Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

“Rejoice, young  man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth [appreciation of the blessings of life]. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes [legitimate desires and needs], but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment” (Eccl 11:9).

“...An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of the world—how he can please his wife—his interests are divided [it is by dedicating our single years to God that we receive His wisdom regarding a life partner (Prov 19:14). It’s God who knows best who would be right for us, and when that relationship should take place]” (1 Cor 7:32-33, NIV).

“Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord” (Prov 19:14, NKJV).

“A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.” (Prov 12:4, NIV).

“Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” (Prov 21:9, NIV).

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness…” (2 Tim 2:22, KJV).

“A gracious woman gets honor, but she who hates virtue [moral excellence, sexual purity] is covered with shame” (Prov 11:16).

“Also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing...as is proper for women who profess reverence for God” (1 Tim 2:9,10).

“Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin, That they may keep you from the immoral woman...” (Prov 7:4,5, NKJV).

“...for I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ…” (2 Cor 11:2).

“For this is the will [desire] of God, your sanctification [holiness – the work of a life time]: that you abstain from fornication [illicit sexual intercourse (or general sexual activity) between unmarried persons. Can also refer to  illicit sexual intercourse (or general sexual activity) between persons other than spouses]; that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one wrong or exploit [take advantage of] a brother or sister in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives His Holy Spirit to you” (1 Thess 4:3-8).

“...but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb 13:4, NKJV).

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [thus it is biblically forbidden for a Christian to marry a non-believer]..." (2 Cor 6:14, ESV). Note also 2 Cor 6:15,17.

“...And what does the one God desire? Godly offspring…[hence 2 Cor 6:14]” (Mal 2:15).

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed [Christian marriages should be entered into only between partners who share a common faith]?” (Amos 3:3, KJV).

Listen To Your Dad, Son

I'd mind the wife you choose, son, for here, great care is needed,
As many have paid the price when such counsel they’ve not heeded.
It’s far from a little matter who you choose to be your wife,
Therefore, watch that youthful passion, lest pain soon engulf your life.

It’s far better to stay single than to make a big mistake
By marrying a woman that God wouldn’t want you to take.
Plus, God will not bless a union that runs counter to His will,
A union that you seem set on, despite Him warning it’ll bring ill.

It’s been said that love is blind, and so often that has proved true,
So give this lots of thought, lest you end up with someone you’ll rue.
You wouldn't be the first, son, and you'll certainly not be the last
To set your eyes and heart upon, one whom your arms should never clasp.

And the same goes for a woman, lest she too, make a mistake,
By taking for a husband, one God wouldn’t want her to take.
Both Christian men and women, should trust and wait upon the Lord,
Who when the right time is ready, that trust in Him will reward.

Yes, have faith in your Creator, who knows who will suit you best,
For those who let the Lord lead them, with the right one will be blest.
To ignore what God has said, via His Word or those He has sent,
Could well mean that in the future, your foolish choice you’ll lament.

Please listen to your father, son, for I’m a male just like you,
I know the way you’re feeling, for I have felt the same way too.
But one must be objective when one is thinking of a wife,
Lest the physical, or emotional, wrongly affect your future life.

Yes, listen to your father, son, for I’ve learnt a thing or two,
Having seen so many men tumble, once unchecked desire grew.
For some it’s been adultery, for others, 'twas simply lust,
But somewhere, we all come unstuck, when in God we cease to trust.

Loving wisdom fills the pages of that guide book God has sent,
Which much pain, many could have spared, who contrary to it went.
For by putting trust in self, rather than in the saving Word,
We soon find that what we thought best, simply future problems stirred.

You may be tired of hearing things that I state to spare you ill,
But such you should consider, son, if you wish that all go well.
Many fathers when they were younger such advice chose to spurn,
And now, are warning their own sons, lest they too, the hard way learn.

Yes, fathers are human too, son, but good fathers try their best
To spare their children sadness found in many a marital nest.
Therefore, take that time that is needed to ensure that your choice
Will meet the Lord’s approval, for that way, you will soon rejoice.

It’s okay to be single, son, though a partner most would love,
But leave that big decision in the hands of the Lord above.
Yes, keep your mind upon Him, and live according to His Word,
And He will do the scouting, for your wish He has clearly heard.

She’s simply just one woman, son, there are many more worldwide,
So, let the Lord who knows each one, the right one for you provide.
It’s the same regarding men, for there are many of them too,
That God picks for faithful women, and I’ve hoped one might be you.

By Lance Landall





Dating

Do you realize that dating, as we know it today, is not a biblical concept?

