Cleavage and Pencil Skirts on the Toy Aisle

Well...the doll industry has done it again.

Mattel, the leading industry icon for all things doll, including Barbie, has chose to market these new dolls to young girls.

Here are some things this doll can teach impressionable young pre-teen and pre-adolescent girls:

1. You are what you look like.

2. It doesn't matter how you dress

3. The work force is the place for you (whatever work one might be doing dressed like that)

4. You can get where you want to in life as long as you dress immodestly.

That is just the beginning, but I'll leave it at that.

Moms (especially), Dads, childrens pastors, babysitters...anyone...please read this...

Our girls live in an age that is dangerous for them and their eyes and ears. I was visiting with a friend last night and had the Disney channel on for most of the evening. I couldn't believe the shows that were on, what they were wearing, how they talked to their parents, the topics of their conversations....

The magazine aisle or the checkout aisle is dangerous because of the scantily scad stars or models that boast the front page.

The bookstores are dangerous for the same reason.

The malls are dangerous because of stores like Victoria Secrets and even places like Rue 21 and other stores that sell mostly teen, pre-teen clothing.

What I am not saying is to guard your child so much that she never sees the outside of your home. I'm not saying that you should never let your daughter go to the mall, go to Barnes and Noble or shop at Toys 'R' Us again.

What I am saying is this:

1. Amazingly show your daughter that the gospel is more important in her life than what she looks like.

2. Dads (especially) tell your daughter that she is beautiful. The other day I was eating dinner with friends, and probably heard this statement 5 times in a matter of 3 hours. This Dad's daughter was only 15 months or so (about) but she already knew that she was cherished by her Daddy. Priceless.

3. Teach your daughter biblical principles for attire. We don't have hem line measurements in Scripture, but we do have principles.

4. Shop with your daughters and walk them through things that might not be appropriate and tell them why.

5. Be involved in your daughter's life so she can come to you with her questions and her inadequacies and know that you care and love her.

6. Give your daughter a biblical world view of the gospel, her created self made in the image of the one true God, her role as woman, her spirit and heart that matter more than what she looks like on the outside.

Here are some Scriptures that teach on the above principles to pour over your daughter (maybe on a mom/daughter date night, or a wknd away, or just a morning breakfast of her fave pancakes): Gen 1:26-28; 1 Peter 3; Prov 7 (of how not to be); Prov 31 (of how to be); Col 3, 4; Gal 6.14; Prov 4.23.

Here are some books that might help you as well:

Girls Gone Wise - Mary Kassian (coming soon)

Your Girl - Vicki Courtney

Girl Talk - Mahaneys

Lies Young Women Believe - Nancy Leigh Demoss

Happily Ever After - Inquest Ministries

Talk with your daughter. Don't let the images that Mattel and other worldly manufacturers distribute be chiseled in their minds. The gospel is better.

Valentines Day Approaching

The more I live the more I see that this world is not about Christ. Ok - yes, I should know that, and I do. But, the closer I am with God - the more I am in His Word, serving Him, being shaped by Him, the more I am appalled by sin.
Being home the past two days has allowed for good times of reading and little TV watching - that was grand!
With Valentine's Day on Sunday, I thought I would shoot this out there. How do you prepare for Valentine's Day? Last night I made some Vday goodies to share tonight and tomorrow. I am babysitting for a couple on Saturday night so they can have a date. I am making brownies shaped in hearts for a potluck on Sunday. I really don't think much about the fact that I am single on Vday, because I've only ever dated one person on Vday, and it didn't rock my world...so...
I came across this on a blog I read (about fitness mostly, or well-being), and I wanted to counter her 5 points with Scripture. This is how you have to start looking at the world - a biblical worldview!
Noshtopia wrote this: How to have a good Valentine's Day:
1. Be completely selfish. Phil 2.3: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
This first one is so anti-biblical. I am reading Elyse Fitzpatrick's Counsel from the Cross. The third chapter is all about LOVE. It doesn't say anything about being selfish. I would counter Stephanie's first point by saying on Vday - find something to do for others. I love babysitting for people around Vday (and I usually say I'll do it for free) because I want to be encouraging their marriage.
2. Give Your Inner Voice a Day Off. Counter this with: Preach the Gospel To yourself every day. I actually agree with her point. She knows, as we all do, that if we are single we are usually hating life on Vday because our culture, especially our church culture, makes it miserable for you to be single. I think culture looks upon singleness as a good thing (for mostly wrong reasons). I have found it mostly difficult to be single in the church because most people are pressing you to get married, or women's events are geared toward mothers or wives; not just women.
3. Get Glammed Up and Go Party. Counter this with: 1 Peter 3.3-4: Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. Do I think it is a bad thing to get dressed up and go out to eat, art show, somewhere fun - NO. I love doing it. But so much of our culture presses this issue, especially for single women. This Sunday night, I'm going out to eat with new friends who are coming to look at the seminary. Will I look pretty - as much as I can. But, I can't find my worth in this - or try to use it as a flirtatious model for attracting men.
4. Make Love with Yourself. Counter: Hebrews 13.4: Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. This one appalled me more than any of the others. Where do I begin? Sexual activity is just for the marriage of a man and a woman for life. No where else. I was watching a repeat of "American Life" on ABC Family. The mother of one of the teenagers told the father (in front of the son) - "He's just wanting to figure out if he wants oral sex from one or sex from the other?" For real, on ABC Family? What kind of family show is that? Well, don't need to watch that anymore. Do I really need TV?
5. Write Down 5 Things You DO Have. Counter: And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. The Word tells us to be grateful for all the blessings we do have. God has been so gracious to us. And on this Valentine's Day I am grateful for: new friends, new ministry opportunities, my family, friends who have loved me for a long time, the Word, provision.

So...how do you look at Valentine's Day? What are your plans for the wknd?

