Mary is growing!

 This is Sarah.  I decided to do a post on how our little Mary is growing.  Here she is in Mommy's tummy.

Baby Mary "kneeling to pray!" =)

~Mary loved the sand in Uruguay!~

She already repeats after us, "Good Girl", "I am a baby", "I am so cute".  She's is so very big and very cute, and we Thank God for her.  We love our Mary!
~Little Blue-eyed Elijah and Mary!~

Need more time to pray?

I'd be happy to say that the following quote is original with me.  But it isn't:

"One of the greatest uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time."  (John Piper)

Take time to pray.  Someday you will wish you had left off much of what you're doing to pray.  When we stand before the Judgement our priorities of today will be turned upside down.  Let's meet around the Mercy Seat.  - Phillip   

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,   Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.   Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."    (Ephesians 5:15-17)   

How To Have Spiritual Success

"And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go . . . and enquire . . . for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth..."  (Acts 9:11)

"You become like those with whom you spend the most time."

The one point where you will have success or failure Spiritually is in the place of prayer.
Daily prayer is daily communion with God.  The weak human coming in contact with the Almighty Divine.

You forsake God along with His strength and growth when you neglect Him in prayer.
Your partake of God and His miracle working resources when you carve out time for God in Prayer.

And your growth, usefulness, power, and communion with God comes in direct proportion to your obedience, desire, love, and time with God in prayer.

Your future (and the future of multitudes, including your offspring) will be affected by how you pray today.
Your life is changed (and others' lives will change) when you pray.

Precious things in life cost us the most.  And some Christians choose to spend more one-on-one time with their Lord.  It is they to whom the world looks to see Jesus. 
         - Phillip

A Christian with No Worries.

Today there is a lot of whipped up fear (might be a good idea to take a break from the Press).

Terrorism, Drug War, Economic Risk, Race Warfare, Class Warfare, Political Problems, Corruption, Injustice, Natural Calamities, Military Enemies, et cetera.   

Don't let it bother you.  Receive all this as from the hand of the Lord for our good.  For at least it causes us to pray more.  And forgive, pray for, and labor for the good of  your "enemies" in all this too.

Many people's hearts are going to fail them for fear in these worsening times. 

But for the Christian there is nothing to worry about.  Nothin'.  Nada.  Zilch.
  
Because for the Christian, all things, ALL THINGS work together for GOOD, to them who love the Lord.          Romans 8:28  
                                                                     -Phillip

Seek the One in life, gain the rest.

In this life


Health, Youth, and Beauty cannot be retained
Even if you would seek after these with all of your heart.


In this life

Wisdom, Love, and God's Glory may not only be gained
But continually increased
But only when you seek after Jesus Christ with all of your heart.

But in the next life

Those who gained Jesus Christ will enjoy all mentioned and infinitely much more.

Is God's power which raised Christ from the dead also for the Christian?

In Ephesians 1 & 2, the Apostle Paul prayed that God would help us to understand the "exceeding greatness of His power." 

This same power of God did the following for Christ:
 
Raised Christ from the dead.  (1:20)  After He had already been dead for 3 days.
Set Christ at God's right hand in Heavenly places.  (1:20)
Put all things under Christ's feet.  (1:22)
Made Christ head over all things.  (1:22)

This same power of God is also for us who believe. (1:19)  For us believers God's same power has:

Made you, believer, alive in Christ, having once been dead in sins.  (2:1)
Raised us up from sins.  (2:6)  Now that's complete victory! 
Puts us in heavenly places in Jesus.  (2:6)
He did all that for us so that in eternity to come He might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us!  (2:7)

God gives you His limitless power!  God's power resurrected Christ, and now He places His same power at your service.  Imagine that.  Now what do you need from God for the glory of Jesus Christ?  Ask, and it shall be given unto you.

Ephesians 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 
18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 
19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 
22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 
Ephesians 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 
3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 
4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
-Post by Phillip

How to have poor children.

"He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."  Proverbs 22:8 

This is yet another reason not to inundate our children with thrills and expensive tastes.
  
Pleasures, self indulgence, and fineries of high society are spoken of here.  Many times parents out of affection happily lavish their children with all the thrills, pleasures, self indulgence, and finery possible.  By indulging them in this they create a love for all this in their children thus assuring that their descendants become poor in more ways than one.

Today most people MUST have pleasure, wine, and oil.  And so parents will be misunderstood for protecting their household from this, but give it 20 years or so and others will wish that they would have followed your example, if they even understand at all.

