Servant's Diary

There Is No Rest In My Glory

2013-02-16T12:04:00.004-05:00

A few sheep enjoying still waters.

The reason why I exist...why anyone or anything exists, is to glorify God. Yes, we were made for His glory.

In order to discover the truth about the world around us and the truth about ourselves we must first look unto Him. (Read John 14:6)

We must ever look unto Him. As the great Reformed saying goes, "The man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

If this is true, wouldn't everything else come together if we made our lives about this?

Being introspective is great, but looking within myself I am guaranteed to find many issues that have no answer in and of themselves and issues which I will not find answers to from the world around me. Even more so, I will miss many issues and not even be able to identify them on my own.

But, if I seek to glorify Him...His light will shine truth on my heart and I will see these truths covered in His grace. There is no room for myself or anyone else to get the glory because only He can redeem what is broken. Only He can save what is lost.

There are plenty areas of my life in which I want the glory. But I must be reminded that His yoke is easy and his burden light. Trying to get the glory is a heavy burden I cannot and was not created to carry.

There is only one kind of water that satisfies. When I am not looking unto Him I am not drinking from the only satisfying and life sustaining water that comes from Jesus Christ. Rather, I will naturally try to drink water that never satisfies and always leaves me thirsty.

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

(John 4:13-14 ESV)

Jesus Christ is the answer to everything in my life. When I trust Him I will look only unto Him and live to glorify Him. I will find joy as He shows His glory to the world through me no matter how the world responds.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

(Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)

Moses wanted to see God's glory and He saw it as God's goodness passing before him (Exodus 33:17-23). In the New Testament we see Christ is the glory of God:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(John 1:14 ESV)

When we abide in Christ He abides in us. Glory is not just passing before us, He lives in us.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

(John 15:4 ESV)

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

(1 John 4:12 ESV)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(John 13:34-35 ESV)

There is rest for our souls in Christ Jesus. There is joy, peace, life, grace, salvation, eternity. All of this glorifies Him and a result of His Glory.

Before Moses asked to see God's glory, God was lovingly assuring him:

And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

(Exodus 33:14 ESV)

In the 23rd Psalm we read:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

(Psalm 23:1-3 ESV)

"Beside still waters," in this verse is translated in Hebrew as "beside waters of rest."

Recently I was very comforted by this relevant verse:

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

(John 10:4 ESV)

Are you starting to see a recurring characteristic of His Glory?

I'll leave you with this:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

(Matthew 11:28-29 ESV)

-----------------

Helpful Resources:

John MacArthur, Keys To Spiritual Growth:
http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1385/keys-to-spiritual-growth-introduction

Pastor Leonce Crump II, Jesus Loves Whores & Hypocrites | Intentional Jesus, Unquenchable Thirst:
http://www.renovationchurch.net/sermons/sermon/john-4:-jesus-loves-whores-and-hypocrites---intentional-jesus--unquenchable-thirst

Ron Hutchraft, Someone Else Has Walked There First:
http://www.hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-hard-times/someone-else-has-walked-there-first-6810

Trusting God When The Feeling Is Gone

2013-02-01T13:30:00.006-05:00

Lately I've felt convicted to let go of seeking the "feeling" of God's presence for confirmation that He is at work in my life and that I can trust Him.

I believe (and am thankful) that, by His grace, He does give me the feeling and sense of His presence. I also believe it is a gift of faith that He gives me the mind to know and believe He is with me always.

But, there has been a rearranging going on in my heart. I am mourning my exalted desires for the outcome of His grace over He Himself. It is a good thing to want His grace. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. But it is still a burden, and I try to turn my head from this reality many times. I must embrace all of who He is. On His throne, He is exalted high above me. I do not deserve the fact that He steps down to reach for me.

I do not desire Him enough. I need Him more than I realize. And I am nothing without Him more than I can understand.

