Have you begun reading? The 90 day Bible challenge is in full swing. June 1st had an assignment of Genesis 1-16. It holds information on the creation of this world as being of God’s will, how man and woman were created in His image, their moral disobedience that resulted in the beginning of sin, how the consequences of sin are now among all peoples, and journeys into the lives of Noah through the flood and Abraham as he awaits a child.
Genesis 2:2-3 “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
Genesis 4:7 “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 6:3 “Then the LORD said, ‘My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years.’”
Genesis 9:8-16 The rainbow as a reminder of the covenant God has with Noah; He will never again destroy life on Earth by use of a flood.
Genesis 15:1 “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
Genesis 15:18 God’s promise of land to Abram for his descendants
For more updates, do not forget to add me on twitter or myspace!
www.myspace.com/sarazimmerman www.twitter.com/sarazimmerman
There is also an envelope icon at the bottom of each post that allows you to email the post out!
Let's stay on top of this reading! I'll be back tomorrow with more updates!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
VISITORS PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT!
Update: I realize there are some restrictions on the comment box, so I will ask you all to join me here: http://www.myspace.com/sarazimmerman. I ask that you write in the request message box "Faith, Family, & Fitness" so I can add you without hesitation. There you can comment without much restriction. Also, adding me there will allow easy access to view updates via bulletins or blog posts! So, add me today, and dont forget to put "Faith, Family, & Fitness" in the message box! Much love and thanks for all of the support, Sara
Another update: Just added myself to the twitter community: https://twitter.com/SaraZimmerman
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23).
Traffic is starting to pick up! This is exciting. Our 90 day Bible reading challenge begins June 1st, and I will do my best to update frequently as our group here reads through the Bible. You can pick up your own reading guide here [Bookmark (.pdf)]:
http://www.biblein90days.com/index.php?option=com_product&task=viewProd&gid=2
and read along with us! Even if you are not able to commit to the 90 days, the updates will be here and can be read as you read along on your own pace.
As we read along please leave your comments on what you’ve read. This will help teach, bring up further discussion, and bring out important scriptures.
IN OTHER NEWS:
I am finally on track again with my diet, training, and work! My vacation is over, the training has been good, and I have been eating more disciplined than I have for some time now. That also means that new pictures and stats will have to be included in my updates on Bodyspace. I will notify you all when I have made those postings.
I am still unpacking at my new place. I have already lived here a month, but I’ve been so busy that I still have a closet full of boxes! Hopefully I can get everything organized before June, so I can read without the distraction!
I pray that you all are doing well. Prayer requests are also welcome as comments here, and my group will add them to the list! Also, if I have been missing any BIG NEWS since I don’t watch television, someone please update me by leaving me a message here on this post! I will talk to you all soon!
Many thanks,
Sara
Another update: Just added myself to the twitter community: https://twitter.com/SaraZimmerman
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23).
Traffic is starting to pick up! This is exciting. Our 90 day Bible reading challenge begins June 1st, and I will do my best to update frequently as our group here reads through the Bible. You can pick up your own reading guide here [Bookmark (.pdf)]:
http://www.biblein90days.com/index.php?option=com_product&task=viewProd&gid=2
and read along with us! Even if you are not able to commit to the 90 days, the updates will be here and can be read as you read along on your own pace.
As we read along please leave your comments on what you’ve read. This will help teach, bring up further discussion, and bring out important scriptures.
IN OTHER NEWS:
I am finally on track again with my diet, training, and work! My vacation is over, the training has been good, and I have been eating more disciplined than I have for some time now. That also means that new pictures and stats will have to be included in my updates on Bodyspace. I will notify you all when I have made those postings.
I am still unpacking at my new place. I have already lived here a month, but I’ve been so busy that I still have a closet full of boxes! Hopefully I can get everything organized before June, so I can read without the distraction!
I pray that you all are doing well. Prayer requests are also welcome as comments here, and my group will add them to the list! Also, if I have been missing any BIG NEWS since I don’t watch television, someone please update me by leaving me a message here on this post! I will talk to you all soon!
