Pure Magazine

Playing House: Not a Game

http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/moving_in_before_marriage_m.jpg" width="131" height="197" />

Image borrowed from:

http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/moving_in_before_marriage_m.jpg" target="_blank">http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:8hNFFTFpG3KcHM:http://cdn.thefrisky.com/images/uploads/moving_in_before_marriage_m.jpg

Time and time again, I keep hearing of unmarried couples that are in a cohabitating relationship. The common things you hear are, "Well, how are we supposed to know if we're compatible for marriage unless we live together first?" and "You really see someone's true colors when you live together. Just dating doesn't tell you enough." The problem with this thinking is that now instead of going into a marriage with a clean slate, you are training yourself to think like a month-to-month renter instead of a dedicated and committed spouse. Most importantly, you aren't just living in denial, you are living in sin.

The Test

The reason we say the term, "playing house" is because to most people, living together is a very casual thing. In turn, they make the commitment (if there is one at all), the sex, and even their partner a casual thing as well. What most people don't realize is that there is so much more to marriage than just living together.

A couple that is merely pretending to be married has no serious commitment. They TEST each other to see if they are compatible. If someone fails, the relationship is over. However, according to Willard F. Harley, Jr., Ph.D. , author of His Needs, Her Needs: Building An Affair-proof Marriage, "a newly married couple makes a deliberate effort to accommodate each other, because they know their relationship will be for life. They want to BUILD compatibility, not TEST it."

Image borrowed from:

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/8/13/1250164466461/Cohabitation-illustration-006.jpg

The Statistics

According to "Cohabitation Before Marriage", by Joseph M. Champlin,

"The number of unmarried couples living together in the United States has geometrically increased during the past four decades. In 1960 there were 439,000; by 1984 the number had jumped to 1,988,000; in 1998 the Census Bureau figure stood at 4,200,000." This is no surprise, considering it's all we see on T.V. these days. How many times have you seen a show where an unmarried couple is living together? Probably more than you can count.

What causes this rapid growth, you might ask? Champlin goes on to say numerous reasons, including: the introduction of explicit sexual scenes in films and television; a common toleration...." This is so true. In this day and age, you are almost seen as a bigot for following the word of God: which includes not supporting things of the devil (such as living together before marriage). The common toleration that Champlin discusses is very true.  Researcher, Pamela Smock stated in an article by Sharon Jayson, USA TODAY, "Cohabitation has become a common experience in people's lives."

Image borrowed from:

http://oregondivorceblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/istock_000004698338xsmall.jpg

Another study, by Rich Deem ("Is Living Together Before Marriage a Good Idea?"), says, "The data shows that people who have multiple cohabiting relationships before marriage are more likely to experience:

• more negative communication in marriage
• lower levels of marital satisfaction
• the erosion over time of the perceived value of marriage
• higher perceived marital instability
• lower levels of male commitment to spouse
• greater likelihood of divorce than people who do not cohabit before marriage"

Is living together still the smart and practical decision? Are you really protecting yourself from the harms of divorce, or are you creating a whole new game of pain?

God's Protection Plan

Image borrowed from:

http://sunshinecoastcelebrants.com/images/WeddingRing.jpg

If the practical reasons aren't enough, then how about the spiritual reasons?

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

God gave us the Bible as a guideline for our lives. It is meant to protect us from what Satan wants to do. He wants to STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY. We've already established that by living together before marriage, you place your heart in a vulnerable position. Once your heart is there, it gives the devil a foothold.

Ephesians 4:27

and do not give the devil a foothold.

Even if you are not having a sexual relationship with your boyfriend/girlfriend and you are living together, you are placing yourself in temptation, which is giving the devil a foothold. Once the foothold is there, he will take full advantage of your situation so that he can fulfill his plan. He will STEAL, KILL, AND DESTROY whatever he can.

