Resource Highlight: Created for Relationship
The month of February can often be characterized in one single word: Love. And love is best seen in the form of relationships. When we take a look back to the beginning of time, God created mankind for intimacy with Himself. John Eldredge puts it so beautifully: “We see it right at the start, when He gives us the highest freedom of all – the freedom to reject Him. The reason is obvious: love is possible only when it is freely chosen.” Knowing from the very start we would betray Him and that sin would cause a great divide in our relationship with Him, He still chose to create us, for the purpose of intimacy. We were made for relationship with God and relationship with one another. So we at His Light, Her Life thought the most appropriate way to celebrate the month of February would be to focus on the topic of relationships. Throughout the month we will talk about our own intimate walks with Him, friendships, marriage, and our love and care for the rest of the world around us. We will kick off this new month with some resources that will hopefully grow our ability to love others well.
You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity
By Francis and Lisa Chan
Marriage is everything I hoped it would be and everything I didn’t think it would be. Anytime my husband and I are asked the question, “What one piece of advice would you give to a newly married couple?” the answer is always the same: When you make the vow for better or worse, the better can be far more wonderful than you ever dreamed it could be, and the worse can be far more painful than you ever imagined it could be. As Lisa Chan put it, “Marriage is one of the most humbling, sanctifying journeys you will ever be a part of. It forces us to wrestle with our selfishness and pride. But it also gives us a platform to display love and commitment.”
When it comes down to it, marriage isn’t just a promise to intimately love one person for as long as you’re on this earth. It is a commitment to lay down your life and follow Christ, as He uses the covenant relationship to grow each of you into more of His-likeness.
Herein lies the foundation for You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity. Francis Chan writes, “When two people are right with Him, they will be right with each other. As a pastor for over 20 years, I have come to the conclusion that most marriage problems are not really marriage problems. They are God problems.”
Instead of diving head first into typical marriage topics, You and Me Forever tackles the heart of the issue at hand: Your own personal relationship with Christ and what marriage is supposed to look like within the framework of eternity with Him. Some chapters included are: “Marriage Isn’t That Great,” “Pursue the Perfect Marriage,” “Learn to Fight Well,” and “Is There Hope for Us?” Each chapter offers opportunities to read, meditate, and act upon the subject at hand. There is also a workbook that can be purchased separately to further stimulate conversation between you and your spouse.
Within reading the first chapter, my heart yearned for more of Him. I craved to sit at His feet and honestly wrestle with the questions posed. It is well worth the read.
By: Andrea Bomstad
Uninvited
By Lysa TerKeurst
Have you ever felt less than, left out, lost, or lonely? I have, and when a group of my friends began reading this book by Lysa TerKeurst, I knew I needed to jump on that bandwagon and join them. I am so glad I did. This book was a tool that opened my eyes to rejection in so many ways: Where it breeds from, ways we feed it within ourselves, how the enemy uses it against us, and how Jesus desires to conquer it as our victor. TerKeurst goes deep into her own struggles of abandonment and uses the Word of God to combat the lies that each of us have fed on our entire lives. This book will help draw out places that perhaps have been hidden inside of you. It will convict you and it will spur you on to desiring a closer walk with Jesus.
“With you, Jesus, I’m forever safe. I’m forever accepted. I am forever held. Completely loved and always invited in.”
By: Sarah Russler
Young Oceans
Voices, Vol. 1
Young Oceans’ Voices Vol.1 is a compilation of some of the bands previously released songs, with the added benefit of well-known friends featured on each track, some of whom are: Evan Wickham, Leeland, Ellie Holcomb, and All Sons and Daughters to name a few.
As I was listening to this album driving home the other night, I thought to myself with each song that came on “Oh I have to tell them about this one because of…fill in the blank.” Five songs in I realized that each song really was my favorite because the album really is that fantastic. Focusing on the topic of relationships this month, no relationship is more important than the one you have with Christ. And one of the most important aspects of that relationship is spending time in His presence, worshipping Him. This album genuinely ushers in a posture of praise, pointing to the magnificence of who God is.
For example, in the song “Only You,” you sing through the chorus:
Only You have set the earth on its foundation
Only You give orders to the dawn
Only You can know the depths of every ocean
Only You deserve our song
Ending the song with the final lines:
Here I am in the valley of decision
I know You hear me when I call
I repent of my prideful disposition
Where was I when the stars sang out
That is powerful!! Aside from the lyrics, Young Oceans still keep their style of meditative music weaved throughout the guest performances. It truly is an album you will love worshiping to.
By: Andrea Bomstad