50 shades and a guide to a better relationship

Recently and not-so-recently I have heard the buzz on "50 Shades of Gray." I know countless girls and women that are reading it and some that have hesitations on reading such a blunt book.

When I was younger, I remember there was another series of blunt books that were popular. I think I borrowed it from a friend. I was still pretty innocent at the time, but carrying that book around with me in my not-so-innocent public school made me feel like I had this good girl/bad girl vibe. I loved the attention I got from guys especially. I had a pretty "good-girl" wrap in 10th grade but carrying this book made people question my image. How could this "good girl" be reading this "naughty book"?

I had a big chip on my shoulder when the teacher would let me read it, but another girl had been suspended for reading it. Was it because my teacher believed that I was reading it for fun and the other girl was reading it for a "how-to?" We were both reading the SAME book, but no one KNEW our intentions for reading it... there was only speculation, only rumors, only personal judgments, only the world watching two very different people reading for even perhaps the same reason.

With this book, 50 shades of gray, I believe that there are MANY reasons one would pick it up to read. Why did you or did you not pick it up?

From playboy to cosmo to romance novels the devil has been trying to play up this image of what a woman is supposed to be like or what relationships are supposed to be like. While guys are visually stimulated (I know girls are too to a point), girls have this wild imagination of the what could be.

I used to read articles out of those magazines and think if I did THAT for a guy then he would date me/marry me/choose me/ never leave me/commit. I'm ashamed of the lengths I went to to test these theories on being this "ultimate package" for a guy. I'm sorry to say ladies, but no matter how SEXUAL you are, how crazy you are in the bedroom, how risky you are won't MAKE a guy love you or commit to you or stay with you. That is exactly what satan wants.

He plants the thoughts in your mind, prepares the bed and then blames you and marks you with shame when you lie in it.

It's not just these racy books and magazines, but romance novels, romantic comedies, and even songs as well. They feed on your emotions and imagination and make you feel like your relationship is "less" because your guy doesn't write you love notes. They make you feel like "less" of a woman. They justify your feelings of staying, leaving, revenge, making up, and even dying. They make you feel like your significant other is "less" because he isn't so romantic or because he doesn't compare to the guy you read about in these books. And maybe if the devil hasn't got you now, don't worry, he will.

You think, so what am I supposed to do? Stop reading cosmo and listening to Taylor Swift? Possibly... if that is your conviction... but lets start with this book 50 shades and whatever it might be called in your generation.

My sis (Bethany) and I have been talking about it and what is "right" when it comes to reading this book... especially for those that call themselves followers of Christ. We want to do a video blog soon too. Here are some questions that we'd both like to shed some light on regarding the issue:

1. Do you think this book is helpful for exceeding the sex life for married couples?
Brittany: God designed sex... If you don't believe that then you are not going to have the best sex possible. I don't think this book mentions a relationship with God at all and if you don't include a relationship with the one that designed it in the ingredient to an awesome sex life, it will NOT add anything to your sex life.

2. Do you think this book is good for singles who desire sex but haven't awakened it yet? Or for those who have awakened it?
Brittany: When I was reading those other books back in high school, before I had awakened that desire, I could not believe what I was reading... did women actually do this? I think it planted standards in my mind, that to have a relationship, it involved doing those "uncomfortable" things. I wondered if maybe that was why I didn't have a committed boyfriend, etc. Then, before marriage, in ungodly relationships I felt the pressure to perform sexually to gain worth. If I could do what other girls didn't, then I would be of worth- or called beautiful- or the guy would be lucky to have a girl like me... but when the guy doesn't commit, you feel used, more worthless than before, damaged, broken, and unloved. I think that if you bring all of these "extras" into a relationship, you are really saying that YOU ALONE AREN'T ENOUGH.

