Ahh ... I really hate having this presented as a dichotomy. I'm not faulting you as most popular preachers today teach it that way.
The first 2-3 chapters deal largely with God bringing the Gentiles into His new covenant.
Individuals are always taught to know that they know God by how they live. Are they living in sin or in obedience? Not that our obedience will ever be flawless ... but which is the pattern for our lives? The "condition" if we must use the term is the Biblical indicator of our relationship with God.
I know the church in China only by reputation. I know the church in America by experience. So a real comparison is limited.
The compromise that I understand to be a part of the Three Self Church (that is the state-sanctioned church, right?) is evident in many of our American churches. Where wearing a "Christian" label is a social benefit, many people are just Christian enough to claim the label -- but are not truly dedicated disciples of Christ.
If I understand, the Chinese underground church is extremely dedicated to Christ.
The American church has some people as dedicated, but as a whole it is not. Becoming a Christian does not cost most of us as much socially.
Now, there is probably no more generous group in all the world than the American church. We are blessed financially, and pass on much of that blessing, both to the downtrodden among us and those around the world.
But of sacrifice and efficacious prayer, we know far less than do our underground Chinese brethren.
I'm not a mom and never will be, but perhaps my perspective could help.
When I was your age I often found myself attracted to girls a year or 2 older than myself. Unfortunately (or so I thought) they were usually attracted to guys a year or 2 older than them!
And at college I knew several guys who were attracted to women something like 5 years older. One of the younger guys in freshman English seemed to have quite a crush on the good-looking grad assistant who taught his class. He was quite dismayed to learn that, not only was she 6 years older than he and working on a degree 1 or 2 levels above his ... but was married.
Maturity is attractive. We've probably all had our fill of the giggly girls who seem perpetually in 7th grade. And the women definitely say the same thing about guys. I knew one girl whom I never would have guessed was 3 years younger than myself. She carried herself so maturely.
I seriously doubt there's much up-side in finding a girlfriend your mom's age or nearly. But if you get into the venues where the more mature young people congregate, you should be able to find someone mature enough to attract you and still young enough to be your partner. I mean ... you're not looking for another mom, right? :) Maybe debate team or chess club instead of cheerleaders.
Not wanting to be viewed or contacted by a Filipna
Posted : 30 Jan, 2015 01:40 PM
I'm very thankful to be in the USA ... but economically we have come down a peg or two the last few years. If I were starting now, I know I'd have more difficulty getting into the job market than I did 15 years ago.
Not wanting to be viewed or contacted by a Filipna
Posted : 3 Jan, 2015 06:58 AM
Speaking for myself, I hesitate to build a friendship with romantic potential with anyone who is from a significantly different culture than my own. There are enough differences of expectations among Americans. I don't even know what differences would need to be discussed going outside of that culture. For example, how do I distinguish dedicated Christianity from cultural Christianity in another culture? (I largely know the signs here.) How well will I get to know someone with whom I may not be able to have phone calls and face-to-face visits would be extremely rare since 10 time zones separate us? Though she may be better educated than I, how well will she do as a homeschooling mom in the American context?
So I rarely carry on a conversation with someone outside USA or Canada. And ... fully half of those who view my profile are Filipinas. And fully half of the Filipinas who view my profile are Roman Catholic ... introducing a religious difference I don't want to tackle.
For me at least, it's not based on looks, skin tone, etc. Many Filipinas are very attractive!