Image borrowed from:

http://www.surtec.com/Bilder/protection.jpg

1 Corinthians 6:13

"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

Galatians 5:19

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” 

Conclusion

I can say it over and over again, I can list every reason why, but what it comes down to is whether you care about God's word or not. Do you care about pleasing God?

The world says that it's no big deal to live together before marriage because that is what they actually believe. They don't see the long-term consequences of their behavior because Satan has a way of blinding people to the truth. But, here's the truth: living together outside of marriage is dangerous territory. It shows that you don't respect your heart, you don't respect God, and you don't respect the person you are with.

My husband lived with someone he wasn't married to before we got married, and it put a strain on our marriage in the beginning. Thankfully, we each have God in our lives to help us through it. But, even he will say that he regrets his old lifestyle and now sees the pain that it caused. From personal experience, I can tell you that marriage is worth it. I can also tell you that you should respect your future spouse by waiting until marriage to have sex. If you already have or are already living with your boyfriend/girlfriend, I recommend that you start making your relationship right. It might be a good idea to include your pastor or someone in the church that you can trust to help you remain accountable in your relationship.

This article is not meant to be condemning. It is meant to show you the pain that Satan is trying to put you through. He is trying to harm you and your future spouse and children.

I again challenge you to take the high road. It may be difficult. You may face ridicule. You may face temptation. But, I would rather face all of that now, than to face God in the end.

Let's all try to please God in everything we do.

Sexism in the Media

Have you ever been on the "Strip" in Las Vegas? Well as a resident, I can tell you that if you want an example of sexism in the media, this is the place to be. Everywhere you look, there are images of boobs, butts, abs, thighs, seductive eyes, and girls licking their lips. They can be found on trucks, cars, billboards, posters, fliers, and even in person as you walk through a casino. I guess the saying fits that "Sex sells".

Now what is the problem with this? The answer is that there are MANY problems caused by sexism in the media. One of my largest concerns is that both men and women end up feeling extremely confused about who they are and who they SHOULD BE or NEED TO BE.

Take a look at these images.

What do these images say to you? So far, only one photo even shows the woman's face, and really that isn't the main thing one looks at anyway. So far, with these four photos alone, these women are known as "Bikini Girl", "Booby nurse lady", "Burger King Slut", and "Bootilicious Levi girl". Do these women have names? Do they have a full, complete body? Yes! Are we seeing that? No!

According to "Sexism in the Media", written by Karen Harper, "Magazines often show only pieces of a woman, such as her legs, or torso so that women are seen as pieces of a human being, reduced to only body parts, which are usually hyper sexualized for male stimulation."

Is that true? Is the media really stooping to such a level as to reduce women to only body parts? You be the judge. Let's look at some more photos found in the media.

"Booby Lady" and "Leggy Girl" are back! Are you starting to see a pattern here? Karen Harper noted "Webster’s Dictionary defines sexism as 'attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of sexual roles' or 'discrimination or devaluation based on a person’s sex." Are women only good to look at? Are they only good for sex?

What About Men?

One thing that most men would find insulting about the idea of Sexism in the Media is that most critics are women and most often fail to note the false portrayal of men in the media as well. They too have been wrongly discriminated against. Take a look at most popular T.V. shows that have a married couple as the main characters. For example, in "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "King of Queens", the husband is portrayed as incredibly stupid and insensitive. Raymond can't seem to tie his shoes without Deborah's permission and/or instruction and Doug always seems to mess things up in every episode and has to fix it before Carey finds out.

How about men's body image? How many magazines show men that have gone "Soft" in the midsection or have lost some hair? Not too many, if any at all. Most Magazines show men as lean, mean, fighting (and sexing) machines. Young men that look at those images want to be like those images so women will love them.

 On another note, this problem makes it more difficult for men to even relate to women. According to Harper's article, "From boyhood, men are sent the message that women are here for their pleasure and that they are primarily commodities for their consumption. If this idea is completely internalized, it makes men unable to connect with women in any but the most superficial way, and cuts them off from a deeper understanding of both themselves and women."

