Christian Singles

UPDATE: If you haven't heard, I passed my exams. Thank you for your prayers and concerns. I also had a good trip to Omaha. Thank you for your tips on trips and many prayers, really did the trick.
As a teacher on summer break I've been reading a lot and I just read a book that was so good that I think you should all read it. Since I know that won't happen, I plan to write about it one chapter each month till the book is done. Then it will be next summer and I'll have read something else.
The book is Common Mistakes Singles Make (And How to Avoid Them) by Mary S Whelchel. It costs $5.99 down at the Christian bookstore. It really changed my thinking in some areas and reinforced it in other areas. It is meant for singles who are Christian. If you're not a Christian then become one now. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today. Then the book will make more since and be terribly helpful.

Chapter one is about our attitude.

It lists only two mistakes and they are;

1. We think marriage is the only normal lifestyle and that it will solve all our problems.

2. We become consumed by our desire to get married. The scriptures from this chapter are, of course, 1 Corinthians 7, Matthew 6:33.

A few lines I underlined:

Desire even a legitimate one can become an idol.

People in scripture who remained single; Jesus, Paul, Lazarus and his sisters, Mary, Martha, Lydia, Mary Magdalene and Dorcas.

Our society is built for twos.

God has not advocated one lifestyle- marriage- as the number one normal way to live.

There are dangers in letting yourself to think that marriage is the normal way of life.

People consumed with the desire to be married usually become less and less attractive.

Because I don't have someone to talk to all the time I talk to the Lord more often, turn to my wonderful counselor more readily.

A few questions from the end of the chapter:

Is it automatically true that unmarried Christians are "concerned about eh Lord's affairs" like Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:32-34?

If God created men and women to be married then why does he allow any of his children to be remain single?

If marriage is so great why is the divorce rate so high?

What from your single lifestyle would you miss if you were married?

What do you do to cope with the desire to be married?

My take on this chapter

A couple points that were really driven home for me, which I confess are more than slightly off topic for this chapter were;
·         Thinking marriage and a spouse can solve all your problems or make your life complete is asking too much of that person or that institution.
·         Whether or not you get married should be left in God's hands. Your attitude toward your situation is in your hands.
·         The whole idea of a life of singleness, never getting married, single forever and ever (scary or is it????).

I confess that I went back and forth in this chapter. One page I'm thinking of how this information could have solved problems in my past relationships and maybe could help in future ones. I know I have expected too much of fellas I've dated and I've certainly tried to find that perfect fella on my own, not asking God's opinion till after I'd looked them over. So I want to be married.

Then on the very next page I'm thinking, "Maybe I can trust God so much that I would take on a life of singleness." I've certainly considered this. We all have. I like being alone. I can pray more, study the word more, I have more time for those things that interest me like writing and I can to do all the crazy adventures that no one else wants to endure. So yes I've considered a life of singleness but then I get lonely for human contact and say "no way, not me".

It's a fork in the road for sure!

Or is it? Jesus said when we lose our lives, we find them. What on earth does that mean? It means that God won't take over and heal your broken life until you give up control of it to him. In Joel 2:12 God says, "return to me with all your heart". So, if you give your life to him, I mean really give it to him then and only then will he heal you / bless you.

What about Joel 2:25 and the years the locust took? To me this is those years of my life that were wasted in a marriage that was horrible and where everything was denied me. God says, in Joel 2:26, "You will have plenty to eat, until you are full". I know that God blessed us heavily after the divorce. He really took good care of me and the kids. 
Even more than that in Isaiah 61:3 it says, 

     "and provide for those who grieve...
       to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair."

You've got to read Isaiah 61. It will fire you up! God wants to take care of you.

Personally I'm ready. I want that, I want my soul to rejoice in my God because he has already clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness. (Paraphrase Isaiah 61:10)

Whether or not rich blessing for you or me includes marriage, only God knows and neither of us will ever know till we turn our will, our desires and our needs over to God.

I recommend that you read the book. At the very least you can tell me how I got it all wrong.

• UPDATE: Tami and Dana’s wedding rocked! Literally we danced and danced. Tami was, of course, beautiful.
• Hilliard and Wanda are happily married.
• My son, dood, just got his first job. He's working down at Firehouse Subs on Russell.  

• All the folks who are about the get married or just did get married. Keep them in your prayers as they start a new adventure.
• Me, don't forget that I'm out of town next week, flying commercial, something I've never done before and far away and isolated from everyone I know for a whole week. Will it be a blessing or a nightmare?
• Angela, keep her and any other parent whose children are growing up and leaving the nest.
• Keep the children in your prayers too. We know what the worlds like but they don't listen to us. They'll have to learn some lessons on their own. Pray that they are kept safe by the Holy Spirit while they begin their own life.
• For one another, that we may see the tares among the wheat and not follow where the Lord would have us not go.
• For our churches, pastors, leaders and teachers that they may have the patience and courage to put up with all that is asked of them in the way that God would have them handle it.

Calendar

• July 3, Warner Robins Independence Day celebration and fireworks 

• July 4, HAPPY JULY THE FOURTH

• July 4, High Falls lake and state park Boat regatta and Independance Day celebreation 

• July 4, Fort Hawkins July the 4th celebration 

• July 4, fireworks at Lake Tobo 

• July 4, Old Time Independence day celebartion at jarrel Plantation

• July 5, Summer Redneck Games Dublin 

• July 11, Rec Night 7pm Centerville Baptist

• July 12, bicycling with the Georgia Wilderness Society

• July 12,dinner and a movie Margaritas on Zebulon at 5:45

• July 13, Logan's on Watson at 7:30pm 

• July 17, Dance in Macon at La Piada

• July 19, scrapbooking

• July 19, Tami and Dana's wedding

• July 24, Jeff and Sherri Easter Concert @ Cornerstone on Hartley Br Rd 7pm

• July 25, Singles Supper @ Applebees on Russell @ 7:30

• July 26, Donna and Carl's wedding

• July 26, Ocmulgee River Race, @ Macon Water Works @9am

• Aug. 16, GA Wilderness Society meeting and picnic @ Dames Ferry Campground on Lake Juliette for a pot luck supper, trip planning session, and evening swim contact Jim Workman

• Sept. 6, FREEDOM FEST