Josh Harris

I've been really appreciating Josh Harris video clips the last couple days as I've eaten lunch. Check them all out here.

And here is one of them:

One Another

As I continue reading Josh Harris' book "Stop Dating The Church!" I continue to come across some real good stuff. When I was at school one term my Dad preached a sermon series on the "One Another" commands that I wish I could have been there for. This paragraph from the book caught my eye:

"Have you ever noticed the "one another" commands in Scripture? Here's a sampling of what we're called to do in our relationships with other Christians. We're to:



Love one another (John 13:34)

Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:5)

Honor one another (Romans 12:10)

Rejoice with one another (Romans 12:15)

Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

Carry one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)

Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

Confess our sins to one another (James 5:16)

Pray for one another (James 5:16)"

Maybe we could all look at that list, pick out the command we are the worst at, and seek to improve on it. Don't try to improve by "will power" - try to improve by grace, asking God for the help and grace needed.

Dating

Jack and Grace met through a mutual friend. From day one they seemed to be the perfect match. Grace was everything Jack had always wanted. She was beautiful, outgoing, caring - always there when Jack needed her.

For the first five months they were inseparable. Jack could hardly think of anything but Grace. He didn't need to look further, he told friends, "She's the one."

Now almost three years have passed. Jack still enjoys the comfort and familiarity of being with Grace, but the spark is gone. Grace's flaws seem more obvious. He's not sure he finds her as attractive as he once did. And he's beginning to resent all the time she wants to spend with him.

One night, when she asks if they can define the nature of their relationship, Jack blows up. "We're together aren't we?" he asks angrily. "Why isn't that enough for you?"

Obviously, Jack isn't ready for commitment. And it's unclear if he ever will be....

Have you ever been in a relationship like this? I'm writing this because I believe God has something better for you. He wants you in a relationships defined by both passion and commitment. But before you can take hold of this wonderful plan, you need to know something about this couple. There are millions of Jacks walking around today. And Grace isn't a girl.

Grace is a church.

- Intro from "Stop Dating The Church!" by Joshua Harris