My last post was a discussion about the relationship between you and your significant other here on earth, but I think you maybe already saw the parallels between that and the relationship between you and God.
The relationship between God and man is described as a romance throughout scripture, not just in the New Testament descriptions of the bride and the bridegroom. The nation of Israel is described as a wife throughout the Old Testament, particularly in descriptions of how Israel strayed like an adulteress wife, and how she should be treated under the law for doing so. Psalm 19 has a reference to God as a bridegroom, Isaiah 62:5 says "As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you." Joel, Jeremiah, Exodus all contain references as well as several other books. Hosea contains many such references, as God called him to be a living example of God's forgiveness for a cheating bride.
There are also many such references in the New Testament. Mark 2:19-20, Luke 9:34-35, and Matthew 9:15 tell the same story "Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast." This was a parallel for Jesus and his death.
There is an amazing song sung by Lauren Talley called "Will You Marry Me?" which describes the relationship between God and man as a bridegroom relationship. This song is Biblically sound, I spent some time confirming so before I posted it.
A young man left his homeland on a search so grand and far
A mission of compassion, a journey of the heart.
Looking for the treasure that would make his love complete.
Then at last he found her down a dark, deserted street.
Her eyes were sad and empty, her face had lost it's glow.
Her spirit tired and needy, for sin was all she'd known.
Lying in the gutter, she could not understand
Why he was kneeling down beside her, holding out a nail-scarred hand.
And he said...
Will you marry me? Will you be my bride?
Will you marry me? I can change your life.
I have looked beyond your failures and I see you washed
As white as white can be.
So I ask, will you marry me?
We were the woman lying in the street
A prisoner of the gutter with no chance to ever leave.
But now we are the bride of Christ, the redeemed from the fall.
Not because we've earned the right, but we've answered the call.
The call when He says....
Will you marry me? Will you be my bride?
Will you marry me? Let me change your life.
I have looked beyond your failures and I see you washed
As white as white can be.
So I ask, will you marry me?
I have looked beyond your failures
And I see you washed as white as white can be.
So I ask, will you marry me?
And the truth is, that our relationship with God is like a romance, isn't it? When we first meet Him, we are all on fire for Him, burning brightly. Just like a fire, and just like how I described a romance. But if we don't give that fire enough fuel (a good foundation, scripture, study, prayer, worship) it can sputter out. Or sometimes when it has burning a long time, we just let it go and it burns down a little bit (business, inattention, lack of focus). Ultimately we want a strong fire, with a steady burn, not a little spark or a low flame. But how do we keep that romance with Christ alive?
Answer: the same way we keep our other relationships alive. Yesterday I gave you guys seven steps to Revitalize your Relationship. Today we are going to apply those to your relationship with God.
STEP ONE:
Yesterday I called this small gestures, but today I am going to call it, Stepping Up. This is your first line of communication. Instead of remembering to show the person you love that you love them with small gestures, keep God in your mind through prayer and the reading of scripture.
STEP TWO:
Put them first. Being a blazing fire takes time and work. Put God first, set time aside for Him. I said love is an action not a feeling. Don't feel love, show love.Matthew 6:33 (ESV) says "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Put God first and He will start to reveal Himself to you. Romans 8:5 says "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." Set your mind on God. Spend time with the creator. Make sure he is on your mind every step of the way. This is one of those things that is easier said than done, I know. But just remember, its a process. Its a fire, not a lightswitch. You have to build it.
STEP THREE:
This was God time before, now it is Fellowship Time. Spend time with other believers, remembering to keep God on your mind. Share your faith together, worship together, pray together, learn together. Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) says "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Being in a group of other believers can really help you get that fire going, lean on one another and encourage one another.
STEP FOUR:
Do the things you did before. This is a little like the other steps. But basically, do whatever you did when you were still on fire for Christ. If you went to an extra church service every week just to hear His word one more time, do that. If you went to bible study for more Christian Fellowship, do that. If you listened to worship music in the car so that you could praise Him on the way to work, do that. Do whatever you did the last time you were really on fire for God.