Many thanks,
Sara
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Living the Good Life
Jesus "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:7-8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l42O1Bt4wSM
"We need to have Christ exaltation."
I finished reading this last week “In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do” by Charles Sheldon. It’s a great read that was written well before my time. If you would like to read it online or download a copy for yourself, it can be found here on Google Book Search:
http://books.google.com/books?id=cHVIAAAAMAAJ&dq=in+his+steps+charles+sheldon&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=rC4QSpbSKpK0NbqLvVI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4#PPA1,M1
I highly recommend this book and suggest suggesting it to others! Why not when it can be done for free? It’s a challenging lifestyle the characters take on, asking in every situation “what would Jesus do?” I ask it myself in my life and know that I fail to measure up to my own beliefs of his standards. “The biggest room is the room for improvement!”
I am now reading John Piper’s “Don’t Waste Your Life,” which I picked up from my local library network. It is full of scripture and holds profound messages, but it is also a bit more of a challenge to follow. I’m not yet half way through, so I am sure it will pick up for me soon.
(I am a big follower of John Piper, Paul Washer, and theMill on iTunes podcasts; I would recommend listening to them all! And, if you have suggestions for me, please leave me a message hear with book, sermon, etc. recommendations.)
I’d like to get some conversations going on here, but as you can see my following is yet not that intense. I am planning on beginning the 90 day Bible challenge, and forms for the challenge can be printed here. It is suggested by the website to begin in June, but I think I will start a bit early to get a step ahead (since I am bound to fall behind). Check it out and let me know if you want to join in! It is another adventure I hope to get my roommates in on [I’ve got at least one on board with me]!
http://www.biblein90days.com/index.php?option=com_product&task=viewProd&gid=2
In other news, I have begun to workout again. I shall be getting back to updating photos on my Bodyspace very soon: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Nutmegpeach/. It is an adventure I hope to get all of my housemates in on as well! Your body is a temple and therefore shall be kept in best health to be able to do the work of God! [Can I get an AMEN?]
The road may seem long, but it really is short! “No one gets out of this life alive,” at least not in the humanistic perception of it all. I have my hope in the Lord. “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Don’t waste your life! Stay strong and never lose faith!
Much love,
Sara
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l42O1Bt4wSM
"We need to have Christ exaltation."
I finished reading this last week “In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do” by Charles Sheldon. It’s a great read that was written well before my time. If you would like to read it online or download a copy for yourself, it can be found here on Google Book Search:
http://books.google.com/books?id=cHVIAAAAMAAJ&dq=in+his+steps+charles+sheldon&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=rC4QSpbSKpK0NbqLvVI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4#PPA1,M1
I highly recommend this book and suggest suggesting it to others! Why not when it can be done for free? It’s a challenging lifestyle the characters take on, asking in every situation “what would Jesus do?” I ask it myself in my life and know that I fail to measure up to my own beliefs of his standards. “The biggest room is the room for improvement!”
I am now reading John Piper’s “Don’t Waste Your Life,” which I picked up from my local library network. It is full of scripture and holds profound messages, but it is also a bit more of a challenge to follow. I’m not yet half way through, so I am sure it will pick up for me soon.
(I am a big follower of John Piper, Paul Washer, and theMill on iTunes podcasts; I would recommend listening to them all! And, if you have suggestions for me, please leave me a message hear with book, sermon, etc. recommendations.)
I’d like to get some conversations going on here, but as you can see my following is yet not that intense. I am planning on beginning the 90 day Bible challenge, and forms for the challenge can be printed here. It is suggested by the website to begin in June, but I think I will start a bit early to get a step ahead (since I am bound to fall behind). Check it out and let me know if you want to join in! It is another adventure I hope to get my roommates in on [I’ve got at least one on board with me]!
http://www.biblein90days.com/index.php?option=com_product&task=viewProd&gid=2
In other news, I have begun to workout again. I shall be getting back to updating photos on my Bodyspace very soon: http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Nutmegpeach/. It is an adventure I hope to get all of my housemates in on as well! Your body is a temple and therefore shall be kept in best health to be able to do the work of God! [Can I get an AMEN?]
