couple days or so.
Even though all these other thoughts ran though Rachel's mind, she never once thought "Oh, maybe there isn't really a doctor in the room! What if I'll be sick forever and ever?!" That would be ridiculous to assume that, right?
If they went to a doctor's office, you would expect to see a doctor, right?
The mother never would have given the girl a false hope that a doctor could have made her better if she knew that there was no doctor. That would be almost cruel, wouldn't it?
Here's another story that is also the same thing:
They said they'd come. They said it a million times! Okay, not a million, but pretty close! Okay, Okay, not pretty close to a million, but they said they'd come! But why are they late? There wasn't a clock in the room, so Jessica didn't know what time it was, and she once again wished she had brought her watch to keep track of time. She grabbed another blue string that served as a decoration and stuffed it up by the unmoving ceiling fan, making the room look more party-ready. Samuel will come before they do if they don't hurry up! Jessica thought with a tad of annoyance at her friends. Suddenly, she heard a knock at her front door and rushed to it with hope in her heart. Yes! There were Peter, Matty, and Gretchen, all standing at the door! Jessica's friends had agreed to assist her in decorating and celebrating Samuel's 16th birthday, and now they were here! After giving Matty and Gretchen hugs and Peter a handshake, Jessica and her pals started preparing for Samuel's party. Other people would come soon, but Jessica had wanted her best friends to help her with preparing for Samuel's party. After all, how often do people turn 16? Peter blew up the balloon, Matty decorated the tables in the dinning room, basement, and living room. Gretchen busied herself preparing the food and drinks for the guests, while Jessica herself worked on the birthday cake. She had been saving it for him, and had even protected it from her sugar-hungry brothers. With the help of her friends, Samuel's party was all prepared and the guests started arriving. When Samuel walked in the door, he had no idea that he was going to have a surprise birthday party! And the cake Jessica had made was especially delicious.
Jessica never doubted that Samuel would come, and even though she had to save the cake a few times, she kept it perfect for just the right moment. And no one ever said "Because you are keeping it a secret from him, he won't come! You saved the cake for nothing!" NO! That would be ridiculous, to say the least. Remember that list of requirements we talked about? (If not, click here) That is what we are looking for in our Prince Charming or Knight.
But does that person really exist?
All the examples are just allegories, but what about the "real deal"?
Here are 3 reasons why I believe that my Prince (who fits all my "need" standards) is real:
1. I See Evidence in the Bible
The whole story of Ruth and Boaz is a beautiful one. Naomi, her husband, and her two sons lived in Bethlehem, but because of a famine, they went to Moab. Then Naomi's husband died, and so did her two sons. The famine in Bethlehem was gone, and so Naomi decided to return to her hometown. Her two daughter-in-laws, Orpah and Ruth, can stay in Moab or go with Naomi to Bethlehem. Orpah decides to stay, but Ruth, in honor of her dead husband and for Naomi, stays with her mother-in-law. Because woman couldn't own land, Ruth had to go and gather grain from other people's fields, so Ruth went to gather grain from a field owned by a man named Boaz. It turns out that they are related because Boaz was related to Ruth's late husband, and so, as was custom, Boaz took Ruth as his wife. He didn't have to because another relative had a right to marry Ruth first, but he didn't want to lose his inheritance so he refused to help Ruth. Boaz, like a gallant knight, came to Ruth's rescue and treated her kindly. Did you know that Ruth and Boaz are in Jesus' family tree (see Matthew 1:5), and Ruth is one of four woman mentioned in the family tree? Cool, hu? Gallant men are out there!
But wait, this is in Bible times, so does it apply to today?
I still think it does, and here's reason number 2:
2. I See Evidence Today
What? You mean today?! In the 21st century? Ha! You're joking, right?
Nope! Not at all!
Leslie and Eric Ludy both lived "set apart" lives. They didn't joke about dating. That kind of relationship means a lot to them and they took it seriously. Leslie waited for her Prince Charming to come but didn't let that hinder her from serving the LORD. Eric followed (and still does) the LORD and didn't try to gain the attention of girls. His focus was (and is) on God. God honored that in both of them, and brought them together. Now, 15 years and 4 children later, they are still happily married and sharing their testimony with others to encourage them (see http://www.setapartlife.com/Our_Story.html for more information)! They even write songs together, including "Faithfully" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZzrmGoixME)! Cool, hu?
3. I See A Want For It
Nobody wants to marry someone they hate or think is less than the requirements, right? People want to be loved; it's how we are created! People want someone to talk to; it's how we are "wired" (if I may use the term). People don't want to spend the rest of their lives with someone that is not respectful, mean, and just all around discouraging. People want someone that is the perfect person for them, that's why they created dating websites like eHarmony, Match, and Chemistry, right? They wouldn't have created those websites if they knew that no one would use them! They saw a "need" (it was really a want, not a need), and they met it with those websites. People want people who love, respect, and cherish them, but they rarely wait for that person to come in God's timing. Instead, they try to take things into their own hands, and that might work out, for some, but it would had been 1,000 times better if God had done it and not them. What is more special, a relationship that was planned by a computer company that you don't even know much about or a relationship that was planned by the all powerful, all knowing, all loving God who created you, knows everything about you, and knows your thoughts before you even think of them? The answer should be blindingly obvious. And guess what! HE knows everything about everyone in the whole world, past, present, and future! So HE knows who would be the "perfect match" for you!
So, are you "Waiting for someone that isn't real?" NO!!! God has a story for you, and, like Mr. and Mrs. Ludy say "Give the pen to HIM!" Don't try to write the story yourself, but trust in the all knowing, all powerful, and all loving God!!!!
Keep waiting faithfully!
Isaiah 40:31 (NASB) "Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."
Wait for the LORD and HIS timing; you won't be disappointed! :)
Princess Catherine ~*~
Mary's Journal
Day One of the Sixth Month, 4 B.C.
Okay, I'm going to try this. Father says that the best way to make memories is to write them down, so I decided to use these pieces of parchment for my own personal journal. Well, I guess I should start at the beginning. My name is Mary, daughter of Jethro and Anna. The years I have lived are fourteen. My mother says that I am almost and adult. After all, I am getting married soon. Mother and Father have already picked out my husband, a good friend of mine called Joseph. Well, now that I have told you who I am, I can start telling you what I have been doing. Not much has happened here in Nazareth lately, I'm hoping for some excitement soon.
