The Struggle of Vulnerability:A Godly Man Pursues Her

Gentle Men, Men of God, Brothers of the Church, Leaders and Lay People I am speaking to you, and myself. This is for you, it is time for us to become men of God and start pursuing women of God in a proper way. We need to take the lead in the romance department, and put our hearts in our sleeves. I am speaking to myself with this as well because I often play more games than I do actually pursuing the girl, I do not wear my heart on my sleeve. And I am not an open book, I do not get emotionally involved, I keep away from true connections, and I am still working on not being extremely selfish. Yet I am a man of God, I want to get married, I want to have a family, and I want to find love to make all that happen I must do what God has intended for me to do. GOD HAS CREATED MEN TO PURSUE HER LIKE CHRIST PURSUES THE CHURCH. (The Video Above was somewhat the inspiration of this blog).

I am sure you have all heard the story of Sir Lancelot and Queen Guinevere, which is truly a horrible love story. Lancelot went after someone he saw as the love of his life, yet she was married. I am not by any means telling you to do that. Just work with me, he pursued her like a man should. Or we have all heard of Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel, and all the other fairytales of Prices seeking after love. And one of my all-time favorites  Beauty and The Beast, the big scary man gets soften up and changes so he can find true love, you see my direction now.

But have you ever heard the fairy-tale about the Princess in Shining Armor? You know the one, she fights a huge battle, kills a mighty foe, tames a dragon that everyone thought was not tamable, and she rescues him the dark prison that his crazed step mother put him in. You haven’t heard it either, that’s because it’s fake. Stories like that are not fairy tales, now let me explain a little.

Now you are asking yourself, why? Why are there no stories that are like this for our young ladies to be strong? Why are fairy tales always the other way around? Why is it that the man always fights for the women? Why does he always take the biggest risk? Why does he get to battle the beast? Why does he pursue her? (Now aside from the Movie Brave all this is true, and I loved the Movie Brave).

I do realize that most fairy-tales are stereotypical, and can be seen as extremely sexist and even hyper masculine. Oddly enough they do contain a small measure of truth, for sure when it comes to what is being said here. The beautifully whimsical tales we are read and see in the movies as kids are part of a deeply seated desire of the soul of every man and women.

This blog is not about Fairy-tales, it’s not about saving a girl from a horrible life. I speak about them only to pick a part what I see as a growing problem among the body, and that is Young Christian Men are either unable, unwilling or not actively pursuing a Godly women that is a potential wife. Once again I fall in most of the categories, which is unbelievable because I can write about them or even teach about them. I am just stuck in the stage of not being willing to use the knowledge I have gleaned from Godly Men in my life, and even the Godly Women that have spoken into my life. Rather than recklessly pursuing the women of God, many of us men seem to be waiting to stumble upon the girl. Don’t get me wrong I believe it takes prayer as well as waiting, but if you have found someone that matches your prayers or the list we need to pursue. 

If any of this explains you or if you are like me, waiting, seeking or whatever area you are at I have some advice for men like us. It’s truly time for us to pursue the Godly women that we are longing for in our lives. We no longer need to hide behind the men are not emotional stuff, we need to put our heart on our sleeves. We need to not hide behind the God will place her directly in my path, which he will. And stop using the I am too Holy for love façade, because we know you want love it is just a game we play to seem more desirable. Because truth of the matter when we start a relationship, courtship or pursuit of a Godly women with all of our hearts, it can be an extremely spiritual experience. Ok once again let me explain.

I have had some serious talks with my Brothers in Christ, and they try and help me to be more centered. For sure when it comes to the ladies, because I play games sometimes. I do not mean to it just happens, it’s part of the nature of me and my past. (If you want to know more read older blogs). I am at a Seminary studying to be a pastor, and my wife will be pastor as well. I seek wise counsel from wise men for a reason. And we speak about everything from relationships to struggles as a single male.

I was given an example once by a Brother about a female friend of his. She asked him “What is wrong with Single Christian Men?” (Such a loaded question).  She also remarked “They play games, they don’t go after you, and we are thought they are to pursue us.” I guess she had gotten plenty of attention from men outside of the church, yet men within the church always seemed to just want to be friends. Now I do believe we need to have friendship first, and that is hard for me to say because I have never really done the friendship first type of dating. But I realize we need to gain trust from the Godly women, and that is not done by jumping head first into a relationship.

