The Funny Thing about Pursuit

In my almost twenty-seven years of life, I have realized that a man's pursuit comes when you least expect it. You may hope for it, pray for it, even have false perceptions that it's actually happening, but when the pursuit begins, you never saw it coming. All little girls dream of the moment when their Prince will come and rescue them. They stand by their window, hair flowing like water through the wind, as the man they only dreamt of comes valiantly to their side to fight for, care for and love them. And the guy, so excited that he has found a woman who captivates him, works so diligently to win the beauty. This is where the story gets interesting. Most men, according to a recent survey, believe that once they have won their girl, the pursuit is over. The work is done. Close up shop. Let's all go home early. Gentlemen, I have something that is going to make you think, possibly even make you go to your wife or girlfriend and apologize that you didn't see this before. The pursuit is never over. Even after fifty years of marriage, the pursuit is still desired, still sought after, and still so desperately needed.

Let's look at it from a Biblical perspective. No other person in the history of the world has shown his deepest desire for pursuit than Jesus. He died for the human race because he so desperately wanted us to be with him...forever. Not just for fifty years of wedded bliss plus extremely hard times thrown in there, but for eternity. And through eternity, he pursues us. Day in and day out, that pursuit is active and alive and breathing. Take Solomon's words in chaper 3 of Song of Songs, "All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. " Although the entire book of Songs is considered a love story from God to us, this verse should help us understand God's purest form of flattery--that he longs for us, loves us, and will go through bronze gates and iron bars to fight for us. And just as we are to become more like Jesus, should that not include the constant pursuit of those we love? Men, I speak to you here because I believe it is your role to pursue. Ladies, I will address our role in a later post (so be sure to check back in a week or two). I want to offer encouragement to the guys out there--women take pride in their men. We look at you with eyes of amazement as you show us your love and committment. We want to help you pursue us so it's not a losing battle. So as you begin to realize that God's pursuit of your own heart is so very important to him, it is my prayer that you begin to realize that the pursuit of your wife is also very important to him. It is a showcase of his continual molding in you to become more like his Son. And as we know, he is well pleased with Jesus.

The pursuit of a man is something that is very exciting to me and there are moments in my life, such as now, when discussing this amazing discovery is important. Whilst in the midst of the very thing I have just written, I want to remember that I have a role to play, too. Yes, God continually pursues me, but it is his heart's desire that I continually pursue him, as well. This will not only guide me in my relationship with Jesus, but with the very person who excites me just by saying my name.

The Art of Jack Black

Ealier this year I sat in the theatre as a masterpiece in filmaking was reeling in front of me. I forgot to breath as giant slugs, spiders, and "Tremos"-like animals attempted to swallow people whole. I watched as a dozen people fought to survive battles in a mythic jungle, while one man fought to capture the greatest story ever told on film. I have talked to many people about "King Kong" and I neither understand their apathetic review of the movie, nor their lack of desire to see it as if it were a sequel to some Brittney Spears' show. I thought it was absolutely amazing. The acting, the special effects, even the Giant himself. They were all great and enough to get me to fork over $19 bucks to buy it on DVD. And the one man who I thought would crush the film's potential gave the best performance of all. I have never been a big fan of Jack Black. I always saw him as a comedic overachiever. He just tried to hard to be funny and often came up short. And although he did have a few humorous lines in the movie, it was his ability to make you dislike his character so much due to of his complete lack of safety for others, but still hope with everything you had that he captured Kong on film that impressed me. You wanted that camera he carried with him to survive at all costs. Jack Black became an actor in my eyes that day, and I respected him for it.

Not too long ago on a Sunday afternoon, I caught "School of Rock" on the TV and decided that I would give Black another opportunity to prove himself. And that he did. I was surprised that I actually liked the film. I was surprised that he can actually sing well, and that he's pretty awesome on the guitar. I was surprised that I laughed--he was funny without trying too hard to succeed. And so during this month, Black will be starring in "Nacho Libre." A story of a tired chef in a Mexican orphanage who moonlights as a wrestler to raise money for the orphans. It's directed by the man behind "Napolean Dynamite," so that's a good sign, right? And I actually want to see it! I shock myself with that statement, but it's true. I think that it actually looks funny. So I will pay my $8 dollars, grab a small bag of popcorn, and sit back to enjoy the art that is Jack Black--a chubby fella in blue tights, a red cape, and a Tom Selleck mustache.

So Many Gallons, I Lost Count

I spent the last 4 hours drawing approximately 120 gallons of water from my basement floor tonight. I lost count after my mom, using my dad's wet vac, emptied an undetermined amount of water from his appliance. The kicker? I just had my carpet cleaned by Stanley Steamer earlier today. It was so nice to see the carpet looking new and smelling fresh and deoderized. And then I came home to see that the water was ten times worse than it was the first time. I really do give up at this point. I think I might just put one of those kiddy pools down there and enjoy the water for summer.