During a quiet prayer in a large room crowded with people excited to praise God, I simply shared with Him my lack of desire, my lack of excitement, and my lack of praise. And He did not reprimand me. I was not overwhelmed with great feeling. But I still held back tears, as He showed me that He stands in front of me, taking upon His face the sorrow of my own heart. He weeped on my behalf for what I could not accomplish on my own. He was not high on His throne waiting for me to join the crowd in their excitement. He was standing before me, holding my hand, humbling my heart by His undeserved mercy, love and grace.

I was not revived in that moment. Only assured that He is with me. And it is finished. And the feelings will come. The feelings will go. But He remains the same. I have no reason to not trust Him. There is no way I can't love someone who never ever turns me away. He sees the finished product when no one else can. I am His work in progress and He loves me as if I'm already a complete masterpiece. Only God can do that.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 ESV)

Dance Forever [Poem]

2012-12-09T19:31:00.003-05:00

You wrap me in cold winter flakes
Purifying the seasons I took for granted
The cold air renews my heart and golden morning rays remind me that yesterday is done
How does your Eternal Kingdom meet with my finite mass?
In each present moment we are together
You place faith in me that assures me of who I am
Jesus, your love touches my lips and makes me clean
I die then I live
You give grace and forgive
Take my hand, I will dance with you forever

-Christina Meyer, Dec 2012

My Future Husband Is Dying: Loving What's Alive

2012-12-01T12:08:00.001-05:00

Recently I've been having this realization of our dying flesh. There is a part of us that continues to erode and die. But we can rejoice because who we truly are is alive and well, made for eternity--never to taste death again. It is Christ in us.

"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossian 1:27 ESV)

John says, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30 ESV)

This is all still a mystery to me. But in Christ is my hope.

This has been applying lately to my thoughts about marriage. If my hope is in Christ, what I will love most in my husband is Christ in him. The rest of him is dying, eroding, fading away. The most I have to offer him will be Christ in me.

One day we will be in heaven where we will have true unity with one another. But until then, our dying flesh is still dying. And together we are helping those dying layers come off each other so that the hope of glory in us can be revealed--Jesus Christ.

"For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:13 ESV)

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21 ESV)

Thinking about this has caused me a little grief. Or should I say, lately bouts of grief have brought me to this realization. I think I was holding marriage and my future husband in a place I shouldn't have. I had put my hope in the idea that his presence would bring me a satisfaction that actually can only be fulfilled by Jesus. What I'm really looking forward to, what I'm really hoping for is the presence of Jesus Christ. And guess what? I already have Him.

Nothing else and no one else can fulfill my heart's desire. I will be looking for Him until the day we are face to face. He is with me always, but my dying flesh must finish leaving me until I can see clearly. I must decrease so that He may increase.

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4)

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

"In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'" (John 3:3)

God Is Jealous For His Bride

2012-11-10T12:38:00.002-05:00

Imagine you are standing at the altar, face-to-face with your husband or wife to be. You feel as though nothing can stand in between the love you have for one another. You are filled with adrenaline, nervousness, devotion, awe, hope, and love inspired emotion. In this giant crowd of witnesses, he or she is all you see. You are about to make the biggest commitment in your life. So much has happened to bring you to this moment, and it is just the beginning of a lifetime, for better or for worse.

Then, suddenly, someone in the crowd jumps up and protests this union! Threatening that their love for you, the bride or groom, exceeds the spouse-to-be. This person asks how could you forget all that you shared, how can you do this? How can you move on and never look back on what you had with them?

How did this person get invited to the wedding in the first place?

This person in my little story represents your past.

Christ is coming for His bride, and He doesn't want us to bring any uninvited guests who want to steal our hearts away from Him.

That is why He wants to make us spotless and presentable.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV)

Our past can really shame us and take our focus off the beautiful moments in our lives. It can take our eyes off of Him.

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. (Psalm 34:5)

He is jealous for our best interests. He wants to protect us from all that is not good for us. He is jealous for His name. He wants to be written on our hearts.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Hebrews 8:10)

We would never admit to inviting such a pesky guest from our past to a wedding that should celebrate our future. But sometimes in our bad habits our past can find it's way on the guest list and ruin special moments God wants to use to glorify Himself through us.