My seminary is rather small, and by small I mean less than 110 total students and no more than 250 people living on my campus. So several weeks before this the talk with my friend I was speaking with another friend. And we were speaking about how it is hard to find a women at the place we are at, and should we pursue someone from school or someone outside that is already working for our church body? On both ends how can we be sure we are not seeking because we are by ourselves among dating, engaged or married couple? (Minded you my school has 14 single men, 4 of them are engaged and 3 of them are dating). And if things don’t work out, how am I going to be seen? (I have dealt with this one enough to know the guy is not seen in a good light at all). And at the school we do not have many single women. But that is distinct to us, and the place we live.  But I am sure the same things plague the heads of my brothers a crossed the church body. The “should she be from my church?” or “How do I know?” and “what if it does not work?” And to be honest they are hard question to answer.

I love reading and researching topic like this, so I found a couple good books. And things that came from them one book called “Where Have All the Good Men Gone?” by A.J. Kiesling talks about some of the double sided or loaded question both men and women ask. But he part that stood out the most in my mind was the study of 120 Single Christian Women. Most of which had the same complaint about the men of the church. “I wish me would just step up to the plate and take a risk in asking me out.”

So of the things said by the ladies in this in the book are “God didn’t create you to be passive. Pursuit seems to be obsolete, but we still want to be pursued.”

Deep statement women still want to be pursued, in a world that seems to want everything equal women still want mean to pursue them. I come from a world that in my past women just tell you let’s have sex, let’s hook up, let’s have casual sex no strings attached. In becoming the man of God I am today it has taking plenty of struggles, but I like this road I am going on. And I want to pursue the Godly women of my dreams and of Gods plans.

Another women said this “It seems like men aren’t willing to take the rish of asking a women out, since they don’t have to anymore. There are plenty of women who chase them, yet I won’t. I want them to pursue me.”

Another deep statement, women who pursue guys are good. But we as men are designed created to be the ones to pursue. And yes I want a strong confident women, but I want one that will let me get to know her and pursue her. (One that will make me work for the friendship/courtship/relationship)

One last one said this "Quit saying, 'I'm waiting on God to bring me my future mate.' What a cop-out! You're scared, and you're afraid of being hurt or rejected and — gasp! — you might be tempted to have sex!" I will leave this one at this, because of my past this one speaks to me. I do not often believe I am good enough for a Godly women. I know how to talk to girls and I also know God has someone from me, but to get past the thought of not being good enough is hard.

So why are we not stepping up? Have all of you been like me? Are we all fearful of commit relationships? Did we learn bad examples of relationships from a broken home? I may be just speaking to myself with all that, but I have a few ideas of the issues facing us men.

#1 The PC driven world we live in, tells men that the women has just as much responsibility when it comes to the starting of the relationship as we do. Women are told to be more aggressive, and men appearing as if they are hyper masculine, domineering and sexist if we think different.  While the PC in the world has made some things a lot better, it has changed some things as well. I will never be the type that tells a man to not cry, just because I don’t do it in public part of me wishes I did not have the mindset that it was wrong. PC does not always apply to the real world, the world that is actually in motion. The world that I live in which is the church world, women seem to still very much like being pursued and they like a man to take the first step, a man that want to be a knight in shining armor.  

The world itself may have moved on, and become social media driven and PC more than we ever believed. That does not stop the fact that good old fashioned values are still part of our DNA. A man should hold the door open, open the car door, pull her chair out, you know all the stuff from the chic flicks the good guy does. And not be the jerk that learns to be a better guy, once again speaking to myself because I am learning.

 #2 This one is even more troubling, dangerous and hazardous to the Single Christian Man. The abstract sense of spiritual legitimacy can stop us from allowing relationships form. I have come across a lot of guys, older, younger and a lot even wiser than me who believe being romantically passive makes our spiritual lives superior. The thought is “If I wait and pray daily for her she will come and God will provide.” And in some form another that is true, but I also believe God wants us to take action. Hence the reason behind this blog, and don’t forget I AM SINGLE AND PASSIVE! Guys like me, could use advice from the OGs of the church, the ones that have been married for 30 plus years. Or even the younger guys that have been married for a couple for years may help us out. I have been given advice from plenty of great men of the church and o would suggest you do the same. 

