I've been reading....

Its a nice day today...reminds me of myself. Sunny one hour, rainy the next. Hehe. I'm emotional no use denying it. I'm loving the rain right now. Its very gentle and calming. Usually it gets me all cabin-feverish but today its not. Okay on to my post! I've been reading a book by Elisabeth Elliot called "Quest for Love". GREAT BOOK. I guess what got my attention was that it was a big book with so many pages. I just love that about books. I've read her other book "Passion and Purity" so this one seems to relate to that. In fact, its about people who responded to her last book and Elisabeth's insight in each one. She gives great Godly teaching about relationships that I highly recommend you check out. I'm not into dating so for me to say that its gotta be a great book. Especially to singles out there. Too many times I've seen people throw themselves into the dating scene without really checking with Jesus first and they've made so many mistakes. Two of the things that I found pretty impressive that I think could apply to couples is the amount of physical contact in our current generation. Couples can get into the touchy-feely (kissing, hugging...) that they can bring themselves in a place where they shouldn't be. Call me old, traditional, or a freak but I do not think kissing, hugging or any type of physical contact should be allowed in any relationship unless you're married. Why? Because we're human and if you focus on that and how "great" it is, we can easily lose sight of our Savior. We instead think of the hand-holding, back-rubbing, kissing, whatever it is when in our minds should be Jesus. And think about it. Aren't you giving a piece of your heart to someone when you do that? Shouldn't you give yourself to your husband/wife? And you're not thinking rationally when you're doing it! You can easily let emotions run ahead instead of think what is God's will in this relationship Or lets take it to the next level. Shouldn't the one who holds our heart is Jesus?

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV)

Flee youthful lusts. Paul knew what it was like to be a young so he exhorted Timothy to flee those lusts so that Timothy can pursue God wholeheartedly. Pure heart. Our hearts should be on Jesus, no? We shouldn't fill our hearts with unclean things. Pursue righteousness. You are the temple of the living God so what are you allowing the other person to do? Faith. Don't think that if you don't show affection you'll lose this person. God's got it. And if you do lose them, then why stay with someone who was just in it for the physical? Have faith He will bring that person at the right time. I've seen too many people run ahead of God and its been a heartbreak. Love. Can I stress this? LOVE. When you love someone you seek the very best! Wouldn't you want your guy/girl to be pure and focused on the Lord even if it means withholding physical contact? Peace. Who's peaceful when you've got hormones out of control?! So how would you pursue peace? NO PDA!!!! Call on the Lord. If you're pursuing these things and you're getting tired call on HIM. He will give the strength! Jesus, who rose from the grave resides in you! He will help just SEEK HIM... And lets say okay you'll marry the person. Why the physical contact? Why now? Why at all?The second point I got was willing to wait on Jesus and to be content in our season of singleness. This gift of singleness. In her book she gives a definition of the gift of celibacy and the gift of singleness. TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. I'm referring to singleness. In our culture we view being single as well...not a good thing. I've come in contact with people who've tried to play matchmaker (bleh. Please don't do that. Let God be the one who brings the person. No matter what its ultimately in His hands) because they felt sorry for me and thought I "needed" someone. No, I don't. I need Jesus. :) I'm content being single. Yes, I wonder about my future and if it includes someone...but for now I'm with Jesus. Forgive me if I offend with this post. I'm not going to get mad if you hold hands with your other half. :) I don't speak with condemnation rather I hope to speak from a voice with caution. That's all. Ultimately, its between you and Jesus. Forget what I say and look to Him. He will lead.