Let’s look at why dating is not appropriate for the Christian —
God’s Word counsels the married person to please their partner, but counsels the single person to concentrate on pleasing the Lord (1 Cor 7:32-34).  That’s where God wants a single persons energy directed.  With dating, the attention of the young man and woman is directed toward each other. Thus their focus is taken away from God and the duties He wants them to perform on His behalf while they’re free to do so — in other words, not tied down with the additional responsibilities of marriage.  It’s by dedicating our single years to God that we receive His wisdom regarding a life partner (Prov 19:14).  Such wisdom enables us to establish the strong foundations necessary for a successful and happy marriage.  It’s God who knows best who would be right for us, and when that relationship should take place.
The motive behind dating is one of getting, not giving. Getting, in this realm, is more in keeping with lust.  Love, on the other hand, seeks to give, without expecting anything in return (1 Cor 13:4-7).  The motive behind dating is personal pleasure.  Most people realize and accept that dating is  a temporary romantic relationship.  Thus dating encourages the selfish and destructive ‘try before you buy’ mentality, which leaves many hurt and misused in its wake [path] (1 Thess 4:3-8). For most, dating invariably leads to intimate behaviour that is reserved for marriage alone (2 Cor 11:2; 1 Cor 7:1,2,9; 6:18; 1 Thess 4:3-8; Heb 13:4; Prov 11:16; 7:4,5; 5:3-5; Matt 5:28).
Therefore, let’s look at the risks and common destructive results of dating —
Sexual temptation; wrong sexual expectations and demands; sexual abuse; date rape; unwanted pregnancies; fatherless children; epidemic sexual diseases; wounded hearts; hurting parents; damaged relationships and futures; guilt; unfair expectations and demands in general; loss of dignity and self respect; angry accusations; jealousy; suicide; the possible burden of child maintenance; friends taking sides; wasted opportunities, etc, etc.  Is it any wonder then, that dating often forms the basis for conflicts in marriage.  Ask yourself the following: How would you feel walking past someone in the street that you know your spouse previously was sexually intimate with?  Would your relationship feel quite so special? Would you feel cheated?  Would your spouse still have feelings for that person?  Might they turn to them for sympathy during a rocky patch in your marriage?  How would you feel about someone who, having previously been intimate with you, passed the details around, and derogatorily so?  Or about your spouse, if it had been them?  How would you feel about your spouse comparing you [either openly or in their thoughts] with previous sexual encounters that they had had?  Would you feel secure?  Could you settle easily into a lifelong relationship, after having had a variety of intimate experiences with others?  Could your spouse, if it was them?  How would you feel if you were the cause of your spouse suffering a sexual disease because of your past promiscuity?  How would you feel about someone, as a result of your previous sexual activity, turning up at your doorstep claiming to be your child?  Given where dating leads, how responsible, intelligent or loving is such a concept, especially where younger people are involved.  How can we expect young people to have the depth of maturity needed for such a potential mine-field as dating. At the age most young people date, their hearts are ruled more by their hormones than good sense.  Hence the early marriages that end disastrously.  Is it any wonder then that we are faced with the serious problems that dating has created.  When we accept, allow, encourage or expect our youth to date, what else can we expect?  So if dating is not appropriate for the Christian, what should the Christian do?

Here I would like to recomend the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris.

Otherwise, one can apply the principles of courtship.  Let’s look at the how and why of courtship —
When courting, the couple do not go out alone as they would when dating.  This helps to prevent the many pitfalls and hidden agendas that can occur when regularly spending time alone with someone of the opposite sex.  Courtship is carried out in the company of the families involved. This is achieved via planned activities. This way they are both able to learn what each other is truly like, because no one knows them better than their parents, siblings or relations.  In such a setting, with all the interaction that takes place, their character traits and general behaviour are more easily observed. Thus a more correct picture can be formed, allowing them to make a better judgment.  It’s very common for someone to hide things about themselves that they don’t want the other person to know.  Good behavior can be feigned. With family members around, that is less likely. The family members can also guide them in their judgment.  There’s nothing like collective wisdom or the wisdom that comes from many years of personal experience.  Such, helps to protect them from unsuitable partners.  This is how the Lord can guide them in their choice of a lifetime partner (Matt 19:5,6; Rom 7:2-4; 2 Cor 11:2; Mal 2:14-16; Prov 2:17).  And the best partner is the one that God leads us to.  Courtship helps to keep them morally pure in their thoughts and actions until the time when they tie the knot with the right life long partner (Eccl 11:9; Job 31:1; 1 Thess 4:3-8; 2 Cor 11:2). Have you ever had a sneaky look at your Christmas present before Christmas.  When you finally get to open it, it just doesn’t have that same zing does it?  It’s like that when we play around before marriage.  There’s nothing more special, more deeper, than having an intimate lifelong relationship with someone, who like you, has never had such a relationship with anyone else, nor intends to.  God wants us to have that kind of relationship with Him. He’s a jealous God, and rightly so.