Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Keeping Up: Part 1-Friendship Built
-Growing As Friends-
I must start out by saying that Lydia and I understand that our relationship story is unique to us. It is not a one-size-fits-all story that I’m sharing so others can mimic. We believe that God’s principles have shown to apply and God’s character is definitely evident in the way He worked things out for us. As I share this chapter of our relationship, we trust you will see the greatness of our God and His perfect timing.
Lydia and I met for the first time at a college social event in the summer of 2009. Lydia had only been in Indiana for less than two weeks when she came to the event that July night. She was a new intern at Vision of Hope, almost 2000 miles from her family. She had begun to build a relationship with her roommate, Allison. The college class would have “Cookies and Milk” get-togethers once every week or so. I was there that night. They also decided to attend the social event that night. The unique thing about that night is that God used it to trigger a relationship. Two new girls showed up. A couple of buddies and me went over to introduce ourselves to the new people. I walked away from that night recognizing that I wanted to get to know both of these girls better. Why? They were interns at Vision of Hope. I knew to be an intern you had to have a level of Godliness, and that was attractive. Godly friends are the best kind to have!
Fast-forward to October of the same year. I was asked by a pastor at Faith to consider teaching a Sunday School. I knew that I was interested, but desired to share the class with one or two others. So, I approached a group of college-age girls on a church family night. I asked them if they knew of anyone or if they, themselves, would be interested in teaching K-2 Sunday School with me. One girl got back to me—Lydia. She had been in children’s ministries her life and comes from a family where little ones are running around everywhere. She missed this and thought the Sunday School would be a good chance to go back to her love of interacting with children. It was in this class that Lydia and I were able to develop consistency to our interaction with each other. We both knew it was just a friendship.
In January, I desired to see if she would be interested into a relationship that was more than friendship. However, I realized that we still had a lot of room left to build a friendship. So, I thought that I would ask her to go out on a date with me, so we could learn more about each other. This is very different than the approach to guy-girl relationships Lydia was used to. So, she sent me to talk with her father to ask any questions I had about spending time getting to know her.
The solution: Lydia and I got to know each other over the phone. We were not “in a relationship” as facebook would say it. However, we were getting to know each other in an intentional way that removed the social pressure of being “a couple.” I appreciate her father’s desire to protect his daughter’s heart. He wanted to make sure that we didn’t rush into anything, and we took our time. So, we spent March and the following months getting to know each other.
I want to point to a very good and amazing God as I look back on these details. First, notice the means by which God chose to make this relationship possible. God used His church and his peoples’ fellowship to bring about good. There are many ways that God uses His church: like saving the lost, feeding the poor, and strengthening believers. This relationship serves as another good thing that can come from investment in a local body of believers.
A second thing to see in our relationship is that Godly leadership leads to God’s glory. I think that a key reason that Lydia and I are such great friends is that he father allowed us the tools to grow a genuine friendship that was based upon our walks with Christ. We didn’t spend our time putting on a show for each other and living to win the other over. Instead, we were able to spend our time focusing on how God was working in each other’s life and then were encouraged by that. I appreciate that her father wanted to protect and preserve this focus.
A third think I realized is that God’s grace is sufficient, even when He is growing us. God grew my patience in this relationship. I have grown up in a society where we get what we want, when we want it. This relationship was a great chance to grow in patience, as it took us a number of months before some even knew that Lydia and I liked each other. Patience is a great character quality to have, and God is gracious enough to give us manageable opportunities to grow in it. Looking back, it was totally worth the waiting to make the relationship public. Why? Patience was grown.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(Let say clearly: the ‘suffering’ referred to here, in my case, was not the fact that I couldn’t be in a relationship. The ‘suffering’ was that my weak desire to ‘have what I want, when I want it’ was not met.)
I must start out by saying that Lydia and I understand that our relationship story is unique to us. It is not a one-size-fits-all story that I’m sharing so others can mimic. We believe that God’s principles have shown to apply and God’s character is definitely evident in the way He worked things out for us. As I share this chapter of our relationship, we trust you will see the greatness of our God and His perfect timing.