It is not fair to assume that women are the only victims here. However, the statistics show that women are affected on a much deeper level.

What are the Results?

According to Karen Harper's article, "Up to 80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance. Much of the marketing of the ideal woman is targeted at women directly. Women’s magazines, both in articles and advertisements (and it is often difficult to distinguish the two) carry a lot of ideas about the ideal woman. In addition 1 out of every 3.8 television commercials carries some sort of “attractiveness message. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that 82% of all cosmetic surgical procedures are performed on women. The most common procedures are liposuction, breast augmentation, nose reshaping and eyelid surgery. In the years from 1992 to 2003 total cosmetic surgical procedures increased by 192% with breast augmentation increasing by 657% and liposuction by 412%.Some 81% of ten year-old girls are afraid of being fat and 51% of 9 and 10 year-olds feel better about themselves if they are on a diet. Of normal dieters, about 5-6% will progress to partial or full syndrome eating disorders. Eating disorders often start for women in their teen and pre-teen years, and represent an extreme attempt to control one's body. It may not seem such a distorted priority to young girls to achieve the perfect body through self-punishing starvation or vomiting when record numbers of adult women are voluntarily subjecting themselves to invasive surgeries. Now this process is being accelerated and normalized through TV shows such as Extreme Makeovers and The Swan. Here, mostly women are shown going through a series of major cosmetic surgeries. In The Swan a prize goes to the best makeover." I felt the need to use such a large quote, because it is so powerful. There is no way I can use these statistics in any better way.

Think of a ten-year-old girl. Imagine what is going through her mind when she is AFRAID of being FAT. Honestly, there are the few ten-year-olds that are obese from over-eating and not being active. But, the majority of ten-year-old girls are skinny as a rail (NATURALLY) because that is the way God made them.

There are people that think that sexism in the media is over-exaggerated and taken out of context. But, how can you argue such powerful statistics? Does it matter that you sell your cologne by showing a half naked girl if you've created an eating disorder in another one?

What does God think?

Obviously, the purpose of this Magazine is to show what God does think about us. And as you would guess, He thinks we are beautiful because He was the one that created us. There is no mystery in how He feels about us.

Psalm 139:14 (New International Version)

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

Ephesians 5

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

2 Corinthians 6:18 (New International Version)

18"I will be a Father to you,

and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."[a]

It is obvious by the images show above and the statistics that have been revealed that the Media is trying to destroy what God has created. A prime example (though a little artistic and vague in form) is the video on this website, entitled "Doll Face". We strive for something that is out of reach and end up hurting ourselves in the end.

I challenge you to re-evaluate how you look at men and women and to understand where you are forming your opinions. Are you studying the Word of God to understand who you are, or are you believing the lies that Satan has implanted into the media?

Please allow God to change your mind. Be open to something new and be willing to let him heal your heart of wounds created by the Media.

If you would like to read the article written by Karen Harper, visit the website listed below:

http://www.laborsmilitantvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=67

"Twilight" - Fact or Fiction?

I must admit that before I watched the movie Twilight (by Stephenie Meyer), I had some pre-judgments from the get-go. My main concern, as you might guess, is that the main characters are vampires. Now before you start thinking that I am too close-minded, just know that I watched the movie with the intent of looking for the good and was honestly trying to get to the bottom of why so many girls and women find the movie mesmerizing. What I found is that the love story actually drew me in and the movie was very entertaining. However, I am a person that likes to ponder on issues and weigh my motives and thoughts based on what God would like. In this case, I found myself contradicting everything I knew to be right in order to like a love story.

It is very easy for a woman to get caught up in the fancies of love (men also, but I am merely speaking to women at this point). The idea that Bella could love Edward despite all of his flaws (being a vampire) is very intriguing to most women because one of our sole desires is to be loved for who we are. We love to be pursued (just as Edward pursues Bella). We love it when a guy can’t get enough of us, protects us, etc.

