Vantage Point

Episode Notes Welcome to Episode 2 of the podcast. Listen as Pastor Sean Clemons, and his wife Chrystal, and Pastor Stephen Law and his wife, Elise, talk about finding the one and advice on dating. Listen and access the show notes below or search for Vantage Point on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify or gracecov.org/vantagepoint. Questions: What do you think about meeting someone online? What are some things that couples can do to grow spiritually closer to God prior to marriage? What does evenly yoked mean? What about dating a non-believer? What is your opinion on a woman "dressing to impress" when coming to church? Is there anything wrong with making the first move as the woman? What if a couple has already sinned sexually? What are the next steps and what does it look like? How can a couple stay pure and keep boundaries they've set when dating? Do you think God has one person for you as your significant other? Scripture References 1 Peter 3:1-6 Proverbs 3:4-6 Vantage Point Challenge: Dating : Begin to plan together about what you want your dating relationship to look like? Is marriage the goal? And what does that look like for you as a couple? Single: Do the same thing. What do you want your dating relationship to look like? What type of boundaries do you want to have in place? Did this episode help you see your faith, life, and culture more clearly? If so, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Episode Notes Welcome to Episode 2 of the podcast. Listen as Pastors Sean Clemons talk about finding the one and advice on dating. Listen and access the show notes below or search for Vantage Point on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify, or gracecov.org/vantagepoint. Visit [email protected] and leave a review. First 25 people to leave a review will receive a "Dad Hat." What is the purpose of marriage? Central point of the family. God uses marriage to make us more holy. Tool that God uses to refine us and be more like him. Ephesians 5:22-33 The role of the wife. Submission Trusting your husband and at times giving up your will in support of his vision for the family. Trustfully following the husband. Like Christ submitted to the Father John 5:19 The role of the husband. To love his wife like Christ loved the church. Christ gave up his life for the church. (Sacrificial love) Ex: 50/50 Ball: Serving one another daily. The husband is supposed to be submitted to the Father. Reference Book: Love and Respect Practical Questions: Q: Is there an appropriate time/age to start dating? A: Not a matter of age but of when you have a developed vision and have insight of the plan God has for your life. The man should have a job and be able to have a way to provide for his wife. Q: What is the purpose of dating? A: Marriage is meant to be the end game/goal of dating. Q: What does a healthy dating relationship look like? A: It should start by building a friendship. Q: How far is too far? A: Don't want to have sex before marriage. But, God provides grace to those who are willing to repent and he will cleanse you of all unrighteousness. Part Two: Will touch on topics where these boundaries that have already been crossed. Resources: The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas Love and Respect by Dr. Emmerson Eggerich Marriage Today by Jimmy Evans Gracecov.org Couples Conference - Sermons available online. (5 Sessions in Oct 2018) Vantage Point Challenge: Dating : Begin to plan together about what you want your dating relationship to look like? Is marriage the goal? And what does that look like for you as a couple? Single: What do you want your dating relationship to look like? What type of boundaries do you want to have in place? Did this episode help you see your faith, life, and culture more clearly? If so, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Introduction: We're disoriented...we're hurting...we're angry...can we come to God with REAL, RAW Prayer? Episode Notes Welcome to Episode 2 of the podcast. Listen as Pastors Sean Clemons and Stephen Law explain what it looks like to come to God in REAL, RAW Prayer. Listen and access the show notes below or search for Vantage Point on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or gracecov.org/vantagepoint. RAW PRAYER Being completely honest with God on how we are feeling. He wants to hear from us, especially during hard times. God wants us to express our feelings to Him. LAMENTING - What is lamenting? -feeling or expressing sorrow or grief. (Psalm 10) -are a way to process emotions -not a license to say whatever we want: lamenting consists of an address to God, complaints, requests, motivation (why God should act) and confidence in God. PSALMS - 5 Genres Thanksgiving Hymn (Praise) Royal Psalms Wisdom Psalms Psalms of Lament Old Testament Scholar: Walter Brueggemann, The Psalms and the Life of Faith. Orientation-Disorientation-Reorientation Orientation in Psalms - orderliness, goodness, and reliability of life; represented in creation psalms and retribution Disorientation - new distressful situation in which the old orientation has collapsed(We all experience it) Process of Lamenting Suffering is not always caused because of something someone did. We live in a broken world because of when sin first entered into the world. (Genesis 3) Am I allowed to talk to God like that? We're afraid to go to God sincerely- Ps 88 The beauty of lamenting is that the lamenter is complaining to God and not others or hasn't given