When I speak about women, church, faith and Godly relationships with them I never know what will be said. Will they tell me to wait and she will come? That purity is key(because I have messed that one up enough)? One guy point out the normal verse Proverbs 31, a love song to a Godly women. And yet one guy gave me this random verse “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22.

Now I know not everyone is meant to get married, and I know God still loves men and women that are not equally. But for me I am man that wants a family someday, and a wife to share in ministry with. I know finding a wife will be a good thing, but I have to get over me. And the verse may make some think being single is bad, and it’s not. For now I am happy being single. 

So some lessons I have learned in my 32 odd years on this earth, and 6 years actually being a Follower of God. When I met my future wife or the potential women, it is my responsibility to pursue her. And this is the truth no matter how doubtful I am of myself, how much fear I have, how much of a jerk I try to be (because under the tough guy is a teddy bear), no matter what my family was like (that is not for you) it is still my honor and duty to pursue her. I will show up to her door flowers in hand, open the door, pull out the chair, pay the bill, and be a sensitive man.  

I am going to say it one last time, I believe as men of God it is our responsibility to pursue her in a honoring way. No more playing the game, no more half way doing it, if you like her tell her, and be the man that God has called us out to be. And even in saying it’s the guys job to pursue, don’t forget God still has a larger role than us to play in it. God is still our matchmaker, so pray and seek word from God as well. He is sure to tell you if it right or if it just will never work, and I am sure you will feel the same. And the hard part for me now, we should never rush into relationship (even if she is the best one at the school/church/etc. and you both have a bunch in common). Grow a friendship, make sure that you two can get along, that she gets along with your friends. Rushing into relationships can be damaging and hurt both people in the long run. So grow relationship, seek advice and pray.

Now a couple things to close out this blog, it is important for us to be sensitive to the women as well. If she wants to take it slow take it slow. If she is not ready, let her know you value her friendship and are fine with that. If you seem like a creep do not I repeat do not keep moving forward, that’s just wrong. If she only need a friend, be that friend. If she wants more actively pursue her, but do it in a nice way. Once you we have started the pursuit the rest is in her hands, and of course up to the best matchmaker ever God. And she will tell you what’s up!

Now if you are one of the thousands of church men on the side lines to sacred, to spiritual, thinking she should say something first  or some other garbage reason to pursue her, it’s time to put on some big boy pants and make a move. I know taking a risk can be scary, after all I am taking one in writing this blog. But I promise in the end of the journey the rewarding will be beautiful, and you will grow as a man and leader.

God has created us to pursue her. Next time God bring a girl you see as Godly in your life, stop being a punk and become a friend, and see what God has for you. The love of your life could be passing you by.

I say all this again because it is speaking to me more than it maybe speaking to you. My name is Kyle Hunter Madison, I like marshmallows, random trips to Wal-Mart, a Godly women that can bake, movies and music. And I want to pursue her!

An Open Letter to My Future Wife

Hello my future wife,

Whether you are reading this before you meet me, or stumble upon it after, I want you to know a few things. I want you to know somethings about me and where my heart is at and all that I am working on to prepare to be your husband. The words in this blog come from the depths of my heart.

Today I am a man waiting to hold your hand, to stare deep into your eyes, to hug you, to hold you and to just be in your presence. The point behind this blog, aside from me working on my vulnerability which is something that is kind of a struggle for me. Let me tell you this, I cannot stop thinking, I cannot stop thinking about the joy that we will have together. I also want you to know I am praying for you daily, and I know that you are likely doing the same. Thinking about you brings a joy to my heart like nothing I have ever felt, aside from the day that I gave my life over to Christ.

I by no means am ready for this relationship, nor do I know what it take to actually be in a committed relationship. I do have plenty of beautiful examples around me, my friends are helping me learn how to treat you as my future bride. I have struggled with commitment in my past relationships, but I picture myself deeply committed to you in such a way that I can barely explain. I was not given the best examples from family or old friends, but within the body of Christ I am learning so much. Those around me are a continuous source of education and inspiration on how I want our relationship to be. So here and today, I vow to try my best to do the following. I know that I must treat you as Christ treats the church, and that is the best example. As cheesy as it sounds I know you my dear future bride are my Proverbs women.