Women in Combat and Gender Roles

I love the Patriot - the Mel Gibson movie about the early days of our country and fighting for freedom. It is one of my favorite films: always in a mood to watch it, and I always cry during several parts. Courage, bravery, family, loss: these are things of which make a good movie. In this movie, Mel Gibson, aka Benjamin Martin, is spurred on to fight for his country when the fighting hits close to home. What Benjamin doesn’t do is urge his sister-in-law, Aunt Charlotte, to fight in his stead. He sends the younger children to stay with her. Was it because Aunt Charlotte wasn’t capable of shooting a musket? No. It was because she was to be at home taking care of the children.
Why do I bring this up? Andrew Sicree wrote an article in the latest edition of Touchstone Magazine entitled “Mothers in the Line of Fire”. His basic premise is that women fighting in combat as immoral based on a pro-life argument. Especially in light of the coming anniversary of Roe V. Wade, I am all for pro-life. Our worth is based on the truth that we were created male and female in the image of God (Genesis 1.27-28). However, even though his logic is sound, I think this is a secondary argument, one that totally leaves behind the first argument about women in the military.
First, some thoughts from Sicree:
“The moral question of placing women in combat applies to all women who serve in positions that make them legitimate military targets, even if they are not engaged in actual combat.” (p. 23)
“The fact remains that it is not men but women who carry pre-born children within their wombs.” (p 24). While true, I do not see much validity in this argument. Men are needed in the “be fruitful and multiply” command as well. And, while yes, women are the only ones who can actually give birth; men are very important as leaders in the home and as fathers. Sicree uses this as the base for his argument, “it is rather, the uniqueness of women as bearers of pre-born children that creates a unique moral problem for women in combat.” (p 24) That is not up for debate, men were not created to be child-bearers.
Sicree alludes to the Just War theory as it says “that waging war on a non-combatant is immoral. If it is immoral to bring war to non-combatants, surely it is likewise immoral to take an innocent non-combatant into a combat zone.” If his argument is the endangerment of the child (or the mother carrying the child), then a woman who is sexually active and may be pregnant (without knowing it) should not ride roller coasters, eat luncheon meat, or drink alcohol.
Leaving Sicree’s argument where it is, what should be the underlying reason for women not to fight in the military? I can’t lay out a verse and say “The Bible says it is wrong for women to fight” because there isn’t one. That doesn’t mean there aren’t many verses that give reason why women shouldn’t fight or be involved in military combat.
1. Women weren’t created as warriors; they were created as helpmates and nurturers (Gen 2.20; Prov 31.27). Men were created to be protectors. 1 Peter 3.7 gives the command to husbands to “show honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you”.
2. In CBMW’s resolution on women in combat, the organization says, “the purpose of combat is to inflict deadly harm upon an enemy, and the essence of combat is to engage an enemy in order to kill, slay and destroy – a purpose and essence aligned with the gender-based roles and responsibilities of males but opposed to the gender-based role and responsibilities of females.”
3. Scripture sets a pattern for men serving in battle. Throughout the Old Testament we see men going off to war. It would have been degrading to the enemy if the opposition sent its women to fight. It just wasn’t done. Deuteronomy 20 speaks of the laws or warfare, calling men to be valiant, brave, and to “draw near to battle” because the “Lord your God is he who goes with you fight for you against your enemies”. (Deut 20.4)
4. I would say that, as with many other oddities in our culture, the fact that women are serving at all in military combative positions is a failure of male leadership. This doesn’t say that I am ungrateful for the women who have given their lives and have sacrificed much on my behalf. I am grateful for the protection you offer; but, you shouldn’t have to. Men should be fulfilling their role as protective citizens. They are men. Men, I plead for you to step up and protect your families, just as Benjamin Martin did in going to war in the 1700s.
There are so many more points and thoughts related to this topic. I can not cover them all. This topic brings up gender neutrality, authority, who is going to raise the children, etc. This is not a perfect world. Sin entered and there has been a battle waging ever since. That war is targeted at the family. By women going off to war with the men, this is just one more scar from the war. As with failing marriages, families is disarray, women pasturing local church and teaching doctrine to men, and a multitude of other areas where the gender roles are bent, this area of women in combat is one more area that needs redemption by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And to that end, I say, “come, Lord Jesus.”

