Wow. So I just finished reading Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, with editors John Piper and Justin Taylor. I actually started reading it yesterday, and finished reading it today. I will say again, "wow."
Preparing to be married within a relatively short amount of time from now, I would be lying if I didn't say this isn't a topic that's been on my mind. There are so many connotations associated with the word or the idea of sex. Most of them are nowhere near what God intended sex to be. This book thoroughly examines all facets of sex in both the positive and negative lights. That is to say, how sex should and should not be viewed and received, on the basis of Gods word - Biblical standards - in Christianity.
It focused, firstly, on how sex is a reflection of God's glory and perfect design. John Piper introduces to the reader that sex is designed by God as a way to know God more fully. That is a pretty shocking statement to most people, and it certainly gave my brain a jolt to try to gather comprehension about it. One example of this is that the marriage relationship, and sex within that relationship, is a covenant so intimate, that the same language is used to describe the "knowing" of our spouse, as is used to describe the "knowing" of God to His children.
Then, other contributers write about everything from sexual sin, to sex and the single or married men and women, to history of marriage and sex from Martin Luther's day and the Puritans views.
This is the most clear cut, piece by piece showing of the exact root and pathway of why homosexuality is such an abomination to God. It is very logical and examines the way God created man and woman, marriage and sex to be. And how a homosexual lifestyle is contrary to the very covenant of marriage and His design from creation.
Take heart. Do not think that when this book speaks of sin, that it is done in a way that shows no redeeming light of God's grace at the end of the tunnel. And when it speaks of sin, it doesn't condemn and then end the subject. The authors remind us of God's power to cleanse us from all types of sin. There are great truths that show the wonders of God's mercy upon us, even in our deepest sin.
It was amazing for me to read the candid discussions the married authors give within their accounts and their thoughts on their spouses. It was nothing short of delightful, not to mention encouraging, for me to read of such passion and love and commitment and joy these people are experiening with the mate that God has given to them. It is powerful to hear of the deep, godly love and the way in which they cherish their spouse. Love isn't a feeling or an emotion. It is lived out. We are given the perfect and ultimate example when we see God's love to His chosen ones. If we follow that example, the love and romance and yes, even sex, within marriage can reach incomprehensible depths.
From start to finish this book is loaded and backed and shown of its foundation in Scripture. These aren't new and off the wall ideas some theologians have come up with. They are age-old "ideas" as old as time, itself, if you will; the creation of mankind. That comforts me and brings me peace and joy to think and know that something as wonderful as sex is ordained and CREATED by God. And that it is perfect and good, in the right parameters.
I might type more about it later, but for now, I think I will end my little "review". I would definately encourage anyone to read this book. Anyone from any walk of life could gain insight into who God really is, what sex is really about, and how we are to respond to both.

I ran into Bess Wholner (sp?) from highschool. I was taking Anna into the Jewish Community Center this morning, where she has day camp, and there was Bess, walking toward me. So we were catching up and I mentioned that I was getting married in June.

I think thats the first time I've randomly ran into someone where I just kind of casually mentioned that I'm getting married within the list of things I'm up to.

It was a cool and odd feeling.

She seemed shocked and excited for me. So it was fun. :)

Some thoughts on this weekend...(Item of business number one):

I really like having time away from others, to myself. My parents have been out of town since Saturday morning. I have thoroughly enjoyed having the house to myself. It is very easy for me to get overwhelmed if I don't have "my space" and "alone time." I albsolutely can not handle it, being around someone ALL THE TIME with them right up in my space. The closest exception to this rule, would be Andrew, of course, which is a good thing, because we are getting married. lol. But even then, we both still like some time on our own.

I have been able to work on a "project," of sorts, this weekend. That is, going through drawers and stuff in my room, and weeding out. I do this every couple or few months at least, and I LOVE doing it. I get rid of more and more crap, and weed out things that I feel bad getting rid of, but that I'd never want/use/have a place for, so I am finally able to either throw it away or put it in the "garage sale" pile. Speaking of which, we're having a garage sale this saturday for sure, maybe more days. So feel free to stop by. Also, if you want to come over and put some of your junk in it, that is great, just come by and hang out with us on Saturday. (Yvonne is doing this, for sure.)So anyway. back to the project. I feel good.

Oh, but on the flip side of being home by myself...

I am extremely jumpy. I am afraid of the dark...yes, its true. And it stormed really bad last night, and the power went off in the middle of the night, and it woke me up, because I had my TV and fan going, and when those went off, it woke me up and startled me. Not fun. Our house has been broken into *years ago* and we live on this dead end street and our house creaks...and all of that...makes me sit on the edge a lot of the time. When there is someone else in the house, I feel "protected." I can't wait to get married and have my husband be there "to protect me." awwww. hehe.

So those are the pros and cons of having the house to myself. :)


Item of business number two:
I know I ususally talk about how overwhelmed this wedding/moving business is making me. But I'd like to take the time to actually show my thankfulness for some things, and not complain. So, the other day mom and I were cleaning the Wolock's (the people for whom I nanny,) and Barbara, just out of the blue, asked my mom if she happened to know of anyone who could use some chairs.

I stopped.

Mom stopped.

Mom asked what kind of chairs.

Barbara said, "lets go look at them."

Long story short...they've had some living room type chairs in their basement that they've been wanting to get rid of for quite some time. I've seen them, of course, but I always thought they were there as part of the furnishings in the basement. Not the case, we found out. Barbara was just going to let the blind charity come and pick them up. Long story short, she just wants to give them to us.

Sweet.

Action.

I was beaming the whole day. I was SO excited. I couldn't stop thanking her for it, and I was trying to convey to her that its like "our home" is REALLy starting to come together. The pieces are slowly starting to move into place.

The point being, that it is God who is providing for us. He is opening doors. He is caring for his children. He is the giver of all things. I always "know" that, but sometimes I forget it.

Also, for a smaller example, Aunt Linda found and bought us our guestbook.

I have looked for guestbooks.

I had yet to find out I liked, let alone loved.

I am terribly picky.

She found one, bought it, mom showed it to me, and I absolutely LOVE it.

I mean, thats like....25 dollars right there. And I guess this weekend she also got us some budget helper or something...and I think me some bridal mag (which is always fun. :) )


Item of business number three:

On an unrelated note, but because I'm eating it, I make a mean tuna salad sandwhich. You should try it sometime.