STEP FIVE:
Get rid of physical distractions. If you are spending too much time focusing on something other than God, get it out of your way. If you spend more time doing something than reading the Bible, trade out some of that time. Remember Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Make sure you are focusing on God first. Anything you think about more than God, anything you spend more time on than God, anything that gets between you and God, it needs to go.
STEP SIX:
Communicate. I know, I sound like a broken record, but God still speaks to us. Sometimes (rarely in my personal experience) its a literal still small voice. But often its that nagging thought we get because we immersed ourselves in prayer (speaking and listening to Him), worship (speaking to Him), and reading the Bible (listening to Him). Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." If we listen to what God is telling us, He will direct us back to Him.
STEP SEVEN:
Stick with it. The reason we probably let our fire die down a little is because we didn't stick with it. We didn't keep doing all the things we did to see more of Him. So don't make this another thing you do and then quit after it works. "I need to keep the bookshelf clean" (tries new swiffer duster) "that worked! It's clean," (stops doing it). (Two weeks later) "Why is this bookshelf dirty again?" Answer: because you didn't keep doing the thing that worked. This is a trite and obvious answer of course, but we tend to think that once we get something right, we can stop. The reality is that once we get something right, we should keep doing it the same way. Don't let anything get between you and God again, and continue to put Him first.
Thanks for joining me in From Spark to Flame. If you have any ideas for steps or great verses that would help clarify, please let me know!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Revitalizing Your Relationship: Part 1 of from Spark to Flame
I have this theory that relationships are like fire. Sometimes when you first meet someone, its like dry kindling, there's a spark, and it blazes up instantaneously. Sometimes you're driftwood, and it takes you a while to dry out, but suddenly there's a spark subtly turning to flame. However it was kindled, your relationship then burns brighter and hotter as you get to know each other. Your spark turns into a flame. Eventually it turns into a bonfire, and blazes bright and strong. One day the fire will blaze down, but it is still hot, the coals are almost blue. Then eventually it burns down to the coals and the coals burn merrily and hot, and even if you bury them or try to put them out, they just won't burn out. Love is just like a fire.
I have an amazing boyfriend. We both share a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. We share the same mores and values, and we agree on all the vital matters of faith. And we have had a very strong foundation in our relationship. We haven't been together that long numerically, we're just now pushing a year. But we've already been through a lot.
Recently, Mac went through a tough time. I am not going to go into the details, but the point is Mac was struggling to get his ducks in a row, and despite the best intentions our relationship got back-burnered. We drifted apart a little bit. Now, a lot of times in relationships under a year that start to drift apart, it may be a sign you need to rethink your relationship, but I knew that wasn't the case with Mac. The reason we drifted apart wasn't because God didn't mean for us to be together but because we let circumstances get in the way.
So I made it my mission to be there for Mac in his hard time. At first it was hard, he was a little cranky, a lot forgetful, and incredibly busy. We spent time "together" but not really together. But I started with small gestures. When I was attending college out of state, Mac and I mailed letters back and forth. I mailed Mac a letter or a card almost five days a week. Often I received two from him in return (an impressive feat for a young man). Our relationship was vibrant and alive. So I started sending him notes again, cards, letters. I hid envelopes in his sweatshirts and wallets, just letting him know how much I loved him, that God loved him, and that we were both there for him.
That was just the first step, and I took a few others and have had some more recommended to me by friends. The Christian's guide to revitalizing romance at any step in your relationship.
STEP ONE:
Small gestures. The first step is doing little things to remind your significant other how you feel. Make sure that every second of the day they are reminded about how much they mean to you, and how much you are there for them.
STEP TWO:
Put them first. Don't be upset when they are cranky or grumpy or don't make time for you. Just smile and reschedule. They need your time right now. They need your forgiveness and sensitivity. Don't expect repayment for your kindness and attention right away. This is not a barter system. This is love, its an action, not a feeling. You don't feel it, you do it. You say I love him; you can't say I happy him, I sad him. Love is a verb, feelings are a direct object. I AM happy, I AM sad. I LOVE you.
STEP THREE:
God time. Mac and I started attending a second church service designed specifically for our age bracket. We picked back up the couple's devotional that we had neglected. I hadn't told him yet what all this was about, just that I felt God could really help him in his time of need, as always. God is always there for us when we need him, and true love only comes from God. 1 John 4:8 says "Everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. The person who doesn't love doesn't know God, because God is love." God is love, and God is the author of love.
