INTO THE HEART...

...of Africa David will go next week. Last night we did our best to prepare him, for on this day one week from now David will marry Tennille on African soil. Our directions to him: On his "African hunt" he is allowed to capture only one species, and he must bring her back alive. Our best advice to him was not to cage the trophy of his hunt (its been said they don't like that).

There are two other hearts that are involved. David has already gone into his and discovered a love from God for Tennille. One week from today he will make the ultimate commitment to journey into the heart of Tennille. Congratulations brother.

I have been reading an excellent book, Wild at Heart. And I am thankful for what I have been learning. We have all been wounded by interpersonal relationships of the past including romantic, family, or just platonic. And the feeling that develops is the"I don't need anyone." In response to this men can become driven or passive. Neither of these are indicative of the true strength God wants to give. In the broad picture, being independent can be the cover up of fear to open our hearts. Many of us have been caged up for so long (by numerous personal and social negative elements) that we no longer live for our inner dreams. Here's what John Eldredge say they are: "In the heart of every man is a desperate desire for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue." And "a woman's heart yearns to be fought for...an adventure to share...and a beauty to unveil."

The easy way out here is to point at one side or the other as not living out their "passion" as the reason it doesn't always work out like it sounds. The truth is, until I live my heart's desires, I can't ask her live her heart out. I don't want cages (wounds from the past) to suffocate my God given desires...

For this pottage... I did not sell my birthright.

These men insisted they wanted to buy some hummus from Apple Valley.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I WAS THINKING...

...why don't single people give more advice about relationships. Really, it struck me this week that we are the experts. Picture it this way, you are either the scientist or the experiment. The only way I can make sense of it is that you are the scientist until you get married at which time you become the experiment. So here is my "expert" advice: The idea that two people are different and that is the reason (or excuse) for a relationship failing is very poor. God has helped me understand in the past couple of months through a friend that if I look for someone that communicates like I do, makes the bed like I do, and runs on the same schedule I do, it is not that I love the girl but rather that I love myself. Problems that arise in a relationship because of differences (I speak not of theological or moral differences) are because the individual(s) love themselves and can't see to love the other person for the wonderful and beautiful individual that they are. A married couple (experiment that I studied this weekend:) told me that they would recommend you marry someone that is different - with the right perspective it makes life so much more fun.

What else have I been thinking about? This week I received a letter that said; "Pastor Goetz, Congratulations! You are expected to finish... your diploma will be sent sometime in January..." Today I was informed my ministry will be discussed in the Pennsylvania Conf. and I should be finding out where I will next serve God this week. I am already falling in love with the people... whoever they may be.
I was thinking... serving Jesus was the best decision I have ever made.

A FULL BOX

The other week I spent a wonderful 5-day stretch speaking to a group of 200 elementary and Jr. High students. Monday the first grade class created a box so that the students and staff could fill it with prayer requests. They pasted Bible promises on the outside and then each day we all brought our prayers requests and stuffed them in the box. On Friday the box was full and we sent it up to God in smoke, making a statement that we trust Him to take care of our burdens.

Two verses in the Psalms were on my mind last week as I pondered their significance. They stated that God laughs at His enemies and holds then in derision (Ps. 2, 59). I got the answer...God "laughs" because the harder His enemies make it for Him (or any of God's children), the more God will be glorified. A more difficult situation in the hands of God, only introduces greater glory.

"The greatest victories won to the individual Christian or to the church of Christ, are not those gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favor of man. They are those victories gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power." (Patriarchs and Prophets)
Fill your box...

...and burn it.