by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/31/2007
Can a relationship be too intentional? In "Navigating The Early Stages of a Relationship," Scott Croft seems to say so. This occurs when the deliberate nature of the relationship breeds too much intimacy too soon. Obviously, there needs to be some intentionality from the start. Croft writes: Guys, tell her why you have initiated or are initiating with her, tell her that you intend to pursue the relationship to determine if marriage to her is the right choice before God.... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/31/2007
We've been talking about weddings on The Line. Some have brought up wedding costs, modesty in bridal gowns, and other things. I'd like to divulge some stuff about my wedding a bit over four years ago that I pray serves as an encouragement for those of you pondering how you can pull it off in a timely manner and at a reasonable budget. I've gotten my wife's permission, as well as the photographer's permission, to post some photos; scroll down... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 05/31/2007
I read an article the other day about saving money on weddings. After a couple of quick tips, the writer shares this thought: Thirty-nine years ago, my parents were married in a small chapel north of New Orleans. They each had two attendants; 40 guests attended. A friend took photographs. Since then, my father has had a theory: "The success of the marriage is in inverse proportion to the lavishness of the wedding." His thinking (which holds some water) is... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 05/31/2007
Despite parents' and pastors' best efforts, Christian teens are having sex in record numbers. In "Even Evangelical Teens Do It," columnist Hannah Rosin talks about a new book that blows the covers off premarital sex trends among the abstinence-minded. Her review of Forbidden Fruit: Sex & Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers by Mark Regnerus is sobering. She writes, [Among] teenagers who identify as "evangelical" or "born again" ... 80 percent think sex should be saved for marriage. But... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/31/2007
A 27-year-old man described as "one of the world's most prolific spammers" was arrested yesterday. The Associated Press quotes Tim Cranton, a Microsoft Corp. lawyer and senior director of the company's Worldwide Internet Safety Programs thusly: "He's one of the top 10 spammers in the world.... He's a huge problem for our customers. This is a very good day." A good day for some, but also a day to recognize that a means of God's grace has been taken off... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/30/2007
Last week, we brought you the documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle. Now, I want to call your attention to a film that the New York Times calls "the antidote to 'Inconvenient Truth,'" Steve Hayward's An Inconvenient Truth or Convenient Fiction? Here's a portion of the introduction: "The problem with Vice President Gore and other global warming extremists is that they distort the science, grossly exaggerate the risks, argue that anyone who disagrees with them are corrupt, and suggest that... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/30/2007
Something I particularly enjoyed about attending Na was hanging out at the Boundless booth. We handed out chocolate and "Grappledecks" (packets of helpful Boundless advice on everything from modesty to conversing with the opposite sex to changing your oil). At first, booth visitors seemed reluctant to take the free Grappledecks, but by the end of the conference people were visiting the booth just to get one. "I hear these are funny!" they'd say or "Can I take a few for... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 05/29/2007
I've read with ongoing interest, and dismay, the volume of reader comments in favor of radical efforts to address so-called global warming. The consensus among readers seems, strangely enough, to be that the Boundless staff is daft for not jumping on the climate-change-crisis bandwagon. Such hysterics is a prime example of why it's so important to know history. Regardless of what the science really says, and what does or doesn't eventually happen to the polar ice caps and oceans, we... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/29/2007
Tim Challies blogs a lot of conferences and says he's never seen any speaker generate more excitement than John Piper. He said, "Piper's a rock star everywhere I go, no matter what audience demographic he's speaking to." And based on what I saw, I don't doubt it. People were holding up Piper signs and the crowd gave him a standing ovation before he began. In keeping with the conference discernment theme, Piper began, "It takes more discernment than it first... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/28/2007
Eric is speaking this morning on the issue of "gray matters," something he wrote about for Boundless a few weeks ago (here and here). Judging from those articles, it's going to be a challenging, provocative hour. This is where the practice of "discernment" becomes really practical, where it affects most of us us most intimately. Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/28/2007
When C.J. spoke on "the Idol Factory," which is our hearts, he reminded us that, unchecked, our hearts will regularly create idols. I was a little shocked when he said, "Draw near to idolatry." But his point was that idolatry is something the modern Christian does not identify with. This is dangerous, since idolatry is the most talked about, and heavily condemned, sin in Scripture. How can identify idolatry and root it out of his life? C.J. suggested inviting the... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/28/2007
While watching the Boundless booth last night I met Christa Taylor, a young woman who's heading up a small business that offers "trendy and feminine modest dresses for modern women." Through her online store, aptly named Christa Taylor, you can pick up dresses, skirts, tops, swimming suits and accessories. All designs are her own, which is pretty cool, and all the clothing is made in the U.S. They "always give at least 30% of [their] profits towards the needs of... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/27/2007
