Hate Posts

A few months ago, I created a fan page on Facebook called "Saving Your First Kiss for Marriage." The
intentions of this group were to unite people who had similar beliefs and convictions for the purpose of encouragement, and also that we might be able to get the word out to other people about this philosophy. I was surprised at how quickly it spread! We currently have over 300 fans- in only a few months. Through this page I have learned of so many people who share my beliefs, while in "real life", the number of people I know who believe in saving their first kiss for marriage can be counted on one hand. This has been such a blessing to me, and I hope to others as well. (If you would like to become a part of this group, there is a link at the bottom right of this blog page.)
But recently I have been getting a lot of "hate posts" on the page. People who don't agree with this way of thinking have been going on and sharing their feelings, sometimes to the point of inappropriate material. Obviously this can become very discouraging. But it has done just the opposite for the group! The opposition has spurred the members of the group on- our numbers are increasing every day, and people have been posting on why one should support the belief. There have been so many scriptures and good Biblical, spiritual, mature conversations lately. In face of opposition, the group members have stood up for what they believe in- in a very convincing way! It is very encouraging to see.
One member put it very well when they said that hate posts will not discourage us. It will only make us that more passionate about what we believe, and it will cause us to pray for those who find it necessary to post those hateful comments.
I have chosen not to delete comments only because the commenter does not agree with our viewpoints. That sort of discussion is good and healthy, and do not expect everyone to agree! I do, however, delete comments that contain any inappropriate content. I will continue to keep the page as pure as possible, while still promoting godly discussion.
The members of this group inspire me- I hope that in the future I will remember the lesson they have given me: When faced with opposition, stand strong! No one will sway me from my beliefs! Pray, and never lose heart.

~Brooke Reninger

For Such a Time as This

The other day, I was considering a verse in one of my favorite books in the Bible. "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" -Esther 4:14. I have always liked this verse. Mordecai was encouraging Esther to have the courage to stand up for her people, telling her that perhaps that was the very reason God had placed her in her position as queen- so that she might deliver the Jewish people.

But then I began to think about how this verse can be applied to our lives today. If we really think about it, as daughters of Christ, that makes us princesses. We, therefore, are in a royal position. What does the verse tell us? That perhaps God has placed us in our royal positions for such a time as this. He doesn't expect us to just sit around in our princess-ship, he expects us to use that power for his good and his glory. This can also be applied to the specific places we are currently in in our lives. God has placed us there for a reason. Whether it seems a royal position or not, who is to say he has not placed us there for such a time as this?

~Brooke Reninger

Fabulous Articles for Unmarried Women

These are MUST READ articles especially for unmarried ladies.  I thought I would post the link to them here.  Always wait on the Lord. Enjoy!

How to Pray for a Husband

Is It My Fault That I'm Not Married?

A Giveaway!!!

Hello everybody, Brooke here. I am excited to announce a giveaway! My good friend Hannah, over at A Homemaker's Daughter, is celebrating her 100th post! How exciting! Congratulations Hannah!

Hannah and I recently became acquainted through our blogs and the Stay at Home Daughters Network. I am excited for her success in her blog, and thankful for her friendship. She is giving away some beautiful handmade cards. Hop over to her blog to enter the giveaway.

The Songs We Listen To

~ By Tahirah

This morning my Bible reading came from the book of Amos.  I had one of those moments where I saw something I never noticed before.  In chapter 6 God says,

⁴"Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory

    and stretch themselves out on their couches,
and eat lambs from the flock
   and calves from the midst of the stall,
⁵ who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp
   and like David invent for themselves instruments of music,
⁶ who drink wine in bowls
   and anoint themselves with the finest oils,
   but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!
⁷ Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile,
   and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away." ESV

