Trust

          So he got up,  took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.

                                                                                                        Matthew 2:14

          God told Joseph in a dream that he had to escape to Egypt and stay there because Herod wanted to kill the child.  

           Joseph trusted God.  He didn't ask God if He would have a house prepared for them and other provisions.  He simply trusted God and even left right there in the middle of the night!  

           

           Today trust God that He will and is providing everything that you need and He is protecting you from the "Herod's" that live in this world today.

    

   Now that Christmas is upon us remember everything you learned about the days building up to The Messiah's birth.  Ponder everything and store it in your hearts.  Merry Christmas!

           Read Matthew 2:13-18

Precious gift

       After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea,  during the time of King Herod,  Magi from the east came to Jerusalem. 

                                                   Matthew 2:1

      Astrologers from Persia heard about the amazing news of Jesus and followed a star to find Him.  

      We don't know exactly how many wise men there were but;  we do know that they brought gifts of gold,  incense, and myrrh.  In those days those kind of gifts were costly and only given to kings.  We are shown the wisdom of these men.  They could see that Jesus was a precious gift and should be treated as one. 

    Today think of why Jesus is so precious to us.  

    Read Matthew 2:1-12

Sheep and angels

      And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,  keeping watch over their flocks at night.

                                            Luke 2: 8

        It's just another silent night,  watching over the sheep.  The shepherds were probably settling down for the night when suddenly,  an angel surrounded by a brilliant light that is not of this world appeared to them!!  

       The shepherds were the lowliest of people yet;  God choose them to see The Christ child first.  In a way,  they were probably last to see or do anything because they were responsible for all these sheep that are helpless.  But God choose them to be first.

         Think of how God Choose the humblest of people to see the humblest King.

                    Read Luke 2:8-20

  

A child is born

                             
                   While they were there,  the time came for the baby to be born.
                                                                                 Luke 2:6

               It's time,  the savior is here!  How must it felt for Mary and Joseph to be the first people to see God in the flesh?  Was there fear, awe and joy?  After all these years He's finally here! Hallelujah the savior is here!

               Let's celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ today.
                
               Read Luke 2:1-7

                       

Words of praise

                              
                  "Praise be to the Lord,  the God of Israel,  because he has come and has redeemed his people."
                                                     Luke 1:68

                    Zechariah was probably the happiest and proudest father around after his son was born.  After being mute for nine months God gave him his voice back.  Zechariah could have started talking about how horrible it was.  Instead,  he praised God and God filled him with the Holy Spirit to prophecy!

                    Today lets fill our words with praise for God!!

                    Read Luke 1:67-80

It's a boy!

             When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.

                                                                                    Luke 1:57

             It's always exciting when a baby is born.  Everyone comes together and celebrates!  Even if there is strife between two people, they'l put their differences aside to see a new life come into the world.  

             John's birth was a miracle in and of itself! Everyone could see that God had big plans for this boy;  especially because he was named John,  and because what happened to his father. What did God have in store for this boy?

                Read Luke 1:57-66.

    

Deep thinker

                 "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior."

                                                                              Luke 1:46-47

               Mary was a deep thinker.  She remembered what God did for her ancestors and she was pondering what God was doing within her! Mary even new that many generations would remember her and know the miracle of how God used her.  Mary was moved and filled with awe.  

               Read Luke 1:46-56.  Think of what God has done for you and your family and ponder what God is doing in your life now!   

            

Great faith

            When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,  the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

                                          Luke 1:41

             God used both these women to be carrying a child.  One the savior and the other the one who would prepare the way for Him.  

              Reading this section of Mary visiting Elizabeth;  you can almost hear the joy and excitement Elizabeth must have felt for her young cousin. Mary and Elizabeth had so much faith.  They trusted and believed that God would accomplish what he said.  

             Read Luke 1:39-45 today.  Imagine the excitement of the savior being born in your time and, within your family!  

  

How will this be?

                          "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
                                                                                  Luke 1:34

        How could something like this happen? Why would God use me for such great responsibility? This could have been some thoughts that ran through Mary's head after the angel spoke to her.  

      Mary had her future planned.  She was to marry a man named Joseph.  What would happen now?  During that time being pregnant and not having a husband was severely frowned upon and even dangerous.  Mary didn't tell the angel that he had the wrong person,  she didn't give him any other excuses.  All she said was, "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered.  "May it be as you have said." Then the angel left. (Luke 1:38)

    Today,  think of how it must have felt for Mary to realize that God placed His son within her. That He simply chose her, not because of her name or because she was so young but, simply because He loved her and chose her for it.

