Here is a link to our travelblog, if you’d like to read about and see some pictures of the grasshopper eating fest. I was conspicuously absent. 🙂
http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Tanzania/Centre/Iringa/blog-673172.html
The Beginning and the End…
My day began with four-legged creatures, two legged creatures, and who knows how many other legs. It all started when I came into the kitchen area and saw something dark streak across my pantry floor. I thought it was a rat. The evidence behind the fridge and freezer indicated something much bigger than a mouse. EW! It still could be a rat, for all I know, but after Jacob helped me move the fridge and freezer, we found a big gecko hiding under the fridge. Jake tried to get it…and missed, all except the tail. That’s too bad, because now it will continue messing under the fridge and freezer.
Once the fridge and freezer were moved away from the wall, I swept up the stuff. Then off I went to retrieve the mop off the back porch. At that point I saw the pile of termite wings that had blown in during the night. I swept those up. Then, as I opened the kitchen door to retrieve the mop, a grasshopper flew on me. I got that off of me and then picked up the mop, which, by the way, has a 2 ft. broken-off stub for a handle. When I brought the mop inside, I had to pick a few grasshoppers out of the mop, and then discovered that it was full of nairobi flies. Not good. 
Nairobi flies are not truly flies, but beetles, and they don’t even fly. However, they are wicked. They do not bite or sting, but they are full of toxin. If one is smashed on your skin, it will do give you something akin to a chemical burn, like this:
Fortunately, I did not get any on me, which is amazing, considering how many there were.
Needless to say, the the first half of my day was a little…challenging. George, being the nice husband that he is, took us out to lunch. After we came home, I noticed that nairobi flies were coming into the kitchen. Upon investigation, we found that hundreds more nairobi flies were swarming around a couple of plants that were outside, near the back porch. We moved the plants and worked to clear out the mess.
Earlier in the day, George got a call from Carey, asking us if we had a bunch of grasshoppers. You see…Editha, Charles’ wife, loves to eat them. Carey was calling on her behalf. Well by this time there weren’t many around that we saw, so we didn’t have enough to bother collecting. Well, wouldn’t you know it, they found plenty and cooked them up this evening. They were so kind to share. To make a long story short, George, Jacob, Luke and Lindsey tried them. Yuck is all I have to say about that. Pictures will be posted on our travelblog tomorrow.
The sun has long gone down, and my day ends with the flying creatures who’ve come back in force. Flying termites are swarming the back porch and making their way under the door, grasshoppers are flying around in our house, and the termites that have lost their wings and are crawling around on the floor. We simply cannot keep up with killing them all. Oh…and there are some other kind of flying beetles that crawl around for the most part, but once in a while decide to fly and dive bomb someone. Don’t forget the mosquitoes!
I give up. I’m going to go crawl into the safety of my mosquito net-covered bed and take refuge. I hope all of these creepy crawlies have the decency to at least let me be while I sleep. Seriously!
What’s a Guy To Do?
Over the past few months there have been a lot of articles, blog posts and status updates on facebook, all urging and encouraging modesty, mostly towards the feminine sector of society and more specifically, women in the church. Sometimes it is well received, and other times it is not. There is no doubt that modesty is an issue that needs addressed repeatedly.
While my purpose here is not to discuss what constitutes modest attire, modesty is a topic that ought not be reserved for females only. Guys need to be taught about appropriate dress, as well. Though it is true that men, generally speaking, are more easily tempted to look and lust, women are hardly exempt from such temptation. Both sexes need to dress with careful regard for one another. That being said, it is my opinion that women, young and old alike, are more frequent offenders when it comes to immodest dress. It pains me deeply when I see a woman, particularly a sister in Christ, baring to the public what ought to be reserved for private viewing by her husband only. Many times I’ve thought to myself: “If only she knew.” If only she knew that godly men, who battle daily to keep their minds pure, are actually disgusted by her over-exposure.
So, what’s a guy to do?
How can you, as a Christian man, hold your sisters in Christ accountable for their immodesty? It’s a rather awkward and delicate predicament that you find yourselves in. After all, if you say something, you might be accused of having a dirty mind. But guys, it’s time to stop being silent. It’s time to be more concerned with your convictions than with your comfort zone. Yes, older women are instructed to teach younger women, but some women “just won’t get it” until you are willing to take a more proactive stand and voice your concerns.