However, here is where it gets dangerous:

1) Edward and Bella are obsessed with each other. She relies on him and vice versa. (This is very dangerous to a young teenage girl. It is not healthy to depend solely upon a man. We are supposed to rely solely on God.) After the movie came out, teenage girls bought posters, shirts, keychains, and the like to show their “love” for Edward. All of a sudden, there are photos of vampires and girls with blood-dripped mouths all over Facebook, Myspace, Photobucket, etc. It is an obsession.

2) There is no such thing as a “good vampire.” Vampires are evil, no matter how an author may portray them. Drinking the blood of humans is an occult practice, which is witchcraft. God warns us to stay away from these things.

Galatians 5:19

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Deuteronomy 18:9-14

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, ... “

Leviticus 17:10-14

“If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood. “Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off. “

I honestly can see the appeal to this movie. The more I watched it, the more I wanted to see what happened next. It sucked me in. But, what do we really stand for as Christians? Is it okay to entertain evil in order to watch a good love story? My husband hates the fact that half of our movies are “chick flicks” but the truth is that women crave those types of movies because we have inner longings that men will not understand. We love the romance because that is what we desire. But, perhaps we should start watching romance movies that aren’t so dangerous to our faith. The fact that the movie is mesmerizing is actually a little scary.

2 Corinthians 11:14

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. “

Here is a little food for thought. The Bible says that we are at war with Satan and his demons. Don’t you think that Satan would also have a battle plan? He is a liar, he is conniving, and he will disguise himself as an angel of light in order to win your soul. Do you think it is a coincidence that women spend 40 hours a week using some form of media and that witchcraft has crept into our newest movies? Do you think it is a coincidence that the movie “Twilight” has numerous mentions of “Christian ideals” (waiting to have sex until marriage, Edward’s Father being a Pastor, the Cullens wanting to deny their temptations to kill humans)? Those very same points are the main reason that numerous Christians say this movie is okay.

But what else is in this movie? Edward’s sister can tell the future, the “bad” vampires kill humans and drink their blood, that same vampire is ripped to pieces and then burned at the end of the movie. How about the inappropriate relationship between Bella and Edward? The obsession they have for each other is “mesmerizing”.

I don’t know about you, but I am a little weary of saying that a movie is acceptable because it has a few “Christian values” when it involves witchcraft, sorcery, and demons. God wants no part in that. I want no part in that.

So ladies, let’s try to find some romantic movies that stay away from the Occult. Don’t become another pawn in Satan’s game called the media.

"From Easy Bake to Easy Virtue (Time Magazine)"

I don't know about you, but I have noticed a growing trend among young women today. The younger a girl is the "sexier" or "trashier" she seems to dress. Sometimes as I drive down the street, I see a group of girls walking to school or to the bus stop and I think to myself, "Did you forget to dress yourself this morning?" The second thought I usually come upon is, "Why do you feel you need to dress that way?"

Recently, I have been trying to get to the bottom of why young girls and women feel that they need to show skin to gain acceptance or love. What I found is that the media not only persuades young girls to dress sexier, but they also show them how.

In Time Magazine's article "The Truth About Teen Girls", written by Belinda Luscombe, the author says, "Girlhood sexiness seems to be everywhere: on TV shows and in movies, in advertising, in teen magazines and all over the Internet. Most disturbingly, it seems to be coming from the girls themselves: the way they dress, the way they text, the way they present themselves on Facebook and oh, mercy, what they get up to at parties." Luscombe goes on to say, "In one generation, girls seem to have moved from Easy-Bake to easy virtue."

Easy virtue? Is this the generation today? Is this the generation that is going to change this world for the better? The answer is yes- we were meant to change this world. But, it cannot be done if we are acting, dressing, and talking like women that have lost their sense of virtue.

