Long Distance

I use my blog as a place to record ideas, wisdom, and quotes from other people that I want to remember. I found this in Aaron Stern's blog (aaronstern.typepad.com), and thought it was pretty revelatory. Before I read this, I didn't believe long distance relationships were workable, and I certainly never wanted to be involved in one. He changed my mind. Props to Aaron!

"I know several people who don’t like long-distance relationships – they are a lot of work and can be a hassle. However, I actually think that there are several benefits to dating from a distance. Talking on the phone or interacting online requires the development of one of the most important variables in a relationship – communication. Without the “distractions” of things to do and places to go, the only thing you have left is what you talk about. Such a heavy emphasis on talking requires diligent work on communicating thoroughly and clearly, establishing expectations and resolving conflicts. From my perspective, if things don’t work long-distance, they likely wouldn’t work living in the same city. That being said, if the relationship is going towards marriage, I recommend that you have a good period of time together in the same city prior to marriage (3-6 months minimum). Though developing good communication is important, it can’t replace that which is learned as you interact in person on a daily basis."

Practicing the Presence

"Sustained communication with God requires restrained conversation with man."
-Mike Bickle

Wake Me Up

"We are fast asleep and we don't know it... The thing that is dulling this generation is called The Spirit of Religion... The Spirit of Religion settles us into thinking we know something about God when in reality we don't know anything about God. It settles us into a false complacency thinking that we have all these things figured out and I want to tell you when the Spirit of Revelation is in a person's life, they realize that they are at the beginning of the beginning of the beginning of the beginning of the beginning of a shoreless ocean that has yet to be expounded upon. The Spirit of Religion is choking the life from the church because it's settling us into false complacency and we need to go after God waking us up into what reality is."
-Corey Russell