Sex and Church
Current mood: impervious
Category: Religion and Philosophy

In regards to an article on a 30 day sex challenge given to a church by its Pastor in Tampa....he challenges the married couples to have sex for 30 days straight, and challenges the singles to Abstain from sex for 30 days.....Hmmmmmmmmm

I wrote:

"This is a very interesting topic. Sex. Church. Two of the most controversial, I'd say. I love it. I think We shouldn't be silent about this.... church or no church. Our society is remarkable at devaluing sex. We are constantly bombarded with messages that sex is casual, that sex is meaningless, that sex should be had by anyone and everyone, no matter what the age, what the circumstances....if it feels good, do it. Right?

If we had that mentality for every area of life...we would have one chaotic society.... There are rules and laws set in place for Our PROTECTION... You can't run a red light, take a child that isn't yours or kill someone without suffering the consequences. These laws are here for our well being.

Believe it or not, we have a CREATOR who designed this Universe we live in, and most importantly this Creator LOVES each and every one of us.... HE Gave his LIFE for you....His name is Jesus. And HE created, along with every other living and beautiful thing, Sex. The Lord Jesus DID create Sex. And He wants us to enjoy it. But like every other thing in this natural world....it's governed by laws. by rules and regulations.
The Lord didn't create sex for love. He created it for MARRIAGE.....LOVE PROTECTED by MARRIAGE.

He gave us the choice....but not without laying out the rules. We have the choice to Wait until the appointed time to have SEX...we have been given the choice to wait for Marriage to have sex. It's up to you as an individual. When we Obey God, BLESSINGS follow. Blessings on our marriage, on our sex lives, on our children....on everything, but when we go against The Lords will we can't take part in His BLESSINGS.

The 30 day challenge this Pastor is setting in place is forgetting that part of it all.....instead of challenging singles to fast sex for 30 days, I pray that he is challenges them to fast Sex for the duration of their singleness....

It isnt' about, "Thou shalt not"....it's about why the law is there in the FIRST PLACE. The laws of God reveal the HEART of GOD. He wants us to have a beautiful love life. He wants his creation to flourish and multiply, he wants us to be happily married, he wants to end divorce, he WANTS us to have GREAT SEX. That's why he told us how..... WAIT. Wait until the designed time. Sex was made for Marriage. Now we know the rules of the 'game' but It's our free will. We make the choice. What choice will you make?

It's a precious thing that we give away so freely. I hope that our younger generation can grow up with the freedom to say, I will wait.... I will save myself for marriage. It's an empowering feeling knowing that you are making a life long decision that, in the end, will bless you tremendously. Not only you, but your future spouse, your future children, and your body.

"Good things are worth the wait", we've heard that before. But its the GREAT things, the SACRED things, the POWERFUL things, the EXTRAORDINARY things that are Especially WORTH THE WAIT.

These things are worth fighting for....these things are worth waiting for.

God Bless you all......"

4:38 AM - 89 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Jessicahoffman.net
Current mood: determined

JESSICAHOFFMAN.NET Is up!! I'm so thrilled to finally have my website up! Please check it out! I will have my site complete within a month, so please check back.

I will have a complete portfolio up, (in my decade of being in the industry, I have over 200 tear sheets of my work that have been published) a bio, beauty blogs, (you know I love to write, so there will be tons of new stuff every week... from my favorite products, to my best beauty rescue!) There will be a place for testimonials and News (Modern Luxury Hawaii Magazine's profile on my business etc...) and I'm going to have a section called "Pure Beauty" that I'm really excited about. Pure Beauty deals with the heart, and your eternal beauty... the kind of beauty that never fades. My passion as a makeup artist is fueled by my passion to see women blossom into the precious, valued and inspired individuals they were created to be.

"To have a lovely face...is lovely. But to first have the foundation of a beautiful heart... is my definition of Gorgeous."

Have a beautiful Christmas!

Blessings,
Jessica Hoffman

10:27 PM - 89 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Many people believe IN God, but not many BELIEVE God
Category: Life

Written by John Mason....I think this is wonderful! Enjoy friends!!