    Read for today Luke 1:26-38.  

      

      

Not a normal day

     

   In the time of Herod King of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah,  who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 

                                                Luke 1:5 

   What would it be like for you to be doing your normal duties in the temple? You think it's another normal day. Then you find that it wasn't any normal day.  God's angel spoke to you and explained that your barren wife was pregnant. 

     That would be exciting to know that your son is going to be used by God to prepare the way for the savior!   That was not just another day it was a special day. 

     Today will be the first day until Dec 23 to prepare for the special day coming up. Christmas!!  Read with your family, friends, or just for yourself Luke 1:5-25. 

     

     Then watch this video. We can look back and be thankful for Christ coming to earth for us but;  what was it like to look forward to it?  Watch this video.     

Food Equality

         

Have you ever met someone who's diet was only vegetables? Or they only ate bread or just steamed things and so on.  Do you judge people by what they eat?  What if God told them only to eat that certain food or even created them to only eat that?

                                         Don't Judge me!

         One man's faith allows him to eat everything,  but another man,  whose faith is weak,  eats only vegetables.  The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not,  and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does,  for God has accepted him.
                                                Romans 14:2-3

        In the verse above it says that God has accepted us and what we eat.  Why can't we accept others?  Is it because the food pyramid, vitamins, minerals, calories, fats and the like have brainwashed us into thinking that certain foods are okay and others are bad?

       What does that passage mean from Romans?  One man's faith allows him to eat everything while another only eats vegetables.  I think it means that one man trusts God that whatever he eats God will keep him healthy and strong while the other doesn't have that kind of faith to believe that to be able to happen.


      Last August, my sister suddenly had a hard time swallowing food.  That condition knocked her choice of foods down considerably.  Since she had always had a strong gag reflex, she could only eat foods strictly on how the texture of the food was. Eating smooth things went down easier. The only things she could eat was ice cream, mashed potatoes, Cream of Wheat and on good days, she could eat our homemade bread with butter.  My sister felt at peace that God was doing this for a reason. I, on the other hand couldn't grasp how God could allow this to happen.  I was angry at Him.  What was His plan for this?!  What good would come from this?  I was afraid because I would tell her (out of my ignorance and pride)  that this was all unhealthy.  She would become flustered and hurt and try to explain to me that she literally can't eat certain foods and that God said He would keep her healthy. 


     This summer,  my parents, two of my sisters and I went to help chaperon our youth group to a Christian camp.  My sister went there  the previous year so she was ready.  She knew where the kitchen was and she knew that they would be gracious enough to let her prepare her own special food.  She would make Cream of Wheat and mashed potatoes from packets she brought.  The kitchen staff stared ate her and only one lady was kind and helped her around.  Later on in the week, she confessed her story to all the adults and youth pastor in charge of the whole camp.  One of the women found my sister later on and explained to her that her daughter had the same exact thing.  The woman told her it had something to do with the back of her throat. The nerves were hypersensitive.  My family and I realized that when me and two of my sisters were born (yes, we're triplets)  she was the only one who choked on the sticky medicine that me and my other sister swallowed easily.  Wow,  she had this her whole life!!  It was very subtle growing up.  She remembers times when she was younger when she would have flare ups but,  they weren't as severe.  Now, it is much better and she can eat a little more variety but either way, I'm at peace about it.  My faith and trust grew through that too!
                   
                                 What now?

     For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,  but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
                                     Romans 14:17

    I was an idiot!  I was breaking the peace between me and my sister over food!!  Have any of you got into a fight with someone about whether that's healthy or not?  We need to keep the peace with the Holy Spirit and with His people as well. We need to look past all that stuff.  Remember,  don't ever judge someone about what they eat.  We don't know their story.  Focus on the people with love and  compassion. 

Can it be?

                 Everyone knows that there are ugly, plain and beautiful people.  Some people are meant to be elevated because of their exquisite beauty.  Hmmmm, is that so?  But, what makes someone beautiful?  Does it all depend on the outside?

                  The good the bad and the ugly
                   Your heart became proud on account of your beauty,  and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor so I threw you to the earth;  I made a spectacle of you before kings.
                                Ezekiel 28:17
                     

     Why do women like people who are eye pleasing?  I think it's because every single woman longs for beauty. 

