Courageous - In Theaters Now!

I cannot wait to see what the Lord is going to do!

Courageous - In Theaters Now

Answering the Guy Questions: Chapter Six



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Chapter Six
Code of Conduct

The main points covered in this chapter were:

How do I get to know a guy in a Christ-honoring way?
1. Engage in Christ-honoring Conversation
2. Show Decorum in Your Body Language
a. Anything that you wouldn't do with another guy after marriage is something that you shouldn't do with another guy before marriage.

What should I do when I'm attracted to a guy?
1. Give it to God
2. Guard Your Thought Life
3. Don't Act Differently Around Him

How do I respond to a guy who shows interest in me?
1. Pray and Seek God's Help
2. Get Godly Council, Prayer, and Perspective from Older Adults 
3. Be Guarded and God Directed

Remember, God cares more about this area in your life than even you do! A life built around Jesus Christ is the best solution for any guy question you could ever face.

~Leslie Ludy


To get the whole picture, go here.



a friend of mine...

Who, What, Where?

Memory/Your Sis/Sweet Home Alabama

Her 6 sentence short story is...

born into a loving, Christian family. raised in the country since age four. became a Christian at age eight. got a horse at age eleven (gotta list the important stuff *wink wink*). learned that i love to write. made a blog and now i'm here.

Her blog is called...

lowercase letters

The thing at the heart of her blog is...

life. learning life as a Christian. learning to write. my country life. expressing gratefulness for the gifts He's given me.

6 things that make her world go round...

1. my church family and my relationship with Christ that grows there.

2. my sis, marli.

3. pink finger nail polish

4. poptarts

5. tom's shoes

6. a horse to ride

{can the list be longer, please? God has given me so many good gifts... :)}

Her perfect film would consist of...

andy grffeth...who doesn't love mayberry?!

Featured...

Hey everybody! I am honored to be featured here on Kristen's blog. Be sure to check out her encouraging blog. Hope everybody is having a fabulous Saturday and ROLL TIDE!! :)

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6:20

As a ten-year-old boy, when Philip Paul Bliss heard the sounds of a piano for the first time, his imagination was deeply stirred. Later, riding his horse, Old Fanny, he had become a traveling musician. In 1870, he joined the staff of a Chicago church. In March, 1874, he became the song leader for the evangelistic campaigns of Major Daniel W. Whittle. All the while, Philip was penning some of America's favorite gospel songs.

By the end of 1876, Philip needed a break. He had just written the music to "It is Well With My Soul," and finished a whirlwind tour of meetings with Major Whittle. While he and his wife Lucy were spending the Christmas holidays with his family in Pennsylvania, a telegram arrived requesting they come to Chicago to sing.

On December 29, 1876, leaving their two small children with Philip's mother, they boarded the Pacific Express. The snow was blinding, and the eleven-coach train was running about three hours late. About eight o'clock that night as the train creaked over a chasm near Ashtabula, Ohio, the trestle bridge collapsed. The engine reached solid ground on the other side of the bridge, but the other cars plunged 75 feet into the ravine.

Philip survived the crash and crawled out through a window. But within moments, fire broke out, and Lucy was still inside, pinned under the twisted metal of the iron seats. The other survivors urged Philip not to crawl back into the flaming wreckage. "If I cannot save her, I will perish with her," he shouted, plunging into the fiery car. Both Philip and Lucy died. He was thirty-eight.

Philip's trunk finally arrived in Chicago safely. In it were found the words to the last hymns he had written, one of which was:

I will sing of my Redeemer;

And His wondrous love for me;

On the cruel cross He suffered,

From the curse to set me free.

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,

With His blood, He purchased me.

On the cross, He sealed my pardon,

Paid a debt, and made me free.

Taken from the book: Then Sings My Soul

a friend of mine...

Who, What, Where?

Kristen/Blogger, Singer, Wife, Mommy/Arkansas U.S.A.

Her 6 sentence short story is...

I was blessed to be born in a strong Christian home. I was raised in churches and on the road singing and I always knew that my life's calling was in the ministry. Through the Lord's grace, I surrendered to Him at an early age and spent my life traveling, singing, writing, and doing my best to live as a set-apart, righteous daughter of God should live. When I was 21, I met my future husband and in a dramatic series of events, we fell in love, became engaged, married, and began our lives serving the Lord together. Now I am a wife and mommy, walking through life as the Lord continues to grow me, refine me, and strengthen me. I sing to my hearts' content, I blog about whatever strikes, I desire to spread awareness of purity, Christianity, and godly womanhood, and I am radically In love with Jesus Christ.

Her blog is called...

Created to be HIS! and The King's Bride

The thing at the heart of her blog is...

Godly womanhood, Purity, Modesty, Family, Motherhood, Marriage, Ministry, Homemaking, Randomness

6 things that make her world go round...

