Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is like him."-Genesis 3:18
Let me assemble for you a couple scenarios. Imagine you are in the park sitting on the park bench reading the book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris and, BUM BUM BUM, a couple walks by holding hands. Or, how about you find yourself logging onto facebook and the good ole "stalker feed" comes up. You can't help but notice that *insert guy's name here* and *insert girl's name here* are in a relationship with that big red heart right next to it with a goofy picture of them at Disney World together. Or consider that same message, except "is engaged" or "is married" is there instead of "is in a relationship". Even worse, imagine you see a guy walking into a movie theater, who is surrounded by women, and they are all going to the "Sex and the City 2" premiere or a Taylor Swift concert while you, single American man, watches (alone) in sadness.
Ok, maybe the above scenarios are a little ridiculous (and I hope humorous), but I feel like they are somewhat true for many people. In American culture, you can't hardly get away from the whole "relationship" or "hook up" concept. It is broadcasted in a lot of music (and in artist's personal lives), Hollywood and pretty much in everyday life. We can't get away from it. It's even been a struggle with me. For two years this coming June, I have been single and have learned a ton about myself, life and God. I've probably learned more in these past two years than any other part of my life. The bad thing is that I have also experience a lot of loneliness and depression during this time.
I find myself so much being hard on myself for still being single while I see many of my friends getting into relationships, getting engaged or married or seeing some of my single guy friends go out with some girls on dates while I stay at home alone. This actually has been a lifelong struggle. For years (and I still do everyday) always tell myself "I'm not in a relationship so I must be ugly" or "I have a terrible personality where no woman could spend the rest of her life with me" or (I hate this) "I'm still single at age 22 so I must not be a man". I also feel that millions of other people can relate to this. For the record, I don't want pity for this. The reason I write this is because I know I am not the only person that struggles with this and I hope this note could help other singles and even people in relationships.
Now, I don't mean to bash people who are in relationships, engaged or are happily married. I'm happy for all of you! God bless all of you and I pray you would all experience eternally lasting relationships with each other. I am so happy for my friends right now who are getting ready to be married or who are married. But, why do we desire relationships in the first place. Well, it's because it's the way God made us.
Right after God formed the woman (Eve) from Adam's rib, Adam said, "This one, at last, is bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called woman for she was taken from man." After this, the Bible says, "This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh." This is found in Genesis 2:23-24 God made man and woman for each other. Marriage is supposed to represent how Christ (the husband/groom) loved the church (the wife/bride). We also must consider other Bible stories.
Look at Jesus. He is the most important human being even in history to walk the face of the Earth, yet he was never married or never experienced a relationship, according to The Gospels. Paul, the second greatest missionary ever in history, was single as well. Heck, people in my own life knows this as well. My mother (God bless that awesome woman), who experienced years of bad relationships (I was the result of one of them) never got married until she was 42 years old and has been married now for 12 years but boy has she had her fair share of marriage problems. See, relationships aren't always perfect. One of my relatives didn't get married until he was in his late 40s. When I think about it, several of my friends are still single and not for bad reasons at all. It's all part of God's plan.
We all want a relationship. We all want to feel loved. Yet, a relationship can satisfy that, to a certain extent, but it is only a real relationship through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that can eternally satisfy our eternal hunger for love. We really need to examine the Gospel to see what it means. Don't be envious of or angry at couples because they found that other person but be happy for them and wish them the best. Also, don't be angry at yourself or beat yourself up for being single. Christ literally gave up everything for us because He loved us. Look what God did for Leah in Genesis 29. She was the sister of the much better looking Rachel and both of them were married to Jacob. Jacob loved Rachel more because of her good looks, but God ended up loving Leah because, well, no one else would. He even opened up her womb and produced part of the 12 tribes of Israel. The line of Judah came out of her womb, which King David and Jesus Himself was in. Also, Jacob was committing a sin by having more than one wife for himself (a frequent sin throughout the Old Testament, but that besides the point. Anyways, back to the Leah story. That's how our God loves us. When we feel no one else does, He will do what others will not do and love us. THAT IS HOW AWESOME OF A GOD WE SERVE! We need to realize that God is the true bridegroom and we (as believers) are the bride. Don't blame God for your singleness. Use it as an opportunity to really find out who you are and who you are in Christ most of all. Our relationship with God should be the highest priority in our life above all other relationships, including ones with spouses. BE ENCOURAGED!!!
"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
In Him,
Dutton
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Stumbling In The Dark to Find Truth
"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." - Romans 1:25
Where am I? What is this? Who are you? Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? Is there someone else out there? Are we being watched? Why do things happen? What is reality? Did Al Gore really invent the internet?