Day Two of the Sixth Month, 4 B.C.
When I said I wanted excitement I didn't mean this! Today Mother and Father left me at home while they went to the market. I was grinding the grain into flour, just one of my normal chores. Suddenly, I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I turned, and there was a man in the middle of the room! He had blond hair and pure white clothes. I screamed and dropped the grindstone, but he spoke calmly.
"Greetings you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." He said. "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His Kingdom will never end." Finally regaining my composure, I spoke to the angel.
"H...h...how can th...th...this be?" I stuttered. "I...I'm a virgin. I can't have a baby!" The angel, at least I thought he was an angel, smiled before answering.
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God." While I was still trying to process the fact that my baby would be the Son of God, the angel continued.
"Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." This was definitely interesting, but I guessed that I had but one choice of an answer.
"I am the Lord's servant." I said quietly. "May it be to me as you have said." As suddenly as the angel had come, he disappeared. I wondered if I might possibly regret my last words to him in the next days (after all, what am I going to tell Joseph? What about my family? And friends?), but, of course, I had no way of knowing. All I could do was remember what the angel had said, "for nothing is impossible with God". I fell sure I will need that assurance.
Day Six of the Third Month, 5 B.C.
I really am sorry it has been almost a year since I have written. Everything has happened so fast! I can only thank Jehovah for giving Joseph a dream that convinced him I tell the truth about the Son of God. Joseph was somewhat able to convince my parents. We're on the road the Bethlehem now, Caesar Augustus ordered that we all go to our own towns for a census. Joseph says we're not that far off. I hope that he's right, I think there is a possibility that Jesus will come even tonight. Oh! I can see the city now!
Later the same night
You won't believe it! Jesus really was born tonight! None of the inns had rooms for us, we ended up in a stable. More of a cave, really. Jesus has to sleep in a manger, but I hope He doesn't mind much. At least we aren't out in the cold with the Son of God! It's warm in here with all the people. That brings me to the best part. Just as Joseph and I were settling in for the night, we heard a loud commotion outside. Shepherds from the fields near Bethlehem came rushing into the stable, shouting:
"Give glory to Jehovah!" and falling on their knees in front of the manger. They say that they were visited by and angel (I believe it!) who told them where to find the Son of God. Since then, they have run up and down every street in town shouting the news. Many people have come to see since! I have been thinking through it all that I really don't know what the future holds for us now. All I do know is that God chose us, so Joseph and I will follow Him where ever it leads.
What courage. Mary and Joseph had no idea what they would have to go through for their
Son, but they willingly walked a path that no one in history had ever been down. Oh, that we would have their courage this season and always! God bless your Christmas!
Okay, I'm going to try this. Father says that the best way to make memories is to write them down, so I decided to use these pieces of parchment for my own personal journal. Well, I guess I should start at the beginning. My name is Mary, daughter of Jethro and Anna. The years I have lived are fourteen. My mother says that I am almost and adult. After all, I am getting married soon. Mother and Father have already picked out my husband, a good friend of mine called Joseph. Well, now that I have told you who I am, I can start telling you what I have been doing. Not much has happened here in Nazareth lately, I'm hoping for some excitement soon.
Day Two of the Sixth Month, 4 B.C.
When I said I wanted excitement I didn't mean this! Today Mother and Father left me at home while they went to the market. I was grinding the grain into flour, just one of my normal chores. Suddenly, I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I turned, and there was a man in the middle of the room! He had blond hair and pure white clothes. I screamed and dropped the grindstone, but he spoke calmly.
"Greetings you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." He said. "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His Kingdom will never end." Finally regaining my composure, I spoke to the angel.
"H...h...how can th...th...this be?" I stuttered. "I...I'm a virgin. I can't have a baby!" The angel, at least I thought he was an angel, smiled before answering.
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God." While I was still trying to process the fact that my baby would be the Son of God, the angel continued.
"Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." This was definitely interesting, but I guessed that I had but one choice of an answer.
"I am the Lord's servant." I said quietly. "May it be to me as you have said." As suddenly as the angel had come, he disappeared. I wondered if I might possibly regret my last words to him in the next days (after all, what am I going to tell Joseph? What about my family? And friends?), but, of course, I had no way of knowing. All I could do was remember what the angel had said, "for nothing is impossible with God". I fell sure I will need that assurance.
Day Six of the Third Month, 5 B.C.
I really am sorry it has been almost a year since I have written. Everything has happened so fast! I can only thank Jehovah for giving Joseph a dream that convinced him I tell the truth about the Son of God. Joseph was somewhat able to convince my parents. We're on the road the Bethlehem now, Caesar Augustus ordered that we all go to our own towns for a census. Joseph says we're not that far off. I hope that he's right, I think there is a possibility that Jesus will come even tonight. Oh! I can see the city now!
Later the same night
You won't believe it! Jesus really was born tonight! None of the inns had rooms for us, we ended up in a stable. More of a cave, really. Jesus has to sleep in a manger, but I hope He doesn't mind much. At least we aren't out in the cold with the Son of God! It's warm in here with all the people. That brings me to the best part. Just as Joseph and I were settling in for the night, we heard a loud commotion outside. Shepherds from the fields near Bethlehem came rushing into the stable, shouting:
"Give glory to Jehovah!" and falling on their knees in front of the manger. They say that they were visited by and angel (I believe it!) who told them where to find the Son of God. Since then, they have run up and down every street in town shouting the news. Many people have come to see since! I have been thinking through it all that I really don't know what the future holds for us now. All I do know is that God chose us, so Joseph and I will follow Him where ever it leads.
What courage. Mary and Joseph had no idea what they would have to go through for their
Son, but they willingly walked a path that no one in history had ever been down. Oh, that we would have their courage this season and always! God bless your Christmas!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Is Courting Old-Fashioned?
Have you ever played "Pokemon Ruby (or Sapphire) Version" before?
Well, in it, you go to an island, and a boy is walking around and asks you what is "hip, happening, and trendy." He'll say that "Mystery Radio" (or something else that strange) is "in", and then ask if you agree. If you say "no", then he'll ask you what is the new thing that's "in". When I put something else ("Hero Girl"), he said "Yeah! That's right! 'Hero Girl', right? Isn't 'Hero Girl' the coolest or what? 'Mystery Radio'... It's, like, so five minutes ago. Now 'Hero Girl' is what's vital....!"
