Song of Solomon

The Life Project: The Song of Solomon
Paul Pope

Have you ever wondered what God thinks of love, romance, and sex? Does it seem like God is opposed to these things? The Song of Solomon communicates the importance of romantic love and sex in the context of marriage. God designed these things for us to enjoy, to satisfy deep desires of our hearts, and to meet our needs. When we follow His plan for fulfilling our desires for romantic love and sex it is absolutely beautiful. The problem, as with everything, is that that when we decide to make our own rules, there is pain and sorrow waiting for us. Unfortunately, some of our deepest hurt and pain comes as a result of disobedience in this area.

The Song of Solomon is a love story between Solomon and his wife. It follows their courtship (1:1-3:5), their wedding (3:6-5:1), and the marriage (5:2-8:14). We find a clear example of what Christian romance should look like.
Marriage is often lifted up as the preeminent goal in life. Even believers can be guilty of seeing marital intimacy — emotional, physical, and spiritual — as the source of life’s meaning. Such pressure can cause many problems. Dating couples may grow close too quickly and become physically intimate or have a break-up that is harder than it would have been had things not proceeded so rapidly. Singles may despair of their self-worth or rush into unwise relationships. Married people might commit adultery or get a “no-fault” divorce when they learn, much to their chagrin, that their spouse is imperfect and cannot possibly meet all of their needs.

One of the clear themes of this book is sex in the context marriage. (Song of Solomon 4:10–16; 5:2–5, 10–16; 7:1–10). Unfortunately, many Christians treat sex as if it is a taboo topic. When we are unwilling to let God’s Word define something for us, the world will be quick to do so for us. Sex is a great example of this as we have allowed the world to warp and pervert what it means to have sex rather than allow God to define it for us. He does so in the Song of Solomon. This book talks about the profound opportunity we have for intimacy through sex when practiced between a man and wife who are connected through the covenant of marriage.

Another clear theme of this Book of the Bible is to wait for God’s timing rather than rushing into or forcing things to happen in our timing. “Do not awaken love until it pleases” appears several times (2:7; 3:5; 8:4). In other words, both men and women must let love arise on its own and not rush into it or force it to happen. When it is time, self-sacrificial love will arise naturally. Pornography is an example of not waiting for God’s timing and instead choosing a cheap substitute that meets none of the needs it promises to. Sex outside of marriage between a husband and a wife is another example and there is great pain when the intense intimacy experienced is combined with a lack of commitment.

In all things, God wants us to wait on Him and romantic relationships seemingly are the most difficult to give to him. Not awakening love before it pleases does not mean we wait around for it to happen; men and women can pursue each other. It does mean that we dare not rush into love until we are ready to handle it responsibly, under God’s direction.
Great theological minds have spent much of their time debating whether or not this book is literally about a husband and wife, thus providing an example for us, or if it is allegorical with the husband representing Christ and the wife representing us. Rather than disagree with either side, it is entirely possible that this book is to be translated both literally and allegorically.

Ephesians 5, while defining the marriage relationship between man and woman, also declares that the marriage covenant is a proper way to understand the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. In 1859 the great
Presbyterian preacher James Henley Thornwell had the opportunity to announce the wedding of his daughter, Nancy.
In the weeks leading up to this event, the hundreds traveling would end up at a funeral, not a wedding as she took ill
from cholera typhoid and began a rapid demise. Thornwell, overcome, came to his daughter’s bedside in her waning
moments and said, “Oh my dear daughter, such tragedy!” She replied, “Father, do not weep. I know my Savior.” He
said, “But this was to be your wedding, your whole life now before you.” She, the youth, yet with greater maturity
said, “Father, but I now go to a greater Groom that I am prepared to meet.” Nancy Witherspoon Thornwell was laid
to rest in a wedding gown, and the tombstone reads: “As a bride prepared for her Groom.”

Life Group Questions
1. Do you believe that God created romantic thoughts and feelings in us? For what purpose?
Before marriage to draw us to our spouse and after marriage to create excitement , fun, and intimacy
2. How does God’s design for sex and marriage compare that of our culture’s view?
Open ended
3. Sex has become a taboo topic amongst Christians. How has this worked against God’s plan?
Open ended
4. Often times it seems as though the purpose of our existence is to get married. What does God say our purpose
is? Glorify Him.
5. What are the implications of misunderstanding or confusing our purpose in life?
As with anything, when we become unclear on the goal, we become unable to achieve the true goal.
If God’s plan for us is to bring glory to Him and we do not to so, we end up bringing glory to something else
(idols).

Time To Confess

I Confess... that I posted already this morning and it disappeared. Dang it!

I Confess... that I am at my goal weight. I am in the healthy range of the BMI. 3.5 months of eating right and going to the gym have worked out. I feel better, I look better, clothes are fitting better. Yay!

I Confess... I have 2 wks until Guatemala. Still just excited, not really nervous. We'll see what the next 2 wks bring. I may be a mess before its time to leave.

I Confess... That my Drewby is doing a PowerPoint Presentation on the Packers today at school. He is so excited about it, has his jersey on, and I am taking off this afternoon to go watch him.

