LJ-
According to I Timothy 2:9, a woman's beauty stems from professing Godliness.  I think most men on here would agree

  I was reading this post and I thought I would reply, I usually dont unless its about music or something. But this is something I just had to respond to. My story is a lil different from yours, so here it goes. I was raised in a Christian household and had both parents present most of my life. My Father did he the best he could but he didnt know how to show his love for me, and he had the same thing growing aswell. I never had a real reltionship with the opposte sex, and the experaince I have iz pretty bad. My self esteem has always been a problem for me espcially in School getting picked on alot for various reasons. I find it difficult to not only accept Gods love for me, but also to trust him too. I dont think you're a heretic, when you say whats on your heart, it shows character and maturity, and honsty. The only thing I can suggest is that if you pray and ask God to show you, that he does love you. I never tried that but I am going to. And surround yourself with God fearing ppl who will encourage you and stuff. Thaz pretty much all I can say for now. I will keep you in prayer though. 

Hey, I kinda know what you are dealing with. For me, my stupid head gets mixed up and I start to doubt the existance of God. I BELIEVE HE'S THERE, but every once in a while I get thoughts that throw that off. I know that is the devil trying to get me to give up on my faith. It's those times, ironically, that cause me to reaffirm my faith in The Lord and draw closer to Him.

The thing you have to remember is this, Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. This applies to us in every way of our lives. Satan will do whatever he can to cause us to fall away from God. He will cause us to think that God doesn't love us, or that He doesn't exist.  Whatever he thinks our weak spot is, that is where he will attack.

We also have to remember what Jesus said: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." and "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I hope I have been able to put a smile on your face and joy in your heart to know that God loves you.

hi there,

i don't know you, but i know how you feel to some extent. growing up i was abused and my brother was favored. there were no kids in the neighborhood my age. every guy i ever dated used/cheated on me. i felt like nobody truly loved me - it got so bad that in my 20's i formed a hard shell around my heart. i didn't believe in God and i didn't let anyone, and i mean ANYONE get close to me. then someone told me about Jesus. not a testimony, just His name really. the Holy Spirit did the rest and i got saved and my life was changed forever in how i understood it. God has been showing me that He loves me ever since - He shows Himself in many different ways.

God is not like people - His love never ends. He doesn't love you any less if you aren't perfect, and He doesn't love you any more if you are the best you can be. He just loves you - and you can believe it because the Bible says so. i could show you dozens of Bible verses that says how He delights in you, how He sings over you, how He rejoices over your salvation, how His love is everlasting, how Jesus loves you as the Father loves Him. so many times in the Bible it says these things. well these are for anyone who will receive Him. He wants to show you His love. think about Song of Songs - where the groom is delighting in His beloved - the groom is Jesus and you are the bride (we all are - the church). that's how special He finds us.

my suggestion to you, is that you find some Bible verses about how much God says that He loves you (and He can't lie so you know it's true). write them down on post-it or 3x5 card and take them with you everywhere for a while. meditate on and memorize those Scriptures. think about what they say. pray through the verses - for example, if it says "I have loved you with an everlasting love," (God speaking there), then ask God to help you believe it and to walk in faith knowing that His love is real, has always been there, and will never end. (something like that). the Word is powerful and will help you for sure, especially when combined with prayer.

find some Christian friends also, who can stand with you in prayer and who can understand your need for encouragement. we all need that in our lives, to feel ok with reaching out to other people and saying "hey, i'm hurting here, please help me," without worrying that we will be rejected. the real friends in your life will stand by your side through the good and the bad. but even if no one did, you always have Jesus. He never leaves you, and i mean never. He is standing at your heart, knocking and wanting to come in and dine with you - meaning He wants to spend time with you and love on you. He desires your company all the time and He never tires of hearing you speak to Him.
don't ever give up - God loves you without a doubt, and He made you very special. there are going to be things that you can do to help advance His kingdom that no one else in this world can do. He made you with a special purpose and with love and care He delights over you now and forever.

of course I will pray for you as well that you are able to feel His love for you.
God bless you!
  Suzi

just wanted to let you know that you were on my heart this morning and i've been thinking about your situation and praying for you. please don't give up. God does love you and it's very clear in His Word that He does. even if you don't feel it right now emotionally, hold on to His promises in His Word - He cannot lie and they cannot fail.

love,
Suzi

Yeah..I love that Nooma video...we show that one every now and then at Winter Camp.