Consistent Prayer

But we must, if we want to maintain this spirit of constant prayer, take time - and plenty of it - when we shut ourselves up in the secret place alone with God for nothing but prayer. (11)

- R.A. Torrey, How to Pray

A Thought on Prayer...

Jesus shortened the hours of needed to sleep so that He could rise early and give Himself to more sorely needed prayer. (8)

        But, by prayer, a clear way can be made through everything. Prayer will root out heresy, smooth out misunderstanding, sweep away jealousies and animosities, obliterate immoralities, and bring in the full tide of God's reviving grace. (20)

- R.A. Torrey, How to Pray

"Humanity was created to find God"
- Beth Moore, David, Seeking a Heart Like His

"God has this ability to take the least likely into the most like Him."
- Beth Moore, David, Seeking a Heart Like His

Yes, I'm Single.

Here's a classic scenario. You're talking with this new acquaintance (female gender) and it happens. She mentions the topic of relationships and looks at you with this inquisitive stare. Now, you're stuck. You can either tell her your life is none of her business and break the flow of a friendly conversation, lie or you can risk saying the truth: "No, I'm single". If you are really lucky, your curious conversation partner needs a definition. Which forces you to explain the following: "Single. As in, I do not have a boyfriend or any romantic involvement of any way, shape or form." Now you did it. You gave her ammunition to move the conversation to a "deeper" level (whatever deeper means). The beast has now been released; meaning that, from this point on, the specialty of all female conversation will be ruthlessly exploited as they give the male gender the spotlight of their now "serious" conversation.

Now, if she's single, she'll likely start complaining about some kind of failure she finds guys to be "notorious" for or she might find it necessary to start describing her ideal man. BUT, if she's in a relationship, and hears about your singleness situation, she'll do this thing that kills EVERY single time! Out of concern, she will share a gaze of pity along with a comforting smile as she says: "Don't worry, you'll find the one someday."

GAH! REALLY?! Thanks for the heads up! Why is there this stigma around singleness that you will only be complete when you find your knight in shining armor? The knight belongs in a book not in a person's life goals. There are only humans nowadays.

It sounds ridiculous to me to live life like it will only begin once you have found someone to share it with because we are surrounded by people! There are so many ways to share life with people or to develop relationships (also sometimes known as friendships) that to associate singleness with loneliness or aloneness is irrelevant. As soon as you join a club, a course, an association, a team or a group of any kind you get the opportunity to meet people. And then whether you choose to be alone is now your responsibility. If you still feel lonely surrounded by so much activity and interaction (assuming that you are with a good group of friends), who's to say that you won't feel the same while dating?

No, singleness is not a bad place to be as long as you don't make it a waiting game. This is the time of your life where you can do what you want, when you want, how you want. YOU ARE FREE :)

I heard a speaker (Gary Thomas) once say: "If you want to serve Christ, stay single. But, if you want to be more like Christ, get married." In other words, when you are single, there are no strings attached. You can live for God fully without the responsibility of considering the needs and concerns of another person. Enjoy your life! Do all your fun crazy stuff now cuz maybe someday, when you do "find the one", it might be too late to do things with only your interest in mind. -- ref: 1Cor 7

Let's uplift our single status for once and enjoy the freedom we have been blessed with, instead of comparing ourselves to others. Why try to keep up with the standard of happiness of a few people when God "distribut[es] to each one individually just as He wills" (NLT 1Cor 12:11)? You are where you are. Thanks be to God. So, be grateful for the season that is now. Because you cannot take back the days that you have lived and you cannot either experience those that have not yet passed. Therefore, be a good steward of the present moments of your life. Remember, the only moments you can enjoy to the fullest are happening NOW.

An Atheist's Opinion

"[Jesus] has exercised so deep an influence that it may be truly said that the simple record of three short years of active life has done more to regenerate and soften mankind than all the disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortations of moralists.  This has indeed been the wellspring of whatever is best and purest in the Christian life." - William Lackey

Into Me See Intimacy

Into Me, see

And I will show you

Intimacy.

Into Me see

And I will teach you

The beauty

That is, vulnerability.

In the state that is to be

Is where, my child,

I wish to see you be.

In my arms, rest.

In my heart, make your nest.

And rest in Me;

The One who died for thee.

My only desire always,

Was only your best interest.

And so, rest, my child.

Stay, where you can be the best

Of what I have created in you.

My child,

Rest.

Be.

Rest in Me and see

What I mean when I say:

Into-Me-see

That vulnerability is the best gift I can give,

After that of my Son.

You are strong when you are weak,

I have said this before.

And that of course, is no surprise!

So, vulnerability my Love,

Trust Me

Is the key to being free.

Freedom from fear happens with vulnerability.

No fear of others,

No fear of My will,

No fear of the will of others.

My dear,

Fear cannot exist with vulnerability at proximity

For vulnerability is the boldness to freely be

All of oneself despite the outcome

Of your authenticity.

And it is clear that, without fear,

Much of the human struggle disappears;

Allowing more room

For you to rest

In the peace that Yeshua only provides

So that you can finally experience in Me,

Intimacy.