tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41781793194145808272024-02-19T03:27:02.702-08:00We are Daughters of the KingIn recent years I have come from being a typical teenager, to a young woman of God. Only I did nothing to deserve this reward.
My contention in this blog is to give hope to other women in our struggle to be just what God desires us to be. My hope is that I can encourage you that, no matter what the world says, you are a daughter of the King.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-15820655380201096312013-09-02T15:31:00.002-07:002013-09-02T15:31:35.594-07:00We've Moved!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Readers,</div>
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This blog is no longer being posted to Blogger. It has now moved to Wordpress. If you are not a member of Wordpress please still feel free to follow the blog here:</div>
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<a href="http://chelsynschulte.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://chelsynschulte.wordpress.com/</span></a></div>
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If not you can always follow via Facebook under The Journey here:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/chelsyschulte"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.facebook.com/chelsyschulte</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-19875169961084249562013-04-10T18:42:00.004-07:002013-04-10T18:42:26.488-07:00I Will Fight For You. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Daughters,<br />
<br />
to be honest I'm not sure how much I have to share about what's on my heart. This past week, while out of the country, something peculiar happened with God and me. He reached out. <br />
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To allow you to see how peculiar this is, I'll back up. Two years ago, as of March 1st, my Father killed himself. On one hand I could say he abandoned me, I could call it a loss, I could say he left this Earth, or that he just gave up. No matter how I look at it one thing is for sure, I'm fatherless. <br />
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They talk about it in the Bible. They would group me in the same category as the oppressed, the widows, and the orphans. The weak ones who need our help, what most people would confuse as pity. Those people you never thought you would be.<br />
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The first year was difficult. Three months in I found myself in my bedroom drowned in sorrow far too often. That summer I felt isolated. In the winter strangely calm. Somehow a year later I felt completely numb. Until about 3 weeks ago, that's exactly where I stayed. Numb. <br />
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I began to believe lies over the course of time; that God wasn't here, He didn't care, He was silent, He was definitely not a Father to me, that this would plague me for the rest of my life. Especially the lie that <strong>healing was not possible for me. </strong><br />
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In trying to comfort me, people would remind me that no one could understand what I was going through. But that was one of the biggest lies. I began to believe, through that that I could not connect with <strong>anyone</strong> emotionally on this issue, that this was my burden to bear, alone, and that God Himself didn't understand my pain. <br />
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However, I became numb to even these emotions. Because, you see, we convince ourselves that we have to be "good Christians". That we can't step out of line and be so faithless, we can't be angry or confused at God, we can't question what's happened to us. We have to understand there's a purpose etc. etc. We begin to banish our emotions because they simple aren't acceptable. <br />
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Oh, but then there's Job. Everyone loves the first few chapters. He lands on his knees, crying that it's all in God's hands, but they forget that for the rest of the book Job is battling lies. Everyone condemns his grief, but God doesn't once say Job does wrong until he finally breaks down in anger at God Himself. <br />
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<strong>Then God restores him.</strong> </div>
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I'd like to say, then God was <strong>able </strong>to restore him, if I may. This has been my trial, that all this time I've become subject to the lies, denied the emotions and then finally God broke through. I began to pray that I would feel again, that He would restore me. The emotion He gave me was <strong>anger</strong>. I began to be angry at Him, at family, friends, my fiancé, and then finally after 2 weeks of tireless emotion I realized why. <br />
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I was angry at my dad all this time and I was angry at God. The funny thing about God showing me this is that anger seems to be one of the emotions that you can easily become ashamed with. That bitterness and rage can't be masked by excuses, it just reveals truly how evil and sinful your heart is. There's nowhere left to hide at that point, all you can do is repent. <br />
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I say in a room with 30 people in Ecuador, with bitter tears on my face and pleaded to God for the first time to save me from my own angry heart. And He did. He answered in such due timing, just like He said He would. Just like I saw He did to David in so many Psalms and hoped He would do for me. <br />
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I feel I could go on and on about the depth of sin that was washed from my heart. This entry can't do it justice. But something I do want to share with you, as Daughters of the King, is something our Daddy showed me. <br />
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<strong>He showed me He was my Father.</strong> </div>
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I woke up, the morning after coming home from Ecuador, turned over and read one of the most awful text messages in my life. Someone bringing me trouble, it felt like the Enemy himself. It should have read, "Chelsy, see how awful this life is, God isn't here, just give up, your family will never be restored." I stared at the screen, with a different type of numbness. It was one of those moments I said to myself, "This is when I wish my dad was here, he would protect me from this, he wouldn't let this happen." Before I got the chance to finish the thought, which I had thought many times before, it hit me. <br />
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<strong>My Father <em>is </em>here to protect me.</strong> </div>
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Peace settled in like a close friend to my heart. I looked at the phone and felt calm, which was much different than I had before. My Dad spoke and told me that He would take care of it if I let Him, He said that it was nothing for Him, but if I carried it, like I had before, it would break me. He didn't have to prove Himself there. He assured me that I didn't need to respond, after all, when He was accused by His enemies He didn't have to speak up for Himself either. I put the phone down. I wrote it out in my journal and then it was gone. <br />
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But something more miraculous had happened. I let the One who adopted me finally have a chance to gain my trust. Can you imagine a Father being calm with His newly adopted daughter for two years, hoping she would stop pretending everything was okay and sitting at the dinner table even convincing herself that she wasn't upset at all. Then she finally gets mad and refuses to speak with Him for weeks. To finally have communion again. <br />
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<strong>He waited all this time.</strong> </div>
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I hope this encourages you Sister. <br />
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Chelsy. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-68192025501545817452013-01-11T17:14:00.000-08:002013-01-12T12:46:57.302-08:00Why Wait?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Daughters,<br />
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The closer you get to marriage the harder it is to understand. Why wait until we're married to have sex? I mean, we're getting married one day anyway? The only difference between now and then is a paper with our signatures, a new last name and some other minor details. Besides, how does a traditional ceremony change our relationship? <br />