So here are some deep vows I give to you:

I promise to be the best friend in the darkest hours. I promise to bring a smile to your face when you are sad, to make you beam with joy daily. To remind you of your spiritual worthy and beauty as much if not more than I remind you of how I think you are physically beautiful. Your joy and smiles will be of the utmost importance to me. I know that I will get weak in my knees when you smile, and it will bring the most amazing amount of pleasure to my heart to make that smile come out. So just think a minute about all the effort I am will put into this.

I will always look to you with adoration, just as I did the moment I realized I was in love with you. I wanted to also tell you that I love you daily. My desire is to ignite a passion in your heart and eyes, with the things that we will do for this world together. And to make you beam with radiance when I surprise you, when you are inspired by the work we can do for the kingdom, when you are motivated to do something I will support you.

I promise to love you when we are 40 as we are 80 only more. I promise to hold your hand in the hardest times we have and in the easy moments of life, when all of our liveliness is gone I promise to find adventure. And speaking of adventure I promise to go on plenty of them with you, yes we will have a day to day normal life but I will bring a new life to it when it seems to get boring. I vow to never let the excitement we felt when dating or courting never die down, I will bring surprise around every corner I can when possible.

I promise to keep you guessing where our next date is, and to do my best to pick the things you have always wanted to do. I also promise to not always take the lead and allow you to show me how strong you are as well. I will strive daily to become a better man of God, gaining new knowledge of the word, learning what it means to be in a constant Kingdom living mode. I promise to lead you in this journey as well because I know as Pastor that is key to life for us. I promise to be a rock when you need strength, and to lean on you when I need the same.

I promise to have new stories to share with you, and maybe we can retell the ones we already know. I promise to have trips to Wal-Mart for no reason whatsoever, and to buy you flowers that need to be pruned and make them look worthy of being in your hands. I also know I want you to be my best friend and to allow our friendship to grow deeper and deeper every single hour. I promise to watch Netflix with you and cuddle, to take you to the movies and your favorite bands concert. I promise to watch the tv shows you like and the movies as well. Just to let you know I am a huge movie and music fan, and I know a lot o f people say that but if you only knew. Trust me it will be a part of us, I can only hope it is already a part of you. 

I vow to challenge you to challenge yourself to do better, to make you think that you can reach for the stars. I promise to try bring you some illuminating energy that will inspire me to do reach for the stars as well. I will do my best to make sure boredom will never cross either of our minds.

I know this seems so idealistic and I have barely spoken of the hard times I am sure we will face, but I wanted to speak life first.

In the darkest of hours for us, when grief seems unbearable, I promise that we will go to God to seek guidance. I promise when the darkness seems to cover us, and we are surrounded by different shades of the dark nights, to help us find the tiny rays of light that are always there for us to see. I promise to reassure you that we are part of the kingdom of God and he is always with us.  

I promise to lift you up when you need a push towards your true nature. I also promise that I will listen to you deeply and honestly, even when it becomes hard. I promise to be a shoulder to lean on when you need to cry, and be compassioned. I promise to never compare you to anyone but yourself. I promise that my past will never effect our future. I promise to Love You, to honor you and to uphold you.

I promise to always give you a good morning kiss, and a kiss to end the night. I promise to that our passion will never die. And I know that the passion we have will last and be the same as the first time we kissed only more. When we kiss, I want it to freeze time, so as if it feels only you and I are the only two people in the world.

I promise to play the games you like. I promise you back massages and even a foot massage when you are in need. I promise that I will remain physically attracted to you, even when we are old and gray, and you are 9 months pregnant for the 3^rd or 4^th time (who knows). I also promise to keep my body healthy as I have been committed to continued physical health lately. But I also promise to give you more attention than I do to the gym and my body get ripped with muscle (I am serious I want to look like some the dudes in my Fitness Blogs and Magazines). I promise to also encourage you to be physically healthy as well. I promise to be ready to defeat you from attack, and to make sure you are ready to do the same. And when our kids are born, I will be the best Daddy I can be.

I promise to help you stay healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. Physically by going to the gym with you, and cooking healthier meals. Oh, yeah I love to cook so I promise to always cook for you. I hate baking so I hope you are a baker. And I promise we will do the cleaning together. Mental health will come with us reading books together and studying new things, road trips and world travel (when we can afford it or when we go on mission). And spiritual health will come from our daily Bible Devotion both together and apart, our study of the word, our prayer life, and the way we will live our life as a daily worship to God.

