The Bible, church, friends, family, walking, cooking, helping others, singing hymns, gardening

I was 6 years old, when I became saved; realizing my own wicked state and the imminence of death, yet I did not allow God's sanctifying power in my life really until I was 18, then it wasn't until I was 22 that I became pasionate about Bible study.

I am far from where I'd like to be or think I should be, but I "forget those things which are behind and press on to the mark of the high calling of God." I do attend a church, wherever I happen to be living and I do read my Bible and pray and strive to "take every thought captive" and make it subject to Christ, so that I think on things that are holy just and pure. I love studying the Bible and reading books on doctrine: Family Worship by James Alexander, The Sovereignty of God by Pink, The Soverienty of God in Providence by Reseinger, and Reasing Godly Children in an Ungoldy World by Ken Ham are some I have enjoyed this year (2011).

They help to keep me humble reminding me that in "my flesh dwelleth no good thing."

They remind me that God has done so much for me that it is "my resonable service" to "offer my body a living sacrifice."

They help me have peace, because I know that it is God who will complete the good work in me and that I am accepted in the beloved.

They help me go throughout the day knowing there is a Sovereign god working all things after the counsel of his will for my good and His glory

Yes,

Currently in Ecclesiastes, Romans, and 2Thessalonians.

Recently Finished the Sovereinty of God by Pink, and I have not dicded yet which of my many books I am goint to start next.

Apart from Jesus:

Apostle Paul, becasue he is the apostle of the gentiles and the one to whom the great mystery of grace was revealed and I love all the doctrine jam-packed into his epistles.

David because I can relate to a man of failures still being a man to pursue God and so many of his Psalms speak volumes to me.

Yes, today; but I do hope that God has a wife for me and this has been a deep hope since I was 8, but as each day comes I can trust His will whatever it is.

Compassionate

Generous

Smart

Understanding

Biblical Truth

People especially hurting people

Treating my sisters in Christ with gentleness and respect

Speaking the Truth in love -------> sadly, I sometimes desire so much to make my self sound loving that I fail to do this, the things is we are to speak the truth in love and leave the acceptance of that truth and the feelings of the other person up to God. So this is an area I need to work on.

Living my life each day for Christ and taking God's way of escape out of temptation

Not settling for just anybody for a spouse, but this is because of my convictions concerning Biblical truth, modesty, homeschooling, etc. and my belied that two can not walk together except they be agreed (this does not mean 100% but it does mean in most areas we agree or are close in agreement.)

Salvation (Justification, Sanctification, Glorification)

Life (both this life here on earth and the life I have in Christ)

Oppertunities to grow in Him, to begin again in Him, to testify of His power

I know it said three but:

Family and Friends

The abilty to work

The ability to taste, see, hear, smell

I enjoy studying the Bible and singing hymns both in and out of church. I love to grow things, but sadly at this stage in my life due to my work I don't get to. I love cooking for others. I enjoy reading writing and arithmetic, seriously I do. I am grounded enough in the truth of God having a plan for my life that I do not shut down and quit in hard times, but I am still honest enough to admit when life is painful.

I enjoy men who can lead in a loving respectful serving manner. I hope that I have lead this way when I have led before and hope to lead this way if God ever blesses me with a wife, and by His grace I will. I also like to see men who have understanding and prudence.

I enjoy women who can follow in a meek way not bitterly. I also enjoy women who are okay with discussing the Bible with others, but are not trying to take control and lead in this area. I like women who are generous and modest.

Not sure I could name one, but here are a few.

A semi-retired pastor who stayed my friend, when so many wouldn't and who was willing to rebuke me in bad areas and yet encourage me and study with me too.

My English professor, who was an encourager and the first adult to believe deeply in my intelectual abilities and someone who was there to take prayer request from me in one of my life's most trying times.

A friend in college who though not a Christian was a real encouragement to me and afforded me many oppertuinites to discuss Biblical things with someone. Once when I was discouraged she said to me, "...the God that you love and you serve loves you and He won't let anything happen to you that isn't best."

Another friend in college who was my first close guy friend and the first real accountability partner I had.

A dear sweet lady who I worked with who was one of the few Christians on the job. While old enough to be my mother, she has been a real encourager and was able to see past my very imperfect past to who I was striving to be in Christ.

A pastor who allowed me to serve in the church, when I was getting rejected all around and whose encouragement to read the Scriptures more no matter how much you were already reading helped me to solidify myself in many doctrines (even though most were against his teachings.)

I do not think I have ever been in a relationship. I have been close, so I will go from those.

#1 I was very interested in a close friend, but as she was leaving on a one year mission trip; I decided to wait until her return. The one year turned into two and she met and married someone else. I learned that I can be patient and wait on the Lord even when all outcomes seem to be going against my hopes. I also learned that I need to make sure that I am a little more doctrinely compatible. A love for God, missions, and His Word is great, but if two people vary to much on their interpretation of Scripture, then it might be best if things do not work out.

