Just thinking back on things.... maybe I should play the lottery? Hehe... think about this. In my past there have been 3 relationships that have really meant something strong to me that ended in identical circumstances, or at least due to them. Those circumstances were that the girl's parents did not approve of me dating her. Now, of course the logical thing to think is that there is something about me that is hard to accept. While that makes sense, its the additional fact that makes this impossible and makes things even more unbeliveable. In all 3 of these cases, the parents never even talked to me... they didnt know anything about me. While that is a painful thing to me, it is the only reason why I am not totally beating myself up over this fact. I mean, if the parents never met me then it can not be anything about me that they don't like.

But really... what are those odds? :)

You know what is hitting me right now regarding this.... There is somethng that God has layed on my heart ever since I moved to Florida.... Actually, there were quite a few things... but the one I'm thinking of is how critical it is that the body of Christ works together. Two of the three relationships were from parents that were ultra conservative. Don't get me wrong... I respect ultra-conservatism very much but I hate the side effect that often goes along with that. That side effect is that you end up not being to respect that God does different things with different people. Beyond that, ultra-conservatism leads to abuse whether it be the mental anguish you place on someone who you think has "gone astray" or even physical abuse from the anger that builds up from someone "going astray". There is a simple fact that people have constantly told me.... No one can change someone's heart -- no one except God.

It's really a hard thing that the body of Christ is up against. We have so many arguments within our own family that we can not be effective in reaching those who have not heard.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ." -- 1 Corinthians 1:10-12

It just amazes me how real this scripture is to us in today's Church. We have denominations fighting with denominations. We have people within the same denomination -- or even same church body -- arguing with their brother or sister. There is so judgement within ourselves that we are choking the life out of what God wants to do.

When Kim broke up with me Thursday night, she said that all she wanted was for everyone to be happy. I think that desire isnt far off from what God wants for His church. And the sad part is that as long as we continue to judge our brothers and sisters and continue to take their faults into our own hands, none of us will be truly happy.