Many people believe in God, but not many believe God. One of the most incredible places that we can live our lives is in a continual position of believing God. The man who puts God first will find God with him right up to the last. For every divine direction that we receive from God will include us believing in Him.

It's been my observation and experience that nothing human works out well. All great things have God involved in them. Dare to go with God farther than you can see. If something is beneficial for you, God will put it within your reach. For the Bible says in Psalms 84:11, "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." Never undertake anything for which you wouldn't have the conviction to ask the blessing of heaven. A small man stands on others. A great man stands on God.

"God never made a promise that was too good to be true" (D. L. Moody). One of the great things about believing God is found in Luke 18:27: "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." What the superior man seeks is in God. What the small man seeks is in himself or others. You have never tapped God's resources until you have attempted the impossible.

The fact is that anyone who doesn't believe in miracles is not a realist. Look around, nothing is more real than miracles. Nothing great has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that God inside them was superior to circumstance. With God's strength behind you, His love with you, and His arms underneath you, you are more than sufficient for the days ahead of you.

The way each day will look to you all starts with who you're looking to. Look to God. Believe God. When you believe God you will see an opportunity in every problem, not problems in the middle of every opportunity. Joshua 1:9 says, "Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go"

12:23 PM - 89 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Being Single!
Current mood: excited

I want to re-write the definition of being single. Who was the one to call it, "solitare, boring, lonely, even insignifigant?" My definition would read:

"The ability to become your greatest self. To Travel to the farthest lands, to seek out life's grandest adventures, to establish friendships throughout every cultures, to grow your love for the world and for people, to blossom hope in your soul, to produce the kind of Faith that can make History, to fall in love without distraction of any kind with the love of your life- the creator of your soul-the designer of creation-the one who knows you and loves you best. The Freedom to live out this love and to follow HIM where ever HE leads. Being Single is all about being able to blossom into the extraordinary person God designed you to be as you experience the GREATEST love story you'll ever know."


Webster's Definition:

" sin·gle (s--ng'g?l) Pronunciation Key
1.Not accompanied by another or others; solitary or sole; lone:
2.Consisting of one part, aspect, or section:
3.Consisting of one in number:
4.Separate from others; individual and distinct:
5. Wholly attentive: (this is a good one!)
6.Unmarried.
7.Lacking a partner: a single parent.

I like to focus on My opportunity and what I am ABLE to do, rather than what I am LACKING....

I thank God that HE has allowed me to enjoy this time in my life SO much!! And that HE hasn't called me to be married....yet. ;) For once in my life, I am able to say WHOLE HEARTEDLY.....

THANK YOU LORD THAT I'M SINGLE!

Live your life to the FULLEST.....there's no Rewind button!

Love ya,
Jessica Justina

6:36 PM - 89 Comments - 15 Kudos - Add Comment

God is Healing ME!!
Current mood: enthralled
Category: Life

For those of you who know me, know this:
I have a horrible back! For the past 15 years I've struggled with chronic back pain...

If you ever see me twisting and leaning in various directions, or leaning up on a door or a corner of the wall in desperate attempts to crack my back....I'm just racing to find momentary comfort and a release of pain.
My scoliosis progressed from a 18 degree curve to a 41 degree curve. Text book speaking, any degree over 40 is mandatory 'titanium rods along your spine' surgery.

Now, this is in no way a bulletin to gain sympathy (although some of you have witnessed that trick in hopes of a back massage ...Thank you! ) Nor is this me trying to get attention (although, I'm usually not the person to run from the spotlight either..)

But I do want to bring your attention to something. Rather, to SomeONE.
I have a Creator....WE have a Creator.... and He knew what He was doing when He made me, when He made US. He designed everything about me, the good and the bad. HIS Word says, "He will never give us anything more than We can BEAR. " My chronic back pain, just another thing, 'I have to bear' , we all go through something, right? Somehow along the road of my 15 plus years of hoping and wishing and praying that this pain will end....
I've neglected to realize that I've buried a Promise that The Lord gave to me so long ago....along with it, I had buried my Faith too.