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<i>So why wait?</i><br />
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I could write you a novel on the topic; <i>Been There Done That</i> would be the title. I used to convince myself in my first relationships everything in the previous paragraph. Now, I'm in a relationship I have even more confidence in and waiting is not grievance, but a tremendous blessing. Having sex with the same person for the rest of my life and waiting until our wedding night is a joy. There are certain characteristics that show in people falling prey to the lie that waiting doesn't make it different. <br />
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<b>Men and women who don't wait show a lack of self-control. </b><br />
I sat down with Jeffrey one night. We agreed when we first started dating to set specific boundaries, we agreed we needed to be open about sex and communicate our feelings, anticipations, and fears very openly. Still, there were safe boundaries of communication, making sure we guarded our own hearts from temptation. This kept us pure, kept us anticipating, and shows self control. <br />
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<b>Men and women who don't wait are avoiding Biblical conviction.</b><br />
<i>(this is going to be my most lengthy point)</i><br />
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Let me clear, I'm speaking to believers here. For those who don't believe, you may or may not face conviction. How can I preach to you do right without teaching you grace? <br />
But for those who have faith, claim Christ, but behind the scenes their under the covers, how can you not have conviction? If you don't, it's what I would call spiritual numbness. Let me go on a tangent for a moment to speak to this group:<br />
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It was just like every other time. We said we wouldn't do it again - not that we were having sex, but it was close enough for discomfort- yet there we were, struggling to say no. I'll spare you details, but by the end it I felt no guilt. Every other time there was a silence that followed and you could feel the shame in the air, weighing down our hearts. The apologizes would follow and the promises I knew wouldn't be kept. I didn't want to do it anymore, but I didn't know how to stop. This time I didn't feel a thing, I was totally numb to any conviction. I just didn't care anymore.</div>
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Luckily this wasn't the end to my story, but for those of you there, conviction can't be all about emotion. There's logic to it too. This does not please God and He actually has <b>better </b>for you. </div>
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<b>Men and women who don't wait miss out.</b></div>
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<i>"Miss out?! What can be better than sex?" </i><br />
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How about a godly relationship that can show others His character? You miss out on this huge blessing when you throw conviction aside. How about a confidence and security that only come from sex within marriage (which we'll talk more about)? How about the freedom that comes outside of sin?</div>
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You may think that you're getting all the perks of marriage without the commitment, but really you're missing the whole point! Let me explain with an example. When Jeffrey and I sit down and discuss sex in a way that keeps us both on the same page (without being graphic or cuddling up real close) we find security in our relationship. If Jeffrey were to take what he thinks he deserves I always run the risk (not matter how sure I think I am) that he might not choose to be in a relationship with me down the road. There's also this stange peace that comes from the fact that this man loves me and desires to please me, much more than just sexually!</div>
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Which brings me to my next point.</div>
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<b>Men and women who don't wait miss the point of marriage.</b></div>
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It's not sex (who knew!?). It's humility, grace, unity, prayer, responsibility, love, compassion, service, partnership, love... love.. and then some sex to show more love and service and... you get the point (hopefully). If you were only waiting for you're wedding day to have sex, you're going to be disappointed. Because sex doesn't last. If that's driving your idea of marriage and your relationship, you're missing out. </div>
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My friend Maria prayed over Jeffrey and I. She compared marriage to a partnership and a beautiful picture came into mind. Jesus once sent out his disciples in two before Him, to preach the gospel to different cities. I thought about those relationships, that those men would have leaned so much on each other for strength, prayer, and they would have spent so much crucial time together. They had to be on the same page because they were speaking the gospel to many places and sometimes being ridiculed. They couldn't have kept secrets, and they weren't in these cities to do their own thing. Such a closeness and bond, and all for a purpose. I believe marriage is this type of partnership.</div>
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Changing that picture to a sexual relationship before the Lord would bless us with it, warps the picture. It changes is from about Him and His wishes and purposes, to our own desires. </div>
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I could slap bible verses all over the place and condemn you all, but why would I do that when I've "been there done that". We're all guilty, and if you're not aware of the guilt you have before God, you must be missing out on the majority or scripture. And if you're not aware of His grace, you're missing out on a whole lot more...</div>
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Chelsy. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-63335860860818068192012-11-27T10:17:00.003-08:002012-11-27T10:18:18.707-08:00Freedom.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Daughters,<br />
<b><br /></b><b>Did you know sex within marriage comes with freedom?</b><br />
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Today I was discussing my relationship with God with someone, trying to be honest about how it felt at this point. Often it's easier to understand where we are with Him if we think about it like marriage. I've also seen that it's easier to compare reading the word and prayer with sex, or at least the intimate feeling that comes with it. For more on this see <a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/chelsy-rehkop/intamacy-with-christ/10150247441134357" target="_blank"><b>My Facebook Note</b></a>.<br />
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So I explained my relationship with God like this:<br />
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It's like we live in the same house, we share the same bed, but we never speak. It's like we are never home at the same time. A empty house that is full of quiet. It's as if people come over for dinner and I tell them how great our relationship is, but I feel lonely, like I haven't seen Him in weeks.<br />
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Don't take this as me saying it's His fault, but that I've kept Him far off because I'm afraid of what He might say. The problem is, I'm denying Him intimacy with me. It's the same in marriage - the more distant you are the worse your sex life is. You can't have intimacy with someone you aren't in communion with. <br />
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<b>So for those of us who feel abandoned, how do we come back to intimacy with the One we love?</b></div>
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The same as in marriage, it starts with talking, with being honest. Honesty leads to trust, and trust leads to unity. Once we are one we begin to enjoy the fullness of unity, intimacy, and joy. <br />
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In marriage, there is freedom in sex. We are free to enjoy each others' company and our marriage and grow in our relationship. With God this looks like freedom in serving Him, that we don't feel like we have to serve Him or burdened but that we enjoy doing so because that is our intimacy with Him. Serving God because we feel like we have to is like having sex with our husband for the same reasons. If this is not what God desires, we are shaming Him as well. <br />