STEP FOUR:
Do things you did before. Start subtly, but then get your significant other in on it. Do activities you did when you were first dating, or whenever it was when you were on fire for each other. When you first had that spark or that flame. If you bowled early on, go bowling. If you took the time out to go OUT to dinner instead of staying in, do that! Spend time together, give attention to one another, focus on the other person.
STEP FIVE:
A friend pointed out to me that every Christian couple has a PDA and any physical affection line. I will not go on a tirade about what the Bible says that line is. I know many people interpret it differently (right or wrong). This same friend said that if you want to rekindle your romance, DO NOT make the mistake of moving that line in the wrong direction. Take it back two steps. However you define those steps. Consider staying at that back step for a LONG time, or for the rest of your relationship. If you can handle staying there, why not? You will find that the little things seem way more romantic this way. Go back to kisses on the cheek, or just holding hands. Do what you need to do. She says it is tough at first, but it really makes a world of difference.
STEP SIX: Communication. Now, this isn't sixth because it is the sixth most important step. It is sixth, because this is, in my mind, a good time in the process to amp this up even more. Now that your significant other is in on the fact you are trying to get your relationship to back where it was, and you are already communicating more through your letters and devotionals, bring this to the forefront. Communication isn't really about talking though, its about listening and encouraging other's to talk. If you are the one who initiated these steps, it is most likely what you really need to be doing is encouraging THEM to communicate. Do so.
STEP SEVEN:
Stick with it. This isn't something you do and then quit. Don't go "Oh that worked" and then stop doing it (which isn't that so often what we do?). Revitalization is a process. Just continue to show your love and support. Don't let anything get in between you again, and continue to put God first. When you are close to God, you can be a funnel for his love to flow through you.
Tune in tomorrow for Reviving the Romance, applying the same principles to your relationship with God.
I have an amazing boyfriend. We both share a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. We share the same mores and values, and we agree on all the vital matters of faith. And we have had a very strong foundation in our relationship. We haven't been together that long numerically, we're just now pushing a year. But we've already been through a lot.
Recently, Mac went through a tough time. I am not going to go into the details, but the point is Mac was struggling to get his ducks in a row, and despite the best intentions our relationship got back-burnered. We drifted apart a little bit. Now, a lot of times in relationships under a year that start to drift apart, it may be a sign you need to rethink your relationship, but I knew that wasn't the case with Mac. The reason we drifted apart wasn't because God didn't mean for us to be together but because we let circumstances get in the way.
So I made it my mission to be there for Mac in his hard time. At first it was hard, he was a little cranky, a lot forgetful, and incredibly busy. We spent time "together" but not really together. But I started with small gestures. When I was attending college out of state, Mac and I mailed letters back and forth. I mailed Mac a letter or a card almost five days a week. Often I received two from him in return (an impressive feat for a young man). Our relationship was vibrant and alive. So I started sending him notes again, cards, letters. I hid envelopes in his sweatshirts and wallets, just letting him know how much I loved him, that God loved him, and that we were both there for him.
That was just the first step, and I took a few others and have had some more recommended to me by friends. The Christian's guide to revitalizing romance at any step in your relationship.
STEP ONE:
Small gestures. The first step is doing little things to remind your significant other how you feel. Make sure that every second of the day they are reminded about how much they mean to you, and how much you are there for them.
STEP TWO:
Put them first. Don't be upset when they are cranky or grumpy or don't make time for you. Just smile and reschedule. They need your time right now. They need your forgiveness and sensitivity. Don't expect repayment for your kindness and attention right away. This is not a barter system. This is love, its an action, not a feeling. You don't feel it, you do it. You say I love him; you can't say I happy him, I sad him. Love is a verb, feelings are a direct object. I AM happy, I AM sad. I LOVE you.
STEP THREE:
God time. Mac and I started attending a second church service designed specifically for our age bracket. We picked back up the couple's devotional that we had neglected. I hadn't told him yet what all this was about, just that I felt God could really help him in his time of need, as always. God is always there for us when we need him, and true love only comes from God. 1 John 4:8 says "Everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. The person who doesn't love doesn't know God, because God is love." God is love, and God is the author of love.