My faith as been on auto pilot. "One day"... I began to think, may never come.
A dear friend began to challenge me in my thinking, in my hope that my back
might one day be healed....begin to challenge my faith. It was then that I'd realized.... I had given up. I found myself faithless. After 15 years of praying for the same thing, and the only thing changing is the pain increase, I guess it's easy to do. Give up. But my mom's words kept echoing in my mind, "Even when we are Faithless, God is still FAITHFUL"

What is time to God? 15 years...? I gave up, but God didn't. He reminded me of His promise He gave to me over 14 years ago....
"I am going to HEAL you without surgery. In my time, when I can bring the MOST GLORY to MY Name." That promise has been confirmed to me numerous times throughout my journey,' through friends, dreams, random strangers, His Creation, His Word.... and yet I've still ending up in a place of disbelief? What will it take for me to start living victoriously? Will it take the healing for me to have faith? Then it wouldn't be FAITH at all. It would be evident. It would be simple fact.

I want to be a woman of FAITH. I want to shout it out that the LORD is AWESOME, that he LOVES US, and that he has PROMISED to heal me...with out surgery!!! I know that's a BOLD statement, and I am so thankful for the power of medicine and for Doctor's.... but God Promised me something. And I am NO longer afraid of shouting that out and making known to everyone who knows me, that I am getting ready for a Miracle!

I want to be like NOAH....he kept building that ARK, even when people ridiculed him, when he at times felt faithless....he kept BUILDING and preparing. BEFORE there was ever A SINGLE drop of Rain, he to build the ARK.... He was a man of GREAT FAITH. All the others who believed after the rain came....that wasn't faith, that's not what makes the LORD smile.....

We have to remember HIS promises and live out our lives as though it's happened already. Why don't we live a miraculous life.... BEFORE?
Let's have FAITH!

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER HAD, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER DONE.

I have to chuckle everytime I see a rainbow now, (and that's daily here in Hawaii!) That's his Promise to Earth, and like Noah, I want to build my life on that promise!

His word will not return Void.

In HIS love,
Jessica Justina

5:33 PM - 89 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

What does the Lord Jesus CAll YOU?
Current mood: enthralled
Category: Religion and Philosophy

If BELIEVING in God makes you a Christian.....
then Satan is a Christian.

Just quoting scripture doesn't make you a Christian....
Satan quoted scripture.


Why do you call yourself a Christian? More importantly....

Does The Lord, Jesus Christ call YOU a Christian?

Luke 13: 22-30.....Read it if you can.

Luke 13:24 "...Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many I tell you, will try to enter and will NOT be able to...."

Ephesians 2:8-10
"For it is by GRACE you have been Saved, through FAITH- and this NOT from yourselves, it is the GIFT of GOD- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are GOD'S workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS to go good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

God Bless!

5:09 PM - 89 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Sex and Purity
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Life

" In forfeiting the sanctity of sex by casual, nondiscriminatory "making out" and "sleeping around," we forfeit something we cannot well do without. There is dullness, monotony, sheer boredom in all of life when virginity and purity are no longer protected and prized. BY TRYING TO GRAB FULFILLMENT EVERYWHERE...WE FIND IT NOWHERE."
~ Elisabeth Elliot, 'Passion and Purity'

This is a bold and powerful statement that I think needs to be broadcast in this immediate gratification society we all now live in.

When's the last time you even heard the word, 'Purity'? We need to stand up and teach our younger generation the power in self-value and self-worth, the power of Purity and the power of a gift that we can only give to ONE. To teach, we ourselves must first realize....to encourage our younger generation, we must first LIVE it.

I hope we are all encouraged to live a life of Purity. Not just in your body, but your mind and heart as well....

Be What you were Made to Be.

~JJ

4:13 AM - 89 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Secret's Out!
Current mood: content
Category: Quiz/Survey

Dirty Little Secrets -- Answer Truthfully.



1. The phone rings; who do you want it to be?
My agent saying, "You booked the job!" One of my Sisters shouting "HI SISTER!!" or......