As a guy, how can you be a man of conviction rather than compromise in the area of modesty? There are many different scenarios that come to mind, but allow me to throw a few ideas out there for your consideration:
Concerning Social Functions
Let’s say, for instance, your congregation is hosting a banquet for young people. You and one of the young women from your congregation plan to attend the function together. If you go to her house and the young woman presents herself wearing a strapless dress and/or baring her cleavage to you and anyone else who will glance her way, what should you do? It’s kind of embarrassing, but there’s not much you can do, right? So, you go ahead and take your date. She’s showing way too much skin, but she sure looks nice. Picture time rolls around and now you are supposed to put your arm around her, touching skin in places that ought not be touched, and smile for the camera. Guess where those pictures will end up? You guessed it – facebook – for all of the world to see. STOP. What happened to courage? Guys, take a stand! If your date shows up with revealing attire, either ask her to change, or REFUSE TO GO WITH HER! Sure, it’s embarrassing. Yeah, it might make her mad. But as kindly as you possibly can, remain firm in your convictions. By doing so, you are not only helping yourself resist temptation to sin, but you are also helping that young woman to be more aware of her need to dress modestly. Additionally, you are protecting your reputation. You could avoid such an awkward moment by discussing clothing and your concern for modesty ahead of time . Sometimes occasions such as these, uncomfortable as they might be, are necessary in order to help our sisters understand the seriousness of modest dress. Instead, all too often, nothing is said, and in reality, a stamp of approval has been given. (The above scenario was chosen because it is a common occurrence. It’s a whole different subject as to whether the dating game is best for young men and women. Read more on that subject here).
Similarly, weddings are often occasions where Christians get themselves into awkward situations that could have been avoided. Have you ever been invited to participate in a wedding? Have you thought to ask what dresses the bridal party will wear? Have you entertained the idea that you might ought to refuse to be in a wedding because of the clothing that was chosen for the wedding party? This applies to men and women. What kind of impact could be made if every Christian took such a stand? I am not suggesting that we be unkind, uncaring, or tactless, but we must be willing to turn against the tide.
Concerning Relationships:
Do not compromise your convictions for the sake of a girl! I am aware of numerous instances in which guys have made statements of conviction about modesty, and then turn right around and enter into a relationship with a girl who has posted numerous pictures of herself online, in which she is very immodestly clad. I don’t get it! Guys, when you do that, you lose your credibility! Giving the young woman the benefit of the doubt, maybe she doesn’t know any better. Maybe she has not been taught. So teach her! She may be a wonderful young woman who is willing to mature. But this is just one of many areas that ought to be discussed and resolved BEFORE you agree to enter into a relationship.
There are many other situations that provide opportunity for you to let your voice be heard. Let’s hear them. Christian brothers, as a Christian woman I am asking you to do your part in holding your sisters in Christ accountable for the way they dress, and that includes me. Standing against the tide is never comfortable, but nevertheless, it must be done. It is a sensitive subject; one that must be discussed tastefully, but it cannot be ignored.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. I Corinthians 16:13
“I Kissed (the Term) Dating Goodbye”
I’ve had a number of ideas swirling around in my head for some blog posts, but haven’t had time to write anything. I’ve been in the States for the past month and am heading back to Tanzania tomorrow. Hopefully I will get back to regular blogging soon. In the mean time, I wanted to share a great article, if I do say so myself, written by my husband. This article appeared in the September issue (if I recall correctly) of THINK magazine.
On November 10th 1483 Martin Luther was born. He entered an Augustinian cloister in mid 1505. “A loyal son of the Catholic Church, he was later to shatter the structure of medieval Catholicism. A devoted servant of the pope, he was later to identify the popes with Antichrist.”[1] His religious journey proved to be one of migrating away from the staunchly held Catholic dogma and toward biblical truths. Admirably, he was willing to challenge the well entrenched beliefs of his piers. Regrettably, his journey ended having never fully abandoned all vestiges of his monastic past. How hard it can be to free ourselves from long and widely held notions!