STEP FOUR:
Do things you did before. Start subtly, but then get your significant other in on it. Do activities you did when you were first dating, or whenever it was when you were on fire for each other. When you first had that spark or that flame. If you bowled early on, go bowling. If you took the time out to go OUT to dinner instead of staying in, do that! Spend time together, give attention to one another, focus on the other person.
STEP FIVE:
A friend pointed out to me that every Christian couple has a PDA and any physical affection line. I will not go on a tirade about what the Bible says that line is. I know many people interpret it differently (right or wrong). This same friend said that if you want to rekindle your romance, DO NOT make the mistake of moving that line in the wrong direction. Take it back two steps. However you define those steps. Consider staying at that back step for a LONG time, or for the rest of your relationship. If you can handle staying there, why not? You will find that the little things seem way more romantic this way. Go back to kisses on the cheek, or just holding hands. Do what you need to do. She says it is tough at first, but it really makes a world of difference.
STEP SIX: Communication. Now, this isn't sixth because it is the sixth most important step. It is sixth, because this is, in my mind, a good time in the process to amp this up even more. Now that your significant other is in on the fact you are trying to get your relationship to back where it was, and you are already communicating more through your letters and devotionals, bring this to the forefront. Communication isn't really about talking though, its about listening and encouraging other's to talk. If you are the one who initiated these steps, it is most likely what you really need to be doing is encouraging THEM to communicate. Do so.
STEP SEVEN:
Stick with it. This isn't something you do and then quit. Don't go "Oh that worked" and then stop doing it (which isn't that so often what we do?). Revitalization is a process. Just continue to show your love and support. Don't let anything get in between you again, and continue to put God first. When you are close to God, you can be a funnel for his love to flow through you.
Tune in tomorrow for Reviving the Romance, applying the same principles to your relationship with God.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Our Physical Parent and our Paradisaical Parent
I'm currently reading a book called God Girl by Hayley DiMarco. Gentlemen, her husband wrote the accompanying book God Guy for you. While the book seems to be geared toward high school and college students, I found much of it applied to me and it seems to be a very solid read. (disclaimer, they hold a different view on once saved always saved than I do, so if you encounter that after I recommended the book I can say I warned you).
Chapter One of God Girl (and God Guy, Mac tells me) is on Love. DiMarco covers every type of love, but the part that really really stuck with me was her discussion on how our earthly father is "your shot at a quick look at the original Father." She said that each of us in our hearts "carries a blueprint that points us directly to a pure, untainted love from a father who will never disappoint." She said that God is the "reality that a father on earth should be a reflection of." (Misuse of a preposition her's not mine).
This got me thinking to my parents. I have been blessed with truly amazing and remarkable parents who were a really good "quick look at the original Father." My parents weren't and aren't perfect. I have had conflict with them both. Especially my mother, with whom I had a great deal of conflict. I always felt closer to my father. Now that my relationship with my mother is healed, I find that ironic, since I know now that she was my rock. I relied on her for everything, and she always delivered. I now realize the conflict I always thought was because we were so different, was only half because we were so different, and half because of the ways we were so alike. But I digress.
My father has always been an amazing example of faith, and he has been a very good "sneak peek," so to speak, of the heavenly Father. My father is patient and kind, he is loving, and he wanted to be the first authority in our lives along with my mother (in a good way). He was slow to anger, and usually right. My dad looks out for the people around him, all of them, whether he likes them or not...he loves them all. He is bad at saying no, always putting others first. I'm really grateful that I was blessed with such amazing parents who had it right, and who constantly pointed the way toward the true source of love.
And we are to show our parents respect and honor in return, the same way we are supposed to show honor to our heavenly Father. Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
I know you've read Ephesians 6:2 which talks about honoring your father and mother as well, but Ephesians 6:4 also talks about the parent's responsibility saying "fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." My dad got one of these right, haha. But seriously, he got both right. Our fathers are not only supposed to be an innate reflection of God, but to directly point the way to Him.
God is referred to as the Father throughout scripture, although more in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 32:6 says "Is this the way you repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?" If our earthly father is deserving of respect, how much more is our heavenly father deserving of respect?
