Celibacy - To Be or Not To Be? That is the Question.

Good question, right? ... In 2007, I made the choice TO BE celibate until marriage.

Definitions of "celibate":   
1. One who abstains from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of religious vows.
2. State of being unmarried and, therefore, sexually abstinent.

I am currently single. I made a commitment to celibacy shortly after receiving Christ and dedicating my life to

Him, back in 2007... Six long years. (smile) ... During the past six years, I have been in various stages of single:  engaged, in a relationship, on dates, courted, and I've spent time alone. I have learned, I have grown, I have fallen short, I have come to know myself, my worth and value in Christ. Some times have been more difficult than others. One thing I know for sure: if it is your heart to honor God with your body, by remaining celibate until marriage, it will not "just happen". It will take work. It will take a personal relationship with Christ. It will take the love and support of those closest to you. It will take boundaries. It will take prayer. You will need to have God's word written on your heart.

So often, we are told what NOT to do, without being equipped on what TO DO. We know what God would have us to do, but sometimes we don't know HOW to do (or in this case, NOT do it). I can share with you, the life of celibacy is not easy. You have to be extremely intentional and proactive. You must be committed. You must know WHY you have chosen to remain celibate until marriage. You must understand why God is calling you to remain pure. As always, God's "rules" are for our GOOD. He knows that sex clouds our judgement. He knows the risks of STD's. He knows the chance of unplanned pregnancies and the pain of broken families. He also knows the effects celibacy has on the very core of Christian men and women. In a Celibate Christian Courtship, there are many ways God blesses the man and woman involved. For one, NO REGRETS. I can bet, you will never say, "I wish I would have had sex with that man that is not my heavenly-husband-to-be..." How many of us can say the same, for the times we have? You will not regret the decision to remain celibate. As a woman, I can tell you how amazing it feels to be loved and cherished by a man, and to know his love extends beyond a physical intimacy, into a spiritual intimacy. I can barely put into words how it feels to be loved and valued so much, by a man, that it is HIS desire to wait. Many times, there are men who are "willing" to wait, because it is our desire to wait (and that is wonderful)... but to have a MAN tell you "no"... to have a MAN tell you, it is HIS desire to wait. Ladies, can you imagine how much you would adore this man? How much you would respect this man? How much you would trust this man? How safe you would feel with this man? .... Now consider him. To know you love him with your whole heart, yet, you are not giving yourself to him sexually. To know that you love him enough to love his soul, as well, and to want God's best for him, reassures him. He grows to TRUST you like no other woman before. He sees you as priceless. Your purity becomes something he seeks to protect. As he loves you, adores you, trusts you... you love and adore him, respect him, and this cycle continues: love, trust, respect. God KNOWS the men and women He created and He KNOWS what is best for us. Our sacrifice now, pales in comparison to what we stand to gain, in life and in eternity. If we say that we trust Him,

SE Has Launched in TEXAS!!!

{{SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!}} - * drumroll please!! * - It is with great pleasure, honor, and joy that I introduce to you, LaRhonda Hamilton, our NEW SE COORDINATOR for TEXARKANA, TEXAS!! Look at what GOD is doing!

Sisters Evolve: Connecting Christian Women IS EXPANDING!! To God be the glory!! You are invited to visit the following link, to learn more and to read LaRhonda's bio/introduction. 

  http://www.sistersevolve.com/p/se-in-your-city.html

This is truly exciting news and if any of you know anyone in the area, please share SE with them!! Add them to the group! To all of our current SISTERS near and far, we encourage you to visit the link, read LaRhonda's introduction, AND WELCOME HER TO THE TEAM! ♥ Shower her with the love that makes SE so special!! ... To all of our Texarkana Sisters,

The Sacred Study!! For SINGLES & WIVES!!

This is the year of personal spiritual growth! We have a year of Group Growth Activities/Challenges planned. {SINGLES & WIVES!!} --- WILL YOU BE READING/GROWING WITH US? --- Only FOUR days away!! :) It begins on Feb 1st!! Make sure YOU have your book TODAY! We are following a 5-month reading plan. 

{SINGLES} - "Sacred Search"
{WIVES} "Sacred Marriage" (both by Gary Thomas)

{WIVES} This is going to be a year like no other!! Marriages will be blessed, strengthened, restored, and transformed in the name of Jesus! BOOK DESCRIPTION: "Scores of books have been written that offer guidance for building the marriage of your dreams. But what if God's primary intent for your marriage isn't to make you happy . . . but holy? And what if your relationship isn't as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God? Everything about your marriage--everything--is filled with prophetic potential, with the capacity for discovering and revealing Christ's character. The respect you accord your partner; the forgiveness you humbly seek and graciously extend; the ecstasy, awe, and sheer fun of lovemaking; the history you and your spouse build with one another--in these and other facets of your marriage, Sacred Marriage uncovers the mystery of God's overarching purpose.

This book may very well alter profoundly the contours of your marriage. It will most certainly change you. Because whether it is delightful or difficult, your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God, and to a spiritual integrity that, like salt, seasons the world around you with the savor of Christ."

{SINGLES} - And Single women, this will transform the way you look at romantic relationships. BOOK DESCRIPTION: Whether you are single, dating, or engaged, Gary’s unique perspective on dating will prepare you for a satisfying, spiritually enriching marriage even before you walk down the aisle. As Gary reminds us, a good marriage is not something you find—it’s something you make. What if you stopped looking for a “soul mate” and started looking for a “sole mate”—someone who will live out with you the great purpose of God?
What if dating isn’t about finding “the one” but making a wise choice so you can better serve the One who loves you most? What if God didn’t design relationships to make you happy but to make you holy?

