Delaying Sex Until Marriage Improves Marriage | Boundless Line

I?m blessed to start my work days gathering with my team for a time of devotional reflection. On Tuesdays, we?ve been reading through The Daily Bible, which organizes the Scriptures in chronological order. Last Tuesday, we were reading in Proverbs, and the book's editors decided to organize the individual proverbs topically, which is a pretty interesting way to read them. I read aloud a long section on sexual purity which included Proverbs 5:1-23; 6:20-35; 7:1-27; 22:14. It struck me how much of this book of wisdom warns against the dangers of sexual immorality.

Later that same day, I was reviewing a 2010 research study published in the Journal of Family Psychology that found couples who delay sex until after marriage actually improve their marriages. The study surveyed 2,035 married couples and asked them about their initial sexual experience together (before or after the wedding). Of the 2,035 couples, only 336 couples reported waiting until they got married to have sex. The largest group of couples had sex within a few weeks of dating, and 126 couples had sex prior to dating. Examining the data, the three researchers concluded that waiting to have sex until after marriage actually improved the relationship ? for both men and women ? in four key areas:

1. Sexual quality

2. Relationship communication

3. Relationship satisfaction

4. Perceived relationship stability

According to the study, people who waited until marriage rated sexual quality 15 percent higher than people who had premarital sex; rated relationship stability 22 percent higher; and rated satisfaction with their relationships 20 percent higher.

Many young people wrongly believe that premarital sex is a good ?test? for whether a relationship has marriage potential. But this research suggests the opposite is true. The researchers observed waiting to have sex until after the wedding (what they called "commitment-based sexuality") "is more likely to create a sense of security and clarity between partners ? about exclusivity and a future."

This research supports the biblical teaching that sex is a good gift from God, but is designed to be enjoyed within the boundaries of committed marriage. Many think that God?s commands just ?take away all their fun,? but the truth is that they preserve real pleasure and take away the pain that inevitably follows disobedience. Nowhere is this more true than when it comes to sex. God?s command to wait to have sex until marriage is a gracious one, a providence. Even those who've made mistakes in the past can recommit themselves to purity and enjoy the benefits of doing things God's way.?God longs to protect us from the decreased sexual pleasure, communication, satisfaction and stability that these researchers found results from having sex before marriage.

For more wisdom on this important topic, check out these recent Boundless articles:

Sex Series: State of the Sexual Union

Sex Series: Sexy Single Men

Sex Series: Sexy Single Women

Source: http://www.boundlessline.org/2012/08/delaying-sex-until-marriage-improves-marriage.html

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Kalyn's Kitchen: Recipe for Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini with Brown ...

My garden is still supplying me with zucchini at a pretty regular pace, so recently I decided a new version of stuffed zucchini should be on the menu.? I had some Cotija cheese that was left from a dish my brother Rand had made when he was visiting, so I guess that's what inspired me to go with a Mexican-themed version of stuffed zucchini this time.? If you're not familiar with it, Cotija is a type of hard, crumbly Mexican cheese.? It made a nice topping for these Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchinis with Brown Rice, Black Beans, Green Chiles, and Cheese, but if you don't have it you could use Parmesan, Feta, and or even a little more of the cheese blend that's used in the stuffing.

I used some of those adorable little round 8-Ball Zucchinis that I love so much, but if you don't have those, use a larger zucchini cut in chunks and then scooped out to make zucchini "cups."? The first time I made these the cheese got too brown and the zucchini wasn't quite as tender as I wanted it, so Jake and I came up with the idea of cooking the stuffed zucchinis covered for the first 20 minutes and then taking the foil off for another 30 minutes cooking time.? That time we thought they were perfect, and just right for a Meatless Monday meal! ? (You can find more meatless recipes by using the label Meatless Monday or checking Vegetarian Recipes in the recipe index, and I'm also doing a meatless slow cooker recipe each Monday on Slow Cooker from Scratch.? For more Meatless Monday ideas from other bloggers, check Meatless Monday at BlogHer, where I write a weekly post spotlighting one of the fabulous meatless recipe ideas I find around the web.)

Drain a can of black beans into a colander, rinse with cold water, and let them drain while you prep the zucchini.

I used half 8-Ball Zucchinis (on the right) and half large zucchinis cut into 3 inch pieces (on the left).

