Saturday, July 18, 2009
Would You Answer This Personal Ad?
If you were a single young man looking for a bride, would you pursue the personal ad below?
"Lonely woman seeks hard-working, devoted and wealthy young man who will wait on her hand and foot, doing his best make life comfortable and enjoyable for her.
Appearance: Potentially attractive but unwilling to let prospective husband influence what she wears or how she appears. Chronic over-eater who enjoys a variety of unhealthy habits which will likely cause major diseases and premature death. Prefers dirty clothes, unkempt hair and minimum use of soap, deodorant, lotions and perfumes.
Talents and Goals: Very talented, but not willing to develop them due to the energy required. Looking forward to a lifestyle that includes late mornings, no domestic responsibilities, parties, extravagant vacations, and a beautiful home and car. Will expect husband to be a faithful provider, encourager, and admirer who can be understanding should extra-marital affairs be necessary to satisfy extensive needs for love and attention. Not interested in the troublesome ordeals associated with children. Ultimate goal is to be comfortable and in charge of all aspects of personal and family life.
Current situation: Recently abandoned by 23rd boyfriend. Unemployed. No educational or vocational experience. In immediate need of a place to live. Have no assets or energy to bring to the relationship.
If you are lucky enough to be reading this ad and are willing to commit your life to my happiness, please call on a Wednesday between 3 and 3:30 to schedule an appointment at a time and place which is convenient for me. "
My guess that most single young men would not even consider responding to that ad. It drips with selfishness, laziness and immaturity. An individual who would post such an ad would surely be destined for disastrous relationships.
Ironically, when I reflect on some of the prayers I have prayed, I realize that they may have sounded very much like that ad. In essence, I have sometimes appealed to the King of kings with requests and demands for my own pleasure. Crazy, huh? Maybe I mistook prayer for a way to demand my happiness. Why would God be attracted to someone who thought only of their well-being? I’ve got to stop praying those kinds of prayers.
The truth is that it is easy to let the spirit of our age influence the most important relationship in our lives. The Bible predicts a time period like ours that is marked by greed and selfishness: “… in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT)
However, the Bible also predicts: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit…” (Acts 2:17-18 KJV)
I want to be in the latter category – full of God’s Spirit rather than full of myself. I want my prayers to consider God’s preferences and desires. I want to pray attractive prayers – the kind God would want to answer.
"Lonely woman seeks hard-working, devoted and wealthy young man who will wait on her hand and foot, doing his best make life comfortable and enjoyable for her.
Appearance: Potentially attractive but unwilling to let prospective husband influence what she wears or how she appears. Chronic over-eater who enjoys a variety of unhealthy habits which will likely cause major diseases and premature death. Prefers dirty clothes, unkempt hair and minimum use of soap, deodorant, lotions and perfumes.
Talents and Goals: Very talented, but not willing to develop them due to the energy required. Looking forward to a lifestyle that includes late mornings, no domestic responsibilities, parties, extravagant vacations, and a beautiful home and car. Will expect husband to be a faithful provider, encourager, and admirer who can be understanding should extra-marital affairs be necessary to satisfy extensive needs for love and attention. Not interested in the troublesome ordeals associated with children. Ultimate goal is to be comfortable and in charge of all aspects of personal and family life.
Current situation: Recently abandoned by 23rd boyfriend. Unemployed. No educational or vocational experience. In immediate need of a place to live. Have no assets or energy to bring to the relationship.
If you are lucky enough to be reading this ad and are willing to commit your life to my happiness, please call on a Wednesday between 3 and 3:30 to schedule an appointment at a time and place which is convenient for me. "
My guess that most single young men would not even consider responding to that ad. It drips with selfishness, laziness and immaturity. An individual who would post such an ad would surely be destined for disastrous relationships.
Ironically, when I reflect on some of the prayers I have prayed, I realize that they may have sounded very much like that ad. In essence, I have sometimes appealed to the King of kings with requests and demands for my own pleasure. Crazy, huh? Maybe I mistook prayer for a way to demand my happiness. Why would God be attracted to someone who thought only of their well-being? I’ve got to stop praying those kinds of prayers.