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
I find it a home!

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
Okay people, on three....I'm gonna go with a TALKER

4. Do you take compliments well?
(I ditto your answer Lauren!) And know I say a quick but very sincere THANK you and usually back it up with the appropriate shout out to the Lord....give him the glory....it's nothing I do on my own

5. Do you play Sudoku?
(again Lauren....ditto) No. Don't play it, doesn't really interest me. I'd rather read.

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
The odds are very slim.

7. Do you like to ride horses?
I LOVE the thought of it...I'm sure I'd be pretty good. One day... along the beach maybe, handsome husband by my side.. (*giggles)

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
YES!!! thank GOd!!! Some really awesome experiences!

9. What was your favorite game as a kid?
Talent show, or library....I know you're laughing right now!

10. If a person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married, would you go for it?
Um, gee....let me think... NO


11. Have you lied to get out of a date?
I think I have....... ;)

12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
I could, but I would be going into the relationship Knowing it would fail...WOULD I?? NO. I don't want a relationship that's gonna end...

13. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
-Be pursued. But that doesn't discount the fact that I love to plan, surprise, and treat the pursuer :)

14. Use three words to describe yourself?
Passionate, Playful, Prayerfull

15. Do any songs make you cry?
Quite a few actually..... butterfly kisses and the theme song from La Bamba to name a few. But most any worship/ praise song can open the flood gates too!

16. Are you continuing your education?
Everyday! But yes, I'm going back to school for Creative writing/ graphic arts one day soon...this fall????

17. Do you know how to shoot a gun?
No. I'd freak myself out.... I've never even touched one.

18. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
My roommate.

19. How often do you read books?
This is a FUNNY question.....(Lins and BS, are you listening!!!)
My bookshelf is full....but I have a bad habit of reading three quarters of the way in, and then getting sidetracked with the excitement and novelty of a new book, I never finish reading the first one I started..... But I SO LOVE the book that demands I read it alll the way through sometimes in one sitting.... Redeeming Love, Memoirs of a Geisha, This Present Darkness, Live what you Love....
Hmmmmm.....there's a parallel here ~

20. Do you think more about the past, present or future?
Lately the present, not holding back....if I feel lilke skipping, I skip; feel led to talk to someone on a flight, strike up a conversation..... stuff like that. But I am a HUGE dreamer, so I think of the future quite often!!! Ahhhh...... I have big plans for the future!

21. What is your favorite children's book?
Something Disney! also, Sweet Valley High, read the whole series!

22. What color are your eyes?
"My Brown Eyed Girl...." that's me!

23. How tall are you?
5'6 4/16

24. Where is your dream house located?
OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH! Great Question!
1) Port LOCKE, Oahu
2) Corona Del Mar, CA
3) Somewhere in ITALY....
that's it.

25. Do you have a secret fetish?
What really is a fetish anyway...yeah, sure. There's a lot of things I love, crave, need, can't stop thinking about. Mochi is one of them.

26. Have you tried sushi?
Love it! it's so fun!

27. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Any chance I get...they're funny. I love it especially when I'm with my nieces or nephews!!

28. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
So long ago......we don't have those in Hawaii.

29. When was the last time you were at Church?
I was at the church office tonight...other than that. Sunday morning, I can't wait for sundays!!! god is so good, he allows me to be free from work on most sundays now. Ahhhh, my fave day of the week!

30. Where was the furthest place you traveled ?
Furthest from.....? Well, there's Japan, France, England, Vanuatu, Panama, Thailand, Costa Rica, Ohio, Bahamas, Maui.....

31. What was your favorite job?
the job I have now!!!!

32. Do you like mustard?
-Yes mixed with a lil ketchup! (how do you spell that!?!_)

33. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?
Uuuuuuuhhhhhh, hard question!!!!! If I had to pick one it'd be: Sleep!!


34. Do you look like your mom or dad?
Ahhh, both. My 'first' dad is in Heaven now, and whenever my mom stops and says, "Oh my gosh, you look just like your Daddy when you do that" I get a huge smile on my face and reply with a high pitched, coy lil girl type, "Reeeeallly?!" ;)
But I definitely take after more of my mom's Portugese/Italian side...gotta love the Olivieris!!!