Now I'm not meaning that Dad (or Mom) should be a spoil sport or a grouchy type drill sergeant looking for ways to deny his children of any fun.  Dad should strive to be his family's favorite man in the whole wide world.

But give your children blessing, loyalty, integrity, a work ethic, a fear for God, proper training, a righteous example, self denial, and joy in the home, and they will live a blessed and truly rich life.

May God help us to " lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour."
        -Phillip

Purified to live for God.

Photo credit: Pryaa's Journal

"...Our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."  (Titus 2:13b-14) 

Here God give us the assurance that you can be purified by Him in THIS life.  P.U.R.E.  Cleansed from all sin, so that you may offer up sacrifices of good works for God while yet alive!  You may be one of the purified, the distinct people who are zealous of good works. 

These things speak, and exhort . . . with all authority.  Don't be intimidated when holiness fighters despise you in this.  (Titus 2:15)
    - Phillip

Great Grandma Bryan

UPDATE:  Thank you for praying.  Sunday P.M., February 26, 2012, Grandma went to heaven to live with Jesus.  Read more here.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My Great Grandma Bryan is very low. Mommy says that she is "packing her bags for her journey home(to Heaven)." Please pray for her. Thank you. -Kimberly

~Sarah's card and poem to me.~

 Here's the sweet card (above) that my Sarah made me for Valentine's...and here is her poem!

I love Mommy because she loves me!
And Takes care of our family.
I love her because she is sweet...
And always has something good to eat.  =)
She loves God and music with her whole heart,
And she is very smart!

I love you, Mommy,
Happy Valentine's Day,
Love,
Sarah

From the 1st Epistle of Clement -- Peace

"We must adhere to those who cultivate peace, not to those who merely pretend to do so"

--Such is the title of chapter 15 in "The First Epistle of Clement" which caught my eye in my reading of The Ante-Nicene Fathers. (Thanks Dad, Mom, Michael, & Beth, for buying me this 10 volume set for Christmas, 1997.)

Cocoa Crinkle Cookies Recipe...

 

I made some of these for our Chinese friends and they were delicious.  

From Hershey Chocolate's Website.

Cocoa Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa or HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar

Directions:

• 1. Combine granulated sugar and oil in large bowl; add cocoa, beating until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to cocoa mixture, beating well.
• 
  
• 2. Cover; refrigerate until dough is firm enough to handle, at least 6 hours.
• 
  
• 3. Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper. Shape dough
• into 1-inch balls; roll in powdered sugar to coat. Place about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie
• sheet.
• 
  
• 4. Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly and tops
• are crackled. Cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
• About 4 dozen cookies.
• Post by Kimberly

Pin It

Something fun I (Sarah) wanted to share with you

One morning while still in Colombia we were making eggs and we got one that had 2 egg yolks. I thought it was neat, so took pics to show you! =)
I would have posted this sooner, but I was too busy. =)
Here the 2 yolked egg...In the bowl

In the skillet

On my plate. =) 

Isn't God Amazing...I probably wouldn't have thought of putting 2 yolks in one egg.  =D
Posted by Sarah!

Campaigning for the Greatest Government

Holy prophets in the Bible predicted a one world government.  Power brokers say America must become weak before this new world order can be ushered in.  It would seem that the politicians in power today seek our fall by taking away our God given freedoms, thus making us weak.  But we citizens alone throw away our freedoms one by one every time we shrug off the "yoke" of God's requirements for us as recorded in the Bible.  Our weakening comes from rejecting God the source of our strength.  The resulting one world government will be a wicked one, ruled by the Anti-Christ.  But he won't rule long.  Christ will triumph and rule the earth.  Wise Christians campaign for Christ's eternal kingdom.   

  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.   
  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 
  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 
  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.     (Isaiah 11:4-9)  
   - Phillip

Pray for our Medellin pastor and wife's employment

Our pastor and wife in Medellin, Colombia make clothes for a living. They do such a great job.  Before we left Colombia, they made us some fun clothes.  3 skirts for Kimberly, Sarah, and I.  2 nice shirts for our boys (which are a tad big, so they'll wear them later.)  And this adorable dress for Mary! =)They had them all packed up so nicely.

They would like to start their own line of clothes (they normally sew for other companies) and this is the tag they'd like to use. =) 

Us girls wearing our skirts from them.