The truth is that it is easy to let the spirit of our age influence the most important relationship in our lives. The Bible predicts a time period like ours that is marked by greed and selfishness: “… in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT)
However, the Bible also predicts: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit…” (Acts 2:17-18 KJV)
I want to be in the latter category – full of God’s Spirit rather than full of myself. I want my prayers to consider God’s preferences and desires. I want to pray attractive prayers – the kind God would want to answer.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Land of the Free?
It’s almost July 4th again. It will be time to light sparklers, barbecue hamburgers and watch fabulous fireworks displays. It is truly an American holiday. Our favorite patriotic songs declare America to be a bastion of freedom. Using lyrics such as “sweet land of liberty and land of the free,” Americans have boasted that their country celebrated the individuals’ God-given “right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Freedom and America have almost become synonymous.
But, historically, there always seems to be someone who wants to take freedom away. This robbery is usually carried out through war or through legislation. So, while governments can be a great protection to their people, they also tend to be the greatest threat to that liberty. That is what was so alarming about a story that surfaced recently in California, causing many citizens to take notice. According to a the San Diego News, “ A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home…” (http://www.10news.com/news/19562217/detail.html)
Where have our liberties gone?! Do Americans want so much government control that they are required to get a permit in order to have a birthday party, a Memorial Day cookout, a Tupperware party, or a wedding reception in their own home? Do we want some bureaucrat telling us if we can pray at home, or have some friends over to discuss a political matter? Are we still the land of the free?
In my opinion, America has enjoyed being one of the most prosperous nations in the world because we honored God and the liberties he intends all men to enjoy. To abandon freedom and embrace a system in which the government takes care of everything and, therefore, controls everything will ruin more than a good holiday, it will ruin a great country.
Even casual students of history will quickly recognize that bureaucracy and unjust courts are the trademark of nations who have lost their moorings. As the saying goes, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” If a nation does not stand for justice and liberty, it will soon be nothing more than a group of people who are dominated by a ruling class.
God felt strongly about the need for good morals and true justice. On many occasions He told his people that he would rather that they didn’t even come to church and pretend to be religious if they were not going to live right. Here’s one example of God expressing his opinion on the matter:
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! “ (Amos 5:21-24NIV)
A free nation is made up of people... people who must take justice and righteousness into consideration when they vote… people who must pray for their leaders… people who must seek God’s face and turn from wrong behavior. That is what gave America her good start. That is where a nation gets true liberty. It’s almost July 4th again, let’s celebrate it heartily with cookouts, fireworks and lives filled with righteousness and justice.
But, historically, there always seems to be someone who wants to take freedom away. This robbery is usually carried out through war or through legislation. So, while governments can be a great protection to their people, they also tend to be the greatest threat to that liberty. That is what was so alarming about a story that surfaced recently in California, causing many citizens to take notice. According to a the San Diego News, “ A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home…” (http://www.10news.com/news/19562217/detail.html)
Where have our liberties gone?! Do Americans want so much government control that they are required to get a permit in order to have a birthday party, a Memorial Day cookout, a Tupperware party, or a wedding reception in their own home? Do we want some bureaucrat telling us if we can pray at home, or have some friends over to discuss a political matter? Are we still the land of the free?
In my opinion, America has enjoyed being one of the most prosperous nations in the world because we honored God and the liberties he intends all men to enjoy. To abandon freedom and embrace a system in which the government takes care of everything and, therefore, controls everything will ruin more than a good holiday, it will ruin a great country.
Even casual students of history will quickly recognize that bureaucracy and unjust courts are the trademark of nations who have lost their moorings. As the saying goes, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” If a nation does not stand for justice and liberty, it will soon be nothing more than a group of people who are dominated by a ruling class.
God felt strongly about the need for good morals and true justice. On many occasions He told his people that he would rather that they didn’t even come to church and pretend to be religious if they were not going to live right. Here’s one example of God expressing his opinion on the matter:
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! “ (Amos 5:21-24NIV)
A free nation is made up of people... people who must take justice and righteousness into consideration when they vote… people who must pray for their leaders… people who must seek God’s face and turn from wrong behavior. That is what gave America her good start. That is where a nation gets true liberty. It’s almost July 4th again, let’s celebrate it heartily with cookouts, fireworks and lives filled with righteousness and justice.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