The road may seem long, but it really is short! “No one gets out of this life alive,” at least not in the humanistic perception of it all. I have my hope in the Lord. “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Don’t waste your life! Stay strong and never lose faith!
Much love,
Sara
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Who Am I to Doubt?
I have taken the following from a friend's webpage. I'm tired of waiting and wondering, but I need to keep these points in mind. Let me know if you agree with them.
"Friendship/Courtship/Marriage
Solid, Spiritual Advice On Men
A more important question is – how do you catch the right one?
Simple: You take only the bus that's headed in the RIGHT DIRECTION.
First we must allow our Heavenly Father to do the picking. Second, the decision for a mate must be made on a spiritual and intellectual basis before it's made on an emotional one.
"What about love? Shouldn't that be the third?" you ask. No, and I'll tell you why. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jer 17:9) The heart is willful and is driven by its own agenda. It does not consider things rationally and intelligently. It just loves to love. Therefore you have to point it in the right directions: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23)
Whenever you meet a man, you need to get clearance from God. Check out his attributes and then allow your heart to engage. Dating exists not for mating, but for collecting data. I believe that the biblical design would be friendship, courtship and then marriage. Friendship is two people walking together in agreement and accountability. Learning and growing together. Courtship follows the mutual agreement to commit to one another exclusively. It is the decisive turning toward the agreed upon goal of marriage. It is a period of laying a foundation and preparing for your life together after marriage. But dating? Well if you do date, use the time wisely to gather facts:
1. Check out the fabric. Is the person mate material? Does this man have an intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ? Does he care what God thinks about his behavior? Is he accountable to God as well as another co-laborer in faith? Accountability is an important factor. It is imperative to maintaining a committed relationship. Is your potential spouse a member of the same family – the family of God? Scripture is clear on this: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Cor 6:14) You need to have common interests and values and agree on the essentials of living day to day. You need a similar spiritual walk. You have to eat the same spiritual diet. You have to enjoy a lot of similar things. You need to have like interests, like goals and like opinions on basic life issues. You have had like experiences in your background. Though there is some truth to the idiom that opposites attract, like-minded folks fare better together. Furthermore, does he want to get married? If you want to get married and your dreamboat isn't interested, don't waste your time. Remember, women fall in love and get married. Men decide to get married and then look for a wife. Note the difference in order. So if a guy says he's not looking for anything serious, take his words seriously. If he's not going in your direction, get off the bus and wait for the right one.
2. Does this man want you? Is he pursuing you? The man who is right for you will pursue you and God's hand in the relationship will be clear. No guessing, no fleeces and no dead ends. Scripture says: "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." (Prov 18:22) Note – Who finds whom? THE MAN FINDS THE WIFE! From the beginning of time, God has transported men and women across the world in order to put them together. At the RIGHT TIME, He will bring that man on the scene and he will find you. In God's perfect design, the man is the one who recognizes his mate. Adam had no problem recognizing that Eve was his missing rib. You do not need to strategically place yourself anywhere. You don't have to help a guy out because he's shy! Men will do whatever they have to do to get what they truly want. The man in your life should recognize you as the pearl of great price in his life and be willing to do whatever he must in order to gain your hand. If he is passive about gaining your affections, take it as a sign that he is not interested. Many a woman's mother has suggested that it is a good idea to marry a man who loves you more than you love him. As cold as that sounds, it actually might be scriptural if you stop to think about it:
"We love him because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) Until then, take the ultimate chill pill. You don't need a bunch of men in your life to make you feel good about yourself. You need only one man. The one God has selected to select you. Trust me, the right man at the wrong time can be just as awful as the wrong man at any time. So trust God's timing in this. He's the ultimate matchmaker. Relax, sit pretty and allow yourself to be found. Again – WAIT until the man voices his intentions. He should take the lead in establishing the relationship. You may have an inkling that he is the one, but God will use the man to set the tone of the relationship. Allow him the opportunity to woo you. This is your first act of submission. Jesus set the standard for all men to follow. They should love us first and they should lead the relationship.
3. The man in your life should not desire to move into your house, only into your heart. A man who prepares for your future has made his intentions clear. A man who is husband material has the means to take care of a wife. He is a responsible human being who understands he needs to have something to offer. In short, a man should have the means to be a suitable lover for you.