And a promise a future family man, one of the most important things we will do. I promise to be the best role model to our son, and a source to look to for a future mate for our daughter. I want our family to see me as a source of motivation, to see that I serve Christ with my whole heart, and that Christ is the center of my life. I want to inspire them the same way my heavenly father doe in my life. I will tell them the good stories I have from my childhood about my parents, because they will never meet them. And I will tell them about the bad as well because that is what made their daddy the way he is.

I promise to do my best to embrace and love your family just the way I do mine. And I promise not to make too much fun of your mother. And I promise to be by there side just as much as I am by your side.

I promise to always listen to you when you simply just want to be heard; when you want someone to vent to about something or when you want advice. I will listen to you when you do not feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and make sure you in that moment you feel nothing but love. And I promise to watch body language so I can do the things you need done when you are not speaking.

Our days together will be filled with joy, laughter, smiles, crying, fights, making up and the basic day to day life living. I promise to make sure you are treated like the daughter of the King, and I know I can do this. And I will always try to show my appreciation for you because of that. Being the man of the house is nothing without a woman. I promise never to let my guard down in taking care of us.

I promise to create family traditions and to make sure that your legacy lives forever through our children. I promise to encapsulate the moment when I realize that I am in the most magnetic, amorous and erotic love with you, not to let that feeling dissipate to the best of my ability and to relive it with you constantly, always.

Most Importantly, I am praying for the day that we meet. Know that I already Love You. Know that I am learning to be a better man of God so that I am ready for you. And know that God has his plans for the both of us and they are beautiful.

With Love and a Heart full of Joy

Your Future Husband,

Kyle Hunter Madison

The Struggle of Vulnerability: Weight Loss, Weight Gain and Finding a Middle Ground

Name: Kyle Hunter Madison
Height: 6 foot
Weight on Right Side: 430
Weight on Left Side: 310
Current Weight(No Picture Yet): 295
Journey: 2013 to 2015 and on

 I think every overweight guy dreams of becoming healthy and fit,and possibly has aspirations of being jacked. Every fat guy dreams of being a lady's man(not saying big dudes dont have game,some of us do), I never had a issue here, my issue was keeping women for the long hall. But that is a whole other story. These aspiration are possible it just takes a deep desire, it takes some hardcore discipline, it takes effort in both working out and in diet. It is more about a complete lifestyle change than it is about anything else. I am by no means at the place that I want to be but today I am closer than I ever have been. But it is not without its troubles. My journey to weight loss has been as crazy as how quickly I gained the weight.

I have seen ups and downs in weight my whole life. After my mother died I lost a lot of weight because I was drinking more than I was eating. And then I lost more weight when I moved to Chicago because I biked or rode the train everywhere I need to go. In Chicago I was not eating much because my income was low and I wanted to party more than I ate. Go figure a addict has that mind set. I would bounce around from not drinking to drinking. And when I was "sober" I would gain. I had my last drink sometime ago so that is not a issue at all.The weight gain came from moving to the south and the laziness of a car!

I am a studying to be a Pastor in The Salvation Army, it is a church just as much as it is a Social Service Organization. Part of the this is getting your body health so it is able to keep up with your soul. We have a BMI set her that we can not go over, when I first got to school I was over it. So i had to work hard to get off, I began working on it at first to just get off the BMI list, I did not do it for myself or for what God has told me I need to be doing with my life.

I have this new desire to get in shape, and it reminded me of a time I got a gym membership. It was for a BJJ Gym and it was great, aside from the trainer. She seemed as if she was a Man-Hater. She put  through the ringer and it was good but I was in pain, I was in serious pain. I could barely move but then I got the hang of it and it was amazing. And life caught up to me and I quit, and I gained most the weight that I had to get rid of.

I started to work out a lot when I got to school, it was mainly because I had to. Then it became something I wanted to do to look good. Then it it became and addiction and it still is, I do not feel right when I do not have a chance to work out.

Kevin is the guy who helps us out and puts together a work out systems for us. He is a gift from God to my school, he is also an amazing man of God. My first work out with him was a test of strength, he put me on every machine. Starting out on a low weight and increase weight till I could go no more. Some of the machines had  all the weight possible on them, I may have been fat well really fat but I was strong as a ox. Kevin wants to know where we are at and how much we can do, so that he can help us improve ourselves. He quickly learned that I was going to work hard and keep moving. I quickly learned that I would be broken and then built back up.