I've spent the past hour taking line after line of notes on C.J.'s exposition of idolatry. I'm pretty confident, frankly, that Tim Challies, who is sitting next to me, will be able to convey the depth and power of the message better than I could. So instead of providing a write-up based on my notes, I'll defer to my friend Tim to do so. I'll link to it as soon as he uploads it, and we can either begin the... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/27/2007
Motte, Suzanne and I are in the midst of "live-blogging" our first event, the three-day New Attitude conference. What do you think? Keeping up with us? Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/27/2007
When Dr. Al Mohler was a boy scout, he learned a poem that helped him distinguish between the harmless scarlet king snake and the deadly coral snake. The poem went: "Red and black, friend of Jack. Red and yellow, kill a fellow." Although Mohler dutifully memorized the poem, when he actually came across a snake in the woods, he decided not to depend on it. This afternoon, Dr. Mohler compared his childhood experience to the grown-up task of discerning the... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/27/2007
Ricky Alcantar, one of the tireless New Attitude folks that's been helping coordinate us bloggers, took the group of us out for dinner tonight. How cool to hang out with Alex, Brett and Tim -- men for whom I have the utmost respect -- over a relaxed meal. For those of you who don't get a lot out of photos of people eating, I'm also including a picture of one of the original paintings in the Na lounge. The artwork... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/27/2007
Mark Dever began his talk this morning with, "Oh how the devil must hate this conference. He must be displeased with this message of discernment, which teaches us how to repudiate him." I first heard Mark preach exactly 10 days after praying with Senate Chaplin Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie that the Lord would reveal himself to me. And though I don't know exactly when salvation occurred, I know that hearing Pastor Dever for the first time was like eating the most... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/27/2007
"It is a joy to be with thousands of believers proclaiming, 'Great is the Lord!'" Those are the words of Na worship leader Bob Kauflin opening Sunday morning's session. And the joy is manifest: three thousand 20somethings standing, hands raised, singing loudly, praising the Lord. It is what we were made for. It reminds me of a dear brother who prays whenever we're together, "Dear Lord. Thank you for this fellowship. Thank you for the common bond we have in... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/27/2007
BoundlessLine.org is not the only place to get updates on New Attitude. Tim Challies (of Challies.com) and Alex and Brett Harris (of TheRebelution.com) are also blogging, as is the New Attitude team. Tim is, as expected, great painting pictures with words. If you'd like to be here, but aren't, you'll feel like you're here if you spend a few minutes reading his recent posts: New Attitude (II) New Attitude (III) Alex and Brett are publishing some great photos, and a... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/27/2007
We've got a cool booth set up here at New Attitude, nestled in between Ugg Records (Steve and ViKki Cook) and Desiring God ministry. If you're here, stop by to sign up for our free e-newsletter, and while you're at it pick up a GrappleDeck and "sweet gift"! Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/27/2007
I'll be posting photos of New Attitude over the next couple of days. Below is the first batch, taken just minutes ago. Click on any image to see it full-size. Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/27/2007
Motte, Suzanne and I arrived in Louisville last night, eager to immerse ourselves in all that is New Attitude. Over the next couple of days the three of us will be givng regular updates on our experiences: the speakers (Joshua Harris, Eric Simmons, CJ Mahaney, Mark Dever, Al Mohler and John Piper), the revisited relationships with friends we've not seen in a year, our time at the Boundless booth, and anything else that strikes us. If you're here, please feel... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/25/2007
Why is it that those most concerned with what we put in the air seem least concerned about what we put in our hearts? Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/25/2007
Some commenters have come to Planned Parenthood's (PP) defense, saying that abortions only account for 3% of their services. A look at PP's 2004-2005 Annual Report shows that that is just false. Here's the relevant information for the period from July 2004 to the end of June 2005: $882 million in total income $347 million of that from their clinics $273 million of that from federal grants and contracts $216 million of that from private contributions and bequests During that... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/24/2007
Related to Ted's post on stay-at-home moms is a poll out this week, that reveals financial worries and a search for Mr. Right are the top reasons women are reluctant to have children. The study of 1,800 child-free women, for Grazia magazine, debunks the idea that a woman's career is a primary factor in her choice to remain childless. In fact, only 16 percent say they don't have children because of their careers. More than half (51 percent) of those... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/24/2007
I talked about the New Attitude conference for singles and young adults back in November. I brought it up again a month ago. A few days later Suzanne blogged about her experience at last year's New Attitude conference. It was last written about earlier this month by Motte. Now it's arrived. Motte, Suzanne and I will be packing up our clothes and hair wax and heading out on Saturday to spend a few days with friends and mentors. We're looking... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/24/2007
