Universalism - Will Everyone Eventually Be Saved? Part II

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thess%201:9&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%209:47-48&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV1984

Yesterday I wrote about the very popular doctrine of Universalism.  The belief that eventually everyone will be saved and make it to Heaven.  It certainly has a happy ending!  Just like many fairy tales.  Everyone loves a good fairy tale.  Unfortunately, the hope that all people are one day going to be saved is just that - a fairy tale.  And certainly not reality.  So, on what basis is Universalism wrong?  As Shakespeare once said, ‘Let me count the ways’.

First of all, universalism goes against the clear teaching of the Bible.  Yesterday, today, and in tomorrow’s post I have put at the top of the page some Scriptures that speak of the eternality of Hell.  Verses such as Matthew 25:46 where Jesus says, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  Sort of hard to get by that one.  And there are many other verses as well.  When it comes to Hell the Bible uses terms such as ‘eternal’ and ‘forever’.  Certainly not words that have a time limit attached to them.  Rather they are time-less.  Besides, doesn’t it seem hypocritical to believe in an eternity in Heaven but not in Hell?  If Hell is taken to be temporary then what makes us so sure that Heaven isn’t as well?

Secondly, Universalism undermines the character of God.  Basically it says that God doesn’t really mean what He says.  If God says that people who don’t put their faith in Jesus are going to suffer eternally in Hell, and then changes His mind and lets them into Heaven, on what other issues might God change His mind?  Might He eventually decide to cast some people out of Heaven?  Might He decide to just pull the plug on everything and start all over again?  Or just go back to the way everything was in eternity past, when only the Godhead existed?  In Numbers 23:19 we are told, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change his mind.  Does He speak and then not act?  Does He promise and not fulfill?”  Part of our understanding of God is that He is perfect.  Perfection implies that He never makes a mistake.  It also implies He never changes His mind.  If God has said that unrepentant sinners will spend eternity suffering in Hell, it will happen.  If it didn’t then we would not be able to believe anything that God says.  And since God would no longer be perfect, He would no longer be God.  At least not the unique God that Scripture portrays Him to be.  I don’t think we want to go down that road.

Thirdly, Universalism undervalues the holiness of God.  The longer I live the more convinced I am that we, as humans, know precious little about this aspect of God.  The reason is simple.  We are humans.  We are sinful.  That about does it.  In our sinful, fallen state we are so conditioned to sin that we have lost our objectivity.  What is holiness?  No sin.  None.  Not even the tiniest bit.  Not even in its most innocent form.  The fact is that God cannot stand sin.  He hates it.  It cannot exist in His Presence.  So what is to be done with sinful human beings who reject God’s offer of forgiveness?  Those individuals who persist in their sin?  Who embrace it?  Who enjoy it?  Who come to embody it?  Clearly something has to give, and it isn’t God.  Now, I know that God is going to get beat up over this - the fact that He won’t let sinful people into Heaven - but, again, if God were to do this He wouldn’t be God.  He cannot compromise His holiness.  So, if sinners cannot be in God’s Presence, then where will they be?  The short answer is, Hell.  For all eternity.  More thoughts about this subject in tomorrow’s post. 

Lord, I pray against Satan who is ultimately behind the doctrine of Universalism.  As Jesus said, he was a liar from the beginning.  And the truth is not in him.  Help people to keep from being deceived that Hell is not literal.  That it doesn’t involve suffering.  And that it isn’t for eternity.  This is a lie from the pit of Hell itself.  Help people to see through the deception and to respond to Your offer of forgiveness and grace.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Universalism - Will Everyone Eventually Be Saved? Part I

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2025:45-46&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev%2014:11&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt%2018:8&version=NIV1984

Suffering.  No one likes to suffer.  And very few people like to see others suffer.  This is why there are such people as counselors, doctors, nurses, surgeons, hospice and clergy.  They assist people who are suffering.  Physically.  Emotionally.  Spiritually.  This is not to mention family, friends and multitudes of others who are moved to compassion at the sight of human suffering.  It is because suffering is so disliked that the doctrine of Hell is so disturbing.

