The Garden With A White Rose

The Garden With A White Rose

By Princess Catherine WhiteRose

In the Garden,

Here I stand,

Wishful-pickers must watch where they put their hand,

For I have thorns that prick,

The careless ones who try to pick.

Some might walk by and say

"All white? How plain!"

But it's a symbol of my purity,

So I won't be ashamed.

So here I am,

A white rose,

Here I stand waiting,

And I'll just prick the passers by who purity they're hating.

What Do You Do If Someone Has A Crush On You?

There's been a lot of talk on 'What do you do if you have a crush on someone', so now I think I'll post about what if someone has a crush on you.

But first, let's see how much you know about this already.

1). What should you do to get over a crush?
-pray.
-post their picture in your bedroom to remember them ever and always.

2). Is a crush harmful?
-yes.
-not at all. Crushes are merely practicing for when you will really fall in love.

If you said that both of the first ones were the right choice, you were right. If you said that the second answers were the right ones, then much to learn, you still have. For brush-up, go look at:

More on How Crushes Crush

and

Do Crushes Crush? And How do I get Over One.

And now on to what you do if someone has a crush on you.

1). Pray. Very important and the first step for absolutely everything.

2). Read your Bible. It has good suggestions on stuff like this (such as, 'do not be unequally yoked).

3). Talk to someone else who has more experience with stuff like this (like an older lady in the church, or your mom, or even your dad) and ask them how to deal with it. My very wise brother suggested this one. And it's a good suggestion, too! (He's looking over my shoulder as I type this, and he let out a squeak of protest as I typed the above words. Obviously he doesn't want to be famous on this blog =).

4). Don't let the person have any reason to believe you feel the same for them. That would just encourage them.

There are many more suggestions out there. If any readers have stuff to add, feel free to comment!

In Christ,

Princess Izori

The Prince That All Wait For

Have you ever thought about when you grow up? Have you ever wondered what your saving yourself for? I (Melody) mean, some girls may never get married, and if you happen to be like that, then what's the point of saving your purity? Say that saving yourself for your husband is like saving a chocolate bar for someone you expect is coming. Suppose that person never comes? Then what? If there is no one to save your purity for, than what is the point of saving it? Fortunately, there is a very good reason. Even if your prince charming never comes, someone eternally greater waits for you. Revelation 19:7 says: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give HIM glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and HIS bride has made herself ready," So you see, even if the prince you wait for hear on earth never comes, your Prince in Heaven waits for you. So even if you you think that there is no reason to be pure now, there is, because you, as a Christian and part of the church, are the bride of Christ.

More on How Crushes Crush

More on crushes...

Crushes are usually very temporary. They can last for a few hours to a year, but rarely go over that. Crushes are not true love; they're just considered 'puppy love'.

But are crushes harmful?

Most people would say no. After all, it's just puppy love.

Actually, crushes can be very harmful if you are not old enough to be considering 'knights' (a future husband). First of all, people are going to have several 'crushes' in their teenage years. If you take each one seriously and believe that the person you have a crush on will be your knight, when your feelings for him change, or his feelings for you change, your heart will be damaged by the time you've gone through a few of these. And once damage is done, it's hard to undo it.

Most crushes aren't even 'puppy love', they're just a feeling you get that you mistake for love. And when you believe that someone you have a crush on will be your knight, then you are damaging him. There are millions of young men out there, and only one will be your 'knight'. So there's one in a million chance that this guy that you just met yesterday is going to be your husband. Treat him like some other young lady's knight, because there's a very good chance that's what he is!

I hope this helps, Anonymous.

In Christ,

Princess Izori

P.S. If anyone checks the box labeled 'Confusing' under posts, please comment on how it was confusing and the other princesses and I will try to explain it more clearly. Commenters, if you think you have any helpful input, feel free to tell that, too.

Do Crushes Crush? And How Do I Get Over One?

This post was written for the person that commented as "Anonymous" on the post

"The Treaty Contest, A Note After the Poetry Contest".

I (Catherine) hope it helps you and others too! :)

Isn't it kinda strange that the word we use when we like (that type of like) someone is called a crush?

Crush (verb with object)- to press or squeeze with a force that destroys or deforms; to force out by pressing or squeezing.

How did crush (the meaning above) become the word that we like someone? And how can we get over one?

For the first question, I (Catherine) don't have an answer. If you (the reader or readers) have an idea, please leave a comment!

