You Don't Know My Story

Last Sunday was the 5th week of the Love, Sex, God study and it was great! We get e-news in our email every week to summarize what happened the previous Sunday, as well as other news going on in the churhc. Here's a summary:

Could my story make me an exception to God’s expectations? A deeper reality occurred to me last Sunday. I squirmed uncomfortably through parts of Pastor Chris’s Song of Solomon message. All of my life decisions have not been good. His words reminded me of that. Yet I had perfectly good reasons to act the way I acted at the time. Because of that I want to say my story is different and makes me an exception. I had good intentions. I meant no harm. Surely God’s absolutes make exceptions for me, right?

The truth is that everybody’s journey is unique. Everybody has reasons for the choices they made. None of us set out to ruin our lives, but we have all made decisions with nasty consequences. And even if some of the nastiness in my past is not completely my fault, I do hold some responsibility. And God is calling me to take responsibility for what is mine.
Taking responsibility means trusting God and making changes. God knows my story better than I do. He knows the thoughts and intents of my heart. He knows why I did what I did. But he also knows that he made me for something better…something more. He has taught me through Song of Solomon that regardless of my past, I can make some better choices:

Invest time and energy in my marriage.

Teach my children the value of sexual purity.

Protect my children and myself with internet porn filters like Safe Eyes, Net Nanny, or Hedgebuilders

Agree with another couple to become prayer and accountability partners.

Do marriage and all relationships God’s way, trusting Him for the results.

God would only make me uncomfortable about my past in order to call me to a different place in the future. So, which of the “better choices” is urgent for me? Which is urgent for you now? What is your next step?

Ours is attending Marriage Enrichment tonight. Can't wait!

Love Sex God

Did I get your attention? Most of us conservative Southern Baptists are probably writhing in our seats right now, and believe me I was one of them. Last week our church started a new series in honor of the month of February. It's on love, sex and God and the book Song of Solomon. It was certainly interesting and an awesome sermon that everyone can relate to whether you're single, dating, or married. This past Sunday's sermon was on Courtship. When you break it down verse by verse Song of Solomon is poetic, like Shakespeare! This section talks about the love that two people have for each other, but by waiting for marriage before "consomating your love" (eek can you tell I'm turning red just talking about it), and letting love run it's proper pace, it falls in to God's plan.

Song of Solomon 2 (Contemporary English Version)

Love Makes Everything Beautiful

1I am merely a rose [a] from the land of Sharon, a lily from the valley.
2My darling, when compared with other young women, you are a lily among thorns.
3And you, my love, are an apple tree among trees of the forest.
Your shade brought me pleasure; your fruit was sweet.
4You led me to your banquet room and showered me with love.
5Refresh and strengthen me with raisins and apples. I am hungry for love!
6Put your left hand under my head and embrace me with your right arm.
7Young women of Jerusalem, promise me by the power
of deer and gazelles [b] never to awaken love before it is ready.
8I hear the voice of the one I love, as he comes leaping over mountains and hills
9like a deer or a gazelle. Now he stands outside our wall, looking through the window
10and speaking to me. My darling, I love you! Let's go away together.
11Winter is past, the rain has stopped;
12flowers cover the earth, it's time to sing. [c] The cooing of doves is heard in our land.
13Fig trees are bearing fruit, while blossoms on grapevines fill the air with perfume.
My darling, I love you! Let's go away together.
14You are my dove hiding among the rocks on the side of a cliff.
Let me see how lovely you are! Let me hear the sound of your melodious voice.
15Our vineyards are in blossom; we must catch the little foxes that destroy the vineyards. [d]
16My darling, I am yours, and you are mine, as you feed your sheep among the lilies.
17Pretend to be a young deer dancing on mountain slopes [e] until daylight comes
and shadows fade away.

* Love has a proper pace *

Another good point - fathers, date your daughters. So simple and yet it makes perfect sense. When a girl is growing up she looks to how her father treats his wife and his daughters respectively. That sets the example of what they want in a mate. It is so true. My father is a perfect example of this. He is so humble and sweet (although he has his stubborn moments), and has always been so strong in his faith. He showers my mother with love, affection and attention and for that I am thankful.

The band played a version of "To Make You Feel My Love" and it was just beautiful. I've never listened to it and applied it to the love that God has for us. Looking at it from that perspective is life changing.