Maybe it's a past thought about yourself that needs to be permanently and continuously replaced with God's truth about you.

God is jealous for your heart and your thought life! You are His bride to be and He wants to take precedence in your heart so that you can be a special part of His name being glorified on the earth.

We are His bride, His very own people. And He wants to be ours.

-------

Songs 7:10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.

Songs 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his…

“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the LORD; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
(Isaiah 42:6-8 ESV)

Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
(Isaiah 43:4 ESV)

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:2-4 ESV)

Revelation 21:2-4 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband...

For they provoked Him with their high places,
And aroused His jealousy with their graven images (Psalm 78:58)

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
(2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)

God Hasn't Changed And He Never Will

2012-11-07T07:38:00.001-05:00

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28 ESV)

“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

(Malachi 3:6 ESV)

This morning I read Oswald Chambers' devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, and Romans 8:28 was the verse.

I will always remember Romans 8:28 being a major promise I would cling to as I went through extreme difficulties in my life whose end seemed way too far in the distance, if at all, at times.

And as I read this verse again this morning, I am reminded that this is still a promise over my life. Even though I am no longer facing such a difficulty. I am reminded that God is still the same God. I'm the one who has changed. My circumstances have changed. But He has not.

My heart awakens more and more to just how much He has loved me, how much He loves me, and how much He will always love me.

I am still called according to His purpose. Every morning that I wake up His mercy is new to me. His love is unfolding before my very eyes. The foggy mirror gets just a little clearer and my vision of Him increases. But this whole time, from beginning to end, His love for me is full, complete, and everlasting. My finite mind cannot comprehend His infinite love for me. For now, I catch tastes, glimpses, smells, touches of His goodness all around me.

When I am in a dark place or when I am on a mountain top at the breaking of dawn His kindness covers over me.

What a gracious, wonderful, and merciful God we serve.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
(1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV)

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39 ESV)

If things present or things to come cannot separate us from God's love, surely this means that His love never fails, that His love goes on forever. His love goes before us!

For you shall not go out in haste,
and you shall not go in flight,
for the LORD will go before you,
and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
(Isaiah 52:12 ESV)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
(Revelation 1:8 ESV)

When God Says "No"

2012-10-25T14:15:00.000-04:00

When God Says "No" To Something Good (like a godly spouse at the moment)

I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters,# that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. (Romans 1:13 NLT)

I was reading through the book of Romans last night. The book of Romans in The Bible is so foundational for us as Christians, full of who we are in Christ and God's promise for us as His children, co-heirs with His Son whom has authority over all. It is a letter that Paul wrote to his fellow believers who he longed to see, but God prevented him from doing so for quite a time.

If God had not prevented Paul from this very good thing, to encourage and be encouraged by those he loved, he would not have had the time to write this very important book of The Bible.

This struck me, because as a single person with so much to share in the name of Christ, I face all kinds of thoughts when I wish to share the love and encouragement I have in The Lord with a man I can spend the rest of my life with. Like Paul, I long to see this person and fellowship with him, to encourage and be encouraged by him in The Lord. It's not just a selfish desire to fill an empty place in my heart, I really do find my strength in Christ! But still, for the time being, God has said, "no," to what we can rightfully consider a very good thing.

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. (v. 11)

This godly desire of Paul's that was not fulfilled for a time was full of purpose. God had amazing plans with this time in Paul's life. And I believe that we, as Paul's fellow brothers and sisters, can also have hope that when God says, "no," to the very good thing which we desire it is for our good and for the good of God's greater purpose.

A No from God could be His Yes to Him working out something in and through our lives that is far greater and beyond what we can think or imagine.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Eph 3:20 NLT)

What are some good things God has said, "no," to you about in the past that have turned out to be something you are thankful for today?