The results of my first workout was I could hardly move my legs the next morning. But it was amazing and I loved it. I have got back into the habit of working my butt off. But the issue is now I spend to much time on self image. I am trying to find a balance and be able to have deep love and relationships.

To say my struggle with self image and all that is involved with it is over, would be a lie. I have worked hard to get to the place I am and I am going to work hard to get to the place I want to be.

I have been Created in the Image of God- 

"So God created man in his own image,
    in the image of God he created him;
    male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27 (ESV)

I feel better with the image I am caring around today. I am not saying that God did not love the fat me, but what I am saying is I am healthier and love myself more. I am still working and I will do so till I get my goal. And then it will be a working to keep at the same place. I now is my working out as an act of worship, I am taking care of the body that God has given me. And  I want to do the best I can. I jokingly say "I do it for the ladies!" But i really do it for the Kingdom. 

Teacching Resource

·         ACTS PRAYER

·         Adoration-worshipping God with your Heart, Mind, Soul and Voice.

·         This is like Praise and Prayer through the Psalm, sing, adore God, praising him for his attributes such as: loving kindness, holiness, compassion, majesty, etc. Praise Him for who He is.

·         Select some of God’s Attributes and spend a moment to pray about them.

·         Confessions- agreeing with God concerning any sins he brings to your mind.

·         “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”                                        1^st John 1:5-9

·         Allow time for reflection of sins and how God has taken them.

·         Thanksgiving-giving Thanks to God for who He is, what He has done, what he will do in our lives and what He is doing in the ministry, a prayer expressing gratitude

·         “I will Praise you, Lord, among the nations: I will sing of you among the peoples.” Psalms 108:3

·         “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless, I will show salvation” Psalms 50:23

·         Take time and pray for all that you are thankful for what God has done for you.

·         Supplication-Asking God for his divine help to meet needs, solve problems, work in someone’s life.

·         “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christs Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

·         “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice: he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” Psalms 116:1-2

·         Praise. Repent, Ask for Others, Your Own Needs.

·         Pray that God will prepare his people to understand and responded to the Gospel

·         “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44

·         Take a moment to pray for God’s people to have understanding

·         Pray that God will motivate believers to share the Gospel with unbelievers

·         “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

·         “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” Colossians 4:3

·         Pray for God’s people to be motivated to share his word

·         Recognize that Satan blinded the unbeliever, and acknowledge Christ victory.

·         “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

·         “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 2^nd Timothy 2:25-26

·         Pray remembering that God has given us victory over our sin.

·         Be Persistent on the prayers that you make

·         “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.  He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think,  yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ “And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

·         Be always in Prayer, talk about the Jesus Prayer.

·         Pray that your love may abound and that you may approve the things that are excellent

·         “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” Philippians 1:9-10

·         Now take time and reflect of Gods Answered Prayer

·         Prayer for our Leadership

·         Pray Again for the Unreached People

·         Pray for the Lost and Wayward

·         Pray for our Missionary around the world

·         Pray for The Salvation Army International work

·         Pray for the Persecuted Church

·         Prayer request 

Changing Tide

The People I surround myself with my friends and family

Would agree, that the process of moving from Young to Old is odd

Our Bodies growing and changing, mysteriously feelings come and go

Puberty becomes a gift of life that takes our innocence of childhood away

I am seeing this in fresh eyes daily, it feels as if yesterday I began High but it closer to me being fresh from college

Life and Relationships must be fully explored in depth and with adventurous spirit because the experience of life has still yet to be explained

My true friends, my close friends, and the ones I claim to be more like family

The first that I have shared deep secrets of my soul with, the ones that know childhood secrets

Those are the friends that would agree

That the passage of time is something touched by the hands of our God the divine

That our aging bodies, our growing souls, our weakened sense of worth

The masses surrounding us that sometimes contain useless thought combined with oneness that connects us all

These moments give us fright, fear and hate

Yet these moments also provide wonder, magic and faith

We see something new in our old and dying world

By and By, as time fly’s and the passage of hours goes out the window

Among my True friends

The moments as one that turn us against one another

Fractions and Fragments, Growth and Rebirth, Death and Weddings

Friends becoming Parents and Newlyweds, Families experiencing divorce and death

Parents taking selfies of new born babies, dirty diapers and  

To see what small bodies evacuate, leave behind

To see the magical residue that quickly becomes a chore but is so shining and momentous at first

 I remember when the only thought I had was what’s for dinner? I remember when dating was easy? I remember when I wasn’t looking for a soulmate?

