Consider these words...

Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
     in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD,
     studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
     and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
     the LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
     he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
     in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
     all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
     to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; 
     he has commanded his covenant forever.
     Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
     all those who practice it have a good understanding.
     His praise endures forever!

- Psalm 111

Lessons I Have Learned

About dating...yes, it's time I threw a few things out there because I have learned a lot, especially having dated someone and broke up for good reason.

Now I've read a number of Christian books about dating over the past five years or so...here are some (there are too many to list them all) pearls that I have gathered and my responses to each.

Holding Hands Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating
By Richard D. & Sharon L. Phillips

“This is what it means to entrust ourselves to God; we take our refuge in him and acknowledge that he alone can provide the blessings we desire. It also means that though we possess everything we desire, without God we will never be satisfied.” 
The truth be told.

“Intimacy follows commitment, and a woman should not offer increased intimacy - time spent together, sharing of the heart, little acts of helping ministry - without increased commitment from the man…It may involve yielding to a man’s sexual advances or just baking cookies for him. There is a big difference between the two, but the spirit is the same: the woman thinks that she has to sell herself to gain the love of a man. Instead, a Christian woman should look to God to provide for her needs and show the self-respect that demands a man to step forward in commitment before she steps out into new intimacy.”
This speaks to me so clearly now that I look back on the relationship that I was in. I was fighting, trying so hard to win love and affection from my boyfriend that I missed the part about looking to God to provide. I only wanted to be pursued. The next man that I date will be making the first moves. If he wants me, he will fight for me.

“If we are ever to be content - and with contentment to have true joy - it will come only through our relationship with the Lord our God.”
Oh have I learned this. Not completely of course, but I know that when I am in the presence of God I am joyful.

“...if you have time, give it to Jesus. Devote yourself to studying his Word and to developing strong habits of prayer and worship.”
Work in progress.

I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Towards Romance and Relationships
By Joshua Harris

“God gives us singleness - a season of our lives unmatched in its boundless opportunities for growth, learning, and service”
I must take this into account. I am as free now as I'll ever be.

“The world will know we follow Christ by the way we love others. For this reason, we must practice love as God defines it - sincere, servant-hearted, and selfless - not the world’s brand of selfish and sensual love based on what feels good.”
A point missed in today's society. I must fight my natural human tendencies to selfishness.

“God has made each of us with a desire for intimacy, and He intends to fulfill it. While we’re single He doesn’t expect these longings to disappear, but I believe He asks us to have the patience to wait and, in the meantime, seek close relationships with family and friends and deep, non-romantic relationships with brothers and sisters in the Lord."
Patience...must develop patience and enjoy my friends and family.

“In brother-sister relationships, men and women spur each other on to godliness - they stand against wickedness together, they seek God together, they honour one another and grow in grace side by side.”
Where are my brothers at?

“As we evaluate someone’s character (including our own), we need to carefully observe three areas - how the individual relates to God, the way he or she treats others, and the way this person disciplines his or her personal life. These areas are like windows into a person’s character.”
My eyes are open.

When God Writes Your Love Story
By Eric & Leslie Ludy

“Sometimes in a relationship, we can be so caught up in our feelings for the other person that we squeeze God into the background. It becomes a confusing, emotional mess, and we wonder why God isn’t giving us more direction, when all the while He is there, waiting to be allowed back into first place in out hearts. Only when He is truly in first place are we ready for a God-written love story.”
De-ja-vu much.

“Intimate family relationships are among the most difficult things we must deal with as humans, because closeness leads to the exposure of who we really are, inside and outside…I guarantee you, that if you train yourself to model Christ now to those most familiar and close, you will be superb at it when you get married.”
This is no cake walk. I have found that to truly love my family, I have to fight against myself constantly. I think it's about time I asked God for some help.


Now I have read a few other books on dating and this is just a taste of what I have picked out and reviewed so far. I will most definitely add to this post in the near future. As a last statement for now, I would recommend to either girls or guys the following link if you are interested in reading some really good information about guy-girl relationships in general. Just click the link, download the guides, and enjoy a great read.<https://focusonthefamily.webconnex.com/bound-pt>

Maggie

That's my dog's name. She is a poodle-terrier cross. Small, black, and really cute...

She is also very tolerant...

Now for some short facts about this particular pooch...

1. Maggie barks at anyone who comes near our house.
2. She becomes completely immobile when she is wearing her muzzle (this works to control the barking).
3. This dog eats only when she is hungry. I've heard this is odd.
4. Maggie likes to howl (or sing) along to my piano playing.
5. She runs away when the word "bath" is uttered.
6. We payed only $100 for her although we have spent much more on her since.
7. This dog spends most of her days curled up on a chair near the front window of our house.
8. Maggie can down a DentaStix treat in under a minute, forgetting to chew.
9. She can eat half of a chocolate cake and survive! She has a stomach of steel!
10. Maggie enjoys shredding used kleenex...gross I know.
11. Her favorite toy is a stuffed German Shepherd.
12. She has a white stripe down her backside like a skunk.
13. When going on walks, Maggie insists on choking herself.
14. She is an escape artist (she got out of her kennel when we left her alone).
15. Maggie "does her business" beside the house on the rocks only.
16. Her tricks include: sit, lie down, roll over, shake a paw, dance (on two feet), hug, kiss, and high five.

Even though my Mom originally planned on getting a chocolate lab, we like Maggie. After all, she was on sale ;)

Oh Envelopes...

There are so many different kinds out there these days!

Different sizes, colors, and ways to seal them.

Well this weekend I decided to mail a letter to one of my friends. This letter was long overdue and it required a large letter envelope.

So I asked my Mom where the envelopes were and she got me the box of large letter envelopes.

I proceeded to pick one out, opened it, placed my letter inside, licked it, and pressed down the flap to seal it.

It wasn't sealing...so I said, "Oh darn, don't tell me that this is one of those envelopes that just won't stick."

As I continued to press down the flap with my fingers on the table.

My Mom looked at me for a second and said, "It's a peel and stick! Didn't you notice the taste? You're such a geek!"

Then we laughed for awhile as I looked at the bright orange label on the box that said "Peel & Stick."

I'm glad that I can laugh at myself :)

Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk

Well I didn't cry...but I certainly spilled milk...a lot of milk...on the driveway...
Yeah, I accidentally dropped a whole 4 litre jug of milk and it sprung a fast leak...but I'm not crying :) it happens...and I managed to save one tenth of the milk. It made my Mom laugh. I guess I'm funny :) or at least my misfortune is.