One of the blessings in Romans goes as follows:"To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 1:7 The Heavenly Father is the source of grace, of peace, of love, and he deserves our love in return. If our earthly father is meant to be good, kind, a teacher, loving, gentle, determined, an authority figure, a role model, a hero; how much more is God?
Chapter One of God Girl (and God Guy, Mac tells me) is on Love. DiMarco covers every type of love, but the part that really really stuck with me was her discussion on how our earthly father is "your shot at a quick look at the original Father." She said that each of us in our hearts "carries a blueprint that points us directly to a pure, untainted love from a father who will never disappoint." She said that God is the "reality that a father on earth should be a reflection of." (Misuse of a preposition her's not mine).
This got me thinking to my parents. I have been blessed with truly amazing and remarkable parents who were a really good "quick look at the original Father." My parents weren't and aren't perfect. I have had conflict with them both. Especially my mother, with whom I had a great deal of conflict. I always felt closer to my father. Now that my relationship with my mother is healed, I find that ironic, since I know now that she was my rock. I relied on her for everything, and she always delivered. I now realize the conflict I always thought was because we were so different, was only half because we were so different, and half because of the ways we were so alike. But I digress.
My father has always been an amazing example of faith, and he has been a very good "sneak peek," so to speak, of the heavenly Father. My father is patient and kind, he is loving, and he wanted to be the first authority in our lives along with my mother (in a good way). He was slow to anger, and usually right. My dad looks out for the people around him, all of them, whether he likes them or not...he loves them all. He is bad at saying no, always putting others first. I'm really grateful that I was blessed with such amazing parents who had it right, and who constantly pointed the way toward the true source of love.
And we are to show our parents respect and honor in return, the same way we are supposed to show honor to our heavenly Father. Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
I know you've read Ephesians 6:2 which talks about honoring your father and mother as well, but Ephesians 6:4 also talks about the parent's responsibility saying "fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." My dad got one of these right, haha. But seriously, he got both right. Our fathers are not only supposed to be an innate reflection of God, but to directly point the way to Him.
God is referred to as the Father throughout scripture, although more in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 32:6 says "Is this the way you repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?" If our earthly father is deserving of respect, how much more is our heavenly father deserving of respect?
One of the blessings in Romans goes as follows:"To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 1:7 The Heavenly Father is the source of grace, of peace, of love, and he deserves our love in return. If our earthly father is meant to be good, kind, a teacher, loving, gentle, determined, an authority figure, a role model, a hero; how much more is God?
Sunday, October 13, 2013
The Boy Believer's Prayer Posse
Hello, and welcome to the grand re-launch!
I have so much I want to share and discuss, but sadly, I can only work through one thought at a time, or history tells me I end up with a story that seems similar to the combination of the script for an M. Night Shyamalan movie and a Dr. Seuss book.
But I digress, just this past Thursday I was at a local...mission...for lack of a better word, a ministry, called SwingInfusion. This is a place which has the purpose of providing a pressure-free, wholesome environment for teens, which is open to young adults and even adults, through swing-dancing. The group started small, but now there are clubs in 7 towns and cities (some of them more than one) and there have been offshoots in other states.
I still go to SwingInfusion in three of those locations, three times a week, if at all possible. For me it is a great environment for Christian Fellowship and making wholesome friends, and its also fun exercise. I really picked it up quickly and the instructors are amazing, I really recommend it. For more information, shoot me an email at hopelovesliberty@outlook.com. This environment is the one in which I found my boyfriend. I had rarely made it past a couple dates before, deep down I knew I couldn't build a lasting relationship with someone who didn't share my most deep-seated beliefs and morals. Mac and I will have been together a year in November. And that is because we share a faith in a God who wants the best for us.
So my point is that this ministry is a gathering place for truly amazing people... remarkable, god-filled people opening their arms to believer and unbeliever alike, creating an environment that shines out God's love and has been the staging point for all kinds of great evangelism.
But like any ministry it has its fits and starts, and there's a constant effort to ensure the ministry focuses on its main mission. One of the locations had a influx of less desirable behaviorisms for a short period of time, which was rectified through the careful planning of the leader of that club (an impressive piece of work if I may say).
