The Circle of Love (through scripture)

(In this order)

Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

John 15:12-13

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

1 John 3:16

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

1 John 3:10

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:20

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

1 John 4:12

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

2 Corinthians 2:5-8

If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 John 4:10

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:16

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 5:13

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands

Luke 10:27

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Book of Job. We are discussing Job in ACF today, and Job ran into this very problem (at least poetically). We know Job is blameless, and later in the OT the prophet Ezekiel said Job had righteousness (assumed righteousness from faith), but in Job’s monologues, he tried to justify his holiness by himself by making a case to God. And then God spoke, reminding Job (harshly) of His own sovereignty and that Job exists because of His grace. I think the key to wrapping both justification of faith and holiness/”be perfect” is humility, dying to self, and remembering the Sovereignty of God. Like Job did in the end (woot I’m learning things in discussion group).

Let’s just say true faith will produce holiness. I personally am inclined to not worry about holiness, but believe a heart-desire for God will naturally produce holiness/obedience/fruit/Christ-like attitude in me. And I must ask this from God too.

Each time I hear "God is my rock" during every smash melee tournament, it makes me happy.

It is an injustice to say that Jesus Christ labored in redemption to make me a saint. Jesus Christ labored in redemption to redeem the whole world and to place it perfectly whole and restored before the throne of God. The fact that we can experience redemption illustrates the power of its reality, but that experience is a byproduct and not the goal of redemption. If God were human, how sick and tired He would be of the constant requests we make for our salvation and for our sanctification. We burden His energies from morning till night asking for things for ourselves or for something from which we want to be delivered! When we finally touch the underlying foundation of the reality of the gospel of God, we will never bother Him anymore with little personal complaints. - Oswald Chambers

Punching God

http://placeofdiscipleship.tumblr.com/post/109738568964/gods-just-wrath-and-his-grace

Ready to Date (very rough sketch)

If any brother (or sister) ever asks me how I would know they are ready to date. I would ask them one question: what is the purpose of marriage? If they can answer this single question, I believe they are ready to be made ready for marriage.

Purpose of marriage
 

Testimony of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5, Matthew 19, Genesis to Revelations)

For ministry

Marriage a temporary construct

A covenant and a sacrament

Love one another as brother and sister, as the body

Accountability as brother and sister

Selflessness/Dying to one self – to teach us how to love and rely on God’s love; not for self-fulfillment

Testimony to unbelievers – purest form of preaching the Gospel w/o manipulation (John 13)

Sex as the greatest intimacy and pleasure given to us by God

Having and raising Godly children

Marriage is not eternal, and we are to live for eternal things

Everything else is (relatively) case by case analysis (barring basic assumptions) and can be redeemed  or grown/worked into

Direct CLEAR CUT message from God (rare, I have yet to meet a couple that I believe this happened)

(spiritual) Maturity – responsibility, knowledge (wisdom and truth) of the Word and Gospel (Hebrews 5,6), biblical manhood/womanhood, new believer; role in local ministry; discernment capabilities; seeking first the Kingdom of God, having a Christ-centered life; humility; Godly character; Love and fruits of the Spirit

Understanding of singleness and loneliness; Christ is enough for me

Age and stage of life - Age gap; social awareness and social responsibility (money, taxes, assets, careers, roles in society etc)

Dating history – breakup recently, dated friends of friends, bad relationships

Sin history

Unrepentant sins

Sin temptations – clingyness, idolatry; tendencies; weaknesses; trust issues; shame/guilt

Callings – different directions; future plans; lust

Accountability – from friends/peers; from church/pastoral guidance; counselors; married couples

Parental support and blessing – courtship (extreme case)

Family history – are parents Christian; were they abusive; were they present; did they commit mistakes or have strong and loving presence; closeness with parents; forgave parents

Location – long-distance? Sustainable for marriage? Missions in the nations?