~I took these pictures of Mary (wearing the adorable purple dress they made her) when she was 13 months, but never got them posted on my blog. =) 
[She was laughing at Noah and Sarah who were peeking around the corner! =)]

We thought that Bro. Alberto and Sis. Alba did such a great job making these clothes for us!

***Please help us pray that God will continue to meet their financial needs through their sewing.  They don't make much, and many times, the stores that contract them end up not paying them on time. (And this is after them making 100's of articles of clothing over a period of weeks!)

~What's Christmas about?~

It's more than turkey and stuffing...
It's more than presents and wrapping!
It's more than santa and toys...
It's more than all the Christmas noise!
It's more than reindeer and a sled...
It's about our Savior in a manger bed!  Written by Sarah (11) Dec., 2011

posted by Sarah

Snowball Cookie Recipe...

Snowball Cookies...from Taste of Home
I made these cookies and they were delish. 8 23

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Crisco® Light Olive Oil
• 1 1/4 cups quick rolled oats
• 1 (18.25 oz.) pkg. Pillsbury® White Cake
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsps. clear vanilla
• 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
• Powdered sugar

Directions

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Combine olive oil and oats. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in cake mix, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Fold in nuts. Form into 1-inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 8 minutes or until set. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute. Remove cookies to cooling rack. Roll in powdered sugar while still slightly warm. Yield: 7 dozen cookies.
•  
• Post by Kimberly

Think about it for a moment...

With little prayer, work is a drudgery and fraught with hindrances.
With prayer, work is a joy and progresses smoothly.
With much prayer, God works what no amount of labor by a multitude could ever do.

Con poca oración, el trabajo es un trabajo pesado y lleno de obstáculos.
Con la oración, el trabajo es una alegría y progresa sin problemas.
Con mucha oración, Dios hace lo que ninguna cantidad de trabajo por una multitud nunca podría hacer.                 - Phillip (Felipe)

Some Great Reasons To Pray

It used to be common to meet someone called to a ministry of prayer.  Where are those called to such today?  Nowadays when you meet someone who prays much, you have met a rare person.  But if Christians really believed these four points, there would be a lot more great pray-ers.   

1.) History Makers Are Those Who Pray

Some used to be intercessors but are now living off the blessings of a past life.  They are still good people, but has-beens in prayer living a busy life.  Some others have yet to discover the glorious blessings of forsaking all to spend their life in the precious presence of God.  But those praying now may not realize it, but they are the real movers and shakers of history.  For pray-ers make history by teaming up with God.  

2.) Those Who Pray Are Marked

Those given to a ministry of prayer if they are wholly sanctified are marked by a sweetness, a brokenness, a carefulness.  The Spirit of God rests on them.  To be with them is to be in the presence of Jesus.  They follow our Lord.   They live in the very presence of our Lord.  They bear the image of our Lord.    

3.) Great Things Follow Those Who Pray

God’s answers to prayer are spiritual blessings.  Revivals and awakenings sweep down by prayer.  God fearing congregations, glorious denominations, saintly grandparents, godly parents, holy youth have all been birthed by prayer.  Pastors and missionaries, evangelists and faithful laity rise up as armies in answer to prayer.  Who could place a value on prayer?  To try would be fruitless.   

4.) Prayer Brings Much More
Oh, we must pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send forth [prayer] laborers!  For prayer begets prayer.  And much prayer begets much glory, holiness, and blessings from the God who inspires and leads us in such a high calling.       

-Phillip

~God sent me a Christmas tree~

~I told you here on my blog that I was going to let Sarah post about this simple little tree in the kids' room.  It's known to our family as "Sarah's tree!"   Soooo, here's her version...with a little bit of help from Mommy! =)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I really wanted a tree for OUR room, but Daddy didn't feel like it was wise to spend the money for a 2nd Christmas tree...(When we don't know WHERE we are going to store it yet).  I kept telling Mommy ideas like we could gather branches and form a tree to wrap lights around, etc. for I REALLY wanted a tree for our room.
Finally Daddy and Mommy told me to PRAY about God giving me one or helping me to find one (along side of the road, in the trash or where ever. =)
One night I asked Mommy how to have FAITH that God would answer my prayer for a Christmas tree. (She told me to make sure and pray "If it's Your will" and then trust God to do what was best!=)
[All the while She and Daddy were PRAYING HARD that God would answer my prayer! =)

