God's Design

This post is mature in nature. Fair warning!
About 6 months ago, we wrapped up a series at church called Lovers. It was virtually a series on sex...got your attention now? I strongly encourage you to go check it out here.

The series really gripped me. While I'm not married or dating anyone, it spoke to me so deeply.

[I'm going to get pretty transparent here]

I am a 33 year old virgin. (Yes, we do exist). However, my thoughts and actions haven't always been as pure as I would have liked for them to be and I justified things because I wasn't having sex. That's the important thing right? [cough, cough]

Of course there are some things I regret, but I know I serve a God who has long forgiven me for those things the moment I confessed them.

But then I heard something that put it all into perspective.

[Get ready...here comes the "mature" stuff!]

When God created us, he hardwired our brains (literally) to be physically matched with one person. Meaning when we experience sexual release (the big "O"...can you believe we talked about this in church?!) our brains are hardwired, linked, connected to that person.  However, when we experience that with someone (or something) other than our spouse, our brain does the exact same thing but it connects to the act...not a person. This is why affairs, pornography, etc are so addicting because you begin chasing the act, not a person. The experience, not your spouse, is imprinted in your brain.

God's way is so much better than the short term, temporary pleasures.  Thank you God for your design.  Your good and perfect design!

Friends

Just a little laughter to brighten up your Monday. Some of my all time favorite scenes from my all time favorite show, Friends.











Did your favorite make the list?

Fractured Fairy Tales

We just finished up a series at church called Fractured Fairy Tales.  It has been a godsend.  Such a timely message for me.  Here's a little teaser for you:

Fractured Fairy Tales: Coming August 8 2010 from Mountain Lake Church on Vimeo.

My fairy tale is definitely not how I had pictured it would be.   While my life has been nothing short of blessings after blessings, I can tell you right now that I didn't expect to still be single at 33 (almost 34...gulp).  That's not the way the fairy tale works, right?  I'm supposed to be married by now.  I'm supposed to be serving in ministry with my husband.  And I'm pretty sure I should have a couple of kids by now.

But I'm not the only one with fractures.

During this series, we looked at different Bible characters who had some major fractures in their fairy tale.  

But the characters who stood out to me the most were 3 guys who had a fracture in their fairy tale.  And in comparison, my fractures seem like a tiny crack.

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego were 3 friends who faced the biggest fracture of their lifetime.  When they were forced to choose between obeying the king or honoring God, they chose God.  But this came at a price...their life.

The king ordered them to be thrown into the furnace.  The furnace was so hot, that the guards transporting them to the furnace were burned alive in the process.

Imagine walking to your death.  Knowing you're going to be burned alive...all for the cause of Christ.  That must have been the longest walk ever.  Ever.   

Now, we all know that fairy tales end with "happily ever after".  Right?  So how wonderful would it have been if God came down during that long walk to the furnace and rescued Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego?  Talk about a "happily ever after"!  

But then comes the fracture.

No rescue.  No knight on a white horse.  These three were thrown into the furnace.  

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown INTO the fire, then God showed up.   

He showed up!  IN the fire.  He met them where they were.  He walked around with them.  He was present with them.

Sometimes God delivers us FROM the furnace, but sometimes He delivers us IN the furnace.

Those three boys walked out of that furnace with no physical reminders of where they had been.  No burns, no smell of smoke, not a hair was singed.  The only thing they left with was an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness.

And that's what I take away.   In the midst of my "furnace" of loneliness, HE is with me.  HE is walking with me.  HE is present with me.

If I just take my eyes off of the flames, then I'll see Jesus! 

If you have fractures in your fairy tale, I highly recommend watching the Fractured Fairy Tales series here.

Saturday Stumbles

It always seems that most of the posts I stumble tend to be food! And this week is no different....although there is a random party idea post at the end!

Wingless Buffalo Chicken Pizza -- Eaten to rave reviews!
Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas -- I'm a sucker for any kind of mexican food!
 Chipotle Chicken Pasta -- Can't wait to try this one.
Chicken & White Bean Stuffed Peppers -- Yum!
{apparently there's a chicken theme going on here!}
Twirly Lemon Cookies -- Because there's always room for dessert!
Cupcake in a Cup -- SUPER cute (and cheap) gift idea that looks more elaborate than it really is!
Gender Reveal Party -- This is just the cutest (yes, I realize I over use that word) thing yet.  Take note that I WILL be doing this...one day ;)
For more Saturday Stumbles, visit It's Come 2 This.