Now, what does this have to do with courting or dating? Well the question is "Is Courting Old-Fashioned", and that is the question I (Princess Catherine) intend to answer.
First, before the question "Is Courting Old-Fashioned" can be answered, it already assumes something else; that something else, newer and better, is here. I mean, to ask whether courting is old-fashioned means that something else is newer, right? Kinda like the "Mystery Radio" and "Hero Girl". I don't know about you, but "Hero Girl sounds a lot better than "Mystery Radio", right? But is courting better than dating?
Princess Emily shared with us how her dating experience (click here for that post), and I am sure you have heard similar stories of how dating has hurt people. Maybe it's even happened to you. The only 2 "benefits" for dating I can see are
1. You spend your time worrying, enjoying, and being part of someone else's life
2. You can call them you "boyfriend" and sound adult-like
Notice that both of these are "short term"; they don't last.
Remember in the post "Now What?, Part 2" It talks about 7 real benefits of courting, and 7 real benefits is 3 times as much as 2 "benefits".
Don't worry; I'm not going to side track anymore. :)
So, is courting old-fashioned, or is dating "hip, happening, and trendy"?
As I mentioned in a reply to a comment on the post "What's Courting? And How is it Different From Dating?" I used the mailbox comparison "Also, some old fashioned things aren't bad. For example, mail. Now that we have e-mail, why do we still have mail boxes? Because they are still useful. It's kinda like that with courting. :)" (see the whole comment here) Or what about doors? "Doors?" You might be wondering, but think about it. We have all these automatic doors (in libraries, churches, schools, etc.), but what type of door do you have at your house? A "plain" old door that is fashioned (made) like the ones in Laura Ingall's time (the author who wrote the "Little House" book series)! So, the point is, old fashioned isn't always bad.
But although courting itself was practiced in the "Little House" times and farther back, it survived because of what? If something is useless, than it isn't used, right? Well, if courting was useless, than how come people from the 1800's (and people farther back in history) used courting instead of dating? How come they didn't invent dating if they needed it? "OK, OK!" You might be thinking "But what about now? Someone invented it now, so is it needed? Is courting now useless?"
Well, first off, as many stories -fiction and non fiction, of today and in the past- have shown us that courting is a good way of getting to know the other gender. But there's always someone who wants to "shake up the status quo", and so dating began. I looked to see who "formally" started dating, but I didn't get an answer. So, even though courting is old, I don't see it as old-fashioned. It's still useful, it's not out-of-date (no pun intended)(although on the pun, it kinda is "out of date" because it's courting, not dating. ;), and it's benefits are more than those of dating. People see dating's the new "in", so then, just like that boy on the Pokemon game they think courting is "so five minutes ago", as if that makes it wrong!
I'm sorry for those who have been patiently waiting (or wanting) for the end of this "blog entry", where I would tell them a simple "yes" or "no" answer. OK, so here are my answers.
Although courting is old, it isn't old fashioned. It's still useful and beneficial, but our society wants what's "hip, happening, and trendy" not what will be better in the long run. Dating's happening everywhere and it's started a "trend". So, again "Courting isn't old-fashioned, it's just dating's new!"
Well, in it, you go to an island, and a boy is walking around and asks you what is "hip, happening, and trendy." He'll say that "Mystery Radio" (or something else that strange) is "in", and then ask if you agree. If you say "no", then he'll ask you what is the new thing that's "in". When I put something else ("Hero Girl"), he said "Yeah! That's right! 'Hero Girl', right? Isn't 'Hero Girl' the coolest or what? 'Mystery Radio'... It's, like, so five minutes ago. Now 'Hero Girl' is what's vital....!"
Now, what does this have to do with courting or dating? Well the question is "Is Courting Old-Fashioned", and that is the question I (Princess Catherine) intend to answer.
First, before the question "Is Courting Old-Fashioned" can be answered, it already assumes something else; that something else, newer and better, is here. I mean, to ask whether courting is old-fashioned means that something else is newer, right? Kinda like the "Mystery Radio" and "Hero Girl". I don't know about you, but "Hero Girl sounds a lot better than "Mystery Radio", right? But is courting better than dating?
Princess Emily shared with us how her dating experience (click here for that post), and I am sure you have heard similar stories of how dating has hurt people. Maybe it's even happened to you. The only 2 "benefits" for dating I can see are
1. You spend your time worrying, enjoying, and being part of someone else's life
2. You can call them you "boyfriend" and sound adult-like
Notice that both of these are "short term"; they don't last.
Remember in the post "Now What?, Part 2" It talks about 7 real benefits of courting, and 7 real benefits is 3 times as much as 2 "benefits".
Don't worry; I'm not going to side track anymore. :)
So, is courting old-fashioned, or is dating "hip, happening, and trendy"?
As I mentioned in a reply to a comment on the post "What's Courting? And How is it Different From Dating?" I used the mailbox comparison "Also, some old fashioned things aren't bad. For example, mail. Now that we have e-mail, why do we still have mail boxes? Because they are still useful. It's kinda like that with courting. :)" (see the whole comment here) Or what about doors? "Doors?" You might be wondering, but think about it. We have all these automatic doors (in libraries, churches, schools, etc.), but what type of door do you have at your house? A "plain" old door that is fashioned (made) like the ones in Laura Ingall's time (the author who wrote the "Little House" book series)! So, the point is, old fashioned isn't always bad.
But although courting itself was practiced in the "Little House" times and farther back, it survived because of what? If something is useless, than it isn't used, right? Well, if courting was useless, than how come people from the 1800's (and people farther back in history) used courting instead of dating? How come they didn't invent dating if they needed it? "OK, OK!" You might be thinking "But what about now? Someone invented it now, so is it needed? Is courting now useless?"
Well, first off, as many stories -fiction and non fiction, of today and in the past- have shown us that courting is a good way of getting to know the other gender. But there's always someone who wants to "shake up the status quo", and so dating began. I looked to see who "formally" started dating, but I didn't get an answer. So, even though courting is old, I don't see it as old-fashioned. It's still useful, it's not out-of-date (no pun intended)(although on the pun, it kinda is "out of date" because it's courting, not dating. ;), and it's benefits are more than those of dating. People see dating's the new "in", so then, just like that boy on the Pokemon game they think courting is "so five minutes ago", as if that makes it wrong!
