Godly Marriages and Courtships Still Exist

Godly courtships and marriages can and still do exist. Prior to the viral proposal and marriage that is #foreverduncan on the web there were mostly reports of celebrity divorces. The viral video that launched over the weekend showed the bride Sherrell and Alfred Duncan rejoicing and giving praise to God at the ceremony.

In the social climate we live in, in the U.S.A #ForeverDuncan was refreshing to see.

It was easy to see who they honored in that relationship, and how that same honor could be turned around and reflected toward each other.

It's true that life is not a fairy tale and being in relationships aren't always easy but #foreverduncan is a glorious example of what can happen when we put God first in every area of our lives. especially love.

There are still Godly couples in America that can function with true love and unity and I believe God is creating even more of them. They will become more prevalent despite what reports say and what most media shows.


It is my prayer that God continue to bless them with wisdom, discernment, and prosperity.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord. ~ Proverbs 18:12

In case you missed it here is the viral video that had many rejoicing around the world (video below)

What are your thoughts on marriage on courtship? How did you feel when you first saw the video? Leave a comment below.

He's Worth The Wait Review + Giveaway!!!

by: April D. Byrd 

Often people spend a lot of time looking for things outside of us to fulfill us, to make us whole. However there is so much satisfaction when we come to realize that our fulfillment is in God's will for our lives. Whatever the situation is that has caused emptiness, hurting, or longing in our lives it can be overcome by embracing the love God had for us first, from the beginning of time. Our fulfillment is in Christ's purpose and passion within us.

A great change took place in Writer/Minister Fanny Quioto's life when she accepted Christ's love. She began to come into fullness and wholeness in God. She was delivered from hurt and addiction, so much so that she was able to encourage other women. I know God connected me with Fanny Quioto for a reason, I am so blessed by her updates on social media and watched as her new book "He's Worth The Wait : Confessions and Notes About Your Future Husband" came into fruition. In He's Worth The Wait, Fanny Quioto shares her testimony of how she overcame her sex addiction and her decision to remain celibate until she says, "I do." She also shares her very personal and candid confessions and notes concerning her future husband directly from her journal. This book aims to encourage other women to remain abstinent until they are married and to remain strengthened in the process.

Gratefully, Breath Of Life Daily was able to attend and cover The "He's Worth The Wait" book signing event. You can check out the coverage here if you missed the action. One of my sisters in Christ surprised me and bought a copy of the book for me at the signing. I'm so glad she did. I was blown away! "He's Worth The Wait" is powerful and insightful. Fanny Quioto goes deep with the transparency in her testimony and the revelation from God, given to her during her struggle. She keeps it 100% real which made it easier to relate to, especially if you've ever struggled with addiction, thoughts of suicide, depression, low self-esteem, or the like. It's encouraging because of the powerful declarations pulled from her deeply rooted confidence and faith in God. The book also provides insight into why pre-marital sex tends to fail us every time. Through research, rejoicing, prayer, and accentuating the positive this book reminds us why it's so important to wait. It's a great resource to be used while in waiting. It's so awesome because it encourages everyone to recognize how worthy we are in God's eyes, so we can realize exactly why we deserve the best He has for us.

If Fanny can overcome and empower others through storm you can too! So, on to the part you've been waiting for... THE GIVEAWAY!!! You can enter for a chance to WIN a free PERSONALIZED copy of the He's Worth The Wait book in Breath Of Life Daily's free giveaway! There are so many ways to win. You can start by re-posting this picture below using the hash tag #HesWorthTheWait.

You can win a copy of the book by entering through Breath Of Life Daily's rafflecopter giveaway

1. Tweet about the giveaway. (ex: I'm worth the wait! Just entered for free copy of #HesWorthTheWait book from @BOLDImpactNtwrk #BOLDJournalgiveaway) 

2. Follow @BOLDImpactntwrk on Twitter.

3. Leave a comment on the blog post. (ex: I would love to win a free copy of He's Worth The Wait! God loves me! I'm worth the wait!)