1. The sustaining grace of our God.

2. My wonderful husband.

3. My absolutely adorable little boy.

4. Family, friends, and laughter.

5. Books and music.

6. Food...and lots of it (the sweeter, the better!)

Her perfect film would consist of...

Good gracious, I have no idea! Maybe a mixture of "Fireproof" and the 1945 version of "State Fair".

This Little Light of Mine

*NOTE: You might want to scroll down to the very bottom of the page and pause the background music to the blog. :)

a friend of mine...

Who, What, Where?

Jennifer/ Jesus-lover, Writer, Musician, Wife & Photographer/ Southeast - USA

Her 6 sentence short story is...

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I view life like a piece of music. Jesus Christ is my melody and everything else revolves around Him. I am a newly-wed, dreamer, writer, vintage-lover, musician, photographer and missions enthusiast…but all of it centers around Him. I believe that I am blessed to be a blessing and I try to live each day to the fullest with that in mind. I can't wait to see what is composed at the end of this life!

Her blog is called... 

The Blair Affairs

The thing at the heart of her blog is...
Here you will find tidbits of my life with my wonderful husband, some things I love, photography, a few crafty projects and my journey in the pursuit of Christ.

6 things that make her world go round...

1. The deep, deep love of Jesus.
2. My handsome, musical and silly hubby.
3. Being a photographer.
4. A good book with a warm cup of tea in hand.
5. All things vintage.
6. The mountains in Autumn

Her perfect film would consist of...

I would love to put myself in the set of Pride and Prejudice, with  my husband as Mr. Darcy. I'd add a few more mountains, a bit more music that lifts the heart to the sky, and my family instead of the Bennets…we're just as quirky anyway!

It Is Well with My Soul

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Psalm 34:19

When the great Chicago fire consumed the Windy City in 1871, Horatio G. Spafford, an attorney heavily invested in real estate, lost a fortune. About that time, his only son, age 4, succumbed to scarlet fever. Horatio drowned his grief in work, pouring himself into rebuilding the city and assisting the 100,000 who had been left homeless.

In November of 1873, he decided to take his wife and daughters to Europe. Horatio was close to D. L. Moody and Ira Sankey, and he wanted to visit their evangelistic meetings in England. then enjoy a vacation.

When an urgent matter detained Horatio in New York, he decided to send his wife, Anna, and their four daughters, Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie, on ahead. As he saw then settled into a cabin aboard the luxurious French liner Ville du Havre, an unease filled his mind, and he moved them to a room closer to the bow of the ship. Then he said good-bye, promising to join them soon.

During the small hours of November 22, 1873, as the Ville du Havre glided over smooth seas, the passengers were jolted from their bunks. The ship had collided with an iron sailing vessel, and water poured in like Niagara. The Ville du Havre tilted dangerously. Screams, prayers, and oaths merged into a nightmare of unmeasured terror. Passengers clung to posts, tumbled through darkness, and were swept away by powerful currents of icy ocean. Loved one's fell from each other's grasp and disappeared into foaming blackness. Within two hours, the mighty ship vanished beneath the waters. The 226 fatalities included Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie. Mrs. Spafford was found nearly unconscious, clinging to a piece of the wreckage. When the 47 survivors landed in Cardiff, Wales, she cabled her husband: "Saved Alone."

Horatio immediately booked passage to join his wife. En route, on a cold December night, the captain called him aside and said, "I believe we are now passing over the place where the Ville du Havre went down." Spafford went to his cabin but found it hard to sleep. He said to himself, "It is well; the will of God be done."

He later wrote his famous hymn based on those words.

The melody for "It Is Well," titled Ville du Havre, was written by Philip Bliss who was himself soon to perish, along with his wife, in a terrible train wreck in Ohio.

Taken from the book: Then Sings My Soul

Alphabet Photo: Football or Flip Flops?

Football
Who doesn't like it? It is one of the best, most loved around here. Alabama/Auburn game day is an exciting time around these parts....and this day at Nana's house was no exception....;)

OR

Flip Flops

Is this against the rules to use two words for one letter? It's amazing how many words I could think of to go with the letter "F!" Friends, faces, fingers, felt, figs, frogs, freedom, family, fun,....Well anyways, I decided to go ahead and include one of my most favorite things on the planet...the greatest creation of shoes....*ta-da*....ever.....

introducing....

Hello y'all! Just wanted to let you know about this amazing blog. I may be kind of partial (since I kind of know the girl ;), but she has some pretty good and amazing thoughts... Hop on over and give her a visit. And if you really wanna make her happy, you can click on that "Follow" button.... =)

September 11, 2001

Ten years ago today, terrorists slammed two plans into the World Trade Centers, into a field, and the Pentagon. I pray that all the families that lost a loved one during that tragic day will have comfort and peace today. I pray that America will come together again, like we did on that fateful day, and put out Trust in God....forever.

