Within twenty-four hours of publishing the two Dating Disaster “Date Rape” posts I took a phone call from a very scared family member whose loved one had just been served papers accusing him of rape.

This is not an isolated concern.

The possibility of date rape or an accusation of date rape is a real threat, for the safety of women, and for men. Let’s review:

Her Story
His Story

How To Protect Yourself If You’re A Man 1

It can be confusing to be a guy out there navigating the treacherous waters of the dating scene.

Within twenty-four hours of publishing the two Dating Disaster “Date Rape” posts I took a phone call from a very scared family member whose loved one had just been served papers accusing him of rape.

This is not an isolated concern.

The possibility of date rape or an accusation of date rape is a real threat, for the safety of women, and for men. Let’s review:

Her Story
His Story

How To Protect Yourself If You’re A Woman 1

Date rape is real, it’s tragic, and sometimes it’s very confusing.

This is a fictional account that’s written – based on true stories – to give words to those who are scared, silent, and silenced.

Today’s account was written from a female’s perspective.
Tomorrow’s account is from the male’s perspective entitled “His Story.”

During our visit with Eric and Jill Lacher we marveled at their love.

Though they have similar hearts and values, they began their relationships with very different strategies for living out those values.

During our visit they shared with us that the wisdom of Emerson Eggerichs has helped them to grow deeper in love and express it more effectively to one another. On their behalf and to our benefit here’s some of what they learned.

How Does a Husband Spell Love to His Wife?

He’s so hot! 

She’s so hot!

I would do anything to keep him.

I would do anything to get her.

She doesn’t know what she’s getting into.

He doesn’t know what he’s tearing down.

Ladies – Stop settling. He wants what u have more than u want what he’s offering. Hold back. When he steps back & he will, STEP AWAY #wise

Guys – When you find out she’s got her V-card (virgin), she’s not a condom to use & toss. Listen 2 ur conscience! #choosewisely #notuse

Hold Onto Your Conscience

I’m turning 50 this week. 

I’m not yet fifty — it’s just one day away — but I thought I’d lead you through my journey, and maybe you’ll learn a thing or two that will help you on your journey.

Alone, But Not

You know how it is when you feel less alone when someone else can understand your pain?

There are days when I live like a practical atheist. 

Not that I don’t care about God, but that I don’t even think about God.

Subtitled, “Discovering The Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle”, Michael John Cusick begins with an abrupt and compelling question, “What’s Better than Porn?” He spends the majority of the rest of the book answering that question.

“You and I were created to fly. But something has gone terribly wrong…Adam and Eve lost their innocence and…barely a day goes by that I don’t hear a story about a man losing his (innocence) in exchange for pornography…(and) the losses are devastating.”

On our 10th Anniversary we renewed our wedding vows.

In 1997 we renewed our wedding vows — not that we were a mess and needed a restart, but — because ten years into our marriage, we were adults, “grown ups”, who had a better idea what we were doing and we wanted to be positive role models.

During our wedding we repeated vows I don’t recall and hope that we kept.  At our 10th we wrote these vows, planning the keep them.  And, aside from moments of selfishness, my inclinations to be a workaholic, and an occasional crabby day, we’re still keeping them.  These vows help us keep on track toward our goal of a lifelong happy marriage.

“Run — flee the evil desires of youth; run away; run away from infantile indulgence; run from temptations that capture young people; run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts — instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.“  1

Okay, yeah love is the obvious choice, but why does the choice STILL have to be so [expletive] hard!

1 – 2 Timothy 2:22

Yesterday was Valentines Day.  Yesterday was also the anniversary of the legend of the green hippo.  If you don’t know that story or want another opportunity to laugh at me, feel free to read it again in Sex, Lies & the Truth – Pt 3 of 3 – The Truth.

I’m trying to grow up, grow more appreciative, take my Valentine less for granted, show the love I think of, feel the love that lives within and follow her example of generosity.

I worked a fourteen-hour day yesterday, but I still got a couple things right.