A light commentary on purity

[Born_Again]

So, here we are. Its the singles forum. Some of us on here, not all of us are in pursuit of a partner. There are some who have been alone for a while and others not so much. People can meet on here, get to know each other, and feelings begin to develop. You get the "warm fuzzies" if you will.

But what are the warm fuzzies? What does this collage of feeling consist of? Yes, there is an emotional fulfillment but have you properly identified everything you are feeling? Lets not kid ourselves, we are grown single adults. What's in your heart when you think about the other person? What is your desire?

So this leads me to the heart of the topic. Are we seeking purity? As devout followers of Christ, we are to be pure. Pure in heart, mind, and body. I recently read an interview with Mark Buchannan. Mark is the pastor of New Life Community Baptist Church in Duncan, British Columbia. He is also the author of numerous books.

In this interview he gives a small snippit on purity. It is as follows:

"Purity calls us to a life of God-ward-ness and adventure; there's something heroic about it. There's something winsome about the life of purity.

"It also has a certain currency within the culture. Bottled water companies are competing over who's got the purist product. We buy organic vegetables because we want things that are grown with the least amount of additives and preservatives. We want pure things. So, in the mind-set of the people on the street, purity is a good thing." ~ Mark Buchannan


So, ask yourself, especially when you are talking or thinking about that other person.... Is what you are thinking pure? Is it bringing glory to God? Guys, Im sure the ladies on here would really appreciate it. LOL Okay, Im sure the ladies are completely innocent either. But you all get my point.

God Bless,

BA

 

[eternallife7]

Make sure the children of this age do not deceive you about what God has in store for His children's love lives.

 

[sydlit]

Also, so much of 'christianity' today is seen as a turn-off because of fruit-inspectors and finger-waggers. Way more time is spent pointing out what ppl DO than what Christ has DONE. When are ppl going to stop making God out to be the big mean 'Thou Shalt Not' in the sky? That's not to say we're to live like the devil and God doesn't care, just that it's not our job or msg to give. Share the love of Christ, the joy of salvation, the forgiveness of sins and the life everlasting. The freedom we have in Christ. Love one another and pray for one another. THAT's what's most needed here, and noticeably absent at times. We do that, and the Lord will work with individuals in their walk with Him.....Which is pretty awesome, when you think of it. God bless you brother!

 

[eternallife7]

Make sure the children of this age do not deceive you about what God has in store for His children's love lives.

I hope people can see that I didn't post anything that scripture doesn't tell us. I just used different words.

 

[sydlit]

I hope people can see that I didn't post anything that scripture doesn't tell us. I just used different words.

Some can and have no problem, some can but may act like they can't, there's probably some that can't but want to, and probably some that can't and don't want to. Like most things here, there's usually a mix. Keep the faith. In Jesus.

 

[eternallife7]

Some can and have no problem, some can but may act like they can't, there's probably some that can't but want to, and probably some that can't and don't want to. Like most things here, there's usually a mix. Keep the faith. In Jesus.

I try to post everything I post in love. I just thought that this topic is one of the topics the Christians find the most opposition from and it is so important of a topic to understand completely.

 

[coby]

No problem. Got some filthy demons kicked out a few years back after a sinful relationship, lol my ex kicked them out for me, and I just like someone like when I was a kid and had a crush. Only with guys from dating sites who were not decent and touchy immediately that demon jumped over so as long as you only like someone who also only wants to court and not date there is no problem and if the devil gives you a filthy thought you can just send it away. Spoke to a guy who is a christian and says he's gay. He does it the same way. He can just hang out with other guys and he sends filthy thoughts away and tells his flesh to shut up. He stays celibate and almost never gets these thoughts anymore he said.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

You know what?.... I hate the term purity.
because who are we kidding? We know we are not pure. Nowhere near it.
Jesus washed us and we keep jumping in the mud it seems.

I just hope I end up finding someone that is patient enough to handle me

 

[eternallife7]

Galatians 6:4

 

[zeroturbulence]

You know what?.... I hate the term purity.
because who are we kidding? We know we are not pure. Nowhere near it.
Jesus washed us and we keep jumping in the mud it seems.

I just hope I end up finding someone that is patient enough to handle me

It's ok as long as you don't go head first...

 

[sydlit]

You know what?.... I hate the term purity.
because who are we kidding? We know we are not pure. Nowhere near it.
Jesus washed us and we keep jumping in the mud it seems.

I just hope I end up finding someone that is patient enough to handle me

You stole my prayer!
But seriously, I wonder if I ever WILL (find her),
simply BECAUSE of the whole 'purity' misunderstanding.
I just can't do the 'walkin on eggshells'
kind of self-consciousness anymore.

I don't go out of my way to offend,
but attempting to go out of my way
to NOT offend has gotten ridiculous.
Sometimes ppl just have their mind made up about you,
and no matter what you do won't make a difference.
I've grown weary trying to defend or explain myself.

But, like the bible says,
Who is anyone to condemn, it's God that justifies.
I know my heart, and can't worry about pleasing
a standard that a man or woman sets up,
that neither God expects, nor they themself, keeps.

So because of that, I've decided to allow myself
a little more grace and forgiveness,
even if no one else wants to extend it to me.
It's freeing, it can be fun, but it's probably going to mean
I remain desperately single, because of the pc police
and the misunderstanding over why I don't tow the line
and grovel and apologize at every false accusation
that comes my way, as if I'm some lowlife or something.

