Recently I wrote a paper for my personality research class that mentioned an incident in which I was verbally bullied by three girls in the third grade. Working on this project allowed me time to reflect on this incident as well as an act of courageous manhood exhibited by my father in the midst of this.
After being teased/bullied by these girls for a while, my dad paid a visit to the fathers of two of the girls during dinner time to talk with them about how their daughters were treating me.
My father intervened on my behalf. He took action to protect me from the verbal abuse of these girls. In doing so, he demonstrated his great love for me as well as his commitment to his God-given responsibilities as a father and man. Looking back on this incident, I feel so loved in knowing that my father was willing to step up on my behalf.
My earthly father's actions in this situation provide a glimpse into something even greater that my heavenly father, God, has done for me and you. Romans 5:8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God intervened on our behalf to save us from the punishment we deserve for our sin against him. Because of his great love for us, he has made salvation available to all those who will believe on him (Acts 16:31). I am thankful for God's great love for me and the action he has taken on my behalf.
In addition, I am thankful for my father and proud of the godly and courageous man that he is. As I pray and wait expectantly for God to provide me with a husband, I am glad that I have been allowed the opportunity to observe my father in this role. My father has demonstrated to me that he believes me to be worthy of love and respect. I will marry a man who demonstrates the same love and respect for the person I am.
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For more information and encouragement with regard to this topic, check out a new book related to this topic of courageous manhood called
Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood. This book was written by Dennis Rainey of FamilyLife Today to challenge men to rise to the role to which God has called them.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
What to Look for in a Potential Spouse
Just came across an excellent, concise list of qualities to look for in a potential spouse. This was written by Dennis Rainey of Family Life.
To see the full article, please click here.
What to look for in a potential husband:
1. Fears God.
2. Not afraid to love.
3. Can admit his faults, his mistakes, and when he's hurt you.
4. Can control his passions.
5. Honors his parents.
6. Is in the process of becoming a leader who knows how to serve.
What to look for in a potential wife:
1. Fears God and whose hope is in the Lord.
2. Honors her parents.
3. Knows how to ask for forgiveness, admit she's wrong, grant forgiveness, and give grace when you fail her.
4. Wants to be a wife and mother.
5. Displays character in her modest dress.
6. Knows how to follow a man.
To see the full article, please click here.
What to look for in a potential husband:
1. Fears God.
2. Not afraid to love.
3. Can admit his faults, his mistakes, and when he's hurt you.
4. Can control his passions.
5. Honors his parents.
6. Is in the process of becoming a leader who knows how to serve.
What to look for in a potential wife:
1. Fears God and whose hope is in the Lord.
2. Honors her parents.
3. Knows how to ask for forgiveness, admit she's wrong, grant forgiveness, and give grace when you fail her.
4. Wants to be a wife and mother.
5. Displays character in her modest dress.
6. Knows how to follow a man.
Media to the Glory of God
Among the gray areas in the life of a Christian, discernment in media consumption is a significant topic.
We take in so much through music, movies, and TV shows that it would be foolish to assume that what we watch/listen to won't affect us. Sometimes Christians will say that it's alright for them to watch movies with loads of profanity and sexual scenarios because it doesn't bother them. Why is that? One possibility is that they've already watched so many of these types of movies/TV shows, that they've become desensitized to this type of content.
Philipians 4:8 tells us that the things on which we should dwell are things that are "true," "noble," "right," "pure," "lovely," "admirable," "excellent," and "praiseworthy." So much of the content of firms today are things that grieve the heart of God. Why would we want to spend time dwelling on these types of things?
In addition, so many of the TV shows/movies today feature attitudes that are disrespectful towards God, marriage, men, sex, and the family unit. Many feature unmarried couples living together as normal and expected behavior. An increasing number also depict homosexual relationships as an acceptable alternative to marriage.
As Christians, it is important to set boundaries with regard to relationships, the activities to which we commit ourselves, etc. Media consumption should be among the places where we draw boundaries for ourselves.
Your boundaries with regard to media is something that you should pray about and you may also want to consult a pastor or an older mature Christian for advice.
Once you've set a standard for yourself, hold to it. If you have an accountability partner, you may even want to let him/her know so that they can check up with you with regard to your media intake.
One extremely helpful tool is Plugged In, a ministry of Focus on the Family. They provide detailed reviews about new movies, music, and TV shows and especially alert you to the following types of content: positive elements, spiritual elements, violence, sexuality, profanity, and other negative elements. They even have an iphone app! I would highly recommend this great resource.
Above all, seek to honor God with the media that you allow into your body.
For some additional reading on media discernment, check out the following articles:
It's Never 'Just a Movie'
The Vixenette
A Knight Too Dark?
We take in so much through music, movies, and TV shows that it would be foolish to assume that what we watch/listen to won't affect us. Sometimes Christians will say that it's alright for them to watch movies with loads of profanity and sexual scenarios because it doesn't bother them. Why is that? One possibility is that they've already watched so many of these types of movies/TV shows, that they've become desensitized to this type of content.
Philipians 4:8 tells us that the things on which we should dwell are things that are "true," "noble," "right," "pure," "lovely," "admirable," "excellent," and "praiseworthy." So much of the content of firms today are things that grieve the heart of God. Why would we want to spend time dwelling on these types of things?
In addition, so many of the TV shows/movies today feature attitudes that are disrespectful towards God, marriage, men, sex, and the family unit. Many feature unmarried couples living together as normal and expected behavior. An increasing number also depict homosexual relationships as an acceptable alternative to marriage.
As Christians, it is important to set boundaries with regard to relationships, the activities to which we commit ourselves, etc. Media consumption should be among the places where we draw boundaries for ourselves.
Your boundaries with regard to media is something that you should pray about and you may also want to consult a pastor or an older mature Christian for advice.
Once you've set a standard for yourself, hold to it. If you have an accountability partner, you may even want to let him/her know so that they can check up with you with regard to your media intake.
One extremely helpful tool is Plugged In, a ministry of Focus on the Family. They provide detailed reviews about new movies, music, and TV shows and especially alert you to the following types of content: positive elements, spiritual elements, violence, sexuality, profanity, and other negative elements. They even have an iphone app! I would highly recommend this great resource.
Above all, seek to honor God with the media that you allow into your body.
For some additional reading on media discernment, check out the following articles:
It's Never 'Just a Movie'
The Vixenette
A Knight Too Dark?
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