MIRIAM-Manly Men

Recently, I wrote a blog for the rugged hills group--about my singleness (that is the point of the rugged hills group), and recent events have spurred me to write about what a girl like me--one who's happy being single, waiting for the guy God wants--would want in a guy. This is NOT advertising, this is NOT a desperate plea for that man, I just think that guys deserve to know a little of what women really want in a guy. Also, I'm also fed up with media's portrayal with guys masculinity..


The media sends all sorts of messages to girls--that they need to be skinny, that they need to be beautiful, that they need a man to make them happy, but what are the messages that media sends to men? A common trend that I have noticed is that "manly men" are the ones with high paying jobs, sports cars, and at least a few girlfriends(skinny, hott, a variety of hair colors and intelligence levels)or ones that don't care about anyone but themselves and enjoy drinking beer with buddies and using women. Men that care about women, cry, or have some level of sensitivity are gay. Seriously, what kind of world do we live in when manly men are jerks with nice cars who use women and the only guys allowed to be feeling, sensitive, or nice are gay.


So the message is- if you are sensitive, then there is something wrong with you and you should try to become "manly" by doing said acts, or that you should just embrace your sensitivity and come out of the closet. I really can't imagine what a hard time it must be for boys and men growing up with these horrible assumptions.

Fast cars, beer bellies, young girlfriends, and irresponsibility are not manly--- empathizing, crying, feeling, and being intelligent are not unmanly.
So What Is MANLY?

Sacrifice

Responsibility

Being comfortable with onesself

Caring for others


All of these can be seen through the life of the manliest man who ever lived--- Jesus, the Son of God--the creator of man--all knowing, transcending time and space, more powerful than anyone or anything ever imaginable--He makes superman look like a kitten. --all of this manlyness, and what we see Jesus doing in the Bible is serving--washing others feet, healing people, being truly compassionate, loving his friends and family, providing for them, and ultimately suffering a most painful death on the cross innocently for people who continually hate and reject him---yea, that's manly.


Me personally, I really respect guys that are comfortable enough in who they are in Christ just to be themselves, I respect guys that put other people before themselves, I respect guys that take responsibility seriously, I even respect guys who are emotionally passionate about things. Most of all, I think the manliest men are ones that reflect the life of Christ...yep, that's more than enough manliness for me.

I know this is pretty elementary stuff, but sometimes that's the stuff we forget about the most.

MIRIAM-confessions of a singleton

My name is Miriam. I've been single pretty much my whole 19 years of life. I've been on one date, and I've never had an official boyfriend. I think that the expectations of being single are either too high, or too low, so I'm pretty much just going to try to explain my story as honestly as possible in hopes that it will encourage someone out there in the wild blue yonder of the web.

So like I said before, I've never been in a serious dating relationship, and I've only been on one date in my life. I'd be lying if I said that it has been easy and enjoyable. I don't think being single or being in a relationship is easy. I first started praying for a boyfriend when I was in 7th grade, it's hilarious now, but pretty much from that point it has been a struggle to stay content. God has taught me so many lessons though, and I know...now... that being content is not some boring standstill, but truly enjoying life and appreciating everything God has given me, and looking for ways that I can serve from where I am. Around the age of 16 it got even more complicated, I was in one of those friendlationships where I knew it was wrong, but I caved into what I wanted and was misirable. I'm so thankful that God has the transforming power to turn situations like that; when we are so stubborn and obviously go against what He is telling us, into positive learning experiences. I have to admit though, since I am being honest, that it still wasn't plesant or easy after that. 17-19 has been scattered with broken expectations, daydreaming (i'm sad to say), and foolish girlish inclinations. So many times I've expected something to happen in friendships, and nothing has happened. It's sad to me how much time I've spent pining over guys simply to have someone to pine over. Oh, I know I've been foolish, but thankfully I have a God that understands my foolish nature, and loves me no matter what. Still, though, at 19, it is difficult. When I go home, most of my friends are married or in serious relationships, I'm the odd one out, and sometimes the only one in a group that doesn't have that "special someone." It can be frustrating and hard, and annoying sometimes, but God's taught me that I just need to enjoy what I have right now, to enjoy being free and single, with a mysterious future where nothing is set in stone yet. I love being able to have that sense of wonder about my future and what God has in store for me. I feel like the kid on Christmas morning that has the big unopened presents still wrapped while the others have already opened theirs. (not that I'm bashing married people, I really think they are great, I just find a sense of excitement in my situation)

