You know, there are just a few things that I’m sick and tired of seeing/hearing/experiencing in this world. And even more particularly amongst self-professing evangelicals. Now, when I use the term evangelical, I use it very loosely, as I, myself, don’t know if I’m comfortable using it to describe myself. More and more, I’m leaning toward the Reformed label in a historical sense, but we shall see.

Anyway…

I have had it with feminism. I have had it with the whole selfish, infantile, screamings of women who are tired of being “oppressed”, “restricted”, ________ (fill-in-the-blank). It’s ridiculous. But you know what I hate even worse? Can you guess?

Within evangelicalism, feminism has had its way, admnistered its poison, and spineless jellyfish of…ahem….men have allowed it to happen, even within the church. I’m sorry, guys, but its our fault. It is time to be men. It is time to cherish the woman for the role that God has given her. This means a return to the godly, biblical, chivalrous exaltation of the role a woman plays in being a wife, a mother….a helpmeet.

No longer should we sit idly by and allow this bastard world define equality between men and women. No longer should we acquiesce to the mundane montras like, “well, in today’s world, a household needs two full-time incomes to make ends meet…that’s just how it is.” It is time to, in the words of the Apostle Paul, by inspiration of God Himself, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” This is not some call to hollywood John Wayne machismo (Cuz to be honest, I like Eastwood better). This is a call to strong-minded, determined, biblical godliness and masculinity in a world that is so saturated, pervaded, and perverted with the cancers of effeminate male-passivity, and godless feminist tendencies.  

It is my desire to undertake some blog entries examining the biblical roles of men and women (particularly husbands and wives) in the church, in the home, and in society. In doing so, I’m sure I’ll be labeled a dogmatist, a chauvenist, a paranoid alpha-male, and the like. The truth is, however, our sisters in Christ deserve better leadership than they’re getting. They deserve better treatment than they’re getting. And God knows, He alone is worthy of men acting according to His revealed, prescribed roles as He has set them forth.

Just as through one man, sin entered the world, and not through the woman who actually was the first to sin chronologically…just as Adam was held responsible and culpable for abdicating his headship over Eve….men, it’s time that we take back the reigns of responsibility and relieve women of a burden that was not given to them. We are the burden bearers of family responsibility. We are the ones held accountable for familial spiritual welfare, life, and well-being. It’s time to stand up, Gentlemen. Stop being so selfish and brace yourself like men.

We are to be faithful to our Creator. May it be so.

I’m most thankful for all of God’s goodness to me. When I went to visit my daughter today, I decided we’d take a walk because it was fairly nice outside. As we walked along she was pushing her little baby (toy) in a stroller, doing all the motherly things, etc. Such times are to be so cherished. I also tried to think of “fresh” ways to go over her Catechism questions. I playfully acted like I forgot the answer to one of them and said, “Hmm…I can’t remember…what IS a covenant?” And I scratched my head, as if I were painstakingly searching for the answer. She then speedily answered, so as to help me “remember”.

Times like these are great and yet, every once in a while, I’m flooded with sorrow and melancholy over things past and begin to experience loneliness, vulnerability, and a desire to have certain things in my life which are presently absent. It’s quite selfish, I know, which is why, of course, I ask for your prayers. I want to be content whatsoever circumstance the Lord God has placed me. But I’m human and I’m frail and I’m needy.

Jesse Ventura called Christiainity a crutch for the weak. He’s absolutely right. I’m such a week, needy, sinful, desolate man and I need God’s strength to bring me along. I am so thankful for Christ’s promise, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” I need Christ’s yoke, because it is He Who has carried the load. Blessed be His Name.

Anyway, I would appreciate your prayers on behalf of this selfish man.

Grace and Peace

Ecclesiastes 11:5

As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with chid, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

A common theme throughout Scripture we would all do well to remember daily. Hallowed be His Name. His kingdom come. His will be done. Amen.  

Ecclesiastes 1:18

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

We often hear the phrase, “Ignorance is bliss.” Well, it comes from a poem by Thomas Gray. Here are some excerpts:

Alas! regardless of their doom,
    The little victims play!
No sense have they of ills to come,
    Nor care beyond today:
Yet see how all around ‘em wait
The ministers of human fate,
    And black Misfortune’s baleful train!
Ah, show them where in ambush stand
To seize their prey the murderous band!
Ah, tell them they are men!

and

To each his sufferings: all are men,
    Condemned alike to groan,
The tender for another’s pain;
    The unfeeling for his own.
Yet ah! why should they know their fate?
Since sorrow never comes too late,
    And happiness too swiftly flies.
Thought would destroy their paradise.
No more; where ignorance is bliss,
    ‘Tis folly to be wise.

This seems a lot like the outlook of Solomon in his book of Ecclesiastes. And yet we know what Solomon’s final conclusion is: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

And though Solomon thought he knew the extent of vexation and sorrow because of wisdom, surely none can surpass the burden Christ bore on behalf of His people. His immeasurable knowledge of the depths and depravity of our souls, and are great sinfulness against the law of God had to weigh heavily on His heart as He walked down His path given to Him by the Father. And so we see the words of Solomon exemplified in the life of Christ, Him having been called a “man of sorrow”. Surely it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance! To think that Christ the Lord would bear the sins of so many, and become sin on our behalf, that He would incur and endure the wrath of His Father, that wrath that burns against rebellion to His law…TO THINK THAT…well, it is incomprehensible.

So we bow our hearts with great contrition, and with utmost humility we gratefully give praise and honor and thanksgiving to the Lord, the Master, the God of all creation.

We bless Your Name O, Lord!