According to the Bible, all humans are sinners. Regardless of gender. Age. Skin color. Language. Country of origin. Or social position.  They are born this way.  In sin.  Separated from God.  This means that they have no relationship with Him.  As a result of this, everyone is headed to an eternity in Hell.  This is the default mode of every single person.  To change this, God sent Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  When people accept this sacrifice (by repenting of their sins and putting their faith in Jesus as their Savior) they pass from death to life.  Their eternal destination is now changed.  To Heaven.  Now, near as I can figure, no one is upset about enjoying Heaven for eternity.  But there a lot of people who do not like, or agree with, people suffering in Hell for eternity.  This is where the doctrine of Universalism comes into play.

Simply stated, Universalism is the belief that someday (and there are different views on when this will happen) all those who are in Hell will eventually be saved.  In other words, they will eventually make it to Heaven.  While the early church theologian, Origen (3rd century AD) first developed this idea, it didn’t really get much traction until the mid-17th century in England.  By the 19th century it had begun to take root in our country as well.  An example of this is George De Benneville.  Living in the 18th century, De Benneville rejected his Christian faith and developed his own variation of it.  He was convinced that Hell was simply for purification.  And not for punishment.  After a person had suffered for some time, De Benneville felt that they would be accepted into Heaven.  And he was also convinced that a good, loving God would never punish anyone eternally.  So he began preaching Universalism doctrine wherever he went.

Since the 19th century Universalism has become enormously popular.  In fact, as Richard Bauckham (Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of St Andrews) states, “no traditional Christian doctrine has been so widely abandoned as that of eternal punishment.”  Well, I wonder why that is?  Could it be because we have lost the concept of justice and punishment these days?  Or the concept of absolute truth?  Bingo!  We have.  It is now commonly accepted that all religions lead to Heaven.  And that a loving God (for those who still believe in Him) would never eternally punish anyone for sin. 

Of course, as Christians, our view on the eternal nature of Hell is based upon Scripture.  So just exactly what does the Bible say about Hell?  Is it eternal or not?  More on this subject tomorrow.

Lord, I thank you that You have made a way for me to be saved.  And all humankind.  Through the finished work of Jesus on the cross.  He died so that I wouldn’t experience eternal death.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lie Of Greener Grass

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Tim%206:6-8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%204:11-12&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex%2020:17&version=NIV1984

With the abundant moisture that we’ve received this Spring my grass is green.  Very green.  So is everybody else's.  Of course, green grass is a thing of beauty.  Lush, green grass is so inviting.  Once it’s been cut, that is!  And a nice, well-trimmed, green lawn greatly adds to the curb appeal of any house.  Unfortunately, as Spring gives way to summer, many lawns will begin to lose their ‘greenness’.  In fact, in a dry summer, the grass in lawns that are not watered will turn brown.  That grass will be ugly.  But at least it won’t have to be mowed!

There is a proverb in our culture about green grass.  I’m sure you’ve heard it before.  It goes like this - “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”  By this it is meant that we tend to think that others have it better than we do.  Have you ever felt this way?  I have at times.  I look with envy at others who are better looking.  Or who have a bigger house.  Or get to take vacations in Hawaii.  Or who are able to take their grandchildren to Disneyland.  Or I might envy other pastors whose churches are bigger.  Or who are great preachers.  Or who are more popular.  I’m sure you have felt this way at times as well.  Someone else’s life looks much better than your own.  They have a prettier/handsomer spouse.  Or a smarter one.  Or a more understanding one.  Or they have a better job.  Or more money.  Less stress.  More time off.  Or their children are smarter.  Or more athletic.  Or cuter.  The truth is that there is always someone who seems to have it better than we do.  And on days when we are discouraged, it seems like everyone has it better than we do!  There is no doubt that the grass is a lot greener on their side of the fence than it is in ours!  But is this really the case?  The answer is no.