4. Check out his buddies. Everyone knows birds of the same feather flock together, yet most women fail to see the connection between a man and his friends. A man's pals tell you a lot about the person you haven't seen yet. They reveal things about the guy's character that might be hidden when he is on good behavior. Everyone knows how to put his best foot forward. Don't stay focused on the foot; check out the rest of the body!
5. Check out his relationship with his mother. How does he treat her? This is your preview of how he will treat you. There are lots of men who, because of a negative relationship with their mothers, really don't like women, yet say they do. Unresolved issues between mother and son continue between husband and wife.
6. Remember that a man's family reveals the cloth from which he is cut. Take note and decide whether you want your future with the man in your life to look like his present family situation.
7. Check out the patterns of his life. Do you see repeated cycles of drama in his personal kingdom? Broken relationships? Problems with making commitments? Including the job market? Mood swings? Is a problem always someone else's fault? Does he embrace responsibility or shirk it? Does he keep his promises? Is he a man of good reputation? Remember all garments look wonderful hanging in the store, but with wear, some begin to unravel. Give yourself time and space to check out the man in your life. Time will always reveal whether or not he is made of the right stuff.
8. Does this man have a vision for his life? Is he running with that vision? Remember, God decided Adam needed help once Adam got busy DOING his assignment. As we saw Adam, a man doesn't need help until he is busy doing what he was created and called to do. Is the man in your life guided by a sense of destiny and purpose, or does he just allow life to happen around him? A man who is not certain of his mission can be a most miserable person – and you will be miserable to if you know where you want to go in life. A man who has a vision is not intimidated by a woman whose vision statement is clear. He will be your best ally, cheerleader and assistant, because he wants you both to make it. A man who cannot be supportive of your achievements because he is floundering in a sea of uncertainty in his own life is not a healthy partner to have and to hold forever. Creating dependencies or feelings of obligation is not the way to get the best out of your man. Somewhere along the way, he will resent you and flee from the smothering burden of obligation he associates you with. You want a man who is firmly anchored in his identity in Christ. Remember, we are looking for a man who will be priest and leader of his home. His first instinct should be to want to cover you, redeem you and provide for you. Your job is to decide if this is the man God has ordained for you to compliment.
9. Complementary. Do your talents and gifts compliment his? Do his gifts compliment yours? What about your temperaments? Do you see the two of you as an effective team capable of bringing blessings to the lives of those around you? Do your futures mesh? Can you coordinate your gifts in an attractive and effective way? This is why knowing your purpose is so important. Make sure your hearts beat for mutual causes. When I go shopping, I always consider the fabric, the fit and what I already have in my closet. Will my next purchase be a complimentary addition to what I already have? If I find that I am going to have to buy shoes and matching accessories to go with a new outfit, I leave it right on the rack. This proposition is too expensive. If the man you meet makes you feel that you need to completely reinvent yourself, something is wrong. This is where I ask you to consider the relationship in terms of cost. Is the relationship expensive spiritually, emotionally or physically? Does your longing for a mate make you willing to forfeit who you are in the process? Or does he see you as the gift that you are? The man in your life should consider you a rare find, a priceless jewel – because of you he is getting ready to get blessed big time!!! Any relationship that causes you to feel unworthy, unlovely, unacceptable, undesirable or that you have to work for love is too expensive!!! God has called the man to cover, protect and provide not only materially for a woman, but also emotionally and spiritually as well. You should be richer in mind, body and spirit for your union with the man of your dreams. The man in your life should make rich deposits into your heart and spirit, not withdrawals.