I Confess... The Whiskey 12 motorcycle ride was amazing. Hundreds of bikes showed up to honor our fallen officer. Check out the pictures I posted earlier this week.

I Confess... I dont remember what else I posted this morning but I think something is missing.

I Don't Like...

I don't like sad news.

I don't like hearing that my high school friend may have breast cancer.

I don't like hearing that another dear friend may have a debilitating disease.

I don't like hearing that my friend's mom's lung cancer has spread and she has 20 tumors in her brain.

But more than all that... I don't like that none of these people are Believers. All of their situations prove how valuable and short life is, yet they live like people with no hope.

The bible says to cast your worry on the Lord. Easier said than done, even for me, but somehow that gets me through the stressful times of my life. The times I have worry, I ask God to take that worry and anxiety from me. Worry is a thief. Worry doesn't fix anything. But I know the effects of worry when you are going through a medical situation.

I just pray for all three of these situations. I ask that God bless them. That He uses these situations to put people in their path who can show them His love and goodness. I pray that God guides these doctors and nurses as they have procedures done. I pray that God heals them, if that his His will. Lord, I hurt for these people. Please help me to share Your love in a way that is eye opening to them, let me have the words and the actions to help them. Let me help lead them to You so that regardless of what happens in this life, no matter what pains and struggles they go through, that one day we can all be together in eternity dancing with no more tears. Lord, I say these things in Your mighty name. Amen.

I want an "Ah Ha" moment

I was looking up some information on Cruz Blanca, Guatemala yesterday... weather, customs, etc. I want to have as much information as I can about where we are going to be and I came across an article that a photographer wrote about his experiences in the very same village I am going to. I copied it for you to see below. Be sure to check out the link b/c there are pictures of the kids and village. Maybe I'll even get to meet some of them!!

The "Aha" Moment

Feb 20, 2012

By Christian Begeman

Sometimes in life we are blessed with “aha” moments. These moments become, for lack of better words, mental photographs of a specific time that changed your life. It may be a small change or it may be huge. In either case, these “moments” soon become part of who you are. Such moments have been few and far between for me. You see, like most people, I don’t like change all that much. I’m pretty content living here in South Dakota where I have family close by, a good job and good friends.

A couple years ago, I was asked by a good friend to consider helping an orphanage he was involved with to make a video presentation for their supporters. This orphanage was in Tanzania, Africa. Long story short, I went. I experienced at least two “aha” moments on that trip. One was confirming my love of travel and the wonder of creation as I reveled in the sights and sounds of Serengeti National Park. The other more important moment came when a handful of four-year-old orphans stole my heart on the shores of Lake Victoria. I wasn’t the same after that.

Fast forward to this February. I find myself in the small yard of VisionTrust Guatemala’s Learning Center in a poor, indigenous village of Guatemala when God blesses me with another “aha” moment. I’m there to assist a friend of mine learn how our church can become involved in helping the less fortunate and orphans of the world. I’m busy doing my “get the award-winning photo” thing so we can tell the story of VisionTrust to our church. As usual, I am loving every minute of the photographic experience. The kids were great subjects, full of life and happiness. Then class breaks and this little guy makes a beeline for me and proceeds to clamp onto my leg in what for him must have been a massive bear hug. That was when the “aha” moment started to happen. I kneel down and try to interact as best I can. I don’t know Spanish, but he doesn’t care. He is giggling and smiling. I pick him up like I do my nephew and hold him above my head and he laughs harder as he soars in the air.

That was the moment. This kiddo was teaching me the lesson I needed for the trip. The fact is I need him as much as he needs me. Yeah, he might be short on food and clean clothes. He probably hasn’t seen his daddy in weeks…if at all. But he’s not short on love. He’s not short on gratitude and hospitality. He may experience poverty materially but he’s showing me by example that I experience poverty relationally. This American rugged individualism that has shaped me has left something important out. The fact that I don’t “need” anyone’s help to live comfortably has made me selfish and even a bit arrogant without even realizing it. Volunteering in poor countries continues to teach me that truly helping the needy means more than just handing out food and saying a prayer. Getting to know people and loving them is what matters. It is how Jesus ministered 2,000 years ago.

I realize this column is supposed to be about photography, but I guess I wanted to point out how a hobby or passion like photography can be a means to change in your life. Going on vacations or mission trips are a great reason to take your camera and document where you’ve been and what you’ve seen. However, don’t get so caught up in “getting the photo” that you never really meet the people or learn about the culture you visit. You might miss your “aha” moment. If it wasn’t for a little Mayan boy full of excitement and love, I would have.


http://southdakotamagazine.com/aha-moment

I pray that God uses me in ways that will blow my mind. I ask to go in with an open heart, open mind, and open eyes. I ask that God move big inside of me. This trip isnt just about the Mayan people we are serving; it is about deeping my relationship with Him. Use me, Lord!

Yippee!!! Favorite Color Swap!

I am joining in again on this Favorite Color Swap hosted by Mamarazzi. I am super excited! Interested? Go to www.ourdanelionwishes.com to find out more about it.

