The Great Discovery

Last night I read this from the book The Valley of Vision and it was such a great reminder that flattened me.  I hope it does you as well!

The Great Discovery

GLORIOUS GOD,

I bless thee that I know thee.

I once lived in the world, but was ignorant

of its Creator,

was partaker of thy providences, but knew not

the Provider,

was blind while enjoying the sunlight,

was deaf to all things spiritual, with voices

all around me,

understood many things, but had no knowledge

of thy ways,

saw the world, but did not see Jesus only.

O happy day, when in thy love’s sovereignty

thou didst look on me, and call me by grace.

Then did the dead heart begin to beat,

the darkened eye glimmer with light,

the dull ear catch thy echo,

and I turned to thee and found thee,

a God read to hear, willing to save.

Then did I find my heart at enmity to thee,

vexing thy Spirit;

Then did I fall at thy fee and hear thee thunder,

‘The soul that sinneth, it must die’,

But when grace made me to know thee,

and admire a God who hated sin,

thy terrible justice held my will submissive.

My thoughts were then as knives cutting my head.

Then didst thou come to me in silken robes of love,

and I saw thy Son dying that I might live,

and in that death I found my all.

My soul doth sing at the remembrance of

that peace;

The gospel cornet brought a sound unknown

to me before that reached my heart – and I lived –

never to lose my hold on Christ or his hold on me.

Grant that I may always weep to the praise of

mercy found,

and tell to others as long as I live,

that thou art a sin-pardoning God,

taking up the blasphemer and the ungodly,

and washing them from their deepest stain.

Expect the Same of Yourself

Something dawned on me about a year ago, primarily of myself, about pursuit of women.  I was expecting a woman who worked out three times a day without looking like she could bench press a car; looked great in a bikini; ate not too little where she would appear anorexic but not too much where she would be the garbage disposal; was smart but not smarter than me. She would wake up every morning looking like she just visited the beauty parlor, with no morning ho-hum. She would dress well; make good money (just in case in I lost my job…you know?) looked good in her Beemer but was not spoiled… Is the list long enough? You get my point.

Here’s what I was doing and what I continue to see with most “pursuits” by guys and “wants” by the ladies:  You expect to have what you are not willing to put forth.

How many movies have you seen in which an awkward, pre-pubescent freshman is trying to put the moves on the hot cheerleader who just broke up with the varsity quarterback?  Many times, right?  And what do you do?  You laugh and think, “This kid needs to wake up and stop dreaming.”  Now, I know most Christians will say, “No way, Josh.  It’s what’s in his and her heart that matters.  That is not the way it should be.  The physical isn’t what’s important.”  Yes, the inner is more important, but reality is important, too:

Let’s say, ladies, a guy is interested in you because you have a good job and a house and this would fit perfectly into his stupid plan of being the stay-at-home dad to the kids he never wanted.  What do you think of this guy?  Hopefully, “What a pathetic loser!”  Why?  He’s expecting to have what he’s not willing to put forth!

Dudes, say a woman is interested in you, but her hygiene blows.  Perhaps she’s gone bohemian and hasn’t used a razor since December, and when she smiles you see what she had for lunch.   What do you think?  ”This girl needs to get with the cultural program.”  She’s not exactly saying “Come get me, big fella!” is she?  What do you expect from her?  Hygiene!  So that means you need to have hygiene, also.  That means you need to floss, wear deodorant, and create two eyebrows.

Points to ponder:

1. Guys, do you have a woman-wish-list that you yourself cannot obtain?  If so, examine yourself- your character, your priorities, and yes, your appearance.
2. Ladies, it’s not only the men who have a wish list…

Happy hunting.

In a Barbie World

Have you ever seen the show Toddlers in Tiaras on TLC (For a creeper, this show is a dream)?  You know the show where mothers live vicariously through their daughters by manipulating them to flaunt their bodies in pageant?  Well, this morning on my drive to work I heard on the radio where a girl from the show is being administered botox injections by her mother (You can read the story here).  This little girl is 8-years-old!  What I find so sad is that this little girl is being taught that she is of no worth unless she looks like Barbie…to her mom and to the judges. 

A lot of girls today want to look like Barbie.  Unfortunately, what most people do not know is that the idea for Barbie came from a figurine is Germany who was a sexually active secretary, called Bild Lilli.  And all the little girls (let’s face it, this goes beyond childhood into adulthood) want to look like her – the pretty face, nice body, and long flowing hair – and even act like her.

 How can parents protect their daughters from the influence of Barbie?  Justin Holcomb wrote an article about protecting daughters from a Barbie-driven society.  I hope it is helpful and an encouragement.

Lady Repellent

A few weeks ago some friends asked me if I thought short sleeve shirts with a tie were a bad idea (apparently, this was a hot debate in their household the previous day).  I told them I thought this was basically a terrorist attack on fashion.  I came to find out that a short sleeve shirt with a tie is #2 on the 40 Common Men’s Fashion Mistakes to Avoid.  In this article, there are several other areas men fail fashion-wise…including myself.  Just like every guy wouldn’t be ready at the starting gate for a woman who dressed like Orphan Annie, we shouldn’t expect a woman to jump at the opportunity to date a guy who wore socks with sandals (#11).

(Photo by mtv.com– I just googled the image.  Not an endorsement of the site.)

Importance of Attraction

Check out this video.  Also, a sermon by Mark Driscoll did on dating is worth listening to.  He gives the history of it and answers several really practical questions.

Know Your Idols

Here is an article by Mark Driscoll regarding identifying idols in our lives.  It can be found at The Resurgence among many other great resources.

Resurrection

O GOD OF MY EXODUS,
Great was the joy of Israel’s sons
when Egypt died upon the shore,
Far greater the joy
when the Redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust.
Jesus strides forth as the victor,
conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might;
He bursts the bands of death,
tramples the powers of darkness down,
and lives for ever.
He, my gracious surety,
apprehended for payment of my debt,
comes forth from the prison house of the grave
free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death.
Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering is accepted,
that the claims of justice are satisfied,
that the devil’s sceptre is shivered,
that his wrongful throne is levelled.
Give me the assurance that in Christ I died, in Him I rose,
in His life I live, in His victory I triumph,
in His ascension I shall be glorified.
Adorable Redeemer,
Thou who wast lifted up upon a cross
art ascended to highest heaven.
Thou, who as man of sorrows wast crowned with thorns,
art now as Lord of life wreathed with glory.
Once, no shame more deep than Thine,
no agony more bitter, no death more cruel.
Now, no exaltation more high,
no life more glorious, no advocate more effective.
Thou art in the triumph car leading captive Thine enemies behind Thee.
What more could be done than Thou hast done!
Thy death is my life, Thy resurrection my peace,
Thy ascension my hope, Thy prayers my comfort.

-Resurrection, The Valley of Vision