Why has this happened to our young women, you ask? My answer is simple. The media is the largest influence on a girl's life today. According to Girls Incorporated, on average, a girl will spend a little over eight hours a day using some form of media (i.e., television, movies, video games, print, radio, recorded music, computer and Internet). Think about that for a moment. Eight hours is a typical work day for most employed adults. Girls are spending 40 hours a week using some form of media. No wonder we have problems with this generation! Look at what the media is speaking to them.

Compare that statistic with a few others. According to Girls Incorporated, "38% of young women classify themselves as overweight, while only 10% actually were. Also, 21% of young women find their source for fashion ideas through advertising and 12% through magazines." Oh, and here's a shocking fact: "100% of the Directors of Photography in the 2000-2001 TV season were men, 85% of the Editors were men, 80% of the Creators were men, 70% of the writers were men, and 65% of the producers were men."

I have nothing against men working in the media. The problem I do have is when a young girl watches TV, looks at a magazine, or goes on a website and feels that she is not matching up to an unrealistic standard, and never will. According to the Media Awareness Network, "Seventeen" Magazine "only reinforces the cultural expectations that an adolescent woman should be more concerned with her appearance, her relations with other people and her ability to win approval from men than with her own ideas or her expectations for herself." The same article says that "only 29% of teenage girls said that they "felt happy the way I am" as opposed to 60% of nin-year-old girls? Why the sudden drop in self-esteem? What happens between the ages of 9 and 10? Isn't that about the time that an adolescent woman starts forming opinions about herself? Where is the positive influence coming from? Some young women have none. All she has is an image of a woman that she will never be and a million voices telling her that she needs to be.

Luscombe said it best in her article when she said, "The real problems arise when the media unanimously suggest that hotness is the only identity worth trying on. And when they venerate physical desirability in young women without explaining how to use it responsibly. And when they define desirability in such a narrow fashion that many girls feel they have to amp up their sexual signals to measure up." She concludes by saying,  "The way a agirl sees herself is more powerful than what she sees in magazines. But here's the rub: What she sees in the media does affect that self-image, especially in terms of her body.? So what's the solution? How in the world are we to face a giant like the media? How as women will we be able to fight the insecurities we have inside and replace them with confidence?

I have an answer, and his name is God. It sounds cliché, but He does love us just as we are. After all, He created us the way we are. He gave us those freckles, he gave us the nose we have, the height we are, the size of shoes we wear, the glasses we wear and the way we laugh. He gave YOU your personality. He gave YOU your body. He gave YOU the life you have. Why do we continue to allow some vague, faceless, critical entity (known as the media) control the way we feel about our bodies and who we are?

You are the only one that can change the way you feel about YOU. Sure, we all know that none of us are perfect. But here?s the catch: God focuses on the good. He created you for good. There is a reason He put you on this earth.

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

He also said:

1 Corinthians 6:19 (New International Version)

19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Let's begin to see ourselves the way God intended us to: beautiful, pure, righteous, and FULL of purpose.

Matthew 7:14 (New International Version)

14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

"The ultimate aim of belief in Jesus is not simply to possess divergent theological ideas but to become a transformed person. These statistics highlight the fact that millions of people who rely on Jesus Christ for their eternal destiny have problems translating their religious beliefs into action beyond Sunday mornings," (Barna Research Group) (Statistics: Sunday Christians Among American Adults) www.christianpost.com

I know that no one is perfect. I am not perfect. So, before you stop reading this article, just know that I am not attacking you. I am merely offering words of love and a challenge to better your relationship with God.

It is a very difficult thing to be in this world but not of this world

(1 John 2:15 "Do Not Love the World

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him").

 I live in Las Vegas, which is commonly known as "Sin City". Our bill boards, cabs, buses, etc. are typically covered with things that a Christian should not want to be involved in. Naked women are painted and splashed on every advertising outlet there is. There are men on the "strip" handing out fliers for a "good time" and other men (and women) accepting them. Where I live, it is pretty much an "anything goes" mentality.

But what do we do as Christians?