3. What is the counterfeit motive that people use as an excuse to read this book? What do you think satans motive is behind this book?
Brittany: I think people read it for an escape from reality (maybe their relationship isn't filled with this lustful passion, S&M, extras, etc and it fills a void), maybe merely because everyone else is reading it so they want to having something to add to the conversation, maybe they really do want it to be a "how-to"- how to keep/please a man... I think in every instance it is to satisfy.. could be an insecurity- like your relationship isn't where it could be, you don't have much in common with your coworkers so this satisfies awkwardness and vulnerability, to satisfy an area of your heart that feels empty, to satisfy curiosity, etc.
 I think Satan's motive is to put pressure on marriages... that this is what's expected, this is what your man wants... he doesn't want you, he wants you plus toys or you AND something else and if you don't do it, he'll leave. He wants you to feel like that's what your husband wants, and the only way to go back to how they were.. simple and intimate and pure then YOU have to leave. And for non-married couples.. it's the opposite. The devil wants you to come together. Give in to your passionate lusts, have no regard for marriage and unity, throw away God's design, don't fear the Lord and consequences, only the moment counts. I've definitely been there and it is no way to live, that's for sure.


4. Is their a difference between a Christian sex book and 50 shades of Gray?
Brittany: Like I said before, the key to a GREAT sex life is doing it God's way. For example, The First 90 days of Marriage, talks about sex being heaven on earth. It is the sure way to defeat the devil... it's God showing us that even the BEST pleasure on earth doesn't compare to the pleasure that awaits us in heaven.

5. Pornography vs Books. Similar outcomes?
Brittany: Guys are stimulated visually, girls-emotionally. Video pornography takes your EYEs off of your spouse and lets someone or something else satisfy your desire. You are being satisfied by something OTHER than what God designed, making a husband or wife not NEED the other in that way. Girls that use this book to fulfill them in ANY way- emotionally, mentally, or physically are NOT going to get the benefits of oneness in a relationship. If you don't NEED your spouse to arouse you, to fulfill that desire, etc then you are NOT going to experience great sex or a great relationship. If you live with the mentality, "I can do it myself," you are NOT going to experience what God designed. Marriage is about needing, craving, enjoying your spouse so that it UNIFIES you and gives you a roaring passion for EACH OTHER and not for something or someone else.

End thoughts:
Brittany: Coming from experience, there is no SEX like that between a man and a woman in a marriage that is fueled by God. No toy, no bondage, no book (apart from the Bible) can make it better. Where than man loves the woman as she is. Where the woman needs only her husband. There is no better satisfaction because each is the others' ultimate pleasure. Where the presence of God is invited in. Where the fire is raging in the walls of a fireplace.. no destruction, in control, wholeness, oneness, passionate love. And if you don't have that, pray for it. God wants nothing more than a ONE marriage. He will GLADLY get your fire raging if you allow it to be Him and not the things the world is throwing at you saying "here try this, it makes your spouse lust you" or "it satisfies your brain" or "it satisfies your emotions so your husband doesn't have to."


Hebrews 13:4 Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex. (The Message)

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. (NLT)


We are to keep the marriage bed PURE.


Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Are your thoughts when reading this book OR any book pure? Would you want to share them with your Creator? your Father?

Prayer for this Nation

God I pray for your mercy. Your people don't know what they are doing. I knew that we would face trials and persecution for our faith, but I didn't know the end days would be so near so soon. It makes me sad for Kinsley's generation and the generations to come that they will have to face it even more so. Why does it feel like all of a sudden people don't believe in your word? People that I thought were Christians- that I had gone to church with or christian school with now don't believe?

I pray for divine appointments of people willing to hear the good news... bring about those that HATE the mess they are in, the sin that entangles them, and the desire for freedom. Bring about people I can love on and show them that there is ANOTHER way! We ALL have things that come more naturally to us, maybe we are not a people person, or maybe we are not a speaker or leader, maybe we are argumentative and too quick to speak. Maybe we hate that our prejudices and stubbornness prevents us from doing so much more. We ALL have things to work on in our pursuit of holiness. 

Just because we have the loudest voice doesn't validate our statements. Just because we have a tender heart doesn't mean that we can be silent. God I pray for the people that don't know what your Word says about the issues that constantly come up making our nation battle against beliefs. I pray that this will be a time people will actually open up the Bible and go on a quest to see what you say about it-- not in just one verse but in the WHOLE book. We so often take things out of context. I pray that we will desire to KNOW your word and write it on our hearts. I pray that we will stop letting OUR words condemn and start praying for the Holy Spirit's conviction. I pray that I will restrain and fight my flesh that wants to lash out and prove points, I pray that your spirit will take over. Only let Your words flow.

