Compliments!!!

First of all I want to apologize for not posting anything recent...  Things have been busy, school, finals, and work.  None of this is bad cause it allows me to really think about stuff and ultimately rely on God for the strength to get through each day!!!

It'll be three weeks ago from this Saturday since we, the church body of Central Bible Church (CBC) received a hard blow.  Our youth pastor, for six years, and his wife and kids are leaving.  The Lord is beginning to write a new chapter in their lives.  None of us at CBC are happy to see them go, but we are happy to know that they are following after the Lord's desire.  We are happy, grateful, and thankful for the six wonderful years of memories and awesome teachings.  Thanks so very much and God bless!!!

The second thing I want to discuss is a question I have for you women.  If a young man, a good friend of yours walks up to you and says, "Hey you look nice today!"  What will your response or reactions be?

As a young man and having done just that, I've been put into some, dare I say, awkward situations.  And I can say that I have personally witnessed two different reactions.  There is the external and the internal reaction, they can both be the same or be different.  Externally you may smile and say "thanks!"  Internally you may be thinking "Does he like me?, Why is he saying this? etc.  I don't know exactly what you may think cause I am not any of you.  No one knows what is going on in your mind but God and yourself.  Am I wrong about this or am I right?  Please I'd like to know.

Now let me tell you all why... Now I am choosing my words carefully.  Is it too much to ask of us guys to simply be courteous to women? Can we compliment the ladies in our lives without having it mean something romantic?  I'm here to say that it is possible because I have experienced just that... however therein lies a problem: The problem is that I can do it to only a few select women because they are the only ones who don't take anything by it.  Unfortunately I know a lot more women and would like to be the gentlemen the Lord is making me.

Gentlemen, please be courteous to the women in your life.  Just compliment them, and don't mean anything by it.  Be their friend.

Ladies let us be gentlemen, let us compliment you and don't take it with a grain of salt.  Take them for what they are compliments of our friendships.

Fortunately and unfortunately I can only speak for myself when I say all this and the following:  If you know me, you will know that I am straightforward.  I say things that are and I don't beat around the bush.  Understand that if I ever compliment you and please, please don't take anything by it!!!