So all this rambling is to lead up to a single point. I went to swing this past Thursday. About an hour in, I saw a group of young men standing in a circle. I thought it looked like a prayer circle. Unfortunately, my optimistic thoughts quickly turned sour. So used to any cluster of young men in the city where I attended school being a group lighting up something to smoke or something equally unfortunate. I turned to Mac, hopefully, "It would be really cool if that was a prayer group."
Mac and I keep walking, and we're headed back to my car, which is past the group of young men. As we get closer, I begin to hear murmuring, and Mac says "I think it IS a prayer group." When we get along side the young men, I find myself incredibly impressed, it was in fact, a prayer group. There were maybe 8 young men who looked to be between 15 and 20, gathered in a circle on a Thursday night, praying over one of their friends.
Now, on one hand, in an ideal world this shouldn't be so shocking. I wish that every single human being was on fire for Christ. But in reality, this is not the case. In fact, sometimes Christians aren't so much on fire, but lukewarm, which the Bible warns us about. Revelation 3:15-16 says “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth."(NKJV) A wise man told me just this saturday that if you set yourself on fire, people will come to watch you burn.
The sad truth is, that many of the teens and young adults from my generation are more focused on appearances and the things of this world than on God and the things eternal. " In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world," John 16:33b (NIV)
But these young men had seen the solution for their friend's problem, not in the things of this earth, but in the things eternal. Matthew 6:20-21 says "But store up your treasures in heaven.....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I personally believe this refers to where you put your focus, your time, your energy. These young men knew that prayer would have the greatest impact on their friend, that prayer would bring their friend hope and peace, and if it was God's will, whatever they were asking for.
1 Timothy 4:12 (ISV) is a verse often used. You probably know it. It says "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity." We all most likely know this verse by heart, but in reality, many believers do look down on the faith of the young, and many youth, instead of rising to the challenge, live simply to the meager expectations placed on them, rather than living up to a high standard. To God's standard.
While those in authority in the church do have a responsibility, in my opinion, to listen to God's voice if He calls them to allow a young person in a position of authority, the main responsibility in this verse is for a young person to set such a high standard that it is clear that they are an example for ALL believers. I believe stepping out of a fun event on a Thursday night to pray for your friend does just that.
I have so much I want to share and discuss, but sadly, I can only work through one thought at a time, or history tells me I end up with a story that seems similar to the combination of the script for an M. Night Shyamalan movie and a Dr. Seuss book.
But I digress, just this past Thursday I was at a local...mission...for lack of a better word, a ministry, called SwingInfusion. This is a place which has the purpose of providing a pressure-free, wholesome environment for teens, which is open to young adults and even adults, through swing-dancing. The group started small, but now there are clubs in 7 towns and cities (some of them more than one) and there have been offshoots in other states.
I still go to SwingInfusion in three of those locations, three times a week, if at all possible. For me it is a great environment for Christian Fellowship and making wholesome friends, and its also fun exercise. I really picked it up quickly and the instructors are amazing, I really recommend it. For more information, shoot me an email at hopelovesliberty@outlook.com. This environment is the one in which I found my boyfriend. I had rarely made it past a couple dates before, deep down I knew I couldn't build a lasting relationship with someone who didn't share my most deep-seated beliefs and morals. Mac and I will have been together a year in November. And that is because we share a faith in a God who wants the best for us.
So my point is that this ministry is a gathering place for truly amazing people... remarkable, god-filled people opening their arms to believer and unbeliever alike, creating an environment that shines out God's love and has been the staging point for all kinds of great evangelism.
But like any ministry it has its fits and starts, and there's a constant effort to ensure the ministry focuses on its main mission. One of the locations had a influx of less desirable behaviorisms for a short period of time, which was rectified through the careful planning of the leader of that club (an impressive piece of work if I may say).
So all this rambling is to lead up to a single point. I went to swing this past Thursday. About an hour in, I saw a group of young men standing in a circle. I thought it looked like a prayer circle. Unfortunately, my optimistic thoughts quickly turned sour. So used to any cluster of young men in the city where I attended school being a group lighting up something to smoke or something equally unfortunate. I turned to Mac, hopefully, "It would be really cool if that was a prayer group."