Lydia and I met for the first time at a college social event in the summer of 2009. Lydia had only been in Indiana for less than two weeks when she came to the event that July night. She was a new intern at Vision of Hope, almost 2000 miles from her family. She had begun to build a relationship with her roommate, Allison. The college class would have “Cookies and Milk” get-togethers once every week or so. I was there that night. They also decided to attend the social event that night. The unique thing about that night is that God used it to trigger a relationship. Two new girls showed up. A couple of buddies and me went over to introduce ourselves to the new people. I walked away from that night recognizing that I wanted to get to know both of these girls better. Why? They were interns at Vision of Hope. I knew to be an intern you had to have a level of Godliness, and that was attractive. Godly friends are the best kind to have!
Fast-forward to October of the same year. I was asked by a pastor at Faith to consider teaching a Sunday School. I knew that I was interested, but desired to share the class with one or two others. So, I approached a group of college-age girls on a church family night. I asked them if they knew of anyone or if they, themselves, would be interested in teaching K-2 Sunday School with me. One girl got back to me—Lydia. She had been in children’s ministries her life and comes from a family where little ones are running around everywhere. She missed this and thought the Sunday School would be a good chance to go back to her love of interacting with children. It was in this class that Lydia and I were able to develop consistency to our interaction with each other. We both knew it was just a friendship.
In January, I desired to see if she would be interested into a relationship that was more than friendship. However, I realized that we still had a lot of room left to build a friendship. So, I thought that I would ask her to go out on a date with me, so we could learn more about each other. This is very different than the approach to guy-girl relationships Lydia was used to. So, she sent me to talk with her father to ask any questions I had about spending time getting to know her.
The solution: Lydia and I got to know each other over the phone. We were not “in a relationship” as facebook would say it. However, we were getting to know each other in an intentional way that removed the social pressure of being “a couple.” I appreciate her father’s desire to protect his daughter’s heart. He wanted to make sure that we didn’t rush into anything, and we took our time. So, we spent March and the following months getting to know each other.
I want to point to a very good and amazing God as I look back on these details. First, notice the means by which God chose to make this relationship possible. God used His church and his peoples’ fellowship to bring about good. There are many ways that God uses His church: like saving the lost, feeding the poor, and strengthening believers. This relationship serves as another good thing that can come from investment in a local body of believers.
A second thing to see in our relationship is that Godly leadership leads to God’s glory. I think that a key reason that Lydia and I are such great friends is that he father allowed us the tools to grow a genuine friendship that was based upon our walks with Christ. We didn’t spend our time putting on a show for each other and living to win the other over. Instead, we were able to spend our time focusing on how God was working in each other’s life and then were encouraged by that. I appreciate that her father wanted to protect and preserve this focus.
A third think I realized is that God’s grace is sufficient, even when He is growing us. God grew my patience in this relationship. I have grown up in a society where we get what we want, when we want it. This relationship was a great chance to grow in patience, as it took us a number of months before some even knew that Lydia and I liked each other. Patience is a great character quality to have, and God is gracious enough to give us manageable opportunities to grow in it. Looking back, it was totally worth the waiting to make the relationship public. Why? Patience was grown.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
(Let say clearly: the ‘suffering’ referred to here, in my case, was not the fact that I couldn’t be in a relationship. The ‘suffering’ was that my weak desire to ‘have what I want, when I want it’ was not met.)
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Keeping Up: Info on the Life and Times of Lydia and Me
There are a number of reasons people blog and write newsletters. Some do it as an outlet for their thoughts. Some do it to release their creative side. Some think they have something to say and people need another way to listen to them. I can't say any of these are the reasons for a series of blog posts like the ones I intend to write over the coming weeks. Let me give you some reasons that I think posts like these are worth being made.