Use a small sharp spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the flesh of the zucchini, leaving a thin layer of zucchini flesh next to the skin.? (I didn't use the zucchini pulp that I scooped out, but you could use it if you were short on rice.)

Thinly slice enough green onions to make one cup and drain a can of diced green chiles. To make the filling, mix together cooked brown rice, sour cream, sliced green onions, black beans, low-fat Mexican cheese blend, and green chiles.? You can add a little Green Tabasco Sauce if you want to make it a bit spicier.? (We did.)

Use a spoon to fill with zucchini with the stuffing mixture, pressing it down so it's tightly filling the inside of the zucchini.

Cover the dish and bake the filled zucchinis for 20 minutes at 350F/180C.

Then remove the foil and use a spoon to press about a few teaspoons of Cotija cheese (or other cheese of your choice) on to the top of the zucchini.

Bake about 30 minutes more, or until the filling is bubbling hot and the cheese is nicely browned.? Serve hot. Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini with Brown Rice, Black Beans, Chiles, Cheddar, and Cotija Cheese
(Makes 6-8 servings; recipe created by Kalyn.)

Ingredients:
8 small or 6 medium-sized 8-Ball zucchinis (or use larger long zucchinis, cut in 3 inch lengths and hollowed out to make zucchini "cups")
about 1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (or other grated cheese of your choice)

Stuffing Ingredients:
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 can (4 oz.) diced green chiles, drained (Anaheim chiles, not jalapenos)
2 cups cooked brown or white long-grain rice (use brown rice or Uncle Ben's Converted Rice for South Beach Diet)
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 cup low-fat Mexican 4-Cheese blend
1-2 T? Green Tabasco Sauce (optional; taste the filling and see if you'd like a little more heat)

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350F/180C.? Spray a baking dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.? (Use a dish that holds the zucchini without letting them move around too much if you can.)

Drain the black beans into a colander placed in the sink and rinse with cold water until no more foam appears.? Let the beans drain while you prepare the zucchini.? If you don't have enough 8-Ball zucchini, cut a large long zucchini into 3 inch lengths.? Then use a melon baller or a sharp spoon to scoop out the inside of the zucchini, leaving a thin layer of flesh next to the skin.? Slice green onions and drain the can of diced green chiles.

Blot the beans dry with paper towels if they are still wet.? In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the black beans, sliced green onions, diced green chiles, cooked rice, sour cream, and low-fat cheese.? Gently mix to combine, then taste the mixture and see if you want to add the optional Green Tabasco Sauce. (We did, but we weren't making it for kids.)

Arrange the zucchini in the baking pan.? Use a spoon to fill each zucchini ball or cup with the stuffing mixture, pressing it down so the inside of the zucchini is tightly packed with stuffing.? Cover the dish and bake for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, take zucchini out of the oven, remove the foil, and use a spoon to carefully press about 2 tsp. crumbled Cotija cheese (or other cheese of your choice) on to the top of each zucchini.? Put the zucchinis back into the oven and cook about 30 minutes more, or until zucchini is tender, stuffing is bubbling hot, and the cheese on top is nicely browned.? Serve hot.

These will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two and they can be reheated in the microwave or in a toaster oven.

Printer Friendly Recipe
South Beach Suggestions:

Nutritional Information?
I chose the South Beach Diet to manage my weight partly so I wouldn't have to count calories, carbs, points, or fat grams, but if you want nutritional information for a recipe, I recommend entering the recipe into Calorie Count, which will calculate it for you.?
More Meatless Ideas with Zucchini:
(Recipes from other blogs not always South Beach Diet friendly; check ingredients.)
Gluten-Free Quinoa and Vegetable Stuffed Zucchini from The WHOLE Gang
Val's Kid Friendly Broiled Zucchini with Cheese from Kalyn's Kitchen
Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant Parmesan from Cookin' Canuck
Zucchini Bake with Feta and Thyme from Kalyn's Kitchen
Zucchini Gratin from Gluten Free Goddess ?
(Want even more recipes? I find these recipes from other blogs using Food Blog Search.)

Blogger Disclosure:
Posts may include links to my affiliate account at Amazon.com, and Kalyn's Kitchen earns a few cents on the dollar if readers purchase the items I recommend, so thanks for supporting my blog when you shop at Amazon!