I know that the road ahead is rough and bumpy, and that the man God has for me may take awhile to find me, but I'm ok with that. I find comfort in the fact that no matter what, even if he never comes, that I have a perfect father, friend, bridegroom that is here with me now, one who completes my soul, one that will never dissapoint me, will always forgive me, and who loves me unconditionally. I can honestly say that I'm happy, content and joyful being single, and I hope that that can be of encouragement to those who aren't. It's not easy for me all of the time, and i know that it never will be for me or for you. It's taken a lot for me to come this far, for God to pound His truths into my head, and even now I struggle. So singletons, push ahead, move forward, don't worry about tomorrow, but take joy in today, God has amazing plans for your life, but first you have to surrender your mediocre plans. Be joyful in being you and basking in God's unconditional, irrepressible, immeasurable love for you even with His omnipotent knowledge of all of your wrongs and shortcomings.

The I'm trying to make is that we all struggle with being single, and that is ok. God made us with needs for human companionship, He made us to love, and seek others to love, but most of all, He made us to love Him in the most fulfilling relationship possible. God is all you will ever need, yes, an earthly relationship can be amazing, especially a God centered one, but no one can love you like God can.

Jeremiah 1:5 (The Message)
"Before I shaped you in the womb,
I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day,
I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations—
that's what I had in mind for you

Psalm 139:13-16(The Message)
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

MARK

(Listen to two songs here--> ) http://www.myspace.com/leahcanales

Hold Out for The Best
-by Mark

V1/
Every time I'm around you my heart skips a beat
Being with you, it's hard to stay on my feet
Like a punch to the gut, like a sock in the eye
Like a rocket that flies out of sight in the sky

Passion's a fire burning
Long, consuming, yearning
Let's not awaken it too soon
Let's give our love some room

C/
Baby don't get too close
Don't hold me too long
Don't kiss me quite yet
There's no need to go wrong
We don't have to have regrets
Don't have to make mistakes
Why not hold out for the best
And wait

V2/
Every look that you gives me sends me right out of time
To a place somewhere in heaven where you are mine
Just the feel of your skin, just the smell of your hair
And the way that you hold me, your breath in the air

Why would I gamble my treasure
For a fast fleeting moment of pleasure
Why would I risk forever
I will not do it, never!

C/



Another Song By Mark:

I remember the first night when
I ever held you in my arms
We were at your parents’ house
We were sitting on their couch

I remember the first time I
Looked deep into your eyes
Everything was shaking inside
I couldn’t stop now if I tried

And as your tears ran down
I knew I’d found
Something real
And I feel

Chorus
Nothing’s gonna keep me from loving you baby
Nothing in this world can compare to you
Nothing’s gonna keep me from wanting you baby
No one else in this world is quite like you

I remember the first time I
Realized you were on my mind
It was like a dream beyond
Anything that I could find

I remember the first time that
My heart opened the door to you
You had such an attitude
I could not stop staring at you

Maybe I knew
That dreams come true
Now I know
Let me show you that…

Chorus

Times may change, and seasons may pass
Some will try to tell you that love won’t last
Babe, I want to tell you that some things never change
In honesty, I promise thee

Chorus



I Want You-By Mark
V1/ I want you to talk to me every second of the day
I want you to walk with me every step of the way
I want you to stay with me when everyone’s gone away
I want you to pray with me and to trust and obey
God that is…

I want you to love me the way that I love you
I want you to be with me the way I want to be with you
I want you to want me the way that I want you
I want you to love me the way I love you

