Pursuit of Manhood

Recently, Sovereign Grace Ministries did a conference talking about every man's call to biblical masculinity. Take some time to listen to these and other challenging messages over the holidays.

Al Mohler on Marriage

Is marriage the assumed pursuit for singles? Should it be?

Is delaying marriage a sin? Might it be?

Should a single man be allowed to be a pastor when 1 Timothy 3 says that he should be a "husband of one wife?"

These are questions that many of you have probably thought about, but may not have had answers too. Al Mohler's message on marriage at the New Attitude 2004 conference, answers many of them. His insights are intriguing and I think that some good discussion could come from singles and married couples alike humbly listening to it.

I encourage you to go to the link and download this free message. Put it on your iPod and spend some uninterupted time listening to the "Mystery of Marriage."

Society Notices Loving Parents

I posted on Dr. Voddie Baucham’s newest book a few months ago. I have also recommended it to many parents of teenagers and even those who don’t have older children yet, but I learned the other day that Baucham’s influence has spread further than parenting helps in the evangelical world… it has even reached the NFL.

I saw on the USA Today website the other day that New York Jets wide receiver, Jerricho Cotchery credits his desires for adoption as coming from a the influence of Baucham speaking about his own children. He saw Baucham speak highly of both his biological and adopted children and was stirred to adopt a baby girl because he and his wife have been unable to conceive.

It is amazing the influence that loving parents who enjoy parenting can have on society. We live in a society where people basically hate children, they willingly work long hours and are away from them, they want to only have two children(or less) because of the hindrance it is to there “normal” life, and the idea that “children are a blessing from the Lord” is seen as an outdated myth. Joyful parenting gets the attention of other parents. It draws them in to ask, “Why are you enjoying your children so much?” It leaves an unbelieving world asking us questions, which can only be answered by pointing to the grace and mercy of God shown to us through the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I can forgive my kids because Christ forgives me. I can discipline my kids because I know I am disciplined for my good. I can rejoice over my kids, just as Christ rejoices over me. I can be humble before my kids because I know that I am a far worse sinner than they will ever be.

Though it is only a window into gospel living, parenting that is focused on Christ and spills out into love for our children gets the attention of those around us. Even an NFL receiver knows when he sees a loving parent that it is something he also wants to be. I wonder if Jerricho Cotchery ever thought “when I grow up, I want to be a loving daddy?”

Modesty = Stylish?

A few weeks ago I posted on a recent book called Girls Gone Mild by Wendy Shalit. I came across an article in World Magazine today that spoke more of this book and the trend toward modesty that Shalit is seeing. She has a website (modestyzone.net) where she seeks to both protest against provocative ads from clothing stores as well as encourage the "Rebel of the Month" who goes against the tide of short skirts and low tops.

Though I don't think Shalit is complementarian from what I am reading (and I could be wrong, feel free to correct me) I think a lot of her thoughts are helpful.

Another great resource for modesty is the "Modesty Checklist" that Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters put together a few years ago. I know this has helped many moms get to the issues of the inseam while also getting to the issues of the heart.

Celebrate Your Divorce?

Brian and Joy were married for 13 years. During that final year of their marriage, Brian started working longer hours and spending extended time on a project with a female in the office (Alicia). During that year, Brain started pulling away from Joy emotionally and relationally. He didn't realize he was pulling away, but Joy could tell there was something going on. Brian knew that adultery was wrong, but thought that flirtatious conversations would not hurt anyone. He claimed to be "window shopping." He said that he was not looking to purchase, just browse. Brain was deceived. He was sliding down a slippery slope of deception that led toward adultery and divorce.

Now honestly, is anyone reading this post thinking... "hey, let's celebrate this! Let's throw a party in honor of this divorced couple and the grotesque abandonment that Brian performed. I'm sure Joy wants Brian to be happy." I would find that quite disturbing. I would see nothing humorous or wise in doing such an event. Celebrating sin is never a good idea (see Romans 1).

I was shocked when I was e-mailed a link to a blog post this morning that explained just that kind of party. Some people are celebrating their divorce. It sounded odd to me too. This is possibly one of the most disturbing and saddening posts I have read. It saddens me when people are being satisfied with far too little. God has promised healthy, godly marriages full of sexual delight and relational intimacy, but we have to do things His way. It is confounding to think that we can ever do something our way and gain the greatest pleasure. God invented marriage, loves marriage, and intended it to be a picture of Christ and the church. Marriage is for God's glory and our good, celebrating divorce does not just go against the societal norm for a social event, it goes against God.

A divorce party? I think I'll pass.

(Bill Seaver, my brother, was the one who e-mailed the link to me...thanks Bill! I also wanted to let you know that "Brian," "Joy," and "Alicia" are fictional characters for the sake of illustration)