Sex and the Second Coming?

Let's talk s_x! That's the headline of a Newsweek story about what's hot and what's not in boomer bedrooms. It teases the reader with the preview that, "A sex therapist answers the questions you might be afraid to ask about midlife lovemaking." After reading that, a follower of Jesus Christ might be tempted to ask, 'Does the Bible - does God, have anything substantive to say about sex- much less the mid-life variety? Absolutely! After all, more than one Christian couple has been encouraged, exhorted and even dare we say, moved, to a healthier relationship by the Song of Solomon right?

Furthermore, God has expectations, standards, guidelines and life-preserving and transforming wisdom from His Word for us on this touchy issue. In fact, the apostle Paul laid some of that wisdom out for his readers and flock - us by extention, in 1 Thessalonians, which happens to be the topic of our next conversation at SOS this Saturday. If you're curious as to how God would have us deal with our sexuality- that God-given gift, then join us for that study and frank discussion. The confusion over sexuality is as great today as it has ever been, as affirmed by a recent, misunderstood, published study on abstinence education and teen sexual behavior. We'll clear that up as well as only the Word of the living God can 'untagle that web we weave.'

We talked about New Year's resolutions last week and the following thought by the great Martyn Lloyd-Jones, which appeared on a John Piper post should be considered and contemplated, as we struggle and walk-through 2009, in the hope of grace and Christ's second coming. Lloyd-Jones ends his second chapter of his classic Spiritual Depression with these challenging and refreshing words:

"Would you like to be rid of this spiritual depression? The first thing you have to do is to say farewell now once and forever to your past. Realize that it has been covered and blotted out in Christ. Never look back at your sins again. Say: ‘It is finished, it is covered by the Blood of Christ’. That is your first step. Take that and finish with yourself and all this talk about goodness, and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only then that true happiness and joy are possible for you. What you need is not to make resolutions to live a better life, to start fasting and sweating and praying. No! You just begin to say: I rest my faith on Him aloneWho died for my transgressions to atone."

BTW (by the way): whether or not you're a sports fanatic (like me), a football follower or Gator hater or lover, you've got to admire University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and his ministry on and off the filed and his love of Christ. For a nice little column on his testimony and witness, as he prepares for Thursday's collegiate national championship game (go Tim!), go to Tebow's Loftier Goal, at http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/sfl-flspmikeb106sbjan06,0,5816958.column