          Look outside for a moment.  What do you see? If you're in the country you may see fields of wheat or corn, animals grazing in the pasture, or a stand of trees.  If you're in a suburban housing area, there are houses very close and evenly spaced with trees here and there and bushes or flowers in the yard. Or maybe you live in a city.  There may be no trees  but buildings everywhere!  God made beauty everywhere.  Fall is my favorite season because I feel like that's when I can see God's beautiful creative handy work the most.

        Let's see what beauty and ugliness means.

        Beauty; The quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.

       Ugly;  Frightful, dire , offensive to the sight.  Hideous offensive or unpleasing to any sense.

       Interesting.  With both definitions, it talks not about outward appearance but,  the inside.  Could it be that sometimes the outwardly beautiful person could be ugly? I think, though the word ugly should not be used so carelessly.  After I saw the meaning, I don't want to use it unless it's accurate.  That makes me think of the original story of Beauty and the Beast written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince deBeaumont.  Beauty, it said, was outwardly pleasing but Jeanne mostly wrote that all the characters notice her actions,  thoughts, and words were the qualities that made Beauty lovely.

      What about Frankenstein?  That's one of my favorite intriguing stories.  A man named Victor Frankenstein was always fascinated with death.  Then he played around and created a man from decomposing body parts and ended up creating a "monster."  Who was really the monster?  Victor, who had a fascination that turned into an obsession or the created who loved nature and yearned to learn about the world around him but yet;  he was shunned.
We think we can judge someone's character by their appearance but that's actually the opposite!  The Frankenstein monster looked like one outwardly but he was gentle and loved nature.  He had a beautiful heart until Victor told him otherwise.

       Then it makes you wonder about Jesus.  Wasn't He beautiful and eye catching?  He had to be able to get the people to follow him somehow, right?  Wrong.

                He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,  and like a root out of dry ground.  He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him,  nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.
                         Isaiah 53:2

      Wow!  Jesus wasn't perfect looking like in the movies?!  Now how am I supposed to imagine what He looked like?  Well, I don't think God wants us to focus on that. He wants us to focus on what Jesus said.  Now think about that.  The prophecies that went out before Jesus came to earth didn't say we would know Him when we see Him.  We we would know Him when we Hear Him.

                               Stunning Creation
                           

                I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.
                     Psalm 139:14
      I believed the lie that I was not valuable because I didn't have a perfectly clear complexion,  I wasn't tall,  slender or graceful. I didn't have gorgeous tresses.  I was short (still am),  had acne,  frizzy, big, puffy hair and I was chunky.  When people would tell my parents that they had beautiful daughters or that I was beautiful I would politely thank them.  I would be fascinated on how they could see any kind of beauty on my "ugly" frame.  Almost two years ago, at the age of twenty, God placed this question in my head:  
      Why are you choosing to think of yourself this way?
     That radically shook my world.  You mean... I'm choosing this?  I took the step of faith on trusting God that I am His creation so that makes me beautiful.  My thinking and view of a lot of things changed.  Even my confidence improved!  At the age of fourteen I had my hair cut off because I was tired of it.  I sported a bald head, buzzed, very short hair and a Mohawk.  I enjoyed those but,  just this year I realized that I thought I could never have long hair because I would look crazy!  Now about seven months later my hair is longer then it has been in about five or six years.  I'm learning how to properly take care of the curly hair that I'm lovingly embracing!

      Now the people that are ugly are those who aim to verbally, mentally and physically hurt others purposely.  Their character can be ugly but,  there is always hope that Jesus can show them their true potential.

      Do you struggle with this area in your life now?  Do you believe this lie or are you making others believe it?  Ladies,  I challenge you to encourage fellow women by reminding them or telling them ( and yourself)  that they're a wonderful stunning creation!  Read Psalm 139 and even place sections of the chapter everywhere in your house so you will remember:  

You are not ugly.  You are beautiful,  and that's the truth.                    

Be Aware

                                                                             

 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
                                                                       1 Corinthians 8:9

           Have you ever thought; I can do whatever I want!  If they can't handle it,  that's their problem.  I have been guilty of thinking that way.  I'm sure you have too.  Doesn't God say we can do whatever we want?  Or... is that something we made up?   

                                                 You can but... 

