A young lady named Katie is a friend of my son Chris. The last several posts on her blog have been about modesty. She writes about what the Lord has been showing her about the matter and how He has led her to make some changes regarding how she is to dress. Katie admits it isn't easy, but believes it is worthwhile to do so.
I agree with her that it is important for young women to be aware of how they dress. I have attempted to communicate this to my own daughters so that they understand how God wired men to respond to the female body; which was in its inception good. Adam saw Eve and said "Wow! This is great." And so it was. God looked and said it was good. That was before the fruit episode that turned into he said-she said and messed up the whole thing.
So the problem now is we live in a fallen world and have a sinful nature, so our glances turn to thoughts which can quickly turn to lustful thoughts, a.k.a. sin. The more skin that is revealed, the faster the thoughts go toward sin.
I'll relay what I've told my daughters: Ladies, men notice! Men will notice what you are wearing and they notice what you are not wearing. It does not matter how young or old the man, he will look. If it would totally creep you out that some guy that is 50 or 60 years old (or older) would look at you and enjoy the view, you might want to consider what you are showing. Men will consider it advertising.
I do not share these things to place a burden on women; men have their place of responsibility in the matter. Those of us who are aware of the need to control our thoughts try hard to do so. But there are many, many men in this world who do not even consider that they should avoid thinking lustfully and entertain it quickly, so ladies please be aware.
Enough on this subject today.
God Bless you all.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
VT Tragedy
There is not much I can say that hasn't already been said by so many others. This much I must share:
My heart grieves over the this tragic, senseless act of violence and the loss of life.
My heart grieves for the parents of the young man who needlessly took so many lives, and is now absolutely lost as well. There is no hope for his salvation.
My heart grieves for the families and friends of those who were slain and injured. Their lives will never be the same. Their hurt, unimaginable. Their trust is shaken.
My heart grieves for the students and faculty at VT. There is no way any can remain untouched by this horrific event.
Dear merciful Father God, You Who comfort those who mourn. Comfort those now who are mourning for their loved ones lost to them. Send forth Your Holy Spirit to touch hearts as only You can. Send forth Your workers into these fields to share Your Word, Your hope, and Your promise of eternal life for those who will believe that You Jesus are truly the living Son of God. Lord, forgive me that I am unable to fully see how You will use this to Your purposes, but Lord, I know You will do it.
Thank You for making us bold to proclaim Your gospel in these days, in this time, to this desperate and dying world that so needs You.
My heart grieves over the this tragic, senseless act of violence and the loss of life.
My heart grieves for the parents of the young man who needlessly took so many lives, and is now absolutely lost as well. There is no hope for his salvation.
My heart grieves for the families and friends of those who were slain and injured. Their lives will never be the same. Their hurt, unimaginable. Their trust is shaken.
My heart grieves for the students and faculty at VT. There is no way any can remain untouched by this horrific event.
Dear merciful Father God, You Who comfort those who mourn. Comfort those now who are mourning for their loved ones lost to them. Send forth Your Holy Spirit to touch hearts as only You can. Send forth Your workers into these fields to share Your Word, Your hope, and Your promise of eternal life for those who will believe that You Jesus are truly the living Son of God. Lord, forgive me that I am unable to fully see how You will use this to Your purposes, but Lord, I know You will do it.
Thank You for making us bold to proclaim Your gospel in these days, in this time, to this desperate and dying world that so needs You.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Riding Uphill Into the Wind
Last summer I took up mountain biking for exercise. Well, to be more specific I took up riding a mountain bike and attempted to take up mountain biking. There is a difference. Anyone that can ride a bicycle can ride a mountain bike. Not just anyone can mountain bike. The latter actually requires some skill, which I used to think I might have.
Anyway, I can easily ride my mountain bike on wide nicely groomed trails which is what I started doing last summer during my lunch times. I figured at 40-something and a desk job, I could use it. Occasionally since then I have endeavored to ride with some guys at work that actually know how to "mountain bike"
and that is quite different and really close to being a lot of work, and that is another story for another day.
Today I went out on the wide "easy" trail which heads north from our office building figuring it was going to be an easy ride. But I didn't count on the steady 20+ mph headwind (gusting to 30+ mph) to go with the slightly uphill ride. The five-and-a-half miles that usually takes me 25 minutes, took 35 minutes today and I was gassed. Fortunately the ride back is a slight downhill and today had a great tailwind. :P
I guess the point to all this babbling is that sometimes the ordinary things in our lives can seem long and arduous when things change just a little bit from the usual. Sometimes a storm blows in and we end up heading into the wind and we get tired. The hard part is persevering, but sooner or later the wind changes direction or we change direction and it isn't so difficult any more.