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I pray for all of us today in a quiet and lonely home, that we begin to take the steps to filling our relationship with freedom and intamacy again. That we remember the love we had as newlywed brides.<br />
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<span class="text Jer-2-2">“I remember the devotion of your youth,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-2-2">your love as a bride,</span></span><br />
<span class="text Jer-2-2">how you followed me in the wilderness,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-2-2">in a land not sown.</span></span><span class="text Jer-2-3" id="en-ESV-18969"><sup class="versenum"> </sup></span></div>
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<span class="text Jer-2-3" id="en-ESV-18969"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Israel was holy to the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-2-3">the first fruits of his harvest.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Jer-2-3">All who ate of it incurred guilt;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Jer-2-3">disaster came upon them,</span></span><br />
<span class="declares indent-4"><span class="text Jer-2-3">declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="declares indent-4"><span class="text Jer-2-3">-Jeremiah 2:2-3 </span></span></div>
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<span class="declares indent-4"><span class="text Jer-2-3">Chelsy.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-31711413933732113332012-08-29T09:32:00.001-07:002012-08-29T09:32:19.207-07:00Thankfulness.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Daughters,<br />
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Today you won't be called out by me to change everything that you are, get your act together, or start praying for all the things that are wrong about you to be better. Today you'll be asked to check your heart, if you think these things will save you.<br />
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I have found, very recently, that my prayers have turned into good works. I have been so focused on needing to make myself better and because of that my prayers only centered around requests for myself to change. Not praise, not lifting up friends and family, not awe. Prayers of please do this and that. I never realized I was forgetting to awe the Creator, I was using my prayers as a form of good works. But I really never believed anything I was praying could be done, because I felt too messed up to fix.<br />
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I didn't understand God doesn't want to "fix" us, He wants to heal us. He wants to have relationship with us. He <i>does </i>do sanctifying work (Phil 3:12-16) and we should not stop <i>praying </i>for Him to move in our hearts.<br />
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However, I've realized there are two types of joy, <b>old joy </b>and <b>new joy</b>. New joy is when we pray for something and it happens and we are thankful. Old joy is when we <b>remember</b> the joy from the past- answered prayers, past events, etc. I believe a big problem with our praise is that we only focus on new joy. We forget to remember the things He has already done.<br />
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Today my only request from you is to stop dwelling on all the things you think are wrong in your life and in your heart and start praising Him for the many things that He has done. He deserves praise. Not someone who always asks and never says thank you.<br />
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We are the 10 leapers who come to Jesus to be healed. He sends us out with a requirement (a request He has in order to heal us) and we go away with exactly what we asked for. But let us not be like the 9 who never return to say thanks. We must be the <b>one </b>humble enough to return and praise Him, for He is worthy.<br />
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I love you all and my heart burns for you,<br />
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Chelsy. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-10337362167204541222012-07-19T16:51:00.001-07:002012-07-19T16:51:27.023-07:00Daily Bread.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Daughters,<br />
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I realize reading the Scripture is a hard habit to get in to. My boyfriend and I have this mutual agreement that almost anything you do right takes a lot of consistency, and it isn't always the easy way. It would be easy to plop open the Bible every day to a new section every day, read something random and call it a day. It would be easy to get an app that gives you feedback on a verse without looking much into it.<br />
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These things are wrong, not at all, but not everything is beneficial for you (1 Corinthians 6:12).<br />
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The Scripture is hard to understand, let's face it. It was written in a different part of the world two centuries, and then some, ago. It's hard for us to relate simply by reading. It requires seeking out answers to questions and doing a little leg work. Most people hear that and give up, but really, it's not that hard and once you understand how to do it, <b>you will get so much more from it</b>.<br />
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So for those of you who just don't know where to begin, there's so much hope!<br />
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So I want to explain a few things. Firstly, there's a certain heart behind reading the word that is essential. You need to fall in love with the word. </div>
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Lastly I'll give you the layout for how to get started (this one's gonna be good!).</div>
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<b>Fall In Love </b></div>
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When you love something it's all you talk about. After the feelings go away though, it's all about the <i>choice </i>to love. Sometimes the Scripture is really easy to read. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to <i>want </i>to open it up. But I don't stop loving my mother because today is hard, I try harder to love her because she's my mother. </div>
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When the feeling fade you must find yourself in prayer. How can God deny a request to love His word, it's what He wants for you <i>and </i>it will be what's best for you. </div>
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<b>Accountability</b></div>
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When I started a membership at the gym, it was really hard for me to go alone. I didn't know how to work the machines well, I didn't have a routine, and I felt really alone. Eventually I stopped going. When my boyfriend and I picked it up together, he showed me how to work other machines, we built a routine and we always went together. Now I can go by myself and I enjoy it.<b> </b></div>
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My point is you're not always supposed to do everything alone, at least not always at first. You won't want to all the time and some people tend to give up when no one pushes them.</div>
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<b>A Plan</b></div>
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Don't set your standards too high. I've always thought the Bible is best when its not read at speed. It may take you days to read a chapter, that's okay. Sometimes it's easy to skim and miss important things that take time to mull over. Speed is not the point, it's the heart. But you want a plan, to keep you in check and so you don't read a sentence a day (out of laziness) and call it quits because there's no expectation. </div>
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<b> </b></div>
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<b>Okay, I know this blog is long, but here's the good stuff!</b></div>
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There are just a few steps: </div>
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<b>1) Know the context</b></div>
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<b> </b>a) Who is writing it?</div>
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b) Who's the audience?</div>
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c) What's the subject/culture?</div>
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<b>2) Read the text</b></div>