35. How long does it take you in the shower?
Could be 4 mins it could be 20...how much time do I have? I'll make due.

36. Can you do the splits?
only the right. I can do them on the wall too. Weird, I know.

37. What movie do you want to see right now?
Premonition. Just now got back from Catch and Release.

38. If you could fast forward your life, would you?
HECK NO!!!!!! I might push pause, but not fast forward!!!!!

39. What did you do for New Year's?
Had a great night at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach, all decked out with some lovely friends.

40. Do you think The Grudge was scary?
Couldn't even bear to watch the trailer the whole way through.... really.

41. Could you relate to a character in Mean Girls?
Yes, the one who got made fun of.... girls can be mean. That's why I made it a point to ALWAYS be nice to the younger girls in school (and now!)

42. Do you own a camera phone?
YES! with 130 images on it!!!

43. Do you have an "ex box" with pics and letters from past lovers?
Well...... Linsi and I have rule, as soon as one of them gets engaged, burn everything. Or when we get engaged, burn everything. But most of my "exes"- if you can even call them that- are my friends now...excluding "to the Left, to the Left boy!" so I may still have photos.
Is that a crime

44. Was your mom a cheerleader?
no she wasn't. But now she is....She's my BIGGEST cheerleader!! Thank you MOM!!! I love you for everything! :)

47. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
let's see....go to bed at 2-3am....wake up at 9-12 noon..... you do the math :)...okay, I'm only have kidding. I sometimes have ridiculously early call times all over the island, so when I don't have to wake up early, I generally dont.

48. Do you like care bears?
Funny!!! I was just thinking about them today!

49. What do you buy at the movies?
I bring my own goodies!

51. Do you wear your seatbelt?
Even in parking lots!!!

52. What do you wear to sleep?
that varies...... usually it's not a whole lot.

53. Anything big ever happen in your hometown?
I'm from the OC..... what do you think!

54. How many meals do you eat a day?
2-5....

55. Is your tongue pierced?
Right?!

56. Ever meet anyone you met on MySpace?
(Lauren......!!!!!!!) Yes. I have.

57. Do you read myspace bulletins?
when they're entitled, "Dirty lil secrets" I do!!! (Why Im I filling this out right now????)

58. Do you like funny or serious people better?
Funny fo sho!

59. Ever been to L.A.?
went to school there, worked there, ate there, danced there.....


60. Did you eat a cookie today?
I walked by brownies on the set today, and they were thee best ever....I had three. I think that counts for somethin'!

61. Do you use cuss words in other languages?
'in other languages'......wheeew, No.

62. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads?
now I pay.

63. Do you like chocolate?
Love white choc the best!!!

64. What do you and your parents fight about the most?
Men. hahah jk :)
I have awesome parents!! The only thing they're guilty of...is loving me too much!! :) (love ya Mom!!)

65. Are you a gullible person?
sometimes.

66. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy?
happiness stems from Joy...joy isn't earned, you can't find it externally, it blossoms from within, it blossoms when Jesus is in your life and heart. Only HE can bestow joy.
So, to answer your question...No, I don't.

67. If you could have any job what would it be?
Author/ Mentor/ Speaker/ Magazine Owner-Art Director/ Wife/Mother

68. Are you easy to get along with?
You tell me. But I'm gonna go out on a limb here and answer YES!

69. What is your favorite time of day?
Those moments when I get to tilt my head back, gaze up at the sky and thank my Creator for Loving me so much....

That's my very favorite!

5:21 AM - 89 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

100 Creative Dates
Current mood: creative
Category: Romance and Relationships

5:03 AM - 89 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

My 26th Birthday Party
Current mood: jubilant
Category: Friends

Check out my New Birthday Pictures Posted!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=86391594905.281713247405.1171281683738&page=1&sort_order=3&navfolderid=0&folderid=0&ownerid=0

4:06 AM - 89 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment