I have not had the time to write for a while. Been just too busy - which is a good thing. But I had plenty of time to think. Lately I have been thinking about Francis Schaeffer's words when he has said that we need to basically stay abreast of the culture in order to continue to have an impact for Christ in it. This idea goes quite contrary to a lot of Vision Forum's material in practice. Now I said in practice simply because I have seen and heard and experienced too much of the notion of segregation in order to protect. What I mean is that it is really contrary to the scriptures to believe that in order to remain unscathed from the world you have to keep it at arm's length from you. If I know anything at all about Christ and his mission, he did not keep anyone at arm's length for fear of being corrupted by them. Heck, he let the leper touch him! Even more; he let the sin of the whole world - past, present and future - cover him on the cross. He had to endure his Father turning his back at this from him. But he was not fearful. He knew who he was. Can't we say the same? Though I love the ideas and aspirations Vision Forum holds on courtship, femininity and values. I don't always see a proper focus on Christ's missionary emphasis to a lost and dying world. Instead what is seen is a call for forming churches, families and cultures designed to exclude. This is dangerous. Now I am not speaking as an expert on Vision Forum. I only come to the table merely as an observer of what the material has done to the church. I love the idea of courtship. But my primary focus should be on teaching my children what it means to love God while acknowledging that God will teach them far more than I am able to do when that time comes for them to leave their parent's home. God is sovereign and how he works through such a sinner as I is utterly amazing. But the charge to show forth the gospel never changes. It is the same in every age. It always adapts to every culture but we are his ambassadors who must be wise. It is hard work to figure out the trends that inevitably affect our youth. We must stay diligent always staying at the forefront. We must bring them Christ. He must be our focus always. -Joe