4. Like Breath Of Life Daily on Facebook.

 Good Blessings! (I don't believe in luck) The contest has officially begun!!

Exclusive: "He's Worth The Wait" Book Signing Recap

Recently BOLDJournal got a chance to attend a fabulous event. The book signing for "He's Worth The Wait." was insightful, cool, and empowering just to say the least.  The event included music, spoken word artists, and powerful testimonies from singles who embraced sexual abstinence until marriage and continue to operate in God's will for their lives. 

Fanny Quioto, Author of  "He's Worth The Wait" shared some wisdom and a bit of her personal testimonies with attendees, along with her inspiration for writing the book.  "He's Worth The Wait" also has a CD version to be listened to on the go. It's a great resource to provide strength and encouragement for young ladies willing to honor commitment to God in their lives.

In He's Worth The Wait, Fanny Quioto shares her testimony of how she overcame her sex addiction and her decision to remain celibate until she says, "I do." She also shares her very personal and candid confessions and notes concerning her future husband directly from her journal. This book aims to encourage other women to remain abstinent until they are married and to remain strengthened in the process.

"He's Worth The Wait" is available now on Amazon. Overall it was a great event! We're looking forward to more events of the like. Thanks to Fanny and her ministry Hands Of Love outreach for sponsoring the event! In case you missed it we have some great images below. You can also check out a few of the video clips on our Instagram.

Breath Of Life Daily Editor-In-Chief @aprilinspired and  Poet @innertame_me rocking He's Worth The Wait tees

Breath Of Life Daily Editor-In-Chief @aprilinspired and the woman of the hour "He's Worth The Wait" Author Fanny Quioto  (Prov31status)

Attendees rocked their "He's Worth The Wait" tees. 

To acquire a "He's Worth The Wait book", CD, or for more info contact Fanny Quito via e-mail at quiotof@gmail.com and Stay tuned to Breath Of Life Daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to find out how you can win a personalized copy of "He's Worth The Wait".

"Ceremony Before Sex" By Darian A. WIlliams

Would you rather be a leader or to follower?

Most would probably say leader, it is an obvious choice.  A leader is depicted as being strong, courageous, and assertive.  To be labeled any of these words would build confidence and faith in ones self.  Followers are sometimes depicted as a lesser adjunct.  The one who didn't have the strength, will, or power to position themselves above the norm.  True to a certain extent, but by whose definition?  As far the church is concerned; the sheep, the flock, we are, in a sense, incapable, weak, inferior, but inferior only to our leader, Jesus the Christ.  Let it be told, according to the Bible, He is the only one in whom we are inferior (Genesis 1:26).  That includes powers, principalities, things seen, made, and that will be made.  We, the church, already have a leader, someone who was and is strong, was and is capable, was and is God! We don't need anymore leaders, nor do we have to be leaders.  We just need to follow, to serve, to compliment, to represent our leader. Romans 12:1-2, tells us to not be conformed to the world, because the world is unsure of herself.  She changes with what is most common, most accepted or what feels right.  For example, nowadays sex is just sex, it's common place, it's casual.  You don't have to put on a 3 piece double breasted suit to approach it anymore, you can do that with a tank top, saggy jeans, scuffed sneaks and some dreads.  So as for the church, we don't need to follow the world 's example, we don't dim it or make light of it just because of what is going on around us. 

In my 12 years of salvation, I have seen this transformation.  The lack luster responses to the standards of God.  I have seen how casual we have become when it comes to approaching this subject.  And I was sick and tired of seeing and hearing about it.  That is why I wrote "Ceremony before Sex", my first internal composition.

 I am aiming to be an advocate for the sanctity and purity of the Body of Christ. I want to break down and build up, to encourage, to assist, to crack open the windows of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Leaving the rest for you to decide if you want to take that route and open the window all the way.  If you are married, single, engaged, booed up, booed down, in between or even contemplating a relationship, this book is for you.

