A Biblical View on Marriage

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24
Marriage is a God ordained thing. He knew  back in the Garden of Eden that man needed a helpmate. God then created Eve, a woman.

    God is omniscient, which means that He is all knowing, God knew that one man and one woman was (and still is) the best thing for us as humans. Men and women were created differently, but they are the perfect fit for each other. Nature echos this principle. Just as opposite poles of a magnet attract, so man and woman are naturally attracted to one another.

The world today is trying to twist marriage into a something that is unnatural. We currently see this in the news as various states in our nation are voting to redefine marriage from a man and a woman to same-gender unions.  We also are exposed to this kind of thinking in many popular sitcoms.  I believe that if God wanted things to be done differently, He would have done so from the beginning. Since God made marriage a union between one man and one woman, I believe that we should strive to keep it that way.  It is for our own good!  Men with men and women with women is a perversion of God’s design. It is not natural! It is not right! I have plenty of  friends that are girls that I love like sisters! That kind of love is perfectly fine and natural!  Girls and boys that think they love members of their same gender so much that they have to be couples are not following God's way!  It is sick and wrong! I hate that my siblings see people and have to ask, “Why does that guy talk like a girl?” or,  “Why are those two girls holding hands?”  I shudder to think that it may get even worse for my future children.

This is a disturbing thing that pop-culture has decided to try to make allowable. I do not agree with people who choose to act against the Bible, but I do choose to love the sinner, not the sin. The "sinners" are not necessarily bad people; they are just deeply confused.

We as a nation should not tread lightly on a subject of such importance. Romans 1 is such a saddening reminder that if we do not glorify God as God and are not thankful, we are turned over to our sinful desires. Sexual immorality is a form of being turned over to our sinful desires; therefore, we should not voluntarily participate or approve of it. America is leaning dangerously close to a Sodom and Gomorrah lifestyle, and we all know what happened to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah! (Genesis 19)

America is falling down around us; it is frightening but true!  Praise be to God who is a loving and forgiving God. We as Christians should set the example for others by loving sinners, but not excusing sinful lifestyles. God is forgiving, but is also  just. I believe that going against God's wishes will certainly yield grave consequences.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17

We can find true deliverance from any temptation we are faced with through Jesus. If you have struggled with something like this, do not feel condemned. Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. In Him, we find true freedom and forgiveness from any sin we face.
Written by Kathryn and Emily

Language

 God wants us to honor him with what we say. People do not realize that what they say can turn people to or against them. I know that in this day and age it is “cool” or “normal” to say ugly words.  If we conform to the world we will say them too. God does NOT like this.  Ephesians 4:29 says, “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear it.”  Wow-- this verse totally sums up what I believe.  You want people to be brought closer to Jesus when they hear you speak.  There are certain people that I do not like being around because when I hear them speak I feel “yucky” inside. There is a fine line of not being snooty by thinking, “hey they say bad or curse words so I  am too good to be around them.” With that mentality, good luck trying to win people for Christ.  Instead, like 1st Timothy 4:12 says, “set the example” and set it with humility.
Written by Kathryn

Self Harm

    Fear. Insecurity. Anger. Stress. All of these are factors that can lead to self harm.  Self harm can be done in many ways including verbally and by using objects to inflict wounds on the body.
    People can try to hide their fear, anger, and pain in many ways. Instead of talking to someone who is trusted, people choose to inflict pain on themselves. The thought behind it is that it dulls the emotional pain, and gives people something to concentrate on. The pain might feel good for a while, but then people are left with scars, and the emotional pain is still there - in fact it often is worsened. Self harm is serious and should not be taken lightly, AT ALL!
    Self harmers are some of the best “hiders” in the world. They can try to internalize every little thing. When asked what's wrong, "Nothing" or "I am fine", are common answers. Self harmers usually try to make it look like a common injury that could easily have been an accident. We, as believers, need to be observant if signs arise. We want to help people before it is too late.
    Many self harmers finally reach a point when they have to tell someone. Or someone finds out. The relief is great, but it is hard to promise to never do it again.
    Thankfully, we serve a loving and powerful God. With him, all things are possible. Even Christians can give into self harm at times. It is like a disease that you have to fight.There can also be a deep fear that people will look at you differently when they find out what you have done to yourself. God loves us, and he is the only place where we can find true healing and comfort. Until we find him, we are desperate.
    Once we are in God, we need to believe in him, He is faithful and forgives. In Christ, we are still going to face temptation, but not one that we are unable to face. Written by Kathryn and Emily

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Hi Everyone!
My name is Savannah. I am the guest writer today for Upstream. I would like to address the issue I will refer to as "Big Buts." Now, before you start laughing, let me explain. Everyone has buts. Some are big, some are small. Our "buts" keep us from having a wholesome and fulfilled relationship with God.

Do you have a big but? A gigantic one? Several buts? Everyone we know has a big but. More often than not, its the thing that gets in the way of living life for Jesus. Let me explain. See if you can recognize some of these buts.