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<b> </b>... as if you've never read it before (try to do small sections at a time)<b> </b></div>
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<b>3) Ask questions!</b></div>
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<b> </b>Everything that comes to mind! Even if you "think" you know the answers <b> </b></div>
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<b>4) Read the sources and get the answers</b></div>
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<b> </b>Don't go just anywhere for info. The Esv Bible website and Blue Letter Bible are great tools. These are two <i>good </i>and <i>proven </i>sources. (Remember, not everything on the internet is true!)<b> </b></div>
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<b> SOURCES:<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_368189159"> </a></b><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.cfm">http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.cfm</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.esvbible.org/" target="_blank"> http://www.esvbible.org</a><b><br /></b></div>
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<b>5) Pray, Worship, Live, and Share. </b><br />
<b> </b>The purpose is to grow. You put to practice what you learn and read. It helps to journal, you can see the progress when you do. Still, it's important to pray out of the word, it helps direct this to God and show you how to grow. For instance:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
In reading Galatians 5:1 (For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You could pray, "Lord, please teach me to live in freedom. Bring to light ways I make myself a slave to my sin. Forgive me for not standing firm in freedom."</div>
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You can worship though reading. My pastor play worship music when he reads so that he can sing and rejoice or weep and lament with the lyrics and the words. It helps him worship. </div>
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All of this is just an idea. The great thing about reading is there isn't really a right or wrong technique to building your habit. But most importantly, don't make excuses. This is important. </div>
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<b>Psalm 119:72</b></div>
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<b>The law of your mouth is better to me</b>
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<b>than thousands of gold and silver pieces.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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Chelsy. <b><br /></b></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-33307516855109044672012-07-18T08:44:00.001-07:002012-07-18T08:44:53.492-07:00Grace of a Father.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Daughters,<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I had a realization that greatly encouraged me, it wouldn't be fair if I didn't share it.<br />
<br />
I've realized that we often have a hard time understanding grace. We become easily frustrated with each other and ourselves and very miniscule things cause us to be bitter towards one another and even hate one another. We would assume that things would be the same with God, that His grace would be limited like man's is. Without scripture to tell us otherwise, this is a understandable assumption.<br />
How could God love a murderer after what he's done? How could He love you and I after all we've done? Beyond that, we fail Him day in and day out- we don't keep promises, we forget what we learned yesterday, and we go behind His back consistently. Surely, even if He could still love us, He loves us less now because of what we've done, right?<br />
Even if we proclaim grace with our mouths, we can still believe a very different "truth" underneath, in our hearts where no one can see how wrong we could be. Then, in believing this doctrine of false grace, we find ourselves failing to tell others of His love and it becomes harder and harder to show grace to others.<br />
<br />
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<b>If God is not gracious there is nothing to proclaim. If He's not the Great Forgiver there is no need to show forgiveness to other.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b> </b>But there must be a flaw in this doctrine. Because if God is not fully gracious and completely forgiving there is absolutely no hope. And do you not know that if He is not fully gracious He is a liar? Is He is calling you into love only to hold a grudge? <b>God's love is an absolute. </b>It either is, or it isn't. And for those called by grace, it always is. You cannot break the love that you didn't begin and you can't outdo His grace, there's always more to be found. </div>
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<br /></div>
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You see, if God's grace was limited to man's goodness, then we would still be under the law, and we are now under a law of grace (Gal 2:21). God's grace is given freely, and never held back. It is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) so the things of yesterday are no longer held against us. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The easiest way for me to understand grace is through a metaphor. God is our Father and we are his children. If you know anything about children, you know they forget discipline easily, they disobey often, and mostly feel no regret for that. But a Father doesn't love His children any less because they are disobedient. He doesn't hate them when they forget to wash their hands before dinner. He doesn't regret having them when they act out or feel ashamed to call them His own when they forget His teachings. He loves them just the same, and He knows they will grow and learn with time. He's patient. </div>
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And He is abounding in mercy, always faithful in grace. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Chelsy. </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-71049757045808538332012-07-03T14:09:00.002-07:002012-07-03T14:09:59.670-07:00Confidence.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Daughters,<br />
<br />
You're body is a temple for the Spirit of the Living God. You are precious and honored in His sight. You were knit in your mother's womb, with intentional care. These aren't opinions, not "feel good" phrases, yet they're so hard to believe until you recognize them as truth.<br />
<br />
Confidence effects everything. From your work ethic, to your relationships, to your very faith. If you believe you're worthless you're bound to act it out, it will fill your speech, and it will be the end of your joy.<br />
<br />
The world is so good at telling us we're worthless, even unintentionally. We grow up wanting to be princesses, yet the kids on the playground won't stop making fun of our hair, or our name. We begin to believe we're out of the norm and in a very bad way. We hold those little things inside us for a very very long time, until one day we're grown ups with a lot of deep-rooted insecurities.<br />
<br />
Those girls you make fun of for being "fake-baked" or super skinny or shopaholics are most likely the worst victims of deep-rooted insecurity.There are those other girls who grow up like goddess' to be worshiped and boys and girls alike will worship the body, and forget the person inside it. Men will goggle and women will even (but she's an idol just the same), but no matter how much they do she can still be the least confident woman in the world.<br />
<br />
It's not always looks that we're insecure about. We're not the funniest, or the smartest. We aren't athletic or creative enough. This type of insecurity is sometimes the hardest to fight, because you have to become fake in order to be accepted.<br />
<br />
A worldly woman seeks only to be accepted. She prides herself in fashions statements, harsh diets, attention seeking, striving for compliments, but never really feels satisfied. She's still holding on to what they said in pre-school about her hair, or in middle-school about her clothes, or even what her close friends said about being dumb.<br />
<br />
So it affects our image of ourselves, or closeness with others (because if they know who we <i>really </i>are, they may not like us), and lastly -and most importantly- our faith. When we believe we're worthless, and there's not convincing us otherwise, scriptures like I mentioned earlier mean nothing, prayer is not longer effective (cause no One can fix <i>this </i>mess), and our relationship is only at a distance. Just like with people, we're afraid of what God might <i>really </i>think of us when He sees all our sin and failure and even insecurity.<br />