Only One Yoke Is Easy

2012-08-02T23:29:00.001-04:00

When you seek freedom,
Why do you rebel?
Simply be free
You're denying who you already are
Chaining yourself to this fencepost of a world
Changing your mind isn't always easy
If you haven't yet made it up
Choose today whom you will serve
There is only one yoke that frees thee
True freedom calls your heart back to stay
Where is your heart today?

-----

I wrote this poem thinking about how as Christians we burden ourselves with the things of this world. Either we do something we know we're not supposed to and live in this guilt, or we start to believe doing what feels good (regardless of the consequence) is true freedom. When really, it is slavery to our own sinful desires.

If you have accepted Christ as your Saviour, you are free. Live that way. You'll know you are living in that freedom when you find yourself simply wanting to be at His feet, overwhelmed by His mercy and love.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36)

Paralyzed

2012-04-23T21:14:00.001-04:00

I seem to be on a poetry kick lately! This one is not necessarily about a man who is physically paralyzed, but I was inspired to write this while thinking about the struggle between hope and fear and what fear can keep us from or what giving into our hope could lead us to. Enjoy.

The paralyzed man
He hears a melody
Only in his heart he'll dance
In echoes of deep memory
His mind is alive
Vivid and true
His lips cannot laugh
His feet cannot move
And when he loves
It's more like a dream
Where tears are usually salty
His are bitter sweet
No woman will feel
His touch down her spine
No woman shall hear,
"Beloved, you are mine."
But if you're attentive,
Patient and slow
You'll see in his eyes
A twinkle and glow
The paralyzed man
He cannot do much
But the paralyzed man
Still hopes for love

Dear Seed

2012-03-30T13:06:00.000-04:00

I felt inspired lately to write a poem. So I wrote quickly this during my lunch break today. Enjoy!

Dear Seed
Immature still...
in the ground you lay

What is your fate;
Will you blossom and grow?

Down into the soil,
your secret form waits

for God's special plan,
written for you before time began

I'm hoping your fragrance will fill my life soon

I watch for the rain
And sunshine at high noon

In faith, I pray
For though it may be as small as you are

One day we'll know...

That Conversation You've Been Avoiding

2012-02-10T19:40:00.000-05:00

5 Common Fears That Make You Want To Avoid Confrontation

Does the thought of having that conversation with your boyfriend bring sweat to your brows? What do you do in a situation where you know something needs to be said, but you're not sure if you should follow your heart, feelings, thoughts...or what?

That dreaded word, "confrontation," is actually a good thing. It can actually be an opportunity to grow closer to someone. Before you continue worrying about how that person may respond, remember this:

"Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." (Eph. 4:15 NIV)

Ignoring that big elephant in the room--we've all been there. Confrontation is not easy. But, for relationships to flourish and grow it must happen. And God knows this. Relationships are very important to him.

"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." (Matt 5:23-24 ESV)

There's an entire book dedicated to healthy confrontation by Henry Cloud and John Townsend called, "Boundaries Face To Face." They have an entire series on boundaries in relationships. If you haven't heard of them I highly suggest checking them out.

One of the things I'm personally processing through is discovering what internal fears are driving me to avoid speaking the truth in love like God counsels me to do. Cloud and Townsend say that when people have had some bad experiences in relationships they tend to avoid conflict and confrontation altogether--it's because of fear.

Here are 5 fears they list in their book:

1. Losing the relationship: They fear that the person will withdraw either emotionally or physically from them.

2. Being the object of anger: They don't want to receive someone's rage or blame about being confronted.

3. Being hurtful: They are concerned about wounding the person and hurting their feelings.

4. Being perceived as bad: They want to be seen as a nice person, and they fear they will be seen as unloving and unkind.

If you identify with any of these fears, I encourage you take the time to find out where these fears are really coming from. I suggest starting with praying to God to search your heart, like David did:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!"

(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

I think if we can resolve our fears, and fear God over all, confrontation can come from a selfless and loving place in our hearts. Speaking the truth in love with someone you care about can change your lives for the better.

Have you had to confront anyone lately and did you deal with any of these fears?

