To get everyone's spirits up
« Thread Started on Oct 17, 2005, 1:06am »
I've composed a song.
To the tune of Piano Man, by Billy Joel, I present:
Zombie Man
It's nine A.M. on a Saturday
The regular crowd shambles in
There's a zombie sitting next to me
Who sadly has lost all his skin
He says, "Grrr argh bargh argh argh
Harm argh harma argh har ma bar"
I wish I understood the poor fella now
But my translator's at home
Ar ar ar, ar ar ar ar
Ar ar, arm arm ar ar ar
Sing us a song, you're the zombie man
Sing us of human chow
Well, we're all in the mood for some brainz right now
But we'll settle for your music somehow
Now Tyrant at the bar is a kill of mine
I PK'd him in Owlesleybank
And he sometimes misses human hugs and human kisses
But for his love of brains he gives thanks
He says, "Bill, I believe this is killing me."
As the Zombie Hunter headshot him down
And though he was right I'll see him tonight
You can't keep a good zombie down
Oh, Ar ar ar, ar ar ar ar
Ar ar, arm arm ar ar ar
Now Graagh is a former scientist
Who never should've made that drug
And he's chompin' on Bobby, who was in the lobby
Of a safehouse that came all unplugged
And the COL is practicing politics
As the Vengabeans slowly get stoned
Yes they're sharing a drink they call Server Lag
Which means Kevan's playing alone
Sing us a song, you're the zombie man
Sing us of human chow
Well, we're all in the mood for some brainz right now
But we'll settle for your music somehow
It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the zombies give me a smile
'Cause they like all my songs and they grunt along
Which really puts a cramp in my style
And the zombies, they sound like a Dead film
And the microphone smells like dry blood
And they sit at the bar and put brainz in my jar
And say, "Ar, ar ar harm-barg-agh"
Oh, Ar ar ar, ar ar ar ar
Ar ar, arm arm ar ar ar
Sing us a song, you're the zombie man
Sing us of human chow
Well, we're all in the mood for some brainz right now
But we'll settle for your music somehow
« Last Edit: Oct 17, 2005, 7:08pm by [CDF] enochthewatcher »
Peppardville
Farmer Bob King Gidora John Hunter yellowfish Inky ...
139 zombies
You are yyafireman and you are infected. You have 45 Hit Points and 93 Experience Points. You have 50 Action Points remaining.
You are inside the Armoury. The majority of its shelves and lockers have been cleared. The building's doors have been left wide open. Also here are Farmer Bob, King Gidora, John Hunter, yellowfish, Inky, Socom, Spike Speigel, Turic Darkrider, Jeremy Thorne, snarrff, Alya, Samuria5, Triss, LOPcagney, Kaiser Sose, Tigpoppa, Bramtyr, Domiel, Vincent Postrel, TigDoc3, armoury3, SSKnight, YorkRite, 31Flavors, MadDogMcree, Armatron, DeFib, Reno911, Car54, HillStreet, BlueBack, Vahalla, Apathy's Death, NightShift, FF4Life, CubScout, Gibso, Sean Dead, Ed69b, Flimple, John Death, Grgh Argh, Black Lab, Melani, Jerry Coe, starshadow, Magwai, Grey Pete, ToraTora, Troy of NN, taniangde, Lazarus Blue, Lakius, Syndre, Andrew Jiang, John Stout, RainyNight, gladsfab, Fab5Mark, Smitney, Greist, Barsam, pinochey, RibRaby, TexNRex, curtainK, BearBob, marhipan.
Somebody has spraypainted Fort Creedy has fallen, retreat! onto a wall.
There is a horde of 139 zombies here.
There are 24 dead bodies here.
