Testimony of the Month
In our monthly Looking Beyond Ministries email newsletter, we feature a “Testimony of the Month” section where we highlight a youth or young adult who has read “Dating, Finding, & Keeping ‘The One’” and has some great insights into relationships and has made some excellent decisions regarding relationships. Below are some of our featured “testimonies.” If you know someone who would be a great candidate for an upcoming “Testimony of the Month” in future newsletters, tell us why and send their contact information to Mandy Little at mandy@lookingbeyond.org. If you would like to be placed on our FREE email newsletter list, click here.
June 2009 – Andy Black
For our very first “Testimony of the Month” we have chosen an 18-year-old student from Springfield, Illinois, Andy Black. At the age of eleven, God called Andy into ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. Since that time, he has been following that path and recently declared candidacy for ordained ministry. Andy currently serves the Illinois State University Wesley Foundation as a Peer Minister and small group leader. Below, you will find out just some of the very “God-inspired” thoughts that Andy has on relationships and dating as well as his personal opinion of “Dating, Finding, & Keeping ‘The One.’”
Andy says that he has trusted God to be his guide and companion during times of difficulty and struggle. He tries to entrust God with nurturing his relationships as well. Instead of seeking out a special someone, he believes that God has called him to discover the person He wants him to be. If Andy just so happens to find the “right” woman along the way, then he will know it was in God’s plan and not his own. “Dating, Finding, & Keeping ‘The One’” has helped him in his understanding of his own relationships because, he says, it offers a much different perspective than other Christian dating books he has read. “While each of these books have offered their own individual insights, Josh’s book is the only one I have read that addresses being single as a critical part of developing oneself.” Andy has taken one aspect of the book and put it to practice as per Dr. Josh’s recommendation in the book. “I have created a list of qualities to seek out in a woman: a strong Christian faith, compassionate, an encourager, funny, and a little sarcastic.”
Wow, for just 18-years old, it sure sounds like God has given Andy a lot of insight, which is why he was chosen for the first “Testimony of the Month”. We wanted to leave you with one last thought from Andy: “I believe that the most important quality in a relationship is compatibility. This is not limited to common interests, but rather something much deeper. Compatibility should extend to attitudes, lifestyles, and especially faith. In addition, compatibility is perhaps most effective because it is always honest. Yes, one can pretend to be someone they are not for a little while, but in the long run one cannot hide who they truly are.” Well said, Andy.
August 2009 – Andy Johnson
Our second Testimony of the Month comes from Andy Johnson of West Frankfort, Illinois. Andy says, “Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and he leads me in the right direction every time I look to him. He will always be there to count on. Even in the times you think He’s not, well he is.”
We asked Andy what advice he would give to those regarding relationships, after reading “Dating, Finding, & Keeping ‘The One.’” His response was, “If you are in a relationship as of now, STOP… Look… and comprehend the big picture you’re stepping into. Allow God to lead your life, not yourself.” We were so happy to hear that not only did Andy enjoy the book, but he also said, “To be honest it was the first book I have ever completely read. I just graduated in 2009 and even throughout school I’ve never completely read a book.” Andy also had some great thoughts on what the most important quality was in a good relationship. He said, “God being the center of any relationship. Allowing Him to be the third cord and leading the two to be a strong triple braided cord that cannot be broken.”
We wanted to leave you with a few final thoughts Andy had. “Before reading the book, I wanted to jump into a dating relationship but I told myself that I was going to seriously pray about it and challenged myself to read this book before I made my decision. After reading the book, God told me to wait, be patient, and reminded me that the time for me to ask out this girl will come if she is ‘The One.’” Andy’s last thought pertains to those currently in relationships or seeking a relationship. We believe this also pertains to all of life’s situations. “Open your eyes and just give up trying to lead your own life because you’re not doing a very good job. Allow Him to navigate. Your destination will be an ongoing, never-ending, adventure of countless blessing.”
Well said, Andy. God bless you and your future relationships.
September 2009 – Becca Niermann
We are pleased to bring you our September “Testimony of the Month” with some extra wisdom added in from Becca Niermann. Becca is currently a student at SEMO (Southeast Missouri State University). Becca took some time to share with us the wisdom God has given to her regarding relationships. We hope that her testimony blesses you as much as it has blessed us.
Becca says, “Everything in a relationship should be of inspiration from God Himself.” She went a little further in her explanation. “Dating is one situation where you have to give of yourself and risk losing what you give, so all the more reason to wait for dating until you are absolutely sure it is in God’s divine plan.”
If you have read the book, you know that one of the focal points in Dating, Finding, & Keeping “The One” is that of creating a characteristics list. We love to hear the qualities that people find most important, and it’s never surprising when they are mostly the same. So, when I asked Becca what her top three were, there were no surprises. She said, “One, a man of such strong faith that can continuously help me grow towards Christ; two, one who supports my dreams and goals; and three, one who shares my same passions.” These three characteristics, maybe worded a little differently for each person, seem to always be within the top five.
So, a few final words of Godly wisdom from Becca to end, “You have to be ready, yourself, both spiritually and practically on every level before you can get into a relationship where you’re supposed to help and support the other person. Dating shouldn’t be something that we have as a ‘hobby.’” Well said, Becca. God bless you as He leads you to “The One.”