Sep. 17, 2009 - Be Glad and Rejoice!

I'd like to explain before I go any furthur with this blog . . .

I'm assuming that you already agree with the following presuppositions. I want you to know where I'm coming from. If you don't, then you may be confused by some of the things I say.

1. The Bible is the inspired Word of God and should govern every area of our lives.

2. There is a problem with boy/girl relationships in our society. In this book I don't think it's necessary to go into detail about the sin and devastation happening in many lives around us, but I'm makin ght eassumption that you agree there is a problem. The world's approach to relationships isn't working at all. Unhappy marriages, divorce, and broken, hurting families are not the way God intends things to be.

3. We want something different. I'm writing to young ladies (and young men) who are seeking the Lord with all of their heart and who genuinely desire God's best. For this reason, I'm goin gto be courageous and honest as I share what I have observed and learned. Some things that I encourage you to consider may not be easy, but because I believe you are sincerely longing for God's very best way, I have confidence that you are nor afraid to take the narrow road, to stand for righteousness, and to put Jesus first - even when it's hard.

Another thing I need to tell you is that often I am going to mention parents and the benefits that can come from our parents' help. I realize that many of you come from broken families, and some of you only have one parent and some of your parents may not be Christians. Do not let this discourage you! I still can work for you! God has put you in exactly the family in which He want you in. He knows your parents' shortcomings and He will into neglect you for one second. If you are seeking the Lord, He will faithfully supply the help you need. Phillipians 4:19. When parents are not protecting or leading, He may choose to guide you through a wise older couple at your church or other godly mentors. Keep this in mind as you coninue reading.

One last but necessary comment is that if you have already made mistakes, the enemy may try to discourage you. Satan wants you to think it's too late to change. He wants you to feel hopeless and dejected and give up. Do not believe his lies!!! It is NEVER too late to turn to Jesus and experience the joy, peace, and abundant life He offers. If you begin to think that it is too late for you, then I encourage you to KEEP reading this blog. I will get to some amazing examples of people who have changed when they never thought they could!  God can do what is thought to be impossible through the life of one who is truly repentant.

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready." Revelation 19:7

~ Mandy

comments? questions? i'd love to hear from you!

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Apr. 29, 2009 - Now is the Time to Prepare

"You  know what?" a fifteen-year-old friend told Sarah, the authoress of Before you met Prince Charming. "It's really true. God's plans are so much better than we could ever imagine. My older brother is planning to be a pastor. He had such a long list of specific requirements for his future wife that our family used to tease him. We insisted that he'd never get married - that such a girl didn't exist. But then he met Lori! She is so perfect for him. She not only fits every one of his qualifications - she far surpasses them! It's incredible how God has brought exactly the wife he needed. He wasn't willing to lower his standards, and God blessed his faith."

Stories like this are exciting! They remind me that our God is powerful, faithful, and concerned about every detail of our lives. Now obviously, if we truly desire God's best in our lives, then we need to be willing to marry God's choice. It's equally important to recognize that a happy marriage takes two people. If we desire a godly, loving husband, we need to do our part by preparing to be the best marriage partner that we can be. This starts today. Right now.

~Mandy

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Apr. 2, 2009 - Desiring the Best

If you are reading this, I suspect you have commited yourself to wanting God's best in your life - God's best in your future marriage. Perhaps you're thinking, "Of course I desire the best in my marriage." But when it comes right down to it, are you truly willing to make the required sacrifices and to wait for the best?

Since marriage is a picture of our relationship with Christ, God created marriage to be the most beautiful, joyful, and fulfilling earthly relationship we will ever experience. A good marriage is priceless. No one would want to trade it for anything - or would they? Countless young people are willing to forfeit the beautiful marriage God wants to give them in exchange for short-term thrills. If we could grasp how wonderful God's plan for us is, don't you think we'd be willing to wait? Don't you think we would purpose to enter into marriage pure rather than with emotional baggage and scars?

