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Why I don’t date men who are ‘willing’ to save sex for marriage
[Guest post by Arleen Spenceley: If you’re an unmarried Diva, this article will give you some pretty hard to argue with advice. Arleen’s writing on chastity is not something you read everyday. Even if you are married like me, this is something we should pass on to our friends, daughters, nieces and granddaughters.] “There’s something I need to tell you,” I said to a man on his couch in a Tampa apartment. He — then in his late 20’s and interested in me — nodded, and waited for me to say it. I, then in my early 20’s, breathed in before I did: “I’m saving sex for marriage.” I breathed out while he…
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Living Waters: Freedom Begins
[Guest post by Susan Deborahs: When I became the editor of Devotional Diva, one of the big changes I made was regarding submissions. I wanted women to be able to share their stories in forms other than written posts, and this is the first video submission! (As a reminder, I am also making my own video devotionals on YouTube!) I hope that you enjoy this format and are encouraged by Susan’s story of finding Christ.] Susan Deborahs is a young and vibrant author (Living Waters) from London and serves at Expressions Of Worship church. She regularly blogs and shares her life experiences and lessons with the hope to empower, inspire and motivate…
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Gossip is Not a Harmless Sin
[Guest Post by Jenee Day: I honestly used to think gossiping was okay, even though I was a Christian. As I got older, I realized, like Jenee, gossip is not a harmless sin. Here’s why.] Today I contributed to the destruction of a relationship. Contributed is probably the wrong word. Comparing the relationship to a skyscraper being demolished, I would be the person who provided the explosives. Not directly, not intentionally, but with a little bit of ‘harmless’ sin. I was having a difficult day, and I called my friend to talk about it. Disclosure: Gossip is a sin I struggle with. It’s easy for me to rationalize and honestly,…
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Meet Our "Beauty Diva" Asia!
[Editor’s note: Asia approached me with the idea of becoming the “Beauty Diva” — As a professional makeup artist, she wanted to share photos of her makeovers and the stories of those women! I was pretty excited. I believe this will be a cool weekly feature to have on Devotional Diva, and I hope you will enjoy our “Beauty Saturdays!” In this post you will get to know her a little better, and next Saturday will be her first guest post!] Kimberly “Asia” Hall born April 29, 1988 in Columbia, SC is a makeup artist employed by Eastern TV/Vh1. She is the middle child of Pastor Jerry L. Hall and Wanda…
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A Jonah Story
[Guest post by Onome. I love the way Onome looks at life’s situations and relates them back to the Lord. If you’ve ever felt like you’re in the belly of a giant fish, this is for you.] I was reading my five-year-old’s Bible one day when I ran into the Jonah story. Reading it through the eyes of a child gave me a better perspective. I was hit by the realization that Jonah was actually in the belly of a fish when he prayed and God heard him. I went back to read the passage from my Bible. In Jonah 1:17, the Bible recorded that God had prepared…
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You Can Have a Peaceful Pregnancy
[Guest post by Sarah Coleman: Sarah was the first woman to reach out to me to submit a guest post when I became editor. I loved her writing and I could feel her kind and generous spirit through the computer screens that connected us. For those of you on the path of motherhood, be encouraged.] John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. I was fairly optimistic when it came to pregnancy. I mean, teenage girls don’t have a problem with it. Why would I? Of course…
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When Christians Are Hurt: Share Your Story!
I have been hurt. You have been hurt. We’ve all been hurt. But how do you respond to hurt in a Christian way? If you identify as a Christian, you believe in the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus. One of the verses I always associate with Jesus is this one: Matthew 5:38-40 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken…
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Practice Patience with Your Spouse
[Guest Post by Ashleigh Slater – I always appreciate returning the favor when a fellow author lets me share about my book on her blog. This is Ashleigh’s first book entitled Team Us. I appreciate her sharing wisdom on 4 steps to practice patience with your spouse’s old habits. Enjoy and be encouraged!] In the weeks that led up to our wedding, my husband Ted informed our friends, family, and anyone who would listen of his impending death. “Death?” you ask. Yep, death. Death, that is, to his single self. The self that could buy a new Nord Electro on a whim. Or stay up until two in the morning…
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A Different Kind of Stress
[Guest Post by Bonnie Gray – I was surprised to find the answers I was looking for in her new book Finding Spiritual Whitespace. I think all of us at some point in our life think we just have to try or pray harder. Do more. I love, love, love her story. If you’re stressed out today, I know you’ll be encouraged by Bonnie’s fresh word!] Can we ever be free from stress? Stress seems to be so embedded in our modern lives, we’ve come to breathe it like oxygen. Emails, Twitter, doctor appointments, and a to-do list filled with growing unchecked boxes are all part of my reality. Is…
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Resolved to Surrender
[Guest Post by Andrea Portilla – Why is it that we try to work harder, give and serve more when all we need to do is simply surrender? I appreciate Andrea’s post, and I hope you will too!] At the beginning of the New Year I had made a resolution: I was going to take a bubble bath once a week! A perfect kind of resolution! The first few weeks into the year I was beside myself, for I came to realize God desired so much more from my life than I had been giving Him. In the midst of motherhood and babies; being a loving wife and intentional mother, I…