Anyway, I can easily ride my mountain bike on wide nicely groomed trails which is what I started doing last summer during my lunch times. I figured at 40-something and a desk job, I could use it. Occasionally since then I have endeavored to ride with some guys at work that actually know how to "mountain bike"
and that is quite different and really close to being a lot of work, and that is another story for another day.Today I went out on the wide "easy" trail which heads north from our office building figuring it was going to be an easy ride. But I didn't count on the steady 20+ mph headwind (gusting to 30+ mph) to go with the slightly uphill ride. The five-and-a-half miles that usually takes me 25 minutes, took 35 minutes today and I was gassed. Fortunately the ride back is a slight downhill and today had a great tailwind. :P
I guess the point to all this babbling is that sometimes the ordinary things in our lives can seem long and arduous when things change just a little bit from the usual. Sometimes a storm blows in and we end up heading into the wind and we get tired. The hard part is persevering, but sooner or later the wind changes direction or we change direction and it isn't so difficult any more.
Cristo Redentor
Today 
I thought I would post something that might be a little different and hopefully interesting.
The picture on the left, as well as the one I have associated with my blog is that of a statue on Corcavado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil called Cristo Redentor, or Christ the Redeemer.
These are not pictures I found on the internet, rather it is one I was fortunate enough to have been able to take myself in June 2004.
The statue is 125 feet tall and quite impressive as it sits on top of a 2330 foot high mountain that overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Guanabara Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
I hope you enjoyed this brief trip to Brazil.
I thought I would post something that might be a little different and hopefully interesting.The picture on the left, as well as the one I have associated with my blog is that of a statue on Corcavado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil called Cristo Redentor, or Christ the Redeemer.
These are not pictures I found on the internet, rather it is one I was fortunate enough to have been able to take myself in June 2004.
The statue is 125 feet tall and quite impressive as it sits on top of a 2330 foot high mountain that overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Guanabara Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
I hope you enjoyed this brief trip to Brazil.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
My Little Life
Every once in a while I think things in my life might be a little difficult, and I really mean just a little, and then my eyes are opened to others that are in the middle of real difficulty.
I was reading an online friend's (Ame) blog and she included a link to Especially Heather's site. I have not been to Heather's site before, but she and her family need of prayer for God's divine intervention. Please take a minute, read her story and remember her before the throne of God our Father.
May God touch her and heal her and keep her and her family. Thank you Jesus that You remember Your saints and that You too intercede for them before the Father.
My life's "difficulties" are pretty small, thank God.
I was reading an online friend's (Ame) blog and she included a link to Especially Heather's site. I have not been to Heather's site before, but she and her family need of prayer for God's divine intervention. Please take a minute, read her story and remember her before the throne of God our Father.
May God touch her and heal her and keep her and her family. Thank you Jesus that You remember Your saints and that You too intercede for them before the Father.
My life's "difficulties" are pretty small, thank God.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Emotional Meltdown
Okay. Here it the tough part. If you're a guy, you're never supposed to admit to an emotional meltdown even if it happens. You're just supposed to suck it up and go on. Put on the tough guy act. Keep a straight face. Keep it all hidden away inside. Maybe yell and scream at the sky when nobody is around to witness it, or find a way to expel the emotions via extreme exertion of physical energy. But never, ever let anyone witness the ultimate act unbecoming of manliness by losing it emotionally, much less confessing it. Well, I'm about to blow it big time.
Yesterday was the day that everything REALLY hit me. All the stresses of the last week really found me while I was at work. God had raised me up, given me hope, given me strength and encouragement for others and myself. He has been so good to me. Yesterday though all the stuff just caught up and it was time for me to be able to let it go. Not to minimize God's faithfulness in any way; He was with me all the way yesterday too. But emotionally I just felt like a train wreck had run through my life... and along the way I popped off a terse email to my son expressing my frustration about some things he had recently shared in an email... It was NOT GOOD!
Fortunately, my son was forgiving of my poor judgment, but we still have some things to work out.
I melted down...
God picked me back up, put me back together, set me on my feet again, took my hand and said, "Now, son, come walk with me and I'll show you how and where to walk." And He has set things back aright in my life once more. I get to deal with the difficult circumstances of my actions, but that is my Father's grace for me and He is sufficient.
That is my confession. I do the best I can and yield and submit to my God as well as I am able and He is faithful to work out the kinks in this fallen, sinful man that He sent His Son to redeem. I am and have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I am washed whiter than the snow, but every once in a while, I need my feet washed. Thank You Lord!
Yesterday was the day that everything REALLY hit me. All the stresses of the last week really found me while I was at work. God had raised me up, given me hope, given me strength and encouragement for others and myself. He has been so good to me. Yesterday though all the stuff just caught up and it was time for me to be able to let it go. Not to minimize God's faithfulness in any way; He was with me all the way yesterday too. But emotionally I just felt like a train wreck had run through my life... and along the way I popped off a terse email to my son expressing my frustration about some things he had recently shared in an email... It was NOT GOOD!