The next day (Thanksgiving eve) as we were walking to get last minute supplies for our Thanksgiving dinner...Mommy (Who was DETERMINED to help Jesus answer this prayer for her little girl...IF He wanted to answer it =) saw a part of a Christmas tree sticking out of a black garbage bag on the street corner.  Mommy went over and looked in the bag and it was just this simple little tree and it's base.  Mommy called me over and said, "Look, Sarah,...look what Jesus just found you?!"
So, we picked up the tree and couldn't wait to get home to show Daddy THE TREE THAT JESUS GAVE US for our room!!  =) ~

posted by Sarah

Christians thank God for His holiness

Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.  (Psalm 97:12)

Matthew Henry said…

It is God's holiness which, above all his attributes, the angels celebrate. (Isa 6:3), Holy, holy, holy. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice, at the remembrance of God's holiness, (Psa30:4).  (Commentary on the Whole Bible)

Charles Spurgeon’s affirms…

“And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness” - which is the harmony of all his attributes, the superlative wholeness of his character. This is a terror to the wicked, and a cause of thankfulness to the gracious.  In reference to the triumphs of the gospel, this text teaches us to rejoice greatly in its purifying effect; it is the death of sin and the life of virtue. An unholy gospel is no gospel. The holiness of the religion of Jesus is its glory, it is that which makes it glad tidings, since while man is left in his sins no bliss can be his portion. Salvation from sin is the priceless gift of our thrice holy God, therefore let us magnify him for ever and ever. He will fill the world with holiness, and so with happiness, therefore let us glory in his holy name, world without end.  (Treasury of David)

Adam Clarke asserts…

But why should you give thanks at the remembrance that God is holy? Because he has said, Be ye holy; for I am holy: and in holiness alone true happiness is to be found. As he, therefore, who hath called you is holy; so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. False Christians hate the doctrine of Christian holiness; they are willing to be holy in another, but not holy in themselves. There is too much cross-bearing and self-denial in the doctrine of holiness for them. A perfect heart they neither expect nor wish. (Commentary on the Bible)

We thank God that Jesus came to save His people from their sins.  For if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Thinking of God’s holiness fills God's child with joy and thankfulness.  His holiness once meant certain eternal damnation for us because we were sinners and the wages of sin is death.  But God commands us to be holy and in love He has provided holiness through the blood of Jesus Christ.  When through faith in Christ we cooperate with His grace, God makes and keeps us as He wants us.  For if we walk in the light . . . the blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin.  “Thank you, God, for Your holiness.  Because of Your holiness we have hope.”  - Phillip

You Can Trust This Friend

A.B. Simpson, Christian, Writer, C&MA founder

This is my beloved, and this is my friend—Song of Solomon 5:16

God is our friend. Which of you shall have a friend, . . . at midnight? asked Jesus (Luke 11:5). This concept of God as our friend has deep significance for each one of us. Who has not had a friend, who in some respects was more of a friend than anyone in the family? Reflect upon that friendship. Recall each act of love. Think of all you could trust that friend to do for you and all the ways in which he or she stood by you. Then as you concentrate the whole weight of recollection and affection, put God in that place of confidence and realize He is all that friend has been and infinitely more.
Our Friend! The one who is personally interested in us, who has set His heart upon us, who has come near to us in the tender and delicate intimacy of unspeakable fellowship. He has given us invaluable pledges and promises, He has done very much for us, He is ever ready to go to any trouble or expense to aid us. To Him we come in prayer-our heavenly Friend.   (From Days of Heaven on Earth by A.B. Simpson, founder of the Christian & Missionary Alliance)

This and that...

Although I really like Argentina, there is nothing like a good Colombian lunch and a tinto. (A tinto is a Colombian cup of dark, sweet coffee and it is often sweetened with their raw sugar cane sugar which is similar to our brown sugar.) We can make the coffee here in Argentina...but it is a little harder to make the lunch. I would really like to have a Colombian lunch right now. :o)

We saw these neat bikes made out of bamboo while walking here in Arg. And this is Mary's cute hair-do.

The kids at the park.

Some cool bark.

A neat restaurant.

Look at that neat tree in the background.

A pretty tree in the park.

-Post by Kimberly

Dating vs. Courtship

A friend asked me for my opinion regarding dating verses courtship.  Here are some Biblical principles I quickly wrote regarding relationships.  I don't have all the answers I want yet.  I do know that dating as our generation has defined it is broken.  For some people courting and dating are one and the same, so they should be defined.

