The "Look"

Yes, my brothers you know the “look” from your wife when you foolishly do or say something that leaves her feeling “really, this is who I married?” Like responding to any of the entrapping “fat” questions with “yes, you do look fat…kinda like the Pillsbury Dough Boy” as you poke her in the belly, or using your delicate precious newborn wrapped in a Winnie the Pooh blanket as the football prop while you do the Heisman pose for your buddies, or lighting a campfire for the kids soaked with a gallon of gasoline. As your wife stands stunned in disbelief at your incredible talent, wit or skill she can’t say anything that would be used against her in a court of law so she instinctively gives you the “look”.

WARNING! Valentine’s Day is next week, be ready, be prepared, for you don’t want to be one of those guys that gets the “look” on the evening of romance and love. After 21 Valentine’s Days with my special Valentine most have been successful, but there have been some epic fails where the “look” was a bucket of cold water on the hoped for blazing fire of romance. Lessons learned on Valentine’s Day: don’t wait till 5:30 PM to make a dinner reservation, don’t purchase $3.00 flowers at a gas station, don’t watch “Cops”, “Star Trek” or ESPN all evening, don’t bring home TV Dinners and fruit drinks (“Babe, you can choose between Salisbury Steak or Meatloaf”), don’t do nothing (no card, no gift), and don’t celebrate a romantic night in a hotel with three little kids. Trust me, learn from my mistakes for I want you to avoid the “look”. Young man, I know you enter Valentine’s Day with fear and trembling (as you should) and the pressure is on, but I’ve got your back and here are a few suggestions to help you on this big day.

Cherish Her– Look at your wife with eyes that say “I love you”, hold her with tenderness, and gently care for her needs.

Honor Her– Hold her in high esteem, compliment her, thank her, respect her unique talents, gifts and service.

Treasure Her- Show her how valuable she is to you, treat her as the most beautiful jewel ever discovered.

Serve Her – courtesy, generosity, thoughtfulness in an act of service, eg. “Opening a door for her might be old fashioned, but it will win you her heart and a smile”.

Surprise Her – It takes creativity, timing, secrecy and planning to pull off an unexpected Valentine’s Day, but when accomplished correctly it will be the cherished event she will tell her friends about for years.

Men you can be the knight in shining armor this Valentine’s Day to your wife. You can avoid the icy chill of the “look” by being prepared, thoughtful, and sincere. If you follow a few of my suggestions above your beloved will feel cherished, honored and treasured, and maybe, just maybe she will respond warmly with the other “look”.

“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.” – Proverbs 18:22 (NLT)   

Super Bowl Moments

Unless you have been lost in the mountains, wandering in the snow, eating pine cones and Box Elder bugs for lunch this past month, then you are aware that the Super Bowl is this Sunday. The Patriots and the Giants are in a super re-match from just a couple of years ago, when the Giants defeated the Patriots depriving them of their perfect season. In our sports culture, the Super Bowl is the premier sports event of the year. One game - one Champion. The Super Bowl is usually the most watched televised event of the year and the first Sunday in February has become an unofficial holiday. Just as the build up of excitement and anticipation in this game, through the action on the field, till the winning team holds up the Lombardi Trophy and hulking macho athletes weep, hug one another, jump, run and express pure emotion… I wonder if we have any Super Bowl moments?

I often daydream of playing in the Super Bowl (yes, I am well aware I am almost 45 and am more likely to blow out a knee getting the mail than run 30 yards for a TD), and scoring the final points as time runs out for a come-from-behind win. What an emotional rush that would be: the elation of winning, of being the best, the joy of sharing that with teammates, the satisfaction of years of striving, hoping, and dreaming actually came to reality. Well, I may not ever experience that as an NFL player, but I believe each of us have our own Super Bowl moments in life.

In the game of life we all have our hopes and dreams, aspirations, and goals. We generally desire to find love, acceptance and belonging, fulfillment, purpose, success and happiness. In our game of life we may view graduation as a Super Bowl moment – holding the diploma in your hands as your parent’s applaud with tears of joy, surprise and disbelief that this moment actually happened. We might think of our wedding day as the culmination of love, trust and commitment as the ultimate moment of realized dreams, or in the birth of a child or grandchild. Maybe its building a successful business, achieving a position in your vocation, earning the respect and acclaim from your professional peers. It might be accomplishing a personal health and recreational goal like running a marathon, climbing a mountain, or losing significant weight. Regardless if we felt we’ve had many Super Bowl moments in our life (the only championship I’ve ever won was in fantasy football), as Believers in Christ we will all experience a victorious moment.

John shares an ultimate “Super Bowl” moment as he stands in the great assembly in the Throne Room of Heaven in the presence of  God our Father in the presentation of The Lamb. The angelic hosts, elders, and all living creatures proclaim in worship:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power, riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing…
 Blessing, and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” – Revelation 5:12-13

It is the Lamb who has secured our victory over sin and death. It is through the Lamb that we have the hope and promise of eternal life. In our celebration of victory we will all share in the Great Supper of the Lamb. I can only imagine the emotions that will permeate through my being at that moment…hope, longing, dreams, love, belonging, purpose and acceptance perfectly fulfilled…complete satisfaction for ever and ever. What an awesome day that will be!