Rings

I decided to start this cool idea... Everyone is wearing promise rings these days and I thought I'd expound on that. Here's why:

During the time of the Roman empire, whenever men would go off to war they'd give their wives their wedding rings. In case they died in battle, the soldiers didn't want their rings to become enemy plunder. So, while the men were away fighting, the wives would keep the rings and wear them as thumb-rings.

With that tradition in mind, I decided to start wearing a thumb-ring. Whenever I meet Mr. Right I'll give him the ring as an engagement present.

Now, odds are that your thumb probably isn't the same size as your some-day-fiancee's (my Mom's thumb is a size 7 while my Dad's ring finger is a size 10). But still, it's a cool idea! All this time, you've been waiting to give this gift to the guy you'll be spending the rest of your life with!


Since I am hoping that the ring will fit my future husband, I got a less feminine ring than I probably wold have otherwise gotten. It doesn't have to be super macho or wide, but I does need to look like something a guy would consider wearing. (Here's a picture of mine. It's stainless steel, but maybe one day I'll upgrade :D)


For the guys out there, perhaps you could consider wearing a special necklace for her. Once again, it doesn't have to be super girly or so fragile you're afraid it will break while you play sports! But it does have to look like something a girl would consider wearing; here are some suggestions...

I'm a total, "It's the thought that counts!" Really, people, it doesn't have to be platinum with a million bucks of diamonds in it. And -- to you dudes out there especially! -- as long as it won't break or make you turn green, we'll really be happy with it! It's not the price or material that matters, but the idea that you were thinking about us.

And don't forget! Never take it off! =)

Clicking on the images will make them larger. Also, if you decide to join this "movement" leave a comment below! The one of the biggest lies that the enemy tries to push on us is that, "You're the only one."

Fruits of the Spirit: Peace

Here's the next one in the series: Peace! I hope you enjoy! And I always want your feedback!





Fruits: Peace







Joy, Peace, Patience

Fruits of the Spirit: Joy

I've been faithfully writing for my magazine, and right now I'm doing a series called... you got it! Fruits! I thought I'd post a link to them here (if enough of you hit me to post the actual article I will :D) but right now I want to put all credit in the magazine. So, here it is -- and don't forget, I love hearing your comments!



Fruits: Joy








Joy, Peace, Patience

The Luxe

Title: The Luxe Series

Rating/Review:
Language (1 being clean, 10 being cuss-a-thon) - 8, several d--n's, hell's, bastard, and b---h

Morality (1 being righteous, 10 being hethanistic) - 9, these girls think nothing of their virginity. The first guy they fall in love with, they sleep with. The series paints the picture that it's okay to have sex before marriage or extra-marital sex, as long as you really do love the person (we can see a billion theological problems with that statement RIGHT THERE!) There are at least two sex scenes, MANY kisses, and a host of other problems!

Violence (1 being clean, 10 being a blood bath) - 2, I don't believe there is any actual "violence", but there is verbal abuse, backstabbing, viscous scheming and plotting.

Theme (1 being righteous, 10 being satanic) - 6, this book takes place in the Victorian era, where keeping a clean, high-society image is a must. But these characters have no problem being lying adulteresses.

Over-all interest and read-ability (1 being terrible, 10 being amazing) - 9, unfortunately, this is a very well written book. By the world's standards, an "enthralling read," but the repeated abuse of modesty, morality, and truth make it quite poisonous.

Plot Summary: (I'm going to due a HUGE sum up, because this is such a twisted plot!) Elizabeth, Penelope, Diana, and Carolina live in 1899 Manhattan, and play at gossip, slander, and backstabbing to get the men that they desire.

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Chivalry

One of my favorite bloggers just posted this...

Let's Talk Chivalry

I LOVE IT!!!! Comment for her if you will, I love her writing.

My thoughts are: I just really want to simply encourage you guys out there. I know it's not easy -- really, believe me, I know it's not! I once heard a guy speak and he said, "Guys just want to know the answer to a life-long question, 'What do you girls want?!?'" It can't be easy when one girl get mad that you open a door while another gets mad that you don't. It's tough, and scary, and dangerous.

But then, when does the culture dictate what's right and what's not? if we lived by the culture, it would be fine for girls to walk around with their entire midriff exposed and guys to sleep around every other day... But we KNOW that's not right. It's at that point that we have to say, "Whether I get cussed out or thanked is not the point. Whether I'm being the best representative of Christ or not is the ultimate point."

When I'm at work, I make it a point to call everyone (no matter their age) Mr., Mrs., or Miss. Some of my co-workers can't stand it! But, under no circumstances will I change my behavior. When someone gives me a hard time about it I just say, "Mrs. Smith, I would never, under any circumstances, deny you the honor and respect you deserve by NOT calling you by your title." Once again, whether they deserve respect or not isn't the point. I'm being an example of Christ.