According to Wikipedia under the definition of "Courtship" I found the following interesting points:

"Courtship is the period in a couple's relationship which precedes their engagement and marriage, or establishment of an agreed relationship of a more enduring kind. In courtship, a couple get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement or other such agreement."

"In earlier 1800s, young adults were expected to court with the intention of finding a marriage partner, rather than for social reasons. In America, in the 1820s, the phrase 'date' was most closely associated with prostitution. However, by the Jazz Age of the 1920s, dating for fun was becoming a cultural expectation, and by the 1930s, it was assumed that any popular young person would have lots of dates. This form of dating, though, was usually chaster than is seen today, since pre-marital sex was not considered the norm."

So, in taking in account their history and their usual current usages, I understand the generally accepted meanings of the words "court" and "date" to imply the following.  Court seems to be with a more serious commitment in mind.  Date usually seems to be for social fun and may or may not end up with a committed type of attitude.  And among the many of the "Christian" youths that we have known, in a big part dating seems to be for giving myself pleasures at the expense of my special friend with the high hopes that all will end well.  That is how I will use these words here.  But whether we consider ourselves pro-dating or pro-courting, we must adhere to Biblical principles.

1.)  We must first of all be concerned with the reality of who we are as a people. 
As Christians, we do not belong to ourselves.  In the very context of sexual purity and impurity God tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 
I cannot do just anything I want.  With my body, I must do all to the glory of He who bought me, for He owns me, not I myself.

2.)  We must answer to someone -- our Lord and King.
"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."  (Judges 21:25)
But we DO have a King, and we cannot do what just seems right or feels good.  Our King tells us what to do in Scripture.  But most young people aren't even trying to find out and do what Scripture teaches here in our dating, therefore...
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) 
Our couples and their resultant marriages are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.  The very things the young dating couples are doing right now WILL impact their marriages later.
So the entirety of our lives (including our relationships) must be submitted to the revealed will of God.  (God reveals His will in Biblical principles.)

3.)  Modern Recreational Dating (dating just for fun) is Heretical not Scriptural.
It's not even mentioned in Scripture and hardly even found in all of history until our modern history.  It is motivated by a godless society based on pleasing the flesh rather than basing their actions on the Word of God. 
Why would people date without any intention of marrying?
- To satisfy the lust of the flesh... either through immorality or entertainment.
- To satisfy heartfelt passions, that may be Biblical, but not seeking them in God's way.  (ie. wanting to enter into a relationship that requires no lifelong commitment whatsoever.  So that you can take off at anytime.)
None of this reflects Scriptural principles, so it must be disregarded as such. 

4.)  The defraud commandment.
"Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
"That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."  (1 Thessalonians 4:5-7)
One of the meanings of "defraud" here is that of arousing "the lust of concupiscence" or arousing the other's "passionate desire."  Or we could say that defraud here means to create the desire in someone for that which you cannot lawfully fulfill.  This happens all the time with couples getting off alone on a date to arouse desires in each other that should not be fostered nor can they be lawfully fulfilled.  That is why couples of the opposite sex should not be alone unless they are married.  Because hormones, chemistry, emotions, attraction (or whatever you might wish to call it) between the opposite sexes are natural and unavoidable, but should not be fed nor allowed to blossom until they are lawful.  To purposely sexually arouse someone other than your spouse is to defraud them and is denounced by God in Scripture.  And to purposely cause someone to have an emotional affair with you is also playing with fire.  For God promises to avenge such behavior.  And many times it ends with dysfunctional marriages, broken homes, and broken hearts. 

5.)  The principle of treating the young ladies as our sisters.
1 Timothy 5:2 teaches us that our conduct with the younger women is to be as with sisters and with all purity.  Young men, that means not touching them in inappropriate ways.  That means having nothing but pure motives with them.  That means not arousing in them desires which would be sinful to fulfill.  That means treating them as you would want the men of the world to treat your little sister.  Period.

