Relationship… defined as a state of connectedness between people involving mutual dealings; kinship or connection by blood, marriage, or adoption. 

There is one relationship I wouldn’t trade for anything or anyone, because He was my first! Even before I could really understand the connectedness between us, He was the one who  I was connected with through blood and marriage.  It is my heavenly covenant ( agreement between God and me in which He makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from me in return). 

Nonetheless, our earthly covenant (spiritual and legal union to create kinship) is the one where we had to prepare and position ourself for that  ”certain behavior in return”.   Marriage is a blessing… some may say yes and those who are married may say different. But trust and believe that if you ever get married or you currently are married, God’s plan and purpose is to help us clearly understand the behavior we must have in return! 

For a mature christian seeks God’s will and wisdom daily…

That one was free 

But getting back on task…

There is a miracle in marriage… the miracle of transformation.  Transformation is the PROCESS which involves the transformation of the whole person in thoughts, behaviors, and styles of relating with God and others. And transformation in marriage results in a life of service to your spouse and being a witness for Christ.

For women, God is preparing us to be a part of our husband’s destiny. And in that preparation/birthing  we must remember and continue these behaviors in return: prayer, preparation, practice, praise, purpose in what our role in marriage. And none of these things cease when and after we say, “I do”.  But the one thing that keeps us pressing toward the PROMISE and destiny for RELATIONSHIP is, we must always remember what we are carrying and who is our first!

so i’m totally gifting this book to someone for christmas jokesters, but not before i skim it and glean some valuable insight from it… the book is by danae dobson and is entitled: let’s talk! good stuff for girlfriends about god, guys, and growing up. gold.

i’m just wondering why a phrase as simple as that had to be used with permission? is that shit trademarked or something? if so, that’s just WRONG.

i don’t really believe these stories for a sec. someone out there must exist with these stories, but i doubt the author knows these someones.

oh, religion, i find you so funny.

I was silent for a couple of seconds. I even forgot what I answered immediately, but I eventually told him that I feel as though I’m playing the final game of the World Cup and that I know that if I want to win I have to give it all and risk it all. Was that too bold of me to say? He said he understood but that it could lead to major heartbreak. I told him “what’s a heartbreak?” haha. We both know what that is. We’ve both experienced it in the past. He answered: “Months and months of depression”.

About two weeks ago he told me was planning to talk with my father again. They spoke some months ago and although I don’t know what was spoken, I did later find out nothing concrete was agreed upon because nothing major happened. But this time he kind of implied it would be a more serious talk and with more solid points and possibly plans for the near future. He also said that some of the things he was going to tell my dad he couldn’t tell me. Scary, but I trust him.

I think he knows how deeply in love I am with  him. I love his confidence and just how sure he is I’ll take him any day haha

One important thing he told me was that although he was going to speak with my dad and possibly my mom later (he did in fact), this would not mean anything would happen in the very near future. By ‘anything’ I think he meant engagement.  But he also told me that he wanted to be very clear with my dad that he was willing to walk through if any door does in fact open up. He literally said it like this: “Karen, if a door opens up, I want  you to know I won’t be dragging my feet. I’m going to walk right through it.”

So here I am, sitting, waiting, praying, and yes, wishing. I have so much to figure out right now. I’m 21, well 22 in a few months. I am absolutely enchanted with the way this man has treated me these past two years. I’ve seen his walk mature and just blossom; his friendship has been one of the most precious things God has given me.

Many times I get super duper scared if I actually am the girl of his dreams. A few nights ago a friend of ours told me HE (my he lol) told him (our friend) he’s unsure if he has the character needed to lead a family and to be married. My heart melted as I imagined HIM saying those words. I believe our genuine desire to love each other the way God wants us to has been the driving force in our friendship. Slowly but surely, we’re learning to put aside selfishness and become more obedient to God, out of love for Him first, but also out of love and respect for each other.

Oh how I wish I could post a picture of him and me here soon. 2010 could be it. Who knows

Speaking words of encouragement is an essential part of Christian relationships. As I grow in my faith, I realize how important it is to speak and hear these words. As a pastor of mine recently reminded us at a mission rally, Christians, even with their hope firmly planted in Christ, still need to hear encouragement and be constantly reminded of the promises of God.

Some ways to encourage others:

*Emails

*Post scripture in my twitter and facebook accounts.

*Speak words of encouragement to these people face to face What if we spoke more encouraging, Christ centered words in our life? How would that affect the people around us? Especially those who do not have faith in the one true God?

Acts 18:9 :: And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision “Do not be afraid any longer but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you…”

Many people find encouragement cheesy and trite. And it can be when spoken out of obligation or by using cliched phrases. But true encouragement will uplift and refocus the one on the receiving end. It will also cheer the giver – I am usually encouraging myself when I try to encourage others. Focusing on the hope in the promises of God, speaking them allowed to one another, and carrying them on our hearts will help us to walk more like Christ and pursue God’s Kingdom first.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 :: Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Ephesians 5:18-20a :: And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Peace and Blessings.