For the second question, notice I did not say "And if we get a crush, how do we get over them" I said (or typed) "And how can we get over one". All of us will get one a one point. It's how we are created. If we didn't want like someone at one point, we wouldn't want to marry. And if we wouldn't want to marry, there would be no babies, no "miniatures" of our spouse. And if there are no babies, there are no humans. But the question is not who we will get a crush on, it's what we will do with it?

Here are some tips on how to get over a crush:

1. Don't Put Any Pictures of Your Crush In Your Room
Whether this means on the wall, in a frame, school picture and so on, don't hang the picture up or have it so you can see it. When you see the picture, you will think of the person and you might go back to the event that the picture happened. Then you will start getting thoughts like "Oh, I remember when ______ and I did ______ together! He was so sweet and nice!" or "He looks so handsome! Oh! He and I have the same color eyes!" (Seriously, I have heard a girl say this before!)

2. Don't Talk About Him to Your Friends
You might not like this, but girls have told me from experience that they got over a crush but when their friend asked how she and her crush were doing, she started thinking about him again. The friend did it unintentionally, but it still had the same effect. Avoiding talking to your friends about the "someone special" will help. Especially don't talk to your friends and call him your "boyfriend" because in your mind, that is what he will become.

You CAN however, ask them to pray for you. Ask them to pray that you keep your thoughts, words, and actions pure. But I would advise against telling them his name.

3. Be Practical
Does he fit all of your requirements? And if he does, think about this. If you are 20 or younger, you are not ready to get married, right?
And what about what your family thinks of him? Does your brother think he is a jerk? Does your sister think that he has a quality that is less than desirable in a future husband? Does your dad agree with having him as a future son-in-law? And what about your mom?

4. When You Think of Him, Pray
This point has helped may young ladies I have been around. Sarah Malley, in her book "Before You Meet Prince Charming" (a book I strongly recommend reading!) talks about reciting a scripture verse in your head (such as Matthew 5:8 or 1 Timothy 4:12). Another thing that I would recommend is have a prayer for someone when you think of your crush (and I don't mean praying for your crush).
For example, if someone you know is in the hospital, every time you think of your crush you can pray for the person in the hospital.

5. Don't Show Him You Like Him
Don't go up to him and say you like him. Don't start talking about crushes to him. Then he will start thinking of you as a crush (or girlfriend) and may decide that he likes you, but may not yet want to go as far as getting to know you as a future spouse. Don't give him your phone number so he can call/text you because this will also encourage the girlfriend/boyfriend thing. This might be hard for some, and easy for others, but remember your crush will go away sooner if you do this!


But what if I don't want to get rid of my crush?

First off, this thought is selfish.
If you are not old enough to be thinking of a husband, you are basically asking him to date you for no reason except for you to have fun NOW.

Second, the crush is distracting you from serving The King of Kings!
My family and I were sitting behind a group of teenagers with cell phones in Church. The pastor of our church was giving his sermon and the teens were obviously not paying attention. They were to busy texting and replying to texts from their boyfriend and girlfriend that they were missing the sermon. When the pastor asked us to pray with him, we could hear the clicking of their fingers tapping their cell phone's keyboard to text back a message. Now that I think back on it, the sermon was about being worshipers and not just observers on the outside. "Don't Just Go Though the Motions" was the theme of the whole sermon!

And third, a crush is not healthy if you are not old enough to be considering marriage.
It will chew away at you and direct your thoughts at that person instead of directing your thoughts at God, ways to serve Him, and others. Keeping it will only make it worse.

Crush- to force out by pressing or squeezing

So I suppose the word "crush" is correct for the term "I like someone". It forces (or squeezes) any thought of anyone else- The King or other wise- out of your head. It makes that person the center of your life.

Keep Praying and good luck to those who struggle!

Princess Catherine

Stand Up, Stand Out

Do you feel like you need to fit in or you will be thought of as (or called) "weird" or "strange"?

Do you feel like you are going "against the flow", or is fitting in the most important to you?

Are you afraid of sticking up for what you believe in?

Many of you will say "no" to most of the questions, but is it really true?
Would you decide to go and greet the new person at school (or Sunday school), even though your friends or acquaintances think that new person is weird or strange?
Would you rather fit in or decide not to go to that movie (even though you want to see it) because you know it just doesn't have any redeeming qualities and doesn't agree with what you believe?
Are you afraid to stand up for your faith, even if it is defending it against one of your friends?

Deep down, you more than likely will say "yes" to one of these questions. Good. You've realized it.
But now what?


When the title read "Standing Out" it didn't mean starting a new fashion of hair-dos.. I (Catherine) meant you should stand out in a way that will not fade when the next or hair-do (or anything else) comes along. I mean standing out like a bright light in darkness. I mean standing out as a white rose in a valley of thorns. I mean living a pure life in thought, in speech, and in choices.
So how can I do that?