Since your last turn:
A zombie said "Graaaagh!" (10-18 00:39 GMT)
Drab Emordnilap said "AAAAAAAAAGH! 53 Z's outside, and 22 inside! Barricade them in and run away!!!" (10-18 00:53 GMT)
monkeynose said "don't be so silly." (10-18 00:54 GMT)
Old Man Waits said "Rh an rrrh rh... Nrh! Rh harh rna rrmbrh... Mrh ra... Rn rhrrh - rm rrrh..." (10-18 00:54 GMT)
Grantad said "I need a shot gun!" (10-18 01:08 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Luno! I'm loving that Tuba Sound! melani! Why are you punching! use that Banshee Scre...arrrr, I mean Beautiful Voice of yours ... Ummm...yeah....To make those rotter run to the Hills! *Continues playing trumpet Loudly!* Waits! Rottified! That's hilarious" (10-18 01:32 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Luno! Yopu were drooling madly there for a sec and excuse me for thinkinbg it normal for a Tubaist, but there ya go mate! All patched nicely. Now start the Ride of the Valkyries! It's the only song that goes with this Fun! That's it! Melani! Where's your" (10-18 01:34 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Operatic Voice to contribute to this cacophany of sound! Onwards lads! Lets take em down! Waits! Where are you you old Stinker you! We need yuour Harmonica! Hey, Zombie dudes, Contribute some singing and we'll reward you nicely! Speak up lads! That's it!" (10-18 01:36 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Hey Jak! Can you speak or just murmur? Someones hacking you right now, you poor rotter! Guys, once you kill a Z dump them outside before attacking a new one, else they just rise back to their feet again! That's it Luno! Louder *Tuba becomes a roar!* Ahhh." (10-18 01:38 GMT)
Hobel said "Ahh Vol Luthius Double down can't make it he is out searching needles..but told me to say your playing is a great backdrop to this zombie attack...I was wondering DD said you had a plan for creedy if you still have the suplies for that?" (10-18 01:39 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Ahhh, Hobel, My thanks to Pn Double Down and all those others listening to our melodies! Sorry bout that, I just felt like going outside and DNA tagging 20 Z's including Ed Man, and reviving Josey Wales! And no, the revives are fast running out. There" (10-18 01:44 GMT)
Von Luthius said "were 30 odd Z's in here prior to our stocking up. If we knew there were people in here, before we dropped all our guns for supplies, all we were carrying were fully loaded shotties and pistols! It was fun getting rid of that load together into a hoard of" (10-18 01:45 GMT)
A flare was fired 1 block to the east and 9 blocks to the south. (10-18 01:46 GMT)
Lord Tin Tin said "I'm infected I really need a heal, thanks in advance. Using my Last action point to say this" (10-18 01:47 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Rotters' Heads! Geesh! These Rotters are the strong silent type! Either that or they are dumbstruck by the beuty of our music! Heck! Stuff it, I don't know these rotters! Luno *Luno stops playing* Give me your Tuba for a sec. *Hands Von Luthius his Tuba*" (10-18 01:47 GMT)
Hobel said "Well I do belive we are entering last curtin call" (10-18 01:47 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Luno, here take it back! I was gonna smash a Z with it! But hey, they broke in, here's the barricade back up, and to us Providing the entertainment. Luno, Melani, Get your music going! And Melani, I expect to hear you singing this time! *Plays Trumpet wit" (10-18 01:49 GMT)
Pestilo said "That's for hassling my zombie alt, Von Luthius!" (10-18 01:50 GMT)
Von Luthius said "renued Gusto!* Hey! This Rotter Bit me! How unfair! attacking the Band! What did we ever do to you? Provide music and great atmosphere for the killing. Don't kill us to last! Spread the word, we're all having fun here playing to our Doom! Encore Luno! Mel" (10-18 01:51 GMT)