This past week was a big learning and growing experience for me. Through stuff that happened, I really got to know people better on my campus, especially in my judo class and journalism classes. It's great to get to know the people in your area because you really know what the culture is like. I have noticed so many broken and desperate people on campus and the people don't even realize they're brokenness and desperate need. Sad story! I really need the courage and the boldness to witness Christ to them and allow the light he has to destroy the darkness I see them in.
My step-father battles bodily pain and experiences a life not yielded to Christ. My mother knows Christ but experiences bodily and mental hurt. My mother's pain is so great that I had to call the squad for her Friday afternoon after experiencing extreme pain in her body above her stomach. When she got to the hospital, it turned out to be just back and rib pain. A day before, she experienced some high blood pressure. On top of that, she has stresses in her life to deal with. I know God doesn't give us more than what we can bear, but where is God in the face of adversity? It's hard. My step-father is getting shoulder surgery next Friday, I think. It gives him much pain plus he still doesn't know Christ. Once again, I am learning the principle of sacrifice to serve others. It is not easy by any means, but what did Christ do for us on the cross again?
I checked out a new church below Parkersburg called First Assembly of God. It is a Pentecostal Church. The guy that runs Chi Alpha at WVUP invited me there. It was weird at first. I'm used to churches where worship and praise are there but nowhere near explicit as it is in the Pentecostal denomination. They emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is so important to a believer. It is ultimately what assures believers of their salvation. It also is God's provision to those He has chosen to serve Him and do His will to be a light to those who don't walk in the light of Christ. I liked it! The people were welcoming and loving to me. In fact, the guy that invited me there offered me his house to have lunch. I enjoyed it and got to experience fellowship I only experienced with Chi Alpha. Fellowship with others who are children of God is so important. We were not created to be alone. Even those who aren't saved even experience some kind of fellowship. This is something I haven't had much of since being at WVU but I am working on being intentional with believers and making friends with those who aren't believers.
Greg, the man that runs Chi Alpha at WVUP, asked me if I would be interested in being president of Chi Alpha on campus. Huge decision to make!! If I were to be a leader, I want pride to be kicked out of me! I refuse to be a leader with pride issues because it is ultimately God who leads us. Please pray for me!
Overall, people in this area need Jesus so bad! I notice so much worldliness around me. This has got to stop! People are out there dying and will end up in a place of eternal damnation if those who are believers do nothing. I need prayer to get motivated and shed some light to those stumbling in darkness. If you are in darkness, you won't be able to see a thing. I know personally one won't find truth in darkness because one can't see! Please pray for this! Something has got to be done about the spiritual state of people all around me!
"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday." - Proverbs 4:18
I'm glad God is a better guide in our lives than a stupid GPS suggesting that Chipotle is the best restaurant in the area if you are looking for good cuisine.
In Christ,
Dutton
Where am I? What is this? Who are you? Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? Is there someone else out there? Are we being watched? Why do things happen? What is reality? Did Al Gore really invent the internet?
This past week was a big learning and growing experience for me. Through stuff that happened, I really got to know people better on my campus, especially in my judo class and journalism classes. It's great to get to know the people in your area because you really know what the culture is like. I have noticed so many broken and desperate people on campus and the people don't even realize they're brokenness and desperate need. Sad story! I really need the courage and the boldness to witness Christ to them and allow the light he has to destroy the darkness I see them in.
My step-father battles bodily pain and experiences a life not yielded to Christ. My mother knows Christ but experiences bodily and mental hurt. My mother's pain is so great that I had to call the squad for her Friday afternoon after experiencing extreme pain in her body above her stomach. When she got to the hospital, it turned out to be just back and rib pain. A day before, she experienced some high blood pressure. On top of that, she has stresses in her life to deal with. I know God doesn't give us more than what we can bear, but where is God in the face of adversity? It's hard. My step-father is getting shoulder surgery next Friday, I think. It gives him much pain plus he still doesn't know Christ. Once again, I am learning the principle of sacrifice to serve others. It is not easy by any means, but what did Christ do for us on the cross again?
I checked out a new church below Parkersburg called First Assembly of God. It is a Pentecostal Church. The guy that runs Chi Alpha at WVUP invited me there. It was weird at first. I'm used to churches where worship and praise are there but nowhere near explicit as it is in the Pentecostal denomination. They emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is so important to a believer. It is ultimately what assures believers of their salvation. It also is God's provision to those He has chosen to serve Him and do His will to be a light to those who don't walk in the light of Christ. I liked it! The people were welcoming and loving to me. In fact, the guy that invited me there offered me his house to have lunch. I enjoyed it and got to experience fellowship I only experienced with Chi Alpha. Fellowship with others who are children of God is so important. We were not created to be alone. Even those who aren't saved even experience some kind of fellowship. This is something I haven't had much of since being at WVU but I am working on being intentional with believers and making friends with those who aren't believers.