The Left and Right of Feminine Style/Dress/Modesty

InStyle. What Not To Wear. Ann Taylor Loft. The Devil Wears Prada. The Bible.
Most women would recognize the first four as beacons for the world of fashion. What about the last? Shouldn't the Bible be our first place to go for answers on what we can wear and how we should dress as Christian women?
Many years ago now I was given a sermon by my then pastor's wife on "The Soul of Modesty" by Sovereign Grace pastor CJ Mahaney. I always thought I dressed modestly - but before I pulled out of the church parking lot, the Spirit used that sermon to convict of so much more than hems and necklines. That day started a work in my heart that God is continuing even till today - more than 5 years later.
This post isn't so much about lists of what we can and should not wear. It is more about our heart and seeing some of the ways the culture and its bent toward feminism has altered our view on modesty. Recently, I attended a women's conference. There were women dressed in skirts and tees - there were also woman dressed in dockers and plain shirts. Some had their hair done and makeup on and matching purses and some didn't have any makeup on and wore worn-out tennis shoes. Trust me, I love days when I don't have to put on makeup and I can stay at home in exercise clothes - but that does nothing for my sense of femininity and I rarely go out in public like this (anymore).
So, here is where the title of this blog post comes in. I had a brief chat with a wise woman about this topic and my concerns. The first thing she pointed me to was Isaiah 30 where God whispers to His children "this is the way, walk in it". The Lord is chastising His unfaithful children who live their lives without consulting Him or His laws, how they make plans without seeking His face, how they longed to stay in slavery to self and worthless idols. Then, He offers hope - that if they would just return to Him, to His Word, to His Commands, they would know his directions. With every step - whether to the left or the right - they would know his direction.
Scripture gives us Biblical guidelines for our daily lives. We don't need to wonder about anything - we have everything we need in order to live Biblical lives. This goes for fashion and our wardrobe too. There is a left and right (extremes) in this due to the sin in our hearts. Let us strive to live "this is the way, walk in it".
Here are two of the extremes:
1. Not wanting to dress/present ourselves as femininely. Women blame this on place of residence (in the country), personality, lack of money or interest. In reading Carolyn McCulley's newest book Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World, I came across this excerpt from The Goddess Within by Woolger and Woolger:
"Despite her strength, brilliance, and independence, there is a paradox contained in the traditional image of a maid clad in armor. It seems to us that the more energy the Athena woman puts into developing her successful, worldly, armored self, the more she hides her maidenly vulnerability. So, with her androgyny, Athena conceals a conflict, an unresolved tension between her tough outer self and her hidden, unexpressed self that can be a source of great insecurity with regard to her finding an integral feminine identity. We call it Athena's wound."
This may be one of our culture's problems. We want to be so equal to men that we are unwilling to dress femininely. God didn't create us to be androgynous. He created us FEMALE! Live in it - accept it - love it. Its hard for me to even wear business suits to work because they look very manly - even if I wear a pink shirt and heels with it.
We are given a great, godly example of this in Scripture - Queen Esther. She spent 7 days in preparation - a full week at a spa! Makeup, dress, oils, lotions. Now, I'm not suggesting we spend hours on our look every day - but 30 minutes to get dressed, do our hair (in front of a mirror), put on makeup (not while driving) isn't bad.
2. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is the woman who cares too much about what she wears. Recently, I was loaned a copy of the latest issue of InStyle magazine. I enjoyed looking at all the latest styles, but I don't have $300 to spend on a purse of $900 on a pair of shoes. Some of sin by going into debt to buy these things or by attaching ourselves unhealthily to things of this world. Maybe we spend more time looking in the mirror getting ready for our day than we spend in the Word of God. Or we tend to get judgmental of others - basing our thoughts of them solely on what they are wearing. Are we too proud to shop at thrift and discount stores or clearance racks? One word of caution in Scripture comes from the preacher in Ecclesiastes chapter 2. He learns after all his striving that "all was vanity and a striving after wind".
So, if we are "to walk in this way" - according to Scripture. What does it say on this topic?
1. Proverbs 31.30. A profound verse. Our hopes are not in what we look like - they are only found in God. We may think this and "believe it" but until this comes out in our actions and in our hearts - it is just lip service.
2. 1 Peter 3.3-4. Again, emphasis on the heart. But this admonishment from the Apostle doesn't say "do not pay attention" to the outer - he warns not to get them out of order - the heart is first.
3. Titus 2.4-5. Teaching others about purity - especially "older women". This doesn't mean we have to wear pants and turtlenecks year round - but we do need to watch our necklines. Women - train those around you. Model biblical femininity. They look to you. Be fashionable - but be modest. Especially if you are in front of a lot of women, or on a platform. I remember the rule for singing in Southeastern's chapel was to wear skirts below the knee, preferred to the ankle. Is this necessary - no. But, the standard is higher for those in leadership.
4. 1 Timothy 2.9. We must adorn ourselves with modesty and self-control. If some woman has 300 pairs of shoes - or even 30 - that may not be a problem with modesty but with self-control.
I think these guidelines are very important. The Bible doesn't give us a list because its not about lists (last legalism) - it is about Christian liberty, grace, protecting others, being feminine, living pure, conduct becoming to Christ, running hard after God.
I was in Goodwill recently. Found a great gray skirt by Banana Republic - expensive. The Goodwill price was only 3$. I knew it looked short on the hanger, but of course it wouldn't be that short in the dressing room. However, it was. I thought it about it - looked at it in the mirror from many different angles, sat down in it. I finally had to take it off and say no. Sometimes I wish I didn't know anything about God's commands when it comes to my clothing, my heart, and the protection of men around me. But, I do. And I am thankful because they are life-giving.
My prayer for you is this:
1. Dress modestly. If there is a question about it - you probably shouldn't wear it.
2. Love God more than your wardrobe.
3. Don't judge others because of what they wear or don't wear.
4. Dads (if any are reading)- set the bar high - go shopping with your wife or daughter and give your input into their wardrobe.

So Called "Expert" Advice from the Bartender

It was magazine day last week. I had 4 magz in my box and got the chance to glance through them then read them a bit closer during dinner meals (one good thing to eating by yourself most of the time - you can multitask).
I came across this article in the August 2009 Bon Appetit. Honestly, what caught my eye was the look of this woman. She is a my age-ish bartender in Boston. She is dressed mostly in black (with a white shirt, sorta tuxedo-ish). She has a beautifully crafted tattoo of a bird or chicken taking up her right arm. She has a beautiful smile and short black hair. My first thought was, man, that is definitely not what a biblical woman dresses/looks like. Than I thought "I don't even know this woman, who am I to judge?" I thought to myself would people who don't even know me, look at me, and think I am a biblical woman? More importantly - would they, after knowing me, think I am a biblical woman? Don't know if I want to know the answer to either of those questions.
Now I was intrigued, and kept reading the interview. The last question - here you go:
Q - As a Harvard Divinity School graduate, have you found any parallels between religion and cocktails?
A - Humans seek comfort in many ways, two of which are the rituals of organized religion and the rituals of social drinking. Martin Luther wrote who loves no woman, wine, and song remains a fool his whole life long."

Couple of thoughts:
1. She is right
2. Unfortunately
3. Hopefully your relationship with Jesus, my relationship with Jesus - is more than the rituals of organized religion
4. Nice use of the ML quote
5. Would any SBCers agree with that Martin Luther quote?

So, if you are ever in Boston, head to Drink on Congress Avenue and you may be able to strike up a conversation about cocktails and religion with their bartender.

