| Recently, I have been in a place where I have had to put forth much thought into where I am at in my life and what it's about. I know that is very broad, and I do mean it that way. While being engaged for over six months, a lot of examining and re-examining takes place. Being engaged caused me to ponder my existence, Amanda's existence, and our future existence. No matter what topic I seemed to be dwelling on that time, it always seemed to lead me to ponder God's existence and his plan for man's temporal and eternal existence. During those times I found many things that reaffirmed and challenged my beliefs and opinions on what I claim God, Salvation, Holiness, Faith, the Church etc... are truly about. I like many before was always willing to follow a trendy, contemporary, new millennia version of what Christianity, and the Church were. I am by no means saying that reading Piper or C.S. Lewis, or listening to Chris Tomlin or Crowder, or even reading Joel Osteen is a bad thing. I even think going to hear Louie Giglio can be a great thing. (that last part was for Lance) Over the years of ups, and downs, and downs, and downs, and then slowly back up ( at least it seems that way) I have learned God never changes, but people generationally (is that a word) have things that distort who God is to the rest of the world. Now...I understand that there are differences of opinions on the Church, Doctrine, Media, Music etc... and interpretations of Scripture, but where the line has to be drawn has to be biblical. I know the majority of you reading this don't have this issue, but humanity does. I have no problems with the Church keeping up with the times to reach people. Where I do have a problem and where I think a lot of people and churches are at is they use this as a crutch for bad doctrine and twist scripture to keep their sin issues on that comfortable line where conviction can be easily ignored. That leads to another issue. If conviction can be easily ignored, in my opinion I think more is to be considered than how a person can easily ignore conviction. At this time I am not going to get into that. The reason why I bring this up is Amanda and I thought we were going to be leading a singles small group that we were apart of before the wedding. Part of me wants to lead this group because I feel that God can truly use me. I have been in the place where this group is at. Single of course, but someone who desperately wants to hold onto to certain things and still try to serve the Master. Wether or not those things should be held onto, or if it is biblically allowable to mankind is not of relevance at this time. What matters is do these things help me live a life of holiness, or do they hinder that and draw you away from worship and communion with God. I so desperately want this group to learn this. But, at this time our pastor wants us to be apart of a married group. I cannot argue with that. We'll see what God has in store.
I love you Amanda Mellen...that is going to take some getting used too....the name that is, not the loving part.
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