Greg, the man that runs Chi Alpha at WVUP, asked me if I would be interested in being president of Chi Alpha on campus. Huge decision to make!! If I were to be a leader, I want pride to be kicked out of me! I refuse to be a leader with pride issues because it is ultimately God who leads us. Please pray for me!
Overall, people in this area need Jesus so bad! I notice so much worldliness around me. This has got to stop! People are out there dying and will end up in a place of eternal damnation if those who are believers do nothing. I need prayer to get motivated and shed some light to those stumbling in darkness. If you are in darkness, you won't be able to see a thing. I know personally one won't find truth in darkness because one can't see! Please pray for this! Something has got to be done about the spiritual state of people all around me!
"The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday." - Proverbs 4:18
I'm glad God is a better guide in our lives than a stupid GPS suggesting that Chipotle is the best restaurant in the area if you are looking for good cuisine.
In Christ,
Dutton
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Weary Traveler and Faith
"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
My body aches. My brain hurts. My heart breaks. All around me is darkness...... but light exists. It exists! I have seen a light more glorious than the bright streets of Paris on a clear, warm September evening. This light is in the form of a might warrior, one who has come to save us from ourselves: the ultimate evil. The light I speak of is Jesus Christ.
That light has what's been carrying me this past week. Getting used to being back home was a little rough at first but faith in God seems to make things like 1859485945804358029384.77 times better. I have noticed a difference in my mood and mental state. Slowly, I am coming back. The light truly is getting brighter. I personally love how God's truth can take the darkness out of our life. His truth sheds light on how backwards "the world" really is.
I am now on ADD medicine. It has given me more focus in my life, allowing me to communicate better with people. Depression comes and goes but the love and grace in Jesus Christ blesses me with the will to fight it. Slowly, things are getting better but there are still issues in my life to be settled. Everyone has them. The Bible does call us to suffer. My mental state is improving. God's loves really does cover up so much.
My mom's health is still not too good. She suffers with a back that gives her horrendous pain, breathing trouble that forces her to have an oxygen tube hooked into her nose 24/7 and is still recovering mentally from a stroke. My step dad has a hurt shoulder and will have to have surgery soon. Because of this, the physical burden of doing daily tasks falls on the youthful and healthy shoulders that God blesses me with. My body is weary like that of a traveler who rests very little. It's not easy but loving others takes sacrifice. Actually, it takes the denial of self, something I have had to learn lately.
God, in His infinite love, has blessed me with a new ministry: Chi Alpha. I do miss Crusade but I feel God will do big things in the future with me and other college students being in this ministry. The Lord knows that much of the Parkersburg metro area needs a "divine wake-up call", a big reason why I came back home.
So, God is good in ALL that He does, not matter what our selfish minds (mine included) could ever make us believe.
I have learned this past week that faith is SO important to recovery in any situation. People say God doesn't exist. The world is too evil for a loving God to be floating around. Well, that's a big lie. HE DOES EXIST! I don't need to touch Him to believe of His presence in the universe. That's why it's called "faith". My body hurts from this past week but it's only a temporary form. Faith in God gives me the strength to carry on.
.....but still, the weariness is too much to bear.
"The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth."-Psalms 33:6
Gotta love how God isn't a tool, unlike the watchers of "Jersey Shore".
In Him,
Dutton
My body aches. My brain hurts. My heart breaks. All around me is darkness...... but light exists. It exists! I have seen a light more glorious than the bright streets of Paris on a clear, warm September evening. This light is in the form of a might warrior, one who has come to save us from ourselves: the ultimate evil. The light I speak of is Jesus Christ.
That light has what's been carrying me this past week. Getting used to being back home was a little rough at first but faith in God seems to make things like 1859485945804358029384.77 times better. I have noticed a difference in my mood and mental state. Slowly, I am coming back. The light truly is getting brighter. I personally love how God's truth can take the darkness out of our life. His truth sheds light on how backwards "the world" really is.
I am now on ADD medicine. It has given me more focus in my life, allowing me to communicate better with people. Depression comes and goes but the love and grace in Jesus Christ blesses me with the will to fight it. Slowly, things are getting better but there are still issues in my life to be settled. Everyone has them. The Bible does call us to suffer. My mental state is improving. God's loves really does cover up so much.
