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Do Hard Things Conference Philippines

Saturday, September 09, 2006

God's Perfect Choice (Author Unknown)

A very good friend gave me this poem several years ago.
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Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone
To have a deep soul relationship with another
To be loved thoroughly, and exclusively
But God to the Christian says, No…
Not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and contented with being loved
By Me alone, with giving yourself totally unreserved to Me
Discovering that only Me is your satisfaction to be found
Then you will be capable of the perfect human relationship
That I have planned for you.

You will never be united with another until you are united with Me
Exclusive of anyone or anything else
Exclusive of any desires and longing
I want you to stop planning, stop wishing,
And allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing
One that you cannot imagine
I want you to have the best, please allow Me to give it to you
Just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things
Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am
Keep listening and learning the things I tell you
You just wait…that’s all!

Don’t be anxious, don’t worry
Don’t look around at the things other have gotten or I have given them
Don’t look at the things you think you have
You just keep looking off and away up to Me…
Or you’ll miss what I want to show you…

And then, when you are ready, I’ll surprise you with a love
Far more wonderful than any of you dream of
You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready
(I’m working to have you both ready at the same time),
Until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I prepare for you
You won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies
Your relationship with Me and is thus the perfect time.

I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me
And to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty
Perfection and love that I offer you myself
Know that I love you utterly,
Believe and be satisfied.

Friday, September 01, 2006

"Everyone's Doing It"

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a friend who said she enjoyed peer pressure. When I asked her why, her response was "Well, at least you get to do what everyone else is doing."

Needless to say, I was horrified. Although some peer pressure may be good - like teaching you to have more self-confidence, helping you grow, et cetera - most of it will lead you the wrong way.

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Everyday, teenagers face struggles brought on by media, peer pressure, and other factors. Everyday, culture tries to influence us by presenting something that looks "good."Almost all teenagers will accept anything, try anything, and do anything that will put them in the "cool crowd." Ask them why, and you'll get the same answer - "everyone's doing it."
Often, we Christians blend in with the rest of the crowd, going with the flow, and allowing ourselves to be influenced by our friends and by our culture. Often, we make excuses and say "everyone else is doing it, so it can't be wrong", yet deep down inside, we know that what we're doing is not right.

Romans 12:2 says:"And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
It means that we shouldn't adapt to the low standards of our culture, but rather, we should live as we had been transformed when we received Christ.Ephesians 4:23, 24 says that we need to put on the "new us" created to be like God.
I admit that I find it easier to do what everyone else is doing and go where everyone else is going. Nevertheless, I am constantly reminded that I need to live like Jesus; that I need to take a stand and be different; and that I need to go the opposite - but right - direction.
It's so easy to go with the flow. It's so easy to follow the crowd. That's not what God wants us to do, however. He wants us to do what is right in His eyes, even if that means turning your back to the crowd.
Before I end, there's a true story I'd like to share:
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A college freshman at the University of Arkansas banded together with another Christian friend or two and pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon (a social fraternity). This particular fraternity was notorious for its wild and crazy reputation. But these young Christian men were on a mission. They began praying for their "brothers." They modeled the Christian life and shared their faith. Four years later, when these two men graduated, there were some 50-60 Christians in the chapter!

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See what a difference those Christian men made!If we tried to be different, if we went against the flow, if we did things not because "everyone's doing it" but because God want us to, then we'd make a difference.
Don't blend with the background. Stand out. Be different. Go against the flow.