This weekend, our college ministry had a little get together at a friends house. We swam and cooked out and really just had a good time. But once the sun went down and all the food was gone, haha, we all sat down on her back porch and just began talking. Before we knew it, the conversation had gotten pretty deep with people sharing their opinions with one another, with a few small disagreements.
The topic of this entire conversation was dating. A member of the group is reading the book I kissed dating goodbye and wanted to tell us all of his new look on dating. Eventually, the conversation got around to how the world has corrupted dating. I wanna talk and discuss a few ways I think this is true.
Number one: "I'll date to find out exactly what I want in a partner." I think this is can be a positive thing, in some aspects, but I think it is more negative. If you date around just to see what you like in people, you're going to leave more behind than you take with you. Even if you withold your emotions in these relationships, eventually you'll become numb to dating altogether and could possibly never even acquire emotions for the one that is your perfect match. In my mind, and I don't think I'm alone in thinking this, dating is to be done with committment. I don't think you should date someone unless you could legitimitely see yourself with them forever. If it doesn't work out, then God does have a bigger plan. But dating with a commitment can lead to a deeper more meaningful relationship. I was only in two serious relationships my entire high school career. I was committed to both of them. No, niether worked out, but I really did learn soooo much, inadvertantly. I had no intention of dating to figure out things I wanted in a spouse, but God uses all our circumstances to teach us.
Number two: Attachment. We are told in Proverbs to guard our hearts. Until recently, I had never really thought about it all that much. But after taking some time and meditating on what that really means, I realized that I started "seriously" dating way too early. I had no clue what those emotions and thing brought with them. And, to be honest, I have left part of myself behind. Now, God is a gracious God and has provided everything I need, but the thought is still there. I encourage you to be slow to give someone much of yourself. You never get it all back.
All that said. Do not forget that God can change up our plans at any moment. James 4:13-15 says: Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
I think this verse speaks volumes when it comes to dating. It is great to have plans, but never withold them from God's powerfull will.
Please comment and give me feedback on this. I typed a lot.
Desiring deeper relationships,
Jeremy
Monday, June 14, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Cheating
I know I'm cheating by posting twice today. ha. But I had another thought. Not near as deep as the last, but bear with me.
Does anyone else find it crazy how crippling heartache can be? You have all these plans, all these ambitions and dreams. Things seem to be going great. It starts with just a little let down. Some small disappointment.
Once pain creeps in the door, the first thing to go is your ambitions. So often are we discouraged by small things. Things that are completely overcomable through the power we have in Christ. The worst part is, we know it. We've been taught these things our entire lives, yet we just can't believe it for some reason. Something that has somewhat convicted me lately.. Do we believe all of scripture? Do we believe that EVERYTHING God promised will come true?? Sure doesn't seem like it in my life. I mean, I know we're all human and no one's perfect. But these are the WORDS OF GOD people! Try to find a verse today that you find unbelievable by the world's standards, and BELIEVE it. CLING to it.
My verse for today is Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
We can't even imagine the things God can give us. Gotta cling to this verse today. I'd love to know what verse you chose if you'd like to leave a comment.
If you're disappointed today. Hang on. You can overcome. I KNOW it's frustrating and painful. But our God's plans are not our own.
Desiring His knowledge,
Jeremy
Does anyone else find it crazy how crippling heartache can be? You have all these plans, all these ambitions and dreams. Things seem to be going great. It starts with just a little let down. Some small disappointment.
Once pain creeps in the door, the first thing to go is your ambitions. So often are we discouraged by small things. Things that are completely overcomable through the power we have in Christ. The worst part is, we know it. We've been taught these things our entire lives, yet we just can't believe it for some reason. Something that has somewhat convicted me lately.. Do we believe all of scripture? Do we believe that EVERYTHING God promised will come true?? Sure doesn't seem like it in my life. I mean, I know we're all human and no one's perfect. But these are the WORDS OF GOD people! Try to find a verse today that you find unbelievable by the world's standards, and BELIEVE it. CLING to it.
My verse for today is Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
We can't even imagine the things God can give us. Gotta cling to this verse today. I'd love to know what verse you chose if you'd like to leave a comment.
If you're disappointed today. Hang on. You can overcome. I KNOW it's frustrating and painful. But our God's plans are not our own.
Desiring His knowledge,
Jeremy
Pain vs. Pleasure
Today I want to talk about a book I've been reading. The book is called When I Don't Desire God by John Piper. If you've never read anything by Piper, I'd encourage you to. He's relatively easy to understand, and VERY practical in his teaching.
His basic doctrine, that most of his lessons are based on, is called Christian Hedonism. I want to talk a little bit about this, and I want to know some others' thoughts on it.
Let's first start by looking at the word Hedonism. Outside of christianity, hedonism is the basic thought that pleasure is the only thing that has any intrinsic value. Hedonists strive to maximize net pleasure (pleasure minus pain). So, Christian Hedonism, would be the equivalent of finding all of our pleasure in God. Piper's catch phrase to sum up this entire doctrine is, "God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him."
I have to say, this makes a LOT of sense. I can't really even punch a hole in it. Here's the issue though. In order for us to find our pleasure in serving, and even suffering for, our God, we have to WANT what He WANTS. Piper says it like this, Pursuing what we want is possible. It is easy. It is a pleasant kind of freedom. But the only freedom that lasts is pursuing what we want when we want what we OUGHT. The depth of this thought amazes me. It is so hard for us to understand God's desires sometimes. Impossible, even, for us to understand them 100% of the time, ya know?
Here's another thing that convicted me though. I mean, woah convicted, haha. Piper says, "Many are persuaded. They see that the truth and beauty and worth of God shine best from the lives of saints who are so satisfied in God they can suffer in the cause of love without murmering. But then they don't say, "That's not who I am. I don't have that kind of liberating, love-producing, risk-taking satisfaction in God. I desire comfort and security more than God."