New Com(passion)

Baltimore and the NEXT conference was amazing for me in so many ways. But, probably in the top two was God granting me, by His mercy, a new compassion for college girls. Ask any of my college girls that I have done ministry with in the past and they will tell you different things. One of them probably is not compassion - and for that, to them, for the gospel - I must apologize.
But, this wknd God granted me that in his compassion for me - for the sake of the gospel.
Before listening to Carolyn McCulley's breakout session on her new book, God had already stirred this. But, after it - it was amazing (even going to HRC afterwards and talking about it with the guys I was with for dinner). As I listened to the woman bartender and many women sitting at the bar in the restaurant, being loud, carrying on, cheering on the pouring of liquor - I couldn't help but hearing them and saying to myself "ladies - there is something BETTER!"
So, here is a short list I jotted down in my journal:
1. BE different in the love of Jesus. When I look at young women, you can usually tell on the outside who they are. Usually. But, I want them to grasp the love of Jesus (the mystery of this grand, crazy thing) that alone can change them. All of us are searching for something, until we come to rest in the love of the one who Created us. "The most heinous sin is ignoring our Creator" was said this wknd. I find that girls do this in so many ways. I do this in so many ways. We are longing for something that will make us whole. We want many worldly things to afford us that satisfaction and completeness. Only Jesus will do that.
2. LOVE differently in the love of Jesus. Relationships are probably the most crucial thing in the lives of young women. They crave and desire to be loved. Many women will do most anything to get it. And I'm just not referring to unbelievers - although they do this too. We, as Christian women, strive for love to by pursuing men who are not our's yet.
3. LIVE differently in the love of Jesus. After we know our BEing is different because of Jesus - our lives will look radically different. We won't want to pursue after the things of this world. We will want to pursue Jesus and the roles for which He designed us. I remember starting seminary and thinking I wanted a MDiv because MDiv in Women's Ministries was way too narrow. Oh, God, please forgive me for not understanding your grand design then. How often I play the part of an egalitarian, wanting man's approval because the approval of women doesn't matter. We will want to live and act differently in the light of this crazy love!
4. DRESS differently in the love of Jesus. This is probably the most visible thing we are women do. And there isn't a list or checklist of ways that women should dress. But, how about dressing conservatively and femininely. There is someway that we can dress that will present something totally different than what the world is offering. Everyone doesn't have to wear floral prints and pink. But, many times we dress like men (polo shirts, jeans or khakis, tennis shoes, no jewelry, short hair) - why do we want to do that. Yes, I have on gray slacks today. But, I am wearing a coral shirt with some black dress shoes and jewelry. All to say, our outward appearance should be noticed by the world by being feminine and modest.
Two passages I love for the above reasons and have studied recently and heart preached recently:
Col 3.1-17:
3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
And Eph 5.1-17
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

I don't know what this will look like as I minister with college girls and young women. I pray as I begin doing ministry in a new church, have opportunities to meet new women on behalf of SBTS and CBMW, speak at different events, continue in ministering to the young ladies I already know, and hopefully raise my own daughter in the future - God will shine brightly for the gospel in my life for HIS GLORY.

One Night Celebrity

I was just tipped to this "service" by facebook. Thank you. Now, I can go be a celebrity for one night. None of this dealing with the tabloids for years because you put on a little weight, or go out without your makeup on. Everyone can be a celebrity for one night!
Really. This only goes to show that the world is not run by the Word.

Pride. Vanity. Perishing. Death.

Ecc 1.14: "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind."
Psalm 10.4: "In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Prov 16.18: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."


And for women, this is EXACT opposite of what God told us to do:

1 Peter 3.3-4: Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Lauren Winner on the Gender Gap

What an important topic and article for today: in education, the home, single life, and the church. At the outset - this article does not apply to everyone I know. Many of the married men I know, both younger and older than me, are incredible guys and their wives are equally great. But, this does apply to a lot of the women I know (who do everything and are great), and a lack of male leadership in churches, dating arenas, etc - who can live up to those standards. The real reason I was drawn to this article is I know so many great, wonderful, smart, beautiful, over 25 single women who want to be a wife and mother. All of our married friends say: "There are no good guys out there that I would even want to set you up with. They aren't caliber enough."
Anyway...Lauren Winner is an author. I found this article on Boundless, an online ministry to singles done by Focus on the Family. I found it very compelling and true - not needing an apology.
And one more thing before I get started: I'm thankful for knowing men who defy this article and are training men they know to also go against the odds in this study. Thank you for setting the bar high!
I'm not going to rehash the whole article, but pulling out the highlighted portions from my reading:
"Regardless of what we say we think about women and leadership, when it comes to college-aged and 20-somethings, women are leading in all sorts of areas." I so wish this wasn't true. Yes, I think it is great for women to go to college, get a degree, serve in their churches, be involved in the community, love on others. But, if we do it all - the men are going to continue this slide into non-involvement. Just because there is a lack of male leadership, doesn't mean we can usurp the authority of the Word of God and be the leaders (especially in the church and home).
"What's going on here is not just volunteering or service, but real lay leadership. I'm thrilled to have so many active, vibrant women working with me, but I do wonder why the guys are so slack. And I probably perpetuate things, because now, when I really need something done, I often don't even think to ask any guys. I go to the women who I know can get things done." Unfortunately, this way of thinking is happening in many churches - and is the inevitable outcome of my thoughts on the above portion.
Winner attributes some of this to the amount of time 20-somethings spend playing video games, exercising, sleeping, and watching TV. I agree with her partly on this - but I think there are far more important reasons than these. These are just the outworking of lack of leadership and discipline. "Men devote far more time than women to playing computer games, exercise more, and watch more TV, and are more likely to oversleep and miss class."
She goes on to talk about the formative years in late elementary school all the way through college. Even now, as I walk past the gym or go work out, I see an overwhelming majority of men (even in ratio to the amount of men who outnumber the women at this school) playing basketball, ping pong, watching ESPN, or chilling with friends in the school cafe, or playing frisbee on the lawn. These are important - community, exercise, "down time" - but not the exclusion of doing the "hard things" (as the Harris brothers have said in their book).
Here are three main points about this study that I want to make:
1. Parents - please train up the future generation to not play video games all the time. Ok - its not the fault of video games. Train, especially your boys, to grow up to have leadership, responsibility, caring, assertive, integrity, work ethic. Instill in them a sense of right and wrong when it comes to being lazy. Laziness is all over the Proverbs as a destructive trait.
2. Pastors - Don't let this happen. Be on the lookout for 20-somethings in your church who are just slackers. Teach them how to step up to the plate and take control of things - serving, being men, having leadership roles early in their lives within the church.
3. Men - (Single). Step up. Be a man. God gave you leadership roles in the church and home. Don't be a wuss. (Married). Live this out - bring single men under you to mentor them - don't be a wuss.