My mom's health is still not too good. She suffers with a back that gives her horrendous pain, breathing trouble that forces her to have an oxygen tube hooked into her nose 24/7 and is still recovering mentally from a stroke. My step dad has a hurt shoulder and will have to have surgery soon. Because of this, the physical burden of doing daily tasks falls on the youthful and healthy shoulders that God blesses me with. My body is weary like that of a traveler who rests very little. It's not easy but loving others takes sacrifice. Actually, it takes the denial of self, something I have had to learn lately.
God, in His infinite love, has blessed me with a new ministry: Chi Alpha. I do miss Crusade but I feel God will do big things in the future with me and other college students being in this ministry. The Lord knows that much of the Parkersburg metro area needs a "divine wake-up call", a big reason why I came back home.
So, God is good in ALL that He does, not matter what our selfish minds (mine included) could ever make us believe.
I have learned this past week that faith is SO important to recovery in any situation. People say God doesn't exist. The world is too evil for a loving God to be floating around. Well, that's a big lie. HE DOES EXIST! I don't need to touch Him to believe of His presence in the universe. That's why it's called "faith". My body hurts from this past week but it's only a temporary form. Faith in God gives me the strength to carry on.
.....but still, the weariness is too much to bear.
"The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth."-Psalms 33:6
Gotta love how God isn't a tool, unlike the watchers of "Jersey Shore".
In Him,
Dutton
Monday, January 11, 2010
Enter The Prodigal Son
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding." - Solomon (found in Proverbs 3:5)
The air has a chill. The ground seeps with cold, wet snow. The thick clouds block the view of the amazing expanse called "sky". With this cloudy mess and the deluge of snow coming from the heavens, no sunlight can get into the slightly darkened atmosphere. Sounds depressing doesn't it? This analogy well describes my first day on an entirely new campus.
From a hasty decision, I now find myself attending the college of West Virginia University-Parkersburg. I saw many familiar faces from ages past. People I once saw everyday I rediscovered after 3 1/2 years of being in another part of the state. You could say I got a bit of a taste of high school all over again, with more faces to boot.
With all of this upon me, one could say I was the prodigal son returning to an area I once called "home". This "home" no longer feels like a home to me. To tell you the truth, I felt like an American tourist trying to order a German schnitzel from a French cuisine restaurant found in the Little Italy section of Moscow. Sounds confusing, right? Good, welcome to how I felt today. Seeing no familiar faces from WVU Morgantown made me miss what I did have.........but here's the thing: this area needs God just as much as Morgantown. The difference: I must learn to trust in God's understanding as I stride along the road of recovery from a mind going slowly insane.
This was my choice. I must now step up to the plate and led the God of the universe hold me by the hand and guide my little baby steps. I want to really know what it's like to put full trust in God. I wanna see an intelligent God work wonders on a mind with so much brilliance but so much madness. I want to see God guide me to a group of believers with their eyes set on Him ready to be there with me. I want to trust God with miracles though this experience of a long gone low timer returning to point of origin. May God be given the Glory forever!
I guarantee you'll see a whole new me the next time you see me!!
"The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in yu with shouts of joy." Zephaniah 3:17
In Christ,
-Dutton
The air has a chill. The ground seeps with cold, wet snow. The thick clouds block the view of the amazing expanse called "sky". With this cloudy mess and the deluge of snow coming from the heavens, no sunlight can get into the slightly darkened atmosphere. Sounds depressing doesn't it? This analogy well describes my first day on an entirely new campus.
From a hasty decision, I now find myself attending the college of West Virginia University-Parkersburg. I saw many familiar faces from ages past. People I once saw everyday I rediscovered after 3 1/2 years of being in another part of the state. You could say I got a bit of a taste of high school all over again, with more faces to boot.
With all of this upon me, one could say I was the prodigal son returning to an area I once called "home". This "home" no longer feels like a home to me. To tell you the truth, I felt like an American tourist trying to order a German schnitzel from a French cuisine restaurant found in the Little Italy section of Moscow. Sounds confusing, right? Good, welcome to how I felt today. Seeing no familiar faces from WVU Morgantown made me miss what I did have.........but here's the thing: this area needs God just as much as Morgantown. The difference: I must learn to trust in God's understanding as I stride along the road of recovery from a mind going slowly insane.
This was my choice. I must now step up to the plate and led the God of the universe hold me by the hand and guide my little baby steps. I want to really know what it's like to put full trust in God. I wanna see an intelligent God work wonders on a mind with so much brilliance but so much madness. I want to see God guide me to a group of believers with their eyes set on Him ready to be there with me. I want to trust God with miracles though this experience of a long gone low timer returning to point of origin. May God be given the Glory forever!
I guarantee you'll see a whole new me the next time you see me!!
"The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in yu with shouts of joy." Zephaniah 3:17
In Christ,
-Dutton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