6.)  Paul told young Timothy (and us) to flee youthful lusts.
In many points we are told to "wrestle," but when it comes to lusts we are told to "flee."  (A side point here: The more you protect your eyes, men, the more you can passionately love and be satisfied with one woman.  Ladies, that is why modest clothes are important.  And that is why there must be a carefulness between the courting couple.)   Why does God say to flee lusts?  You will not be able to be in a relationship with a person of the opposite sex and be ALONE with him/her for an extended length of time without falling.  Those who have tried it know I am telling the truth.  And remember that "falling" comes a long time before the world says it does.  Biblically, one can't be strong enough, Godly enough, or disciplined enough to do something that God already told you not to do.  Don't be alone with a person of the opposite sex where you can be in a position to compromise yourself... because it will likely happen if you stay there long enough. 
I never have forgotten an illustration by Paul Washer that I heard months ago; it goes like this:
I am a married man.  Imagine that you came to a hotel suite, and you found me alone with a woman other than my wife.  I answer the door and say, "Come in, Jane and I here were just making cookies." 
You would say, "You can't do that!"
"Why not?" I ask, "We weren't doing anything wrong."
"It's just wrong.  You can't be alone with someone of the opposite sex who isn't your wife.  There are too many dangers!"
Exactly.  And we encourage and condone that with young people in the dating game.  I am a married man.  A man with a dear wife and precious children who I value and would never want to lose.  I am a man with much responsibility, I am responsible for various churches.  I answer to a lot of people, pastors, and to supporters.  This is going to make me want to be so much more careful to not fall.  How much more careful (than any adolescent) would I be alone with a woman who is not my wife!  But with adolescents who have less experience, less wisdom, less discipline, and much less to lose than I have to lose, we send them off to be alone for hours at a time with someone of the opposite sex.  And we expect them not to fall morally?  With so much less to lose than us adults who would never think of being alone with women of the opposite sex?

This is why I feel like dating as it is commonly defined is unwise, unScriptural, and dangerous.  Courting as it is commonly defined seems to be the only other safe option I know of in our culture.  As to how courtship should be practiced Scripturally, I am still open to answers.  I did find helpful and interesting modern day love story shared by Marrianne Brown of her and Philip's courtship and marriage.  It seemed to be Biblical and defined both dating and courtship in a wholesome and seemingly Biblical way.  Here is a selection on her blog that I found intriguing and something I'd like to learn more about:

"One of those Wednesday evenings when we pulled into my driveway, Philip turned off the car and turned to me. It was in that conversation that Philip laid out his ideas of how relationships progressed. Stage #1 Friendship - This was the very basis for a relationship, basic information, finding if there were shared goals and ideas, finding out their commitment to God and His Word. Asking, "Is this person even a possible candidate for a wife/husband? If there was friendship and compatibility of goals and ideas and commitment to Christ then it was possible to progress to Stage #2 - Dating - sharing things that you wouldn't share on a friendship level, further probing of personal philosophies and background, examining theological ideas further. Deciding yes, this person is a possible life partner which would lead to Stage #3 - Courtship - This person has the characteristics of a life partner but there are some things that need to be talked about that are just not appropriate at level #2 - finances, any previous sin that would affect the relationship, all those "sticky" things that are "where the rubber meets the road". If the relationship withstands those scrutinies then the next step would be Stage #4 - Engagement - the actual commitment to marry this person, premarital counseling, and preparing for Stage #5 - Marriage.
That Wednesday evening Philip shared that we were in Stage #1 and he was praying about how to progress. That was one of the things I appreciated about him - I never had to guess about where we were at or how he was viewing the relationship. He'd had many years to figure out how to avoid some of the common pitfalls of romantic relationships and it sure saved me a lot of anxiousness and fear!"    (From "Our Story - Part Six"  http://philipmarianne.blogspot.com/2011/08/our-story-part-six.html )  With the definition of dating given here, I can agree with dating.    

Credit belongs to Paul Washer for a lot of what I shared here.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP6cc2aBecE  And credit to my professor Dr. Allan P. Brown for his teaching on 1 Thessalonians 4:5-7.   - Phillip
    

Were God's people too patriotic in Jeremiah?

"When tyranny comes... it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

"Then spake the priest and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for the hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears."

Next to this verse Jeremiah 26:11 I have written in my Bible, "A backslidden nation church is Very Patriotic."

Now, I'm all for being patriotic if that simply means loving and seeking the good of our country.  But often the farther away from God a nation becomes, the more the priests (religious leaders), prophets (preachers), and princes (political leaders) as in Jeremiah 26 get upset if you say anything against their political agenda. But later on in this passage we see the princes and people defending Jeremiah, so here the religious leaders seem even more patriotic than the others.

I have finally come to the point where I am liking more and more Paul's philosophy in 1 Corinthians 2:2 when it comes to politics. "For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Note: These are simply personal thoughts that came while reading this passage and thoughts that I may have to adjust with time.  So please feel free to disagree with me, and I'll have no hard feelings.  Thanks, Phillip