#2 There was a wonderful young lady on another Christian site. I never met her, but I wanted to. She and I agreed on so many doctrines. We had almost identical goals and plans for our lives and any children God should give us. We were emailing everyday, but she decided that we were not a match and asked me to never contact her again. I learned once again that God is there in our pain and that He has a plan. I learned a little deeper to trust him. It has been almost a year.

Verse that most impacted my walk with Christ: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful and will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able but will with the temptation provide a way to escape that ye might be able to bear it." 1 Cor 10:13

The passages that I think of most to get me through my difficult times:

"All things work together for good to them who love God to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28,

"Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and suplication with thanksgiving make your requests known unto God and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

"Who shall be able to seperate us from the love of Chist shall ....nay, in all these things we are more than conquers for I am persuaded that .... nor any other creature shall be able to seperate us fom the love of God which is in Christ Jesus

From a songs:

"He does not compel us to go gainst our will, He just makes us willing to go."

"twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved"

"the violest offender who truely believes that moment from Jesus a pardon receives."

"Blessed assurance Jesus is mine"

"I speak not of privileges, but of rights. Privileges granted by men may be denied by men. Rights are granted by God, and can be legitimately denied by no man. I must therefore, refuse to comply." John Bunyan at his trial.

I work for a traffic control company. I have been with this company for almost four years. The work I do varies with project. I recently passed certification to become a supervisor (Traffic Control Supervisor: TCS) so I design Methods for Handling Traffic (MHT'S) and I will be seeting up those systems, training and coaching flaggers and laborers, etc. My primary concern/ job/ goal is to keep the workers and motor public safe, then to do so in a manner that interferes with the least with the motoring public, all in a way that conforms to federal, state, and local laws and guidlines.

Fact: The number of people killed on the 9-11 attacks and those (on our side) killed since then in the war on terror (soldiers, medical, and contractors) is not significantly different, then the number killed in road-work zones during same time period. My job is to keep you'all safe and to improve those numbers.

I do enjoy some aspects of it. The fact that I get to warn, advise, and guide people about problems and dangers ahead to me has a beautiful parrell to Christianity. Also I get to interact with people, and most of my work is done outside. It payes fairly well too.

I dislike that I have to move often (but all within Colorado, in a year or two I may be certified nationally then my company may send me to projects in Arizona, Utah, or New Mexico as they are certified there too). As a typical project last 5-7 months. Some will last over a year, and others less than 2 months.; I end up moving 2-5 times a year.

Not truely life-long, but in the sense that most people mean:

1. To get married and have children and be a great husband and father.
   1. To have daily Bible and hymn times
   2. To homeschool my children
   3. Help my wife with houshold chores (love doing dishes, but even ones I do not like, for example, dusting)
   4. To always listen to both sides when my children have a disagreement/fight
   5. To take my wife's feelings, beliefs, and concerns into consideration when making choices
   6. To train my children in godliness but also make sure I emphasise God's grace
2. To get my poems published: I have written several hundred, but I have lost over half of them.
3. To finish my book on Christian clothing and get it published, and to write other books.
4. To pastor a small local church and do so with no salary from the church
   1. I may be wrong but I do not believe I am currently qualified for this based upon qualifications I see in Scripture namely:
      1. 1. Be the husband of one wife (I think this is both a minimum and maximum requirement.
         2. Having their children in subjection with all gravity: I have to marry and have children and demonstrate good parenting to meet this one.
5. To live in the country and grow most of the food for me and any family God should bless me with.
6. To strive every day to press on to the mark of the high calling of God
7. To continual become more humble, gracious and loving in my attempts to reach others for God

Reading, Cooking, Cleaning, Walking, Singing, playing games (UNO, Skip-bo, Phase-10, Dutch-blits, Parchessie, an others (when I can find people to play))

I was born in a little town in SE Colorado that doesn't even have a hospital anymore.

I have traveled to most of the states and have been to Niagra Falls.

I come from what most would consider a large family (8 children-two boys-six girls). We lived in the country, were home-schooled, and did not go to church after I was 6. We did have family devotions for a few years then that ceased. Most of our family traveled and sang at Bible conferences and churches for about 3 or 4 summers. Many of my sisters are very musically tallented: two play over 15 instruments each. Our family was pretty messed up, growing up and we are pretty fractured and scattered now, but most of what was wrong then, God has fixed now.

I am close to my dad, mom, brother, and one sister; I speak with another one, but I am not really close.

I am completely willing to relocate, but would like to save the family farm (in family over 100 years) if possible. I do not want to live in big city and would have to be pretty sure God wanted me there before I'd go, but any small town or country place; I'd be completely willing, especially if my wife/fiance was an only child or the only one her parents had to rely on.

I like designing houses, and cooking food for large groups (30-60) people, cooking for just a few friends, hymn sings, Bible stydies, conferences

I do have a very dark past both in things that have happened to me and things I have done, but I am saved by His grace, transformed by his power, and walking in newness of life. I understand that this will be a problem for some; however, I know I am accepted in the Beloved so you acceptance will be an assett and any rejection will but drive me further into the arms of God