Monday is Memorial Day.

You tug at the corner of your eyes, smushing them upward then pulling them down.

 Today I'm happy to have Kim as my guest. She has tons of experience  working with youth. And she has some interesting stuff to say about  Living Pure: Virginal vs. Virtuous.  

 I recently got to hang out with some friends who work in different  student ministries, and we had a blast telling war stories, reliving some  of our dumber mistakes when working with teens (and parents), and  lamenting some of the ongoing difficulties facing student ministries and  workers, as well as the challenges students themselves are facing in  this increasingly technological world.

How many times has fear stopped you from moving forward, pursuing something incredible, or taking the next step? When you feel conflicted about a decision, what is your first inclination? When something unfair happens, how do you respond? Is it to worry, pace, and talk to others? Do you get angry and question God? Or, do you move towards God and rely on Him, trusting Him completely?

Those who grew up in the 80’s can’t forget this gem of a Public Service Announcement:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk9XY8Nrs0A

While the war on drugs continues to rage on, another battle happens almost every day in traffic jams, breakrooms, and around dinner tables: the battle within the brain as it deals with stress. According to the American Psychological Association, the stress situation in America is “chronic.” That’s putting it mildly. Many would say modern-day Americans are the most collectively stressed-out population in history.

Love and respect are fundamental for a solid marriage. We are told by all the experts that in a marriage relationship, men need to be respected and women need to be loved. The Bible supports this but also commands us to love and respect both men and women.

Over the past 5 years, I have become acutely aware of how adult women feel when they begin to read and study the Bible for the first time. And, I see the need for Bible studies designed for women who are reading and studying the Bible for the first time– "Bible study newbies." I've recently finished writing another Bible study designed for women new to the Bible. For this new study, I've gathered together a group of women from all walks of life who remember what it was like for them to do their first Bible study. We are collaborating together to make the lessons as user-friendly as possible for "Bible study newbies." We want a woman to be able to pick up this Bible study and feel confidence in learning something of God's Word as she works through it. We hope she'll be ready to pick up another study and keep going—getting to know both God and His Word better with each one. Learning how to study the Bible with confidence and joy!

Are you looking for a way to shut down a conversation at church? Ask your casual acquaintances how many times a month they fast and watch them squirm.

As the Muslim month of fasting approaches, this topic will come up in conversations with Muslims. I have gotten out my copy of the excellent book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, by Donald S. Whitney, to reread the chapter on fasting.

Not long ago, the Desiring God site ran an article titled, “Does My Family Need a Second Income?” The article began like this: “‘Will you stay home?’ This is the question I ask when I meet a postpartum mom wearing her weeks-old baby in a Moby Wrap or Ergobaby carrier. Whether the answer is yes or no, I’m glad for every opportunity to talk with new moms about what it will cost them to return to the workplace.” The article went on to talk about why women should stay at home with their kids.