All Things Made New

Begg, Piper, & Washer Quotes (and relationship thoughts)

25 November 2011 at 22:23 (Misc.) (Alistair Begg, Friendship, John Piper, Marriage, Paul Washer, Relationships)

On my way back to Phoenix for Thanksgiving break (a six-hour drive), I listened to teachings from Alistair Begg, John Piper, and Paul Washer. Each teaching was on the subject of relationships. First I listened to Alistair Begg. He had so much good things to say, but one thing in particular that stood one was this:

“We should never assume that a friendship has to be more than a friendship when it begins.” – Alistair Begg

These words stood out to me because I have been making this assumption recently. Well, kind of. To clarify: I have not been assuming the friendship has to be more than a friendship, but I’ve been wanting it to be more. Granted, there may not be anything wrong with wanting a friendship to be more. But currently, I do not think it is appropriate, since we are barely getting to know each other. I think my focus should be more on becoming friends, rather than trying to be more than friends. Moreover, I should not be assuming we will become more than friends. Would I like this to occur? Definitely! But I need to trust that God would lead us according to His will.

“There is only one thing you should be seeking: To be a worthy and honorable servant of the Most High God.” – Paul Washer

Everything Paul Washer had to say was awesome as well, but this really stood out. He said this in reference to fathers, however I believe it is applicable to everyone. Granted, there are other things that we must seek at different things in our lives (i.e. job, house, wife!). But we should never ever fail to seek to be a worthy and honorable servant of the Most High God. This needs to be my focus. Truly, I should be far more diligent in my pursuit to be a worthy and honorable servant of God than any other pursuit. Still, by God’s grace, one can be seeking this even as one pursues a wife… Lord please grant me the wisdom as you lead me in these pursuits!

“Marriage most ultimately is the display of God… Marriage is God’s display of covenant keeping grace.”- John Piper

John Piper, as always, had lots of good things to say. Yet this really stood out. It’s just crazy how modern society views marriage as something completely different. I’m sure there are a variety of thoughts and ideas as to what the purpose of marriage is in our modern society. Many people don’t even believe marriage is necessary. But marriage is truly a most holy covenant as it reflects the covenant keeping grace of God. This deserves careful thought. It means that we should not view marriage apathetically or in any way that relegates marriage to a meaningless archaic tradition. Rather, we should recognize marriage to be the holy institution that it is! How amazing it is to know that Almighty God has ordained that a man and a woman can come together in marriage to display His covenant keeping grace! wow!

So… I listened to these teachings because I need lots of wisdom and godly counsel as I seek to be a godly man in preparation for my future marriage, Lord willing. Even after receiving a degree in biblical counseling, and even as I have less than 5 months left to graduate with a degree in biblical languages, I have lots to learn!