Again, I am skipping a previous chapter, which would be 3, in order to give you something worthy to eat and digest.
This chapter focuses on who God is and is not. Graves lists five lies that are "subtle but dangerous beliefs that creep into our thinking and affect our actions."
Before I list them, I want to share a sentence in this book.
"It's hard to walk through this life without picking up some wrong thinking along the way."
Lie #1: God isn't aware.
Lie #2: God doesn't care.
Lie #3: God loves me; God loves me not.
Lie #4: God is smaller than my problems.
Lie #5: God wants to squash my joy.
It is funny how our views of God can continue to be false when we don't know Him and don't spend time with Him. We make the same accusations, with others we don't know.
My sister asked me, "How can I love someone that I hate? For example, I hate terrorists." I later responded (I can't take any credit for this response. I had a friend help me) by saying, "Do you know any terrorists, I mean truly know a terrorist. Would it make a difference if you did?"
I bring that up because you may have said that you hate God for specific reasons. But do you know Him. For me, I love God but I am still learning who He is. I call that... a relationship.
I had this view that I can be apart from God by my actions (the things I do or more so the things I know I am not suppose to do but still do them anyway). I know I can be apart from God if I were to reject and blaspheme Him from my life. But even in that case, He is waiting to pour out His love for you and me. His love is that great.
Graves says: This reasoning [that when I'm bad, I fall to the bottom of God's 'love list'] gives us far too much responsibility. You didn't create yourself. You don't keep your heart beating. Why then do you think you're responsible for keeping the love relationship between you and God going?
That conversation I had with my friend on Sunday started after we stopped by his girlfriend's work to say hi. When we got there, she was busy, so he said hi and bye. Nothing romantic. Nothing important to write down if you're writing paperback romantic fiction novels with half-naked, Fabio-like men on the cover. But I told him I need to write that down as tips on how to treat a girl.
He responded by saying that she said something similar. "She asked me, 'Why are you so good to me?' I said, 'Because I love God.' She said, 'Not because you love me?' I said, "I do love you; I love God more."
What is fascinating is this truth that when you love God more, your love for others gets bigger. Think of a water balloon. As you fill up your heart (balloon) with God's love (water), your heart gets bigger and bigger. Your love for God fills up your heart. So you and God can soak others with that love.
Think about the things you enjoy in life. (Selah).
For me, I enjoy music, films, words, people, my senses, and I can continue but you understand. I want you to grasp that God created those things with you in mind. Graves follows up by saying, "The Lord Jesus had you in mind when He made the sun and the moon and when He flung the stars in the sky. He knew you'd look up now and then, and He wanted to delight you. He was thinking of you when He created those things. He was thinking of you when He invented love, passion, and romance too."
I think about how attractive women are. And I am so glad that God did that. Not because I can stare at them or do things with them, but it reminds me that God loves me enough to spend time creating beauty (This is not to score points with female readers).
The more I spend time with Him, and have a stronger relationship, my love with someone will grow as well.
Here is a list of how much Jesus loves you (as ascribed in the book):
1) He put that love in action by leaving heaven to come walk beside you (John 1:14).
2) He endured every temptation so He could sympathize with you (Hebrews 4:15).
3) He went to the cross so you could be His (Hebrews 12:2).
4) He chose you and loved you while you were in love with your sin (Romans 5:8).
5) He initiated your relationship and gave you the ability to love Him back (1 John 4:19).
6) He refuses to let anything come between you and Him (Romans 8:38-39).
I will end with a verse for you to digest. (Please do not vomit this verse out of your mouth).
"If we are faithless, He remains faithful..." (2 Timthy 2:13 NASB).
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
"Master, Mission, Mate" Chapter 2: The Wrong Way
I did read chapter 1 and I did learn from it, but I really want to focus on key points that you, too, can learn from so I will skip my analysis of chapter 1 and go straight to chapter 2.
After reading up to chapter 2, I realize and admit that I do have a false view of love, marriage, dating, and relationships. I hope to change all this.
Ken Graves has three warnings as wrong reasons for marriage.
1) Marry someone just to make sex legal.
2) Marry someone just because they'll make you look good.
3) Marry someone in order that you'll be served.
4) Marry someone just so you won't be alone.
I had a conversation about relationships with a good friend yesterday. He has been with his girfriend for nearly three years. He asked me: what kind of traits are you looking for in someone? I had this long list of things I wanted, needed, and wanted and needed to avoid. I realize that a list like that is good, but it cannot be my focus.
Think about what you want to do in life.
Selah (Take time to think and pray about the previous line above).
It is good to see you back.
For me, I want to serve the Lord through ministry. Whether that is being a pastor or helping a church, I want to serve the Lord.
So, above looks, above personality, and above values, I would need someone who not only supports what I want to do, but has to be my partner. Not to say that she has to do ministry with me, but she has to be there for me.
In the book, Graves says: "We're called to serve, not be served." This is very familiar.
Jesus talks about what it takes to be great on this Earth, and says, "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to *serve*, and to give His life a *ransom* for many." (Matthew 20:28 NASB).
I say this because finding a mate has nothing to do with your needs being met, it has to do with serving. Serving one another, serving others, and serving together.
Our needs should not be met by our mate, but by Christ. Graves reiterates saying, "...let our needs be met by Christ."
Don't say, "I need this in a mate...someone who is...someone who can..." Allow Christ to meet those needs.