Here's a revealing Q&A found on Planned Parenthood's site for teenagers. Dear Experts, I had an abortion a little over a month ago and now I'm pregnant again. What are the risks of having a second abortion? The Answer: Abortion is a very safe procedure. It's about twice as safe as having tonsils removed, and is much safer than giving birth. The risks for the second abortion are generally the same as for the first, if they are both performed... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/24/2007
I'm happy that my wife is able to stay home with our two baby daughters. She's able to take them to the library for story time, to the mall for lunch and window shopping, to the park so they can go down the slides, to friends' homes so they can play with their peers. I'm glad our girls are being raised by their mommy (and papa), rather than by someone who might be in it only for the money. I'm... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/23/2007
I thought some of you might benefit from an e-mail exchange between a Boundless Line reader and me. It's self-explanatory so I won't spend any more time introducing it. * * * Hey Motte I really enjoy the blog and appreciate the things you have to say. I have an issue I'm hoping you can help me with. Your article "Dealing with Sexual Confusion" struck a nerve with me. I'm a 22 year old male who's seeking to follow Christ... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/23/2007
In today's Washington Post, Michael Gerson (the president's former speechwriter) explores Republican front-runner Rudy Giuliani's muddled view on abortion. Giuliani is now attempting a political vault with the highest degree of difficulty: winning the GOP presidential nomination as a pro-choice candidate. . . . There is, however, a question that comes before politics: Does Giuliani's position on abortion actually make sense? In early debates and statements, he has set out his views on this topic with all the order and... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/22/2007
Yesterday, we sent out an appeal to Boundless e-newsletter subscribers asking if they had "a few dollars to spare." It's about how we're a small part of a larger story here at Focus on the Family. And how we need your help to continue to do all the things we do. Check it out here. Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/22/2007
It's quite a challenge. A silly one, some might argue, but it remains a challenge nevertheless. And together, shoulder to shoulder, we can -- and should -- take it on. Let me explain.... No, there is too much. Let me sum up. In March Steve Watters wrote a blog post that was so intriguing that nearly 250 of you commented on it. Word is around the office that Steve's post will hold the record as "Most Commented Upon Blog Post"... Read more.
by Steve Watters on 05/22/2007
When a guy and girl hit a point in their relationship where things just aren't going to work, what's the best way to end it? Does there need to be some kind of formal conversation stating that it's not going to work along with a potential explanation in order for there to be closure? I'm gonna guess a lot of girls will say, "yes." I had another hallway conversation here at work in which a co-worker asked, "Why does it... Read more.
by Denise Morris on 05/22/2007
Well, I'm back and the dress fit, so you can all stop worrying about it now. ;-) I just read through the comments in Ted's post about Planned Parenthood -- quite the heated discussion going on! And very interesting. I would like to make a couple of comments, not about the topic itself, but about the arguing that has surfaced because of it. My website, TrueU.org, has a forum for us to discuss the articles we post, things going on... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/21/2007
Call me old fashioned but I'm a big fan of the compliment. From what I can tell, they are always well received, from both men and women. Of course, I'm careful that they're never flirtatious if they're directed toward a woman. But I wonder if I'd be different if I had grown up in today's hyper-sensitive culture. According to an online newspaper in Scotland, The Scotmans, men won't offer women simple compliments anymore because they're afraid of saying the wrong... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/19/2007
What do you do when you don't like your friend's spouse? In "Friendly Friction," Christianity Today presents the perspectives of six singles. The primary thing to consider when you dislike your friend's chosen (or intended) is what action (if any) is God asking you to take? Must you love unconditionally? Forgive? Humble yourself? If your friend seems to be dating a bad seed, maybe you need to ask some hard questions. Or perhaps you need to release personal preferences and... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/18/2007
A couple of months ago 18-year-old Lila Rose, a sophomore at UCLA, decided that she had had enough of Planned Parenthood's deception. Thought by many as merely a friendly resource for those wanting information about birth control, family planning and unplanned pregnancies, Lila knew better. And she wanted to show the world what she knew -- that Planned Parenthood was primarily in the business of facilitating abortion. She went undercover, taking on the role of a pregnant 15-year-old, and walked... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/17/2007
A team of singles pastors from Joshua Harris's church have written a paper on the topic of online dating. It provides current users and those considering the use of online dating services with thinking "shaped by biblical principles." The team weighs in on the discoveries they've made from their counseling experience and interviews with those who have participated in online dating. For those considering it, they address issues such as expense, false hope, safety, and compromise. For current participants, they... Read more.
