Choosing

I've done a teaching a couple times on the topic of sex that included "how to choose a wife".  Here are the three simple criteria to choosing a wife:

1. She must have a pulse.
2. She must love Jesus (right now).
3. She must be willing to put up with you.

If a man can find a woman who meets these three criteria, marry her.

Roger asked me last week, "what's the list for ladies choosing [to receive] a man?"  That got me thinking.  So here's my companion list for women who are deciding whether or not to say yes to a man's pursuit and engagement:

1. He must love Jesus (right now).
2. He must have a job (right now) that you are willing to live with.
3. He must be ready to say just "Yes"--forsaking all other, faithful only to you till death do we part.

I think Mark, who's wedding I did two weeks ago, said it well in his vows that he wrote for his wife Julia:

Julia, long ago you were just a dream and a prayer.  Today, the Lord Himself has answered that prayer and made taht dream come true.  I thank Jesus for the honor of going through time with you.  Thank you for being what you are to me.  With the deepest joy, I receive you into my life, that together we may be as one.  As Jesus is to His church, so I will be to you a loving and faithful husband.  I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my tenderest care.  I promise I will live first unto God rather than others or even you.  I promise that I will lead our lives into lives of faith and hope in Christ Jesus.  With our future as bright as the promises of God, I wil care for you, honor and protect you.  And so throughout our life, no matter what may lie ahead of us, I pledge to you today, my life, as a loving and faithful husband.