Fortunately, my son was forgiving of my poor judgment, but we still have some things to work out.
I melted down...
God picked me back up, put me back together, set me on my feet again, took my hand and said, "Now, son, come walk with me and I'll show you how and where to walk." And He has set things back aright in my life once more. I get to deal with the difficult circumstances of my actions, but that is my Father's grace for me and He is sufficient.
That is my confession. I do the best I can and yield and submit to my God as well as I am able and He is faithful to work out the kinks in this fallen, sinful man that He sent His Son to redeem. I am and have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I am washed whiter than the snow, but every once in a while, I need my feet washed. Thank You Lord!
Sunday, April 8, 2007
In the Workplace
Friday was a tough day in our office. The funding for our contract ended. About a dozen people were laid off. Almost half of the people released were among those who had gathered with us this week to pray. The younger man I shared an office with was among those released. I was not.
I have to trust my God and believe that His plan is perfect because He is perfect. We prayed that no matter what the outcome was He would be glorified in it. I know He will.
It may be difficult for those who are now having to find new jobs to see God's goodness and mercy in this time, but I know His hand is upon them. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says "For I know the plans that I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (NASB) I trust in my God for them and for their welfare and their provision. God remains Jehovah Jireh [God the Provider] regardless of what the circumstances look like.
I was prepared in my heart to accept it if I were one of those released, because I know the testimony my God has established in me concerning His faithfulness to provide. He has always taken care of us. This job is an instrument in God's hand to provide for our financial means. Maybe it is His desire for some of these others to learn what He has already taught me. I don't know. I cannot see all of God's plans. Sometimes I think I wish I could, but I know they are more than I am capable of understanding. So then I must trust Him as my Father, just as my children trust me as their father, that I would not lead them to harm, but only to that which is good for them. If I being inherently evil by nature desire to give that which is good to my children, how much more is God who is purely good by nature able and desirous to give that which is good to His children.
John, Amy, Mike, Jessica, and Bryan, I lift you up before our Father who you are His children and knows your needs. I am grateful that You know the Father and know that He will take care of you. I pray for you that God will provide the next job for you quickly.
For the others that I don't know if they know you Father, I pray for You reveal Yourself to them in only the way Your Holy Spirit can. You are the self-revealing God, so I ask You to reveal Yourself and I thank You for doing so. I ask for them also that you provide employment for them so that they may be able to provide for their families. You are gracious God.
I also thank You for those of us You have chosen to remain. Thank You for the opportunities to be bold and proclaim our faith in You this past week. I believe it was only the foundation for that which is yet to come. Thank You for Your salvation to many more in our workplace and for the testimony You have established to be proclaimed through us whom You have planted there for this season. Thank You that I can ask You Father in the name of Jesus Your Son. Amen.
I have to trust my God and believe that His plan is perfect because He is perfect. We prayed that no matter what the outcome was He would be glorified in it. I know He will.
It may be difficult for those who are now having to find new jobs to see God's goodness and mercy in this time, but I know His hand is upon them. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says "For I know the plans that I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (NASB) I trust in my God for them and for their welfare and their provision. God remains Jehovah Jireh [God the Provider] regardless of what the circumstances look like.
I was prepared in my heart to accept it if I were one of those released, because I know the testimony my God has established in me concerning His faithfulness to provide. He has always taken care of us. This job is an instrument in God's hand to provide for our financial means. Maybe it is His desire for some of these others to learn what He has already taught me. I don't know. I cannot see all of God's plans. Sometimes I think I wish I could, but I know they are more than I am capable of understanding. So then I must trust Him as my Father, just as my children trust me as their father, that I would not lead them to harm, but only to that which is good for them. If I being inherently evil by nature desire to give that which is good to my children, how much more is God who is purely good by nature able and desirous to give that which is good to His children.
John, Amy, Mike, Jessica, and Bryan, I lift you up before our Father who you are His children and knows your needs. I am grateful that You know the Father and know that He will take care of you. I pray for you that God will provide the next job for you quickly.
For the others that I don't know if they know you Father, I pray for You reveal Yourself to them in only the way Your Holy Spirit can. You are the self-revealing God, so I ask You to reveal Yourself and I thank You for doing so. I ask for them also that you provide employment for them so that they may be able to provide for their families. You are gracious God.
I also thank You for those of us You have chosen to remain. Thank You for the opportunities to be bold and proclaim our faith in You this past week. I believe it was only the foundation for that which is yet to come. Thank You for Your salvation to many more in our workplace and for the testimony You have established to be proclaimed through us whom You have planted there for this season. Thank You that I can ask You Father in the name of Jesus Your Son. Amen.
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