Von Luthius said "PESTILLO is a PKer! Fuck off you shit for brains fuck head! I'm playing me trumpet and your shooting me! Ther ignominy of the event! Hobel Help me! Get ya Bagpipes matey!" (10-18 01:52 GMT)
Pestilo said "Don't worry, I'll heal you. I wasn't trying to kill you, just hassle you." (10-18 01:53 GMT)
Von Luthius said "So Now you heal me? You attacked me for attacking/tagging a freaking Zombie! There's over 100 of the bastards and youi expect me not to hassel them? We're under seige in a frickin Hell Pit of a city and me and mine are doing our best to bring back the" (10-18 01:55 GMT)
Von Luthius said "arts. I mean, You interrupted the Playing! And I wasted my last FAK healing an all out attack! Bah! *Walks up to Pestillo and screeches a Super G in his Ear defening him as a personal Hassel back.* You better be able to play something Pestillo! Now join" (10-18 01:57 GMT)
Von Luthius said "the band! And heal me back to the 60HP I was on! Who Else can play an instrument? I have an entire bag here for you to take and play! Let's all play joyous music to the end of this chapter of Fort Creedy! Bring it! Sing It! Wheeee-Harrr! That's it!" (10-18 01:58 GMT)
Melani said "how long does it take for ap to refresh?" (10-18 02:04 GMT)
EvilHomer said "GARAGHH!!!" (10-18 02:08 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Von Luthius - I can hum a little bit. Can you play the Horst Wessel song, followed by Happy Trails?" (10-18 02:09 GMT)
Hobel said "**Pulles out his Banjo** this is the best I can do Von...but how about that theam from the movie deliverance...I think theses zombies would understand it best" (10-18 02:11 GMT)
Eva Braun said "OOOOOOUCH!!!! EvilHomer bit me with his nasty infectious bite. Bad EvilHomer! Bad! Can anyone spare a FAK for a poor widow? Heil Cowboy Up!!!" (10-18 02:13 GMT)
Melani said "IM INFECTED!" (10-18 02:14 GMT)
Melani said "Thank you! yh" (10-18 02:14 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Thanks, yh! You are truly dedicated to the cause. Heil Cowboy Up!" (10-18 02:15 GMT)
Thandar said "Zrmbaaaazrmbaaaazrmbaaa Zrmbaaaazrmbaaaazrmbaaa... BANNAH!" (10-18 02:15 GMT)
Melani said "I'm spent on ap... sorry guys *sits and sings sadly wishes she could help*" (10-18 02:16 GMT)
AshTheZombie said "Rrh rh hra rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh" (10-18 02:19 GMT)
Pestilo said "Yeah, I'm infected too." (10-18 02:19 GMT)
Ashurbinipaul said "This place isn't going to hold out much longer. I recommend getting out ASAP. The Necro building East is probably your best bet..." (10-18 02:21 GMT)
That Hurts Baby said "15hp, infected, dying - fresh from the Marks slaughter. If any CDF members or others could give me some heals I'd appreciate it very much." (10-18 02:23 GMT)
Wisbechzombie said "Zhamaamba" (10-18 02:25 GMT)
RobertK said "I'm holding the door's closed!!! Can anyone bring something to block them?" (10-18 02:29 GMT)
Bubba McJones said "AMMO!!!" (10-18 02:30 GMT)
DJRoberts said "Infected, please bring healing" (10-18 02:38 GMT)
Joe Dead said "7 Rotters! Kill 'em! Got med kits, so sound off" (10-18 02:53 GMT)
tirion said "Need on here please...." (10-18 02:55 GMT)
BlueBack said "Spund Off for first aid I dont have diagnosis." (10-18 02:59 GMT)
Pestilo said "As soon as someone heals me, I'm getting the hell out of here!" (10-18 03:02 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Coward! Hey Eva, Hobel! Welcome to the Band! Zombies, I expect us to die last cause we are the Band and we'll play till the end and talk all the while! Melani, Eva, Duet time! I'll play whatever whenever, Zombies! I want requests or join the Choir! Hobel," (10-18 03:04 GMT)