How much prayer and scripture reading they’ve had (and if this can lead to “spiritual sex”)

Boundaries - physical, emotional, spiritual

Personalities

Romance (non-lustful non-idolatrous type)

Physical (and mental) health

Compatibility and interests and chemistry (unnecessary but can make relationships easier)

Dangers of compatibility – Most pastors will admit that compatibility isn’t very important. Tim Keller even went to say that compatibility should only encompass things like “can’t be 40 years a part” or “they must be able to breathe,” and outside of those things are moot. In 2010, my junior year GF small group, our small group leader mentioned that in the ideal Christian world, any two Christians can marry and have a successful God centered marriage. Note the word ideal. We all knew in the small group that given we live in a fallen world and we are flawed people with sinful desires that ideal can never happen, and we scoffed at the idea. But then we stopped and thought. Though we live in a fallen world and are flawed people, because we were saved by grace, we ought to live as we were holy (in order to become holy and righteous). If that is the ideal that Christ would have worked for, then in a way we should try to work for it. At the end of the small group, we all decided if possible, we would want to live that ideal, or at least meditate on that thought when choosing a spouse. This illustrates to how marriage is a ministry founded on self-sacrificing love. Be the chosen people. Be the royal priesthood. Be the holy nation that God intends us to become.

People will change. You will change. That person will change. The very act of marriage is ground shaking enough to change a person. Therefore if you chose to be with someone because they were compatible, then you are on shaky ground.

Compatibility/chemistry at its core is selfishness. It tells us things like pornography are okay because the 2-D women are completely compatible with us, pleasing us, obeying us, gratifying us. We literally/chemically/physiologically and figuratively have the best chemistry with porn. Following down a path of compatibility will lead one to search for the most compatible partner, which then points to the reality that someone “better” will always come along. You can now see how this leads to cheating and adultery and jealousy.

multiply movement p1-s1 takeaways

https://www.multiplymovement.com/Material/203

“Following Jesus is not about diligently keeping a set of rules or conjuring up the moral fortitude to lead good lives. It’s about loving God and enjoying Him.”

I think, of the entire session, this line stood most out to me. Yes, I’ve known about legalism for a long time. Yes I know ministry and prayer and reading scripture are supposed to be done out of joy, but it is so hard to put into practice. Like Francis Chan said at Passion ’15, we need to ask God for focus and self-control.

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

One of the things talking with K was that he made the point about how love shouldn’t be “convenient.” Following God shouldn’t be “convenient.” Like, do I go to church because it is convenient? For some of us yes, it is because that’s where our friends are. But for him, he would rather go play basketball or the gym or watch a movie or something. But he goes because he loves God and knows going to church is what God wants for him.

I really loved the part where we got to the question If you choose to obey Jesus’s call to follow, what might it cost you? (Avoid being vague. If following Jesus would cost you specific possessions, comforts, or relationships, list them below.) In ways we were able to be honest. Me about my video gaming, and decision to give them up. His for alcohol and winning at basketball, realizing the selfishness behind it. Yes, there is sports ministry and also video game ministry, but there is also just selfishness and pride involved too. For me gaming is time I rather spend on working out, on reading the Word, and fellowshipping with people or proclaiming the Gospel. 671 hours of DOTA is not what I want for my life, and I am asking God to chisel it away. In competitive games (sports or video games), I’ve seen the worst come out in people, including me (for different reasons), and I know that it is not good. Self-control is definitely needed, and to rely on God is definitely needed.

I was glad I was able to share with him several videos, one where Matt Chandler talks about the sexiest love that is unconditional love, and glad he really enjoyed Skit Guys God Chisel video. “I don’t want it [your salvation] to be some sentimental goosh or head knowledge, I want you to work it out in every detail of your life.” Ya. It is still as hard hitting and real as it always is. And how great it is that God is the one holding us up, not the other way around. What I also realized that yes, I have a great collection of sermons and skits and resources, and being able to go to Biblegateway to refer to any verse is useful, but in my daily life I am not going to be able to carry my computer around. Let me really tattoo the Word of God on my heart, and let me be able to sincerely and realistically share it with everyone.

Control. Chisel. Control. Chisel. What do I don't want God to chisel out? What is the cost? Why are people quick to believe without counting the cost, and why do we preach the Gospel w/o mentioning the cost? Luke 24:28-33.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”- C.S. Lewis

Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Your ways are not my ways. Isaiah 55:8.

ZING!

To be honest, this first session went much longer than I anticipated, and it was great. I am glad that I am learning a lot still, despite having heard the series twice alone. K is growing a lot and to hear God is already using him in ways only he is able to for the Kingdom (in areas that I can’t) just makes me want to shout out in joy.

So how do I bring back joy into my prayers and devotions?

