STATUS QUO

Thanks to my girl "Something Special" over at Speak Responsibly, reading her most recent post "Know the Speed Limit" gave me some ideas to write this article.

STATUS QUO by definition means: The existing condition or state of affairs.

My question to you is do you live your life "status quo"? What is your life a representation of? Does it represent the world in which we live in today? Or do you live your life according to the standard that is set by God? After reading an article over at Speak Responsibly I realized that a lot of people are living their lives according to the "norm". People nowadays just go with the flow. Whatever has become normal the people of today's society are OK with it. Remember when back in the day TV shows didn't even show married couples sleeping in the same bed? Now not only do you see them sleeping in the same bed, but you see them acting out sex in what they call a PG-13 film, which is supposed to be appropriate for children! Is that the norm that you live your life by? Who's standard do you measure yourself against? Is it the world's or is it God's?

You know it's funny how as society becomes relaxed and comfortable with the direction that we're moving in, those that happen to hold on the values and morals that were instilled in us in the past are considered to be out of touch. It's one thing to be out of touch with reality or being naive and a completely different thing to just choose not to live according to other people standards. We weren't put here in order to be people pleasers and tickle someone else's fancy. We were put here to serve God and be an example for those that do not know Him. We as Christians, have to set the standard, we have to live differently in order to set ourselves apart the way that God already has, otherwise how can one tell the difference between us and someone who isn't saved?

A lot of people out there who don't go to church, say they don't go because the church is filled with a bunch of hypocrites. They do what they want from Monday through Saturday but come Sunday morning they are tongue talking, bible quoting, "holy rollers" for the Lord! We have got to stop! How can we expect people to want to follow God and do what His will commands for us to do, if we as His people are setting a poor example? None of us are perfect, and I know that better than anybody. There are times where I look at myself and say why am I doing this, I know better?! There are also times where I see where I was and where I am and realize how easy it is to fall back into the ways of the world. See salvation is a process that is on going. We as born again believers may not change "outwardly" over night. Our souls are instantly changed, but it takes our flesh more time to catch up. The great thing about the God we serve is He is a loving God, He is compassionate and He is patient. Though through our walk we may at times go stray, we can never go too far off course before He calls us to come back home. I can remember times in my life, where I was so far from His will that I couldn't hear His voice speak to my spirit anymore, but just when I got to my lowest point, I heard Him call out for me.

So even when we get sucked back in to the world, He always knows when to reel us back in. There is never a reason that it is OK to just live your life according to the norm or "status quo". We have a standard, God's standard, that we are called to live. So I challenge you all to look at your life and measure yourself to determine who's standards are you living according to.... the world's or God's?

Thank you for joining me at The "J" Spot.

Daddy's Girl aka MzCeo

SINGLE, SAVED AND SEX

I thought a lot today about what I wanted to talk about and the topic that kept jumping out at me was Single, Saved and Sex. I think this topic kept popping into my head because this is one that is dear to my heart. There are a lot of young saved, single men and women out there that continue to battle with the struggle of having premarital sex. Some of them truly don't know that they are wrong to have sex outside of marriage and the ones who may have had abstinence taught to them didn't understand why they were being told to wait and thought that it was simply another thing that our parents didn't want us to do!

As a parent it's also quite discouraging to tell a child to wait on having sex when it's all around them. Today's society is choc' full o' sex!!! As they say "sex sells" and because of this, nearly everything thing sold on the market place has some kind of sexual overtone or undertone. When it's being marketed to women it's a softer sex, more romantic and sensual and when being marketed to a man, it's more overt and blatant. Either way we're being sold sex in a bottle in some way shape or form. Sex is in every genre of entertainment i. e. music, movie, etc. How do we not have sex when it seems like everyone around you is doing it? It seems so enjoyable so why not? I guess a question I could ask, is it possible to be single, saved and not have sex until marriage?

The answer is yes indeed!

I personally had an issue with being saved, a single woman and sex. I was raised to not have sex until marriage but I don't recall ever really being explained why not except for "because I said so!" or "you just don't!" As a young adult it left me curious as to why is something that is obviously natural not ok for me to do? I kind of thought that I was being left out of the loop, like it was one huge conspiracy plan against me! I think that we need to not be so inhibited with our children to not give them further explanation of why we say not to do something. I think children are pretty reasonable and if they have a question about why they shouldn't do something, they are just trying to rationalize and they want to make an informed decision and we shouldn't avoid talking to them because we are embarrassed by the topic. We need to not be afraid to speak of the true meaning and purpose for sex and why it was created for a husband and a wife to share not just to be done casually as sex has now become.

