I know this is random…

… but I totally woke up thinking about this, and I wonder what all my dear readers think.

So. You’re a Christian gal. He’s a Christian guy. You like each other. You’re not married yet. But you get pregnant. Oops.

How many young Christians who sin and conceive automatically think about getting married to “redeem” the situation? I’m honestly curious, and first of all may I say I’m glad that abortion is not chosen! But I’m not sure that a quick marriage is the best solution all the time.

I’ll be honest, I have friends who have done this. I’m not sure what the long-term results are going to be, but I’m definitely glad that the child is alive! I’m glad that the families of the parents are still involved with the couple, and I’m glad that so far things are working out for them.

But is marrying the person you slept with always the best decision? I’m not convinced that it is. I think that marriage is something that should be considered long and hard, and that definitely more than 9 months should be spend praying about it and preparing for it.

I’m not a fan of the automatic marriage that can follow a Christian out-of-wedlock conception. The emphasis is on the word automatic, because if this really is the person God has for you, then prepare to be joined to him or her for the rest of your life! But my hesitation is that he or she is not the person God has for you, but the wedding happens anyway. Do you see what I’m getting at, readers? I don’t believe that something can be redeemed by marriage… I think that God can redeem situations and people, and that if marriage is in His plans, that’s great, but I hope someone doesn't get married just because they’re pregnant. Does that make any sense? Comments please?

Update & Alphabet :)

Thanks again for praying about yesterday’s convocation. It was a frustrating lecture, because he would say something, quoting another author or scholar, then leave the implication there, but quickly end with “I didn’t say that!” or “Of course this isn't what I mean, but…” and of course the implications are just left there in the minds of the audience. Grr. Frustrating! But there were friends of mine handing out tracts that asked “Do you know the real Jesus?” so it was good.

Oh. Did I forget to mention that the gentleman spoke about “the real Jesus”? Oops. That’s what he spoke about, and that’s why there were a few of us who were concerned, because he obviously does not know the real Jesus; he knows an academic, explainable, only-human, non-redemptive Jesus. But I pray that he will come to know the real, all-powerful, life-changing, sin-forgiving, Cross-dying, resurrected Jesus!

On a lighter note, I’m following Kelli’s idea and am having a “Get to Know the Alphabet of Bek!” :) To see Kelli’s alphabet, follow the link here.

A. Age: 22
B. Bed size: twin. Dorm-room twin. Sigh.
C. Chore that I hate: cleaning the bathroom…I’ll do laundry or dishes till the cows come home, but please don’t put me in the bathroom!
D. Dream house: something that has a kitchen to fit my quirks, a big laundry room, and a wrap-around porch with a swing {the Southern porch swings are getting to me!}
E. Essential start to my day: time with Jesus!!!!!!!
F. Favorite Color: hot freaking pink. oh yeah
G. Gold or Silver: depends on the outfit :)
H. Height: 5’5'” on my driver’s license… really like 5’4".5”
I. Instruments I play: I used to play classical piano… now I play homework
J. Job Title: Peer Leader/Teacher’s Assistant {yes, there are bunches of people at school who walk around with that job title} and my other job is Student Records Aide
K. Kids: well, eventually!
L. Live: in my dorm :)
M. Mother’s Name: um, Mom? Well, sometimes I call her Ma
N. Nickname: whoa there, that’s personal… well, some of them are. The main ones are Bek and Beks and Bekah… pretty typical
O. Overnight hospital stays: if you count my mom’s C-section with me; other than that, no, praise God
P. Pet peeves: drivers who use their turn signal but obviously aren't turning… don’t they hear the little blinky sound????
Q. Quote from a movie: “Hairy legs are your only link to reality.”
R. Right or left handed: Right… I can deal cards with my left hand, and that is all.
S. Siblings: 3 awesome and amazing sisters! Woot!
T. Trick: um, I don’t really do tricks, but I can tell jokes!
U. Underwear: yes, please! On rather than off!
V. Vegetable I hate: hmm… I like veggies… Can I do fruit? I’m not a fan of cantaloupe
W. What makes me run late: oversleeping! Or talking…
X. X-rays: when I broke my wrist in 4th grade, when I was hit by a car last year, and when I had braces
Y. Yummy food that I make: I got really excited when I saw “yummy food” and I thought, how am I ever going to choose? And then I read “that I make” and I thought, darn! Does popcorn count?
Z. Zoo animal: elephants… and when I’m with young children, the screaming monkeys so the kids can scream to make the monkeys scream and then people look at us like we’re crazy but they’re kids and they don’t care :)

There ya have it, folks! Probably more information than you wanted to know, but hey, it’s Friday! Have a great weekend!

Thank you for praying!!!

This week has gone so smoothly, and I know it’s only because of God’s grace and your prayers! Thank you, readers!