I remember not looking at my married friends saying I am a little jealous, but this is No more

The Changing Tide of Life is a bitter enemy that we must embrace

Friends become like family, people I have hated become close to me

The Concoctions of life is a wonderful mystery

Connecting Fibers of Life place by the Creator

Plenty of Hydration of Grace

My own Lack of things

Not as prevalent as it once was has become a source of curiosity

And sometimes pain

And often of a hard little belly bump like a perfectly round stone tucked away in a large pocket weighing down the garment of my guts

but it is also a wonder and a gift, that friendship and life bring to me

Because when I can stare into the watery depths, of the past and beautifully tender and loving moments

All my true friends would agree the Father has blessed Us

Warriors Manifesto

I am Part of a Radical Holiness Movement

Birth in the slums of the East End of London

Through a Man that heard the call of God from the pain of his children

A call to serve the Lost, The Suffering, The Hurting and Dying

The words from his mouth

“The Greatness of the man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”

Surrender did he, Booth’s greatness was seen in his actions for the Kingdom and His work for the King!

He would say this “Go for Souls and Go for the Worst.”

Booth would make this his mission so much so he professed this with words

“While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight, While little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight While there is a drunkard left, While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, While there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight-I'll fight to the very end!”

To the Father of this of the Movement that helps lost souls and the General of a Holy Army, I raise my standard higher and with my rebel soul I take the plea

And I will fight in your stead, I will go to the Darkest of Place and Fight till the end

This Manifesto most move forth and with a father there is a Mother Fiery and Fierce a Women with a Warriors Heart

A Visionary that broke the status quo wisdom from the Spirit would lead her soul

Words that speak the truth she proclaimed

“I know not what he is about to do with me, but I have given myself entirely into his hands.”

Devote to the work of God the Father she made this decree

“If we are to better the future we must disturb the present.”

A Women who stood in front of crowds and shared the words of the lord and was an example of her form of “Aggressive Christianity” helped better our future by distribution of the past

With example from the Courageous Women Catherine Booth, I say I go forward not knowing what God has for me but to better the future for the next generation with the disturbance of this present

I have heard it said like Mother like Daughter, or two peas in a Pod, or that Girls all are after Daddy’s heart, all could be said of Evangeline 

In the footsteps pf her parents, a desire to serve the Lord and do the best she could she believed this

“There is no reward equal to that of DOING THE MOST GOOD to the MOST PEOPLE in the MOST NEED.”

This daughter of the King knew to serve God is to serve OTHERS, and to serve OTHERS was exactly what she did

She knew it was not age that matter and would declare this

“It is not how many years we live, but what we do with them.”

Giving encouragement to leaders old and young then and now, we know not to look at age but potential, so this questioned she asked

“Who can estimate the wealth of worth caged in a little child?”

To my sister of this Army we will uphold the idea that “DOING THE MOST GOOD” is truly giving the best service to God, We know that there is worth in the young and it is not years of life but what service we give to God

This Army, the Red, Yellow, and Blue the one that warriors fight for the Kingdom through with Blood and Fire Banners raised oh so high

Marching forth to war was had some crazy, colorful, and lively array of leaders

Railton one with mission on his heart to serve the Lord and do his part spoke this

“Why did God choose the foolish? Because he loved them and wished to save all, And had need of agents who would despise nobody but honor everybody, and be the servants of all people.”

Railton this foolish man, tips my cap to you, wise words speaking of the love of God and the works of fools

Brengle a man that had a essence the some would say was Holy new this “We are Gods tools” and with a Godly awareness professed this

“Holiness is not some lofty experience, unattainable except to those who can leap the stars, but it is rather lowly experience, which lowly people in the lowly walks of life can share with Jesus, by letting his mind be in them.”

One such lowly Soul Joe the Turk, the rebellious insurgent saved by Grace

So unashamed of that he was jailed 57 times he would not be dismayed by a cell he knew that the world was in need of Christ

To Go to Jail for Faith is Outrageous in my Eyes, To be handcuffed for the Kingdom would be an Honor

To be so unashamed of the Gospel that I would risk arrest or Jail would be a journey I am willing to take

The sister saints that have lead the Army have been in numbers we cannot count

From the Doughnut Girls to the Hallelujahs Lassies

They have lived and served, they did not stop because of the social norms

They would not stop until the norm became something new

One such soul lead with a warrior’s heart and the model of Isaiah 1:17

She fought for Justice for All

Eva Burrows a Mighty Women who stood with the best

“Staring us in the face is the desperate plight of the poor. We don’t need statistics to tell us that. They are flesh and blood like ourselves, often out of work, forced out of rented premises, without money and without food.”