I ask not for your support for my sake but for the cause.  I need minds and mouths to get this accomplished.  If you read the book, tell someone about it, let them borrow it, or sow it to them and pray for change to occur.

Ceremony Before Sex, is on sale online now at amazon.com, barnsandnoble.com, and westbowpress.com. Search for it using the title, purchase it, and be open to the idea of investing in yourselves and others.

Thank you so much for your support.

Author, Darian A. Williams

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth."

Keiron and I on our wedding day.

Surprised by the title? Want some more?

"...your love is more delightful than wine."

He says to her:

  "How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves."

I don't think those doves were crying. Continuing, she says in response:

 "How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant."

Alright, so we've got some making out, lots of compliments and even some lush lovemaking. Can you guess from where I pulled these quotes? 

Nope, not "Romeo & Juliet" or "Othello". 

 

If you said the Bible, you are correct. Those are verses from the very first chapter of the Old Testament book of the Song of Solomon (New International Version). I remember as a child sitting through a seemingly endless (and boring) Sunday morning sermon, stumbling upon this titillating collection of romantic prose. I wasn't even sure what sex was, but I knew this part of the Bible was far different from the Noah's Ark, Sunday School- type stories I usually read. 

Fast forward to the first year or so of my marriage, and I was trying to think up ways to let my husband, K, know I was thinking of him throughout the day. I started including little love notes in his lunch bag with various verses from the Song of Solomon. Here are a few of my favorite:

"All night long on my bed

I looked for the one my heart loves;

I looked for him but did not find him.

I will get up now and go about the city,

through its streets and squares;

I will search for the one my heart loves.

So I looked for him but did not find him.

The watchmen found me

as they made their rounds in the city.

“Have you seen the one my heart loves?”

Scarcely had I passed them

when I found the one my heart loves.

I held him and would not let him go..."

(From chapter 3)

"Place me like a seal over your heart,

like a seal on your arm;

for love is as strong as death,

its jealousy unyielding as the grave.

It burns like blazing fire,

like a mighty flame.

Many waters cannot quench love;

rivers cannot sweep it away.

If one were to give

all the wealth of one’s house for love,

it would be utterly scorned."

(From chapter 8)

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;

you have stolen my heart

with one glance of your eyes,

with one jewel of your necklace.

How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!

How much more pleasing is your love than wine,

and the fragrance of your perfume

more than any spice!

Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride;

milk and honey are under your tongue.

The fragrance of your garments

is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride;

you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.

(From chapter 4)

Next week will mark five years of marriage for me and K. It hasn't been easy, and it's been necessary to turn to the Bible for help on a number of occasions. Along with the more discussed passages on marriage, I've learned the importance of referencing Solomon's luscious love song. Who needs '"Fifty Shades" when you've got the Good Book?

On our second anniversary.

Love Is God

Homosexuals today are fighting, pushing for marriage benefits because it’s such a powerful institution. but men and women with the consciousness of God are taking it for granted, not thinking twice about it’s sanction, before “getting it on" however and with whomever they choose for seemingly convenient gratification. Lives are fading away and in the balance because society chooses to adhere to pollution and disregard purity. Understand that purity is the only place we find our sanity. 

The exploitation of sex, cars, and money that continually flashes before you is the pollution. Of course any one would look for pure love anywhere they can find it, when what is supposed to be glorious, becomes blasphemous and misrepresented. There is a way that is right and a truth that is Life. Don’t Judge another, but please DO NOT BE DECEIVED! The word of God is the source of wisdom, power, life, and love. look past the affairs of the world and allow your heart to commit, truly.




-April Byrd

Coach Jennifer: "It's Not Personal"

Trying circumstances happen to everyone regardless of who we are. What we personally believe and how  our thought process works determine how we we react to those circumstances and the overall flow of our daily lives. In this Lesson "It's Not Personal" Coach Jennifer instructs how we can strategically work with, go around , or leap over obstacles; Also, how we can use revelation and right thinking to move toward authentic success and be fulfilled in our specific purpose.