<br />
Yet, God already knows it! The words He spoke are written before the feelings we feel were ever real, and He still means them. When we bank on our insecurities to tell us the truth, we'll end up in despair and deceit. The only way to be free is to let go of your stubbornness and believe. Only then can Psalm 139:14 mean a thing. Then we transform own minds and bind them to the will of Christ ( Rom 12:2, 1 Peter 1:13).<br />
<br />
From now on every time I have a fit about what to wear, condemn myself for saying something stupid, feel self-pity, or hold back my prayers, I must begin to conform my mind to what He says about me. I'm a temple of the very Spirit of the Lord, I am not my own, but bought with a price. Not even my insecurities will change that, but He wants to make me holy as He is holy.<br />
<br />
Go in <b>peace </b><br />
<b>(Luke 7:50) </b><br />
<br />
Chelsy. <br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-87016912257018624822012-04-17T10:05:00.000-07:002012-04-17T10:05:14.711-07:00Dating.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Daughters,<br />
<br />
This is one I'm very excited about, but before I jump into the advise I have for you all, let me give you my dating history.<br />
<br />
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For me, dating has been bittersweet for a long time until last summer, and my views have changed a lot up until then.I became a Christian at the end of middle school in 8th grade, but before that my dating experience was anything but holy. I had no real standards, no real expectations for the future, and only really wanted a relationship to have some kind of security (being liked, having someone there). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After Christ, my perspective changed. I decided I shouldn't date anyone who wasn't a Christian. Unfortunately that was my only standard, and that's easy to fake so I dated a lot of guys with half-hearted relationships to God, if there was anything at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I started to be more specific, I only wanted <i>strong </i>Christians. Still, this wasn't specific enough. My relationships were not really Christ-centered, which is what I really wanted, and I still left them confused and broken. At this point I stepped back, I re-evaluated what I really wanted in my <i>husband </i>(not just any man) and prayed about this a lot. My standards were at a record high and soon I began to deny anyone, but the guy I really wanted. I created a list of things I couldn't settle for, and prayed over them with passion. I wasn't a perfect and patient girl, but I tried really hard and spent many nights weeping and begging for God to be gracious with me, teach me to love Him more, and help me. </div>
<br />
Through this struggle I learned so much. For anyone in waiting, in struggle, or already dating, I hope you can learn from my struggles, and maybe avoid them yourselves.Here's a list of some things I learned.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>1. God is mysterious in relationships.</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one is huge. Throughout my struggle I went to so many people, book, and other avenues for dating advice. What was my husband to be like, how would I know it was him, what is courtship or dating or marriage supposed to look like. The truth is, no one can tell you what your love story is. No one that is but the One who wrote it. I was so busy asking friends, family, and even married folks, that I forgot to consult my Father. They can't know, because God is mysterious and He doesn't need to give us all the answers, He needs us to <b>trust Him and love Him more</b>, which is exactly what He showed me. </div>
<b>2. You are to be valued. </b><br />
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Don't settle for less. Never ever. Although it's cliche, God loves you and He desires more for you that what you've always wanted or than what you need. The guy for you should care for you and honor you. </div>
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<b>Ephesians 5:28, 1 Peter 3:7</b></div>
<b>3. There is only one necessary relationship.</b><br />
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You don't have to practice sex to have good sex in marriage. You also don't have to practice relationships with other men to have a good relationship with the one who you're<i> made</i> for. The Lord can do so much more preparing of your heart when you're single and all your focus is on Him. He wants to be the love of your life first. Don't waste time breaking others hearts, your own, and letting any other person have your affection, any part of it. You don't need a relationship to be fulfilled. </div>
<b>4. Prayer, Prayer, Prayer.</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who's in control here? So, who can help you in times of need. Let's be honest, relationships are one of the hardest things you'll ever do. You need His help. So just admit it and partake of it freely! It will make this process so much more rewarding and beautiful. When I made my list and prayed for it, I felt like I was already loving my husband before I even knew who he was. When I was distressed, the Lord became my comfort instead of another man. <b>This is your most useful tool.</b></div>
<b>5. Your parents know best. </b><br />
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No one wants to admit it, but you're parents know you very well. They raised you. They have advise on dating, whether they're Christians or not. They're going to be protective of you, and this can be a good thing (although maybe not always). Listen to their advice, consider them, then made decisions on who you will date, or how you will decide to date. For instance, my mom has always had a rule that she must meet who I date before we date. She wants to protect me from anyone who can hurt me. My dad would discipline any guy who went beyond his rules, strictly, and was very good at protecting me. You're parents <i>want </i>to help you.</div>
<b>6. The Lord cares just as much (if not more) as you do.</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're anything like me, waiting is eating you up. Patience isn't easy. Neither is heart ache. I remember watching chik-flicks and dying to be in a relationship. I've always had a deep longing for my husband. Yet, for a long time I was ashamed of this, granted I was almost idolizing him, but still, longing for my husband can be a very good thing. Once I realized that God cared about the subject just as much as I did, I could go to Him in my longing and no longer be ashamed, but ask Him to help me and continue to be understanding. </div>
<b>7. Ask for what you <i>really </i>want and <i>really </i>need. </b><br />
When I made my "husband list" I wasn't afraid to put what I really wanted. I had a few long-lasting relationships, so I definitely knew what I <b>didn't </b>want. I was specific, and I wasn't afraid to put physical things on there too. It helped me remember that if he didn't match with the list, because I was so honest, I knew it wasn't really what I was looking for. <br />
<b>8. Don't worship a man.</b><br />
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Like I mentioned before, longing can easily become idolism. Sometimes I would go to the bible, pray that God would help me understand what my husband would be like, but to my surprise I would begin reading about my own sinful heart. I began to realize He wanted to be the <i>only </i>thing I long for. My husband isn't going to be worth the affection only my Savior deserves. For all the girls out there who are a little too boy crazy, consider that you are neglecting your true love. He is the only one who deserves your life, love, and heart. Don't let even your husband the throne to your heart. Love him well, but not more. </div>
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Remember, this in love I say this to you sisters. I pray God keeps you from straying and close to Himself. Love you all so much,</div>
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<br /></div>
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Chelsy/</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-12940108451744333602012-04-16T13:16:00.002-07:002012-04-16T13:30:45.612-07:0010 Things I Want to Tell Teenage Girls.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, I read a list from another blog with the same title (just so you know, this wasn't an original by me) and it made me think of some things I wish I could tell teenage girls too. If you're interested, <a href="http://kateelizabethconner.com/ten-things-i-want-to-tell-teenage-girls/" target="_blank">HERE</a> is the link to the other post, which is actually <i>very </i>good and I suggest you read as well. Still, here are my ten points. <br />