           Now the Lord is the spirit,  and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we,  who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory,  are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory,  which comes from the Lord,  who is the spirit.
                                                                           2 Corinthians 3:17-18

           A few years ago a neighbor said to me and my sisters that as a Christian we are free and we can do whatever we want.  I agreed with her at the time but,  as I grew older and my relationship with Christ got stronger the logic behind that sounded off.  What the verse says above is that we have freedom when the Holy Spirit dwells in us;  freedom from death and being condemned to Hell, forever apart from God.  Not freedom in buying whatever we want,  watching whatever we want or listening to whatever we want.  It says, 
          "who with unveiled faces all reflect His glory."
          Unveiled means to remove a veil or covering from;  to make public.  Open.  Revealed.  So,  Jesus took off the veil of sin and death and now,  like looking  into a crystal clear lake Jesus has purified us and can see His reflection in us.

            Everyday as we draw closer to Jesus He shows us new things about Him,  and He's changing/transforming our hearts.  God showed me that we can't do anything we want.  If we turned back to our old ways and followed sin again after accepting Jesus, no one would want to spread the gospel because we would be too focused on our own priorities and wants. We need to follow what God wants.

                                                  Watch it!!!

            Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.  Instead,  make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
                                                                   Romans 14:13

         "Oh hon!  You took your son to watch that?!  It's PG-13 and Jordan's only Eleven.  Shame on you!
        
         "Kathy,  It wasn't that bad.  There was only partial nudity and a little violence.  What did you watch over the weekend?"

       " I took Micheal and Jodi to see this movie."

       "Kathy...That's Rated-R.  Micheal's fifteen and Jodi's just turned thirteen."

       "So.  It was very educational."

        Would you say those friends were helping each other in any way?  PG-13 mother wanted to spend time with her son. The movie she watched may have not been the greatest though.  Kathy watched a rated-R movie that was far from "educational."

        Kathy knew that PG-13 mom shouldn't have taken her son to watch that.  There were better choices.  But Kathy watched a movie that was just as bad or worse!  This made PG-13 mom feel horrible and like she wasn't a very good mother.  She began to question her parenting skills.  What makes Kathy better then me?

       These are fictional characters but,  this happens.  We may judge someone harshly for what they're doing but then,  we turn around and do something just as bad or worse and that causes the other person to stumble.

       What does Jesus mean exactly about passing judgment?  He doesn't want us to judge someone like telling them they're wrong and that they should be ashamed or they're going to Hell!  Instead we need to stand back and let God work.  We need to pray for them.

      Earlier I talked about freedom.  How can "freedom become a stumbling block to the weak?"  Well,  if you knew that a friend struggles with immoral sexuality and you took them to watch a movie chalk full of sex and it didn't bother you...what about her?  Or vice versa, you struggle with eating issues and you're trying to lose weight so you're trying to stay away from certain foods and your friend takes you out to eat at a place that has only food you're trying to stay away from.  It doesn't bother her but...what about you?

       Jesus wants us to be aware of others.  You may be free from a certain sin but someone next to you may still be in the midst of overcoming it.  Do the things we say and do lead others down a path away from God?  That is why we need to continually spend time with God,  reading His word and talking to Him.  When you seek Him continually He will reveal more of Himself to you and transform you so,  you won't want to do what you want and let everyone else deal with it.  You will want to do what Christ wants and become aware of their struggles and needs.         

        

The Lies of Sex

                                                               

              Nowadays sex is everywhere.  Literally.  You see on magazines on how to have sexy hair, clothes, body, and it even goes as far as to give tips on having sex with someone!  

             How did we ever get so crazy as a culture about something so sacred and private?

                                  

                                   It is God's will that you should be sanctified;  that you should avoid sexual immorality.
                                                                                1 Thessalonians 4:3

                       How did America become so sexualized?  Well, throughout history there were cities and countries that were obsessed with sex.

                        The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were crazy about sex.  If you want more details you can read chapters 18 and 19 from the book of Genesis in the Bible.
                         
                         Then there was Egypt where the people wore strips of clothing and the slaves were completely naked!  Yeah, it's hot there but sheesh;  no need to go that far.

                        Next there was the Minoens.  One form of entertainment was where men and women wore only loin cloths and they would jump over bulls!

                       I could go on.  The theme throughout history is;  everyone loved (and still does)  sex and violence.  Those go hand in hand in a way.  In this post, though, we're just focusing on sex.

