My favorite quote comes from the introduction of Josh's book. He says: "Dating is like fast-food restaurants- it's not wrong to eat there, but there is something much better available."
Much, much love, Brittany(:
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Something Much Better...
Today I want to talk about relationships and premature love today. My favorite book that happens to be on relationships, I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris, really shaped my view and mindset on dating, so a lot of what I say will be based out of his book. To me, premature love to me was okay and normal. Well, it's normal to have those feelings, but being in relationships, whether dating or "having a guy," really isn't okay, but it's not a sin either. The Bible never clearly states: No dating. But, in chapter 8, verse 4b of Song of Solomon, it does say this: "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." So, basically, don't mess around with love until the right time comes. Sure, there are always those special people who actually do find their life long spouse in high school, but come on, how often does that really happen? I truly think each Christian girl knows the better way, but we tend to talk ourselves around it. "But I think he's the one." "But this is different..." But is it really? I've thought that before... But it's always come out as heartbreak. I was so sick and tired of it after a couple times. I was tired of wrestling with myself. I knew the right way, but... but... We all do it! It's so hard not too! But we have got to ask ourselves and answer honestly a few questions. Why am I doing this? Am I being selfish? Do I truly think that this will last? We all know the right answers to those questions deep, deep down in our heart. But without the guy, we feel empty and alone, don't we? Well, that's why we must fill that special space in our hearts with Jesus. Letting him decide when the right guy comes along to fill that space He's created for us. I want to end this with a story Josh starts his book with. He tells the story of a girl named Anna. Anna had a dream that it was her wedding day. She and her husband soon to be were kneeling at the altar. In the middle of the ceremony, girl after girl starts to line up beside David. Anna whispers, asking David, "Is this a joke?" David replies, saying he is sorry, and that what is left of his heart is hers. I don't want to be the person that has guy after guy trailing behind me on my wedding day. I want to be pure and ready for my man on that special day. Sure, I've made mistakes. But I've stopped in my tracks, ask Jesus for forgiveness, and asked Him to make my heart whole again. I want every single part of my heart to be there for my future husband, and I pray that he is saving his heart for me too. I hope this has made you think about how you view premature love and relationships. We are strong ladies. We have Jesus to fill that void. It won't mean we won't desire to have a special guy in our lives right now, but that should turn us back to Jesus, asking Him to help us have the right mindset and wait until the right time.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Mary or Martha, Mary or Martha, Mary or Martha...
First off, sorry for no Thursday post... I had an allergy attack and between sleeping, school and chores, I didn't have any time! And now that Track will be starting up next week on Tuesday and Thursdays, I think I'm going to update my blog on Saturday instead! So no worries! I haven't forgotten!!
Anyway! Back to the point. Today during part of my devos (devotions, for those of you who don't know) I read Luke 10:38-42. It reads as follows: "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
I've read this passage many, many times, and having heard the monotonous question at least 100 times, "Are you a Mary? Or a Martha?" I tended to pass this passage up without taking time to really think about it. I more read it instead of really thinking about it. But today, a couple things about this verse really stuck out to me, things that were different, not just the typical "Mary or Martha" question.
In verses 41-42, notice how patient and kind Jesus was!!! Martha really just lashed out in anger at everything and everyone, even Jesus!! Jesus calmed her, and kindly showed her what was more important, which was spending quality time with Him. This is so amazing, because I know that if someone bossed me around and yelled at me like that, I sure wouldn't have responded this way! We can learn so much from how He handled this situation. Guess what would have happened if Jesus had yelled back at her and said, "Excuse me! Who do you think you are to yell at me like that? And to boss me around! I am the Son of God. No one talks to me that way!" Well, that sure wouldn't have helped this situation, would it? Of course not! Jesus could have yelled back at Martha. If anyone had a right to yell back at her, He sure did! But He didn't. By not yelling at her, He took the fiery situation, and instead of throwing fuel on it, He threw water on it, extinguished Martha's fiery temper and helped her get her priorities back in line. Think how much better off we would be if we handled out situations kindly and calmly like Jesus did!!