10. Does he have a healthy love and acceptance of himself? Make sure the man in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships and he has made peace with himself. Make sure the man in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships and has made peace with himself. How he cares for himself is how he will care for you. A man's relationship with God is crucial here. His love for himself will only be as strong as his love for God. This is not something that you can impart. You cannot be his savior or teacher. This is out of spiritual order. In his rightful place as your personal priest, he should be leading you to a richer relationship with Christ. If he is causing you to compromise your faith and destabilize your walk, if he is leading you into sexual sin or causing you to be distracted from your commitment to Christ, the relationship is too expensive!!! Offending the Lover of your soul, who promises you eternal love, is too high a fare to pay for a ride that has a limited run. If you and your man can't soar in the Spirit, when the force of your love for another is tested by the pull or gravity of the world, your union will not be able to survive. So you decide. How much is your life worth? How much is your love worth? You will be able to accept only what you believe you deserve. God himself calculated the worth of your love and decided it was worth His life. He now pledges you His love for eternity. Yes, Jesus set the example for all others to follow when He paid a ransom for His bride. Should you expect less from a mortal man?
Throughout the Biblical age, men were willing to pay the cost for the hand that they desired. The truth of the matter is, everyone knows that anything worth having, costs. And no one gets a ride in this life for free."
To the one He is leading me towards: I still pray for you.
"Friendship/Courtship/Marriage
Solid, Spiritual Advice On Men
A more important question is – how do you catch the right one?
Simple: You take only the bus that's headed in the RIGHT DIRECTION.
First we must allow our Heavenly Father to do the picking. Second, the decision for a mate must be made on a spiritual and intellectual basis before it's made on an emotional one.
"What about love? Shouldn't that be the third?" you ask. No, and I'll tell you why. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jer 17:9) The heart is willful and is driven by its own agenda. It does not consider things rationally and intelligently. It just loves to love. Therefore you have to point it in the right directions: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23)
Whenever you meet a man, you need to get clearance from God. Check out his attributes and then allow your heart to engage. Dating exists not for mating, but for collecting data. I believe that the biblical design would be friendship, courtship and then marriage. Friendship is two people walking together in agreement and accountability. Learning and growing together. Courtship follows the mutual agreement to commit to one another exclusively. It is the decisive turning toward the agreed upon goal of marriage. It is a period of laying a foundation and preparing for your life together after marriage. But dating? Well if you do date, use the time wisely to gather facts:
1. Check out the fabric. Is the person mate material? Does this man have an intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ? Does he care what God thinks about his behavior? Is he accountable to God as well as another co-laborer in faith? Accountability is an important factor. It is imperative to maintaining a committed relationship. Is your potential spouse a member of the same family – the family of God? Scripture is clear on this: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" (2 Cor 6:14) You need to have common interests and values and agree on the essentials of living day to day. You need a similar spiritual walk. You have to eat the same spiritual diet. You have to enjoy a lot of similar things. You need to have like interests, like goals and like opinions on basic life issues. You have had like experiences in your background. Though there is some truth to the idiom that opposites attract, like-minded folks fare better together. Furthermore, does he want to get married? If you want to get married and your dreamboat isn't interested, don't waste your time. Remember, women fall in love and get married. Men decide to get married and then look for a wife. Note the difference in order. So if a guy says he's not looking for anything serious, take his words seriously. If he's not going in your direction, get off the bus and wait for the right one.
2. Does this man want you? Is he pursuing you? The man who is right for you will pursue you and God's hand in the relationship will be clear. No guessing, no fleeces and no dead ends. Scripture says: "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." (Prov 18:22) Note – Who finds whom? THE MAN FINDS THE WIFE! From the beginning of time, God has transported men and women across the world in order to put them together. At the RIGHT TIME, He will bring that man on the scene and he will find you. In God's perfect design, the man is the one who recognizes his mate. Adam had no problem recognizing that Eve was his missing rib. You do not need to strategically place yourself anywhere. You don't have to help a guy out because he's shy! Men will do whatever they have to do to get what they truly want. The man in your life should recognize you as the pearl of great price in his life and be willing to do whatever he must in order to gain your hand. If he is passive about gaining your affections, take it as a sign that he is not interested. Many a woman's mother has suggested that it is a good idea to marry a man who loves you more than you love him. As cold as that sounds, it actually might be scriptural if you stop to think about it:
"We love him because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19) Until then, take the ultimate chill pill. You don't need a bunch of men in your life to make you feel good about yourself. You need only one man. The one God has selected to select you. Trust me, the right man at the wrong time can be just as awful as the wrong man at any time. So trust God's timing in this. He's the ultimate matchmaker. Relax, sit pretty and allow yourself to be found. Again – WAIT until the man voices his intentions. He should take the lead in establishing the relationship. You may have an inkling that he is the one, but God will use the man to set the tone of the relationship. Allow him the opportunity to woo you. This is your first act of submission. Jesus set the standard for all men to follow. They should love us first and they should lead the relationship.