As it relates to Lydia and I, there has been a lot that has taken place over the last year and a half. Consider the array of events that have taken place. A year and a half ago, we didn't even know each other. Then she moved to Indiana and we became aquaintances. A friendship was developed over the fall and winter months of 2009 as we taught a K-2 sunday school class together. In January of 2010 I started pursuing her. Over the following months we were more intentional about developing our friendship. In April of 2010, we both made it clear to each other that we wanted to pursue a relationship, Over the months of May-August, we did not start the relationship, but took that time to build a stronger friendship. In July, Lydia moved back to Idaho. In September, we started a relationship, but didn't really make it super public. In October, we decided to make it "Facebook official." In December, Lydia moved back to Indiana. Now, I would describe us as a couple who is very seriously considering marriage in the coming year.
It seems that most people, even those friends who are close to us, are suprised and shocked to the number of details they have been oblivious to along the way. We want people to be able to learn about us as we seek to "Live Life Together" with our community. We thought this would be a good way to share the journey that brought the two of us together.
We also see much emphasis put in scripture on "remembering." Did you know that the word 'remember' appears in the bible over 230 times. So often it refers to remembering the works of the Lord in a believers life. For example:
Deuteronomy 5:15
You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
Deuteronomy 7:18
you shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt,
Deuteronomy 8:18
You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
Psalm 77:11
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
Isaiah 63:7
[ The LORD’s Mercy Remembered ] I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD,the praises of the LORD,according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israelthat he has granted them according to his compassion,according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
Matthew 16:8-10
8But Jesus, aware of this, said, "O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?
Ephesians 2:11-12
11Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
So, as you see the posts in the coming days of Lydia and I's story, I hope you better understand why we are sharing. We hope that our friends and loved ones understand us better. And most of all, we hope to see God glorified and the Gospel made clear as we remember the deeds of the Lord.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Truly the Only Important Message of My Life: Why I Count Myself Blessed
God is very good to me! I see this demonstrated in the way that he has blessed me with a gift that I could not obtain on my own: Salvation.
Why would I need salvation? Well, when you look at God, the Bible shows us a Holy God who demands righteousness. When you look at me, the Bible shows that I am a sinner who eternally falls short of what God demands for me. So, what is the result? Answer: condemnation. This is what I need to be saved from.
A righteous God demands Holiness. This wretched sinner provides nothing but sin. This not the end of the story. God is also full of love for me. He has made it possible for my sins to be atoned for. He doesn't ignore them, but he actually washes them away. What could be so powerful that it could wash my sins away? Blood. The Blood of Jesus.
That is why I am so blessed. Jesus' died on the cross to be the payment for my sins. Christ death allows me that which I could not do for myself. Now I am saved from Hell! That's not all. God has also saved me to good works. I am saved from the eternal damnation of never being able to "be right" in God's eyes. Now I can do good. Now I can have victory. Now I can progressively grow, without the chains of my sin to dictate how I have to be.
I close with Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)
2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
I am blessed! God is good! This is the only important message of my life. I hope you hear it and are blessed!
Why would I need salvation? Well, when you look at God, the Bible shows us a Holy God who demands righteousness. When you look at me, the Bible shows that I am a sinner who eternally falls short of what God demands for me. So, what is the result? Answer: condemnation. This is what I need to be saved from.
A righteous God demands Holiness. This wretched sinner provides nothing but sin. This not the end of the story. God is also full of love for me. He has made it possible for my sins to be atoned for. He doesn't ignore them, but he actually washes them away. What could be so powerful that it could wash my sins away? Blood. The Blood of Jesus.
That is why I am so blessed. Jesus' died on the cross to be the payment for my sins. Christ death allows me that which I could not do for myself. Now I am saved from Hell! That's not all. God has also saved me to good works. I am saved from the eternal damnation of never being able to "be right" in God's eyes. Now I can do good. Now I can have victory. Now I can progressively grow, without the chains of my sin to dictate how I have to be.
I close with Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)
2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
I am blessed! God is good! This is the only important message of my life. I hope you hear it and are blessed!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)