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken.” - C S Lewis

i’ve been writing about love and relationships a lot for the past year, and i think its cuz i’ve reached that stage in life where u have to work this stuff out. ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything, and that time for a relationship is now. previously i searched and ultimately had to give up (chap 3 v 6); now i feel like i have to search again. it’s funny how sometimes we feel apologetic about the idea that we’re looking for our life partner, as if we don’t wanna come off as desperate or untrusting to God. but it is God who says, ‘it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’. and previously i went on and on about how this helper has to be committed to following me and helping me in my ministry, whatever God calls me to do. i dont know who this person is, but she probably has similar callings/passions/values as me. lately with the things going on in my life, it kinda got me thinking about defining relationships. in revelations 3:15-16, God was saying to the church of laodicea ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!…because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.’ God wants us to either be on fire for him, or be ice cold. at least we know where we stand. if we’re on fire for God, great. if we’re against God, then it’s probably better for us to chase after the things of the world, realize there is only emptiness, and ultimately see the errors of our ways and run back to God. as i was thinking about this, i kinda saw the parallels in relationships. things always get messy when you’re stuck in the middle doesnt it? are we friends, are we more? should we be less? i can even see this in friendship relationships. you ever meet someone, and got to know them for like a day, and then lose contact for a long time, and then after awhile u see them again on the street, and you don’t know if you should say hi? u start thinking ‘does this person remember me?’ and ‘if i said hi, would i initiate a very awkward conversation?’ wouldnt it be better if the person was either a close friend or a complete stranger? likewise, in romantic relationships, i think i’d rather it be hot or cold, and not get stuck in the middle. pursue or abandon. commit or not commit. stay or go. fight or flight. all or nothing. action potential or no action potential. love or indifference (incidentally, hate is not the opposite of love, but that’s a whole other topic).

on a lighter note, another website called christian-bloggers.com took notice of my ravi post lol. ravi is too influential.

I’ll go so far as to describe this video as potentially life changing. It is only as we realise the truth Josh Harris is talking about that we can truly become as iron sharpening iron and putting this message into practice will radically change all our relationships with other people.

“If we wait for perfect people to show up to point our errors and our flaws, we’ll die as fools”

(HT: Take your Vitamin Z) Learning To Love Correction from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

‘Understand what marriage is all about. Understand the beauty of it, what it is that God really intended for in marriage; when two people dont come in 50 50, they come in 100 and 100, and each are willing to totally submit to the other person, and draw the best out of the other…’ – Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias is in HK!

I went to his session yesterday, and it was very intellectually fulfilling

Afterwards, I went up to him and took a picture with him, and he signed my bible !!!!!!!!!!!  Such a cool guy!

I should go to his other session tonight and ask him really tough questions :D:D:D

I want to believe in them. I want to know that my love will one day come for me. And that when he comes, he’ll come indeed (in-deed), not just in words.  And false promises.

1. Devoted to the Lord. Christian singles were devoted to the Lord. They praise and honor God every single moment of their life. They have great love and fears to the Lord—things we wish a person have.

2. Long-term relationship. With these singles you have an assurance of having a long-term relationship because when it comes to love they take it seriously. They are sincere and faithful to their chosen partner.

3. Responsible enough. Most of the Christian singles especially men are responsible enough. They are not the type of person that would go away of their responsibilities. In short, they are responsible with their obligations to you.

4. Family. When it comes to family issue they were well-oriented with this. They really value this. Not to mention that they were considered as one of the perfect mother/father to your children and the perfect wife/husband to you.

5. Conservative (women). Most of Christian singles especially women are so conservative. They value their dignity and physical purity. For these singles, saving sex for their spouse is the perfect gift that they could give.

6. TRUE LOVE. The most important thing that Christian singles can give. They will really take care of your heart and promise to give you a happy ending love story.

7. Loyalty. Unlike other singles, these people are loyal to their love ones. When they have a promise they gonna keep it as they can. They want trust to each other.

8. Loving. Most of them are sweet, loving and caring to their partner. They will protect and comfort you always.

9. The total respect. Christian singles have a total respect to their partner. Even your family, friends and relatives will be treated as part of his/her family too. They will understand and respect your decisions ( if possible ) and learn to love each others weaknesses.

10. Willing to relocate. You can have these singles in your side everytime you want because for the sake of love and marriage these Christian singles are willing to relocate. They love to spend their time and life with you.

What do you do,
When you’ve worn your heart on your sleeve?
When you’ve set your eyes one only one thing?

What do you do,
When you know for sure he is the one
Yet you hear everywhere “no, it is not time”?

What do you do,
When you feel like running to give him a hug?
When you know it can only be done in your mind?

What do you do,
When everything inside of you cries yes
But everything outside whispers no?

What do you do?

To sit next to you in a car ride

To fight with you over who drank all the milk

To iron your shirts

To play-wrestle with you

I’d like to talk with you every single day

I’d like to ask you what you think about my outfit

I’d like to stare into those green eyes unashamedly

But today, it seems I’ll have to settle with less

Today, I’ll only ask you how you are doing

I’ll  smile politely and give you a kiss

A kiss on the cheek, just like every one else

I’ll never stop dreaming and wishing. Even when today I feel I am living unfulfilled, I will remember today is still a gift and a dream come true. A dream come true because I know him. A dream come true because I have hope.