We are unaware that the person with the drop-dead good looks is absolutely paranoid about losing them.  That they stress over every new wrinkle or blemish.  We don’t realize that their good-looking or fun-loving spouse is self-centered.  Or is cheating on them behind their back.  We don’t understand that while they make more money than we do, the demands of their job are a lot greater than ours.  We don’t know about all the back-stabbing or the problems with employees they have to deal with.  We have no way of knowing that they have multiple credit cards that are maxed out.  That creditors are hounding them constantly.  That they are on the verge of bankruptcy.  We are unaware that arthritis, a bad back, and insomnia are a way of life for them.  Nor are we aware of all the arguments, the name-calling, the coldness that is present in their marriage.  No, we don’t see any of these things from our vantage point.  If we did we would no longer envy them.  We might even pity them.  The truth is that sometimes, underneath all the trappings of success, there are some pretty desperate and pathetic lives.

What does the Bible have to say about ‘greener grass’?  Nothing specifically.  But it does talk about the danger of envy.  And the benefits of contentment.  This is what it all comes down to, doesn’t it?  We are discontent with what we have because we perceive that someone else has it better.  Maybe they do.  Chances are they don’t.  And even if they do have it ‘better’ than we do (and this would only be in some areas) what is that to us?  Why can’t we just enjoy what we have right in front of us?  What God has lovingly and wisely provided for us?  When we look at it that way it puts things in perspective doesn’t it?

Yes, some people have it better than we do.  But there are many, many more who are much worse off than we are.  People who are starving.  People who have no freedom.  People who are divorced.  People who have all kinds of pain.  Or disabilities.  People who live in oppressive or abusive situations.  Compared to them, we have it easy!  So let’s not give in to the lie of ‘greener’ grass.  Let’s learn to be thankful for what we have.  Chances are that our grass is just as green as the next person’s.  Besides, if our grass is green, doesn’t that say something?  It shows that God is blessing us.  So why don’t we just sit back and enjoy it.  Perhaps a little lawn party is in order!

Lord, there are times when I envy the lives of others.  They seem to have things that I don’t.  Or they seem to have less troubles and heartaches than I do.  The reality is that I could be much worse off than I am.  Help me to be content with my life.  And thankful.  To know that it all comes from Your loving hand.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Casey Jones

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5:6-8&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10:11&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15:13&version=NIV1984

John Luther Jones.  Chances are you’ve probably never heard the name before.  His nickname was ‘Casey’.  Casey Jones.  Now perhaps you’ve heard the name before.  No, he’s not the mighty Casey who struck out in a baseball game.  This Casey worked for the railroad.  Back in the 1890's.  After working as a brakeman and fireman, Casey was finally promoted to an engineer.  And he became a very good engineer at that.  Jones prided himself with being able to bring his trains in on time.  Every time.  Jones also had a distinctive whistle that he blew on his route between Tennessee and Mississippi.  It was said that when Casey blew his whistle in the middle of the night, people would turn over in their beds and say, “There goes Casey Jones!”

In the early morning hours of April 30, 1900, Casey left the station on a second run.  Another engineer had called in sick and Casey volunteered to get the passengers to their destination on time.  At the time of departure Casey was 95 minutes behind schedule.  Determined to arrive on time, Casey had his firemen pour on the coal as fast as he could.  Gradually Casey and his ‘Cannonball Express’ made up almost all the time.  With just a short distance to go it looked like Casey would once again arrive 'as advertised'.

Unbeknownst to him, disaster lay ahead.  Two trains were occupying the passing track ahead.  The result was that four cars ended up being on the main track.  Directly in Casey’s way.  As the speeding Cannonball Express got closer Casey’s fireman saw the red lights of the caboose up ahead.  He yelled to Casey.  Casey, in turn, told his fireman to jump to safety, which he did.  Casey then desperately tried to slow his train down.  Remarkably, in that short distance, he was able to reduce his train’s speed in half.  But it wasn’t enough.  The train plowed into the parked railroad cars.  Casey was killed.  His watch was found stopped at 3:52 AM, the exact time of impact.  However, because he stayed with his train, instead of abandoning it, no passengers were killed.  Casey was the only fatality.  Afterwards, Casey Jones became immortal due to a song that was written and sung about his heroism in the accident.  Today marks 112 years since Casey Jones died.