One analogy I came up was talking with God is like a chore. Like when someone pops up on gchat saying hi and you don’t really want to talk to him/her, and hoping to not be drawn into a long conversation. Especially when you are watching a good tv show or anime, or stuck in a middle of playing a computer game. But for me, when the girl I like pops up on fb chat or on gchat or texts me, I will drop everything to talk to her. I will even quit in the middle of a DOTA game for her sake. That is the kind of attitude I should have when talking to God (praying) or listening to God (reading scripture). Since I know now the kind of affection I should have for my God, well...its a place to work from.

Christian hedonism. Huh...I finally get what it means.
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/christian-hedonism

http://adam4d.com/labor-love/ This is what my life should look like.

Why is men underwear so expensive...

The limiting reagent right there.

http://www.walmart.com/search/?ic=16_0&search_constraint=0&search_query=boxers&facet=apparel_category%3AMen

Even at Walmart, 5 for $16. Sigh...

This is why underwear makes great Christmas presents.

If I were in a Brandon Sanderson or Robert Jordan fantasy novel, I will be the character who always "looks thoughtful."

And never say anything.

Does my blogging (to myself) reveal (to myself) that I am grounded in Christ?

hmmm...

I want a puppy Repede

Seriously?

"Hey, I heard you are Christian."

"Yeah."

 "Do you really believe those things?"

"What do you mean by 'those things'?"

"
Do you seriously believe in the things in the Bible? You know, the sun stopping in the sky for a day? Like the Earth will have to stop rotating or stop orbiting or something.

Do you seriously believe in a magical garden with trees that bear fruit that can make you live forever?

Do you seriously believe that a god rained brimstone and turned a city into salt? I know there is the Dead Sea but there are natural explanations for that.

Do you seriously believe that a valley full of skeletons came back to life? Like in a Diablo video game? And then dirt clung to them and became flesh? This isn't Naruto you know.

Do you seriously believe in the plagues on Egypt? Like maybe the day of darkness was an eclipse, but a fog that selectively killed firstborn boys? Seriously?

Do you seriously believe that the Red Sea could be parted? That there are tornadoes made of fire? And ever-burning bushes? Don't you know the 3rd law of thermodynamics?

Do you seriously believe that some kind of magical bread fell from the sky? That some kind of sinkhole ate people that got angry at a god?

Do you seriously believe people can get superhuman strength when their hair isn't cut off? Like do beards help men lift more? Cuz I wish I could grow one.

Do you seriously believe that the Israelites went around committing genocide? Like seriously, why would you want to believe that?

Do you seriously believe in talking snakes? Oh and that talking donkey from Shrek.

Do you seriously believe someone survived 3 days inside a fish without dissolving or drowning?

Do you seriously believe a whole army can be collectively struck blind? Maybe they all got some kind of parasite that ate their corneas

Do you seriously believe in floating hands writing on pieces of stone and on walls?

Do you seriously believe God made the universe? Caused a worldwide flood and invented rainbows as a promise?

And lets not forget about the New Testament, who you all like to quote all the time.

Do you seriously believe in virgin birth? It's probably infidelity, and they were covering it up.

Do you seriously believe water can be turned into wine? The beer companies would start World War 3 over a trick like that.

Do you seriously believe someone can create unlimited food out of bread and fish? Conservation of mass anyone?

Do you seriously believe in demon-possessed people? You know that is just mental disorders right?

Do you seriously believe in angels? Other nations make fun us you know? That 60% of Americans still believe in angels. I mean...come on, halos, wings, harps? Is cupid an angel too?

Do you seriously believe a person survived in a desert for 40 days without food? And then he was tempted by Satan? You know that story sounds like it came straight out of a fable.

Do you seriously believe a god created everything here around us? With all of the evidence pointing otherwise? That he is in control of the weather, of the physical laws, and even our actions?

Do you seriously believe a high and mighty god would want to turn himself into a human and be subjected to pain and humiliation?

Do you seriously believe in a super holy ghost thing that lives in you and whispers to you? It's all in your mind!

Do you seriously believe in hell?

Do you seriously believe in the Resurrection?

Do you seriously believe these things"

"Uh...well yeah. I do."

"Seriously! You know this is why us rational, logical, scientific people think you are all looney."

Whoa! I wanna do foot washing at my wedding! Point to how the man is like Christ, who comes as a servant to serve the Church.