Well, this is my first “BRF”! Anne and Mrs. B have been encouraging me for a long time to join, but I have just been so busy with other studying that I haven’t been able to yet. But I am done all studying until September, so I want to take advantage of this Bible study. I am sorry that this is a day late, but I was gone all day yesterday.
I honestly think that we could just do “Chapter Review Friday”. There is so much in God’s Word, especially when you are really watching for things to be able to share with others. So, though I did study the whole section, I am going to focus on just one chapter, mostly because I type slow. Here goes:
1 Corinthians 7.
Vs. 1 – Paul says that it is good for a man not to touch a woman. I know that this verse is often used to promote a “hands-off” policy before marriage, but however good that policy may be, I don’t believe that is what this verse is talking about in context. What I believe that Paul is saying is that it is good for a man to stay single (compare with verses 8 and 26.) If someone feels like they just won’t be able to contain themselves if they don’t marry, then by all means, marry, but it is better to stay single (vs. 9).
Paul makes an interesting statement in verse 25. He says that he had “obtained mercy to remain faithful”, and I believe that he is referring to his single state. It is not easy to be single! Yet, God calls some to a single life, and He will give mercy to remain faithful in that calling. I believe that every Christian single ought to come to the place on their life where they are completely willing to be/stay single if that is what God has planned. The church as a whole has done a great disservice to Christian young people by always preaching about preparing for a godly marriage, but rarely, if ever, exhorting young people to be willing and preparing for a godly single life. Many girls, especially, just assume that they will marry and be a “keeper at home” and they never consider, “What if God can use me best single?”
This is a hard, hard thing to surrender to. If young people could begin to at least consider this possibility early in their lives, they would have more time to come to grips with it and it wouldn’t be that at 30 they finally start to wrestle with the thought that God may will for them to serve Him as a single person.
This is a bit of a rabbit trail, but I believe that every young woman ought to learn some skill or vocation whereby she can support herself as a single woman and/or serve with in fulltime ministry. I am NOT talking about being a “career woman”. I am talking about having a career potential that ideally will not be a large waste of time or money should the young woman end up marrying at a younger age (this could even be something that she could do out of her home like the virtuous woman did i.e. my sister Emily is an amazing floral designer and is able to run a very nice business directly from her home in order to bless her family.) There are dozens of options available, and I encourage all mothers of girls who may be reading this to not focus so much on raising wives and mothers, but more on raising virtuous women who will be prepared to serve and honor God whether as a wife and mother or as a single woman. A daughter who learns to keep a home, to love and care for children, to surrender her will, and to be loyal and loving will be well equipped to serve God regardless of her married state!
As a person reads this chapter, they may wonder, “If marriage is such a good thing, created by God and so beautifully picturing Christ’s relationship with the church, why would Paul so strongly encourage people to remain single?” For one reason – to serve. A married person must care for their spouse and children; a single person can devote that time to God (vs. 32-34). It may be that God will call a single person to the mission field, or it may be that He will use them as faithful servants in the local church.
It is no sin to marry (vs.28). Marriage is honorable. A person never ought to spurn marriage because they are so wrapped up in a career – that is completely losing the point of why a person ought to stay single, which is to “attend upon the Lord without distraction” (vs. 35).
If there is anyone that is reading this who is really struggling with surrendering to God and trusting Him completely in this area, I highly recommend a book called “Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye: Trusting God with a Hope Deferred.”(This would also be a good read for those of you who married young so that you can better empathize with your still-single friends!)
I use to really not like 1 Corinthians 7! But I thank God that He has given me grace to be able to trust Him in this area. I know that I am single today because that is God’s perfect will for my life today and I can serve Him best this way, today. If and when I will be able to serve Him better married, then God will bring me together with the right man. Please pray for me and all the other Christian singles that you know that like Paul, we would be given mercy to “be faithful” in whatever calling God may give us.
Archive for April, 2007
Singled Out For Christ
Will Medicine Stop the Pain?
