I try to do that occasionally. Its always good to get out of that little bubble. Hehe

Recently a young man from Kosova came to visit our church here in England for a month. He is training to be a pastor out there, with the help of a friend of mine from church. He used to e a muslim, and his whole family still are. It was an amazing testimony of how he came to Christ. He wanted to learn English, and the text that was being used to teach English was the bible. Being a muslim he objected to this, but found it was the only text they would use. He eventually gave his life to Christ as a result of repeatedly hearing the truth!

I had better get to the point. God used this chap to show me that I was perhaps less accomodating to Christians ( or people in general) I found it difficult to relate to. His sincerity really touched my heart and I'm going to miss him when he leaves Friday. Its amazing how God uses small things, in subtle ways to reveal our hidden sin lodged deep within. It seems that every day now I am more aware of how sinful and wicked my heart really is. God give us all the grace to let His Holy Spirit clean us from within.

I think men would be wise to consider the fact that Jesus was male, and should be our role model for everything. It seems that women are naturally attracted to what essentially are negative qualities in men, and most men are naturally attracted to beauty in women.

I often wonder if what causes attraction in people changes as we grow more like Christ...

The temptation for men to attempt to be macho is considerable in this age, I'm just thankful that I know the only perfect Man who ever lived!

Hehehe. Well i've done well then in that case. I think all ungodly things that one exposes themselves to have a negative impact on the spiritual life, whether we know it or not. Feeding the flesh rather than the spirit.

I believe that we are not aware of half the effects of these things. Also, we may not feel different, but God commands us to stay away from unclean things. Heavy metal music, or at least the vast majority of it promotes ungodly values. the music itself tends to stir up aggression aswell, I know how it used to make me feel anyway.

I'm not saying this applies to you bemanisuperstar, but this is just an insight into this topic...

I used to often pine away for a girlfriend, then it occurred to me... was I ready for one? What sort of person did I want as a partner.. and was I the sort of person they would want to be with? I always wanted a spiritually mature partner, but it dawned on me that what #I wanted was at a level above where I was, and since the man is supposed to be the head in a  relationship, I would need to develop into a more mature godly man before I was truly ready to recieve what I was praying for.

I know of a dear preacher, who speaks convicting and powerful messages, who was not a Christian when he first went out with his wife ( then girlfriend), but became a Christian as a result. Sometiems this is the way God, in His mercy, works. But it the exception to the rule rather than the rule.

 Imagine you are standing on a chair, your boyfriend is standing on the ground.. do you think it will be easier for you to pull him up onto the chair, or for him to pull you down off the chair? The bible in no way promotes knowingly entering into a relationship with a non believer.

I also have friends that did that.. my female friend had a non Christian boyfriend, he was a nice guy, but not saved. She brought him to church and he "got saved". However when they split up, he soon stopped coming to church. It makes me wonder whether his conversion was genuine or not... I cannot be the judge of that, but i do know that she became a more liberal Christian as a result of that relationship.

Be careful who you get close to.

"Very easy .You need 3 days .The 1st day you can work ,the 2nd day your mind will be mixed up .You can not work .The 3rd day ,your mind is perfectly clear .fast ,no food or juice ,just water .THE 3rd day ,JESUS CHRIST will talk with you freely and clearly "

Where did you discover this?

Gary, seriously, stop it. That is not biblical. You know, I'd be worried if after one fasting session, I grew more than the whole time since I had known the Lord. What would that say about my previous life in Christ? I agree that fasting is a good thing and is necessary to spiritual development, but to say "this is the solution" to lust... just do this in 3 days... is wrong.
The way we are washed clean is by the Word.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Also:
Galatians 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

They key to resisting temptaion is not to do some little ritual then have a friendly chat with Jesus, expecting Him to go along with your once a month plan.... it is a daily walk with God trusting in His Holy Spirit for your strength. It is of course vital that we get to know our Saviours voice and commune with Him as often as possible, but He is not bound by our methods, rituals and demands.

 If you are going to suggest these things as fact then you need to be able to back them up with scripture.. in context.

[Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.]

Gary, don't misunderstand me, I agree that we have authority over demons in the name of Jesus. I also believe totally in the gifts of the Spirit and in His mighty power. But none of these things are done for their own sake...

Luke 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

I always think of that passage when I hear people prayign what I call "jargon prayers". You know the type, thou oh Lord are this you are that , what can thee do... etc etc" I don't mean that all prayers that include thee and thou ar wrong hehe

I'm referring to people who pray the same thing every week and use the same tired cliches thinking it makes them sound spiritual. I think this passage also applies to people who go along with the "formula prayers", ie.. pray in this manner and God will do this.. the Prayer Of Jabez comes to mind.

[But we have the mind of Christ.]

Gary says:
I have told you the TRUTH ,But if you knew JESUS CHRIST ?You could ask HIM ?The flesh can not revieve the things of the HOLY SPIRIT  !

God says:
1 Cor 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

MalkyEl is right when she (? hehe) says that this is a word of Faith Teaching. So many times I've heard partially quoted verses and scripture taken out of context. This particular example is a Benny Hinn favourite. I'm afraid you are decieved Gary. I'm always suspicious whenever I hear "God told me...." and then a story based on feelings. Be careful who you listen to, and what you attribute to the Holy Spirit.

Care to elaborate? Is there something that I've missed about Derek Prince?

I'm not really sure what you're getting at here.. what exactly do you mean by "she has no choice in the matter"? I didn't really understand your last post.

Felix: I've written my views on metal music in the music section of this forum, on a few threads now. Take a look if you're interested.

The Spirit Filled Believers Handbook
By Derek Prince.

I highly reccommend this book for new Christians, it covers all the basic doctrines and covers pretty much every topic that a new believer needs to know about. I also found it useful to refer back to a as refresher later in my Christian walk. Good solid teaching providing a good base to make Christ the very foundation of your life.

Saphire: When I said I dont really agree with dating.. I didn't mean  you shouldnt go out with, or spend a lot of time with a  girl before being engaged! lol What I mean is that I'm against the attitude that you should just have a girlfriend for the sake of it, and view it as a "try before you buy" kind of affair. This is not God's way. Too many people, especially young people these days enter into relationships with no thought or prayer about how suitable a potential partner may be, spiritually or otherwise. If they fancy them, then they go for it.

bemanisuperstar: I totally uinderstand your frustration, I'm a single guy too and feel all the same feelings that all other guys feel. Its natural to want the love of a woman. I've got over feeling the way you do though, but I did feel like that for a long time. It is frustrating and you do feel a failure. "Why is everyone else paired up and I'm not?! What have I done to deserve this God? Its not fair!"

Well, when you look at "everyone else", you make a sweeping generalisation. It SEEMS like everyone else has a girlfriend, but really it is  some people, not all. Part of the desire for a woman is related to wanting to be valued and loved. The closer you are to God the more you will feel that from Him.

God in His rich love for you, has your best interests at heart, and while at the time it can prove frustrating, ultimately will lead you into better things and God's perfect will for your life.

I know that in my case, I wanted a girlfriend so much that it became an idol in my life. It got to the stage where I was usuing God as a cosmic Santa Claus, trying to get Him to grant my wish in any way I could. This my friend is simply wrong, and God will get that out of you one way or another.

Take heart, brother,
Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.