Archive for love
Getting Hit On :: What Does Real Love Look Like?
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It’s been a long time, but I do remember what it feels like to be single. I remember being overly concerned with my appearance at all times. I remember being on the lookout for attractive girls without rocks on their fingers. I remember what it felt like to be hit on.
At least, I thought I did.
Truth be told, I think being married, being 30, and being completely disassociated with the dating scene makes you forget some things; I forgot completely, I think.
This Saturday, the day before Valentine’s Day, I was out at the mall doing a routine spinal screening for work. It was early in the morning and we were setting up the booth when a couple girls (mid to late 20′s) walked by and saw the sign that read “Free 5 Minute Massage With Each Spinal Screening.” The reply that followed left me a bit red in the face.
“So, are you the one doing the massage?” I was asked.
“No.” I laughed it off and continued, “Our masseuse will be here in a little while.”
“Can I pay extra to get you?” the girl flirtatiously replied.
“Nah.” was my witty come-back as they went on, giggling a bit at their frankness, I suppose. Meanwhile, I was left standing there with a face as red as a tomato, a bit speechless. I just got hit on I thought to myself. I made a few comments to my boss and to a friend who was there witnessing the whole thing and then carried on with my job. I was really eager to tell Tricia, though. I’ve still got it! Read More→
The Best Valentine’s Gift Ever :: Your Life Laid Down
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Here we are, two days before the most convoluted of all holidays: Valentine’s Day. Shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, this day has become a bit of an aggravation to me over the years. It has been fully embraced by our consumer-driven economy and has become a driving force for sales in most commercial places of business. No one really knows where it came from, but we all know (especially we men) exactly where it’s headed…and it always takes us with it.
I’m not immune to it, either. Not getting something for my wife on this day seems callous, yet bowing down to the goofiness of this money trap is almost more than I can stand. I am among the lucky few who has a wife that honestly doesn’t want the egregiously overpriced flowers on Valentine’s Day, and for that I am so very thankful! But we still play along with cards and a small gift or two. Like I said before, I feel like a jerk if I don’t do something!
So today, I was in Hallmark browsing their card collection in hopes of finding either something really nice and mushy or something absolutely hilarious. I found something in between and settled on it. It was a good card that lacked a certain characteristic I found troubling in probably 85% of the other cards available.
Apology. Read More→
God, Adam and Eve :: Why Love and Control Are Not the Same
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I was reading in Genesis the other day, taking in the Bible in a bit of a different way. There is a new publication by Zondervan that takes the TNIV version of the Bible and lays it out in one readable story: chronologically, in story form, omitting the places where events are repeated, delivering the story of God’s love in a seamless, readable way. You can look at it in depth over there under the Amazon Books section. ===> (Plug finished!)
I’ve read the story of Adam and Eve many times and heard a variety of sermons on the subject. The delightful thing about the Bible, though, is its ability to speak to you in new ways each time it is opened. It’s really incredible!
In the account of the fall of man, we all know and understand that the forbidden fruit was eaten against the request of God, and mankind fell into sin. I knew all about that. What struck me during this reading, however, was completely different. I’m sure I’ve read and heard about the Tree of Life that was placed next to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil plenty of times, but I don’t think I ever considered it. You see, God placed the Tree of Life in the same category as all the other trees. They were free to eat of it. They were free to receive life. And God could have left it that way. No Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, no problem…right? Just offer life with now choice of rebellion or death. Why not? (Genesis 2:8-9)
Unfortunately, there can’t be love when that kind of control is present. Read More→
The Element of Fear :: How It Almost Always Works and Usually Never Lasts
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I received an email not long ago that left me shocked and petrified in a way that I haven’t experienced in some time. It started light and easy. A warning. A good message: never use text messaging while driving.
I agree 100%.
I’ll be the first to admit that I have, in the past, utilized the text feature on my phone while behind the wheel. Guilty. But I’ve never experienced any pain, suffering or injury. I have veered into the shoulder area and/or crossed the sacred yellow line a few times, but never actually had an accident. And I would say, before this email, I was about 85% on the side of being against texting while driving. In my head, from my small swerves and questionable attention to detail, I had surmised that this was a habit worth avoiding. At least as long as there wasn’t anything urgent or pressing, anyway.
But when push came to shove, I would pick that phone up and text away if I really needed to communicate at that moment. (What did we do before cell phones, anyway?)
You see, the idea that I could really, really hurt myself or someone else had not become a reality for me just yet. It hadn’t hit home. And while I didn’t want that realization through a collision or a trip into a ditch, I knew in the back of my mind that I really shouldn’t test fate with this.
I knew it.
But I didn’t. Not really. Not until that email. Read More→
Why Present Tense is Good News For You and Me
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What’s the difference in these words?
Cleansed :: Cleanses
Same word, right? Same idea? Same meaning?
You would be tempted to think so, and in so doing, find yourself on the short side of God’s immeasurable grace.
1 John 1:7 tells us that Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all our sin. All our mess and failings. All that separates us from God. Scroll over that verse and notice the tense there. What if it said “cleansed?” What if it said Jesus’ blood cleansed us of all our sin the moment we accepted Him as Savior? Past tense. Singular event. That would still be a pretty awesome feat.
But what about tomorrow?
And the next day? Read More→
