Hiding

[Rami]

Do you think some Christians singles who may have more introspective, reflexive personalities sometimes are hiding behind their "spirituality " when it is really a personality flaw or defect that is keeping them single? Do we as devout Christians sometimes act like we personally have all the knowledge about scripture , the one and only correct interpretation ,and God's intention's because we have issues with being vulnerable with others and admitting although we have a Great God, and the Holy Spirit , we may not know everything.

Does our inflexible personalities hinder the Gospel when we can't share , dialogue like real human beings, and talk only in "super- spiritual speak" ?


Just thinking.

Any thoughts?

[Rami]

I had some thoughts about this as I was visiting with some folks that don't share the same convictions I do. I was realizing that my own purity and those things which God has asked me personally not to do, are not things I should be forcing on everyone. God's holiness is a precious thing, and the intimacy that I have with Jesus is based on obedience that I am called to , as a response to that.
  I found some frustration in trying to get others to see how they should be like I am, and then felt God was calling me to do as HE asks me to do,and not go around condemning others, or have some superior attitude about the fact that God has placed some restrictions on me that He does not on others. I was reminded that each of us has a unique calling and only God sees the whole parade. He knows what He is making in each of our lives.
  I am not saying to encourage sin, but there are within orthodoxy some freedom in how God chooses to lead each of us.  I have been single a long time, and in dialoging with lots of long term singles I see that is a tendency we can have. I need only commune with Him, and follow His lead in my own life- I know that pleases Him that I value his personal direction for me , rather than be concerned with how he is leading others.
  For instance, I felt God was sharing with me to not have sustained eye contact with men. It is amazing how this one thing He has told me to do has helped me in general not to be seductive. I am so thankful for the intimate knowledge and personal care God gives me everyday.  I am so blessed that God is so in love with me and has my very best in mind. However I would be mistaken to tell all women to do that- what He has told me to correct in my own behavior. It doesn't make me better or more pure than anyone else-
  It is so easy to react to the world- or against it, and not be eyeing God alone- for His wisdom that is wanting to give us freedom, joy and be fully alive, not repressed.
   I think some times it is easy to get caught up as a committed Christian single in how " pure" we are being, and look down on others who are not being strict with themselves in the same exact ways we are. God knows what each of us needs when, and how. He is not a God who is trying to de-sexualize us, or neuter us. I think His intent is to RE- sexualize me His way, for His purpose which is a delight to him , and to me!
   I think He delights in the fact He made me a woman, and wants me to fully enjoy it. He doesn't want me to be ripped off because He does treasure the sacred inside me. Jesus is the ulitmate romantic.
   Glad I don't have to go around judging everyone else, and can fully enjoy the very special place I have in His heart as a pearl of great price!

Happy single day to all!
 

[Rx]

Cheers Rami

 I think singles (I) CAN  become immersed in a perplexing standoff,
 while wrestling with which ever issues are a burden to us (me) personally,
 such that the consultation is completely one sided.

 Whether the issue is valid or not,
 theres no doubt it can eclipse a perfectly valid
 connection to our siblings in Christ.

Actually, the acridity of this sort of desolate issue bashing
has had me "wondering" on  roughly the same things lately,
so its nice to see its on your mind also.

Finding a common ground seems to be the answer:
The suggestion that we

"not forsake our own assembling together,
as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;
 and all the more as you see the day drawing near"

doubtlessly infers sharing enuf common ground to meet.

So whats a solution
that could happily
drown out  this monologue?

How about "stimulate one another"
 to record a few chapters of the bible
and send them to me for editing and compiling?

"S V A V",
 Single Voice Audio Version for MP3 player,
 for those who fall asleep reading.

 :) what holy ground could be more common than that?
 

[Rx]

 :) what holy ground could be more common than that?

Hmmmm. I think I hear people thinking,  ;p
(this qualifies as a dialogue).

"It might be common ground
 if I knew how to record a sound file".

No worries, try this on for size,
 or tell me about your system
 and maybe we can plot a solution.

• EMU Audio Interface
• Sennheiser Headset
• Goldwave Editor

Check compatibility.

Perhaps we can "take numbers" for a buy back exchange.

If you have a fairly recent PC my preference would be
 to try out the Terratec 6Fire
and the sky is the limit for microphones and headsets.
http://store.shure.com/store/shure/en_US/DisplayProductDetailsPage/productID.104994000
 ( I have more of a list. Lots of internal PCI options available if yer geeky).

 Send your raw 44Khz, 16 bit (or huger) "whole chapter" .wav sound files. :)
 I'll try to send them back edited, and verse indexed; as entire books emerge.

I can revive more details if you,
or your singles groups are ever interested.

Edit:
Just a note on a more economical external usb interface...
The Tascam US100 may prove less invasive than the EMU above.

Let me know if the US100 plays nice with Linux. :)
Avid Linux users may be glad to know  the Edirol UA-25EX usb interface "evidently" runs grandly with Ubuntu Linux. 

[Fern]

I think it would be great if we could get this going ... an audio version of the Bible read by Christian singles and then freely distributed to anyone who wants a copy.

On equipment for recording, beware of price increases in time for Christmas. On the other hand, sometimes Christmas bargains are pretty good, too. Or right after the holidays.

Seriously, if anyone is interested in helping with this reply on this thread or send a note via the contact form.

[Rx]

  ...I think some times it is easy to get caught up as a committed Christian single in how " pure" we are being, and look down on others who are not being strict with themselves in the same exact ways we are...
   Glad I don't have to go around judging everyone else, and can fully enjoy the very special place I have in His heart as a pearl of great price!

 Greetings again Rami. 
Hope you took my former replies as...
a confession of my finding that your post fit like a glove.

 Facing myselves honestly,
 I find the images devoid of desparate factors
 whose absence have been clanging like a fire bell all my waking life.

 No doubt the tendency is to grasp at the tiny KNOWN facts
 as tho that fingernails' grip is what holds me to cliff of self worth. Yes.

But isn't there something more to this?
  Is there no validity in seeking the hope
 that could be found in verifying the little grip we have?

 There seems to be new meaning
 breathing from the old words, having read your post again:

...whoever would save his own life
 shall lose it...

So... I flip it around and I sees myselves
 hanging by my toes instead...

 Oh Brother.  Hanged thee I did.
 And thy request?
To die, unworthy of being upright,
like thy Lord.


Mark 8:34-36