Passion Defined

Hey, I just came across your blog by doing a bit o...

2011-01-31T12:50:36.505-06:00

Hey, I just came across your blog by doing a bit of blog-surfing and I'm glad I did! I've added myself as your newest follower, and I hope you'll check out my Christian devotional site as well: www.nocondemnation81.blogspot.com

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,
Dakota

Amen! I remember the same kind of predicament I wa...

2011-01-19T22:42:39.626-06:00

Amen! I remember the same kind of predicament I was in a few months ago. God provides for us though! His will is better than ours will ever be, just stick through it with God!

~Ashlea

Hi Ms. Janet! Thanks for your comment and I apolo...

2011-01-19T14:38:39.987-06:00

Hi Ms. Janet!

Thanks for your comment and I apologize for not replying sooner! I have been away from my blog for many weeks now. A lot of the books that I have read about courtship or relationships were more from the perspective of "here's our story." Eric and Leslie Ludy's book "When Dreams Come True" is a sweet, sweet story of how the Lord brought them together. I don't know that I would necessarily recommend it for a 14 year old boy, but then again I don't know his maturity level. It's a wonderful read for parents as well! "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and "Not Even A Hint" by Joshua Harris are also great, both dealing with relationships. These two don't deal with "courtship" so much as they do how a young person ought to relate to others as a young adult. I would also recommend Voddie Baucham's book "What He Must Be." This talks about the Biblical requirement for a man before marriage, but it also addresses courtship. Those are a few that come to mind! Hope that is helpful!

God bless,

Joshua

Hello! I am your newest follower. I just stumble...

2011-01-13T10:22:43.592-06:00

Hello! I am your newest follower. I just stumbled upon your blog and am very pleased with what I've read.

Is there anything that you would recommend for me to read about courtship and it's process? Our boys are 14 and 11 1/2, homeschooled, and are P. K's. Many people (not just children) look up to them and this would be a great way (in the future) to be a good example.

Thank you much,

Janet

www.homeward4.blogspot.com
www.homeschoolercafe.blogspot.com

Eagerly waiting to see what our mighty provident L...

2010-11-09T22:53:10.531-06:00

Eagerly waiting to see what our mighty provident LORD does for you! He just amazes me time after time ...

yay!! I know you worked really hard, and it's ...

2010-11-08T14:16:35.384-06:00

yay!! I know you worked really hard, and it's exciting to see that hard work rewarded!

Amber Josh and I disagree a bit on this but I don...

2010-10-09T18:17:28.409-05:00

Amber

Josh and I disagree a bit on this but I don't think over the basics on this. Whether music is secular or not has little to do with what style of music it is, it has to do with the words and the intention behind the song. There is some wonderful classical music out there, which I would say most people find fine, even in neo-conservative circles, that was written by people who were extremely far from God, and its far from being Christian music. However, I believe that you can have rock, even pretty hard rock, that is glorifying to God and is worshipful. Now rap I don't really consider music so it doesn't count lol. Josh's point, I think lol, is that using music that doesn't have a Christian intention is not only against God's word, but also gives an impression that Christianity isn't really that different from the world when it comes down to how you actually live your life.

Wow. . . that Rob Bell, he's something else. ....

2010-10-09T13:08:14.356-05:00

Wow. . . that Rob Bell, he's something else. . . I know what you mean about his flawed ideals. It's really sad that some of these leaders of the church have portrayed such a flawed picture of the nature of worship! Very sad and such an eye-opener.

I also read your other post before this, and wow. ...

2010-10-09T10:37:14.795-05:00

I also read your other post before this, and wow. I agree with you. But I have to admit that before reading this, I was "trapped" in the lie. See, I don't listen to rap or rock (the Christian kind, which I guess isn't so Christian after all?)
but at my youth group, that's what plays. The words are good, but not the sound ya know? I talked myself into accepting that you can win secular music listeners to Christ with Christian secular music. I totally get what you're saying.

Hi Kevin! Thanks for your comment! I will be exp...