V2 /I want you to keep me, close to you heart
And I want you to know me how I’ve loved you from the start
And I want you to hold me cause’ I never want to part
And I want you to see me I wanna know who you are
C/
V3/ Is it ok for me to say how crazy I am about you
Is it alright for me to fight the tears when I without you
Would I be wrong to tell you that I think that I might need you
Am I fool to think that maybe you might need me too?
That maybe I am perfect for you?
Am I a fool I don’t care
C/

LEAH-Waiting for her Squash....haha :)

Dear One,
Its 1:03am Saturday morning august 2nd. Ive already learned a lesson on patience as my car is in our ditch out front. Each day brings another lesson to the surface...apparently driving backwards into your driveway when you've just woken up in the wee hours of the morning isnt pure genius. Sometimes waiting for you feels like slamming down on the gas and revving backwards hoping to slip between the ditches and onto the driveway. It makes your heartbeat quicken and at times I have the fleeting thought that maybe, just maybe i wont make it. But to be honest 99% of the time its full gas, straight back, no worries. I've got confidence I'll make it. Im thankful that when it comes to you, my confidence is in a perfect God, who never misses the driveway. Im human, thats why Im allowing this huge choice to be done by a God who unlike me has no blind spots. I can go full throttle because Gods steering. I pray for you, i smile in anticipation for you. Ive had a security system installed in my heart, no intruders shall enter. Im not worried that we wont find one another. I cant wait, yet my God has given me peace for here, now. We will be a mighty team, wont you wait for me? Fall in love with God. From that love you will find me. And i you. Receive the joy of waiting! Its so glorious. Today i also saw something i had never seen before. Two yellow squashes conjoined together! Surprisingly thats not too uncommon. It made me think, soon my love we will be growing toward God side by side. Then we will grow together! As we can be stronger, supportive and bigger than ever together. Wait for me, but continue to grow regardless! I adore you and am waiting.

-Excited yellow squash.

WAIT…just DON’T WAIT… (ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ALL!!!)
I wanted to share something I had thought of recently, some things are misinterpreted when it comes to “waiting” for the “one.” It isn’t necessarily saying, though its assumed “just be miserable for a while, just stay where you are and sit like a good little kid, until your rewarded for your silence.” Hahaha! Noooo! Its pretty much the opposite!!
Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 20:5
We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.
Psalm 30:11
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Waiting for Gods timing is totally a time of JOY! Weird huh? Once we become mold-able unto Him…he gives us the desires of our hearts, but we have to be willing to accept His will, time, blessings!
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart
“delight” means to be “moldable” so in other words…putty, clay… when we are the clay, we can be formed!! And our desires will become intune with HIS desires for us! (YESSS!!!!!!)
Then you can get up, dance, live, enjoy the beauty of His presence. We don’t have to wait to live…(may seem extreme but it’s easy to do…Im guilty!!) for that special someone, we don’t have to hold our breath, the days are evil, they are already being filled by temptations left and right to steal away our time!!!
• Ephesians 5:16
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Lets not allow our time to be taken up worrying about the who, when, where, whys and hows!!
Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
He/she, is out there!!! If God wills it! But no matter the case, you will be complete. Two broken pots don’t make a whole pot, they make two broken pots… So don’t wait to get it together TO BE “FILLED WITH GOD” or get out there and serve Him to your fullest, till that “one” comes. The time is NOW!! THANK YOU GOD!!! THAT YOU GIVE US ALL WE NEED!!! YOU ARE SOOO BEYOND WORDS!I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Leah

My lover spoke and said to me,
"Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.

See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.

Song Of Solomon 2:10-11

Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills. (Song of Solomon 2:17)

Hello! I wanted to create a place for the main purpose of encouraging my single friends, I yearn for each of you to see how precious the time of waiting is!! It is so beautiful! It is no prison of self pity unless you allow it to be, these days are full of adventure on rugged hills (Song of Solomon 2:17), a time to flee after God! Seek after His will to learn Gods art of love, drawn outside the lines.