She knew the poor and down on the luck people were people like you and I

She knew to the key to a person heart was to first fix the physical and then go for the soul she also said this

“People are looking for an answer, and I know that answer is Jesus.”

Elijah Cadman a small man in size yet the heart of a Giant the first to call Booth “The General of the Hallelujah Army.”

Cadman said this about our Holy Garb “I would like to wear a suit of clothes that would let everyone know I meant war to the teeth and salvation for the world.”

Our Navy blues mean business and to the war we Go! Salvation for the World and March Onward we will Go!

“Mission Matters Most” said another Christ Centered man, who faced adversity of another kind Israel Gaither would be a leader like no other and is impact would reach our nation

“You can hear the voice of God through the voice of an Authentic Leader.”

Moving forward to the General who leads the movement today

In a social media age and a selfie generation he is embracing all that it is to win the world for Jesus

General Andre Cox has deep heart felt dreams for our Church

“I dream of an Army where cultures are equally accepted and celebrated through the spiritual ties that bind us all together.” And “I dream of a committed, effective and joyful Army, rooted and confident in the world of God and on its knees.”

To all the Comrades around the world may we honor the Past Leader and Look for New ones

May We lead with wise words and the Heart of the Father

To the 126 Countries we stand in may our Manifesto be a Warriors Call

May the Holy Spirit Be our Guide and The Father be our true General

To the Leaders, Lead with Courage

To the Dreams, Dream Lofty Dreams of Greatness

To the Visionaries, Have Visions that are seen as possible only in God’s Eyes

To the Preachers, Preach words that Change the Soul

And to us Salvationist let us never forget the Battle

Let our Banner Never Fail   

     

 

My Dear 11

I am Part of the Salvation Army, a worldwide movement of Holiness People, a part of the Body of Christ. My message through this movement is based on the Word of God. My aim in ministry is to be always motivated by God. My mission is to teach the word of God and through that teaching make radical disciples, to me the needs of the people of the world and to do this without discrimination.

And these 11 are what I believe

 #1 I believe in the scriptures of the Old and the New Testament, I believe that were penned by man’s hand with the Breath of Life as the ink of inspiration, and the words for me are the only thing that rule my faith and the ways of my life

#2 I believe that in this world with many Gods, both worldly and spiritual, My God is King, Yahweh is abundantly perfect, He is an artist with Creators hands, He is a Sustainer He allows life to live, And he is a Governor in perfect control, and My God is the only one deserving of My worship 

#3I believe that there are three parts in the Godhead, The Loving Father the Abba, The Son who is my Savior, And the Holy Ghost who is my comforter, completely equal in power and co-equal in glory and honor.

#4I believe that Christ is divine and he is human and his humanness and the divine are one, so that Christ is both God who is Divine and Man whose image is his.

#5I believe that my first parents were created in a state that they knew no wrong, but because they could not stay obedient, they lost all of their purity and happiness, and because of their disobedience all of Gods children have now become sinners, totally lacking the connection to the Father, and left with the wrath of God.

#6 I believe that the suffering of Christ and his death of the Cross has broken the bondage of sin, and with this atonement the world and the whosevers can and will be saved.

#7I believe that by my repentance toward God, and my deep rooted faith in Christ and his Grace shown on the Cross, and my recreation in the Holy Spirit are all key to my Salvation.

#8I believe that I have been justified by Christ Grace and through faith in Christ makes me a witness in all that I believe.

#9I believe that my salvation is a journey and it requires complete obedience and faith in Christ

#10I believe that it is my honor to become wholly sanctified, and that my whole spirit, my whole soul and my whole body are made blameless till the Lords return

#11 I believe that the immortality of my soul, the resurrection of this body, that in the judgement at the end of the world, I as a believer will have an eternal gladness because I have been made righteous, and the wicked will be punished

This is my Heart Beat, I am a Salvationist and I Believe and I Bleed the Mission

Written By: Kyle Hunter Madison