'nuff said ... said the 5 year old

I was eating lunch with my family today prior to flying out of town to teach an Every Man's Battle workshop in Florida. As we were eating, we started talking about how much Daddy loves Mommy. My youngest daughter, Sarah Noelle (age 5), in between bites of her peanut butter sandwich says to everyone, "Keep hugging, keep kissing, keep loving, and she will know." Wow! I was ready to give her an honorary counseling degree. She nailed it. She sees mommy and daddy do a lot of this at times and maybe we're more consistent at it than we first thought. I think Sarah is onto something here. When the love is flowing between husband and wife in the way Sarah described, it means something is safe and consistent in the connection relationally, emotionally and spiritually. She not only sees it, she feels it and it made perfect sense to her. Rebecca and I have a big task at hand - continuing the expression of our love and keeping our hearts in shape because it is not only increasing our love but also making a huge impression on the little hearts around us as well. Hope your heart is well today...in struggle or joy... Peace.

Goodbye Double Entendre?

Great article over @ msnbc.com on commercials with sexual innuendo airing @ early times in the day when children may be viewing. See, you don't have to be a part of the Family Research Council to have a voice in this matter. The article is called "Can I have my playoffs without the crotch grab?" ... let me know what you think...take care...

Trust

Trust seemed to be the overarching topic in my life as I entered this week. Feeling it being stretched in my own heart and then hearing similar stories in the hearts of the brave people who I have the honor of journeying with; trust has been on my mind and heart. Whether it is the lack of trust an injured wife feels as she continues to try to mend from the news of her husband's infidelity or sexual addiction to porn or for the single man who struggles with staying isolated and not trusting his heart to someone due to the fear he will end up just like his parents - divorced and alone; trust is an essential need in the heart. To love is to risk. But to risk will require a level of trust. Who do you trust? How has your past, experiences, outlook and current situation effect your ability to trust? Do you see trust as a need for one's heart? If so, how is that need being met in your life? ...Peace

Major Network Porn?

Although sex is not anything new to television, this week's Newsweek features an article on how TV sex has become much more frequent and graphic in the last year. Probably not new news to you, but the article focused on the ways sex is being stretched on non-cable major networks. With new shows like "Swingtown"(CBS), major networks are trying to run more shows on sexuality without the cable-ready sexual graphics that are a mainstay on HBO and Showtime. Swingtown's writers made an interesting comment concerning having to tone down the dialogue and graphics to make it major network ready after HBO decided to pass on the show:

"It just allowed us to be freer to explore the characters without having to make as much happen in the bedroom. It's about the relationships that develop outside of the sexual moments. It's refreshing, frankly."

So, what do you think? What is the positive in this? What do you think it may lead to? Or is it another downward step to hellish TV viewing? ...Peace.

The "D" Word

Ahh, the most scariest of concepts is being addressed over at Deadly Viper Character Assassins today - Full Disclosure of physical sexual behavior apart from your spouse or partner. As I always say at the Every Mans Battle workshops, "the 'D' word in sexual integrity work is not divorce, it's disclosure." This concept makes the strongest folks run for the hills. As much as this concept has differing opinions, the opportunity of change and true intimacy that develops out of honesty and confession can only happen when the hiding and lying and control are surrendered in disclosure. Check it out over @ Deadly Vipers and chime in on your thoughts, feelings and viewpoint. Take Care.

Peace Keepers and Sexual Abuse

I read and listened to a very sad story today on some peace keepers and aid workers sexually abusing kids around the globe as relief agencies try to bring aid to these children and families. The children are not only at risk for not receiving life-giving needs, but they are becoming increasingly vulnerable to violations sexually by those who bring those needs to them in times of emergencies. It got me thinking about how deep a problem sexual misunderstanding and pain is around the world.
What is it going to take to change the current language of sexual understanding and how it effects people's perspective of others and sexuality including such violations as this? I like some of the suggestions given by Save The Children UK in this video, but it seems like something more is needed. Beyond a global watchdog group, what might be done to teach on aspects of objectification and healthy understanding of sexual desires to not only safe guard vulnerable children but also promote healthy understanding of sex? What do you think about this situation?

Golf Cart Lovin'

Last night I had the honor of lovin' people with a golf cart. Yes, a golf cart! It was awesome. Probably one of the most fun things I've done all year. Our church, University Fellowship Church, is about a mile away from the Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. Twice a year NASCAR puts on two big races, one over Memorial Day weekend and one in October. Our church volunteers to drive the carts to help the handicap or anybody who wants a ride to get to and from their cars or campsites.

During Memorial Day weekend, NASCAR's Sunday race brings in nearly 180,000 people. The Speedway becomes the fourth largest city in North Carolina on that day. Any tips/donations made on the golf cart ride go to Speedway Charities. It is a win-win and a blast.

I got to meet people from Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana and even from my own backyard of Concord. My favorite part was just pulling up to folks who had been walking for a while and still had good ways to go(sometimes up to a mile) and just saying, "you need a lift". It was awesome to see their expression of relief and gratitude.

One lady mentioned to me after driving her and her husband about a half mile to their car, " I want your job!" People were so surprised that I, we, etc. would offer them a ride. Some folks even sat and talked with me for a while prior to disembarking the cart. It was an awesome way of showing love and meeting people. What really hit me about last night is how just a little bit of love or giving brings on a whole lot of connection. I can't wait til October when I can volunteer again to do some golf cart lovin'. Have a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend. Peace.