So why? Why should we go through all this trouble, if nothing ever happens? If all we ever get is criticism and never thanks; why even bother? Why not just stand back -- not deliberately be rude, but not going out of your way to be a gentleman? Think of it like this... If you see a girl dressing immodestly what kind of guy will she attract, and what do you think of her? She probably won't attract very godly guys, and you probably don't think she's a godly girl. However, if you see a girl going out of her way to dress modestly -- putting up with teasing and the extra work of finding modest clothes -- then what? Your perception of her changes. She suddenly becomes a very godly girl and will attract not just godly guys, but godly people in general! It works the same way with being a gentle man. By never doing anything that sets you apart as a gentleman, you will probably not attract a group of godly people. However, if you put foreword the extra effort, and put up with the teasing, eventually you will attract a godly girl -- and not just that, but godly PEOPLE!

John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also."

I'm not gong to sugar coat it, I probably don't need to. It won't be easy or simple trying to be the godly gentlemen God has called you to be. Some would ask, "Why even try then? If it's so hard, and most of it to no avail, why should I even put forward the effort? Just to get my face slapped?" I have one very simple reason (several actually)...

#1 Because God has called you to be a representative of Him. Anything you can do to be a better example of Christ, isn't it REASONABLE to do it?

#2 Even if all of your earthy works are in vain, every time you did just a little bit extra gives you heavenly rewards. If you live a 100 miserable years on earth, doing everything God asked of you, but no human noticed, it still pails when we get to the year 500 zillion in heaven!

#3 No act of gentlemanliness, no matter how small, ever goes completely un-noticed.

Sirena

Title: Sirena

Rating/Review:
Language (1 being clean, 10 being cuss-a-thon) - 6, there are a number of d--n's

Morality (1 being righteous, 10 being hethanistic) - 10, the main characters never wears clothes, there are several sexual connotations (including an actual "sex scene".) There is also constant mis-trust between Sirena and her husband.

Violence (1 being clean, 10 being a blood bath) - 5, there is a "cat fight" between the main character, Sirena, and her sisters. Several men drown, and there is a fight between a man and bear.

Theme (1 being righteous, 10 being satanic) - 8, this book very accurately follows ancient Greek mythology. There is no salvation by grace (but there is by works, according to the book D:<) and it takes place at the beginning of the Trojan war.

Over-all interest and read-ability (1 being terrible, 10 being amazing) - 2, the writing style of is book is very boring. Very little happens, there is no excitement. Very poor reading.

Plot Summary: Sirena is a siren seeking immortality. She may only become immortal if a man sleeps with her, but being a siren, she believes no man will love her because of her fish half. She rescues a man from drowning and helps heal his persistent wound. They end up living together, giving Sirena her immortality. A ship arrives in need of the man's help to kill Achilles in the Trojan war. Sirena allows him to leave, never to see him again.

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Highlighting

So, when you've found an awesome passage in scripture that you want to highlight, what do you do? Do you take a marker and highlight? Do you underline?

I have a much better solution! When you highlight with markers, the ink usually soaks through the page; and when you underline, the text becomes difficult to read -- or you end up underlining THROUGH the words. What's the fix? Colored pencils.

You heard me! Go to any Walmart, buy a $3 12 pack of Crayola pencils! They erase! They highlight! And no messy underlining! Here is my "Super Secret" Color code so that you can know at a glance what passages you're looking for!

Red: Headlines, Promises, Commands
Light Blue: General Highlight
Pink: Character of God
Yellow: Wisdom/Foolishness
Green: Wealth/Money/Poverty
Brown: Righteousness/Wickedness
Orange: Family
Violet: Old Testament Prophesy of Jesus

The Juliet Club

Title: The Juliet Club

Rating/Review:
Language (1 being clean, 10 being cuss-a-thon) - 4 the use the word "damnable" once

Morality (1 being righteous, 10 being hethanistic) - 5 there are three kisses shared between the main characters, and one scene where a girl goes to a party in an immodest dress. Giacomo is presented to be a lady's man. Both Kate and Giacomo are from divorced families. Silvia is rebelling against her parents.

Violence (1 being clean, 10 being a blood bath) - 2 there is a re-enactment of a sword fight

Theme (1 being righteous, 10 being satanic) - 3, there is no "Christianity" described in the book, however, with that said, it was a very moral book. There are scenes where Giacomo talks to a Catholic saint in his prayers (instead of Jesus Christ).

Over-all interest and read-ability (1 being terrible, 10 being amazing) - 8, this story was very entertaining, and believable. The characters try to help sort out love-questions, and on the way, find out what their hearts are really searching for.

Plot Summary: Kate is a very practical girl. Everything is logical and precise. When she wins a contest to study Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet's city of Verona, she must learn that not everything must be "short, concise and to the point." With fellow Americans Lucy and Tom they meet Italians: Giacomo, Benno, and Silvia, they eventually become entangled in a romantic mess of their own.

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."