tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736720231951988221.post5867575332654465317..comments2023-10-07T04:07:56.527-04:00Comments on The End Time: Joyful in Singleness part 4 conclusion: Personal Note and OpinionElizabeth Pratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736720231951988221.post-340145061288216612015-04-16T21:59:33.046-04:002015-04-16T21:59:33.046-04:00That's a really good question. Of course, firs...That's a really good question. Of course, firstly: prayer. Pray for them, for them to have peace in waiting for God's will to be made known. I guess, secondly to encourage the ones who are resigned to singleness to focus on Jesus instead of an earthly groom. Remind them of the single women and men who God used in incredible ways.<br /><br />Here is an article from Relevant Magazine "3 Ways to Encourage Singles". I am not a huge fan of the magazine but this article made good sense.<br /><br />http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationships/3-ways-church-can-encourage-singles<br /><br />I know it isn't really enough, not when your heart is heavy for singe friends who are sad, but maybe it's a start.Elizabeth Pratahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04341086233512507156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736720231951988221.post-2181044188926208442015-04-14T19:20:49.538-04:002015-04-14T19:20:49.538-04:00Thank you for this series and reminder of the gift...Thank you for this series and reminder of the gift our single brothers and sisters are to the body. As a married sister with children, how could I encourage my single sisters? I know a few who are older who are still hoping for marriage. I know a few others that seem resigned to singleness....not sure if they see it as a gift or not. Is there a way for me to speak blessing into their situation to encourage them to see it as a gift? Thank you ~ MistyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736720231951988221.post-25366898072569977132015-04-13T15:35:19.930-04:002015-04-13T15:35:19.930-04:00I enjoyed the series, Elizabeth. Especially this ...I enjoyed the series, Elizabeth. Especially this last entry. I know I am not alone in relaying to you that I am thankful the Lord has called you to singleness. We need brothers and sisters in the faith that have time to serve the wider body through their gifts. I have benefited greatly from your writing and counsel. Thank you.<br />JenniferAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736720231951988221.post-65246129862990865562015-04-13T14:10:39.574-04:002015-04-13T14:10:39.574-04:00Elizabeth,
I think this is an important topic fo...Elizabeth, <br /><br />I think this is an important topic for the church today. I know, growing up, that I could have used this message - whether I would have listened or not! - that as a single you have such great opportunities to serve God in great ways; that being single is opportunity itself.<br /><br />The dynamic changes when you are married. I am married now (7 years this year), and my husband is a great blessing. My best friend, really. We've taken an incredible journey with our faith in these last few years (we're in our early thirties). We do not have children, and it is possible that we may not have children in the future. We are sort of in a category of our own in the church - a young childless couple - but we're free to serve in lots of ways couples with children may not be able to.<br /><br />I can agree with Paul when he says it's good to be unmarried (Please note that I LOVE my husband and we are very happy!), because being single is very much a blessing. I'll be candid and say that in my first years of our marriage, I often had a few negative thoughts - that I could be doing the exact same things (cooking/cleaning/washing) but with half the work if I was doing it for myself only! There's a lot of compromise in marriage - something that should NEVER be taken lightly. I knew beforehand that if I ever did get married, it would be the first and only time. It was a serious matter for me. God has to be at the center of a marriage, otherwise there is nothing to hold two wholly different people together.<br /><br />But I can still agree with Paul about being single. It is a good thing.<br /><br />It was never helpful to me when family or friends would point to this man or that man, or mention someone they knew that might be a potential mate. Because at those times (I grew up in the church, but was not saved until later), it really took my focus off the important things, and put a burden on me that being single wasn't acceptable. Instead of obsessing over some boy, I could have been cultivating a relationship with Jesus. Wow - as I'm writing this, I'm coming to some of these conclusions about my past. I may have to write about this later! Had they pointed me to Jesus instead of pointing out some man that may be available, I may have been more mature in my walk at this time.<br /><br />So that's something I will be proactive in doing when I'm around my young sisters in Christ: Point them to Jesus Christ!<br /><br />Thanks for your work!<br />LesleyLesleyhttps://www.facebook.com/LesleyVanHoyAndersonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736720231951988221.post-23648323174382381162015-04-13T14:07:53.329-04:002015-04-13T14:07:53.329-04:00Thanks to your blog, I learned about expository pr...Thanks to your blog, I learned about expository preaching and our family sits under a pastor who preaches this way every Sunday. Your use of your gifts and singleness is a huge blessing to someone like me, with a husband and a bunch of kids, because I can go straight to your blog and others in your sidebar to receive news through a good filter and much in the way of edification and conviction. I get the benefit of your research and careful writing. Even though I don't know you face to face your single and full life blesses my whole family tremendously. Truly the body of Christ functioning as one. ;) I admit to living vicariously through your Quiet Life blog as a place of my own filled with kitties and cuteness where everything stays in its place can sound mighty appealing sometimes. May we all be content whatever our circumstances! Thanks for teaching me about singleness in such depth. :) Melissa Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736720231951988221.post-68092907363578229822015-04-12T17:32:00.216-04:002015-04-12T17:32:00.216-04:00Elizabeth,
I deeply appreciate your writings. I ...Elizabeth,<br /><br />I deeply appreciate your writings. I feel certain that the Lord is using your labors in many ways that likely, most of which you currently do not see. I am glad that as you said, you work a second shift (ministry and all that goes into Christ honoring effective ministry) . Wise pastors do know , as do wise Christians that the family has been, and is under escalating attack! That said, one should also be balanced in their preaching, teaching, etc., and knowing the single person is also under attack. Yes, the single (not speaking of the youth here) often times feel out of place not only in the collective setting of the Church, but even in society - unless of course a single is without Christ and doing what many do in their lost condition. I realize that the larger congregations may have likeminded singles that set together, get together, etc., and I think this helps. The problem is there are not the larger Church settings for many Christian singles in their various locations, and even if there are, one needs to be on pretty high alert in my view regarding what is happening in the area of apostasy which seems to me prevalent, especially in the mega Church. <br /><br />I liked what you wrote specifically concerning the balances that result from expository preaching verses topical preaching. Of course we know too, that expository preaching is what’s needed in the Church today.<br />Most, but not all of topical preaching takes a few verses of scripture and then twist it to fit their sermons.<br /><br />I know that there is much more that can be said , especially on apostasy and deception, which you often write on. I also know that I am not an expert on your chosen topic - singleness. I do think you were very insightful and covered a lot of bases on this series, thank you. We as Christians that find ourselves single or married must serve and submit to God’s work, purposes, and will. If he changes the course of any of our redeemed lives at any time, then let us not be fixed in what may have been His plan at a previous point in our time on this earth. Bottom line for me is to labor with His Truth’s while I can, and to be content without an intimate team member (helpmeet) , or with one if that ever transpires. I believe the term contentment rolls over into so many other areas in this life as well. I am learning to keep my focus on the Lord, the critical rescue mission at hand, and all of my circumstances with contentment.<br /><br />Rick :--)<br />Metro AtlantaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com