I have heard you say that this is a call... a call to step up and be bold... but i have a hard time finding the line between boldness and sensitivity. Social media isn't always the place to voice your opinion or your prayer revelations. Not all are ready for the "food"... they're barely ready for the milk.

Hebrews 5:12-14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹² For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God’s Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food.

¹³ For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!

¹⁴ But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

The road is narrow. Everyone wants to believe that they are going to heaven. (Matt. 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.) 
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death


I pray that we will TEST what we hear, match it up to Your Word and ask YOU to show us where we are wrong or right. I pray we won't argue on feelings and emotions and act out on our flesh. I pray that we will just see that THE DAY, the Day your Kingdom comes is approaching more and more.. Are we ready?! I know I am! I can't wait for the curse of sin to be gone, for when righteousness will triumph, where the enemy will be defeated... where we can just Be. 






Amen!

Why is Grace so Amazing?

This is Chris Tomlin's version of the classic hymn Amazing Grace. We sing this over and over again throughout the ages, at various churches and hear it all over the world. Sometimes we forget exactly what we are singing about. Between the twas and thees and thous, what are we really raising our hands and singing loudly about...Here is another rendition of the song with a more in-depth look at each phrase:


Amazing grace
Unbelievable, shocking, marvelous pardon for everything selfish, prideful, disgusting thing I have done

How sweet the sound
How treasured, how in awe I am of that word, grace.


That saved a wretch like me
That came to rescue, set free, salvaged, defended, an immoral, self-loving, sin-enjoying, God-hating, filthy person like me who found joy in sinning against something so pure and holy

I once was lost, but now I'm found
I once, before now, before that moment was lonely, off-track, fallen between the cracks, hidden, astray, invisible, without, wayward, BUT NOW I'm brought into being, established, brought into the light, a new creation

Was blind, but now I see
Was uncontrolled, unprotected, near-sighted, unthinking, leading nowhere, BUT NOW I have been uncovered, REVEALED, opened, have clarity, perceive with my eyes, pay attention to

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
It was that pardon from suffering, that pardon from death, that Someone stuck by me through my pain and still called me Their child that showed, that instructed my heart, my soul, my well-spring of life, my humanity, essence to stand in awe of, revere the Lord



And grace my fears relieved
It was that pardon that my awe and respect for the Lord soothed; It was grace that made me realize what the consequences were and that grace pardoned ME from the road to DEATH

How precious did that grace appear
In my darkest, loneliest moment I was rescued, I was saved.

The hour I first believed
Immediately.

My chains are gone
My restrictions, the things I have been a slave to no longer have power over me, 

I've been set free
I've been bailed out, let off the hook, redeemed,

My God, my Savior has ransomed me
My powerful, loving God, My DELIVERER, my defender has bought my freedom, cleared my past, absolved me of blame and responsibility

And like a flood His mercy rains
And like an uncontrollable, powerful, unexpected flood our Judge, our Ancient of Days pardons us from the death penalty

Unending love, Amazing grace
Over and over and over again, eternal love, undeserved freedom and redemption

The Lord has promised good to me
The Giver of all good and perfect things has committed a full, abundant life to me

His word my hope secures
My anticipation is dependent on His truth

He will my shield and portion be
He will be my protection, Guarder of my heart, my security, my defense and every missing piece, my fulfillment 


As long as life endures
Forever.
[2x]
My chains are gone
Everything that has kept me from living a FULL life, a content life, a SATISFIED life is gone

I've been set free
I've been untangled, given a new body, a new mind, a new Spirit, and a clean slate

My God, my Savior has ransomed me
This God I had always read and studied about CHOSE ME, gave me a new life, restored me from brokenness, found me WORTHY

And like a flood His mercy rains
No matter what I've done, no matter how many times I've already said sorry, no matter how many times i've said no, He doesn't give up on me, He doesn't leave me like everything the life has to offer does

Unending love, Amazing grace
He doesn't leave, He doesn't condemn you, He calls you His prize, His bride, His child, Unfathomable is this forgiveness He has that He can choose to forget your sin and separate you from it
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
This life is but a moment.

The sun forbear to shine
The light will cease

But God, Who called me here below
But the Creator Who had a plan for me

Will be forever mine
Will be there for me always

Will be forever mine
Never leave me or forsake me,

You are forever mine
I will never leave You Jesus.




