From this month’s Discipleship Journal

“THE MIND OF MAN PLANS HIS WAYS, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS.” Proverbs 16:9

In this month’s Discipleship Journal, Paula Rinehart writes on releasing regret - overcoming the questions and doubts from the past and letting God’s sovereignty overtake us. She encourages us to not look at years as if they’ve been wasted (such an evil lie!). As believers in Christ, we have a different way to live: “If we make the journey of life in Christ well, we will eventually come face-to-face with the sovereignty of God.”…

Good news: “The God who spoke the worlds into existence and keeps the stars in place is the GOD who knows you like no one else ever will. He has always loved you. He will love you to the end. His purposes for you are so set that you can rest every minute in the shade of His merciful superintendence over your life.”

Love the Right Way

I think it’s possible to love the wrong way. My intentions can show that I might put a limit on how far or how much love I might give. They can tell me if I’ve mistaken love for something else, or if I’ve ignored it for shameful reasons. That’s loving all wrong. But ”the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable” (Psalm 10:32).

Loving the right way doesn’t come with butterflies. It doesn’t come with an A+ or a round of applause. You don’t always get a feeling or a voice in the night. Loving the right way is patient, it’s righteous, godly, and it takes your whole being. Loving the right way takes practice. And it’s not easy. It speaks through everything you do. It brings you closer to God, to His glory, to His people. And it will always return.

1 Corinthians 13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity sufferth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth (boasts) not itself, is not puffed up,

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. ~~~

The single raunch culture

I’m out of the academic research loop on many things including social cultural thoughts, but I found this post and linked article interesting. You can read it here by author Carolyn McCulley. The referring article is found originally at The Wall Street Journal Online. She refers to the current world of singleness as a raunch culture giving examples of media spots like Girls Gone Wild and Sex in the City. Women seem to portray a provocative stance and are very much on the offense (as opposed to defensively) advertising their sexuality. 

Singleness becomes a lottery ticket: we sell the phrase for attractive ideas - that aren’t lasting - in hopes of cashing in on happiness and peace. We confuse sex with sexuality and presuppose that sexiness is the only way to connect the two.  

The article’s focus on college reflects how easy it is to miss the conservative’s views of dating on campus, and all the actions (and non-action) involved with “keeping your body a temple.” I would’ve loved to have had a college discussion on sexuality and spirituality in my own class. We mock relationships, beat down the concept of marriage, criticize the government for getting involved in family life, and step back from positive conversation on the amazing creation of God - the human being, male and female. I’d like more positive discussion on the cultural influence of the single female made in the image of God.

The idea of trading in a date for sex, or 1 outfit for lowered expectations is objectifying and doesn’t move us away from consumerist attitudes of women. Collectively looking at her impact and necessity in society is empowering and instructive for us as we move forward in any realm - work, school, home, church, wherever.   

Recommended reading: Sex God by Rob Bell. You can read a sample here. 

 

What Have We Become

It’s important to not let these things slide. Cheerleader Attack 

On Tuesday, eight teens decided to attack a girl and videotape the accomplices taking turns in the beating. They first kidnapped her, and then threatened her life if she talked to law enforcement. Six females were involved in the beating and 2 males who reportedly stood by - all between 15-18 years. The father says her face was disfigured so badly, he wasn’t able to recognize her. Those are all facts.

When I was in elementary school, we had help groups during the day where we’d sit with a highschooler who would help us with our reading. I only remember the highschoolers now because I took them for granted then, but what I remember most was the fact that we grew up to expect them to be there, in their chair, with all of us in a circle. The one mentor I remember was male, quiet, and very encouraging to us. He also wore a lot of black and, if memory serves me correctly, had spikes in his clothing. He was between the age of 15-18 years. I don’t know where he is now. But those are all facts.

Someone forgot to expect moral responsibility despite whatever physical facts we see, whatever ‘role’ we play in 4 years of schooling. Looks like at least 8 kids forgot, and every single person checking out that video. What happened this week was very much a sexuality issue. A twisted concept of female strength, of solidarity (not even friendship), and male guidance. Somewhere these girls misunderstood their sexuality and self-worth by disrespecting the female body and desecrating the image of another human being. It’s that serious. What’s more, they made a decision to publicly advertise their actions as acceptable.

Unfortunately, I can’t just look on when violent behavior happens in youth who have the full potential of leading the next generation. The fact is, every child needs to be able to trust and appreciate her sexuality if she’s ever going to make decisions that have true lasting value.  It can’t happen when youth senselessly violate each other and the media advertises it.

“What Have We Become“: DC Talk

No Love Note Needed

When you don’t call a girl, for whatever reason, it’s not on your priority list. She doesn’t need a love note or a bouquet of roses, or sympathy. When you don’t ask to see how she’s doing, or take time to hang out - she gets it. Females see through the attempts and can call it for what it is - disinterest. Sure it may take some time and heartbreak, but eventually reality will set in and she’ll move on as other things creep into the schedule. I’m not sure what guys do on the other hand, but they would do a greater service to be honest and at least call it for what it is.   

“At the age of eleven or thereabouts
women acquire a poise and an ability to handle difficult situations
which a man, if he is lucky, manages to achieve somewhere in the later
seventies.” - P.G. Wodehouse

To their credit, I believe women adapt much earlier than that.

Recommended reading: “I’m just not attracted to her - Part 2“