Note: I found this clip online. I did not make it or put it together.

Another Note: You might want to pause the background music to the blog...

Answering the Guy Questions: Chapter Five

I only scraped the top of this chapter...I would encourage you to go buy this book of Leslie's. That way, you can find out all about being a Princess of Purity.... :P

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Chapter Five

Becoming a Princess of Purity

The problems of lust, perversion, and sexual addiction can seem overwhelming when you take a look at the state of modern manhood. But there are plenty of practical ways that we as young ladies can help guys overcome the sexual pitfalls that are so prevalent in today's world. We must remember that society's sexual problems are not just a result of modern guys. Girls are huge contributors. We shouldn't just point the finger of blame at the opposite sex and sit around complaining about how many guys are sexually warped. Rather, we should diligently pray that the sexual climate of our culture would realign with God's pattern. And then, by His enabling grace, we should do everything that lies within our power to help that dream become a reality.

Here are some practical ways we can begin...

1. Dress with Dignity

a. Showing Skin- Chest, thighs, stomach--these might seem harmless areas to show off, but if you were married and wanted to stay that way, you wouldn't allow another guy to touch you in any of those places. So why would you allow another guy to have the privilege of looking at what is meant for your husband's pleasure alone? When you keep your future husband's feelings at the forefront of your mind when deciding what to wear, the issue of how much skin to show becomes far less complicated.

b. Showing Figure- ...Remember, even though you may get male attention by wearing form-fitting clothes, a true warrior-poet is longing for a woman who showcases the true beauty of Christ instead of the cheap counterfeit of the culture. If you dress to honor your future husband, then a warrior-poet won't have to avert his eyes when you walk into the room. You'll be like a breathe of fresh air to his soul. He'll notice the light of Christ in your eyes and the radiance of your smile rather than being distracted by the outline of your body.

c. Dressing like a Lady- ...Don't think of modest dressing as giving up being feminine or attractive. Think of it as exchanging the culture's cheap counterfeit of feminine appeal for the stunning, God-designed version of female allure. Warrior-poet men aren't just looking for women who purposely dress down their feminine beauty or hide behind drab, tent-like clothes. They desire to see young women who exude a loveliness and graceful feminine beauty that flows from the inside out; a feminine dignity that is both modest and stunningly, refreshingly beautiful. Modest dressing isn't a mere obligation so that we don't cause guys to stumble. Rather, it's one of our most powerful tools in restoring respect, dignity, and nobility to modern femininity...

d. Swimsuits- ...as far as I am concerned, the same standards apply to swimwear as to the rest of our wardrobe. If we are showing off parts of our skin or figure that are meant only for our husband, then we are not dressing as a set-apart women....

2. Praise Princely Behavior

...When a guy realizes that a woman notices and applauds him when he does something Christ-like, he is far more likely to want to cultivate and repeat that behavior. Even if a guy isn't quite up to warrior-poet standards, allow God to show you the things in his life that are of a Christ-like pattern. Then let the guy know that you appreciate what you see in that area of his life. Chances are he'll start doing it more often. Plus, he'll awaken to the fact that he has the potential to be noble. Most guys just need to be told that they have princely attributes, and then they are more eager to cultivate them....

3. Get God's Heart Toward Lust and Pornography

a. Pray- When you see a guy stumble in sexual sin, don't waste time by worrying about it, gossipping about it, or being discouraged by it. Rather, pour all of your emotion out to God in passionate heart-felt prayer. Remember, the "effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much" (James 5:16).

b. Hate What God Hates- Yes, it is okay to be repulsed and shocked by pornography and sexual sin. In fact, if we don't hate the things that God hates, we don't possess the mind of Christ. You don't need to soften your response toward sexual sin to keep guys from feeling guilty or condemned. When young women finally begin to take a stand against sexual perversion, guys will be forced to take this area of their lives more seriously. Don't give into the pressure to just chuckle and shrug it off when a guy makes a sexual comment or talks  about his lustful habits. Let your reaction state that you are grieving for his wandering heart. Whether you respond in silence (which can send a very loud message!) or make a quiet comment like, "I believe that you can be a better man than that," allow God's Spirit to direct your response. Make sure that you respond with the love of Christ and not just your own selfish anger or hurt. As it says in 1 Corinthians 13, love believes all things. Love doesn't just call a person on their sin and leave them there. Rather, love speaks truth and then believes in the power of God to set us free from sin.  

c. Guard Your Own Heart- To keep oneself unspotted from the world means to remain completely unstained by corruption and pollution. The more of the world's pollution we allow into our minds and hearts, the more susceptible we are to the entrapment of mental perversion and lust.... Most young women I have talked to found that their first temptation toward lust or pornography came from movies, TV shows, or music they were exposed to. When we allow the warped mentalities of Hollywood to shape our perspective and fill our minds with impure images and attitudes, we open our minds wide for impurity to waltz right in and make itself at home. One of the best ways to guard your heart, keep yourself unspotted from the world, and remove your foot from evil is to eliminate worldly images and messages from entering your mind....