Kate Perry and Psalm 1

I read many blogs. I like doing it. It is a way to stay in touch with the world. I read just beginning of a fitness one and found this:
"I tried to dislike Katy Perry for a long time. "I Kissed a Girl" was so over the top and supposed to be shocking and scandalous that it irritated the heck out of me. Plus, she routinely includes watermelons in her wardrobe. I love fruits, but come on.
And then I started humming the darn song. On a few occasions, I accidentally listened to it in its entirety while in the car. Then it somehow ended up on my iPod. Before I knew it, I was giggling with Erin over her signing the ditty to her dog when she'd kiss her on the head. It was only a matter of days before I repeated the act with my own dog. (Yes, we're those kind of dog owners.)"
I think this is the epitamy of Psalm 1:
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
In the above illustration, this lady found a very ill song (very Jane Austen way of putting something) to be "shocking, irritating, and scandalous". Then she started humming it. Now she has it on her iPod and laughs at it.
See the progression of: walks, stands, sits"...
I love it when the world is screaming Scripture and doesn't even know it. Think biblically folks!

Heaven According to Chesney, Camp, Paisley, and God

Yesterday - stuck in the Ville/River traffic - I just had the radio on flipping through my pre-set buttons. Got to the Kenny Chesney song "Everybody wants to go to heaven" - flipped it to the Jeremy Camp song "There Will Be A Day" - listened to the rest of that. Then flipped it back to Chesney - ended - commercial - the very next song was Paisley/Parton "When I Get Where I'm Going". What was this - heaven minute on the radio?
But...this is what I was thinking. This is also when I wish I could get blogger to go in 3 columns. Alas - I'm not that talented:
Here are some of the Kenny Chesney lyrics (also used by my pastor in a sermon a few months back):
Don’t you wanna hear him call your name
When you’re standin’ at the pearly gates?
I told the preacher, “Yes I do”
But I hope they don’t call today I ain’t ready
Everybody wants to go to heaven
Have a mansion high above the clouds
Everybody want to go to heaven
But nobody want to go now
Said preacher maybe you didn’t see me
Throw an extra twenty in the plate
There’s one for everything I did last night
And one to get me through today
Here’s a ten to help you remember
Next time you got the good Lord’s ear
Say I’m comin’ but there ain’t no hurry
I’m havin’ fun down here

Here are the lyrics from Jeremy Camp's "There Will Be a Day":
I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that trys to grab
The many trials that seem to never end,
His word declares this truth, that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always
will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing….

Then, the Paisley/Partin (or Moore/Nockels) song "When I Get Where I'm Going":
So much pain and so much darkness,in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,so much work to do.
But when I get where I'm going,and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,of His amazing grace.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!I will love and have no fear.When I get where I'm going.

All of these are just tiny glimpses, some true, some not true obviously...but I do know something that is true - that is worth so much more when I think about not knowing much about heaven:
Revelation 21.4
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Hebrews 8.1
Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.
2 Peter 3.13
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Rev 12:10
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Rev 19.1
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.
Rev 21.2
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 15.3
And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.
1 Cor 13.12
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Rev 5.9
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

When I fear heaven - it is based on the unknown and my works. But, when I rejoice about heaven - it is based on the finished work of Jesus on the cross on my behalf for His glory - and that is what heaven is all about - Him being worshipped.
Not about me riding a drop of rain, or delaying my going so I can party more down here.

27 Dresses

I've been housesitting this week so I have access to movies that aren't mine (I love people with great movie collections). I hadn't seen this movie, had heard some good things about it, and wanted to check it out.

But, I also learned from Bruce at Southeastern to always watch movies with a critical eye - looking for the worldviews in it and how it differs from God's worldview that He gives us in Scripture. So, I sat down in the lazyboy with my steno pad and pen - and pressed play.

This is what got on paper:

- weddings are more important than marriage

- woman minister in one of the weddings she was in - this denies a complementarian viewpoint and you could also see that in some of the relationships in the movie and random comments.

- Competition and sex is what it boils down to

- They mocked 1 Cor 13

- Kevin (Malcolm) actually had the divorce rate correct - which is also sad.

- True - marriage isn't always easy

- The girly notion of number 1 and longingly looking at the wedding annc page in the newspaper

- Guys - its all about getting laid

- Women try too hard to win the guy's hearts (and again, we are back to the complementarian thing about men leading in relationships)

- Relationships are built on lies (however, this comes to light before the wedding takes place - one redeeming quality, although not in the way she does it)

- Wallow in self-pity

- "rebound" dating - using the other guy

- Love is all sentiment - love is an action and choice

- Getting drunk always helps, and dancing on bar tops, which understandably leads to sex (hint of sarcasm)

- "Last legal form of slavery" - what happened to the marriage for the glory of God?

- Destroying someone else doesn't make you feel better

- It isn't always better being someone else

- Girls take lead in commitment (again, complementarian is completely wrecked).

I hope this inspires you to think more about the movies you watch. I love chick flicks with the best of them. But, I know they are so not a picture of the real world. I read once that chick flicks are female porn. Maybe not porn for guys (sexual) but porn for women - we want the sweep you off your feet, bring me roses, call me right away, talk to me for hours, drop dead gorgeous guy who buys me things - and watching chick flicks makes us want that - instead of maybe what we do have - or what God has planned for us.

Do I still watch chick flicks - yes, but now I watch them with an eye for what is false and hope to pick out something redeeming in them.