All day long I thought about the first part of verse 5.  It made me consider the type of music to which I listen.  I mostly listen to the local Christian radio station but every so often I get on YouTube and check out a video from an artist whose focus is anything but Christ.  While I do not believe in setting up a "doctrine" of acceptable music, I believe this verse asks us to consider our choices of "entertainment" especially in light of our fallen world.  In today's world we can substitute many other idle pass-times  for "idle songs".  We often watch "idle television/movies", play "idle games", and surf "idle websites".  James says in chapter 4 that our lives are like a mist that is here for a little while and then vanishes, and they really are.  On the side of the road I see memorial crosses to young teens and men and women who were killed in car accidents.  It seems weekly there is a death of a celebrity and of course we all know of loved ones and others who have passed on.  We do not have long on this earth, what activities would be acceptable to the Lord?  When we meet the Father will we be ashamed of all the time He gave us that we wasted on pursuits contrary to Him?  Will He say we were more concerned with the latest idle pursuit than with the lost and dying world?  I pray He will change my heart to be more motivated to be about His business, and not wasting His time He gave me pursuing idle songs.

Titus 2 Class Notes: Having a Biblical Worldview

It's here! The highly anticipated (maybe), long awaited Titus 2 Class notes! :) These are some of the notes that I took from the class, along with some of the teachers' notes. Obviously it's not as good as actually being in the class, but I hope that you enjoy them.
~Brooke

Date of class: June 12, 2010
Teacher: Brenda Reninger
Topic: Having a Biblical Worldview

Key verses for this topic: Romans 12:2, Colossians 2:6-8, Romans 1:18-23, Psalm 127:4, Proverbs 22:6.

Important points:

• The class was about having a proper worldview and the importance of instilling that worldview in our children. Each student was given a sample worldview test, based on the Worldview Weekend Worldview Test. You can look into this further at: worldviewweekend.com. The Nehemiah Institute also offers similar tests.
• Categories that make a worldview: Theology, philosophy, biology, psychology, ethics, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history.
• Worldview is defined as: "How I see the world."
• The question was asked, "Why are all the young people leaving the church?" Answer for yourself, but we discussed how, perhaps, we are not instilling in them a truly biblical worldview.

Interesting quotes:

• "Nothing is secular- you must look at everything as sacred."
• "Look at the world through God, don't look at God through the world."
• "Ideas rule the world. Ideas have consequences."

Some eye-opening statistics:

• 70-88% of students from "Christian" homes deny their faith before graduation from college. (barna.org)
• Only 9% of Evangelicals have a biblical worldview. (barna.org)
• Instead of preparing their children for life, the vast majority of parents are waiting for social institutions to train their kids. (barna.org)
• Only 9% of young people under age 24 base their moral choices on the Bible. (barna.org)
• In 2006, 91% of Evangelical kids said, "There is no truth apart from myself"- that's up from 52% in 1994. (barna.org)
• Only 33% of churched youth say the church will play a part in their lives when they leave home. (Josh McDowell, 2006)
• In the 1970's only 5% of 15-year-old girls had sexual intercourse; by 1997 it was 38%. (Columbia University Report, 1997.)

To Read or Not to Read?: The Twilight Dilemma

Hi everyone, it's Brooke here. If you are anything like me, I'm sure you've noticed our culture's most recent epidemic. Of course I'm talking about Twilight. First the books, now the movies; it seems everyone is talking about it. But, as Christian girls committed to purity, we wonder if we should actually read them.

I have read a few different Christian articles concerning Twilight, but recently found one by Jasmine Baucham that I thought was really good. You can read this article here: http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/for-the-unmarried/eclipse-an-ideal-romance/.

Personally, I have chosen to stay away from the Twilight series. I have not read the books or seen the movies. So I cannot from experience say that they should be avoided. But I do know that the reason most people are attracted to this series seems to be one thing: sex appeal. Because of this, I do not think it would be in my best interest to follow the Twilight series. As young (and even older) Christian women devoted to living pure lives, I do not think watching or reading the Twilight saga is wise, or in our best interest.

"'Everything is permissible for me' -but not everything is beneficial."1 Corinthians 6:12