I'm sorry for those who have been patiently waiting (or wanting) for the end of this "blog entry", where I would tell them a simple "yes" or "no" answer. OK, so here are my answers.
Although courting is old, it isn't old fashioned. It's still useful and beneficial, but our society wants what's "hip, happening, and trendy" not what will be better in the long run. Dating's happening everywhere and it's started a "trend". So, again "Courting isn't old-fashioned, it's just dating's new!"
Now that I've officially answered your question (that I asked and answered for you :), I'll end this blog entry for you to comment! :)
Princess Catherine ~*~
Monday, December 14, 2009
Why Wait? What Are the Benefits?
By now you have probably figured out waiting will not be easy, so why wait? I mean, really what’s the point? I (Princess Alicia) used to ask that question a lot. So I decided to tell ya’ll about some of the benefits that I thought of.
Imagine on your wedding day, you’re walking down the aisle and you’re in the prettiest white wedding gown. I used to wonder why most brides wear white. Well, the reason brides wear white is because white is the color of purity. How would it feel to go down the aisle knowing you really are pure? How would it feel to take that vow, knowing that you saved yourself for your groom and you didn’t give your heart away, but you waited for God to put the person He wanted in your life?
Not only would that feel great, but it would guarantee you a great marriage! How can I say that?
Well, if you really waited for God to put the person He wanted in your life then your happily ever after ending awaits you. (Yes! I did just say a happily ever after ending :) God arranges marriages. Genesis 2:18 says this “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’” So you see, God knew from the very beginning that it wasn’t good for us to be alone! God will make someone who is right for you, when the time is right. Did you notice I said when the time is right? Many people get married to the “right” person just at the wrong time. And because of lack of maturity on one or both parts, the marriage fails.
So how do I know when I am ready for marriage? You don’t, but God does.
But what happens if I don’t wait on God? Well, it is possible you will have a good marriage. I know people who are not even Christians who have good marriages.
But God doesn’t want you to have good marriage; He wants you to have the best marriage!
God wants to give you His best, but you have to wait on Him. If you try things your way instead of God’s, then you are not going to get “the best” that God had in mind for you. Isaiah 40:18 says “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!”
When I said that if you wait on God than your happily ever after ending awaits you, I wasn’t kidding! Happily Ever After endings are just make-believe, right? No, actually they do exist, but they are just uncommon. When I say you can have a Happily Ever After ending I don’t mean nothing will go wrong or things will always go perfectly and that you won’t have any problems, the Bible clearly says in this world things are not always go how we want them to.
Happily Ever After Endings are in fact not “endings” at all. They are actually beginnings.
I see a Happily Ever After Beginning as a new phase of your life where God can now work through you and your husband, together. We cannot write our Happily Ever After Beginning only God can. This is why we need to wait on Him.
Trust God; He knows what He is doing! Psalm 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” God knows what’s best and He has a GREAT plan for you! The biggest benefit for waiting on God is Him being able to use you! God wants to use us, but in order for Him to do so, we must learn to wait on HIM.
God knows what’s in your heart. He knows your desires, hopes, and dreams. Even if no one else does, God knows. Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
You see, it’s all in His time, and He knows things we don’t (like what’s really best for us.) Don’t try to do things your way. And like I’ve said (like 10 times already!) God doesn’t want what is just good for us; He wants the best for us! He loves us and if you find it hard to wait, then pray! Ask Him to help you to wait and be contentment. And God will not only come through for you, but He will reward you for waiting on Him. Psalms 27:14 (I love Psalms!) “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Princess Alicia
Sunday, December 13, 2009
What, or Who, Am I Waiting For?
To address this question directly, you are waiting for God’s best.
You’re waiting for the guy that will respect you, your purity, and your parents (big thing). You’re holding out for the guy that will respect , love, care, be gentle, honor , and be loyal to you.
If you marry someone that isn’t God’s best, it doesn’t mean you couldn’t have a good marriage, but you could have missed out on the joy and love filled one that He wanted to give you. It’s like Princess Alicia said, God doesn’t want you to have a good marriage; He wants you to have the best marriage. I know it’s hard to wait with all the handsome guys strutting around like peacocks, but we have to wait; it’s God’s plan for us. So beware you don’t fall into temptation. Set up boundaries to guard yourself. Don’t throw a piece of your heart to just anyone who gives you some attention. Save it for prince Charming and God’s best.
But is it okay to have friends that are boys?
Yes, but strictly friends. I’ve read about some Godly people doing the “two eyes”. It’s pretending that your future husband is looking at how you act from across the room. For example; say you’re somewhere and you’re trying to attract a handsome guy’s gaze (who’s probably thinking, “Who is that crazy person?”), planning to as soon as he looks at you to turn away and giggle with your friends.
If your future spouse was watching you, would he approve of you flirting with someone else? No!
Something I try to do is think of them as brothers in Christ, and I ask myself this question; would I flirt with my real brother? No!
So, who are you waiting for?
As we discussed, it’s for God’s best. And believe me, God’s best isn’t second best; it’s better than any “first” best thing we could even think up! Here is a Scripture verse that might come in handy when you are tempted to give up waiting:
1 Corinthians 10:3 (NIV)
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
So again, wait for God’s best!
God bless,
Princess Sapphire
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A Teenage Daughter of God
"But can I please borrow her?" my little sister asked, leaning in my doorway. I looked back down at my Spanish homework, and then back up at my sister.
"Not this time." I replied quietly. My sister wanted to borrow my rag doll, MariAnn for a Thanksgiving play. The problem was, MariAnn was really too fragile to use. I had made her myself. As my sister left, I got to thinking. MariAnn was special because I made her. I had lots of other fancy collectible dolls that didn't mean nearly as much to me, though they were beautiful and much more expensive. To me, MariAnn was prettier than all of them, and meant so much more.