What are YOUR chains? Why is grace so amazing? I know the Lord has saved me from the path I was heading down. He rescued me from death. 


Sex outside of marriage can lead to stds, abortion, emotional baggage, depression. Depression can lead to thinking irrationally, and make you contemplate even taking your own life. 


Alcohol can grow from a social activity to an escape from the pain. After a night of drinking at the bar, your mind tells you he never loved you and you were never good enough, causing you to think for even a moment, if I were to wreck my car, that'd show him! 


Drugs can be a way to chill out or to have fun, but when you start choosing drugs over your family, support system, and friends, your become controlled by them. You can't function or be happy or have fun unless you have smoked, taken that pill, or had that hit. It makes you forget about the past, the present and even the future. When you can't hold that job or pay your bills and every bail out you had deserts you... where are you headed?


You see, I have been a victim of all of these mechanisms Satan uses to steal, kill and destroy. 


But AMAZING GRACE! I found the Jesus can renew my body. He can redeem me. He died for me in spite of all the things I've done and let others do to me. 


AMAZING GRACE!  He washed away all of the abuse, the one night stands, the emptiness, the shame, the ways I had learned to satisfy myself instead of letting Jesus... 


AMAZING GRACE I am drug and alcohol free. 


AMAZING GRACE I am no longer a slave to sin. The only thing I need is Jesus.


AMAZING GRACE I found "The One" to spend my life with and have a beautiful baby girl, and a family that loves and supports me. I am surrounding by people that love the Lord and challenge me in my faith. I have a job in ministry and other jobs that allow me to do what I love while having time to nurture and grow with my family. 


AMAZING GRACE is what I sing, hands lifted high, tears streaming down my face. I do NOT deserve this and I am SO unashamedly thankful!

Sexual Healing

"What's the Reason we're opposing this again"

What's the reason we're opposing this again? Because the Bible said so. My heart hurts when I see people who proclaim themselves as Christians get all wishy-washy on subjects when it comes to voicing to the people or their friends. I understand that Hollywood and Washington make so many exceptions and glamorizes everything. They promote equality and being who you are, and pushing limits. If you're not careful, it becomes really easy to jump on the bandwagon and choose to promote these views yourself in fear of ruffling a few feathers that have the comments multiplying on your facebook statuses and blogs because people want to voice their opinion and take your words out of context.

I don't want to be who I am... I was born a sinner, separated from God, with tendencies to sin in many different ways. I have a sinful nature that likes to drink and lust and fill voids with addictions and lie and get angry, and many, many more. I have issues I have to fight and conquer over and over and over again. Issues that bring guilt and shame, feeling unworthy and ugly. If I stayed the way that I was, I would be dead and that is a fact. I wouldn't be the wife to an amazing husband or the mother of the most beautiful little girl. If God didn't rescue and restore me and turn me into something else... A new creation... I wouldn't be here.

Some of you don't know you need to be rescued. Some of you haven't been broken. Some of you have been putting bandaids over a giant open wound. Some of you have scars that never heal. Some of you have secret desires you can't put away. Some of you feel that it is easier to be the way that you are so you don't have to go "there." The more acceptable it becomes to be THIS way, the more you don't have to think about changing. You don't have to cry or get all gushy about it, you don't have to breakup with the love of your life, you don't have to sacrifice, you don't have to move, you don't have to step or sink or fall.

I was there (and still am for many things). I didn't want to be told I was sinning. I didn't want to have people "pray for me." I was doing what all the other teens/college students/ young adults were doing. And if you feel like you are living a "good" life, then maybe this isn't for you. Seriously, you don't have to read on. BUT, maybe this even strikes a little curiosity, a little anger perhaps? That's okay. I'm pretty sure anytime I was around a Christian/ someone wanting to pray for me/ a holy roller/ a goody-two-shoes/ (fill in the blank), I got so mad that they were condemning me or trying to make me feel bad. They didn't know what I had been through/ nor did they want to. They didn't care about me, just how my lifestyle affected their reputation. I wasn't ready. I was a single, independent sinner not ready for an everlasting love affair.

