Waiting Till Marriage: My Response To XO Janes Blog

A few days ago I read a article that appalled me from a woman who regretted waiting until marriage. How could this woman lead so many young men and women astray? She took her experience and misinformation and transferred it into the minds of impressionable people. Where in the Bible does it say men don't have the same reasonability to remain pure as women? 

Hebrews 13:4 states "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure..." 

Not because it's dirty but because it's a unique and sacred bond between Husband and Wife. Our bodies were given to us by God as Holy Temples, we shouldn't take that lightly. Whatever we do with our bodies we do to the temple. In modern culture sex is something used in place of communication and real emotional connection; something given away freely to near strangers. Disease and Pregnancy spreads but is thought of as a mere consequence that can be fixed with medicine, morning after pills and abortion. TV shows and some Doctors teach young people that it's their body to do with as they please. Teens are pressured by the over sexualized world that Virginity is something to lose and laugh at; they believe if they choose to wait that their relationships will fail without sex, soon it's no big deal, in their mind they're already soiled so why wait anymore? Mistakes happen, you're not going to Hell because you lost your Virginity, but because you don't have a relationship with Christ. God gives redemption and forgiveness to any and all who ask. Now it's time to reach out to our generation, teens need to understand what waiting means, why God asked for it, why it's not a vow to their parents, friends and the Church but a Vow between God and his temple.  We can't remain silent and let this world teach our children a distorted view about sex. Young people who have decided to wait, make your belief known, we live in a world where personal opinion isn't liked if it's not the worlds view but we have a responsibility to God and man to make ourselves warriors for Christ.  So my challenge is this, tell someone why you're waiting and why you believe it's right. 

Reach out, stand up, God is with you. You may face persecution. 

"For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil."-1 Peter 3:17

Billy Graham stated that "When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened."

A Homeschoolers Struggle

I'm still a teen so I guess I kinda know what's going on, well at least for a homeschooler anyways. Yes it's true, I was homeschooled 5th grade through my senior year and I loved it! 

I missed out on nothing, I had friends who would give me lectures on things I was supposably missing.

"Like what," I would ask.

"Ummm..." They stuttered,"Prom, socialization, being involved in sports, dating, parties, tons of stuff." 

"Well I went to Prom, I'm "socialized", I'm in sports so deep I can't find time for myself, I don't date because I haven't found a guy worthy of dating, don't care for parties and I can assure you I'm not missing out on the tons of other things,"

I would reply. 

I went to Prom and although I had a great time and I was very outside of my comfort zone. 

"This is dancing?" I thought to myself.

Boys and girls who most barely knew each pressed together in a sexual way out in public? No thank you. 

My idea of dancing was not what today's idea was. I thought ballroom, ballet, slow dancing, they thought grinding, twerking and crumping. 

I was way out of my element and and found myself doing the Cupid shuffle 5 time along with a few other line dances. Thankfully it was a country themed prom and it wasn't too heavy on the rap. 

When I got home that night I looked at my parents and said "thanks for homeschooling me." 

Most would think if I'd gone to public school I would be just like the other teens but I think no.

 I've always been a century behind, out of step with this generation, a rose in the middle of a field of daisies and I'm proud of that. I'm proud that my parents raised me to have morals and to know there's a God who loves me and wants me to know him. I'm happy that I'm not like those teens. Am I any better than them? No, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and I'm one of the "All." 

Some would call me out of touch, immature and incocent but I think it's the way to go. 

After all God called us to be in the world but not of it. 

So if you're a homeschooler and feel

pressured to conform to this world, don't, be strong. You are who God wants you to be. You're not alone. There's more girls or boys out there like you than you know. 

In Christ,

Sara

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2. 

If it doesn't kill you...

We've all had those days, the days were everything that can go wrong can and will. It's part of life. Remember God promised that he would always be with us, not that it would always be easy. So a bit of encouragement for you today. God has a purpose for you. Yes you reading this right now. You say to yourself "no I'm not important, I'm nothing special, what would God want to use me for?" 

He has a divine purpose for your life. It may not be what you thought your purpose should be and the road may be bumpy getting there but in the end it will be smooth and paved with gold. There will be no more sadness or pain. So the saying is true, 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Find your dream, your passion. Pray, The Lord will guide you. 

Be still, listen and know that he is God. 

I leave you with one of my favorite verses with the hope it will give you encouragement. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 

There you have it. You have hope and a future. 