   But I have to work more.
   But my favorite TV show is on.
    But talking to God is boring.
      But I'm tired.
     But the kids have something going on.
     But God understands, right?
     But I'm in the middle of tweeting, texting or facebooking.
    But I talked to God at church last Sunday.
     But its such a beautiful day.
    But I'm just not in the mood.
   But I need a vacation.
   But I don't understand.
  But I post scriptures all the time, that counts right?

 But I don't have enough time.

See? Everything can interfere with a life spent living for God if you let it. My solution? Make God first priority, and the "buts" will disappear! It will be like weight loss for our soul. So, ask yourself. How big is your but?
Lets shrink our spiritual "buts" together!

                            "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age," Titus 12:11-12

Sweet and Single

This Valentine's Day like all the ones that have come before in my relatively short life I am single - In the eyes of the world. Unlike many 16 year old girls I am completely devoid of a boyfriend this Valentine’s Day. Some would feel sorry for me, some would wonder why. I am more than happy to be alone (in the boyfriend department) this Valentine’s day because I know that I have the greatest valentine of all, one who loves me so unconditionally and completely I don't know why I would ever want  or need anything else. I am only human though and I can't wait for the day when I am married to the greatest man on earth (other than my Dad and Grandpa.) I am really thankful for both of these men in my life, and I am so blessed and loved by both of them. I am also thankful for my sisters (You know who you are ;)) that will be spending this Valentine’s Day sweet and single with me. :) :)  (Even though we won’t all be together.) ~ Written by Emily <3

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Purity

Imagine a beautiful, delicate, ornate box that is locked up tight. It sits on your shelf in a place of honor for all to see.  It has never been opened and you know better than to let anyone touch it. This box is worth more than all of the gold and jewels on the planet – it’s your purity. You have been given this gift to give to ONE man one day. You don’t know when but you are OK with that. You know that this gift isn't meant for just any guy. It is meant for the most amazing man in the world. The one that reminds you of your Dad, the boy that will cherish you, the one that will love you so much that he will put his desires to the back burner to protect your purity. You know that this gift can’t be opened early or it will turn tarnished and rusty, it will no longer be shiny and new. The box is for you to give to your husband when you get married. He has a box similar to yours, would you want it to be tarnished and rusted?? It was meant for you, you saved yourself for him and then the box you get in return is so tarnished you can’t tell what it should be... How would that make you feel?? Angry? Hurt? If you wouldn't want the tarnished box, then don’t think your husband wants that either. Save yourself. You are worth more than gold; don’t give yourself away before it’s the right time. If you think you cant wait YOU CAN, and he can too! ~ Written by Emily

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED COURTING RATHER THAN DATING??

  What is courting? To me and my family courting means a relationship with someone where the final goal is marriage. Things are conducted in a group format with parental supervision.  Dating just for the fun of it is not in my agenda. I want to live life full of fun, not with baggage that can come from unnecessary relationships. Here are some pros to courting, and cons to dating.

Pros to Courting:
*Marriage is the goal
*Family monitored with parental involvement which equals  less chance of temptation
*Group setting
*You get to see how the other person acts around their family and friends
*Purity is a standard
*You get to know each others families
*You get to know people in a nonthreatening environment
*Chances of getting your heart broken are lessened
*It is not an all consuming relationship
*You really get to know the person on a deeper level
*Your parents are aware of what is going on and you get to have their advice
*You are chaperoned which helps with temptation. If you wouldn't do it in front of your siblings, parents, or friends you probably shouldn't be doing it at all.
*There is not an "act" going on( ie. trying to impress), you get to know people "in real life"
*It is more fun to hang out in a group setting (ie. with a bunch of friends watching a movie or playing games)
*If you are not interested you have an easy way out of any deep relationship, thus not hurting others or yourself
*You are less emotionally involved.

Cons to Dating:
* You are more emotionally involved, which makes it more likely for deeper disappointments and hurt
*Because dating is usually a one-on-one thing it can lead to temptation
*Typical dating standards do not make purity a high priority
*Expectations are shifted from getting to know one another to a premature love relationship
*You don't necessarily get to know the other persons family and friends
*Parental supervision is not as prominent
*You may not be getting to know the person for who they really are because of the "status quo" of dating expectations
*A protective buffer exists when family and friends are involved. However, with dating you are  more likely to give away too much too soon.  If you don't end up getting married, you then have baggage that you take into the next relationship.
    God designed marriage, and it is a great thing. We are not saying that dating is necessarily wrong, but the way that our current culture does it is not always honoring to God. You can make dating "ok", but you both have to be willing to do the work and stay pure. Or you can take the easier purity route by courting others, which usually yields a more productive ending. Over all courting begins with the  express purpose of heading towards marriage.    We do not have the desire to give away our hearts and purity solely for the enjoyment or normality of dating. We want to save ourselves for the person that we marry, and we feel that for us, courting the is best option for that.
Written by Kathryn and Emily