Evolution's New (Random) "Plan": Use Supermodels to Dominate the World

According to "scientific findings" reported on Fox News, evolution is causing women to get "hotter" and men to stay ugly.



A few things, if I may:

• Is this implying, then, that men are the weaker species and will not survive?

• Does it also imply that ugly women are a weaker species since "hot" women have "more children than unattractive women" (of which most of the offspring are girls)?

• Question: What if an "unattractive" woman gets hot - will she be grandfathered (grandmothered?) in to the Survival of the Fittest plan?
  

• Top notch reporting and video illustration by Fox News: great use of supermodels through the entire presentation of "hot women" and then contrasting it with the shining examples of male hotness - Rodney Dangerfield and Keith Richards! Don't Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Will Smith or, gasp, Robert Pattinson give us men a little evolutionary credit?!?! Are hot guys given a sporting chance at survival?
  

One other thing... how do the scientists plead in the face of this evidence here: Models and Actresses without Makeup (top notch reporting, indeed, thanks to the folks at AOL Living "StyleList")? *Cue "The Jig is Up music* DUN DUN DUN....

To Quote the Supermodels (as the evolutionary scientists are no where to be found): "CURSES! Foiled again! We would have gotten away with dominating the world if it wasn't for you, C2, and that pesky dog, er, AOL Living!"

The evolution part of the story is a joke and not even worth discussing. Beauty, on the other hand, is very much a worthy topic! Beauty may have been relative to the eyes of the beholder (though that's a conversation for another day), but in the age of Botox, push up stuff, suck stuff in, 20" heels, plastic surgery, air brushing, technology in media and make-up technicians/artists (yes, those are real titles) no one knows what they are beholding. Not to mention the fact that the person being presented is nothing but an image - crafted carefully by photographers, managers, and PR people.

Here is a real, beautiful and virtuous woman who truly demands repect and honor through the beauty she displays in humility and love:

²⁵ [A virtuous woman] is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. ²⁶ When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. ²⁷ She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

²⁸ Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
²⁹ “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. ³¹ Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. (Proverbs 31:25-31

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Your Professional Personality Test: Your Desk

In surfing the web, er working, I stumbled across this article that says your desk says a lot about you. "That's absurd!" I thought. My curiosity, however, was piqued and the link began to call out to me... "click me...click me..." - so I did. I wasn't impressed with what I read at first, though thought it interesting that I have seen every one of those types of desks before (are we that cliche/unoriginal?). While I did not find my desk, per se, in the article, I did see a portion of my desk in the "Post It Note" desk. I now have to call my wife and see if she was a contributing author for that article (specifically the Post It Note desk because that sounds just like her describing me). Not only do I keep a slew of Post-It notes, but I now have a mini White Board and several "To-Do" Word Documents with various numbers or names.
Here's the problem with my desk of "To-Do's"... I never see them. Somehow my desk always seems to become an honorary bookshelf/file cabinet. No matter how many times I clean it off (or my wife cleans it off after waiting patiently and can no longer take looking at it) it always reverts back to what I now refer to as its "God-ordained purpose." Don't believe me? Take a look...


This was taken just a moment ago. As you can see, there are no post-it notes... at least none that are visible. Trust me, they are there under my library and files (probably a year old and of no use to me anymore, but there none-the-less). So, in its place I use our dining room table (which I am forced to clean every night for dinner) or sit on the couch and work with a stack of papers, books and a trusty homemade Mocha Frappaccino next to me.

So, I wonder what that says about me? Hmmmmm.... I don't think I want to know. I will say in my defense, though, I always get things done (and usually on time!)!

Parents and/or Professionals: Desk-personality tests and joking aside, our desks (and homes) do say a lot about us; however, nothing speaks louder than the person sitting behind the desk or the people living in the homes! Do people that work around us or visit our homes trust us to be people of faith and integrity? People of warmth and unconditional love? Or people that hide behind their desks or the walls of their homes... cold, uninviting and usually too busy to care and be involved in the lives of others?

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The Strength to Hope

Each day people are faced with some of the most unbelievable obstacles. Hurt, abuse, moral failure, the dissolution of a marriage, pain, the loss of a job, extreme sickness and death. How do you "deal" with those obstacles? It's not like they just go away.

On Wednesday's So You Think You Can Dance episode dancers Ade and Melissa performed a very powerful piece about a woman's struggle with Breast Cancer. In it you see a variety of emotions and reactions to this battle:

• The girl laying down as if she has nothing left (her friend lifts her up)
• The girl and friend in despair (hurting)
  
• The girl clinging to her friend for support, trusting in his strength (seen in her literally jumping into his arms on several occasions)
• Frustration, as she pounds on the chest of her friend
• Faithfulness, as the friend was and carries her through this

I don't usually get dance, but I get this!

Watch the performance...

'SYTYCD' Top 8: Melissa & Ade's Contemporary Performance @ Y! TV

In this piece, the strength the woman receives is from her friend. While it is true that our friends and family are some our greatest sources of support in unbelievable times (as God created them to be), I couldn't help but think about the "friend" in this routine as our God. Obviously this was not the intent of the choreographer (Tyce Diorio), but read the passage below and then watch the performance again and you'll see how I see it like that. FIRST: read this about Jesus Christ, who loves so perfectly...

Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:34-39)

It is true that we live in a broken (Fallen) world. For those who put their faith and life in the hands of Jesus Christ, there is hope in those unimaginable times that we could never forsee coming. Those moments of despair and feeling alone. Those moments when we say "I never thought this would be my life." There is hope! Even if the worst should happen (death), there is still hope in knowing we can live on forever in the presence of Him who made us just like Him. Jesus Christ came and died (and lives again!) that we might have hope, comfort and boldness in this life and the one to come!

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"Eye Candy"

Ok, so I made my weekly shopping trip to the grocery store today with my youngest daughter (2 years old). Typically this is a trip in which I craftily navigate the aisles with list in hand so that I can try to get what we need as quick as possible (though I've got a lot of my mom in me, so I also want a deal and trying to be thrifty often slows my progress). After two hours (obviously not my fastest of trips) my shopping experience was drawing to a close and my baby and I were grabbing our last item (some ice cream!)... then it happened.

As my I was looking through the Breyer's, trying to select between Fat Free Chocolate or forgetting health consciousness and grabbing whatever I wanted (I chose neither and instead opted for Skinny Cow Chocolate Cones - good stuff!), a woman approached the same freezer to choose a frozen dessert. No sooner had she walked up that two guys passed between us taking several long, childish looks at her. One of them then looked at me and lipped silently (so she wouldn't know he was talking about her) "is that your wife?!?!". Puzzled by the question, I shook my head "no." He then replied in a whisper "I was gonna say... [putting his thumb up indicating approval] nice job, bro!! She [sic] hot!!!".

WHAT?!?! What if she were my wife? In what universe would I (or hopefully any guy) be proud that some random guy (or even one I know) just walked by and stared at my wife, as if undressing her with his eyes, then let me know he approved of her and our marriage? How is that complimentary in anyway? How did he think that would be a manly thing to do (especially with our daughter, if we were married or my wife was the one being oogled as if she were eye candy to be sensually enjoyed by anyone who walks by, right next to me)?

Men/boys... it's getting old. Step up.

***EDITED BELOW***

Need further evidence? This was posted in the comments section by a teenage girl not even two hours after I published the above post:

"That is really frustrating.
I'm a 17 year old girl. Apparently I look a lot older. I don't dress provocatively and don't wear make- up, but yet when I go places sometimes guys ask me if I'm married, etc. It's even more frustrating when I catch them looking at me or have other people tell me that guys were "looking me up and down," when my friends and I go somewhere. There are some places that I don't even want to go to anymore, because of this. To me, it seems as though most guys only want one thing [sex], and that is really annoying."

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Jimmy Carter takes on Southern Baptists

According to a recent article, former President Jimmy Carter has parted ways with the Southern Baptist Convention over the treatment of women. A Southern Baptist for 60 years Jimmy Carter has decided he no longer wants to be a part of them, claiming they are nothing short of a bunch of misogynistic men who use their religion to allow for "persecution and abuse of women throughout the world" (likening them to religious groups who truly do abuse, mistreat, disrespect and devalue women). In his essay he not only calls out Southern Baptists, but the integrity of Scripture as a whole (which, sad to say, is at least consistent with his new found beliefs).

"Why would he say such a thing?" you ask? Because SB's do not ordain women (allow women to serve as deacons or vocational pastors) and tell husbands, fathers and/or men to step up and be the Godly, loving, protective, supportive and integritous leaders of their homes they are supposed to be. For him to lambaste the SBC as chauvinistic, power-hungry men is not only an unfair statement, it is a complete misrepresentation of Southern Baptists, in general. Yes, there are always a select few that carry their faith and values too far, then hide behind it as direct instructions from God; however, I think it would have been better for Mr. Carter to double check Scripture before mislabeling an entire group of men and women who speak on behalf of and fight for marriages, family, integrity, children's rights, women (and their rights) and justice worldwide.

To address his claims against the SBC...

Regarding the claim that women are told to "subjugate themselves to the wishes of their husbands" -
No... the SBC does not call on women to subjugate themselves to their husband's wishes, nor does the Bible. To say such a thing is either a misunderstanding of Scripture (at best), or an irresponsible, slanderous, and hateful lie (at worst). The SBC does not tell women to "submit" (the correct word and phrasing) to their husbands either - the Bible does (Ephesians 5:22-33). Southern Baptists only reiterate what the Bible teaches. It's sad how often this passage and instruction is taken out of context though, as if the Bible tells women they are inferior to men and they have no choice but to listen to their husband-boss. This is NOT at all what the Bible teaches. It actually tells women to submit to their husband's supposed to be Godly-leadership (he is to be leading his family with his wife toward the worship and love of God in all things). The other integral part of that passage often left out or ignored by people is that it also calls on husbands to love their wives sacrificially, willing to go above and beyond to care for them, serve them and love them. No where does it reduce the value or worth of a woman, but actually declares man and woman to be of equal worth and value by stating that when the two are married they become "one flesh" (how is one part of a body more valuable than another?).

Regarding the SBC's refusal to ordain women -
Mr. Carter is correct - Southern Baptists do not ordain women (allow them to be Pastors or deacons). However, they do commission them to serve as missionaries all over the world as well as to lead and teach within the church. This has nothing to do with skill or ability (there are several women Bible teachers the could out-preach many men), it has to do with roles. Two reasons to justify this decision by the SBC in reiterating Scripture's teachings:

1. In 1 Tim. 3:1-13 (one of the key passages in Scripture that talks about the role and qualification of a pastor and deacons), Scripture says that a pastor (or "elder"/"overseer" depending on how the word is translated... all three refer to the same position: Pastor) and a deacon is to be "the husband of one wife" (or "faithful to his wife" according to one translation). If women were called on to lead the church as a pastor/deacon, would this passage not say "or the wife of one husband" (or "faithful to her husband")? There is no ambiguity in this passage.

2. A logical/deductive conclusion in the roles of a husband and wife and the roles of a pastor and deacon. How can a woman submit to her husband's leadership at home, but then go to church and lead him? This is, again, not to say a woman takes orders (because she does/should not), but is to be praying with her husband and trusting that he is leading their family toward God. If he leads at home, but she leads at church, it would seem that she should only trust his leadership outside of church (logically speaking, this makes no sense).

There is much more that can be said of this, I will stop now for simplicity sake.

While it is highly unlikely that President Carter sat under poor Biblical teaching in a misled Southern Baptist Church, one could only hope. At least then his slanderous (and unoriginal) accusations could be understood. Unfortunately, it seems, however, that he has simply caved to the whims of popular culture that speaks regularly of redefining family and the worth and role of a woman; the title of his essay only reaffirms his new (or at least newly shared) foundational belief: "Losing My Religion For Equality."

PARENTS: Outside of rejecting Scripture all together (or making false claims about it like Carter did in his essay), I truly believe one of the greatest reasons there is such a strong opposition to God's Biblical model for family is that there are very few families that demonstrate Biblical values and leadership for this world to see. The Lost world looks at the 50% divorce rate (in and out of the church!) and say "the church doesn't have it figured any more than anyone else" and turn their back on Biblical teaching, labeling it as "faulty." I encourage you as husband and wife to read Ephesians 5:22-33 together and ask yourselves (just the two of you): "is this modeled in our home? When people look at our family, is this Biblical-model of family and love that we have for one another obvious?" Additionally, make sure you take time to understand that passage (along with others in Scripture that pertain to marriage and family) and make sure you teach and model for your children a Biblical worldview of relationships, not one that speaks from the authority of ever-changing culture/political correctness.

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Image borrowed from Moonbattery.
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Starbucks Downgrades Their Menu

Money is tight... coffee is expensive... people aren't spending as much on "the little things" in life (which is where Starbucks makes its bread and butter)... so... Starbucks has a plan: start selling happy drinks in newly named stores. Beginning with three Seattle-based locations, Starbucks will launch new stores under the pseudonym "15th Avenue Coffee and Tea" (because they are trying to give them a hometown feel, it is unclear if all the stores will have this moniker or if each one will have a different name to reflect its location) and will serve coffee, tea, wine and beer.

So much for my local, franchise coffeehouse.

As a pastor I often like to go (though, admittedly, not as often as I'd like due to cost) to Starbucks to read, research, sermon prep, and do office things out of the office. My wife and I also like to hit up the local Starbucks when we go on dates so we can just sit, talk and relax while drinking our favorite "foo-foo coffees," as my dad calls them. With the exception of the always loud music (that, no matter how often I ask them to turn it down, only seems to get louder) I love my coffeehouse! I love the smell, the people, the baristas (who, when I was going often, recognized me as a "regular" and would offer to start my "usual" Grande Java Chip Frappuccino, extra shot, light with light whip coffee before I even stepped to the counter to order it), the big, over-stuffed chairs and the all-around atmosphere. Now, it seems, I'll have to enjoy the new coffee-bar atmosphere as some patrons knock back coffee, while others allow their inhibitions to slip away as they plow through beer and women's beer (wine).

For those automatically jumping on the "he's a pastor and a Christian, of course he doesn't like to drink" stereotypical bandwagon, understand this has nothing to do with my faith. I loathe alcohol because of the number of people I see hurt as a result of people "escaping" through knocking back a couple with friends (in particular behavior brought on by being tipsy/buzzed/drunk - such as flirting with someone that's not their spouse, atypical "fun" behavior that would never be done sober, hurtful conversations, abuse, etc.). The last thing I want to deal with at the coffeeshop is someone looking to "escape" or who doesn't know their limit. I also don't want to bring my children in for their hot cocoa or chocolate milk box knowing they may be exposed to an atmosphere they are not prepared to handle (nor will be).

Here's hoping others feel the same way I do and this idea doesn't pan out. If it does, however, and my local Starbucks becomes "I-40 Coffee and Tea," I'll be traveling an additional 20 minutes to the Carribou coffee (or learning how to brew a better cup of coffee).

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Image borrowed from kayakman.
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Barbara Walters Takes on Bruno

Number one at the box office this past weekend was Sasha Baron Cohen's latest "docu-comedy" (or mockumentry) Bruno. According to the film's synopsis, he plays a gay Austrian fashion reporter (of sorts) who interviews (ambushes) unsuspecting people in his attempt to become "world famous".

I have no desire to see this movie and this clip from Barbara Walters (ultra "left" journalist who, until seeing this movie apparently, is hard pressed to object to much of anything) only reaffirms my decision.

Checkout Barbara's reaction to Bruno here: http://television.aol.com/tvtop5/babs-vs-bruno-the-view/29528668001

How this sort of "art" is acceptable by anyone's standards is appalling to me as a person, let alone a Believer.

Enough said.

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Photo borrowed from RottenTomatoes.com
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The Quest of a Real Man: Albert Pujols Is Fighting All the Right Battles

So much time is spent in the media highlighting celebrities' and athletes' falls from grace. So many articles and news reports cover mischievous deeds and alleged actions that it seems as though no one can be trusted (famous or not). It's heartbreaking.

Enter Albert Pujols: husband, father, follower of Jesus Christ, First Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals and arguably one of the best players playing "The Game" (Major League Baseball) today - maybe ever; only time will tell. Unfortunately, steroids has damaged the credibility of the game thanks to several of the game's "greats": Mark McGuire, Barry Bonds, Raphael Palmiero, Roger Clemens and, most recently, Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez, to name a few. Since becoming one of baseball's most feared hitters (he is the only player in Major League history to hit 30 homeruns in each of his first nine seasons), Pujols' name has been included (wrongly, as far as many in sports can tell) in the ring of suspicion for players playing "dirty" (using steroids). Albert Pujols, however, isn't standing by idly as people try to tarnish his image; he's on a quest to clean up baseball, but more importantly demonstrate to anyone willing to listen/watch what a man of integrity looks like.

A recent article in the USA Today (written by Bob Nightengale) does an amazing job of detailing this journey of Pujols. It is a very challenging piece, mainly because of the fire inside of Pujols (which is detailed so well by Nightengale in his article) to prove to the world that not only is he clean, but his integrity and relationship with God is more valuable to him than any dollar amount. Here are some highlights (quotes) from this fantastic article:

• On his name being falsely linked to steroids: "...just because Manny made a mistake, now I have to pay? Just because A-Rod made a mistake, now I have to pay? Oh, guilt by association? That's wrong. For people to be suspicious of me because of the year I'm having and for people to say I just haven't been caught, that makes me angry and disappointed."
• Pujols, who was tested as a part of MLB's new testing program (for steroids and drugs) six times last season alone, says he is willing to be tested daily to silence the skeptics. He even takes his guarantee that he is clean a step further: "Come test me every day if you want... Everything I ever made in this game I would give back to the Cardinals if I got caught."
• On being a Believer, baseball hero and role model: "I want to be the guy people look up to. But I want to be the person who represents God, represents my family and represents the Cardinals the right way. So many people can't wait until I do something negative. I can't understand it. That's sad, because I want to be that poster boy in baseball. Just give me the chance."
• About protecting his marriage and family, his reputation and his relationship with God, Nightengale states that Pujols "doesn't drink or smoke. He doesn't have a tattoo or wear earrings. He doesn't go to bars, nightclubs or any place where his character could be assaulted." In his own words, Pujols says "If we're in a hotel and a woman gets on the elevator by herself, I'll wait or the next one. People have their agenda. You have to be careful who you can trust. It's the same thing with pictures. I'll have my picture taken on the field, but not off the field. Nowadays with photo technology, you can do so many things."
• Regarding Pujols' reputation among his peers, Nightengale quotes several players and managers who speak highly of his integrity (on and off the field), his legacy as a player and someone who is highly favored and respected.

In an age where so many people live for themselves and live in a manner that ensures their own happiness (some to a degree that doesn't consider anyone but themselves), it is refreshing and challenging to see a man fight for his integrity, his wife and marriage, his children, his respect as a professional and his reputation as a true Believer and follower of Jesus Christ. While I've always admired Albert Pujols professionally (who has been a staple of both my fantasy baseball teams since his rookie year), I am now a fan of the man. A man who fights so dearly for all the right things in life, knowing that fight will be his greatest legacy, is worthy of being watched and emulated (much like Paul encouraged those younger in faith to do with him - "follow me, for I am following Christ").

KUDOS ALBERT PUJOLS! Checkout his family foundation site for more on Albert Pujols and his mission.

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Or you can email me at: christianthechristian.c2@gmail.com

Images borrowed from profantasybaseball.com and Getty Images.
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