Books of Wisdom

The Life Project: Proverbs and Ecclesiastes
Candice Roberts

This week we are talking about wisdom literature of the Bible, Proverbs and
Ecclesiastes. It got me thinking about the absolute lack of wisdom in our world and
the overabundance of emotion. Emotions are from God, we learned this through the
book of Psalms last week. And though God delights in the expression of our emotions,
we were never meant to be a people ruled by our emotions. How many times have
you heard someone say, “it just feels right, I am following my heart,” or the Christian
version “I have a peace about it”. I know I have heard it. In fact, I have said this on
many occasions. And what I really mean is that my emotions are telling me “its okay”.
But we are not designed to be ruled by our emotions. Instead we were meant to be
ruled by the wisdom that comes from God. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD
with all your heart , and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit
to him, and he will direct your paths.” If we want God to direct us, and I am sure that
sounds good to all of us, maybe we should unpack this proverb.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart …… If we are trusting in God, then we are not
trusting in ourselves. Proverbs 28:26 says, “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he
who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” But how many times, have we trusted ourselves
instead of God? We trust ourselves when we cheat on our taxes, because we are sure
God won’t provide for us. We trust in ourselves when we argue with our spouse,
because we are sure God cannot restore our relationship. We trust in ourselves when
we use substances, because we are sure God cannot fill our emptiness the way
substances can. There are really countless ways that we as emotional human beings
decide to trust ourselves instead of our God. If we want God to lead us, if we want for
Him to make our paths straight, we must first acknowledge that we don’t have a clue.
Lean not on your own understanding….. In Job28:12 and 13, God’s word says, “But
where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not
know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.” Our understanding is a
cheap imitation of God’s wisdom. It is a counterfeit, and like counterfeit money, it
might look good, but ultimately it is worthless. Our understanding is worthless. The
wisdom of God is priceless. Proverbs 8:10-11 says, “Choose my instruction instead of
silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.” We should choose the instruction of
God, His Word. God’ word is the benchmark for decision making. If a decision we are
making goes against what God says in His word, we are not using wisdom.

What does your wisdom come from? Does it come from emotions gone wild, your own
understanding of things? Or does it come from our Lord? James 3: 13-17 says, “Who
is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds
done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish
ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does
not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have
envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the
wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate,
submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

In all your ways, submit to Him…… When the Bible uses the word submission, the
word used is the Greek word "hupotasso" which means to line up under. It is a military
term meaning “to get in line.” James 4:7 says “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you.” You see God is our commander; He has a way of
doing things. His way is pure, peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere. His way is for us to “line up” under Him. And as this verse
shows us, submission to God is a key component in resisting the devil. Are you tired
of the devil having a hold on your life? Submit to our Lord. Submit to His ways. Lean
on His wisdom.

And He will direct your paths..…. How does God do this? Even if we are trusting in
God; even if we acknowledge that our understanding is useless, even if we are
submitting to God’s marching orders; there is still a chance that we will miss what God
wants us to do. There is still that possibility that we will realize we don’t have the
answers, but we don’t know what the answers are. We NEED God to direct our paths.
I am going to bring you back to your childhood Sunday School class. How does God
give us His wisdom? Through prayer and, as referenced earlier, Bible Study; THE
BASICS!! James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” That’s prayer.
Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” That’s bible
study. You can’t leave out either one. And by the way, God doesn’t change His mind.
If you hear something in your prayer life, that doesn’t measure up to God’s Word, it
was probably the pizza talking.

Life Project Reading Plan
Monday- Proverbs 1-7
Tuesday- Proverbs 7-15
Wednesday- Proverbs 16-23
Thursday- Proverbs 24- 31
Friday- Ecclesiastes 1-5
Saturday- Ecclesiastes 6-12

Whiskey 12 Ride

On Saturday we went over to Golden Spike Harley Davidson to get ready for the Whiskey 12 Ride. This ride is honoring the police officer who died in the line of duty in January. His birthday is this week so a fundraiser motorcycle ride was planned in his honor.

When we pulled up to HD around 11am, I was amazed at the amount of bikes that were there. Up and down the street, filling their parking lot and nearby parking lots… There were a lot of police officers in their uniforms standing around as well as some others who were in plain clothes that I recognized. What a turn out! They had lunch… music… vendors, etc.

Bryan and I decided to leave before the group b/c I wanted to get pictures of them all coming in at the first stop… which was up the canyon at the ski resort, SnowBasin. I am so glad we did b/c it was amazing. You could hear the bikes come up the canyon before you saw them… the police officers were leading the pack. It was so cool.

The next stop was the cemetery for a little tribute where Office Francom is buried. I can’t even put into words the feeling I had there. To see HUNDREDS of bikes come in and line the paths of the cemetery… it was breath taking. His dad spoke for a bit, thanked everyone, etc.

There was an after party at Brewski’s so we dropped our bike off at home and went over for dinner. Pizza, couple beers, and won some raffles. It was a fun night.

Ogden really showed the love for this police officer. It was an awesome thing to be part of.

Police Officers leading the bikes into the cemetary

Standing around Jared's Grave

Officer Francom's final resting place. RIP