We hope you will join us AND bless the women in your life and invite them to join us in this powerful, transformational, perspective and life-changing study! We are excited - how about you?! - - - Please note, the study has been extended from ONE month to a FIVE MONTH study!! There is just too much MEAT in this study and we don't want to rush it. We really want to take the time to explore the biblical principles in these books, exchange dialogue, explore application, and respond to the discussion questions at the end of each chapter.

DIRECTIONS:
 Beginning on Feb 1st and ending on June 28th, EACH MONDAY, a post will be started in our facebook GROUP for that particular week by LAUREN for singles and by MINNIE for wives.
- - * * Everybody who is participating, will do {4} things EACH week:**- -

1. READ one chapter/week.

Did You MISS It?

We are still basking in the afterGLOW of the way God MOVED during our 1st Mini-Meet of the New Year yesterday! The topic: Longsuffering. If you missed it, we missed YOU! But all is not lost - you can STILL tune in and watch and share the broadcast anytime! Remember, our Mini-Meets are held bi-monthly on the first Saturday of the month. Mark your calendar now, for the first Sat. of March!

Here is the link to watch and to share this and past broadcasts:

 http://www.ustream.tv/user/SistersEVOLVE

The way God MOVED in yesterday's MINI-MEET is beyond words. ♥ We are STILL basking in HIS GLORY; basking in HIS PRESENCE. We are STILL meditating on ALL that was shared. More than anything we are THANKFUL. Thanking God for the vision He has placed before us. Thanking God for his amazing Love. Thanking God for EVERY sister connected to the ministry. Thanking God for the transparency shown during the Meet. Thanking God for the POWER IN THE PRAYERS of the Righteous. Thanking God for His word. Thanking God for His loving kindness, mercy, forgiveness, comfort, peace, joy, endurance, correction, perfect love. We are thanking Him for WHO He is in our lives. We love you, Lord. ♥
The feedback and responses to today's MiniMeet have already started POURING in and we are PRAISING God for the praise reports we are receiving from everyone who was BLESSED TO ATTEND, whether in-person or online. We love you. We appreciate you. We are thankful. Christian Women, Becoming Better - Together. ♥ Be sure to visit our page today and read the responses of those who attended and tuned in... what a blessing.
For those who were in attendance - SHARE your experience/feedback here; comment below! SHARE the photos!! And don't forget to SHARE the u-stream link with the women in your life!

PRAISE REPORTS from women who attended yesterday's SE MiniMeet: 

#1 from Kym:
"I had a life changing experience today with Sisters Evolve.....what an awesome meeting. I look forward to many more times together. I pray many blessing on all of the sisters in Christ I meant on today. Watch out ya'll...Kym's out of that comfort zone. To God be the glory!!!!!"

#2 
"1.5.2013 first meeting of the year....what a break through.."

"LONGSUFFERING" Dialogue

{{ "Longsuffering" Dialogue}} For those who are TUNING IN LIVE via u-stream for today's MINI MEET, here is the dialogue we will be following! This is a portion of what the local attendees receive at the door and will help you to follow along in the dialogue. As well, you can keep it for future reference and to dig deeper when you have a moment. We love you and look forward to interacting with you later this morning!!!! 

Click HERE to tune in, 11am pacific//2pm Eastern: http://www.ustream.tv/user/SistersEVOLVE

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, LONGSUFFERING, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

January “Longsuffering / Forbearance” MiniMEET

2 Timothy 3:10-15 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 14-16 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

                                                                                                                          

THIS JUST IN: SE Wristbands!!

Only $10 for RUBY MEMBERS // $15 for non-members

Exclusive SE Wristbands >>>>> set of 4 silicone wristbands! May they serve as a visual reminder, not only to the Ruby Resolve we have all committed to, but also to all that we stand for as Christian Women, Becoming Better - TOGETHER. May we be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. JOIN THE MOVEMENT! Connecting 50,000 women in Christ!

CLICK HERE, TO GET YOURS TODAY!

Real Ladies. Real God. Real Talk. - Equipping REAL WALK!

Join us for the 1st Mini-Meet of the New Year!!This Saturday!! Jan 5th! Remember, we are exploring the fruits of the spirit. This month's topic: Longsuffering. You do not want to miss it. Already, this is shaping up to be our biggest Mini-Meet yet! To God be the glory! What a wonderful way to start the New Year! Bring a friend!

In Vegas, the Mini-Meet begins at 10am! 

We begin broadcasting LIVE at 11am PST / 1pm CST / 2pm EST 

 Free to attend. Donations are welcome, needed, and appreciated!

WHERE: 730 W.Cheyenne Ave, North Las Vegas, NV 89032

- - Our 1st Mini-Meet of the year is coming up, here in Vegas, and we do stream live on U-STREAM. If you aren't in the area, you can watch AND participate in the dialogue!! It's interactive. It's very easy and user-friendly. You simply click on the link and it's just like watching TV on your computer AND/OR mobile device! It is truly the next best thing to having you HERE with us. ♥
Tami Theurer SE Leader, will be logged on to the U-Stream as well, waiting for you all to join her as we come together all over the world, in the spirit of unity - Real Ladies. Real God. Real Talk. - Equipping REAL WALK! Will you be joining us?! http://www.ustream.tv/user/SistersEVOLVE - - YOU CAN VISIT THE LINK TODAY AND WATCH PAST EPISODES!! Be blessed! ... And BE a blessing; share this event with your friends and family. 

If you plan to attend the Mini-Meet here in Vegas, please RSVP in one of two ways:

1. RSVP on our Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/225733244225977/

2. Send an email to us at admin@sistersevolve.com and simply let us know you will be in attendance! 

 
PLEASE RSVP ACCURATELY, so that we may have an accurate head-count and can plan accordingly!! Help us to manage our resources and serve you in excellence. Thank you!