Source: http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/08/vegetarian-stuffed-zucchini-rice-beans.html

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Watching Over The Ocean In Kailua, Hawaii

Enlarge Courtesy of HOK

A volunteer helps in Hawaii.

Courtesy of HOK

A volunteer helps in Hawaii.

Some may see the efforts of Hui o Ko'olaupoko as just a drop in the bucket, but the bucket is the Pacific Ocean and arguably every drop is important to the health of the whole planet.

HOK works with landowners in Windward Oahu to improve and conserve threatened land and to restore the watershed. So far this year, 1,150 volunteers have logged 2,947 volunteer hours.

One of the group's biggest challenges, says Executive Director Todd Cullison, is "showing measurable changes in water quality. We have been degrading our watersheds for many generations. It's not an overnight reversal of past practices."

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/participationnation/2012/08/27/159735754/watching-over-the-ocean-in-kailua-hawaii?ft=1&f=1007

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Overnight Video: The Dude (Director's Cut) (Little green footballs)

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Pets and More Pets ? 3 Essential Pointers for Keeping Discus Fish

Keeping discus fish is no easy task. In fact, this could charge a small fee if you want to work it the proper way. There are numerous problems that have to be met to make it work. For instance, you can?t simply put them in any tank. You need to consider the size of the tank. It needs to be large enough.

The next matter to keep in mind in keeping discus fish is the water condition. You cannot just put tap water. You need to have water filtration to make certain that the water is free of impurities and ensure that it does not contain harmful chemicals. Water filter has to be able to remove the chemicals to make certain that the fish will survive. The area of the water tank must also be secure from predators like wild birds along with other pets that may abruptly grab them from the water. Even children must not be able to get to them. Some are highly expensive where there are varieties which are near extinction and also you would want them to be safe.

An additional essential tip in keeping discus fish could be their own food. You can?t just decide to feed them any kind of fish pellets. A number of them are actually picky and also you would have to try numerous foods just like bloodworms in order to check which one they love. It would be best to ask the pet shop owner what was the previous food they have been supplying them since most of them are loyal to a certain diet once they have been completely accustomed to this and it would be difficult to change.

Fish pellets are highly recommended in keeping discus simply because they have vitamins just like carotene coming from salmon and kelp. You can also provide live plants coming from pet stores, tropical plants that are coming from tropical discus. You also have to provide driftwood, rocks along with other plants so that during the breeding process they could utilize them to put their young. It might also be advisable to put no gravel within the fish tank for easier cleansing and to make sure that the breeding place is safe. This will make it simpler for you to check the eggs if they?re situated in a secure spot.

One more thing to keep in mind in keeping discus fish is the discus compatibility along with other fish. Discus fish are more peaceful and can live together with some other fishes. Seek out varieties that will cause no harm to these varieties. Refrain from placing these together with hammerhead sharks since there is tendency for these to eat the eyes of the discus.

Remember to check all of these elements to lessen the competition and danger towards the discus fish. In addition to that, by giving the right type of food, you could avoid many discus diseases.

Put these guidelines under consideration to make keeping discus fish simpler for you.

If you wish to get the best discus fish beginners guide, you can go to http://www.discusfishpro.com today and I?m sure you?ll find a good solution.

Source: http://petsandmorepets.com/2012/08/3-essential-pointers-for-keeping-discus-fish/

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Romney to make early visit to Florida convention

NEWTON, Massachusetts (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will make an early appearance at the Republican national convention in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday, a campaign official said.

Romney, who had been scheduled to arrive on Thursday ahead of his prime time speech that night, will now fly to Florida the same day his wife, Ann, is scheduled to give her address.

On Sunday and Monday, Romney and his wife were at their home in New Hampshire and made trips to a local high school where they practiced their speeches.

On both days, Romney gushed to reporters about how "terrific" Ann Romney's speech will be.

Romney's schedule has been largely kept secret this week as Republican officials monitored Tropical Storm Isaac, which threatens the Gulf Coast.

Republicans canceled the first day of the convention, which was scheduled to begin on Monday.

(Editing by Jim Loney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/romney-early-visit-florida-convention-004545616.html

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Republican Convention schedule day by day (Star Tribune)

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