Von Luthius said "anyone else in the band with AP! Get outside and tell the Z's not to kill Von Lutthiu, Luno, Melani, Eva Braun and Hobel till last as we are providing Music, atmosphere and entertainment to all! Come on guys! This is Cool Ass Fun! Who else wants ta play?" (10-18 03:08 GMT)
BlueBack healed you for 5 HP. (10-18 03:08 GMT)
Karl Lenin said "Comrades, drive these deadites out and I will bring healing! Keep singing Von Luthius!" (10-18 03:09 GMT)
Hobel said "Anyone know that song the band played from the movie the Titantic?...Von Luthius Eva, Luno. Melani...it has been an honor playing with you tonight. Daa naa naa naa" (10-18 03:13 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Hobel, no worries mate! hey, We need someone in here who will leave their character inactive till the fort gets overrun then copies and pastes the entirety of their conversation into a UD Forum thread entitled Fort Creedy - The Last Hours. I soooo wanna" (10-18 03:15 GMT)
Von Luthius said "see that when it's done! Oh, and I play the trumpet. Melani and Eva are the singers, and Luno the Tubaist, Hobel the Banjo player and Old man Waits the Harmonica player! Where's the Trombonist when we need them They have the best humour Ever!" (10-18 03:18 GMT)
Karl Lenin said "It is time to evacuate comrades, the hospital might be coming with some healing, but don't count on it. 161 dead corpses outside, 52 more walking corpses, not to mention the others around here. Sorry comrades, time to abandon ship!" (10-18 03:19 GMT)
Randoly said "there are only 5 zeds left in here coward!" (10-18 03:20 GMT)
Randoly said "there are only 5 zeds left in here coward!" (10-18 03:22 GMT)
Karl Lenin said "5 in here, but ten times that outside, I don't feel like being feasted upon, I'll bring help if I can, but I don't know if anyone will come, good luck comrades!" (10-18 03:23 GMT)
Hobel said "Bing bing Bing...ahh see the CDF does still stand..Long play the music...Von Luthius..its time for the charge of the Valkurie..lets sturr the chaps on to the final drive..the baricades hold..only 4 rotters in here...come on boys drive them to the sea" (10-18 03:26 GMT)
Hobel said "Bing bing Bing...ahh see the CDF does still stand..Long play the music...Von Luthius..its time for the charge of the Valkurie..lets sturr the chaps on to the final drive..the baricades hold..only 4 rotters in here...come on boys drive them to the sea" (10-18 03:31 GMT)
MG said "shit we're all dead! 63 Zeds outside and 5 inside! Wake up fuckers!" (10-18 03:55 GMT)
MagicG said "I'm infected. Need healing!" (10-18 03:57 GMT)
Joe Dead said "4 med kits left. Who wants them?" (10-18 03:58 GMT)
MagicG said "Can someone get rid of this infection for me?" (10-18 03:59 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Von Luthius - it would seem that now would be a good time to strike up a verse or two of Lili Marlene. And a one, and a two..." (10-18 03:59 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Outside the barracks, by the corner light...I'll always stand and wait for you at night...We will create a world for two...I'll wait for you the whole night through...For you, Lili Marlene...For you, Lili Marlene." (10-18 04:01 GMT)
Hobel said "OMG did you see that..the Zombie broke my banjo....well I did not want to have to do this to everyone but here it is *pulls out a bagpipe and blows the eary sound** ok Von lets do a little amazing grace for the recent falling...**Amazing grace how......." (10-18 04:03 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Bugler tonight don't play the call to arms...I want another evening with her charms...Then we will say goodbye and part...I'll always keep you in my heart...With me, Lili Marlene...With me, Lili Marlene." (10-18 04:03 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Can you hold the Amazing Grace rendition until I finish my solo? A little decency in death is all I ask." (10-18 04:04 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Give me a rose to show how much you care...Tie to the stem a lock of golden hair...Surely tomorrow, you'll feel blue...But then will come a love that's new...For you, Lili Marlene...For you, Lili Marlene." (10-18 04:05 GMT)