2010-10-08T13:01:45.051-05:00

Hi Kevin! Thanks for your comment! I will be explaining why in the second post on the worship conference. Just to clarify, there's nothing wrong with students leading worship; I started leading worship at my church when I was 17 and am still leading. But, a lot of the ideas that were promoted in that session were anything but what I believe God would expect of His church. That is what made the session a waste of time that I could've spent elsewhere in a more profitable session. But, like I said, I'll be explaining more on that when I write my second post! :)

What was wrong with the “Students Leading Worship”...

2010-10-08T11:28:24.164-05:00

What was wrong with the “Students Leading Worship” session? You said it was a mistake and total waste of time but didn't say why.

Thanks for sharing that! I was wondering how the ...

2010-10-07T19:57:43.401-05:00

Thanks for sharing that! I was wondering how the conference went.

I read "Worship Matters" by Bob Kauflin, and have listened to a couple things by him from other places he's spoken. I like what I've heard from him.

Another thing I learned recently from John Piper is that we should have church musicians that have, as he says, "undistractable excellence". In other words--they should be able to play and lead so well that you don't notice them (and their mistakes or their magnificent playing) but people who are pushed aside as they bring God's people to His throne. That's what I'm working towards... :)

Congratulations to you both. I'll be praying ...

2010-09-29T18:42:25.283-05:00

Congratulations to you both. I'll be praying for you as you walk down this new path in life that the Lord has lead you to. HE always has the perfect plan & prepares the path before us ;-)

God sure has lined up some amazing things for you ...

2010-09-29T18:33:24.578-05:00

God sure has lined up some amazing things for you here recently. It's exciting to watch, and to be along for the ride. :-)

lol, oops!!! Thanks for catching that! :D

2010-09-29T14:19:02.830-05:00

lol, oops!!! Thanks for catching that! :D

Jackie Chan, huh? Never heard him preach, but sho...

2010-09-29T14:09:49.676-05:00

Jackie Chan, huh? Never heard him preach, but should be exciting. Francis Chan, on the other hand, has some pretty good things to say. :) Hope you have a great time, and congratulations again to you and Anna.

It's been three weeks ... does it seem like on...

2010-09-29T10:09:05.332-05:00

It's been three weeks ... does it seem like only a few days ago, or does it seem like so much has happened it's been forever? Either way, it certainly seems right, and of God.

Congratulations! That's exciting!

2010-09-27T15:37:03.745-05:00

Congratulations! That's exciting!

I am sooooooooo happy for you! God bless you both ...

2010-09-27T14:19:30.968-05:00

I am sooooooooo happy for you! God bless you both as you begin this journey together. You've always seemed to seek God's will in everything Joshua, and I hope this works out for yall!

Congrats man! :) In Christ, Joshua :)

2010-09-27T12:09:29.314-05:00

Congrats man! :)

In Christ,
Joshua :)

This is exciting :) My prayers go out to both of y...

2010-09-26T22:03:57.807-05:00

This is exciting :) My prayers go out to both of you with this new step in life. God bless you both!

In Christ, Bethany

I'm so happy for ya'll!! : ) I'll be p...

2010-09-26T22:03:39.679-05:00

I'm so happy for ya'll!! : ) I'll be praying.
Oh, and those are really good pictures of you two, Great Job Leah : )
~Marci

I don't know...being a trash man in Japan soun...

2010-09-26T21:15:26.710-05:00

I don't know...being a trash man in Japan sounds kind of exciting... ;-P

I'm very happy and excited for y'all and I have had fun getting to know both of you better at bible study. :-)

Abby

How exciting! God's blessings to you both duri...

2010-09-26T20:35:31.110-05:00

How exciting! God's blessings to you both during this time!

In Christ alone,
Rachel M.

So excited for y'all!!! It has been so fun wat...

2010-09-26T20:05:35.961-05:00

So excited for y'all!!! It has been so fun watching, taking pictures, and seeing my big brother in a new time of life. Praying for you of course, and THRILLED for you!

Love ya!

Leah