I have a new blog specifically about generating a Biblical view of Christian relationships. Most of my time will be spent there for the next couple months, so I encourage you to check it out and give me feedback!
Thanks!!
http://whencootiesdisappear.blogspot.com/
~kari
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
NEW BOOKS!
There is not a much more sweeter sound to me than the sound of "NEW BOOKS!" which anyone who knows me would understand.
My mom and I just ordered some books off Amazon yesterday which I'm super psyched about:
[My own copy of] I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris
Not Even A Hint: Guarding Your Heart Against Lust by Joshua Harris
(yes, I like Joshua Harris)
and...
Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating by Richard D. Phillips and Sharon L. Phillips
I'll try and keep you updated about how I'm liking each book and I'll try to make a folder with my "dating book reviews."
My mom and I just ordered some books off Amazon yesterday which I'm super psyched about:
[My own copy of] I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris
Not Even A Hint: Guarding Your Heart Against Lust by Joshua Harris
(yes, I like Joshua Harris)
and...
Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating by Richard D. Phillips and Sharon L. Phillips
I'll try and keep you updated about how I'm liking each book and I'll try to make a folder with my "dating book reviews."
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
“It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
*This goes along with the post - "Something To Think About"
“It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
*This goes along with the post - "Something To Think About"
Something To Think About
I've had something constantly on my mind since I started reading a certain book. Now don't immediately close this window when you hear the name of the book. Give it, and me, a chance. The book is I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris. I'm not finished with the book yet, but it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. But this post ultimately isn't about the book, although I do recommend it to everyone!
I'll explain briefly about the book. It is not what it sounds like. Joshua Harris isn't against guy/girl relationships, especially not marriage. But as I see it, he presents a biblical view of relationships in his book. He presents the idea of kissing the world's way of dating goodbye - an unhealthy, purely self-center string of relationships. If you want to learn more about the book I suggest you read it (duh!) and also check out this video on YouTube, which is Josh Harris talking about the book. (Please watch the whole thing! It's not too long.) Once I'm finished with the book, I'll try to remember to give my finished opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVJqlaNJRnw
Now...to why I wrote this post. It does have to do with something Josh Harris brought up in his book, and it has to do with the interaction between guys and girls. In our culture, society screams that we must have a boyfriend or girlfriend, we must dress to attract someone, and we must have the flirt-factor turned on max! And then we go around telling our friends how much we love them, even if we don't directly say "I love you." Even to our guy friends. That's what friendship is: LOVE!
Now I challenge you today to take responsibility of the love you show in your friendships, and as Christians to every believer.
Girls:
If you really love your brothers in Christ, you will guard their hearts. You guard their hearts by not tempting them, and as guys are often visual/physical that does mean the way you dress. If you really love your brothers in Christ you will dress modestly. (One idea I have is, if you have to ask [if it's too low or too short, etc.] you probably shouldn't wear it.) But this isn't a blurb about modesty. Also, if you love your brothers in Christ you will guard their hearts by not arousing desires you can't fulfill - that includes flirting of all kinds, even simple physical contact can be taken that way. My charge is, be careful. Show love by guarding their hearts. I know that any young man who truly desires to follow the Lord in all his ways will greatly appreciate the desire we have to guard their hearts.
Guys:
I don't know much about how you guys work, but I do know how us girls work - and apparently, it's very complicated. So please, I beg you, if you really love us as your sisters in Christ, don't toy with our emotions. Don't arouse desires in us that you have no intention of fulfilling or you just plain can't fulfill. Don't flirt. Don't lead us on. I know as a girl I would appreciate this more than you could ever know, and I'm assuming that all girls striving to live a hearty, God-centered Christian life will agree.
I know this is long, and I thank you for reading this. There's so much more I want to write (maybe later), but for now I suggest you take to heart the challenges I've presented and pick up your copy of I Kissed Dating Goodbye. (Soon I'll be starting more of Josh Harris' books and I'll try to give an update on them too).
For now, COMMENT! I want feedback. Do you agree? Disagree? Do you have something to add? Please!
I'll explain briefly about the book. It is not what it sounds like. Joshua Harris isn't against guy/girl relationships, especially not marriage. But as I see it, he presents a biblical view of relationships in his book. He presents the idea of kissing the world's way of dating goodbye - an unhealthy, purely self-center string of relationships. If you want to learn more about the book I suggest you read it (duh!) and also check out this video on YouTube, which is Josh Harris talking about the book. (Please watch the whole thing! It's not too long.) Once I'm finished with the book, I'll try to remember to give my finished opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVJqlaNJRnw
Now...to why I wrote this post. It does have to do with something Josh Harris brought up in his book, and it has to do with the interaction between guys and girls. In our culture, society screams that we must have a boyfriend or girlfriend, we must dress to attract someone, and we must have the flirt-factor turned on max! And then we go around telling our friends how much we love them, even if we don't directly say "I love you." Even to our guy friends. That's what friendship is: LOVE!
Now I challenge you today to take responsibility of the love you show in your friendships, and as Christians to every believer.
Girls:
If you really love your brothers in Christ, you will guard their hearts. You guard their hearts by not tempting them, and as guys are often visual/physical that does mean the way you dress. If you really love your brothers in Christ you will dress modestly. (One idea I have is, if you have to ask [if it's too low or too short, etc.] you probably shouldn't wear it.) But this isn't a blurb about modesty. Also, if you love your brothers in Christ you will guard their hearts by not arousing desires you can't fulfill - that includes flirting of all kinds, even simple physical contact can be taken that way. My charge is, be careful. Show love by guarding their hearts. I know that any young man who truly desires to follow the Lord in all his ways will greatly appreciate the desire we have to guard their hearts.
Guys:
I don't know much about how you guys work, but I do know how us girls work - and apparently, it's very complicated. So please, I beg you, if you really love us as your sisters in Christ, don't toy with our emotions. Don't arouse desires in us that you have no intention of fulfilling or you just plain can't fulfill. Don't flirt. Don't lead us on. I know as a girl I would appreciate this more than you could ever know, and I'm assuming that all girls striving to live a hearty, God-centered Christian life will agree.
I know this is long, and I thank you for reading this. There's so much more I want to write (maybe later), but for now I suggest you take to heart the challenges I've presented and pick up your copy of I Kissed Dating Goodbye. (Soon I'll be starting more of Josh Harris' books and I'll try to give an update on them too).
For now, COMMENT! I want feedback. Do you agree? Disagree? Do you have something to add? Please!
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