<br />
<b>1. Modesty is a high priority.</b><br />
Firstly, modesty does not mean wearing skirts that go to your ankles and sweaters when it's 70 degrees outside. A modest girl is conscious of a few things: the situation, the people, and the heart.<br />
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In different situations, different things might be appropriate. You don't necessarily have to worry about what you wear at home, for instance - no one there is going to stumble. With different people, different things may be appropriate or inappropriate. This one probably only relates to what <i>gender </i>you're around. Lastly, your heart. It can be deceitful. The important thing it to try to keep in mind you're body is only for the viewing pleasure of your husband. If you don't have a husband, you don't need to show it off. </div>
<br />
<b>2. Quality friendship is important.</b><br />
Girls complain about drama so much. They're so known for gossiping, but fail to recognize good friendship is so lovely and necessary. Friends keep you accountable, friends give you good advice, friends forgive and spend quality time together and protect each other. Guys can be friends too (and should be before you date them). Don't start dating a guy without letting him be your best friend first!<b> </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>3. You can be trendy and still have money in your bank account.</b><br />
I've seen so many teenage girls almost bragging about the amount of clothes in their closet (without mentioning the cost it took to get them there). I used to think that I would only be cool and trendy if I shopped at the name brand stores, until I got <i>my own </i>job and all the weight laid on my shoulders. I found I couldn't pay bills and please the crowd. So I stopped trying to impress other girls and started wearing what I liked (but still, only in being cautious with how much was wise to spend).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A godly woman knows how to manage money well:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Prov. 18 a</b> <span class="verse-num inline" id="v20031018-1"></span>She perceives that her merchandise is
profitable.</div>
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<b>Prov. 20 </b>She opens
her hand to the poor
</div>
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and reaches out her hands to the needy.</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p20031020_08-1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>4. That business is not the same a productivity.</b><br />
<b> </b>I wish someone had told me when I started High School that every waking moment of my schedule would be busy if I wasn't careful. You're time is precious, you only get a little bit on Earth, and there aren't any do-overs. So spend it wisely. Don't bail on homework to hang out with friends, don't bail on family to be the head cheerleader or the lead in the musical. Don't skip school days to sleep in and don't make yourself so stressed that you <i>have </i>to start sleeping in. You have a family you need to start knowing, a future that has expectations, but there is only so much time in a day, so view it with discernment. <b> </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>5. Jesus is the only man good enough for you.</b><br />
<b> </b>I can't emphasize how crucial this is, but <i>your husband isn't going to cut it. </i>I have a wonderful boyfriend, he's the perfect guy for me. But at the end of the day there's a spot in my heart only <b>one man</b> can fill, and it's not my boyfriend. Ladies in waiting: He is the only one you need to wait for, and that dreamy man will come (or he may not) and he will be just for you, but he is a gift and does not deserve your worship.<br />
<b>Guard your heart- </b>not just from the boys, but from itself. <br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>6. You shouldn't settle for less.</b><br />
<b> </b>To go off the last point, that man should be exactly what you need. He doesn't have to be abusive, an alcoholic, unattractive, or rude. I suggest this for all of you struggling with what that man will look like. Pray, and by pray I mean plead- on hands and knees! He will be worth every request, and God hears and desperately cares about these prayers. The heart you have for him is given by your father, so don't be ashamed. Make a list of things you can't settle for -don't be shy to add physical things too- and start asking God to prepare <i>this </i>man. Then pray to be his lovely lady- but not before you're the Lord's brilliant bride.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>7. Submission is beautiful. </b><br />
Nothing is more ugly than a rebellious child, wife, student, employee etc. Women who can't be humble and serve with a good heart aren't attractive. It's not cool. It doesn't get you anywhere. Having a good reputation is important, and treating people like they are worth something and respected is so important. Consider your actions and words very carefully. <br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>8. Don't trade yourself for the "better you".</b><br />
In middle school I had a group of friends who just weren't like me. They were all much prettier, funnier, and even had different interests. I began trying to be like them to fit in. I didn't find out who <i>I was </i>until my senior year of High School because of that game I began in 6th grade. You are great just the way you are- no matter how cliche that sounds. People will love who you are, even if not <i>everyone</i> loves it, that's not what matters anyway! Don't waste your time being a people-pleaser. <br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>9. Read, pray, and worship as much as you breathe. </b><br />
I've seen too many High School students get caught in that busy schedule and forget what's most important. I did it too. The fact is, you need it to survive and don't forget it. Period. <br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>10. Believe you're beautiful. </b><br />
Make-up and clothes are to <i>compliment </i>your already beautiful
body. Don't use them to make you beautiful, you already are. Women have a specialty about them that men don't because, while we both can glorify God, women get to glorify Him in a different way. We get to show off His beauty. But constantly altering His creation and damning how we are made don't give Him any glory at all. Realizing you're beautiful just the way you are is confidence, not pride, and give glory to the one who made that temple, that He loves to sing praise over. He is proud of His creation (and called it good once), so you should be too. <br />
<br />
<br />
Chelsy. <br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-56049652647430737862012-03-21T12:04:00.002-07:002012-03-21T12:17:40.549-07:00Please Read!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://theresurgence.com/2012/03/19/for-the-gals-8-principles-for-dating">http://theresurgence.com/2012/03/19/for-the-gals-8-principles-for-dating</a><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i><b style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79;">Quoted text from link above:</b></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="callout" style="text-align: center;">
I recently came across a 20-year-old photo of Phil
and me when we were dating. I started thinking about how very little I
knew about relationships, men, and marriage then.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Formulating a list of what I would tell myself back then, my advice
began with a stern warning to stay away from any man with a mullet . . .
but then again, it was the ’90s—every man had a mullet!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On a more serious note, these are eight principles that would have
taken much confusion and heartbreak out of those tumultuous dating
years. I hope they help you:</div>
<h2>
1. Repeat after me: “You are loved.” </h2>
I am not kidding. Repeat. After. Me. Out loud, often, with
conviction. These are such simple words to say, but they have the most
deep and resounding impact on our souls if we would just believe.<br />
God says to his daughters <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/jeremiah+31%3A3-4/">in Jeremiah</a>:
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued
my faithfulness to you." Until you have tasted God’s eternal, steadfast,
redeeming love, hold off on looking for a man. You may just end up
settling for a quick love that cannot fill your core heart’s longing.