                       In the beginning God made it to be sacred,  pure and just plain special.  It was meant to seal the bond of matrimony, signifying an even deeper commitment to the promise.  God still means it today.  It's just that our sin has spoiled it.

                                  The Naked Truth

                       Then the eyes of both of them were opened,  and they realized they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
                                                                      Genesis 3:7

                     Have you ever had a dream that you went to work/school/ the grocery store, etc., but were either in your underwear or completely naked?  How did it make you feel?  I've had a couple and I would feel embarrassed out of my mind!!  I'd wake up and say;
                    "Thank you, God; that wasn't real! Phew."

                     Why do we feel embarrassed being naked in front of others? Ever since sin came into the world, Adam and Eve became aware of their nakedness.  So, in a way they were like toddlers.  Toddlers and babies aren't aware of themselves and they could run around the neighborhood on a sunny blue summer's day without a care in the world (literally).  Adults and older children, on the other hand, are aware of their "private parts."  It's actually good to be embarrassed  about being naked in front of people.  (Then you know that you have a good head on your shoulders)  In a way, that's how God can protect us from just having sex with anyone and everyone.  God created sex to be a good thing. That's why when you get married and you take your clothes off in front of a man for the first time, it's a monumental moment.  You're not just saying, "look at me!"  Your saying, "I trust you."  

                                                         Crazy crazy

                In a book called Choices , authors Stacy and Paula Rinehart used findings from a study of at least eighty primitive and modern societies.  Respected Cambridge University Sociologist J.D. Unwin found there was an unvarying correlation between the degree of sexual restraints and the rate of social progress. 

              "Cultures that were more sexually permissive displayed less cultural energy,  creativity, intellectual development, individualism and a slower general cultural ascent."

             Sound familiar?  America and other countries are becoming so easy going about sex.  People tell their children; 

           " I don't want you to do it but,  if it does happen use a condom and be safe."

             What kind of advice is that?!  You say don't and do,  yes and no.  It's yes or no. Do or don't.                   
       
             I think the problem is the lie our culture believes.  We can't imagine that anyone can be abstinent from sex.  People think that they're like animals and they can't live without it.  What if I told you that you can live without it.

                                          Without me you can do nothing.
                                                                     John 15:5

             That verse is absolutely correct.  Do you know who that 'me' is?  That's Jesus.  He knows that our sins,  our obsessions are too hard to overcome.  That's why He gave us hope by telling us...

                                          "I have told you these things,  so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."
                                                                    John 16:33

              Jesus knows how hard it is.  He took it to the cross!  Now, your choice is to believe the truth.  If you had sex already, God can cleanse you spiritually and make you like new.

              Women young and old, teens and preteens and even children:  Tell each other the truth!  You don't show or gain your worth or find who you are through sex.  God is the one who shows you who you are and He knows you're more precious than diamonds.  Stop following the lies you see and hear on T.V. Movies,  magazines, music,  books,  at school, work and even in your own home.  BELIEVE THE TRUTH!!  It will set you free.               

                   

Men against woman?

 

                                          Anything you can do...

                      Do you have that attitude toward men?  

                     "Anything a man can do I can do.  I can probably do it better."  

                    Woman have that mentality now a days.  Where did it come from?  Is it bad for woman to think so highly of ourselves? 

                      We're just more confident now and we have equal rights with men.  That's the answer to that question.  You may think.

                    Well,  look into that.

                                     Girls rule Boys drool
                                                     

                       

                     "I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,  and in pain you will give birth.  And you will desire to control your husband,  but he will rule over you."
                                                                    Genesis 3:16

                          Reading the verse above it looks like that's been going on since the beginning of sin.  When it says woman will want to control their husband it doesn't just mean when you're married.  It goes for all women.  

                           How did this really start?How did woman get the power to stand right beside men and expect to be able to do the same amount of work and do the same things?

                            Well, in 1920 women were given the right to vote.

                            In the 1940's women were pushed into the work force to help their fathers, brothers, uncles and husbands as they fought in World War 2.

                            The 1950's was all about stay- at- home mothers.  It was celebrated and exciting to have a suburban home and be able to cook,  bake,  iron,  sew, and take care of your family in  the home.

                             Then,  in the 1960's women became bored with staying at home and they were encouraged to join alongside men in the work force.