State of the Economy

If you watched any of the 2nd Presidential Debate last night you know it was on the failing (and ailing) economy. Did either candidate change the other's view? Did many undecided voters make up their minds? Both are a resounding no. Each one said wrong things about the other one and even when a candidate says he's not going to raise taxes - chances are something will happen in his tenure as President and he will have to raise taxes. Taxes is not something I vote on because of this. So far, living in 3 states under 2 Presidents - I've seen taxes go up in each state - so no one can tell me any differently.
But, the economy I think is the worst that I've seen it since I've really known to look at it. Am I glad I don't have enough money to put in the stock market - yes. Am I glad I already have my college paid for - and yes, have the debt from that - yes. (I could do without the debt though). Am I glad I have a secure job - yes. I don't know what it would have been like to live on Black Friday and know the panic and dread and fear in people's hearts. I don't know what it would be like to live in Iceland right now who just declared the whole country bankrupt. I can't imaging being a business woman in Russia with no stock market open or trading till Friday.
But, one thing I do know. My God is in charge of all the world's monies and even Wall Street and the king's decisions (Ps 2). He knows what is going to happen and has complete authority over it all (Eph 1.19-23). And you know, that helps me sleep better at night, that helps me still go to the grocery store (even though I make a list and stick to it now), helps me not fear the gas prices (even though they have gone down here in KY), and I only had a slight panic this morning on my way to work wondering what would happen if I couldn't get my money out of the bank (but then remembered the above verses and knew that life would go on because my God is overall completely gracious and merciful).
I got in to work this morning and read this from John Piper:
I can smell it. It's like toast or steak or brownies. It doesn't just draw our desire, it creates desire. Deep drops in the stock market make many people salivate. They know it will rebound. They are sitting on cash. By year's end their pile could ride the recovery to riches. For such people I have a word from God. The word is: Don't desire to be rich. It will kill you. And in a world like ours many will probably perish with you. Paul's language is more graphic than mine:
There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1Timothy 6:6-10)

Thoughts During Obama/McCain/Warren Forum

Prelim statements:
1. I don't know if Rick Warren actually thought he was going to get "truthful" answers - but speaking in a church for either of these candidates is going to slant their answers.
2. I am not endorsing either candidate...neither do I agree with wholeheartedly. Almost a lose-lose situation - but we gotta have A president. And it is my Christian duty - a person who tries with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God - to pray for my President - and that is what I'll do...

Obama:
1. Didn't he start every answer (maybe slightly exaggerating) with "well..."
2. He answered the "are you a Christian and what does that mean" and said "hopefully my sins will be forgiven" at the end. But...is being a Christian being tolerant and ok (meaning, they are right too) in beliefs that are anti-only Christ?
3. He failed to answer the "when life begins" question. No matter what he believes - he wouldn't answer it. Something is wrong with that - don't dodge it. I know he may not make a lot of money as President - but that decision is not "above his pay grade".
4. Even though he believes in man/woman marriage with "God in the mix" he will not take a governmental stand against same-sex marriage. Thinking through it with him. He was right - our constitution has not defined marriage in the past - so to define it now would be discriminating. Are we going to apply Christian principles in politics in some areas and not in others? We aren't consistent. That is where politics and faith are incompatible.
5. I agree with the fact about faith-based orgs - they shouldn't be +/- based on that sole factor.
6. Merit-based pay for teachers. YES. I agree. Don't we do that in almost every other profession? Yes. We reward excellence - like he said.
7. No one likes taxes - he is right. But, he is also right - they must be. And I agree also, I don't like loopholes. I hate doing my taxes - but that's why we have accountants - right? Is there a choice to not have taxes? Someone provide me a workable solution w/o taxes and I'll sign on! :) But, I don't have ever see that happening? Even during the Revolution - wasn't there something about taxing tea that was behind the Boston Tea Party? As the saying goes, nothing is as sure as death and taxes.
8. Orphans/adoption. Southern is really big on adoption. But why is adoption so expensive? I think it should include extensive (maybe even more so than now) interviews, etc - but why does it have to cost so much?
9. Why does he want to be President: Basically...he empathizes with the little people - that's why he wants to be president. Not good enough for me. I didn't think that was the greatest answer to give for that question.
10. There are going to be sacrifices. But, while he limited his answer - I would say he doesn't want Americans to have to make sacrifices in other areas - like the war in Iraq, the mental health of a mother in the 8th month, etc. So, why does he want us to make sacrifices in some areas and other not others...again - the duplicity of politics.

Alright...clapping, politeness, hugs, commercials...

McCain:
1. Wisdom - I don't think wisdom is based on Ebay - wisdom is not that. Go read Proverbs. Thanks Dustin for preaching on it right now.
2. Greatest American failure - we don't think outside ourselves. I think that is very true and very broad. It covers many areas...
3. I do like the whole "offshore drilling" thing - that we are sending billions of dollars to countries who don't like us very much...why? We have Texas don't we - and yes, I know that is very simplistic and unreasonable.
4. To be a Christian: "saved and forgiven" - ok, that's vague - not mentioning Jesus at all - even Obama did that. Didn't even answer the everyday question.
5. Abortion - at least he answered undoubtedly the life begins at conception question. Pro-life policies commitment.
6. We should preserve marriage. Great - than let's make that constitutional. But do we get in to exclusions.
7. McCain is very simple in his answers. More so than I have seen him before. He is very "emphatic" - defeat it (evil question). But, to my knowledge, evil will exist until Jesus returns - but we can fight against it.
8. Faith-based orgs can not have it both ways. They can not have be out from under the Constitution on hiring policies but also want government funding.
9. Find bad teachers another line of work - praise Jesus! :) Choice in competition. But, are we giving training and help to those bad teachers - meaning...is it because of outside influences that they are bad - or are they just bad teachers?
10. He didn't really answer the rich question... It wasn't taxes, it was spending. Studying bears in Montana - haha! (He is more funny than Obama, at least tonight).
11. You can't have complete privacy and complete security. Which one is more important? It should go back to one of his first answers - we must think outside ourselves. I don't know what the answer is - but I'm not running for president.
12. Why do you want to be President: Serve outside yourself. Inspiration. Unity. Definitely a Republican answer. Much better answer than Obama (stand up for the little people).