When I read about Casey Jones and his heroism, I couldn’t help but contrast it with the actions of Captain Francesco Schettino.  It was Captain Schettino who abandoned his ship, the Costa Concordia, earlier this year after it capsized off the Tuscany coast.  Thirty-two people are thought to have perished in the tragedy.  Also, when I read of Casey Jones, I couldn’t help but think of his similarity with Jesus.  In 2 Corinthians 5:14 we are told that Jesus “died for all”.  In other words, Jesus sacrificed His life so that the rest of us could live.  What sacrifice.  What heroism.  Of course, the difference between Casey Jones and Jesus is that Jesus intentionally died on the cross.  It wasn’t an accident.  It was planned from eternity past.  Yes, Jesus gave His life so that every single man, woman, boy and girl could arrive safely at Heaven’s shore.  This is why we sings hymns and songs of praise to Jesus.  Because He is worthy.  He truly is a hero.  More than this, He is our Savior!

Lord, I thank you for the willingness of Jesus to go to the cross.  To die for my sins.  So that I could live.  What an incredible sacrifice.  What a tremendous display of love.  For which I will be eternally grateful!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Divine Exchange

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil%204:19&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+55:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1:18&version=NIV1984

Exchange.  We’ve all done it at times.  Probably hundreds of times.  Perhaps the most likely time we do this is immediately after Christmas.  We take gifts that were given to us and exchange them.  For a different style or color.  Or for an item/product that isn’t stained or damaged.   Or sometimes we simply exchange our gift for money.  This way we can purchase what we really want.  The whole purpose behind an exchange is that we get value for value.  We exchange a $20 article of clothing for another $20 article of clothing.  Or $20 in credit.  What we aren’t able to do is to exchange upwards.  So, for example, we can’t exchange a $20 gift for $40.  Or $100.  If were to do this, stores would soon go bankrupt.  Then we wouldn’t receive any gifts.

Now if someone who was rich wanted to, they could afford to exchange and receive lesser value.  The rich very rarely, if ever, do this because they aren’t into losing money.  They are into making money.  So generally, whenever a person does an exchange with a rich person, they know that they are going to come out on the short end of things.  That’s the way it goes.  The richer you are, the more money you make.  But again, if the rich wanted to, they could give a person greater value than what they’ve received.  They could do this because they can afford to.  They can take a monetary loss and still be financially stable.  Of course, no matter how rich a person is, they couldn’t afford to do this forever.  Sooner or later, depending upon the number of exchanges, and the amount of value lost, they would come to the point where they were broke.  Then the favorable exchanges would end.

Fortunately, there is a place where we can receive infinitely greater value for our exchanges.  It is called the ‘divine’ exchange.  It is run by God.  The way this exchange works is that we bring what we have to God.  And He gives us something of far greater value in return.  This exchange is made possible because of Jesus’ death on the cross.  And it is made possible by faith.  Among other things, we can exchange:
    Our sin for His righteousness.
    Our death sentence for eternal life.
    An eternity in Hell for an eternity in Heaven. 
    Our brokenness for wholeness.
    Our sickness for health.
    Our sorrow for joy.
    Our weakness for His strength.
    Our shame for His glory.
    Our trouble for His peace.
    Our ignorance for His wisdom.
    Our uncertainty for His guidance.
    Our fear for security.
    Our poverty for His wealth.

This list goes on and on.  Isn’t this great?  Nowhere in the world can we get such a one-sided exchange in our favor!  How can God do this?  First of all, because He is merciful and gracious.  Secondly, because of His unlimited resources.  As Christians, we are told in Philippians 4:19 that “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  The fact is that God has an unlimited supply of all kinds of things that we need.  And He is willing to exchange our poverty for His riches.  Wow!