Boundaries Face To Face can be found on my Amazon Store: http://astore.amazon.com/sersdia-20

Christmas: A Wonderful Surprise

2012-01-13T12:00:00.000-05:00

Personal thoughts I journaled over Christmas break.

Life is interesting, filled with surprises. But the greatest surprise is to be surprised by grace. God's grace abounds. He's full of mercy, love, compassion for us. It is never His intention to harm us. That's not in His will for us, though in this life, on this earth, we will have momentary trials, He promises us that these are merely momentary, and have no comparison to what is ours in Christ Jesus and what the eternal side of our lives will be like. It seems like a long waiting game sometimes. But then again, ask someone in their old age and maybe they will still be able to find things they regret not experiencing, not saying, not doing. Time still passes, as slow as it can be, as fast as it can be, it does not stand still whether we want it to or not.

When Christ was born, entering the scene of our world, humble and in the form of a babe...the angels warned us to not be afraid. Whatever may come, there is hope. A Saviour is here. A savior of our souls, a lover, a groom, one who would come to love us to the end, sacrificing His purity for our filth. Making a great exchange, because of a love so great, so unending, never failing, relentless, untiring. We are now reborn into a Kingdom unshakable. There is an open invitation to the greatest banquet of all time. Come, sit, dine. More than what you are even yet capable of desiring is yours. Imagination beyond your imagination. Beauty and glory your human eyes would perish from peeking at. A gift you cannot lose once received. A gift that can never be taken away from you. A gift you can share with others.

Mary pondered these things in her heart. A woman in a society where she had not much of an identity. A young lady in a land where righteous men had the right to stone her to death for being pregnant with child before marriage. This is the way Jesus chose to enter our world. He stepped down from his throne.

God is perfect. Perfectly loving and good. His kindness came before us.

Eternity is written on our hearts. I love being His child. It makes the story of life so much more sweet. Though I see the bitterness, I am not a citizen of this world. No longer am I a slave to sin.

Jesus was born, died, and risen so that we can hear Him say, "Welcome Home My Child. I love you. Welcome Home."

Waiting On Him

2012-01-05T00:11:00.000-05:00

“Often a Christian man or woman falls prey to that cruel and vexatious spirit, wondering how to find marriage, who, when, where? It is on God that we should wait, as a waiter waits--not for but on the customer--alert, watchful, attentive, with no agenda of his own, ready to do whatever is wanted. 'My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.' (Ps. 62:5 KJV) In Him alone lie our security, our confidence, our trust. A spirit of restlessness and resistance can never wait, but one who believes he is loved with an everlasting love, and knows that underneath are the everlasting arms, will find strength and peace.”

― Elisabeth Elliot, Quest for Love: True Stories of Passion and Purity

What To Look For In A Spouse

2012-01-01T16:53:00.001-05:00

After finishing Tim Keller's book, "The Meaning of Marriage," I found myself still asking this question, "So what do I look for in a potential spouse?"

I went back to see what I could come up with as gleaned from the book. I still believe physical attraction is important, but am I missing out on discovering the qualities and characteristics I should truly seek in a person? Am I guilty of eliminating people with beautiful character by scanning a room based on looks and polish?

Here, I will remind myself and share with you what to keep in mind during the marriage-seeking season.

Jonathan Edwards tells us that, "true virtue in a person--contentment, peace, and joy from the gospel--is beautiful."

I want to learn to find myself attracted to one's spiritual fruit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23 ESV)

Tim Keller urges us to look at these things in a person: Character, mission, future self, and mythos.

What is a mythos? It can be described as books, places, music, pastimes--inconsolable longing, things that get you in touch with the Joy that is God. Sharing this with someone is a wonderful experience, I think.

When you meet this person, get to know each other in aspects of family, church, and community life.
-deeper everyday life to evaluate character
-serve together
-fellowship and bible study together in community
-worship together

Also, ask yourself if you've made it past the infatuation stage with this person:
-have we been through and solved a few sharp conflicts?
-have we been through a cycle of repenting and forgiving?
-have we each shown each other we can make changes out of love for the other?