I realized that MariAnn is kind of like me. Sometimes it seems like God must not love me very much because I make so many mistakes. I'm not movie star beautiful, outrageously talented, angelically perfect (most of the time I'm not even good), but still, HE loves me. Why? That day as I stared blankly at my half-done Spanish homework, the answer came to me. On the sixth day of Creation, God realized this wonderful world He had made was missing a piece. HE could have stopped on the fifth day of Creation and left things as they were, it was amazing already. He could have stopped after making the plants, animals, oceans, sky, birds, fish, sun, moon, stars, darkness and light. God could have, but He didn't. He looked at this wonderfully, beautifully, perfectly made world, and realized it was missing something. HE made us, even though we soon ruined the perfect world HE made. God could have stopped after we betrayed HIM like that and let us go our own way, but HE didn't. HE came to earth as Jesus to save us. Just like I wouldn't leave MariAnn even if she (if she could) decided she didn't want to live with me anymore, even if she wanted to go her own ways and made a mess of it, I would still go find her. I would bring her home no matter what. God did the same for us. HE loves us because HE made us, not because we deserve to be loved. Something you have made always means more to you than something you didn't, because it came from your own hands. So we are to God. Always remember that you are a precious Princess of the King of Kings, and that King would come looking for you anywhere.
"Not this time." I replied quietly. My sister wanted to borrow my rag doll, MariAnn for a Thanksgiving play. The problem was, MariAnn was really too fragile to use. I had made her myself. As my sister left, I got to thinking. MariAnn was special because I made her. I had lots of other fancy collectible dolls that didn't mean nearly as much to me, though they were beautiful and much more expensive. To me, MariAnn was prettier than all of them, and meant so much more.
I realized that MariAnn is kind of like me. Sometimes it seems like God must not love me very much because I make so many mistakes. I'm not movie star beautiful, outrageously talented, angelically perfect (most of the time I'm not even good), but still, HE loves me. Why? That day as I stared blankly at my half-done Spanish homework, the answer came to me. On the sixth day of Creation, God realized this wonderful world He had made was missing a piece. HE could have stopped on the fifth day of Creation and left things as they were, it was amazing already. He could have stopped after making the plants, animals, oceans, sky, birds, fish, sun, moon, stars, darkness and light. God could have, but He didn't. He looked at this wonderfully, beautifully, perfectly made world, and realized it was missing something. HE made us, even though we soon ruined the perfect world HE made. God could have stopped after we betrayed HIM like that and let us go our own way, but HE didn't. HE came to earth as Jesus to save us. Just like I wouldn't leave MariAnn even if she (if she could) decided she didn't want to live with me anymore, even if she wanted to go her own ways and made a mess of it, I would still go find her. I would bring her home no matter what. God did the same for us. HE loves us because HE made us, not because we deserve to be loved. Something you have made always means more to you than something you didn't, because it came from your own hands. So we are to God. Always remember that you are a precious Princess of the King of Kings, and that King would come looking for you anywhere.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Welcome Princess Sapphire!!!!!
We have a new author on the blog; Princess Sapphire!!!!!
Please welcome her as a fellow sister in Christ, and let her know that she is appreciated! :)
Please welcome her as a fellow sister in Christ, and let her know that she is appreciated! :)
Can't wait for your first post Sapphire! :)
Princess Catherine
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Silent Night
What's your favorite Christmas song? I (Princess Melody) don't know if I could choose just one, but I would have to say that one of my favorites is Silent Night. Ever since I was little and watched "Mickey Mouse Christmas Sing-Along", this song has always held a special meaning for me. Something about "holy night" and "sleep in heavenly peace" always felt so Christmas-y. Just recently though, I thought about why it has such a pull. I realized that Silent Night is a very peaceful song ("all is calm, all is bright"). It occurred to me that, if you're anything like me, that that's just what we need during the Christmas Season, peace. Sometimes we just get so rushed decorating, shopping, baking, and wrapping that we forget why Christmas is a holiday.
One dark, bitter cold night in the tiny town of Bethlehem, a girl of about fifteen huddled in an old cave used as a stable. She held in her arms a baby boy, wrapped in a few dirty rags and covered with her own shawl. Her soon-to be husband, Joseph, was filling an animal's feed trough with hay so she would have somewhere to lay her firstborn Son. Cattle mooed, sheep baaed, and that donkey the girl had ridden here was braying still. This girl was Mary, and the baby she held was Jesus. She and Joseph, two people of immense courage and obedience, raised a baby that holds the reason we celebrate this season.
You see, the Christmas story is really just the beginning of the Easter story. Sometimes in the Christmas season, we need quite moments amid all the hustle and bustle to simply remember that. I like to sit by my lit up Christmas tree with the lights off, reading the Christmas story in the Bible, humming Christmas songs, or simply just thinking. The men who wrote Silent Night had the right idea. The night Jesus was born was silent and calm, and so should our Christmas season be. Where you go to find peace this holiday season is left to your discretion, but I challenge you to find a quiet place to remember this Christmas just why we are celebrating!
Princess Melody
One dark, bitter cold night in the tiny town of Bethlehem, a girl of about fifteen huddled in an old cave used as a stable. She held in her arms a baby boy, wrapped in a few dirty rags and covered with her own shawl. Her soon-to be husband, Joseph, was filling an animal's feed trough with hay so she would have somewhere to lay her firstborn Son. Cattle mooed, sheep baaed, and that donkey the girl had ridden here was braying still. This girl was Mary, and the baby she held was Jesus. She and Joseph, two people of immense courage and obedience, raised a baby that holds the reason we celebrate this season.
You see, the Christmas story is really just the beginning of the Easter story. Sometimes in the Christmas season, we need quite moments amid all the hustle and bustle to simply remember that. I like to sit by my lit up Christmas tree with the lights off, reading the Christmas story in the Bible, humming Christmas songs, or simply just thinking. The men who wrote Silent Night had the right idea. The night Jesus was born was silent and calm, and so should our Christmas season be. Where you go to find peace this holiday season is left to your discretion, but I challenge you to find a quiet place to remember this Christmas just why we are celebrating!
Princess Melody
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A Christmas Challenge
'Tis the season to be jolly!
Here it is: the beginning of December, and before long, it'll be Christmas and we'll be saying, "What happened to this month?"