Instead, ask God not for a mate, but a teammate who will serve along side you. (You like that one huh!).
Serve God and others with *enthusiasm* and with the love that mirrors God's passion for us.
That is it for now. I thank you for taking the time to read this blog because it feels as if you are reading this book with me.
I will end with a verse for you to read, chew, eat, swallow, and the most important one: digest. (Please do not vomit this verse out of your mouth).
"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." (Hebrews 5:8 NASB).
*References:
Serve:
1) Jesus says, "...But I am among you as one who serves." (Luke 22:27 NASB).
2) Jesus washed all His disciples' feet (including Judas Iscariot). After he did this, He said: "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." (John 13:15 NASB). It's a trip because Jesus is saying that we ought to serve even our betrayers, not just our friends.
Ransom:
What is amazing is the word ransom. Ransom is defined as "to obtain the release of by paying a certain price" (Webster's II New College Dictionary). This ransom is our release from the bondage of sin and Satan because of the price Jesus Christ paid on the cross.
Enthusiasm:
Ancient Greek: ἐνθουσιασμός enthousiasmos. This is important because the word comes from the Greek adjective entheos.
There is two important parts of this word: 1) en 2) theos.
En refers to inspire, possess, in or within. Theos is God.
So, it means inspired by God, possessed by God, and in God or within God.
Our enthusiasm comes from God and is because of God.
Digest this one!
After reading up to chapter 2, I realize and admit that I do have a false view of love, marriage, dating, and relationships. I hope to change all this.
Ken Graves has three warnings as wrong reasons for marriage.
1) Marry someone just to make sex legal.
2) Marry someone just because they'll make you look good.
3) Marry someone in order that you'll be served.
4) Marry someone just so you won't be alone.
I had a conversation about relationships with a good friend yesterday. He has been with his girfriend for nearly three years. He asked me: what kind of traits are you looking for in someone? I had this long list of things I wanted, needed, and wanted and needed to avoid. I realize that a list like that is good, but it cannot be my focus.
Think about what you want to do in life.
Selah (Take time to think and pray about the previous line above).
It is good to see you back.
For me, I want to serve the Lord through ministry. Whether that is being a pastor or helping a church, I want to serve the Lord.
So, above looks, above personality, and above values, I would need someone who not only supports what I want to do, but has to be my partner. Not to say that she has to do ministry with me, but she has to be there for me.
In the book, Graves says: "We're called to serve, not be served." This is very familiar.
Jesus talks about what it takes to be great on this Earth, and says, "Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to *serve*, and to give His life a *ransom* for many." (Matthew 20:28 NASB).
I say this because finding a mate has nothing to do with your needs being met, it has to do with serving. Serving one another, serving others, and serving together.
Our needs should not be met by our mate, but by Christ. Graves reiterates saying, "...let our needs be met by Christ."
Don't say, "I need this in a mate...someone who is...someone who can..." Allow Christ to meet those needs.
Instead, ask God not for a mate, but a teammate who will serve along side you. (You like that one huh!).
Serve God and others with *enthusiasm* and with the love that mirrors God's passion for us.
That is it for now. I thank you for taking the time to read this blog because it feels as if you are reading this book with me.
I will end with a verse for you to read, chew, eat, swallow, and the most important one: digest. (Please do not vomit this verse out of your mouth).
"Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered." (Hebrews 5:8 NASB).
*References:
Serve:
1) Jesus says, "...But I am among you as one who serves." (Luke 22:27 NASB).
2) Jesus washed all His disciples' feet (including Judas Iscariot). After he did this, He said: "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." (John 13:15 NASB). It's a trip because Jesus is saying that we ought to serve even our betrayers, not just our friends.
Ransom:
What is amazing is the word ransom. Ransom is defined as "to obtain the release of by paying a certain price" (Webster's II New College Dictionary). This ransom is our release from the bondage of sin and Satan because of the price Jesus Christ paid on the cross.
Enthusiasm:
Ancient Greek: ἐνθουσιασμός enthousiasmos. This is important because the word comes from the Greek adjective entheos.
There is two important parts of this word: 1) en 2) theos.
En refers to inspire, possess, in or within. Theos is God.
So, it means inspired by God, possessed by God, and in God or within God.
Our enthusiasm comes from God and is because of God.
Digest this one!
Being a 24-year-old Christian, and single.
I can't focus on being single because for one, I am not single. Christ is my mate. When I remind myself of this, I definitely lose focus that I have never had a girlfriend. Honestly, I am glad that I have never had a girlfriend because I would have treated her horribly.
I'll be reading two books and I hope to finish them soon.
1) "Master, Mission, Mate: A Guide For Christian Singles" by Ken Graves, pastor of Calvary Chapel Bangor, Maine.
And
2) "I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Romance And Relationships" by Joshua Harris, pastor of Covenant Life Church
I hope to write a blog on every chapter of each book.
So look for those blogs as soon as 10 minutes.
I'll be reading two books and I hope to finish them soon.
1) "Master, Mission, Mate: A Guide For Christian Singles" by Ken Graves, pastor of Calvary Chapel Bangor, Maine.
And
2) "I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Romance And Relationships" by Joshua Harris, pastor of Covenant Life Church
I hope to write a blog on every chapter of each book.
So look for those blogs as soon as 10 minutes.
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