One more thing I suggest is to get mentorship and friendship from a married couple before and after marriage.

The Goodness of Singleness: Excerpt From, "The Meaning of Marriage"

2011-12-10T10:44:00.001-05:00

I'm about half-way through Tim Keller's new book, "The Meaning of Marriage." And even though I read a lot of material and study the biblical meaning of marriage, this book is still blowing my mind, convicting, humbling, and resetting my heart back to God's purpose and desire for marriage.

Here's a piece of encouragement for you single peeps! An excerpt from chapter 7, "Singleness and Marriage."

"The Christian church in the West, unfortunately, does not seem to have maintained its grasp on the goodness of singleness. Instead it has labeled it 'Plan B for the Christian life.' Paige Benton Brown, in her classic article, 'Singled Out by God for Good,' lists a number of common ways that Christian churches try to 'explain' singleness:

'As soon as you're satisfied with God alone, he'll bring someone special into your life'--as though God's blessings are ever earned by our contentment.
'You're too picky'--as though God is frustrated by our fickle whims and needs broader parameters in which to work.
'As a single you can commit yourself wholeheartedly to the Lord's work'--as though God requires emotional martyrs to do his work, of which marriage must be no part.
'Before you can marry someone wonderful, the Lord has to make you someone wonderful'--as though God grants marriage as a second blessing to the satisfactorily sanctified.

Beneath these statements is the premise that single life is a state of deprivation for people who are not yet fully formed enough for marriage. Brown responds along the lines of Paul's 1 Corinthians passage: 'I am not single because I am too spiritually unstable to possibly deserve a husband, nor because I am too spiritually mature to possibly need one. I am single because God is so abundantly good to me, because this is his best for me.' That fits perfectly with the reasoning and attitude of St. Paul. Christianity affirmed the goodness of single life as no other faith or worldview ever has."

---

So, what are your thoughts about this? Has it opened your eyes to anything? Feel affirmed? Disagree? Have something to add on to this? Please share in the comments!

Authors@Google: Timothy Keller

2011-12-05T13:01:00.000-05:00

Finding A Spouse In Church

2011-10-21T17:30:00.000-04:00

Finding A Spouse In Church: Every Christian's Dream, But Pretty Much A Dead End!

"People who met their spouse at church or a place of worship were just as happy as those who met on eHarmony, but keep in mind only about 6% of people meet their spouses that way." -EHarmony.com

Look at the image above. It's a typical church newsletter. You've got plenty of event choices pertaining to being or getting married, or even having been married.

But if only 6% of successful and happy couples meet at church, does that say something about the effort of the church to cultivate healthy and loving relationships before they even form? It's almost as if the message is, "We don't have much for you unless you go find a spouse...then you can come join us and we'll have plenty of programs for you to choose from. Yup, because we'll help you once you get one, but as far as finding one, you're on your own."

Maybe there would be less of a need for a DivorceCare program if the church payed more attention to the singles in their church than chasing all the married couples...because HELLO, 94% OF YOUR PEOPLE AREN'T MEETING IN CHURCH. And maybe that needs to change, because according to a study through EHarmony, how you meet your spouse matters:

A couple meets:

In a Bar 24.14% higher risk of divorce
Work – 7.61% higher risk of divorce
Social Event – 6.25% higher risk of divorce
Match.com – 4.35% higher risk of divorce

Friends -5.95% lower risk of divorce
Church -11.76% lower risk of divorce
Family -14.81% lower risk of divorce
School -41.07% lower risk of divorce

eHarmony -66.67% lower risk of divorce

Here's a YouTube clip on what John Piper thinks about using the internet to find a spouse:

There's Nothing In The Bible About Dating

2011-10-15T18:19:00.001-04:00

Tim Keller gives this Q&A talk on whether dating a Non-Christian is "ok" and makes the point that there is nothing in the bible about dating! So what can we glean from scripture about dating or relationships at all? Listen on in the clip below to find out.