Psalms 18: 28-31

The war is impersonal. Obstruction is not personal. Leap over it, go round it or go through it. God is not interested in people that put their hand to the plow and then look back to the side. When people betray you, you don't have the power to bring them back, but you have the power to move on with your life. Betrayal, death, riches, wealth, all were here before we got here. Stop treating life as though as though its after you.

Key Points:

Depend on the revelation of the word of God and what your true self believes.
you, your mind, and your belief system and what you're trusting God for should should line up. there has to be synchronicity.
Right thinking is thinking which is based on truth and not illusion. It is the foundation which determines the solidity of all other thinking.

• positive thinking and negative thinking are both filtered through our belief systems.
• truth does not care what your belief system is. the world operates on principles and laws. it doesn't matter if you're a Christian or a non-christian the principles and laws are the same.
• God put the law of gravity in place.
• Your decisions and choices have consequences.
• Right thinking comes from being aware of the truth or reality of a situation.
• God's blessing is already declared its up to you what kind of vessel you come with to life. (ex: spoon, bowl, bucket etc.)
• No amount of inspiration. motivation will solve your problems if you keep looking outside of you for solutions. the first place to start and succeed is to shut everything off and focus inward.
• God is (inside) of you.
• hypocrisy doesn't work authenticity does.
• your mind attracts whatever is familiar to itself.
• God knows ALL, our job is to learn to listen. (As for God... Psalms 18:30)
• His way brings truth to the circumstance.
• God speaks through revelation. light and understanding.
• the word that causes light is revelation
• to the extent your revelation goes is to the extent that your life and understanding go.
• transformation is dependent on revelation
• the word of God comes in three forms: revelation, spoken word, and commandments of the Lord. commandments are written.
• what transforms us is revelation... "you can never not know what you know."

A Servant's Heart

(Babble)

Last week on my blog, I wrote about volleyball star and model Gabby Reece's comments about her role as wife and mother. In a much discussed (and trashed) appearance on NBC's "Today," Reece said, via the Huffington Post:

“I think the idea of living with a partner is ‘How can I make their life better?'" Reece told "Today's" Natalie Morales. “So if I’m the woman and he’s the man, then yes, that’s the dynamic. I’m willing and I choose to serve my family and my husband because it creates a dynamic where he is then in fact acting more like a man and masculine and treating me the way I want to be treated."

Reece recently wrote a memoir called "My Foot Is Too Big For The Glass Slipper," in which she claims, “to truly be feminine means being soft, receptive, and –- look out, here it comes –- submissive.”

There was an immediate backlash, which to me, isn't surprising. Many Christian women today even balk at the idea of submission (except, interestingly, when it's "Fifty Shades of Grey"-type... and I'm going to leave that alone).

While thinking about Gabby's comments, I remembered a passage of Scripture that really exemplifies servitude, and I'm not talking about Paul's much debated writings to the Colossians, either. No, this is from the gospel of John, chapter 21:

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. [emphasis mine, adf]

This is an awesome chapter, full of so much meaning. We've got Jesus having risen from the dead, but not yet ascended to Heaven, the reinstatement of Peter after his thrice denial, a miracle, and His command to "Feed my sheep." But just focus on the words in bold. While the disciples were out fishing, Jesus, the Risen Lord, the Savior, the King of Kings, took the time to make a fire on the beach. Then He prepared breakfast. Jesus hovered over a hot fire and fried up some fish, ya'll. Then He served it to them. He had been tortured, crucified, beaten death and there He was, serving.

And unlike Gabby, who chooses to serve her husband and kids, Jesus was serving the very ones who had abandoned Him during His darkest hours. 

In Ephesians 5, we are told to be "imitators of God," submitting ourselves to each other. In I Peter 5, we are admonished to "clothe yourselves with humility". It's counter-cultural, it's not of this world, but to become like God, we must lower ourselves. Gabby might just be on to something.


How do you feel about submission?
In what ways do you serve? Your family? Your church? Your neighbors?  Your enemies?


Alisha De Freitas blogs at East of Eden.