Be aggressive and ruthless in removing all that stands in the way of God's fullness for you as His set-apart princess. Every step you take out of darkness and into His marvelous light will be more than worth it!    

~Leslie Ludy

What I Wore Wednesday

Dressing modestly can be so much fun!

Shirt- CATO store for around $5.00

Skirt- Fabric came from Hobby Lobby...created by me....

Jewelry- Gifts from friends

Shoes- Yellow Box flip flops from Belk that were on sale for $18.00

Answering the Guy Questions: Chapter Four

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Chapter Four

Heroic Womanhood

Christ-built femininity is a force to be reckoned with. When we allow the purity and power of Almighty God to radically transform our entire approach to womanhood, the men of our culture will step back in wonder. Every godly guy I've talked with has told me that when he encounters a young woman who is wholly consumed with Jesus Christ, she captivates him far more than even the most beautiful supermodels ever could.

Though most modern guys might appear to want women who are aggressive and easy to get, this kind of femininity is not what will capture the heart of a true warrior-poet. God designed men to diligently and valiantly pursue and woman. Guys are naturally intrigued by a woman with mystique--a woman who isn't willing to auction her heart and body to whomever passes by. if a man actually has to work to win a woman's heart, he will be far more likely to cherish and appreciate the gift he's labored so hard for. On the other hand, if a woman throws herself at him, though he might initially respond, he won't have much respect or appreciation for such easy prey, and he will never learn how to tenderly cherish the treasure of her heart.

Don't divulge all your deepest secrets, longings, fears, and desires right off the bat. Let God direct you in the gentle opening of you heart and gradual unveiling of the deepest treasures of your soul. Allow trust to build slowly and gradually. Share more of your heart with him the more he showcases the nature of Christ in his interaction with you. Allow him to seek out the inner workings of your heart. Maintain a sense of feminine mystery and guard the sacred things for sacred moments. This applies to both emotional guardedness and physical purity. Eric and I didn't hold hands until we knew we were in a relationship headed toward marriage. We didn't exchange the words "I love you" until the night of our engagement. And we didn't kiss until our wedding day. It may sound miserable and restrictive, but it was truly like a fairy tale. Because we kept sacred things sacred, it was mysterious, exciting, and beautiful--completely different than the careless, unromantic love stories so common in our modern times....

...even if you have been living far from the path of heroic femininity, Jesus Christ is ready to shape you into His likeness, starting today. So don't wait another moment before yielding to His perfect way. You'll never regret such a decision.

~Leslie Ludy

What?! Me?

    

Hey everyone! What a surprise! Rebecca over here surprised me by choosing me to be a recipient of this bloggy award.

You don't know how honored I am, Rebecca!

Thank you.

After receiving this award, I was told to post seven things about myself and pass the award on to fifteen other bloggers....Here it goes....

one. i love the color brown and pink.

two. i am...*ta-da*...right-handed.

three. everybody in my family says that i make the best cornbread.

four. alabama football is....well, a way of life.

five. i plan to finish school earlier...instead of "on time" or "later"

six. fried okra and black-eyed peas are best with bbq sauce on them. yum!

seven. my greatest desire is to be a wife and mommy

Okay, here it is to fifteen other bloggers.....

Annie

Kimberly

Alexis Kaye

Lydia

Rebekah

Jessica

Gentri

Hannah Royal

Julia

Kristen

 Life Chasers

Lowercase Letters

Emmy

Emily

Kristen

This is it!

Today is the beginning of my most favorite time of the year....football season. If you can't tell, I'm a little obsessed.... Hey, I just had to share the love on my blog too! ;P

Here are a few words that describe the Crimson Tide season at our house:

cook-outs, the converter box, late nights at Nana's, Reese's m&m's, the number 12, alabama t-shirts, loud radios, shopping days, people who are bored, cheering like the team can hear you, the color crimson, lots of snacks, the voice of eli gold, chill bumps, tears and happiness,....it's everywhere.

  

Let the season begin!

happy anniversary to the parents.

I am so blessed...

..to have the mom and dad...

...that God has given to me!

Happy 26th anniversary, Daddy and Mom! I hope you are blessed with many more years together in service for the Lord.

Love you both!

Happy Birthday, Mom.

Mom with a friend. ;P

Today is Mom's ---- birthday!!! I'm not going to tell her age, just that it is a preeeettttyyy big one. Haha. She is the best mom, wife, aunt, cousin, niece, friend, 1st cousin, 3rd cousin-twice removed (well, you get the picture), that anyone could ever have. Happy birthday to the most FABULOUS MOM EVER!!

Love you muchly!