Nervous about a first date? You can view my post on "5 Ways To Glorify God in Dating"

Here's another talk from Pastor Tim Keller: "Is There A Biblical Commandment Against Pre-Marital Sex?"

You're A Leader

2011-10-13T12:38:00.001-04:00

...shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly... (1 Peter 5:2 ESV)

If there was a conversation going on between Jesus and I a few years ago you would hear it going something like this:

"Christina, you're a leader."

"No, Jesus, I'm a servant only. Right? I'm following you're lead."

"Yes Christina, you are following my example by serving others which will lead them to Me. That makes you...a leader. Go and make disciples of all nations. There is nothing else to wait on. I am with you 'til the end of the age."

"Yea Jesus, but I'm a woman. I'm not supposed to lead. Wait, you mean like start a children's ministry?"

*Jesus shakes His head*

"Ok Christina, since you are a willing child, I'm going to be gracious with you here and place you in a Pentecostal church for a while."

"Ok, Jesus. :-)"

-------------------------------

I'm learning more and more that a woman can lead from where she is--wherever God places her. Because He gives us special grace to do whatever we are called to do. He is with us, always. And leadership comes in many forms, oftentimes in ways we wouldn't define as leadership. Service is the secret to leading and leading well.

What does it mean to you to be a leader? Are you running from the call to be one? Are you surprised to find that maybe you are one?

The Mystery of The Gospel

2011-10-12T18:00:00.000-04:00

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (Ephesians 3:6 ESV)

Like a child who has always had this inheritance, I find it difficult to understand the “big deal” of this “mystery.” I find it hard to understand why this was such a mystery? Is it really about Jew vs. Gentile?

Why did God keep this as a mystery for so long?

Maybe it’s about people realizing it’s not by works but by grace through faith. No matter how successful, no matter how poor, no matter how sick, no matter how healthy, no matter how popular, no matter how alone...you are welcomed into God’s Kingdom. You can be made Holy and stand in God’s presence by simply receiving the gift of Jesus Christ. Even more, He dwells in us.

Maybe it takes getting into moments of realizing how undeserving I am and how great of a gift I have to truly appreciate the revealing of this mystery. What things in my life am I allowing to hold me back from living in His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven? Perhaps I have mindsets based on lies masking themselves as normal and true, masking themselves as my identity. Mindsets holding me back from seeing more of His glory right now instead of thinking I must do more to get there.

It’s like the tree of knowledge of good and evil in a land of abundance and intimate fellowship with God. I’m focusing on what is not entitled to me. Ignoring the great gift that is given to me, that belongs to me. Forgetting that I belong to Him, and it is sweet to depend on Him. This tension must exist in order for me to have a choice to love Him in return. Or else it would not be love.

Do Angels Eat Food?

2011-10-05T12:46:00.000-04:00

Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.

(Psalm 78:25 ESV)

Ok, I know there's a deeper moral to this verse, but it's got me wondering...

Do Angels really eat food?

Did this verse inspire Angel Food Cake? They probably wish sometimes their "angel bread" tasted like our earthly spongie and slightly sweet angel food cake. Hmm, do angels get to eat dessert? Do they care for it? Maybe they are pretty disciplined and have to stay really fit so they can be better warriors and fight off demons with good stamina. Maybe the more we pray the more they work out.

Meet Me At The 2011 Blogger's Meetup! October 5th, 7pm

2011-09-07T22:55:00.000-04:00

Calling all Bloggers and Catalyst Fans...come on out to the 2011 Bloggers Meetup next month on October 5th happening at California Dreaming. You'll meet some awesome people from those avid bloggers to those just thinking about blogging, blog reading fans, and usually "big-time," full-time bloggers like John Saddington, Tyler Stanton, and Jon Acuff. Because we all start out as just people putting our thoughts out on the web. You never know where it could take you! There is power in blogging.