by Denise Morris on 05/17/2007
Friends, So sorry I haven't posted in about 16 years. I know my great wisdom and insight have been missed ... or not at all. ;-) Seriously, though, life has been somewhat crazy. In a half hour I'm leaving for Minnesota for my friend's "emergency wedding." Now, people, it's not what you think. My friend was supposed to get married at the end of July, but her fiancé just got a letter saying he's being re-activated to the Army and... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/16/2007
There's nothing like working in the yard to help clear your mind, and then let it wander. I was mowing the grass this past weekend, and found myself thinking about how, though I don't think about it much, I'm surprisingly environmentally friendly. Yeah, my wife and I like to support organic farms and buy clothes and toys at the thrift store, but we go beyond even that. First, I was using an electric lawnmower. Yeah, they make them. It's a... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/16/2007
And I'm not talking about alcohol. Elena asked me what I meant when I wrote: "I've observed that some of the most intentional men have allowed themselves to be intoxicated by the joy of those already in the next stage of marriage and family." She writes: "Those already in the next stage of marriage and family" — meaning the marrieds and marrieds-with-kids who are helping lead the singles group? Or people from other areas of the church? What situation were... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/16/2007
You'll notice if you look at the footer of this blog post that I've put this in the "Dating & Courtship" category. Why? Because wearing such a shirt communicates that you have good taste not only in your choice of websites, but also in your choice of T-shirt. And such a fact will undoubtedly affect your dating and courtship life. For the better, we think. These were designed by overpriced graphic artists, using multiple colors (some of them tastefully subtle),... Read more.
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 05/15/2007
Motte's post reminds me of a recent conversation. This past weekend, I spoke with a friend who was visiting from Seattle. In true girly fashion, I inquired about her romantic possibilities. She had recently gone on a few dates through an online dating site, but nothing too promising had arisen from that. I asked her what the Christian dating scene was like in her city. "Well," she said, "I'm in a great Bible Study Fellowship group! There are many quality... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/15/2007
There's always the risk of getting hurt whenever you begin a relationship. But there are decisions you can make on the front end that can help minimize the pain if things don't work out. One female colleague's vow to limit access to her emotional and intellectual capitol, as well as her time and energy, is one way. She writes about it here after a particularly hurtful "pseudo-relationship." Here's how it began: It's over. Another four-month pseudo-relationship that began online …... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/15/2007
We've just received word that the Rev. Jerry Falwell has died. Dr. Falwell has been a champion for righteousness as founder of the Moral Majority, President of Liberty University, and Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. I had a lot of respect for this man, and am challenged by his humility, boldness, conviction, and action. Some wrongly associated him with religious charlatans because he lived much of his life in the limelight; I hope that as... Read more.
by Candice Watters on 05/15/2007
People are crazy for miracle cures and they're not waiting for a doctor's prescription to get them. So writes Claire Coleman in "Pretty Pills: The dark side of the latest underground beauty trend." The boom in online pharmacies and web-based drug sales has meant that in a few clicks of a mouse you can have access to a number of pills that, if their claims are to be believed, could do pretty much anything, from whittling your waist size to... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/15/2007
Whether at church surrounded by friends or sitting alone in my cubicle here at work, I love to engage the Lord in worship. When I think of what the Lord has done, I sometimes find myself moved to tears. The thing that really "gets" me is when I'm reminded of the great chasm differentiating my sinfulness and the Lord's holiness ... and how God in His inexplicable kindness has nevertheless shown His love toward me by making me His child.... Read more.
by Motte Brown on 05/14/2007
Joe Carter of The Evangelical Outpost has a top ten list of "fixtures of evangelism" that he feels are harmful to the Gospel. His main contention is that these tips and techniques are meant to create check-box converts instead of true disciples. Included in the list are "The Altar Call," "Protestant Prayers," "Chick Tracts," and my personal favorite, "The Sinners Prayer." Here's a excerpt: The gates of hell have a special entrance reserved for people who thought that they had... Read more.
by Ted Slater on 05/14/2007
It's naturally easy to stay uncommitted to any church during the single years. During college, for example, you can get your dose of spirituality through a campus ministry like InterVarsity or Campus Crusade and use your Saturday nights or Sunday mornings to rest or study. After you've graduated, you can stay aloof from church involvement because, frankly, many churches backburner ministry for singles, and seem irrelevant to their experience. But being connected with a church as a single is as... Read more.
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