More venues...more conversations...
Now...if I were to have to vote right now - of course I would vote for McCain. One of my girls said "Bush is pro-life too and abortions haven't gone down, so I'm going to vote for Obama". But I didn't see enough compelling evidence in his discussion tonight to vote for him - even though I didn't disagree with him on everything. And he is the only one that mentioned Jesus and God and had more of that discussion. But, as commentary said before, it isn't "McCain's way to do that". Do I agree with that no - you should take a strong stand for Christ wherever!

Now for Phelps and commentary!

"I Kissed a Girl" and O'Reilly Factor

Ok - so really - what is up with culture? It is a culture that is falling deeper and deeper. Satan is the prince of this world as Scripture tells us.
I've been watching the O'Reilly factor. Tonight:
1. Obama in Europe - really putting down America in some way shape or form. Yes, watch the same broadcast on CNN and you'll get a totally different story. But, Europeans can't vote. Who cares?
2. Muslim dad who kills daughters - all for being too western. Do all Muslims kill their daughters - of course not. Do American Dads kill their daughters - it happens. What really is lacking is men being men and teaching their daughters about how to be women of God. But, that would mean that the Dads would need to know Jesus. Of course, a personal relationship with Jesus doesn't usually happen in Muslim culture. And it really doesn't happen too much in American societies either.
3. Katy song of "I Kissed a Girl". Dumb song, yes. Well sung song, no. Stupid video, yes. Reflective of the culture - in many ways. Here is how so:
a. We lie in relationships. (She wants to make her boyfriend jealous.)
b. Its all about us anyway - pride is huge!
c. Most of culture wants to "experiment" when it comes to their sexuality.
Bill and his guests were talking about what this song means for culture. It doesn't worry one of them. One wonders if parents will be nervous of their kids and what they listen to on the radio.
Now, is country music any better? No. There are all these songs out there about sexual acts or fooling around or bashing in headlights and keying a truck because the boyfriend cheats.
I think parents should be worried about what their kids listen to. I'm not even saying to "only listen to Christian music" - some of that has bad theology.
What I am saying is that parents should be active in their kids lives. Know what they listen to, watch, etc. That is what parents do. Parents are there just to dole out allowances and scrapbook. Parents - stand up and be parents. Christian parents - point them to Christ!

Feminism and Language

This has been a topic I've been thinking of recently. No matter what stage of life you are in as a woman - this applies to you (and to me).
How important is our language? I'm mostly talking about words and tones here - not body language (that is a whole different topic).
Why does it offend me more when I hear women using cuss words or speaking of sexual topics?
Why does it sadden me when I hear women arguing with or defaming their husbands or other male leaders in their lives?
This is what I am NOT saying: I am not saying that women can't talk about tools, cars, football, etc. I am not saying that women can only talk about babies, tea, shopping, baking, decorating, and makeup. As many of you know me - I love football and seldom talk about makeup. That kind of language is not what I am referring to.
I am more referring to warrior terms, battle terms, pastoral terms (pastor role in a church), cussing, language that tears down others, sexual language that is not meant to be talked about outside of a bedroom of a married (male/female) bedroom (and sometimes not even then because it belittles and secularizes the act of sex that God meant for our good as a husband and wife).
Why does it make me just a little uneasy when I hear of women going and fighting in the wars? Why do I cringe when I hear a woman in the pulpit? Why do I hate watching movies where women are in bars or gossiping about things that they shouldn't be talking about?
I think there are a couple of reasons:
1. We are not obeying Col 3.16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
2. We are not obeying Prov 4.24: Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
3. We are not obeying Prov 5.3: For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. (We are being the forbidden woman.)
4. We are not obeying Col 4.6: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
5. We are not being like the P31 woman in that we do not follow these three traits: The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life and she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue (Prov 31.11, 12, 26).
So, how can we change this disobedience to obedience?
1. Build up the men in your lives. Encourage them in their masculinity, in the roles that God has created them for, in their walk with Christ. This applies to a Dad, husband, pastor, boss, and your brothers in Christ.
2. Think about what is going to come out of your mouth before it actually does.
3. Watch and read with eyes wide open. Engage your world with a biblical worldview.
4. Encourage other women in your life (your younger women) to be setting the example in speech (as 1 Tim 4.12 says).

John Adams - HBO mini-series

This movie (series) was much better than I thought it would be. Of course, I love American history - but this movie (as my Dad pointed out when he sent it to me) was more about John Adams' personal life and his involvement with history rather than merely history itself.
What a great insight. A Believer in Almighty and Providential God. A faithful husband to one wife of 54 years. A strong believer in his country. I loved the last line of this series something to this effect: If you do not take care to guard the freedom of this country - I will repent from above for ever having fought for it.
One thing that I also really liked about the movie is that Tom Hanks and McCullough and other folks in charge did not wish to paint his family life as perfect. His one son Charles died of alcoholism I would assume - he was an alcoholic and all the problems that went along with it. He didn't like his son-in-law after he made many mistakes - only to reconcile after his daughter's death. He was in charge of his family - but not always in a good way. He didn't have a great relationship with any of his children. He said after JQ had been elected President that he was the proudest then.
This is what I fear - and I do write this after crying much through the last DVD (as Leah warned) - that I would ever lose someone that I loved so much. But I also fear that I will never have the chance to love that much (as John lost his Dear Friend, Abigail). So...that is my final thought.
If you get a chance, take 8 hours of your time and watch this movie. It would be in America's best interest to get President's with some of Adams' qualities...but I fear there aren't too many left in the world like him.

Coffee & Church

Ok - folks, hear me out. This MERE OPINION. This is not a Biblical mandate, this is not a black and white issue. It is more of a cultural phenomenon.