I don't want to be legalistic either. I don't want to say you can't do this, this or this and call yourself a child of God. I don't want to list a bunch of Bible verses that are meant to condemn you or your lifestyle. As far as I'm concerned, you can live any way you want to. Christians  children of the Lord have to stop condemning outsiders and pointing out their sins when it is convenient for us. Even though it may spur up anger, we can't go around commenting on everyones facebook posts. But we also can't be silent. You can't love people into heaven, but you can't shove them either.

This world is not ours.

Believers, everything should feel gross, should hurt your heart, should be disgusting... you should be seeing people be misled and finding happiness in darkness... why? because this is not our home. The Bible said that it would get worse. The filthier this world gets, the more we set our eyes above.

We're not studying the Word enough if we don't know where to stand. That is so true in many issues... we can "hear" how we should feel about an issue, but question if it is really in the Bible.

Stand firm, stand tall, Believer. But don't cast judgment on the outsiders (1cor. 5:12), we can only pass disciplinary judgment on those within the church. Like it here? Do you feel like the world is getting better? Where is your heart? Is it in your money, your home, your body, your rights, your freedom? That's fine, live the way you want to, marry whoever you please, party it up it's YOUR world... i'm merely passing by.

WHOA it's been a while!

So, I apologize for the long absence in blogging. I didn't want to write with hormonal outbursts, rants, or other trivial things while I was pregnant with our first baby, then I was overwhelmed with the role as a mommy. Now that our baby girl Kinsley is 6 months, and going to bed around 7:30pm, I am going to try to start it up again.

I admit I had been waiting for the "PERFECT" blog or idea the Lord laid on my heart, that would change people... but I've realized, if I'm waiting for the perfect message, I'll be waiting forever. So, I decided to just jump in and tell you just what the Lord is doing in my life.

My heart and passion is for teenage girls- no doubt about it! The Lord laid that desire on my heart and led me to trust Him that I would be working in ministry. I prayed about it constantly and though I would go through months of forgetting my calling, He would bring it back with an intense fiery passion.

I heard about this private school, Grace Academy, that originally supplemented homeschoolers and provided classes like fashion, sewing, and a girls Christian growth class. I KNEW without a doubt God was calling me there. I wrote many times to the school, filling out applications on a whim, and trying to get an "in" when I finally got called in for an interview.... for an assistant position in media. I had them in front of me at least, and poured out my heart to them. I shared my testimony, where I felt God was leading, and my desire to share with young girls. They totally saw that I was not meant for the position they called me to interview for, but also informed me they already had the Christian growth class filled. They offered some computer classes and math but I am not a "teacher" so I said I was not qualified to teach those. I didn't know computer or math, but I knew I wanted to minister.

They wanted to keep in touch and if the position became available, for some reason or another, they'd give me a call. Months went by and I can't remember if I did this before or after I had my baby, but I knew I needed to have some supplemental income and I looked to see at the positions still available at Grace. They had a Graphic Design position available, and since I'm artsy and I know Photoshop, I applied.

Before I knew it, I was signing a contract to teach graphic and web design classes twice a week. That was so God. I had 3 months at home with Kinsley, and then started school at the end of August. Over and over again God was teaching me that He doesn't call the qualified, but He qualifies the called.

October came and I found out that the Christian growth teacher is now PREGNANT, and leaving on maternity leave in February. I headed straight to the office and offered to fill in. I was OVERJOYED and KNEW it was the Lord. They also told me that she was staying home with the baby and not coming back next year.... WHOA! I start subbing Jan. 31 and they hope to move me right into that position! Now THAT is FAITH!

I'm going to start blogging more since I will be more involved with the students and learning new material. If you are a teen or a mom of a teen, or even a friend of a teen, PLEASE ANONYMOUSLY  write a comment below letting me know some topics I could base my lesson plans off of... areas of temptation, struggles, questions, etc. That would be awesome! Looking forward to furthering the Kingdom!

Our Calling

Isaiah 61:1-3 (amplified version)

 ¹THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,<sup>(A)



    2</sup>To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor]^[a]and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,<sup>(B)


    3</sup>To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

This is just a simple post to remind us of what God has called us to do. When the devil attacks us with doubt, fear and pride, we are to remember that God CALLED us to do these things so the HE may be glorified. 

Are you fulfilling your calling?