Women this is for you: To have intercourse with someone it's an exchange of emotion, fluids and "spiritual essence." I say this because if we look at the very act of sex, men have an external organ and women an internal organ. The man is the giver while the woman receives the man into her body. When a man and woman have sex there is an exchange and he leaves a bit of himself with her. Also, being that the act of sex was reserved only for husband and wife, when you have sex, legally married or not, God sees you as married! To casually have sex with multiple partners is now adultery. Not only is there the adultery that you have to contend with but it's the multiple partners that are left deposited in to your spirit that you have to deal with. Women, you pray for the right man, you pray and ask God to send you your husband, but how can he when you have no room left in your spirit to receive him? You've given yourself casually to men and committed yourself to them by engaging in an act that was sanctified only for marriage, you have tied God's hands. You have to purge yourself of the relations that you've had with men, clean yourself out and cling back to your one true love so that He can prepare you and make room for your husband.

When I asked myself now that I'm saved and I'm still single how am I going to find my husband and not have sex? God led me to read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. What that passage talks about is what I just got finished explaining. The act of sex unites a man and woman making them "one flesh" to indulge in sexual immorality is committing sin against your own body. Your body wasn't made for your own indulgence your body was made for Him. Your body is the temple of God. You were bought at a high price, your body isn't your own. Therefore honor God with your body. When I dissect this and meditate on it even further, when you think about it, we were purchased by the blood of Jesus. It cost Him his life and it was the spilling of His blood that has covered me and allowed me to be set free from bondage. He's now with me always, living on the inside of me. How can I dishonor him? How can I pollute His dwellings after He laid His life down for me? If all I have to do is keep my temple pure to please Him then that's what I'll do. Just the insight and the understanding of why I shouldn't have sex until marriage was enough for me to say ok, I will not continue to give myself up freely to someone undeserving. I will purge myself and make room for my husband and give myself only to him.

So ladies, before you allow yourselves to lay down with another man, first think to yourself if you can see yourself being married to him, because you will be. Also, let the thought of if you like everything about him because as we found out, during the act of sex a man deposits his essence in the woman's body leaving himself behind. If you only like what he looks like and he has nothing of substance on the inside then think again because you will be carrying him around with you whether you like it or not! What is most important, is realize who lives on the inside of you. Acknowledge Him in all your ways. Acknowledge His presence and respect that He is there and that you are to honor your body and keep His temple Holy.

How to date and remain abstinent?
Date someone who shares the same beliefs as you do.
Talk about it and set boundaries early on in the relationship.
Date in groups.
Pray
Study the Word
Don't put yourself in an uncompromising situation.

Remember, with every temptation the Lord will make a way of escape.

I hope that you have enjoyed another episode of The "J" Spot with yours truly- Daddy's Girl

Peace & Blessings

WHAT IS LOVE?

By the world's standards and definition LOVE is a feeling. When you are in love with a person it releases certain endorphins in the body and causes feelings of euphoria. You are so high on this surge of emotion that this other person evokes that the word love is often equated to that feeling.

To me love is a choice, it isn't just a feeling of euphoria. I think that you choose to love a person in spite of who they are. Think about it... None of us walking this earth are perfect. We all have faults, some more prevalent than others, but we ALL have flaws. There is someone out there who loves us despite the imperfections that we see in ourselves. You all have spouses, significant others, children, friends, family members that love you in spite of who you are.

I think that love is not selfish. Love makes each and every one of us put our best foot forward. Love makes you want to do anything to please that person. Love doesn't seek out it's own selfish gain. You don't think in the back of your mind, what am I going to get out of loving this person? You give your heart to someone because you choose to.

Love is still love even when there may be dissension between a couple. When the feeling of anger replaces the bliss of love for the time being does that mean you love eachother any less? No it doesn't, simply because love isn't just a feeling. Feelings can change with as easily as the wind blows. Our feelings can lead us astray. Love is a choice, it's an action, it's something that is always evolving and growing.

Love is giving, love is kind, it's gentle and sweet, love is patient, love doesn't hurt. I think our one true example of love being all these things is the love that God showed us when He came down from glory, removed Himself from His throne, clothed himself in flesh to be our sacrifice so that we may have life everlasting. Can you imagine growing up your whole life knowing the death that you would have to die for people who didn't even like you, for people who didn't just not like you but were your enemy? Mothers, can you imagine giving your only child up for the sake of a bunch of undeserving strangers who didn't even know your child? How much can someone love another if they are willing to sacrifice their one and only son. That is called AGAPE love, that is the ultimate kind of love.

Each and every day I try to love with that kind of love. I love unselfishly, not expecting anything in return. I give wholeheartedly, I try to live according the Word that says love is quick to listen and slow to anger. I try to love with a love that doesn't have conditions. I don't judge and I love in spite one's imperfections. I love with my mind and not just my heart. So when I think about what is love? I think that love is kind and sweet, simple and complex, strong, dynamic, overpowering, all encompassing, easy and of free will.

So my word tonight for all those out there who aren't sure what love is I suggest you study the bible on love and you'll see real love in action from genesis to revelation.

Peace & Blessings