And then verse 41-42b really opened my eyes. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." When you are flustered, stressed, worried, upset and angry, what do you do to get your mind off of the stresses and strains of life? Answer this question honestly. For me, I tend to go to my iPod; listen to music, check Facebook, play games... but when I'm done messing around on my iPod, I still feel upset and empty... Why? Because the only true way to get your mind off of your problems, calm down and *still* be calm and feel complete when you are done is to spend time with your precious Jesus. Taking time like Mary did to get away from everyday life and relaxing with Jesus, telling Him *everything*, is the most rewarding thing you could do! Notice how Jesus says, "... but only one thing is needed." That one thing is Him!
Try to remember as a new week starts to go to Jesus first when you are upset and stressed out. And try to remember the way Jesus handled poor, upset Martha when people come to you and lash out at you.
Much, much love,
Brittany(:
Anyway! Back to the point. Today during part of my devos (devotions, for those of you who don't know) I read Luke 10:38-42. It reads as follows: "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
I've read this passage many, many times, and having heard the monotonous question at least 100 times, "Are you a Mary? Or a Martha?" I tended to pass this passage up without taking time to really think about it. I more read it instead of really thinking about it. But today, a couple things about this verse really stuck out to me, things that were different, not just the typical "Mary or Martha" question.
In verses 41-42, notice how patient and kind Jesus was!!! Martha really just lashed out in anger at everything and everyone, even Jesus!! Jesus calmed her, and kindly showed her what was more important, which was spending quality time with Him. This is so amazing, because I know that if someone bossed me around and yelled at me like that, I sure wouldn't have responded this way! We can learn so much from how He handled this situation. Guess what would have happened if Jesus had yelled back at her and said, "Excuse me! Who do you think you are to yell at me like that? And to boss me around! I am the Son of God. No one talks to me that way!" Well, that sure wouldn't have helped this situation, would it? Of course not! Jesus could have yelled back at Martha. If anyone had a right to yell back at her, He sure did! But He didn't. By not yelling at her, He took the fiery situation, and instead of throwing fuel on it, He threw water on it, extinguished Martha's fiery temper and helped her get her priorities back in line. Think how much better off we would be if we handled out situations kindly and calmly like Jesus did!!
And then verse 41-42b really opened my eyes. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." When you are flustered, stressed, worried, upset and angry, what do you do to get your mind off of the stresses and strains of life? Answer this question honestly. For me, I tend to go to my iPod; listen to music, check Facebook, play games... but when I'm done messing around on my iPod, I still feel upset and empty... Why? Because the only true way to get your mind off of your problems, calm down and *still* be calm and feel complete when you are done is to spend time with your precious Jesus. Taking time like Mary did to get away from everyday life and relaxing with Jesus, telling Him *everything*, is the most rewarding thing you could do! Notice how Jesus says, "... but only one thing is needed." That one thing is Him!
Try to remember as a new week starts to go to Jesus first when you are upset and stressed out. And try to remember the way Jesus handled poor, upset Martha when people come to you and lash out at you.
Much, much love,
Brittany(:
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Welcome to 'in full bloom'!
Hi! Welcome to 'in full bloom'! I'm Brittany! I'm a high school girl who loves Jesus, just like you. This blog is just for you. And I promise, it will be down to earth... but I also want it to be deep. Stuff you can understand, stuff that will make you think, and stuff that will help grow. That's the point of this blog. Not everything will be "Bible talk," but everything I talk about will center around God, just like we all should be. Our lives should never be centered around anything else, therefore, this blog won't be either! Well, just so you aren't reading some random girls blog, here's a little random info about me: I'm in high school, obviously. I play Indoor Soccer and run Track and I play the piano (have for over 8 years). I love onions, and do not like pop (or soda... or soda-pop... whatever.) Anyway, I love the Bible with a passion. It's literally a guide for every situation in life. I love to run, and I hate volleyball. (sorry girls...) I hate make-up, and don't wear very much of it. I love music: Lecrae, Tenth Avenue North, a teensy bit of Taylor Swift, Skillet and Thousand Foot Krutch. My favorite book (besides the Bible) is 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye' by Josh Harris. If you haven't read it, you need to. Oh! and I also love chocolate and doggies! (Told you "random" facts!!(; ) I like knowing random things about people, and now you know random things about me!
So, every Thursday afternoon, I'll update my blog. I hope, that through God speaking through me, I can help you find your way through life's ups and downs and making a difference in this twisted world.
Much love,
Brittany(:
So, every Thursday afternoon, I'll update my blog. I hope, that through God speaking through me, I can help you find your way through life's ups and downs and making a difference in this twisted world.
Much love,
Brittany(:
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