Be Prepared

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For:

“Whoever desires to love life

    and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

    and his lips from speaking deceit;

 

let him turn away from evil and do good;

    let him seek peace and pursue it.

 

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

    and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now, who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil

1 Peter 3:8-17

Photo is actually my own (for a change). Summer, 2013.

The Nightmare

Recently perusing Song of Songs (again)…this 2,000+ year old book in the Bible covers SO many aspects of romantic relations still very relevant (especially sex for the purpose of marital intimacy, expressing true love, and pleasure- children  are never mentioned). I encourage everyone to read it. The following passage is a nightmare the bride has.

I slept, but my heart was awake.

A sound! My beloved is knocking.

“Open to me, my love,

    my dove, my perfect one,

for my head is wet with dew,

    my locks with the drops of the night.”

3 

I had put off my garment;

    how could I put it on?

I had bathed my feet;

    how could I soil them?

4 

My beloved put his hand to the latch,

    and my heart was thrilled within me.

5 

I arose to open to my beloved,

    and my hands dripped with myrrh,

my fingers with liquid myrrh,

    on the handles of the bolt.

6 

I opened to my beloved,

    but my beloved had turned and gone.

My soul failed me when he spoke.

I sought him, but found him not;

    I called him, but he gave no answer.

7 

The watchmen found me

    as they went about in the city;

they beat me, they bruised me,

    they took away my veil,

    those watchmen of the walls.

8 

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

    if you find my beloved,

that you tell him

    I am sick with love.

Song of Songs 5:2-8

Picture credit here.

 

Link to video for mobile users here.

Good Tidings from Amazon.com

Book review pending.  Much yes.

I Can't Even

I am having a fit of excitement this Sunday morning.  A friend of mine who is also pursuing purity recommended this speaker, Jason Evert, and I finally took the time to listen to his message.  She recommended a specific talk that he gave to an audience of college students which can be purchased as an mp3 from Amazon here.   Buy it. Do it now. I have watched, listened, and read material that promotes purity/chastity since I was 11 years old, and I have been deeply researching purity/chastity and all the issues surrounding sex for a couple years now, but this is THE BEST. If you don't want to purchase it please go to http://chastityproject.com and watch everything.  Jason Evert and his wife bravely share their very different testimonies.  Although Jason Evert was a virgin until his marriage at 27 years of age, he has a history of porn use and his wife, Crystalina, was deep into partying and premarital sex before she committed herself to God's intentions and recommitted herself to purity.  AMAZING TESTIMONIES. I can't even. My favorite video may be "Made for More" on the Pornography, Etc page under "Breaking Free".  Love it.  I have nothing further to say. Mind blown.  Fireworks in my cranium.

Picture source here.