up. Difference between lamenting and complaining? Lamenting sees God as King and able to do something about the situation Does lamenting lack faith? --What about Jesus? -death of Lazarus, on the cross (Ps 22:1) The God of Emotions: Jesus wept, God was grieved he made man (Gen 6), God is described as jealous in Exodus, Jesus was moved with compassion when he saw the crowds (Matt 9) What happens if I don't lament? negative impact, wounds won't heal , He may not give us the answer why? But, God will comfort us. There won't be wholeness in those areas of our lives. How to lament? Psalm 85 - The lamenting journey Know God- who he is, what he's done (Psalm 85:1-3) -referencing Israel's golden calf incident when Moses interceded to relent God's anger (Ex 32); their forgetfulness of the 10 plagues, Red Sea parting, and complaint of the manna and quail -Real honest prayer (Psalm 85:4-7) -Communal -forget the formulas, and use your own words -forget the vague prayers Confidence that he answers (Psalm 85:8-13) -reorientation- newness, surprise, and gift -involve celebration for the new situation The Psalms are prayers to be prayed and as an invitation to go use our own words. Often happens over time, thru a journey No specific timeframe Hope is to come out on the otherside on reorientation Vantage Point Challenge: Choose one psalm of lament and one topic that's uncomfortable and lament to God. Closing word from Pastor Sean Clemons: Jesus experienced real pain and anguish and he goes to God honestly and tells Him exactly how he is feeling. We too can go to God honestly and let Him know exactly how we are feeling. Matthew 26:37-39 Resources: Hurting with God: Learning to lament with the Psalms by Glenn Pemberton The Psalms and the Life of Faith by Walter Brueggemann A Sacred Sorrow by Michael Card A Heart Set Free by Christina Fox Books of the Bible that contain Laments Habbakuk Lamentations Psalms Job Psalms of Lament Community: 12, 44, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 89*, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129 Individual: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9-10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27*, 28, 31, 36*, 39, 40:12-17, 41, 42-43, 52*, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 61, 64, 70, 71, 77, 86, 89*, 120, 139, 141, 142 Specialized Lament Psalms/ Penitential: 6, 32*, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143 Imprecatory: 35, 69, 83, 88, 109, 137, 140 Did this episode help you see your faith, life, and culture more clearly? If so, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Episode Notes: VP 1: What is Fasting? Pastors Sean Clemons and Stephen Law at Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly, VA share about fasting. Welcome to Episode 1 of the podcast. Listen and access the show notes below or search for Vantage Point on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or gracecov.org/vantagepoint. What is fasting? Refraining from eating food or drink. What are the differences in fasting among other religions? The motivation behind fasting. Why do Christians fast? Put natural desires on hold to be closer to God. Focus on hearing God more clearly. "Fasting is Feasting." - Growing deeper with Christ and gaining a hunger to seek him. What does it mean to feast or hunger for God? In our society it is easy to drift slowly away from God. Fasting can help us to desire God and develop a hunger for Him. Example: Daniel Do you have to fast? There is no direct command in the Bible, but there is an expectation that disciples of Jesus will fast. Types of Fasts: Absolute fast - no food or water. This fast should be observed for a short time, max 3 days Normal fast- no food, max 40 days Partial Fast - only eating certain foods. example: Daniel Fast - (no meats; no sweets) Daniel 1:11-13 Liquid Fast - water or other liquids. Tips on fasting. Start small with fasting for 1 meal a day, or for 1 day. Use the time you would eat, cook or meal prep to pray, study your Bible and seek God. Fast with others. (Corporate fast with your Church, with friends or others from your Bible study). Expect opposition. An example would be food brought into your workplace. Press through because the reward is greater. Prepare before the fast. Don't overeat the day before or the day you are breaking the fast. Wean yourself off caffeine, and eat lighter meals. Fasting can affect your mood and cause irritability. It may be God revealing something in you. Ask Him for help. Paul boasted in his weaknesses to show God's strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9 What to avoid? Avoid the wrong motivations. (Luke 18:9-14) Not meant to get approval of other people. (Isaiah 58) Avoiding or ignoring other areas of obedience. VANTAGE POINT CHALLENGE: Go on some kind of fast mentioned above. Bible Verses Mentioned: Matthew 4:4 Daniel 1:11-13 2 Corinthians 12:9 Luke 18 Isaiah 58 Ephesians 4:17-19 Helpful Resources: Dallas Willard - Spirit of the Disciplines John Piper - A Hunger For God Richard Foster - Celebration of Discipline Final words by Pastor Sean Clemons: In Ephesians 4:17-19, it explains about why we need to fast. Did this episode help you see your faith, life, and culture more clearly? If so, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

Pastors Sean Clemons and Stephen Law at Grace Covenant Church introduce themselves and Vantage Point. They talk discipleship, the church, and what to expect in future episodes.

gracecov.org/vantagepoint