Now I come to you with another prayer request, but this one is more serious {not that my plea for help earlier wasn’t serious; this one just has more far-reaching implications}. My school has “convocations” almost every Thursday {I might have mentioned these last year… forgive me if I repeat myself} and this week, the speaker is a “Christian” who has it all figured out. My friend heard him speak earlier this week, and came away with the conviction that we need to pray that the ears of my fellow, unbelieving students are stopped, that the words of this man are so dangerous, and that if we could somehow stop the convocation from taking place, we would. Sigh. Sometimes the anti-God agenda on this campus is so discouraging, and I think of the Daniel Fast where my church is crying out for God’s heart for the lost, and I wonder is it doing anything? Is it worth it?

And then I think, isn't my God big enough to let someone tell lies about Him? Of course He is! He’s been big enough since the Garden of Eden when satan told the first lie about His goodness! And I am encouraged again, because I know that whatever comes out of this man’s mouth will eventually be revealed as a lie. And I know that the students who hear him and believe him and accept his half-truth, I know that they are not too far gone for my God! Ahh!!! Isn't that marvelous!!?!?!? No matter how far gone we think someone is, God can still reach them. That boggles my mind, for real!

Please join me in praying, friends, praying for my fellow students, praying for my believing friends who are preparing to hand out tracts afterwards, praying for this speaker, that he might come to know the true Jesus Christ. Thank you, and remember to pray victoriously- God has already won!

4 weeks done, 12 more to go…

Oy. That is all I can say.

School is starting to ramp up into craziness. Woot. I’m trying to stay on top of it all, and still have a life, and still fellowship with my Bible study friends, and make sure my little freshmen are thriving and adjusting, and calling home once in a while {sorry Mom} and oh yeah maybe get some sleep???? Huh!?!?!?

If you think of it, please pray for my health- as in, that it continues! I’d love to NOT get sick this semester… that would be amazing. Also, please pray that I can keep track of my life… things are crazzzzzy!!!! Prayer would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Other than crazy, life is awesome. I love being a senior, and I love being busy (which I guess means I also am crazy!), and I love thinking about graduation!!!! Woot! Anyway, I need to get going- off to Bible study and then homework and then BED!!!! :D

God, You are totally cool

This morning, God told me that I need to reach out to people more, meaning more often, more deep, and to more people. He told me that I need to be way outside my comfort zone, and I need to be out there so often that what used to be my comfort zone is no longer comfortable! Whoa, God!

So at 10am, I went to meet with the professor I TA for. We discussed the class and our plans for the day, and then as I was packing up to leave, I heard God whisper Ask her how her partner is doing. Readers, you must understand. I love this professor as a professor, but I disagree with her fundamental views. She’s the instructor for whom I tried to read President Obama’s book this past summer. Great teacher, bad worldview. Anyway. I take a deep breath and ask, “How is your partner doing?”

She seems surprised that I asked, but then thanks me for asking. We talk about her partner’s health for a just a minute or two, and then I leave and head for class. I was surprised at how much grace was there, that the question didn't seem unnatural or forced or awkward, and how pleasant the response was. Thank You Jesus for being with me, just like You said you would be!

Daniel Fast Day One

For 40 days, my church at home is joining together in a corporate Daniel Fast. This means that we will be following the food guidelines set forth in the book of Daniel, when he and his companions did not eat from the king’s table but instead ate only fruits, vegetables, and other foods that were grown from a seed. As a body, my church is seeking specific breakthrough in regards to finding Father’s heart for the lost.

When my pastor announced this to our body last month, I was thrilled…and slightly apprehensive. I am here at school during these 40 days, so the element of fasting together with the church is lacking. However, I am still a member of my church, and I want to see God break through to us in this area, and so I am joining in this fast from across the country. It will be a modified version, since I am at the whim of Food Service, not my own cooking abilities (which would probably still limit me!).

God, break through! Break through and reveal and impart Your heart for Your children! Let us never be the same after these 40 days of pursuing You.

They Notice!

For my marketing major, I’m taking a class called Consumer Behavior. It’s a fun class so far, and I've had the teacher a few times before, so I’m comfortable, and there are friends also in the class. And it’s for marketing! It’s fun!

This weekend, the class was assigned to read Chapter 3. The previous chapter was about culture in general; this chapter is about specifically the values of a culture. The first value the book discusses? Religious/Secular values. Here’s the part that just kinda hit me with, whoa, you noticed?

“Their [conservatives] consumption patterns include both positive consumption {purchasing religious objects and books} and negative consumption {avoiding or boycotting products and companies}. And when it comes to key policy issues such as abortion, gay rights, the death penalty, and welfare, devoutly religious consumers are becoming less tolerant of compromise by elected officials.”

YES! I love hearing that conservatives are noticed! Now, the book may not mean that in a flattering or complimentary way, but I sure am going to take it as a compliment! I’m glad, proud even, that as a whole, conservatives are holding our elected officials to account. Thank you, McGraw-Hill Publishing! What an encouragement this evening! :)