                            All these things that happened weren't bad but the thinking,  views and ideas that came after it is what got us all into trouble.

        Is one more important then the                                          other?
                             Have you ever thought that men were more important then women or women are more important then men?  Neither.  One sex is not more important then the other.  They're both important.

                                    For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mothers womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  Your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,  when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body;  All the days ordained for me were written in your book  before one of them came to be.
                                                             Psalm 139:13-16

                             That verse says that God made everyone with care.  

                             Two of my sisters love to knit.  One of them found out the world of crocheting.  That's like knitting but with a hook.  One of my sisters is doing hats,  purses and other cool things.  When you watch them knit it's so intricate.  At first it looks like  braided  yarn but after a few minutes or hours it turns into a beautiful hat,  scarf or blanket.  It reminds me of how God knitted each of us with care and He added some cool things about each of us that is so different and unique.  

                            So,  men are not better then women or vice versa.   But,  God gave men and women certain qualities that only one or the other have.

                             Men represent God's strength,  power,  leadership,  the will to never give up,  and passion of pursuit.

                            Women represent God's beauty,  mystery,  gentleness,  compassion,  and the ability to create life(in a way).

                           Now think about that.  God have given men a purpose and women a purpose.  Then every single person has a specific purpose.  We need to stop claiming that we can do things just as good or better.  Think of this.  We have things that men can't do.  We can...

          1.  Comfort those who need it.
          2.  We're homemakers.
          3.  We can light up a room by wearing beautiful dresses and we can have more diversity in clothing.
          4.  As young ladies and women, people feel more comfortable having girls/women babysit their children.
              
                That's just a small list of things that women can do that men can't say they can do  better then us.  Have you ever seen a man wear a dress? Ugh.  Not a pretty sight!

               As women following Christ, we need to treat men with greater respect and stop putting them down with crude and low jokes and sarcasm.  Let's praise the men and thank them for what they can do that we can't do.  Then men might follow and start treating us women with respect and thanking us for what we can do.   Just remember;  nothing is impossible through Christ who gives you strength!            

       

How to Train for Divorce

                                       It's just not meant to be...
                                     

        The woman sat at her kitchen table thoughtfully watching the news on her phone.   She glanced up as her husband entered the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee.  
                "Mornin' hon."  He said before taking a sip.
    
                She just grunted and turned away.

                Noticing this, he stands awkwardly holding his steaming coffee.  After a couple seconds he shrugs and begins putting a bagel in the toaster. 

                The woman takes a spoonful of her cereal and shoves it in her mouth.  While chewing she mumbles, 
               
                "It's not going to work."

               Her husband turns, looking at her quizzically.

                "Did you said something.  Is everything okay?"

                 She pushes the bowl away from her with exaggeration and mouths out every word  slowly like she's talking to a naughty child.

                "I said...it's not going to work! It's just not meant to be."

                As a married woman have you ever felt that way?  You felt like your husband didn't love you anymore.  Thing's weren't "working out."  Can things still work after the fire burned out?  After you feel like you don't love or even like your spouse anymore.

                               Stand the test of time

               Just giving a heads up.  This post is for un-married woman just as much as married woman.  It's never too early to learn about things like this.  

               "...The commitment that the two of you are about to make is the most important commitment that two people can make,  you are about to create something new, the marriage relationship, the entity that never ends.   As you stand here today are you now prepared to make this commitment to one another?  (I am)  Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?"  (I have)

               Recognize that?  That is a part of the marriage vow.  Read this slowly over again and ponder that.  This may sound brutal.  Does everybody really hear what the pastor is saying when he's reading this to the bride and groom?  He actually asks if they're ready for this kind of commitment.  He clearly explains that it is the most important vow that two people can make.  If you ask me,  I think people focus too much on the flowers,  gowns,  food,  dancing,  honey moon and so on.  

               Marriage isn't an exciting little get together.  It's serious.  More serious then we realize. 

                Let's see what commitment means.  It means...dedication,  allegiance,  devotion,  loyalty,  faithfulness,  duty and tie.

               Now let's see what entity means.  It means...being,  creature,  individual,  organism, and life form.  

               Now we'll see what vow and reservation means.   Vow means...Swear,  pledge,  promise,  oath,  bond, and guarantee.  And last is reservation.  Skepticism,  unease, hesitation and objection.

