(dʒot) Christina's Jotter

Confession.

I think WordPress is way more awesome than Blogger.  But I have an emotional and nostalgic attachment to Blogger and am having hard time letting go.  In a world of constant change can’t I just keep one thing the same?!

25 vs. 30: 5 years - Big Changes - New Thinking

I wasn’t the typical 25 year old.  But my life has gone through some major changes in just 5 years from age 25 to age 30.  And maybe most of you out there who have reached these ages can say the same.

One thing I noticed is that I see the world way differently than I used to 5 years ago.  People don’t annoy me as easily, I’m less judgmental (or maybe just judgmental in a new way at fewer increments? haha), and even my sense of humor has changed.

My faith in God has transformed and become stronger.  Mostly because I come to know Him more with each passing year.  I am more patient with my circumstances and even more strategic about how I navigate them.

And lets not get into the way my body has changed, but I think there is still hope to be a good-looking 30 something, even 40 something. =P

So, what about you?  What are some major changes you see in yourself from the last 5 years?

To all singles in Christ:

So I say it again to all singles in Christ: God promises you blessings in the age to come that are better than the blessings of marriage and children.

Uniquely Displaying the Glories of Christ

And with this promise there comes a unique calling and a unique responsibility. It is not a calling to extend irresponsible adolescence into your thirties. It is a calling to do what only single men and women in Christ can do in this world, namely, to display by the Christ-exalting devotion of your singleness the truths about Christ and his kingdom that shine more clearly through singleness than through marriage. As long as you are single, this is your calling: to so live for Christ as to make it clearer to the world and to the church

1. That the family of God grows not by propagation through sexual intercourse, but by regeneration through faith in Christ;
2. That relationships in Christ are more permanent, and more precious, than relationships in families;
3. That marriage is temporary, and finally gives way to the relationship to which it was pointing all along: Christ and the church—the way a picture is no longer needed when you see face to face;
4. And that faithfulness to Christ defines the value of life; all other relationships get their final significance from this. No family relationship is ultimate; relationship to Christ is.

To him be glory in the Christ-exalting drama of marriage and the Christ-exalting drama of the single life. Amen

From John Piper at 

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/single-in-christ-a-name-better-than-sons-and-daughters

six commitments that will encourage a lifestyle for a healthy and strong marriage:

1. We will give ourselves to a regular lifestyle of confession and forgiveness. 
2. We will make growth and change our daily agenda. 
3. We will work together to build a sturdy bond of trust. 
4. We will commit to building a relationship of love. 
5. We will deal with our differences with appreciation and grace. 
6. We will work to protect our marriage.