Mac and I keep walking, and we're headed back to my car, which is past the group of young men. As we get closer, I begin to hear murmuring, and Mac says "I think it IS a prayer group." When we get along side the young men, I find myself incredibly impressed, it was in fact, a prayer group. There were maybe 8 young men who looked to be between 15 and 20, gathered in a circle on a Thursday night, praying over one of their friends.
Now, on one hand, in an ideal world this shouldn't be so shocking. I wish that every single human being was on fire for Christ. But in reality, this is not the case. In fact, sometimes Christians aren't so much on fire, but lukewarm, which the Bible warns us about. Revelation 3:15-16 says “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth."(NKJV) A wise man told me just this saturday that if you set yourself on fire, people will come to watch you burn.
The sad truth is, that many of the teens and young adults from my generation are more focused on appearances and the things of this world than on God and the things eternal. " In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world," John 16:33b (NIV)
But these young men had seen the solution for their friend's problem, not in the things of this earth, but in the things eternal. Matthew 6:20-21 says "But store up your treasures in heaven.....For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I personally believe this refers to where you put your focus, your time, your energy. These young men knew that prayer would have the greatest impact on their friend, that prayer would bring their friend hope and peace, and if it was God's will, whatever they were asking for.
1 Timothy 4:12 (ISV) is a verse often used. You probably know it. It says "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity." We all most likely know this verse by heart, but in reality, many believers do look down on the faith of the young, and many youth, instead of rising to the challenge, live simply to the meager expectations placed on them, rather than living up to a high standard. To God's standard.
While those in authority in the church do have a responsibility, in my opinion, to listen to God's voice if He calls them to allow a young person in a position of authority, the main responsibility in this verse is for a young person to set such a high standard that it is clear that they are an example for ALL believers. I believe stepping out of a fun event on a Thursday night to pray for your friend does just that.
Monday, October 07, 2013
GRAND RE-LAUNCH!!!
Hi everyone, This is a temporary post which will remain at the head of this blog until my Grand Re-Launch Sunday, October 13.
The blog will be moving to a new domain name coming soon. www.hopelovesliberty.com, so if you can't find it, that's why! Just head over to the new domain!
I am currently re-writing my old posts for grammar, content, and biblical reference addition. I have already completed almost all of the posts, so if you would like to see what you are going to be in for, scroll on down to the bottom!
I have a new sub-blog about to be launched by two guest authors, Nathaniel LaPeer and Mark Monte called "That's Not a Thing" which is a comic debunking of silly things we do and say in the church that have no biblical backing. This should be launched by the end of October.
I also have some great guest-blogger posts coming in under a topic heading I call Controversy and Conviction. Two of these will include a three-author treatise on Wealth and Poverty, including the responsibilities of Christians in each position; and a two author controversy arguing both sides of Once Saved Always Saved. At least one "set" of these should be in by October 20th.
I look forward to responses and comments.
Hopefully November will see the launch of my new advice column, please, you are welcome to submit your letters by e-mail to lifelibertyandgodswill@hopelovesliberty.com or to hopelovesliberty@outlook.com
The blog will be moving to a new domain name coming soon. www.hopelovesliberty.com, so if you can't find it, that's why! Just head over to the new domain!
I am currently re-writing my old posts for grammar, content, and biblical reference addition. I have already completed almost all of the posts, so if you would like to see what you are going to be in for, scroll on down to the bottom!
I have a new sub-blog about to be launched by two guest authors, Nathaniel LaPeer and Mark Monte called "That's Not a Thing" which is a comic debunking of silly things we do and say in the church that have no biblical backing. This should be launched by the end of October.
I also have some great guest-blogger posts coming in under a topic heading I call Controversy and Conviction. Two of these will include a three-author treatise on Wealth and Poverty, including the responsibilities of Christians in each position; and a two author controversy arguing both sides of Once Saved Always Saved. At least one "set" of these should be in by October 20th.
I look forward to responses and comments.
Hopefully November will see the launch of my new advice column, please, you are welcome to submit your letters by e-mail to lifelibertyandgodswill@hopelovesliberty.com or to hopelovesliberty@outlook.com
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