Tag: bible

On My Heart | The Church: Love it or Leave it

Posted on by Laura Coulier in Blog Series, Holy Living, On My Heart

I have been known (at least in my own heart) to have a chip on my shoulder criticizing how churches operate: Why do all the pastors sit together instead of spreading out in the sanctuary? Why aren’t the pastors mingling with strangers? Why don’t those worship leaders go hangout with a loner in the back? And so on. But at one-point years ago in my grumbling to God about church operations, He so kindly reminded me that though I am not paid to do so, I am a part of the body…so if my heart is so strong in reaching out to people, why am I not the one doing exactly what I think they should do? 

The dream that you wish will come true… but what if it doesn’t?

Posted on by Ashley Giovannucci in Fantasies and Fairytales, Holy Living

Despite what Disney tells us, a happy life isn't about all your wishes coming true, it's about the motives of your heart. What are you wishing for in the first place?
John Piper says,"We can live for our will or God’s will, or we could have our passions so transformed that we need not choose between the two."
If the desire of your heart are properly aligned with God's will, when you love what he loves, when you want what he wants, that's the real dream come true.

Happily ever after…will there be marriage in heaven?

Posted on by Alyssa Nicole in Fantasies and Fairytales, Relationships, Sexuality

Is there marriage in heaven? If it is such a good and beautiful thing, shouldn’t it last for all of eternity? I was always puzzled and upset by Jesus’ response. My idea of the perfect fairytale had me believing that marriage was the ultimate.

Why Sex with Your Boyfriend Isn’t Love| Time for the Sex Talk

Posted on by Ashley Giovannucci in Relationships, Sexuality, Time for the Sex Talk

Love makes it okay to have sex. I’ve heard that line more times than I can count. But, no matter how good it sounds, I can’t find it anywhere in the Bible.

In fact 2 Timothy 2:22 urges us to flee from youthful passions so we can pursue love instead.

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22).”

Clothing Ourselves With Strength and Dignity in a Sex Saturated Culture | Time for the Sex Talk

Posted on by Alyssa Nicole in Body Image, Modesty, Sexuality, Time for the Sex Talk

It was a Friday night and my mom and I were going to be the only family members at home, so we decided that it would be a good time to watch a chick flick. I grabbed my phone and pulled up my notes app where I had a list of movies that people had recommended. But before picking any random movie off the list, I looked up reviews about each movie to see if their content was wholesome (I’ve learned by now not to trust just any suggestion!). I read review after review and wasn’t comfortable with what I saw. I finally gave up and asked myself for what must have been the millionth time, are there any good chick flicks without a slew of sexual innuendos, dirty language, and scenes where women are portrayed as sex objects?

Lessons Learned the Hard Way | Growing Pains

Posted on by Across My Heart in Growing Pains, Holy Living

This month we set out on a journey to explore the rocky road of each other's life lessons. We shared the heartache, the embarrassing stories, and the things we wish we had known when we were younger. As women, we have a lot of pressures surrounding us and a lot mistakes to be made. But we also have a lot to learn from each other if we only take the time to listen.

Rolling with it. Period. | Growing Pains

Posted on by Mandi Mauer in Growing Pains

This is one of those growing pains every women remember, getting their period for the first time.

Without going into too much detail, I knew what was happening when mine first started, but I was too embarrassed to tell my mom about it.  I was actually out of town and my Great Aunt (amazing woman) helped set me up with all the necessary feminine hygiene products, and after that I kept it a secret. I stored my newly acquired pads in the closet and didn’t say a word to my mom when I got home.

This burned me up on the inside.  I felt like I was keeping some deep dark secret, that my mom should know about.

I’ve Got an Attitude in My Heart | Growing Pains

Posted on by Amber Impellizzeri in Growing Pains

Warm, winter light filled the little Chinese restaurant with its golden glow. As my family enjoyed their lunch, the sun wasn’t the only thing in the room beaming. I was deeply engaged in conversation with my parents about the upcoming science fair. I was in 8th grade, in love with everything science, and thrilled to be able to show off my knowledge at the school fair. The question of whether I would place in the competition wasn’t even a question in my mind. The actual question was where I would place: First? Second? Or maybe third?

Striving after the Wind | Growing Pains

Posted on by Kaela Kaiser in Growing Pains, Holy Living, Identity

I wasted so many hours striving after things that ultimately led to heartache. I spent so much time, effort, and energy on my desires, but thing after thing would fail. I wasn’t able to live a life full of joy. Instead, I was bogged down by seeking things that the I thought would bring happiness. And the truth is, what I wanted would bring me happiness--temporarily.

Not Everybody Wants to Be My Friend | Growing Pains

Posted on by Ashley Giovannucci in Growing Pains, Holy Living, Identity

As an unapologetic optimist, I used to assume the best about people which made me an unfortunate judge of character. Sometimes I honestly couldn't identify fake friends from real ones. But the sarcastic words? The little insults? They were the hundred paper cuts that eventually made me bleed.

I had to learn the hard way that not everyone likes Ashley. And some people never will.