Fast forward about five centuries and we turn our attention to a different topic. We find a well established practice, particularly in American culture, whereby many approach mate selection only after protracted “dating.” Teens, and even pre-teens, are seeking “trial” and “recreational” relationships, often with the coaxing of gloating parents. Parents who seem eager to have their teen and his/her date be the hot topic of tabloid-type discussions.
Amidst this backdrop of the “dating game,” voices began to be heard which challenged the status quo. Among these was Joshua Harris in his book titled: “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.”[2] Serious concerns began to be discussed about the whole dating scenario. Some, with a Martin Luther-like courage, seemed willing to question a long standing practice. However, equally reminiscent of Luther, some seemed reluctant to totally abandon the paradigm. They seemed to realize the need for change, but were unwilling to make radically deep alterations.
Some parents find themselves in a thorny dilemma. Their children are already well practiced at “starting relationships” and “breaking them off.” It seems well nigh impossible to call for a complete abandonment “in the middle of the stream.” Many see the need for more emphasis upon purity, but are reluctant to give up all the trappings related to dating. For example, some Christian parents know their teens want to attend “the prom.” Their improvised solution is to “sanitize” or “Christianize” the prom experience. These well meaning parents offer a special boy-girl banquet, often held in the church building’s fellowship hall, where their not-yet-ready-for-marriage child can bring their date. Each participant arrives in formal attire and enjoys a prom-like atmosphere, minus dancing and alcoholic beverages. The entire evening however, is still stirring the “feelings” for the opposite sex, when no fulfillment is intended, nor should it be. These youths are set up to “play the part” of a couple out for the evening. The emphasis is upon the guy/girl, romantic evening together, and attention to outward beauty. The attendees are in no way anticipating an eminent wedding ceremony. He may not even have a job, and she may have agreed to attend even though he was not her first choice.
However, such small changes in thinking are not really addressing the underlying issue of recreational/trial relationships before one is ready for a mate. Even though some are verbalizing they are no longer in favor of “dating,” in reality, their offspring are still following the same basic dating approach. Hence, notice the title of this article. In actuality, some have merely kissed the term dating goodbye!
Dating versus courtship ought to be fundamentally distinguished. Not merely semantically, but in application. Courtship ought to be a period of “final investigation” on the part of a single man and a single woman, who are in a position and disposition to marry. Prior to the beginning of the courtship there should be thoughtful and prayerful consideration; primarily of the spiritual qualification of the prospect. Dating in contrast, might be characterized by having a boyfriend/girlfriend before one is really ready for marriage and/or without the serious intent of finding out whether the person would be a suitable mate. One is purposeful, with a specific goal in mind. The other is more casual with no stated or implied expectations.
May I respectfully suggest that many parents in the church are really not yet ready to broach this issue, since their training approach first needs work on a more fundamental level. Parents must begin with a deep resolve to present a personal example and teaching which flows from a spiritual-first paradigm. Romans 12:1, 2 might have become shallowly overworked in cliché style, but it contains the key. From their youth (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15) the souls entrusted to us must see that purity and spirituality are our foremost concern. There must be no doubt in the minds of our children that we want them to know the Bible, even more than we want them to excel academically or socially. There should be no doubt that “as for me and my house” we will serve the church above all sporting events, music and art performances, etc. Parents must speak often and passionately about being different from the world.
As mentioned above, many Christians are reluctant to completely abandon the practice of dating. Therefore, parents must also be willing to speak with knowledge and passion about being different from some brethren. They must show their children, based upon Scriptural principles, why certain “norms” are unchaste and harmful. When we hear brethren debating whether a young person should date a non-Christian or not – it indicates a lack of resolve to have Christ fully enthroned as Master. The question “to date or not to date” is still too advanced for such a questioner. Children who have not been given the sure foundation, from their youth, of spiritual priority, devotion and purity, and being different from the world, will be hard to steer into a path of “waiting – not dating.” See Proverbs 22:6.
We plead with our readers to open their minds to the possibility of complete abandonment of the modern methods. Realize that to do so also opens the possibility of abandoning the sad consequences that have been so closely connected with dating, i.e. teen pregnancy, later failed marriages, apostasy from the church, etc. Let’s not mimic the world while we call it something different, let’s be different than the world!
George Jensen, 2011
[1] Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand – A Life of Martin Luther (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950), 15.
[2]Joshua Harris, I Kissed Dating Goodbye (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 1997).