If you're like me, you haven't gone out and done your Christmas shopping yet. We all will probably make a trip to the mall or to some other store within the next couple weeks to make sure we're ready for Christmas. And, of course, there's all that food we need to buy for Christmas dinner, Christmas parties, and snacks in general. Don't want to run out of that! :)
Have you noticed how people don't call Christmas Christmas anymore? Over the past years the word has been taken out of the holiday so that this time of year is now called exactly what I just wrote: a holiday. If you buy something at the store and go to check it out you will receive your receipt and your change, and then the cashier will wish you "Happy holidays." Please understand that it is not wrong to use this phrase, but when it is used in place of Christmas all the time, people have succeeded in taking Christ out of the season, if you know what I mean.
Why don't we do something about it? I don't mean that we should be calling our senators and asking them to pass a bill stating that everyone must use the phrase "Merry Christmas" and that "Happy holidays" is strictly forbidden. I'm asking 'Why don't we stand out a bit from what everyone else is saying?'
So here's my challenge to you and to myself: As we're out and about this Christmas season, maybe at a store or restaurant, and someone says "Happy holidays!" PLEASE DON'T PUNCH THEM IN THE NOSE!!!! :) That would not be a good way of sharing the love of Christ! However, why don't we just say (politely, of course) right back to them,"And a merry Christmas to you, too!" You know what? People probably wouldn't get upset if we were to say that. My mom has started to reply to people that way and no one has gotten angry or defensive about it. In fact, they probably don't even care, and who knows? Maybe it will stand out to someone, or maybe it will simply be something that no one notices.
I know that this will be a bit difficult for me, because it is so much easier to reply "The same to you!" and be on our way, than it is to take the time to wish people a merry Christmas. I know also that sometimes we(I) might forget, or might be too scared, but why not stand out a bit this Christmas? Why not be a little different from the world?
" If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I(Jesus) have chosen you out of the world." ~John 15:19a
~Princess Gloria
Here it is: the beginning of December, and before long, it'll be Christmas and we'll be saying, "What happened to this month?"
If you're like me, you haven't gone out and done your Christmas shopping yet. We all will probably make a trip to the mall or to some other store within the next couple weeks to make sure we're ready for Christmas. And, of course, there's all that food we need to buy for Christmas dinner, Christmas parties, and snacks in general. Don't want to run out of that! :)
Have you noticed how people don't call Christmas Christmas anymore? Over the past years the word has been taken out of the holiday so that this time of year is now called exactly what I just wrote: a holiday. If you buy something at the store and go to check it out you will receive your receipt and your change, and then the cashier will wish you "Happy holidays." Please understand that it is not wrong to use this phrase, but when it is used in place of Christmas all the time, people have succeeded in taking Christ out of the season, if you know what I mean.
Why don't we do something about it? I don't mean that we should be calling our senators and asking them to pass a bill stating that everyone must use the phrase "Merry Christmas" and that "Happy holidays" is strictly forbidden. I'm asking 'Why don't we stand out a bit from what everyone else is saying?'
So here's my challenge to you and to myself: As we're out and about this Christmas season, maybe at a store or restaurant, and someone says "Happy holidays!" PLEASE DON'T PUNCH THEM IN THE NOSE!!!! :) That would not be a good way of sharing the love of Christ! However, why don't we just say (politely, of course) right back to them,"And a merry Christmas to you, too!" You know what? People probably wouldn't get upset if we were to say that. My mom has started to reply to people that way and no one has gotten angry or defensive about it. In fact, they probably don't even care, and who knows? Maybe it will stand out to someone, or maybe it will simply be something that no one notices.
I know that this will be a bit difficult for me, because it is so much easier to reply "The same to you!" and be on our way, than it is to take the time to wish people a merry Christmas. I know also that sometimes we(I) might forget, or might be too scared, but why not stand out a bit this Christmas? Why not be a little different from the world?
" If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I(Jesus) have chosen you out of the world." ~John 15:19a
~Princess Gloria
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!
It's finally here! Thanksgiving! WHOHOO!
Thanksgiving is usually the start of Christmas for us, which is part of why I'm so excited. I know that right after all the football and the turkey that there's going to be Christmas trees and stockings, egg-nog and hot chocolate, snowy days and, on Christmas, the presents.
But what exactly is Thanksgiving?
You might say, "Well, everyone knows what Thanksgiving is! Its when you have extended family over and you watch football, and then you have a really big feast!"
But to understand what the REAL part of Thanksgiving is, we should take a look at the first one.
Thanksgiving was started by the pilgrims, as everyone knows, after they had stayed a little in Plymouth Plantation. They had crossed a nearly uncharted sea so that they could have the freedom for them and their children to worship God, braving unknown dangers, treacherous storms, and a winter of starvation and sickness...for their faith! All of that so they could worship the way they thought was right.
Isn't that amazing?
Those pilgrims (and also the 'strangers', or the non-pilgrims that had sailed to the New World) had a lot to be thankful for. They had survived a very hard winter of starvation and sickness, not to mention storms and wandering completely off course on their voyage their, they had a strong alliance with the neighboring Indians...this doesn't really sound much like what we go through today, does it?
The original Thanksgiving feast was to celebrate all the mercies and care that God had shown them. Basically, it was a party to celebrate God.
Today, it sounds more like a party to celebrate turkey.
I was reading a kids book a while ago that was about Thanksgiving. This is what it said about the holiday--and I kid you not--:'Thanksgiving is when we get together to celebrate turkey.' (paraphrased, of course. My memory isn't that great).
What on earth happened to the 'Praising God' part of Thanksgiving?
I, for one, think that the 'God part' of Thanksgiving disappeared as our culture started to change. Now people don't want to acknowledge God because that would mean they would have to answer to someone. Our generation is one that doesn't like consequences.
Because our culture doesn't like God, they try to ignore him in every way as possible. So now some people call Thanksgiving 'Turkey Day'.
Happy Turkey Day?!
I think not!!
I, for one, am going to stick with Happy Thanksgiving, thank you very much!
So, to all of our dear readers and followers...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
Princess Izori
Thanksgiving is usually the start of Christmas for us, which is part of why I'm so excited. I know that right after all the football and the turkey that there's going to be Christmas trees and stockings, egg-nog and hot chocolate, snowy days and, on Christmas, the presents.
But what exactly is Thanksgiving?
You might say, "Well, everyone knows what Thanksgiving is! Its when you have extended family over and you watch football, and then you have a really big feast!"
