Over the past few weeks, it has been a rich blessing to learn with you from the women of the Bible. The conversations sparked by radio and podcast have been rich. Thank you for engaging together, letting God’s word make all the difference in our lives.

If you wish to continue the discovery, I recommend the book For Such a Time as This. Jessica Anders and I wrote it based on the “Divine Design” study we’ve just finished on ATD. The reflection questions at the close of each chapter were particularly useful for me, and I pray they are helpful to you as well. As always, we look forward to hearing your responses.

God bless,

Wayne

The Mess

Sexuality and identity are so deeply tied in the human psyche that one can’t help but shudder at what western society is doing to itself. Pornography warps minds and taints souls, especially by reducing humans to objects. The sexual act of marriage is treated flippantly, as if we were merely material beings. Hilariously and mistakenly, some attempt to divorce gender from biology, anthropology, and theology. Pedophilia and bestiality are moving up the van as academics establish the groundwork for their acceptance. The results are a tragic mess.

Millions of people feel unsure of their core identity as a created being precious to the Creator. Many despair, assuming such certainty is unattainable since their understanding of identity keeps shifting with the worldly winds of sexual perversion.

The Master

The answer is the solid, unchanging truth of God. Females and males are made in His image as sexual beings distinct and beloved. Despite the defacement of sin, this image is not erased. One of our main goals in writing For Such a Time as This was to help women know the peace and joy of being females loved by the Master who made us. Though our little book will only last a short time, God’s word will endure forever. Next time the sex-craziness of society overwhelms, please turn to scripture. It will make all the difference.

God bless,

Wayne

Marvel

I spoke yesterday with Jessica Anders, with whom I wrote the biblical womanhood book For Such a Time as This. We had each seen the new “Captain Marvel” movie and were marveling at how it depicted many of the scriptural virtues God lays out for healthy womanhood. The film wasn’t perfect, by any means, but it was refreshing to see celebration of a number of the particular virtues God desires for females.

Of course, in the next film they may ruin it all with wanton sexuality or some other perversion. Nonetheless, Jessica and I rung off with a hope that we can continue to see true and strong femininity celebrated for the blessing it is.

God bless,

Wayne

Masculinity should be celebrated

I received a heartfelt letter from a woman about the “Whatever Happened to Manhood” study. Her insight and passion were refreshing:

It breaks my heart that society is beating men over the head with two blunt weapons:

1. Making them into people who can’t love in the way that they are meant to, and
2. Enforcing the lie that masculinity is by default a bad thing and should be eliminated altogether.

Masculinity should be celebrated! Not the false machismo of “boys will be boys” covering for domestic violence and rape, but rather real men being manly. Leading, getting messy, competing, seeing how long you can stand on your head without passing out, loving one woman fiercely forever – these and all the other things you discuss in the manhood series.

I am thankful for my manly, godly, wonderful fiancé and pray that his tribe increases.

God bless,

Wayne

Faithful Men

As we have begun studying biblical manhood on the radio and podcast, I have received some interesting notes that border on the desperate. In particular, men and women have expressed deep concern about faithfulness. Some worry about their own lazy or lustful tendencies. Others are beaten down by the faithlessness of others, pained at how it destroys individuals and diminishes the whole church.

These concerns are understandable, yet despair is misplaced. There are thousands of men and women all around the world who are – by God’s grace – faithful. They are trustworthy in things small and large. They are continually growing, being strengthened by the Lord and sharpened by the brethren. I am blessed to know many who have not bowed to any godling, standing firm with the one true God.

When we are feeling down because of the battles of life and the seeming epidemic of faithlessness, it is good to remember that the God of restoration and encouragement always has many who remain reliable. Rather than give in to defeat, we should draw close to them and the Lord.

God bless,

Wayne

Wisdom applied
The point of our parables series has been to grow in the wisdom of God – not just for our heads, but also for our hands and feet. It has been a great delight to study together and read your wonderful notes. As we close this series, please remember that one should actively apply the lesson of each parable to one’s own life. That is how we make the most of the time in our own evil age.

Men in need
The next series begins Friday, March 1. We will study biblical manhood, which is as hot a topic as there is in the world today. I did a special interview recently with my co-host Rich Hooper about the series and the companion book Whatever Happened to Manhood? It’s available via podcast only on iTunes or Google Play Music. Copies of the book and study guide are also available through www.allthedifference.us.

God bless,

Wayne

P.S.  You can click HERE to see the short video clip from the interview.