Even if you are not currently being pursued by a man, you are constantly
being pursued by Jesus.<br />
<h2>
2. You are less beautiful than you think and more beautiful than you
believe.</h2>
Our sin makes us ugly. No amount of makeup, clothing, or confident,
flirtatious façade can change that fact. It takes a humble, redeemed
woman changed by God to admit the ugliness of her sin and rest in her
beauty in Christ. We must repent of our pride, our shame, our obsession
with our looks. We must believe and embrace who God made us to be:
beautiful in his image.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<big class="open">“</big>
True beauty emanates from a woman who boldly and unabashedly knows
who she is in Christ.<big class="close">”</big></blockquote>
</div>
<h2>
3. Consider what controls you.</h2>
Is it fear, loneliness, demand for a man, seeking approval, career,
money?<br />
Let the love of Christ control you. Pay attention to what is
controlling your heart as you wait for a date, are in a dating
relationship, or even into marriage. We settle for lesser gods than the
one who died for us and love us unconditionally.<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
“For the love of Christ controls us,
because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all
have died; and he died for all, that those who might live no longer
live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this:
that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all,
that those who might live no longer live for themselves but for him who
for their sake died and was raised.” 2 Corinthians 5:14–15</div>
<h2>
4. Address your daddy issues.</h2>
Most of us have them—wounds on our hearts from our earthly fathers
and their shortcomings. Whether yours was absent and uninvolved or
abusive and abandoning, don’t let him define who you believe your
heavenly Father to be. Even if you have a godly and protective father,
he is not God.<br />
You are not looking for a dad-duplicate or a dad-replacement in a
man. You have a perfect heavenly Father.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<big class="open">“</big>
Let Scripture reveal to you who God is as Dad and what kind of care
he gives his daughters.<big class="close">”</big></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
"If you then, who are evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13</div>
<h2>
5. Charm and beauty are not a good dating plan.</h2>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,<br />
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30</div>
Often, our grand scheme for how to snag a date goes only skin-deep.
We put massive pressure on ourselves to pour on the charm and look cute
wherever we go, not realizing that a godly man will also be concerned
about inner beauty. God certainly is.<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
"But let your adorning be the hidden
person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4</div>
A woman who fears the Lord is one who, despite her desire for a date,
fears being far away from God more than she does missing out on a man
who is easily fooled by her exterior.<br />
<h2>
6. Realize you are already submitting—or are you?</h2>
Submission is not only for wives. God asks for a submitted heart now,
one that trusts in his provision and plan for your life, including
dating. Ultimately, dating, and all of life, is about submission—waiting
and trusting God and <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/search/Luke%2022%3A42/">saying as Jesus
does</a>, “Not my will but yours be done.”<br />
This does not, however, leave you helpless, hopeless, and hamstrung
in the relationship department. A godly woman can express friendly
interest in a brother in Christ.<br />
<ul>
<li>It is OK to mingle—but don’t manipulate.</li>
<li>Peruse—but don’t pursue. Let him initiate.</li>
<li>Take notice of the godly men serving Jesus around you—but never
stalk. It’s creepy.</li>
<li>Cross paths with a man who interests you—but don’t tackle him.</li>
</ul>
<h2>
7. Dress to kill . . .</h2>
. . . your evil desires and his. We all know what it’s like to be
noticed for what we wear. Your desire to draw attention to yourself is
vanity. Do not falsely advertise what is not available to anyone but
your future husband. Don’t open the door for men to make assumptions
about you by what you wear. Help your brothers in Christ by dressing
modestly and appropriately (and by all means, neatly, cleanly, and
fashionably!) Check your heart for your motives when you dress.<br />
<h2>
8. Guard your heart.</h2>
Guarding one’s heart is still an issue even if no one is overtly
vying for it. Watch out for the “might be” snare, as in, "He 'might be'
flirting with me and so I’m going to get carried away thinking about
every possible place [read: marriage] that could lead."<br />
It is entirely possible to honor God, yourself, and a brother in
Christ on a date. Don’t elevate him or the relationship to the place
that God alone should hold in your heart. Enjoy, don’t idolize . . . and
for goodness sake, relax! A cup of coffee does not necessarily mean a
diamond ring is soon to follow.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<big class="open">“</big>
As a single woman, give your heart fully, wholly, unabashedly, and
devotedly to Christ alone.<big class="close">”</big></blockquote>
</div>
Be active, vigilant, and careful about how much of your heart you
give to a man. Be able to walk away from a dating relationship with your
whole heart intact so that your future husband is not robbed of part of
it down the road. Prayerfully consider what, when, how much to give
away.<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
"Above all else, guard your heart, for
everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23 (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%204:23&version=NIV">NIV</a>)</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-53151492539166259912012-03-19T15:24:00.003-07:002012-03-19T15:24:55.879-07:00Jealousy.Daughters,<br />
<br />
The Lord, He is a jealous God.<br />
The Father, He disciplines His children well.<br />
The Creator, He made us for His own purpose.<br />
My Jesus, He died, yet now He lives.<br />
<br />
I look at so many people today who stir the Lord to jealousy. We may claim His grace and try to relish in love, but it's like flirting with other men and then when they ask for your number saying, "Oh, I have a boyfriend."<br />
God is so jealous, sisters, of His beautiful Daughter. If you need more proof look to Israel, Ruth, Paul, even His Son, and see that He has <i>relentless, overwhelming, powerful, </i><b>LOVE. </b><br />
Beautiful girl, look at your life. Do you love Him like He loves you? If you object and claim you love Him more, argue your case! If you have any sense humble yourself before Him and accept His loving arms.<br />
<b> </b><br />
Daughters, my heart aches today at this realization.Our Father longs to see us grow into the woman He envisioned when He formed us in the womb. Yet, we go against His plans, and even curse Him in the process. Our hearts wander away and we fall in love with others who are unworthy of our love.<br />
<br />
For me, it's easier to understand something as a metaphor:<br />
<br />