But to understand what the REAL part of Thanksgiving is, we should take a look at the first one.
Thanksgiving was started by the pilgrims, as everyone knows, after they had stayed a little in Plymouth Plantation. They had crossed a nearly uncharted sea so that they could have the freedom for them and their children to worship God, braving unknown dangers, treacherous storms, and a winter of starvation and sickness...for their faith! All of that so they could worship the way they thought was right.
Isn't that amazing?
Those pilgrims (and also the 'strangers', or the non-pilgrims that had sailed to the New World) had a lot to be thankful for. They had survived a very hard winter of starvation and sickness, not to mention storms and wandering completely off course on their voyage their, they had a strong alliance with the neighboring Indians...this doesn't really sound much like what we go through today, does it?
The original Thanksgiving feast was to celebrate all the mercies and care that God had shown them. Basically, it was a party to celebrate God.
Today, it sounds more like a party to celebrate turkey.
I was reading a kids book a while ago that was about Thanksgiving. This is what it said about the holiday--and I kid you not--:'Thanksgiving is when we get together to celebrate turkey.' (paraphrased, of course. My memory isn't that great).
What on earth happened to the 'Praising God' part of Thanksgiving?
I, for one, think that the 'God part' of Thanksgiving disappeared as our culture started to change. Now people don't want to acknowledge God because that would mean they would have to answer to someone. Our generation is one that doesn't like consequences.
Because our culture doesn't like God, they try to ignore him in every way as possible. So now some people call Thanksgiving 'Turkey Day'.
Happy Turkey Day?!
I think not!!
I, for one, am going to stick with Happy Thanksgiving, thank you very much!
So, to all of our dear readers and followers...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
Princess Izori
Thanksgiving Excitement
I just love Thanksgiving!
I would have to say that it's my second favorite holiday; for me, Christmas is first! But back to the point...there are many things that I like about Thanksgiving and I'm excited about them!
One is that I have two siblings in college and they are home for the holiday. I'm really excited about being able to see them again! Also, I get a Thanksgiving break from school, and I always enjoy that!
For special occasions, I'm usually the one to set the table, which is a job I enjoy, and you may think, "Hmmm. That's strange. I know that I personally don't enjoy setting the table!"
I am the same way most of the time, but Thanksgiving is a special day. On that day my mom let's us use her good china and maybe a tablecloth (or is that only at Christmas? :). God has given me the gift of being a person who likes to help arrange food in pretty ways at special events, make centerpieces for tables, or set the table using good china and a tablecloth. Last year, I even got onto a website that taught me how to fold napkins different ways. I just really enjoy "primping" food and tables, and I am so thankful for that 'talent'! :)Well, I've shared with you what I like to do with my Thanksgiving holiday.
What about you? Do you have a specific tradition or something you do that you'd like to share with us? Just leave it as a comment.
We'd love to hear from you!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving, and remember, whether or not you celebrate this holiday, to always give thanks to your King.
~Princess Gloria
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Being Thankful for the Right Reasons
Turkey, football, favorite family memories...Thanksgiving is a holiday growing as a favorite among Americans. I was thinking about what I should right this week, and (although it is probably nothing like what the other princesses are posting), I decided on the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Sometimes I think this is a little ironic. Stores and T.V. stations put a lot of money into advertising their Black Friday sales. Cooking and appliance magazines start selling Thanksgiving food and turkey cookers in August. Your parents and relatives have probably been planning for months for the big night. However, through it all, the true meaning of the season seems to have been lost and replaced with football games.
The holiday known as Thanksgiving seems to have lost the relevance of its name in our culture. Who are all the advertisements actually thanking? It's kind of like sending out a thank you note with no particular address on it. What's the point?
Actually, there is a lot of point to this holiday.
When a separatist religious group hated by the king of England made the dangerous journey to America, they changed the course of history forever. The courage of people like William Brewster, Priscilla Mullins, John Carver and others is commonly misinterpreted today. While we are taught in school that the pilgrims came simply for religious freedom, that is not the whole story. The Mayflower Compact is even sometimes edited in school history books! If you read the original manuscript, you will find that they came not only for religious freedom and to build a colony, but also for the advancement of the Christian faith. When it came time for the great Thanksgiving feast, the pilgrims really had a reason to give thanks. They could thank God that some of them had survived. They new that God had saved them from the fierce Native American tribe that most certainly would have killed them if the tribe had survived. They were truly thankful that God had sent the Native Americans to help them. They had so much to thank God for that they created a holiday to commemorate it!
The sad thing about that is, the true meaning of thanking God has somehow been lost in our culture.
Remember not only on the fourth Thursday in November, but also every day of the year, that God has truly blessed you, and you know who you are thanking.
Princess Melody
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Thanksgiving Traditon at My Home
Each year at my (Catherine's) home at Thanksgiving time, we all sit at different computers and write letters to one another, saying how thankful we are for them. We tell them how we enjoy their God given gifts, how we love them, and how we are so blessed in who they are and who they are becoming. This is a sample for what we do:
Dear Blog Readers,
I am so blessed at your encouraging comments, wonderful insight, great questions, and curiosity. I enjoy reading your own blogs, and see how other people care about purity. I know that my team and I are encouraged by your support! :)
Princess Catherine ~*~
And I really do mean everything that I wrote! Thanks for all of you! Followers, commenters, readers, and passers-by; thank you!
Purely HIS,
Princess Catherine ~*~
Dear Blog Readers,
I am so blessed at your encouraging comments, wonderful insight, great questions, and curiosity. I enjoy reading your own blogs, and see how other people care about purity. I know that my team and I are encouraged by your support! :)
Princess Catherine ~*~
And I really do mean everything that I wrote! Thanks for all of you! Followers, commenters, readers, and passers-by; thank you!
Purely HIS,
Princess Catherine ~*~
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Favorite Verses
Do you have a favorite verse in the Bible? I know have several different verses that I like! If you asked me to name my favorite one, I couldn't, because I like more than just one. But could I share with you a few of the ones that I like?
1) Jeremiah 33:3- "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." I love the idea of being told ''great and unsearchable things that I do not know''!
2) Romans 8:1- "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," What a wonderful thing to know! If you have confessed your sins to Jesus and accepted Him into your heart to be your Savior and Lord, you are no longer condemned!!!! Jesus took that away from us when he died on the cross; we just need to accept Him.