There was a time in my life, where I had to decide who I was going to follow:

God or the World.

The Bible clearly states that God is OPPOSITE of the world and that the world HATES God. I don't know about you, but I don't want to join any club that hates the God that saved me, loves me, and offers me eternal life. However, there is a problem that needs to be addressed.

Too many Christians want to walk the line between God and the world. Too many Christians have no absolutes and no standard of Right or Wrong. What has happened to the morality and the seriousness of what it means to follow Christ? We are called Christians because we are supposed to be like Christ; not to stand up for the things that he detests.

Where do your Values Come From?

If you do not have your feet firmly planted where God has set them, you open yourself up for temptation. Sometimes, when you are in a city like Las Vegas it would be hard to fight that temptation.
We can NO LONGER walk the fine line between God and the World. There is too much at risk. Are you willing to lose your soul to have a "good time"?

God wants us to be women after HIS OWN HEART. How can we do that if we are still following the patterns of this world? How can we impact this world if all we are doing is acting just like them?

Do people in your life see that you are different, or do you fit in?

We are meant to shine in a lost generation and bring those we love closer to Christ. He is not a wet blanket on a great party. He IS the party...an ETERNAL party. Can you imagine a life with no pain, no tears, no sin, no bondage, no sickness? If you follow Christ, you will get that and more for an ETERNITY.

Let's look at the gravity of our choices here. Let's see how serious it is to be called a Christian and what an HONOR that is. This is not a game. This is Eternity.

In a recent article entitled "Taylor Swift & Friends ? Millennial Entertainers Remove the Gloom" by Alie James, the author discusses our generation and how Taylor Swift could possibly be the new "Millenial Role Model".

James went on to say that, "Her songs communicate to them that there?s no need to be anyone but yourself ? exactly who you are and who you want to be" and that Swift "shows these young girls a different kind of sexuality - one that's natural, sweet, and innocent".

To conclude, the author says, "Taylor takes a new approach to Celebrity ? humility, authenticity, intelligence!"

What I found to be so amazing about this article was that someone in the "secular" music industry could make such a profound impact by speaking and exemplifying values taught by God.

1 Peter 3:3-5 (New International Version)

3"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful."

What God says is just what Taylor Swift is communicating through her music: "There is no need to be anyone but yourself - exactly who you are and who you want to be (ie, natural, sweet, and innocent)."

Wouldn't it be amazing if this generation was one that followed those values? Wouldn't it be amazing if young women threw away their trashy, revealing clothing and started dressing like women of the past? And no, I am not saying we should all go get old fashioned robes and cover our bodies head to toe. What I am saying is that we should take on a new sense of self worth, respecting our bodies as Christ intended. Clothing ourselves with strength and dignity (as mentioned in Proverbs 31).

When I see a woman that is dressed modestly and carries herself with respect, I want to respect her. I see her as a mature woman that values her body and treats it the right way.

This in no way is me saying that we need to hide in the shadows and not be noticed. Modesty is not a form of "hiding", but rather I think it makes you shine in a world of indecency.

Philippians 2:14

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[c] the word of life?in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."

Are you surprised to hear that by following God's values, you are able to SHINE?

That same article references a book called, "The Fourth Turning ? An American Prophecy" by William Strauss and Neil Howe. The authors say that "the Millennial Generation would be 'the hero generation.' ... and at the climax of the crisis, their heroism would make the difference between a bright and dark future for all of us."

I have not read this book, nor do I know anything about the authors' Religious beliefs. One thing I do know, is that God is not a small God. He is very big and He does very big things. It is not surprising to me that He would choose a generation of strong people at such a time as this to show how big He really is.

So whether Taylor Swift is a role model you want to look up to or not, one thing is evident to me. This is the time to stand out, stand up, and stand for what is right.

Let's begin to dress, act, speak, and live out the values that Christ taught. If we do this, our generation may be one that others turn to in History books and see that God is a very big God.