So what are we waiting for?  If we haven’t brought our sins to God, we should do so today!  He will gladly exchange them for the righteousness of Christ.  And if there is any other area in our life where we are lacking, we can simply bring our lack or deficiency to Him.  And He will exchange it for His riches!  No, we don’t deserve it.  That’s precisely the point.  But as believers, it is our right.  Anytime, anywhere, we can come to the divine exchange.  We will never be turned away.  And we will never be short-changed.  Instead we will come away with far greater resources than we had.  All because of Jesus.  Isn’t that a reason to love Him all the more?

Lord, I thank you for the wonderful exchange that happened because of the cross.  All my sins, sickness and poverty were exchanged for Your righteousness, life and riches.  May I come freely to Your throne of grace.  Bringing my lack for Your supply.  I will never be disappointed!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Matter Of Facts. A Matter Of Faith.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2011:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%2011:6&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov+8%3A17&version=NIV1984

Most of us are familiar with criminal investigations.  While very few of us have any actual experience with them, almost all of us have read or heard stories about how they are conducted.  Then there are all the TV shows that portray this process.  In a nutshell, a crime such as murder is committed.  This launches an investigation.

In some cases the investigation is fairly easy.  And so is the prosecution.  There were numerous witnesses to the crime.  Or there are pictures or video of it being committed.  The murder weapon has been recovered.  The fingerprints match the suspect.  There is plenty of proof.  The case is pretty much a slam dunk.  In other cases, the investigation is very different.  No one saw the murder being committed.  There are a handful of suspects.  The murder weapon has not been recovered.  A motive is unknown.  Evidence is scarce and has to be collected from a number of sources.  In situations such as this, trying to determine who actually committed the murder is difficult.  The result is that all of the evidence needs to be taken as a whole.  Only then can a jury hope to arrive at a conviction.  To some degree this is the dilemma of proving God's existence.

Is there a God?  This is a question that people have wrestled with down through the ages.  In Romans 1 we are told that creation is evidence of His existence.  In it we see intelligent design.  Order.  Balance.  Incredible variety.  Yet a number of people believe that everything we see just evolved.  Or that it was happenstance.  A one-in-a-trillion occurrence.  What is the problem?  The problem is that for His own reasons, God has stopped short of ‘proving’ that He exists.  Yes, there is a lot of evidence for His existence.  But no ‘proof’.  There is a big difference between the two.  Proof is clear cut.  Evidence has to be weighed.  Examined.  And a decision made based upon it.  So why doesn’t God just give us ‘proof’ that He exists?  That He created the universe?  Because God highly values faith.  In His divine wisdom God has given us a lot of evidence that points to His existence.  Evidence that points to the fact that creation had a Creator.  Based upon this evidence, God wants us to have faith.  Faith that He exists.  That He created everything that is.  Faith that He loves us.  And has made a way for us to enter a relationship with Him.

The reality is that there is all kinds of evidence in every single area of study (astronomy, physics, geology, chemistry, etc.) that points to the existence of God.  But facts alone are not enough.  To these facts must be added faith.  Faith says that, based upon the evidence of what is seen, or the facts, we can trust in what is not seen.  This is what we are told in Hebrews 11:1.  “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 

So, have you come to a conclusion about God yet?  Every day you see creation all around you and you think it just evolved?  From what?  A big bang?  A single cell a billion years ago?  Into all the variety and complexity that you see before you?  Really?  It is much easier to just believe the Bible.  That there is a God.  Who created the universe.  Who rules over it and cares for it every day.  The same God who created you.  One of a kind.  With a wonderful plan for your life.  Why not come to Him now?  The pathway is faith.  He’s already given you all kinds of evidence for His existence.  His power.  His creativity.  And He has given you His Word.  The Bible.  Check it out.  See for yourself.  And then put your faith in Him.  Guess what?  He will meet you right where you are.  And show Himself to you.  You will never be the same!