Not true, but saying that won't change what others think.
But, the only opinions that really matter are Jesus',
mine, and the 'unsuspecting' sweet puritan
that I'm blessed enough to be united with,
should that happy day ever arrive.

(And that last line was a little wink, nudge humor.
I don't see the need to apologize for it.
So I won't. )

The mud reminded me of this video.
Thx posting friends here.
The cross has made us flawless.....
[video=youtube;wjLlLPZderk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjLlLPZderk[/video]

 

[Born_Again]

This thread is doing exactly what I percieved it would do.

 

[sydlit]

This thread is doing exactly what I percieved it would do.

So explain for us dummies.

 

[coby]

Even just romantic feelings I just kick 'em out. It drives me nuts.

 

[sydlit]

Even just romantic feelings I just kick 'em out. It drives me nuts.

Is it possible that some ppl have had more than their share in the romance department, so they've grown weary of it or maybe think of it as a curse somehow, but there may be other ppl who haven't had the experiences to the same degree or frequency, and just would like to know what it's all about?
I think as God's children we're all on different parts of the path and in different stages of growth, and we have different wants and needs as well, and hopefully it's all covered under God's grace as He leads us on and we encourage each other along the path.

 

[RissaBug]

Is it possible that some ppl have had more than their share in the romance department, so they've grown weary of it or maybe think of it as a curse somehow, but there may be other ppl who haven't had the experiences to the same degree or frequency, and just would like to know what it's all about?
I think as God's children we're all on different parts of the path and in different stages of growth, and we have different wants and needs as well, and hopefully it's all covered under God's grace as He leads us on and we encourage each other along the path.

I think you're onto something. I am a hopeless romantic, so it's easy for me to develop feelings for the romantic gentleman, but I know how to keep my heart in check so my perception of him doesn't become clouded by feelings. I like to use the term "staying sober". Romance is great - but requires boundaries. For example, I don't like it when a man flirts without making his intentions known. He doesn't get to "test the waters" by flirting to see if I like him before he directly communicates (with words) his interest. I'll shut him down in a second. That plays with my heart and I won't have it - an effect of the "curse" as you said. I am very guarded, which is why I'm glad I have friends with whom I feel comfortable confiding my romantic journeys, and they're able to say, "Rissa, I think you're being over-cautious this time. He means no harm," or "You're right on the money. I wouldn't trust it either. You need to talk to him and maybe let him go," i.e. the encouraging each other.

 

[sydlit]

I think you're onto something. I am a hopeless romantic, so it's easy for me to develop feelings for the romantic gentleman, but I know how to keep my heart in check so my perception of him doesn't become clouded by feelings. I like to use the term "staying sober". Romance is great - but requires boundaries. For example, I don't like it when a man flirts without making his intentions known. He doesn't get to "test the waters" by flirting to see if I like him before he directly communicates (with words) his interest. I'll shut him down in a second. That plays with my heart and I won't have it - an effect of the "curse" as you said. I am very guarded, which is why I'm glad I have friends with whom I feel comfortable confiding my romantic journeys, and they're able to say, "Rissa, I think you're being over-cautious this time. He means no harm," or "You're right on the money. I wouldn't trust it either. You need to talk to him and maybe let him go," i.e. the encouraging each other.

That's probably good, especially for a young lady like yourself, but it puts an ancient old guy like me in an even harder position. Without the option to flirt a bit in a friendly way, what intentions would I put forth right off the bat? I'm talking no experience on the relationship/dating front, so the only thing that can be done, especially chatting or forums, is to have some fun and see if the person likes to kid around, or if she's very prim and proper, and I'm not casting judgement on anyone's position or attitude towards these things, it's just a way to see if there's some common ground. I believe God's grace covers a great variety of styles.

 

[RissaBug]

My perspective on flirting is rare, indeed. I prefer a man to be upfront. If he wants to get to know me, he should say so. If he wants to have lunch, he should ask me. Direct with intentions. If he's not, I'll put him on the spot and ask him. But normally those men don't get a shot with me after I have to ask them. It effectively but metaphorically takes his man card and makes him seem like a weak leader. I don't really care for that type.

Considering all of this applies to men who are already friends. Strangers get shot down immediately and without reservation. I'm not a girl to "hit on". I'm the girl you take home to meet mom after seeing me at church for a long while.

 

[jonams]

Well, purity is freedom from adulteration or contamination. Not all creation lived pure, may somebody chose to be contaminated, its our choice. What is important here is we are trying to pure at all. Remember God wants..

[TABLE="class: vk_tbl vk_gy"]
[TR]
[TD]virtue, morality, goodness, righteousness, saintliness, piety, honor,honesty, integrity, decency. [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[jonams]

Lets take this topic as an inspirational thought. Yep we might harden to be pure at all times hence we inhere unclean since birth, but why does this topic neglected because our thoughts is not the same God thoughts and deeds. We might think that we are doing right but lead us to death in proverbs 14:12,There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. That is why God wants us to be pure not merely change, but by glory to glory, why cant you do brothers and sisters? learn to think about [FONT=Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]consequences[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] a life after death. Impurity cant inherit the Kingdom of God. [/FONT]

I try to post everything I post in love. I just thought that this topic is one of the topics the Christians find the most opposition from and it is so important of a topic to understand completely.