The thought that this paragraph is exactly something I would say upsets me. Convicts me. But inspires me. I want that desire. I want that abandon. Those saints he speaks of didn't get that overnight. It was a process of learning and seeking over their entire lives that led them to where they were.
Makes me thankful, so thankful, for God's soveriegn grace. Even though i don't want what I ought the vast majority of the time, He still has chosen to use me in the past, and I pray He continues to do so in the future.
I know i'll have more to share as I continue to read deeper into this book. But these thoughts from Piper were just too good not to share.
Desiring His desires,
Jeremy
His basic doctrine, that most of his lessons are based on, is called Christian Hedonism. I want to talk a little bit about this, and I want to know some others' thoughts on it.
Let's first start by looking at the word Hedonism. Outside of christianity, hedonism is the basic thought that pleasure is the only thing that has any intrinsic value. Hedonists strive to maximize net pleasure (pleasure minus pain). So, Christian Hedonism, would be the equivalent of finding all of our pleasure in God. Piper's catch phrase to sum up this entire doctrine is, "God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him."
I have to say, this makes a LOT of sense. I can't really even punch a hole in it. Here's the issue though. In order for us to find our pleasure in serving, and even suffering for, our God, we have to WANT what He WANTS. Piper says it like this, Pursuing what we want is possible. It is easy. It is a pleasant kind of freedom. But the only freedom that lasts is pursuing what we want when we want what we OUGHT. The depth of this thought amazes me. It is so hard for us to understand God's desires sometimes. Impossible, even, for us to understand them 100% of the time, ya know?
Here's another thing that convicted me though. I mean, woah convicted, haha. Piper says, "Many are persuaded. They see that the truth and beauty and worth of God shine best from the lives of saints who are so satisfied in God they can suffer in the cause of love without murmering. But then they don't say, "That's not who I am. I don't have that kind of liberating, love-producing, risk-taking satisfaction in God. I desire comfort and security more than God."
The thought that this paragraph is exactly something I would say upsets me. Convicts me. But inspires me. I want that desire. I want that abandon. Those saints he speaks of didn't get that overnight. It was a process of learning and seeking over their entire lives that led them to where they were.
Makes me thankful, so thankful, for God's soveriegn grace. Even though i don't want what I ought the vast majority of the time, He still has chosen to use me in the past, and I pray He continues to do so in the future.
I know i'll have more to share as I continue to read deeper into this book. But these thoughts from Piper were just too good not to share.
Desiring His desires,
Jeremy
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Just DO it
Today I was thinking. What is going to make this summer different from every other summer?
Every summer has been filled with big plans to do this and do that. We've always had huge ideas. We've always talked a big game. Always. Every summer. Whether it's been bible studies to camping trips to hanging out all the time and being best friends. Every year, they've failed. People stopped coming to the bible studies, we never got the time to get a trip around.
This summer, it's going to be different. Truthfully, it's already different for me. The reason, you ask? We're DOING. Not just talking. I'm tired, so tired, of sitting around and talking. Don't get me wrong, people's lives can be changed through the words we share with them. But our actions, they do so much more. The wheels are already set into motion to establish something bigger than me for God to use as He chooses this summer. Today, I challenge you to be a DOER. Be proactive. I know God has laid something on your heart. Even if it's just something you want to do. DO it. You never know when you'll get the opportunity to change someone's life. Big things are happening this summer. And they are actually going to make it because those involved are DOING. I pray for a determination to do whatever it is God has laid on your heart to do with your time, even against the odds. Keep in mind that the enemy does NOT like doers. Sometimes he'll let the talkers do whatever it is they want. But the doers, he attacks them. Hard. That said. Be prepared for a battle. But it's a victorious one.
P.S. If you see me around, feel free to hold me accountable to this.
Desiring Deeper.
Jeremy
Every summer has been filled with big plans to do this and do that. We've always had huge ideas. We've always talked a big game. Always. Every summer. Whether it's been bible studies to camping trips to hanging out all the time and being best friends. Every year, they've failed. People stopped coming to the bible studies, we never got the time to get a trip around.
This summer, it's going to be different. Truthfully, it's already different for me. The reason, you ask? We're DOING. Not just talking. I'm tired, so tired, of sitting around and talking. Don't get me wrong, people's lives can be changed through the words we share with them. But our actions, they do so much more. The wheels are already set into motion to establish something bigger than me for God to use as He chooses this summer. Today, I challenge you to be a DOER. Be proactive. I know God has laid something on your heart. Even if it's just something you want to do. DO it. You never know when you'll get the opportunity to change someone's life. Big things are happening this summer. And they are actually going to make it because those involved are DOING. I pray for a determination to do whatever it is God has laid on your heart to do with your time, even against the odds. Keep in mind that the enemy does NOT like doers. Sometimes he'll let the talkers do whatever it is they want. But the doers, he attacks them. Hard. That said. Be prepared for a battle. But it's a victorious one.
P.S. If you see me around, feel free to hold me accountable to this.
Desiring Deeper.
Jeremy
Monday, June 7, 2010
Numero Uno
So. I've been journaling for a while now. Just my thoughts and stuff. Mostly on scripture. Admittingly, nothing too profound. But often discussable. I would love nothing more than for my blog to incite discussions about scripture, God, even personal experiences. Please feel free to comment. I'm not a big fan of one sided conversations. So yeah. I hope and pray that God uses this blog to take things deeper on a daily basis. My one desire is to grow, but not to grow alone. God is on the verge of doing something. Changing things up a bit. I can feel it. We'll see how it goes.
You can always think deeper. Always.
You can always think deeper. Always.
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