Lord, I thank you for the faith that I have in You.  Not blind faith which has no basis in fact.  But intelligent faith.  Rational faith.  Faith that is based upon what I see all around me in creation.  Faith that is based upon what I read about You in the Bible.  The fact is that You don’t have to prove Yourself to me.  Or anyone else for that matter.  Someday I will see You face-to-face.  Then I will have the ultimate proof of Your existence.  Until then, I believe You exist by faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Developing Intimacy In Relationships - Conclusion

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%206:5&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29:13&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119:10&version=NASB

Intimacy = time + depth + intentionality

For the past few days I have been posting my thoughts about intimacy in relationships.  In so doing I have shared a formula I came up with to help understand what it is.  What the necessary ingredients of it are.  Someone once said that ‘knowledge is power’.  This is true.  But I would contend that knowledge is only good if we use it.  The same is true about this formula for intimacy.

Let’s take a moment and think about our relationships.  Our relationship with our parents.  Our spouse.  Our children.  Our boyfriend or girlfriend.  Would we say that these relationships are intimate?  If so, we are in a good place.  If not, then we have some work to do.

For those of us who are married let’s take our relationship with our spouse.  Marriage is the most intimate of all human relationships.  At least it is supposed to be.  Since they live together, a husband and wife know things about each other that nobody else does.  That’s a good start.  But it still doesn’t mean that they have an intimate relationship.  How can we determine this?  By using the above formula.  How much time do I spend with my spouse?  Talking?  Doing things together?  Having fun?  How deep is our conversation?  Do I know their hopes and dreams for the future?  Their fears?  Their insecurities?  Do they know mine?  Do I ever share my heart with them?  Do they share their heart with me?  How intentional am I about the relationship?  Is it a priority?  Or is it pretty far down the list?  How important is our relationship to them?  By asking questions such as these, we can quickly determine just how intimate our relationship is.  Of course, we can use this same formula to evaluate our relationship with our parents.  Our children.  Grandchildren.  Friends.  Co-workers.

Now part of the problem with relationships is that there are two sides.  So we may want to have an intimate relationship with someone but they may not.  Unfortunately this is far too common in marriage.  One person wants a deep, intimate relationship while their spouse is content with being a ‘roomie’ - someone who lives under the same roof but who doesn’t want to get too personal.  This may be because they are afraid of intimacy.  They are afraid to become vulnerable.  Or they tried once and were rejected.  Or maybe they don’t even know what intimacy is.  Now while we can’t control our spouse’s feelings about intimacy, by using the intimacy formula, we can at least work on deepening the relationship from our side.  Who knows?  Maybe after a while our spouse will catch a glimpse of how great and satisfying intimacy is and will decide to cooperate with us!

One thing about God, He is never against or ambivalent about intimacy in our relationship.  He is willing to go to depths in our relationship that we can’t possibly imagine.  So let’s apply the intimacy formula to our relationship with Him.  Do we spend much time with Him?  Uninterrupted time.  Quality time.  When we do, is it all one-sided?  Do we spend 90% of the time talking to Him?  Or do we take some time to listen to Him?  Do we share our hearts with Him?  Our hopes?  Our dreams?  Our insecurities?  Our fears?  Is our relationship with Him a priority?  Are we intentional about regularly communing with Him?  Do we commune with Him throughout the day?  By asking questions such as these we can determine what we need to do in order to become intimate with God.  The good news is that this is exactly what He wants, too!  So we know that He is more than willing to cooperate with us.  To lead us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.  One thing is for sure - any time or energy that we devote to increasing the intimacy in our relationship will pay huge dividends!

Well, there you have it.  My thoughts about intimacy.  Again, this all came about because God has shown me that I have a lot of work to do in getting there in my own relationships.  I hope that these posts have been helpful to you.  Feel free to let me know your thoughts on this subject as you pursue intimacy in your relationships.

Lord, thank you for all the relationships I have in my life.  Including my relationship with You.  Help me not to settle for second-best in them.  Help me to pursue intimacy.  To develop deep, personal relationships that are mutually satisfying and fulfilling.  May this be especially be true of my relationship with You.  May it become more than I ever imagined it could be.  Everything that You planned it to be.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.