Will Medicine Stop the Pain?This is an excellent book that I recently read. It is very bibical, and deals with the difficult, but very real, emotional problems that many women face. The book can be ordered from Revive Our Hearts (follow the link on my blog roll.) You need to get this book whether you are suffering from troubling emotions, or just needing resources for bibically counseling others. A must read!
Choosing Forgiveness
This is a new book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It is very challenging and convicting, but also very comforting, because not only does it deal with our responsiblity to forgive, but the book very cleary reiterates what we probably all know already – that God has forgiven those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ of so much! How can we not forgive others when we realize just how much we have been forgiven of? The author also makes a very important point about the notion that so many people have that we need to forgive ourselves. In reality, we need to realize that our forgiveness comes from God and God alone; we do not need to forgive ourselves, but rather, we need to receive God’s forgiveness.
All braun and no brain?
I copied this from iv man’s blauge – check it out! http://blog.ivman.com
DISCLAIMER: I have tried to determine whether these quotations are authentic and/or accurate, but alas, I’ve not been able to. If there are any mistakes, please let me know and I’ll correct them.
Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward: “I’ve never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body,”
Philadelphia Phillies manager, Danny Ozark: “Half this game is ninety percent mental.”
Greg Norman: “I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.”
Ralph Kiner, announcer for the New York Mets: “Today is Father’s Day, so everyone out there: Happy Birthday!”
Baseball player Mike Greenwell: “I’m a four-wheel-drive pickup type of guy. So is my wife.”
Ian Rush, on the difficulties of adjusting to playing football and living in Italy: “It was like being in a foreign country.”
Mike Ditka: “A big factor in the game was the number of points scored.”
Nick Zito: “A lot of horses get distracted. It’s just human nature.”
The following quote was made by a Montreal Expos ball player, who was not named by the reporter (the player might have been Larry Walker) in reference to another player’s mental faculties: “He ain’t no rocket surgeon.”
Magic Johnson: “I only know how to play two ways and that’s reckless and abandon.”
Jimmy Hill: “Don’t sit on the fence, Terry. What chance do you think Germany has of getting through?” Terry Venables: “I think it’s 50-50.”
reporter: “Did you visit the Parthenon when you went to Greece?”
Shaquille O’Neal: “I can’t really remember the names of the clubs that we went to.”
Murray Walker: “The lead car is absolutely unique, except for the one behind it which is identical.”
Soccer coach Ron Greenwood: “They have missed so many chances they must be wringing their heads in shame.”
Baseball player Pete Incaviglia: “People think we make $3 million and $4 million a year. They don’t realize that most of us only make $500,000.”
reporter: “Would you quit baseball if the Yankees lose the series to the Pirates?”
Casey Stengel: “Well, I have given that thought a lot of thinking lately and last night, well – I finally made up my mind.”
reporter: Which way?
Casey Stengel: “I made up my mind both ways.”
Frank Bruno: “I was in a no-win situation, so I’m glad that I won rather than lost.”
Basketball player Chris Washburn, commenting on his ability to drive to the basket: “Yeah, I can go to my right and my left. That’s because I’m amphibious.”
Shaquille O’Neal, on his lack of championships: “I’ve won at every level, except college and pro.”
Bobby Robson, after playing Cameroon in the 1990 world cup finals: “We didn’t underestimate them. They were just a lot better than we thought.”
Lou Duva, Veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota: “He’s a guy who gets up at six o’clock in the morning regardless of what time it is.”
David Thompson: “Ball handling and dribbling are my strongest weaknesses.”
Pat Williams, Orlando Magic general manager, on his team’s 7-27 record: “We can’t win at home. We can’t win on the road. As general manager, I just can’t figure out where else to play.”
Chuck Nevitt, North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice: “My sister’s expecting a baby, and I don’t know if I’m going to be an uncle or an aunt.”
Steve Spurrier, telling fans that a fire at the football dorm had destroyed 20 books: “But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn’t been colored yet.”
Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player: “I told him, ‘Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?’ He said, ‘Coach, I don’t know and I don’t care.’”
Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins: “He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings.”
Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who received four Fs and one D: “Son, looks to me like you’re spending too much time on one subject.”
Johnny Walker, world middleweight wrist-wrestling champion, on what it takes to be a champ: “It’s about 90% strength and 40% technique.”
Barry Beck, New York Ranger, on who started a brawl during the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs: “We have only one person to blame, and that’s each other.
Dizzy Dean explaining how he felt after being hit on the head by a ball in the 1934 World Series: “The doctors X-rayed my head and found nothing.”
Mickey Rivers, Texas Rangers outfielder, on his warm relationship with Yankee owner Steinbrenner and manager Billy Martin: “Me and George and Billy are two of a kind.”
Don Mattingly, New York Yankee, on Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden: “His reputation preceded him before he got here.”
Curt Gowdy, network sports announcer, on air: “Folks, this is perfect weather for today’s game. Not a breath of air.”
Dennis Rappaport, boxing manager, explaining his silence regarding boxer Thomas Hearns: “I don’t want to tell you any half-truths unless they’re completely accurate.”
Casey Stengel, baseball great, Yankees and Mets manager: “A lot of people my age are dead at the present time.”
Ron Davis, Minnesota Twins pitcher, commenting on press reports quoting him as criticizing team managers for trading top players: “All I said was that the trades were stupid and dumb, and they took that and blew it all out of proportion.”
Alan Minter: “There have been injuries and deaths in boxing, but none of them serious.”
Football coach Bill Peterson: “Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only – Super Bowl.”
Phil Watson to reporters: “Gentlemen, I have nothing to say. Any questions?”
‘Whispering’ Ted Lowe: “And for those of you watching on black-and-white, the pink ball is the one behind the blue.”
Yogi Berra, when asked his cap size: “I don’t know. I’m not in shape yet.”
Dale Berra, Yogi Berra’s son: “The similarities between me and my father are different.”
Basketball player Jason Kidd: “We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees.”
Soccer coach Ron Greenwood: “I don’t hold water with that theory.”
Curt Gowdy: “The Baltimore Colts are a bright young team. It seems as if they have their future ahead of them.”
Baseball player Pedro Guerrero, on sportswriters: “Sometimes they write what I say and not what I mean.”
Ron Pickering: “Watch the time. It gives you an indication of how fast they are running.”
John Snagge, commentator for a boat race between Oxford and Cambridge: “I can’t tell who’s leading. It’s either Oxford or Cambridge.”
And, upon hearing Joe Jacoby of the ‘Skins say “I’d run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl,” Matt Millen of the Raiders said, “To win, I’d run over Joe’s mom too.”
Marlon Starling: “I’ll fight Lloyd Honeyghan for nothing if the price is right.”
George Raveling, Washington State basketball coach: “I know the Virginia players are smart because you need a 1500 SAT to get in. I have to drop bread crumbs to get our players to and from class”
Murray Walker: “Just under 10 seconds for Nigel Mansel. Call it 9.5 seconds in round numbers.”
Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach: “You guys line up alphabetically by height.” He also said: “You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle.”
Clemson recruit Ray Forsythe, who was ineligible as a freshman because of academic requirements: “I play football. I’m not trying to be a professor. The tests don’t seem to make sense to me, measuring your brain on stuff you haven’t been through in school.”
Terry Venables: “If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.”
Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson hooking up again with promoter Don King: “Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton.”
Stu Grimson, Chicago Blackhawks left wing, explaining why he keeps a color photo of himself above his locker: “That’s so when I forget how to spell my name, I can still find my clothes.”
Tommy Lasorda , Dodger manager, when asked what terms Mexican-born pitching sensation Fernando Valenzuela might settle for in his upcoming contract negotiations: “He wants Texas back.”
Jim Finks, New Orleans Saints G.M., when asked after a loss what he thought of the refs: “I’m not allowed to comment on lousy officiating.”
Lincoln Kennedy, Oakland Raiders tackle, on his decision not to vote: “I was going to write myself in, but I was afraid I’d get shot.”
Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann: “Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.”
Senior basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh: “I’m going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes.”
