Be what you want

Here is a great exercise that my father (King Victorious) gave me...

Everyone, get a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. Go on, do it, now!
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Finished? Okay, now in the left hand column write "What I Want" and start listing everything you want your spouse to be. Do NOT write, "I want him to be 6' 4", with blond hair and blue eyes," we are after lasting qualities like: kind, generous, good with kids -- things that will actually make a difference in your marriage. Here's an example of something a girl might write:

Caring, willing to provide for our family, sweet, remembers special events and birthdays, doesn't complain when I need help around the house, seeks after God with all his heart, understands that family is more important than work, is not afraid to be open with me...

And the list can go on and on, use another sheet of paper if you have to. And, by the way, it is okay to think about what your spouse might look like, but don't let that be the deciding factor in your relationship, please.

Now, in the second column write, "What I Must Become". In this column write everything you think the person you just described would be attracted to. Thus if you think a kind, loving woman would be attracted to a generous, thoughtful man, write it down. Continuing on the previous example, a man like /\ that would be attracted to a woman like \/ this:

Understanding, doesn't get mad if he comes home late, prudent, keeps the home in order, wise, builds up people, very welcoming, has a beautiful heart, takes time for me even when there's a lot of house work to be done...

Now the trick is, don't look for your spouse, be come what will attract your spouse. If you want a Godly wife you have to become a Godly man, that's how it works. My small group leader once told me, "Run towards God as fast as you can, and one day you will look up and someone will be running beside you."

I once heard a man say, "You'll never find a spouse if you don't look. How do you expect to catch a fish if you don't throw your line?" I think it's a lot more like setting out a very specific bate to attract a very specific person. Instead of running around looking for the perfect spouse, become the perfect spouse.

Fireflight/Flyleaf and Skillet/Decyfer Down

So, here are two amazing girl rock bands and two amazing guy rock bands I wanted to give props to. I love all four of these guys' music! The only thing I would change about them (and I know I'm going to get booed for this) is that I would personally like their lyrics to be more vocal about Jesus as in actually saying the name "Jesus Christ". Another thing is that some of their music (namely Flyleaf) can get a little on the "dark" side. Other than that, Fireflight, Skillet, Flyleaf, and Decyfer Down are great bands to add to your stash of good-sounding Christian bands!

Fireflight!


Skillet!


Flyleaf!


Decyfer Down

Decyfer Down - Fight Like This (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Decyfer_Down

Carve it upon the Tablet of your Heart

What is the big deal about memorizing scripture? I mean it's not like I'm asking you to remember pi to the 32 digit. But memorizing Bible verses is extremely important.

Once, a youth pastor of mine came up to our class and asked, "How many songs do you know all the lyrics to? It can be any song from the 'ABCs' to 'Saturday Night'?" Everyone thought about it and figured that we all new several hundred songs. So I challenge you, my readers to start memorizing verses, but not so you can just quote things to make yourself sound smart! No, I want you memorize applicable verses that have meaning for you.

We will not always be in situation where we can whip out a Bible and start reading. Even if you do have a Bible handy, you still need to know where to look. I am more of the type of person that says, "The words are more important than which chapter and verse they are." If you know what the verse says that's far better than knowing "Isaiah 5:18" and not knowing the words.

The more you study, read, and memorize your Bible the more second nature it will become to you. You will wonder less about what God is telling you to do and you will be able to help others more. I challenge you, my readers, to try memorizing a verse or passage that is special or important to you. I don't care if it takes you three months to learn it by heart, but trying is the first part.

Symbols

Our culture is riddled with icons and logos, but most don't realize what they are advertising on their t-shirts. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6) So, I would like to bring to your attention some "common symbols" and what they really mean...


#1. The Peace Sign

The peace sign started becoming really popular in the 60's and has been associated with the whole "peace movement" but let's not for get the "wonderful" catch phrase of the era "sex, drugs, and rock and roll." Let's look at a peace singe a little bit closer...

A peace sign is a cross with the arms broken off! This symbol represents that Christ died in vain. Some symbol to be wearing on your t-shirt to youth-group.


#2. The Yin Yang.

The yin yang is a popular eastern symbol. Notice that the black and white "fish" are the same size and they each have a spot in their core. White naturally represents good while black represents evil. The sign therefore means that good (God) and evil (Satan) are equally matched and are circling each other for all eternity, neither will ever win, nor will either ever loose; there is a little bit of evil in everything good and there is a little bit of good in everything evil. So, how do you like them onions?



#3. The Triskelion.

This symbol looks similar to a triple yin yang and is almost as popular in jewelry as the peace sign. This symbol is one of the more frightening because if you learn to look for it, the triskelion can be found almost everywhere. This symbol is the sign of the Beast; it is three 6's circling each other.

These were the three main images that I wanted to touch on because it really does aggravate me when I go to church and I see the youth covered in these Satanic signs. There are countless others that I could go over: the crescent moon and palm tree (Islamic icons), the rock on hand sign, the swastika. snakes in skulls, and pentagrams being just a couple. So, please, my bothers and sisters, if you want to "wear" your faith, don't wear these symbols no matter how difficult!

You call THAT an argument?

So, last Wednesday I went to a new youth group to hear a friend of mine preach. His topic was emotional purity, and needless to say, there was a lot of fire -- from even the grown-ups! Specifically, we were discussing how one-on-one dating is NOT a good idea, even when you are trying to find a spouse. (I'll post his lesson if you want background.)

The floor was open for debate, questions, and arguments. One girl "for" dating said: "When you're dating for a spouse, it's like when you get saved. God only did half the work, you still had to do half the work. It's not fair to let God try to bring the right person to you; you half to look." (keep in mind, I just quoted her.)

HOLD IT! WAIT! STOP!!!!!!!! Did you even just hear yourself? Shall I take it from the top?

1. You said God only did half the work for you to get saved. WRONGO! God did 100% percent of the work. There is one and ONLY one thing that you must do to receive it: say yes.
2. Using the new example; then yes, finding your spouse is a lot like getting saved: God is doing 100% of the work arraigning the meeting and forming the person for you. There is one and ONLY one thing that you must do to receive it: say yes.
3. Lastly, what in the world do you mean, "it's not fair to let God do all the work"? HE'S GOD! All we have to do is follow His instructions and be obedient. Who are we to start telling God, "Oh, here, let me do this for You"?

Some of the adults' arguments (with all due respect to them) were just as flimsy. One gentleman said, "Come on girls, date as many guys as you want to find the right one. See if you can get a free meal out of them!"

Once again, Excuse me? Are you suggesting that I date so that I can get free food?!? Well let me see then, if I date a new guy every day for 365 days, I could get an entire year of meals paid for? Never mind that it would be manipulative, usurping, using, and selfish! Not only would it be wrong of me to date just for the meal, but "date as many guys as I want"? Why should I waist time trying to "fish out" the one for me by my own power, when I could be spending time learning about the God that created me? helping in church ministries? volunteering for charity? Why in the would should I put myself in that situation?

I'm sorry, but if you want to convince me that dating is a good thing BY GOD'S STANDARDS you'll have to come up with much better arguments. :)