Before I answer that question, let me talk (or should I say "type"?) about "Stand(ing) Up". That means defending what you believe in. Defending your family members from the hurtful words your peers are saying (peers just means "friends" or "companions").

But how can I defend my faith?
NOTE: I am a Christian, so these answers will be directed at my beliefs.

1. Study it!
The more you know about Christianity, the more you will be prepared when someone challenges you about it!
2. Talk to GOD!
Talk to The King of Kings and ask Him to help you in your situation. Ask Him to give you the right words and the courage to stand up to the person (or persons).
3. Memorize Scripture!
Remember in the post "How Do I Get A Pure Heart?" how I talked about the 3 reasons (there are more, I just named the main reasons) memorizing scripture is so important? Here is a forth reason, it helps you defend Bible Believing Religions!


So, here are just some ways to defend your faith! If you have any others, please leave a comment! :)


But how can I stand out from the rest of the crowd who think purity is un-attainable and/or unless?


1. Stand Up for What You Believe
Most people now a days fit in and crumble from the "ocean's waves" that take the form of peer pressure or back down when challenged about their beliefs. DON'T. This is different and you are sure to get people wondering why you are not backing down for what you believe. This will be a good witnessing tool AND, you may have people that believe the same things you do stand up beside you. They just needed a "push" to help them. You are the rallying point and many you are strong! But if they don't come to you at first or in public, that's OK. They know you are there and you won't crumble! :)


2. Live What You Believe
If is said I hated chocolate, but right after that (or the next day) I walk in to the kitchen and grab a Hersheys chocolate bar, would you believe that I didn't like chocolate? No! My words might have said one thing, but my actions implied another, right? If you have read Princess Izori's post about Actions Speak Louder than Words, you know what I am talking about (if you haven't read that post, I would suggest it! It's good! :) People won't think you are authentic, you're real and you really, believe what you are saying. If you say "Don't watch impure movies!" but then go and see one yourself, that's not setting an example.
Some people call themselves Christians, but their is no change in your life. Remember how I said that Jesus comes in and cleans your heart? Well, if those people that say they are Christians but don't have any change in their life, don't you think something is wrong?
Here is a great song that illustrates what I'm talking (typing) about:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sqo8gue0s4&feature=related


Hope it helps you!


3. Have GOD Guide You Every Step of the Way


Before you say something, pray. Before you do something, pray. When you get scared, pray. When you are happy, pray. Pray, pray, pray, pray! This is a GREAT WAY for God to help you!!!! I know people get kinda scared or tensed up sometimes when they hear the word "pray" or "prayer", but all prayer means is talking to God. Don't be scared of the word!
When you build relationships with your friends, you have to talk to them, right? Same with Him.
To know Him more, you must talk to Him, and the way we do that is by praying!


So how can I pray?


This is a question frequently asked, but the answer is quite simple! Just talk to Him! It doesn't have to be out loud (He can hear your thoughts!), it doesn't have to be eloquent, it just has to be from your heart! You don't have to say things in a specific order, just talk to Him like you would talk to anyone else on earth (that you like ;). When I talk (pray) to Him, I am comforted, secure, loved, encouraged, filled with peace, and my problem(s) don't seem so big anymore.
I mean, God is bigger than any of my problems, your problems, and all the problems in the whole world put together!




Keep Blooming and Stand Up!


Princess Catherine

Sandcastles

It's been a rather long time since I (Izori) wrote! One week I was at the beach, now I'm an assistant teacher in VBS, and well, I have a busy life.

While at the beach, my brother and I always build at least one sandcastle. When we build one close to the ocean, a wave always comes and catches it, and no matter how many barriers and moats we put around it, it's always claimed by the sea sooner or later.

On the other hand, when we try building our sandcastle far away from the ocean, the waves can't get it. Our castle stays safe, and we don't have to worry about it being broken down by the waves.

The sandcastle is a lot like your heart. If you stay away from temptation, you will stay pure, and no waves will break your walls. However, if you put yourselves in temptations way (like listening to music you know is impure, or agreeing to at least sit outside a theater that's showing a movie with impure content) you will get broken down by the waves. Even if you say, "Oh, I can just cover my eyes at the bad parts, and only watch the good parts," or in more allegorical context, "I can just build a few more barriers and then the ocean can't touch me!" your purity will still be damaged!

There is always a way out of temptation. One of the most common is: don't agree to get near it in the first place.

In Christ,

Princess Izori