Growing up in Strawberry country in Lakeland/Plant City FL, I never remember and I mean never - people bringing anything to drink into the service with them. Sometimes when my Mom would go to coughing, I'd have to go to the back closet room to the water fountain and get her one of those Dixie cups to drink. That is all. Even when I switched to a SBC church, I don't even remember having coffee/tea/water in the foyer... We had breakfast in SS but that was it - we wouldn't dare bring it into church.

In all of the churches post-high school that I have been a part of - no matter how conservative or contemporary - all have had coffee in their foyer/sanctuary. This is my thought:

1. Is the church hour no longer a separate time that we come in to God's presence, worship, fellowship - leaving the World out?

2. Are we so living in a Starbucks/Caribou/Java world that we can't do without it for not even 2 hours on a Sunday morning?

Great - have it in the foyer, mingle over it before the service starts - I think that is a great idea...but can't we do without our addictions during the worship service? Just a thought...

Night - Elie Wiesel

This book was a long time coming for me. I have wanted to read it for a while, picked it up about a year ago, and it finally went on the summer reading list. I started it this morning in the housing office and finished it at Cherokee Park this afternoon.
So many emotions went through my mind as I read this today. There were tears as I read about the emotions and torments that this then teenager went through at the hands of Hitler and his puppets. One can understand why Elie and other were mad at God as they tried to figure out why they should still praise the One who is allowing all of this to happen - how He he isn't there for His people, He's not the Messiah during WW2. How are Jews still supposed to praise the One who allowing this slaughter of His people to occur.
The last main emotion was near the end of the story, after all his family had died, he tells of the Americans coming in and stopping the torture. I was so proud to be an American. If we have the resources - shouldn't we protect the ones who are being slaughtered or tortured by those in control over them? Shouldn't we fight on their behalf - whether they are "Americans" or not - because all men and women are created in the image of God - we are all equal in worth.
Anyway, this is a great read - and a fast one - just because you really don't want to put it down. If you have any interest in WW2, Hitler's regime, the story of pain in another person - read this book. No wonder Oprah had it on her "list".

Movies and Theology

This weekend I was housesitting, so I spent the time watching movies and playing fetch with the dog, Palmer. Movies are a great way for me to do nothing - I love it. But, as I was watching them (as I usually do), I try to think critically about them (Bruce Ashford taught me this and then Jason Wilson taught a really good Life class on this very subject at FBCOC).
So, here are some of my thoughts:
Italian Job: I love this movie. Why? Who knows? As I talked with my friend Lindsay - we both love "stealing" movies. Why is this? Anyway...one of the lines that both Donald Sutherland and Charlize Theron use is: "I trust everyone, just not the devil inside them". What does this say about the doctrine of original sin? This would presume that men are basically good and that we "give in to the dark side" of Satan and his schemes - and that's what makes us bad. This goes against Romans in this way: (Romans 5.12 - Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.)
Also in this movie...we cheer on the bad guys. We want them to succeed in sinning. They steal the bricks of gold and we cheer for them. Then they have to steal it back from the guy who stole it from them. Handsome Rob sleeps with the cable lady to get her key. They hire hit men to finish their job at the train station. We laugh when Napster buys the speakers he really wants that "blows women's clothes right off". Why do we laugh and cheer on the sin that people do in these movies.
I mean think about some of your fave movies: the couple that sleeps together before they get married (we think its so sweet, ok the girls do at least), we more than likely want the affair to really last because her husband wasn't as nice to her as the new guy. Get my point...
Another serious thought and another of my fave movies: Minority Report. The question of predestination. DC creates "Pre-Crime" - those murders or other crimes seen by the pre-cogs and so they get stopped right before they happen. Did they happen? No. Were they going to? Yes? What about the ball that was going drop but got caught - then it didn't drop, so was it really ever going to drop? This provides good food for thought: Is God's preknowledge (predestination, foreknowledge) causal? I'll let you ponder that for a while. Also, in the simulation shop where the guy meets Agatha - he bows to her like she is a god because she can foresee the future. Yet, when some people think of God's Absolute and real foreknowledge - they don't like it because it restricts them in some way? Do you see where I'm going with this "thinking and engaging"?
So where should our line be in watching movies/tv shoes? To engage the culture what are we willing to watch. This thought was on www.boundless.org as they were discussing Sex in the City. Why would Christian reviewers even need to worry about this movie: we know what it is about and we know what we are going to see. So, do I even need to watch it? I would say no.
My main point in this blog is to hopefully encourage you to engage your mind while watching movies, tv shoes, reading books. Engage the Culture!

eHarmony Radio Commercial

Disclaimer: This is not a blog about my thoughts pertaining to online dating as a whole - just a commercial I heard yesterday on the radio.
Online dating - our tvs are bombarded with commercials and now so are our radio stations. eHarmony is supposedly the "Christian" online dating service. As I was driving out to my friends' house yesterday to do some babysitting - I heard this and really just laughed at it.
The "commentator" came on and said life is so busy, we work, come home, walk the dog, eat something, watch a little television, and go to bed. Who has time do think about dating and finding the right person to date. That's where eHarmony comes in - we take all the guess work, hard work out of it.
Of course I am paraphrasing some, but that was the basic of it. Let me tell you...dating is hard. A friend of mine said "your dating time should be the easiest because it only gets harder." In some ways I agree with that. But, that is not to say that dating isn't tough.
Dating is tough because both people are sinners - both people want their own way. It is tough because we daily fight the battle of sin for purity in a filthy world when it comes to sexual temptations. It is tough because you are trying to discern from God if this is the person you are supposed to spend the rest of your life with - while not trying to put too much pressure on the relationship.
One of the first dating books I read was Josh Harris' I Kissed Dating Goodbye. How do we fit those principles (accountability, the male leadership in every aspect of the relationship, the community of family and the church) in with easy online dating?
Dating - which should lead to marriage - and marriage is a grace gift of God (our loving heavenly Father) to refine us and make us more into the image of His Son. That isn't easy. Not at least while we live in the flesh.