In Christ, 

Sara 

A Cowboys Touch by Denise Hunter

 * * * * */5
The Story:
Abigail is just in Moose Creek, Montana for the summer to temporarily care for her great aunt. But a tender-hearted cowboy beckons her to stay.

Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself . . . and God.

What she didn't count on was the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter's nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.

Wade Ryan can't help being attracted to Abigail. But he's given up everything to protect his daughter, and he's not about to risk it all on a pretty face.

Under Abigail's care, Wade's home and daughter thrive. And with Wade's touch, Abigail's heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?

My Review: 
 Even though this was a little bit of a older book I am very glad I discovered it. Abigail and Wade's love story was so heartwarming and the way they all fit together by the end of the book left me wanting more about them. The great thing is this book is the 1st in a series and I can't wait to read more about them in the sequel, The Accidental Bride. 
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Luminary by Krista Mcgee

****/5
The Story:
Thalli was scheduled for annihilation. She was considered an anomaly--able to experience emotions that should have been eradicated by genetic modification. The Scientists running the State couldn't allow her to bring undue chaos to their peaceful, ordered world. But seconds before her death, she is rescued.

Now Thalli is above ground in a world she thought was destroyed. A world where not even the air is safe to breathe. She and her three friends must journey across this unknown land, their destination a hidden civilization. It's their only chance of survival.

Broken and exhausted after an arduous journey, they arrive in New Hope, a town that survived the nuclear holocaust. When Thalli meets the people there--people actually "born" to "families"--her small world is blown wide open.

Soon after their arrival to New Hope, the town comes under attack. She has escaped imminent death, but now Thalli is thrust into a new fight--a fight to save her new home. Does she know enough about this world of emotions, this world of chaos, to save not only herself, but the people she has come to love?

My Reviews: 
  If you like dystopian books that have a Christian base then this book is for you. Luminary is the second book in the series and it opens right where the first left off. I don't want to give anything away but this book is great, light reading. Perfect for a weekend getaway! Krista is a wonderful writer and although I'm not really into the whole science fiction type books, I really enjoyed this one. Can't wait for the next installment. 
 

Dancing With Fireflies by Denise Hunter

The Story: Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Creative and complicated, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden growing up in Chapel Springs. When she left, she thought she'd never look back. But now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost non-existent, Daniel fit right into the boisterous McKinley family. He's loved Jade for years, but she always saw him as a big brother. Now that she's back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she's hiding secrets from her family, and she's strangely attracted to the man who's always called her "squirt." Finding her way home may prove more difficult than she imagined.

My Review: 
This book was amazing,I enjoyed it immensely. It took me only 1 day to read it I was so hooked. Jade is her own unique person, I've never read a another character like her. And Daniel. I can only say that he's the Prince Charming that every Cristian girl is looking for. Daniel has loved Jade for a long time and she doesn't even know it. Don't we all wish that was the case for ourselves? That some perfect guy has been watching from a distant and likes you even with your flaws? This book had it all, romance, family, intrigue. Denise sure knows how to weave a wonderful romance. I can't wait for her next book A December Bride coming in December. Seems too long a wait.

Gabriel's Bride by Amy Lillard

* * * */5
The Story:
Rachel Yoder has two choices: marry Gabriel Fisher or move to Ohio. As an orphan, Rachel doesn’t 
have much to offer; any match she can make will be a good one. She just didn’t plan on Gabriel with his big hands and permanent frown.

As a widower Gabriel needs help caring for the farm and his six children. But he never thought he’d marry a slip of a girl who barely reaches his chin.

Yet as time passes, Gabriel finds himself thinking about a real marriage. They have spoken vows to God and each other, but can he risk his heart with Rachel?


My Review: 
  Good quick read. I was surprised, I had never heard of this author and she will now be on my to watch list. Rachel is a very scatterer-brained Amish woman with a goat raising business, strange to us but totally the norm for the Amish lifestyle. I enjoyed learning about the animals. Rachel jumped into being a mom to A LOT of kids who happened to be boys, by the middle of the book and which brought utter chaos but in a fun, enjoyable way. Gabriel's and Rachel's romance is soft and sweet, just what you would expect from a Amish fiction book. The characters of the book were very lifelike and easily related too even if you're english. I enjoyed it and passed it on to my grandmother who also enjoyed it and related it to the works of Beverly Lewis.