A 6 year old girl decides to runaway from home. Today her Father sent her to her room. All she really wanted was to go into the spare room her Dad warned her never to enter. You see, her Father loved to hunt and in this room He kept His guns and other things that would be dangerous for her to be around. Today she snuck into the room when she thought He wasn't looking. He saw her enter the room, He rushed to her and grabbed her to pull her from the room. She cried, complaining He hurt her arm, although He would never harm her. He looked at her sternly, He had a hard conversation with her, and sent her to her room.<br />
<br />
As the girl cried in bed, terrible thoughts raced through her head. She began to convince herself that her Father hated her, that she was nothing, but trouble and it would be better if she were gone. She convinced herself He was really just evil and mean and could never love her after how He had treated her.<br />
<br />
She made up her mind to leave home and never come back. As she creeped out the window she fell on thorns. She made her way up the street, losing sight of direction more and more as she passed each house. Finally it was dark, cold, and she was totally lost. Her feet were sore, her eyes wet with tears and her stomach empty. She fell to the ground. She remembered her Dad's cooking, how He had taught her to ride a bike, and how He always knew how to cheer her up. How ridiculous of her to ever forget He loved her!<br />
<br />
She wanted to go back home. Still, she was so lost and so scared and had no where to go. She started running in <i>any </i>direction, hoping one would help her find her home. It seemed like hours had passed and she made no progress. "Why wasn't He coming for her." She lost all hope again and started to believe maybe He really didn't love her, maybe it really was better for her to run away. Only now she just wished that wasn't true.<br />
<br />
That's when the Voices started calling out. Although she couldn't make out what It was saying, she knew that Voice. She wailed and cried as loud as she could, hoping desperately He would hear her. The voice came closer and closer until she saw that flashlight searching her out. She cried harder than she had the whole night until it almost blinded her, and her feet hit the pavement as her little legs tried to pick up their pace. Her Father's arms had never squeezed her tighter and His face was more wet than hers. They clung to each other as if one hole between them would separate them forever. He took her home and buried her in His arms, and she vowed to never leave again. <br />
<br />
<br />
Daughters, a Father does love you. You aren't junk. You aren't a project. You're confusing discipline with hatred, and obedience with hardship. When you Father looks at you, He doesn't see a burden, He sees a girl, who will someday, with a lot of hard work and love, will become a woman. Don't lose hope, don't forget.<br />
<br />
Jeremiah 3:12b-14, 19<br />
“‘Return, faithless Israel,
<br />
<div class="declares line" id="p24003012_14-1">
declares the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>.</div>
<div class="line" id="p24003012_17-1">
I will not look on you in anger,</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003012_25-1">
for I
am merciful,</div>
<div class="declares line" id="p24003012_29-1">
declares the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>;</div>
<div class="line" id="p24003012_32-1">
I will
not be angry forever.</div>
<div class="line" id="p24003013_01-1">
<span class="verse-num inline" id="v24003013-1">13 </span>Only
acknowledge your guilt,</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003013_05-1">
that you rebelled against the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span> your God</div>
<div class="line" id="p24003013_13-1">
and scattered your favors among foreigners under every
green tree,</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003013_23-1">
and that you have not obeyed my voice,</div>
<div class="declares line" id="p24003013_31-1">
declares the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>.</div>
<div class="line" id="p24003014_01-1">
<span class="verse-num inline" id="v24003014-1">14 </span>Return, O faithless children,</div>
<div class="declares line" id="p24003014_05-1">
declares the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>;</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003014_08-1">
for I am your
master;</div>
<div class="line" id="p24003014_13-1">
I will take you, one from a city and two from a
family,</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003014_26-1">
and I will bring you to Zion.</div>
“‘I said,
<br />
<div class="indent line" id="p24003019_03-1">
How I would set you among my sons,</div>
<div class="line" id="p24003019_11-1">
and give you a pleasant land,</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003019_17-1">
a heritage most beautiful of all nations.</div>
<div class="line" id="p24003019_24-1">
And I thought you would call
me, My Father,</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003019_33-1">
and would not turn from following me.</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003019_33-1">
<br /></div>
<div class="indent line" id="p24003019_33-1">
Chelsy </div>
<br />
<b> </b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178179319414580827.post-77797277023745672022012-03-19T11:42:00.000-07:002012-03-19T11:42:19.704-07:00Purpose.Dear Daughters,<br />
<br />
My name is Chelsy. I'm 19 years old and I am a Daughter of the Most High King. This wasn't always the case for me, and by no means do I deserve this awesome gift. Growing up I struggled with sexual sin, misuse of alcohol, terrible attitudes, but worst of all a terrible view of what my purpose was. To me, having a guy was the only thing that mattered. Especially in middle school, I struggled and fought for the attention of others, especially any guy who promised me affection.<br />
I wish I could say one day the light hit me and I turned over a new leaf and became this awesome woman, but that's not my story. I've not been saved for about 5 years. My first year of salvation was spent locked in sin, not realizing this new life called for a new <i>way </i>of living. The next two to three years were spent battling this sin.<br />
This portion of my life is the most significant point I want to discuss. For the longest time I felt trapped in my sin. Even though I wasn't doing things "<i>nearly </i>as sinful" as before, I still felt guilt and shame plaguing my heart, and so much temptation I felt I could never be free from. In was in this period of the time the Lord began to shake my foundations more and more.<br />
<br />
Daughters, this blog has a specific purpose:<br />
It is to help you relate to someone for once.<br />
To be real about where we have been and not be ashamed or proud, but realize what the Lord has done/will do.<br />
To instill confidence and hope.<br />
Lastly, to run into His arms and be the Daughter He longs for you to be. (Knowing our real purpose.)<br />
<br />
The point is this: We are Daughters of a very prestigious God, who loves and cherishes and desires only our good, who longs to see us turn to Him. We are not what the world says we are. <br />
<br />
Chelsy.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0