Think of your favorite storybook romance. You know, one where the couple lives happily ever after. Mine are Snow White, Aladdin, and Cinderella. Those fairy tales are just a joke, right? I mean no one actually has a marriage like that, do they? That is what Satan wants you to think - that there are no happy marriages. He doesn't want us to experience the blessings and the fulfilling marriage God wants to give. Even though all marriages have trials to work through, God's design is for them to be successful, fulfilling, and joyous. Jesus says, "The thief cometh not, but to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

By observing the reckless way most young poeople live, you'd never know that deep down in their hearts they desire to one day have a wonderful marriage. They actually do desire a good marriage, but they've lost sight of this dream because they've already done so much to destroy it. In an effort to defend their actions, they will claim that such a marriage is idealistic or impossible, but in reality, they are simply unwilling to pay the price. It is too hard for them to wait - too hard to trust God.

Of course, your marriage will not actually be perfect. We live in a sinful world. But chose to desire the very best marriage, and refuse to lower your standard or settle for "average". Dare to live holy and God will supply with a young man made just for you. Many happy couples who faithfully prepared and waited can joyfully testify that God's blessings anad rewards are more than worth the sacrifice.

~ Mandy

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Feb. 20, 2009 - Safeguards To Embrace

Most princesses like to think about romance - and I suspect that you are no exception. As a daughter of the King of Kings, your heavenly Father has only the very best in store for you. A true princess must not settle for anything less.

I have known many young ladies who were consumed with dating and thoughts about boys, and thus: wasted the years of their youth. I have seen many girls who had much potential for the Lord and followed the typical way of most teenagers and missed out on God's best. On the other hand, I have had the joy of seeing the Lord bring together some outstanding couples and bless them with beautiful marriages. What made the difference?

The difference was not ultimately a result of how they met, how they got to know eachother, or whether they called their relationship "dating", "courtship", "betrothal", or anything else. Rather, the difference was the result of decisions made long before - decisions to put Jesus first in every area of life, to stand alone for what was right, and to patiently follow God's way even when the road was uphill or difficult. The decisions we make in our youth play a huge role in determining our future.

Temptation in this area of boy/girl relationships is one of the biggest snares that the enemy uses to damage the lives of testimonies of Christian young people. Many lives have been destroyed. Many others have survived only with scars, pain, and heartache.

I could give you my testimony, but I won't. It hurts too much to even think about it. I can't stress the point of keeping your mind PURE and thoughts UPRIGHT.

I will say that I have had  (HAD = past tense)  "friends" who ran out in the world and had a "fling", coming back with husbands and babies . . . and heartache. It's NOT WORTH IT. God has just the PERFECT man or woman out there for you. DON'T WASTE YOUR JOY NOW FOR SOMETHING YOU WILL REGRET LATER.

Moving on . . . .

A TRUE princess realizes this danger and understands her own need to be protected. This is not evidence of weakness or fear, but rather it is evidence of true courage. It requires courage to do things God's way, to wait for His timing, and to trust that He will bring you and your life partner together according to His perfect plan. It takes couage to obey when you do not understand.

For this reason, one of the widest decisions you can make now is to embrace specific safeguards of protection. Notice that I say embrace. Many young ladies will tolerate what they consider to be "rules" or "laws" made by others. But tolerating them is not enough; you must make them your own. It is your heart - your own internal commitments beofre the Lord - that will make the difference. Only those hwo have formed their own personal convictions will have the strength required to remain pure and the discernment needed to escape temptation.

Purity: it's worth it.

All those safeguards your parents put up? They are there for you to embrace.

Don't let God down, and He won't let you down.

And one last encouraging thought: Throughout my life I have watched young men, as all girls do. I think, "He is one I wouldn't mind marrying.", "He is good looking", or "His attitude is so sweet!" But, sadly, most of them turned me down by backsliding on God or turning out not-so-sweet. The encouragment?

If you don't get the guys you think are so perfect for you, God will send you someone better.

~ Mandy ~

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