3) Psalm 37:4- "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." I recently heard Beth Moore speak about this verse and she said that if joy were a smile, delight would be a laugh! "Laugh in the LORD..." :)
4) Romans 8: 37- "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." When Paul, the author of Romans, speaks about "all these things" he's referring back to verse 35- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" So in verse 37 he states the in all those things"we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS". What wonderful news! WE have conquered those things, we don't need to be worried or afraid of any of them. Don't you just love the idea of being more then a conqueror?
~Princess Gloria
1) Jeremiah 33:3- "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." I love the idea of being told ''great and unsearchable things that I do not know''!
2) Romans 8:1- "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," What a wonderful thing to know! If you have confessed your sins to Jesus and accepted Him into your heart to be your Savior and Lord, you are no longer condemned!!!! Jesus took that away from us when he died on the cross; we just need to accept Him.
3) Psalm 37:4- "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." I recently heard Beth Moore speak about this verse and she said that if joy were a smile, delight would be a laugh! "Laugh in the LORD..." :)
4) Romans 8: 37- "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." When Paul, the author of Romans, speaks about "all these things" he's referring back to verse 35- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" So in verse 37 he states the in all those things"we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS". What wonderful news! WE have conquered those things, we don't need to be worried or afraid of any of them. Don't you just love the idea of being more then a conqueror?
~Princess Gloria
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Opportunites
Imagine this for a minute. You are in the car with your little sister and two of your best friends on the way back from the rollerskating rink. You've had a great time, and everyone in the car is talking and laughing excitedly as you drive home on this dark, moonlit night. everything is going great until the subject of conversation changes. One of your friends, (a girl just a few years younger than you) begins talking about dating and all the guys who have ever had a crush on her. You have been talking to and praying for this particular girl for a long time on this subject. You are not sure what to do. You know you should say something, but you are not sure what to say or how she will respond. You want to be a good role model and lead her in the right direction, so what do you do?
These were definitely the questions I asked when this happened to me. God gives us lots of opportunities to talk to the people we are especially praying for. Whether the subject is purity or something else, its good to look for the opportunities to talk about it. However, sometimes the opportunities seem like good things, (they probably are) but they aren't always the best thing for us or the other person at the moment. Somethings that are good just aren't God's best. Sometimes deciding whether an opportunity is or isn't from God is hard to do, and needs prayer. However, sometimes decisions are like the one in my story. I knew full well that I should say something, but I was afraid. I should have relied on God's strength, but I didn't. I didn't say much of anything to help her. I let an opportunity that God had clearly given me slip away because I was afraid. The moral of this is, when God gives you an opportunity, He will also give you the opportunity to take it if you ask. Don't ever let an opportunity to help a hurting or misguided friend (that is clearly from God) pass you by!
These were definitely the questions I asked when this happened to me. God gives us lots of opportunities to talk to the people we are especially praying for. Whether the subject is purity or something else, its good to look for the opportunities to talk about it. However, sometimes the opportunities seem like good things, (they probably are) but they aren't always the best thing for us or the other person at the moment. Somethings that are good just aren't God's best. Sometimes deciding whether an opportunity is or isn't from God is hard to do, and needs prayer. However, sometimes decisions are like the one in my story. I knew full well that I should say something, but I was afraid. I should have relied on God's strength, but I didn't. I didn't say much of anything to help her. I let an opportunity that God had clearly given me slip away because I was afraid. The moral of this is, when God gives you an opportunity, He will also give you the opportunity to take it if you ask. Don't ever let an opportunity to help a hurting or misguided friend (that is clearly from God) pass you by!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Nick Names
Do you have a nickname?
I (Catherine) am not talking about those rude nicknames that people give you, but I mean a name that is special to you and the people (or person) that call you that nickname is (are) special to you as well.
Even if you don't have a nick name, please continue reading this post, for this is not talking about personal nick names, but of our Prince Charming.
Some people like thinking of their future husband, but for me I like to write letters to him and pray for him. But sometimes I don't like just praying
"Dear Jesus, I pray that my future husband- whose name I don't know- will continue to grow in Your word and in Your ways."
If you are like me, you would rather pray and "give" him a name, or, rather, a nickname.
Now, be aware that just like a nick name, this is not his real name, but rather a name you use to pray for him, write letters to him, and so on. It makes him more real, and then it makes it easier to wait for him.
Remember, when "picking" a nickname for your Prince Charming, keep in mind a couple of things;
1. When you pick a name (say, Bob for example) and you meet a boy named Bob, you might feel "weird" around him
2. When you pick a name and you meet a boy named Bob, you might start day dreaming
3. When you pick a common name, numbers 1 and 2 become more likely
4. If your friends know about the nickname, and they know you know a guy that has the same name as the nickname for your Prince Charming, you might be teased by them
So, there are pros and cons, but overall, I think the pros outweigh the cons. But, it's all up to you! :)
Princess Catherine ~*~
I (Catherine) am not talking about those rude nicknames that people give you, but I mean a name that is special to you and the people (or person) that call you that nickname is (are) special to you as well.
Even if you don't have a nick name, please continue reading this post, for this is not talking about personal nick names, but of our Prince Charming.
Some people like thinking of their future husband, but for me I like to write letters to him and pray for him. But sometimes I don't like just praying
"Dear Jesus, I pray that my future husband- whose name I don't know- will continue to grow in Your word and in Your ways."
If you are like me, you would rather pray and "give" him a name, or, rather, a nickname.
Now, be aware that just like a nick name, this is not his real name, but rather a name you use to pray for him, write letters to him, and so on. It makes him more real, and then it makes it easier to wait for him.
Remember, when "picking" a nickname for your Prince Charming, keep in mind a couple of things;
1. When you pick a name (say, Bob for example) and you meet a boy named Bob, you might feel "weird" around him
2. When you pick a name and you meet a boy named Bob, you might start day dreaming
3. When you pick a common name, numbers 1 and 2 become more likely
4. If your friends know about the nickname, and they know you know a guy that has the same name as the nickname for your Prince Charming, you might be teased by them
So, there are pros and cons, but overall, I think the pros outweigh the cons. But, it's all up to you! :)
Princess Catherine ~*~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)