Kingdom Relationships

Both of us are currently walking through the “Kingdom” books.  The two books by Tony Evans and his Daughter Chrystal.  The Kingdom Man and Kingdom Woman books have so far been amazing perspective changing books.  Instead of writing a review, we thought we would write on the other.  What we see in the other as a “kingdom” minded person and what we see as “growing edges” for them to continue their journey.  Will we get a little sappy, sure.  Will you love it, of course. 

Have we done you wrong yet?

Justin’s opinion

Tony and Crystal state that a kingdom woman has three qualities: Purpose, Power and Possibility.  With those three principles, they show their foundation in God, faith in God and fruit through God.  As I thought about Courtney, I am glad to say I have a “Kingdom Woman” to call my love, but we work together in a constructive way. 

First, How she is a Kingdom woman.  Using their terms, I see Courtney’s purpose and possibility.  From the moment I met Courtney at our scholarship banquet I never will forget the strength she stood with.  From her smile, to her walk.  What caught my attention is how intrigued she was in the content of our conversation, not forcing anything.  I recently finished preaching at a large church in Milwaukee and I was on cloud nine and of course I brought up preaching at the church.  Usually it was the preaching that I know women went after because of the prestige it could bring. It annoys me, so I expected interest because usually…that’s what followed.  (it’s hard out here)  Courtney…asked me…”What did you preach about?” THE FIRST woman, outside of my sister or mother who cared about what I argued. Not when the next time I’m preaching,  how big the church was, how large the check was…but What did I preach about…Seriously!  It was here I realized something about her.  As we grow together, she cares about God…more than anything.  Were souls saved? What did I preach? As we have grown together, she continues to show me her foundation in God.  We pray together daily, we begin the day speaking about the Goodness of God.  No matter our trials or situations…This woman continues to show me…I do not care if people shouted, ran or screamed…Did God Get Glory? Truthfully God gets Glory through her. 

Secondly, Possibility.  Courtney called me on a day I was depressed.  (Yea…Preachers struggle too)  I was dealing with a number of issues, Courtney started talking about her love for Pinterest and she asked me the most obscure questions about football season.  As I was on the brink of tears with what I was dealing with and she refused to see the pain in my situation by simply showing the possibility in my pain.  Courtney is a positive person, that is an understatement.  But she produces fruit because she looks at everything as fertile ground.  It is possible.  It may be difficult…but it is possible because of her relationship with Christ.

Lastly, thinking about her Growing Edges, it is her power.  Power for them looks at Faith in God.  By no means am I saying Courtney does not have faith, rather the ever evolving faith in God for Her cannot be circumstantial.  Reactions, decisions and conversations are constantly evolving in our relationship and no different for her.  She is a kingdom woman, her confidence in self and God can only make her even badder than she already is.

Courtney’s opinion

So what exactly does it mean to have a kingdom mindset? I will admit the challenge of becoming a Kingdom Woman or Man seems like a daunting task. Many times I ask myself: how will I ever measure up to be that Proverbs 31 woman (she was amazing, right?) but I realized that she was not alone she had the leadership of a wonderful Kingdom Man..

In Kingdom Women, Chrystal emphasizes the point of recognizing who you are and recognizing your help not only in Christ but in others that God has placed in your life. Justin has indeed been my help, companion, and best friend in life. Not only does he push me closer to Christ in unimaginable ways, but he is the epitome of a kingdom man. Everyday we strive to become a Kingdom couple and by no means is that an easy task but a daily death of our own desires, wants, needs, and self.  Justin has become a man I absolutely cannot resist, not only in physical attraction but his spirit commands my attention daily. He encourages me not to be better for himself but cultivates me to be a kingdom woman for Christ. His ability to understand and interpret the Word of God speaks volumes in my life in ways I would never be able to understand for myself and helps me understand our purpose together and helping me confront my insecurities in a loving manner,

As a long distance couple, we have to make intentional efforts to communicate effectively with each other and with a God. Being on a kingdom path opens you up to test and trails and we have weathered a couple of storms together. Throughout every situation, Justin has lead our relationship by assuring me that "he got this" with 3 fingers. This signal does not just mean pump the breaks when I have gone in the deep in over something but its an amazing reminder that I was not created to tackle this life alone; it signifies that "Gods got this" and through that "we as a couple "got this."

I get overwhelmed with Joy every time because Justin is not just my boyfriend but he represents God's faithfulness. He gives me hope that I can be that Proverbs 31 because I have a Kingdom man that assists and assures that our relationship glorifies God in all ways.

Our Opinion

Normalcy and complacency often kill relationships.  We are distanced.  We are not always physically together.  There are only so many different types of texts and things to say on the phone.  But understanding in relationships that it is a Kingdom Goaled relationship pushes you through those times when it gets difficult.  For Courtney, she knows her purpose.  For Justin, he is kingdom focused man that leads our relationship by being purpose minded.  In the end, our focus is solely knowing that as we hold hands together, our other hand is stretched towards God.  As we continue to be a courting couple, courting life.  Us…Against the World.

Justin and Courtney