Juliana Elizabeth Travis

          Sometimes it seems like we have unrealistic ideas about what a relationship with God consists of.  Many people see it as "Oh, I'm saved now, my sins are forgiven, I have a fresh start, I can do what I want and nothing bad will ever happen to me  again."  However, this statement is wrong in so many ways.            God says, "Come as you are. Bring your brokenness, your sin, your shame, your guilt... bring it all to Me and I will give you rest."  Sounds easy right? But God also says that it will not be easy. In order to follow Christ,  the Bible says, "We must deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him."  We must give up everything to truly submit to His ways and this is extremely difficult.  God says in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation.  But take heart, I have overcome the world."  The world will shoot you down and make you feel worthle

          So obviously you feel like your world is falling apart, or else you  wouldn't be here on this blog right now.  Sometimes in life, things go wrong that you can't understand and that is 100% OK. Whether its from a relationship, a friendship, a job, or any other situation, here are a few things you can do to make yourself feel better. 1.  Look At Your Relationship With God           The number one reason why you probably have no hope left is because you have put more effort into other aspects of your life than you have into your personal relationship with God.  Think of this less as a tragedy and more as a wake up call.  God is calling you to come back to him.  You have to take more time to pray and read the Bible and make Him your number one priority again. 2.  Look At What Went Wrong           Take a step back and really think about it:  Was the situation unhealthy? Was it dragging you down and draining you emotionally?   You  don't need anything that

           In our world today, dating is a pretty common thing.  However, there is a difference between dating in a worldly way and in a Godly manner.  Below is a list of 10 guidelines for dating in a way acceptable in God's sight. Find your self worth in God before getting into a relationship. Don't date to feel good about yourself. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  -Matthew 6:21 Use your brain in all circumstances. "Those who walk in wisdom come through safely."  -Proverbs 26:26 The healthiest relationship are those in which the similarities far outweigh the differences. "Bad company ruins good morals."  -1 Corinthians 15:33 Take it slow. "Guide my steps as you promised; don't let sin control me." -Psalm 119:133 All  healthy relationships require good, solid, and well-defined boundaries. You are responsible for yourself. "Be careful how you live, not as

           Throughout the Bible, God shows us what real love is.  Through Jesus 's life, we are shown how to love others.  In our world today, love is defined as "an intense feeling of deep affection." However, based on the love God teaches us, l ove is not a noun to be defined, but a verb to be acted upon.  1  John 3:18 says,  "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." In  1 Corinthians 13:4-8, we are told the truth about what love is.  Love is: patient kind selfless unending truthful protecting trusting hopeful unfailing modest  unconditional Love isn't: jealous envious easily angered rude boastful proud selfish dishonoring           One thing I was told a few months ago that I think is one of the neatest things ever is to place the name of a person such as your boyfriend or girlfriend into the passage in 1 Corinthians.  With their name in place, read the verses and consider whether thei