No, not all men are "perverts"

This is pretty excellent:

Jason Evert speaks to young men at a Steubenville Conference a couple weeks ago.

Link to video for mobile users here.

This talk was for young men, however I think it is a wonderful thing for men and women of all ages to watch.  It should be inspirational to men and it should be an encouragement to women.  When people throw statements around like "all men watch porn" or "all men just want sex" or "all men sleep around" etc etc as though it is "natural" and inevitable- NO, not all of them do.  There are men like this in existence. 

Source for image here.

I find Hugh Hefner's costume in this picture very appropriate.

You, my friend, are going to be in trouble when you finally die.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous -that is, an idolater-has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  - for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true- and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,

    and arise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:1-17

A whole lot-a, yes.

"Part of Me"

Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

1 Peter 3:4

Link to video for mobile users here.

I'm sure Katy Perry had a concept in mind when she wrote this song that is different from what I think of when I listen to it; however, I am going to borrow all the resonating power behind her idea (whatever it was) and apply it to my idealism. 

When you feel ordinary and disposable as though you are on menu of women from which a man can pick and choose multiple courses (and you feel like the comfort food and not the delicacy); remember that God doesn't measure your value that way.  If a man follows Christ, he is going to see you as sacred and precious; he isn't going to look at you (or any woman) as an object of lust (Matthew 5).  Wait for that man who sees you as truly beautiful beyond compare and makes you feel as precious as you are. Don't give yourself away for less. The goal isn't to find a man who values you above all others but to find a man who values all women (and people in general) as precious and sacred and simply recognizes you as "the one" God intended for him. It should never be a competition. You should never feel stacked up against anyone else.  You should never have to defend your worth or the truth behind why you wait to someone who says they love you. Wait for a man who can say something like: 

You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.

Song of Songs 4:7

and who also treats you in a way that makes you believe those words.

Now, I abhor the common perspective that women should be treated like "princesses" while its ok for women to talk about men like they are dogs. So any men reading this, take note. The same goes for you.  Your love should be as devoted to you as the church is devoted to Christ (Ephesians 5) and she should value your body as this amazing, sacred vessel which carries your heart and soul. You should be able to trust her implicitly and you should be the focus of ALL her desire.  There are certainly a LOT of women lusting after Ryan Gosling, Tom Hiddleston, and etc- even if less women than men are into porn, they are still absolutely sinning when they lust after actors or musicians or flirt with "cute" guys at work even though they have a boyfriend/husband etc. And while the Bible verse above was specifically for women, here is one for you guys:

Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature..for the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

Your heart is where your gorgeous-ness comes from too.  I said gorgeous-ness because I wanted to say "beauty" but maybe you guys wouldn't like that.  Is beautiful not manly? I think men can be beautiful. If a guy wants to suggest a better word, please let me know. Any ways, wait for a woman who can say:

My beloved is radiant, distinguished among ten thousand.

Song of Songs 5:10

and who treats you in a way that you believe it. You should be her one and only. You shouldn't be measured against previous relationships or who ever is hot in Hollywood.  You shouldn't feel like you are compared to or have to compete with any other man she happens to know. Thats not love. She must be able to say:

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.

Song of Songs 6:3

End of story, no competition. Forever and ever.

Most importantly, you both should be able to say:

I have found the one my soul loves.

Song of Songs 3:4

If you can't say that about the person you are with, then you are lying to them and yourself; and you are simply using each other.

I typed "beautiful" into Google to try and get a random picture to pair with this blog post. However, since most of the search results were naked women (which immediately made me hate Google and society in general), you are getting an old picture of me. 

"Truth is Eternal"

Every word. EVERY. WORD.

CLICK HERE

Ok, in my first version of this post I followed the link above with a long commentary of my own. However, I read Matt Walsh's post once more and, as I sobbed once again through more than half of it, I realized I didn't want to add any of my own words. It needs no commentary.  It's perfect. Perfect.

So, I just ask that you do click the link above and you read it. Fair warning, if you are reading it on a mobile phone you'll have to scroll past some advertisements.  But please read it.  Every word. I just, forgive me, I can't even.

Be a rebel.

"We forget how great we are."

THIS.

So, you know how people "binge-watch" tv shows on Netflix?

You know, you get hooked on Sherlock or Dr.Who or Downton Abbey and end up watching all the episodes in like 12 hours straight?

Well, I binge-watch/listen to sermons and Christian "talks".

We need a term for me that is like "geek" but pertaining specifically to Christianity.

Anyways, as I was driving home from NYC today, I listened to three Steubenville Conference talks by Chris Stefanick (who gets me more excited than Orlando Bloom or Brendon Urie ever did- but in an entirely different way, thank God) and then ended up listening to Leah Darrow.

Now, this woman.

This woman.

Awesome.

She talked a little too much about shoes in her women's session (I'm not a "girly" girl) but everything else, just…. thank you, God for your amazing grace on us all. Love it.

Please, just take half an hour and watch this first video and if you like it; watch the second.  The first video is aimed at both young men and women (but applicable to all ages) and the second is from a women's session but I think men could absolutely benefit from a listen as well.

Leah Darrow's general keynote speech from Steubenville 2012

Link for mobile users here.

And her women's session from Steubenville 2013

Link for mobile users here.

Picture source here.