              Whoa.  This is kind of overwhelming to me.  If you put it plainly;  you are dedicating yourself to a man (individual) and swearing that you will be his and he will be yours and you're doing so without hesitation.

             I have to admit that I can understand how some people would say they would rather jump off a cliff then get married. 

             Marriage is supposed to be able to stand the test of time.  For better or for worse. In sickness and health.  Till death do we part.  

             How is that even possible?  How can two people stay together for so long?  You may be thinking.  Well,  what if I were to tell you that a large factor of the crumbling marriage or skepticism lies in your past.

                                 I have to practice!! 

         I have heard this from so many teenage girls in my community a couple years back.

        "You have to practice kissing and dating so when you get married you'll be able to kiss n' stuff really good!"

        Seriously?  That doesn't make any sense!!!  Dating is just about the only place where you should never practice kissing and all that stuff.

                           That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife,  and they become one flesh.
                                                    Genesis 2:24

       That verse talks about when a man leaves his immediate family (his parents)  and is joined with the woman who will be his family now, and they become one (sex).  Now tell me how can you practice becoming one with someone.  There is no practice required.  Only the world thinks its so.  The only thing you're really practicing for is ten different ways to tell someone "it's over."  

      If you had that mindset of practicing dating, this is what you would be saying if your actions came out as words.

                          "Do you know why I'm dating you?  It's only because I'm practicing for someone better.  Someone I actually want to spend the rest of my life with.  And I don't mean to sound mean but...that's not you."

    Oh man,  that would kill me!  How hurt on so many levels would you be to hear that?  The thing is our culture is screaming that.  Have as much fun as you can while you're still young.  And while you're doing that practice kissing and making out so when you actually find that nice family guy you'll be ready.  The only thing you're practicing is how to not stay with someone.

                                            It's not just you
                                                             

      

             Divorcing from your husband may only seem like it's affecting you.  That's not the case.  It affects acquaintances,  your  friends,  family and most of all your children.  Imagine how painful it is for a child to look through your wedding album and they see mommy and daddy happily and lovingly hold each other and then they turn to see they can't even stand being in the same room together!  What happened?

          The questions I would like to ask is...

           When you decided to get married was it genuinely because you unselfishly loved them and wanted to continue loving them.  Or was it because you were so physically into each other that you mistook it for love. 

          Now ladies.  All of us are born into a family.  God chose those parents and siblings for you because he had a purpose for it.  When you got angry at your family did you say,

          "I'm going to disown myself from this family because..."  

         I don't think anyone thought that way.  We would just say I'm running away but only reach the corner of the block or the front lawn, then feel bad and go back and apologize.  As children we knew that there wasn't a choice in leaving your family.  But, as we got older the world told us we had a choice.  

        Have you considered that part of the problem is you?  Now hear me out please.  All of us have sin, yes?  So all of us are prone to mess up sometimes.  When two people are married that's when they see the most cruel and kind sides of each other (just like family too).  

                         It was just before the Passover festival.   Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved His own who was in the world,  He loved them to the end.  
                                                       John 13:1

         It says that Jesus loved his own.   The human side of Jesus  belonged in the world. That means Jesus, human and God sides, loved the world until He died (and He rose again three days later!).   What example is that for us?  God calls us to love Him with all our soul,  heart and mind and to love all people as well.  Are we doing that if we consider divorcing them just because of silly selfish reasons?  At some point in our lives we don't feel like we love our siblings,  parents,  friends, family members,  children and husbands.  Does that mean that you don't love them any more?  No!  Of course not.  Never base love solely off your emotions.  Base it off of God's standards.

      I challenge all the women young and old:

Those of you that are married look at your husband and make a list of why you married him in the first place.  Now make another list of why you want to stay married to him.  I would even suggest showing him.  Who knows what he'll say and how much it would touch him.

   Now those of you who are in a relationship with a man right now.  If you're engaged or of you know that your heading for marriage I want you to make a copy of the marriage vow and look over it.  Talk to God about it and talk to your soon-to-be-husband and discuss how you feel.

      If you're in a relationship with a guy and you don't know where it's going,  I suggest you seriously think about what your purpose is for that relationship.  Talk to God and your boyfriend.  Ask him where he wants the relationship to go.  If he doesn't really know,  think and talk about that with each other.

      Last but not least; the ladies who are single:  Wait on God to bring the right man for you.  Pray for your future husband and develop your relationship with Jesus.