Chris Allen, Founder of iServe.org | John Saddington of Tentblogger.com | & Me! @ Last Year's Bloggers Meetup

Poke The Box: Don't Hold Back What God Created You For

2011-09-03T10:24:00.000-04:00

Poke The Box by Seth Godin. It's about being an initiator. It's about staring down your fears because in order to succeed you will need to look forward to failing. In his book Seth describes excellence this way:

Excellence isn’t about working extra hard to do what you’re told. It’s about taking the initiative to do work you decide is worth doing.

We can look at all the characters in the bible and decide they weren't qualified to contribute anything meaningful in this world. We could assume that they were not worthy to carry out God's purpose or receive His goodness. King David was a murderer and adulterer, Elijah struggled with depression, and Peter denied Jesus--not once but 3 times! The list goes on.

Through His Son Jesus Christ we are qualified to run the race and win. Victory is actually guaranteed for those who are called according to His purpose. So why wait until we "have it all together" to START?

If you are walking with Christ in faith, press in to your passions and desires and believe God has put you here on this earth to start something and finish it well. Yes, you might fail before you succeed. But the greater reward is building your faith and growing closer to Him along the way--all the while helping others to do the same!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 ESV)

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

__________________________

RELATED POSTS: 7 Points of Experiencing God

(Book By Henry & Richard Blackaby): http://www.servantsdiary.com/2009/09/experiencing-god-by-henry-richard.html

Sex Before Marriage and Christians on eHarmony

2011-07-08T14:29:00.002-04:00

"Sex Before Marriage" is a term that 49,500 people search on Google every month. In Atlanta, GA alone that number is 22,200 (10,000 of them probably being youth pastors looking for sermon materials).

I think most people, Christian and Non-Christian, know that sex before marriage is not openly accepted in the church. But most Christian peers are turning their heads to the issue while others remain confused, rebellious, or under informed.

My last post featured a great 3 minute talk from Pastor Timothy Keller on some of this matter. (Check it out here: Sexual Compatibility )

I'm returning to this subject because I recently decided to join eHarmony and I'm discovering some interesting views on there.

A good number of the men I've seen on eHarmony talk much about their faith, following God, self-sacrifice, God's grace, and desiring a Christian woman with morals, etc. That's great!

One of my guided questions to these guys includes, "Are you opposed to pre-marital sex?"

Here's the kicker: Many say they are "a-ok" with sex before marriage.

Some say it's ok as long as marriage is imminent, or others say they will wait if their partner wants to even though they are not opposed to it.

I just don't understand, if God clearly commands us to save sex for marriage and marriage alone, what makes these people think it's alright to compromise on any level? I think waiting for marriage is certainly beneficial to all, even non-Christians. Mostly due to being able to avoid pain, loss of emotional objectivity, unwanted pregnancy, and STDs. But for the Christian, waiting until marriage goes beyond even that. It's an act of worship and obedience to Christ and it's to our benefit mind, body, and spirit. It's not a restriction as if having fun is a sin, it's how God protects us and allows us to have the most fulfilling relationship possible. Marriage is the greatest earthly example of Christ's relationship to us. (As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. [Eph 5:31-32 NLT])

Check out this video from John Townsend answering a question about sex before marriage:

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;[Your browser does not support frames or is currently configured not to display frames. Please contact tech support if you are unable to configure your browser for frames.]&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>
Video not working? Go to http://bit.ly/sexb4marriage

But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:2)

Finally, then, brothers, [1] we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: [2] that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body [3] in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thessalonians 4)

Tim Keller on Sexual Compatibility

2011-06-24T00:34:00.004-04:00

Is Sexual Compatibility important to determine before marrying someone? Pastor Keller really drives it home on this 3 minute audio piece!

MP3 Download: Tim Keller on Sexual Compatibility

Relationship as an expression of sex vs. sex as an expression of the relationship. Why Christians wait to have sex until marriage.

Additional Resources On This Topic: Sex Before Marriage: How Far Is Too Far?
by Tim Lane #1 Most-Read Article at CCEF.org of 2010!