3. The man in your life should not desire to move into your house, only into your heart. A man who prepares for your future has made his intentions clear. A man who is husband material has the means to take care of a wife. He is a responsible human being who understands he needs to have something to offer. In short, a man should have the means to be a suitable lover for you.
4. Check out his buddies. Everyone knows birds of the same feather flock together, yet most women fail to see the connection between a man and his friends. A man's pals tell you a lot about the person you haven't seen yet. They reveal things about the guy's character that might be hidden when he is on good behavior. Everyone knows how to put his best foot forward. Don't stay focused on the foot; check out the rest of the body!
5. Check out his relationship with his mother. How does he treat her? This is your preview of how he will treat you. There are lots of men who, because of a negative relationship with their mothers, really don't like women, yet say they do. Unresolved issues between mother and son continue between husband and wife.
6. Remember that a man's family reveals the cloth from which he is cut. Take note and decide whether you want your future with the man in your life to look like his present family situation.
7. Check out the patterns of his life. Do you see repeated cycles of drama in his personal kingdom? Broken relationships? Problems with making commitments? Including the job market? Mood swings? Is a problem always someone else's fault? Does he embrace responsibility or shirk it? Does he keep his promises? Is he a man of good reputation? Remember all garments look wonderful hanging in the store, but with wear, some begin to unravel. Give yourself time and space to check out the man in your life. Time will always reveal whether or not he is made of the right stuff.
8. Does this man have a vision for his life? Is he running with that vision? Remember, God decided Adam needed help once Adam got busy DOING his assignment. As we saw Adam, a man doesn't need help until he is busy doing what he was created and called to do. Is the man in your life guided by a sense of destiny and purpose, or does he just allow life to happen around him? A man who is not certain of his mission can be a most miserable person – and you will be miserable to if you know where you want to go in life. A man who has a vision is not intimidated by a woman whose vision statement is clear. He will be your best ally, cheerleader and assistant, because he wants you both to make it. A man who cannot be supportive of your achievements because he is floundering in a sea of uncertainty in his own life is not a healthy partner to have and to hold forever. Creating dependencies or feelings of obligation is not the way to get the best out of your man. Somewhere along the way, he will resent you and flee from the smothering burden of obligation he associates you with. You want a man who is firmly anchored in his identity in Christ. Remember, we are looking for a man who will be priest and leader of his home. His first instinct should be to want to cover you, redeem you and provide for you. Your job is to decide if this is the man God has ordained for you to compliment.
9. Complementary. Do your talents and gifts compliment his? Do his gifts compliment yours? What about your temperaments? Do you see the two of you as an effective team capable of bringing blessings to the lives of those around you? Do your futures mesh? Can you coordinate your gifts in an attractive and effective way? This is why knowing your purpose is so important. Make sure your hearts beat for mutual causes. When I go shopping, I always consider the fabric, the fit and what I already have in my closet. Will my next purchase be a complimentary addition to what I already have? If I find that I am going to have to buy shoes and matching accessories to go with a new outfit, I leave it right on the rack. This proposition is too expensive. If the man you meet makes you feel that you need to completely reinvent yourself, something is wrong. This is where I ask you to consider the relationship in terms of cost. Is the relationship expensive spiritually, emotionally or physically? Does your longing for a mate make you willing to forfeit who you are in the process? Or does he see you as the gift that you are? The man in your life should consider you a rare find, a priceless jewel – because of you he is getting ready to get blessed big time!!! Any relationship that causes you to feel unworthy, unlovely, unacceptable, undesirable or that you have to work for love is too expensive!!! God has called the man to cover, protect and provide not only materially for a woman, but also emotionally and spiritually as well. You should be richer in mind, body and spirit for your union with the man of your dreams. The man in your life should make rich deposits into your heart and spirit, not withdrawals.
10. Does he have a healthy love and acceptance of himself? Make sure the man in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships and he has made peace with himself. Make sure the man in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships and has made peace with himself. How he cares for himself is how he will care for you. A man's relationship with God is crucial here. His love for himself will only be as strong as his love for God. This is not something that you can impart. You cannot be his savior or teacher. This is out of spiritual order. In his rightful place as your personal priest, he should be leading you to a richer relationship with Christ. If he is causing you to compromise your faith and destabilize your walk, if he is leading you into sexual sin or causing you to be distracted from your commitment to Christ, the relationship is too expensive!!! Offending the Lover of your soul, who promises you eternal love, is too high a fare to pay for a ride that has a limited run. If you and your man can't soar in the Spirit, when the force of your love for another is tested by the pull or gravity of the world, your union will not be able to survive. So you decide. How much is your life worth? How much is your love worth? You will be able to accept only what you believe you deserve. God himself calculated the worth of your love and decided it was worth His life. He now pledges you His love for eternity. Yes, Jesus set the example for all others to follow when He paid a ransom for His bride. Should you expect less from a mortal man?
Throughout the Biblical age, men were willing to pay the cost for the hand that they desired. The truth of the matter is, everyone knows that anything worth having, costs. And no one gets a ride in this life for free."
To the one He is leading me towards: I still pray for you.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A Time for Prayer
Have you heard Danen Kane's song "I Want You to Believe?" It brings me to tears.
Listen yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UCzi8gdT3o
"Bad Day" by Daniel Powter would be another good song for the day. When life becomes sour, went everything bad begins to pile up, when the tears can no longer be kept in, when all I need is a hug all I want is to be alone ... alone with God.
Part of me feels I should have known from how the day started. Another part of me says it was unfair that it just seems to escalate as the day went on, until the climax left me in tears. I suppose its really a simple lesson to realize that certain parts of this life are more important and deserve more time than I certainly give. Take one step back and at least a dozen forward! At least the time I spent crying was enough to pay for a new stop watch. "FW": final warning.
On the bright side of everything, I seem to have a multitude of options so that I am not "homeless." Though, certainly no place will feel as home as this one here. Oh, the memories that I will be leaving behind in this place! Some things excite me more than others with the thought of me moving. I suppose the best part is a time for renewal. I need to focus on my priorities again, and not letting someone else get in the way of those. Sometimes I care too much and want to get too involved. I need to learn to step back from certain options.
I know what may be best for me. It seems to be the frequent answer and most possibly rewarding opportunity. I may just have to step down and take it. What is it going to hurt, really? At least I will feel safe and secure there. I shall perhaps be moving into the smallest house I have ever seen in my life. Hmm. Great things come in small packages? We will see. We will see.
Listen yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UCzi8gdT3o
"Bad Day" by Daniel Powter would be another good song for the day. When life becomes sour, went everything bad begins to pile up, when the tears can no longer be kept in, when all I need is a hug all I want is to be alone ... alone with God.
Part of me feels I should have known from how the day started. Another part of me says it was unfair that it just seems to escalate as the day went on, until the climax left me in tears. I suppose its really a simple lesson to realize that certain parts of this life are more important and deserve more time than I certainly give. Take one step back and at least a dozen forward! At least the time I spent crying was enough to pay for a new stop watch. "FW": final warning.
On the bright side of everything, I seem to have a multitude of options so that I am not "homeless." Though, certainly no place will feel as home as this one here. Oh, the memories that I will be leaving behind in this place! Some things excite me more than others with the thought of me moving. I suppose the best part is a time for renewal. I need to focus on my priorities again, and not letting someone else get in the way of those. Sometimes I care too much and want to get too involved. I need to learn to step back from certain options.
I know what may be best for me. It seems to be the frequent answer and most possibly rewarding opportunity. I may just have to step down and take it. What is it going to hurt, really? At least I will feel safe and secure there. I shall perhaps be moving into the smallest house I have ever seen in my life. Hmm. Great things come in small packages? We will see. We will see.
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