Eva Braun said "When we are marching in the mud and cold...And when my pack seems more than I can hold...My love for you renews my might...I'm warm again, my pack is light...It's you, Lili Marlene...It's you, Lili Marlene." (10-18 04:07 GMT)
Eva Braun said "My love for you renews my might...I'm warm again, my pack is light...It's you, Lili Marlene...It's you, Lili Marlene." (10-18 04:08 GMT)
Bruce McGiven said "there in attack" (10-18 04:08 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Braindead Ned wants me dead, so let's end the evening with everyone's favorite - Amazing Grace...How sweet the sound..." (10-18 04:10 GMT)
Eva Braun said "That save a wretch like me (and Cowboy Up!)...I once was lost but now am found...Was blind but now I see." (10-18 04:11 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Gaa...aackkk...[gasp]...Heil Cowboy Up!" (10-18 04:12 GMT)
Gertrude Stein said "Zhamaa-maaamba zha zhaa-maaaamba zha ma bam ba, zha-maaaamba zha barhah!" (10-18 04:13 GMT)
Gertrude Stein said "Zha maaaaam-ba zha zha harh ha ha, zha maaaaamba zha barhah!" (10-18 04:14 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Have the reinforcements arrived to save us yet? I think I hear...gaaaaaaaaaackkkkkkk.......Ug. [THUD]" (10-18 04:14 GMT)
Gertrude Stein said "Aza Brahm zhng maarh!" (10-18 04:15 GMT)
Eva Braun said "Don't...let...them...get...the...har...mon...i...ca...player...Heil Cowboy Up! [gassssssssp]" (10-18 04:16 GMT)
Gertrude Stein said "Zhng Azha Brahn!! Zhaaaaang harh Zhamaamba! Zhng!!" (10-18 04:16 GMT)
Gertrude Stein said "Aaaah!! Azha Brahn zha hambargarh!! Zhamaamba!" (10-18 04:18 GMT)
Stabby Stabby said "one of the zombies is my friend, mister rick! if anyone can revive him, plz...." (10-18 04:20 GMT)
MorganFreeman said "I was not expecting this. No. Really." (10-18 04:30 GMT)
Melani said "I'm infected angain!" (10-18 04:35 GMT)
Melani said "Last ap for the night most likely... I'll try to comeback keep up the good fight!" (10-18 04:37 GMT)
Hobel said "Eva Braun..I am sorry to start before your solo was over..but at least we picked it up..and thanks to the Zombies for goining in..yes..everyone is welcome to sing and play in the Fort Creedy Last stand lonley heart band..." (10-18 04:39 GMT)
Hobel said "Eva Braun..I am sorry to start before your solo was over..but at least we picked it up..and thanks to the Zombies for goining in..yes..everyone is welcome to sing and play in the Fort Creedy Last stand lonley heart band..." (10-18 04:50 GMT)
Saromu4 said "16 zombies in here!!!!" (10-18 04:51 GMT)
Bramtyr said "DEFEND!!!!! DESTROY ALL ZOMBIES!!! RALLY FORT CREEDY!!!!!" (10-18 04:51 GMT)
gunslinger2 said "63 zs outside, the many have this batle owned" (10-18 05:08 GMT)
Killer D said "CDF is officially pulling out of here... if you don't want to die, move to adjacent buildings... I hope all you bastards that talk shit get eaten" (10-18 05:41 GMT)
Melani said "*cires histarically* I'm gonna die!" (10-18 05:56 GMT)
Hobel said "Ahh its time to again strike up the band....Von Luthius..I am going play a little Jazz maybe a little Zoot suit riot your trumpet would be great with it...everyone..living and dead..you know where to scream Zoot suit riot so sing along. here we go..." (10-18 06:37 GMT)
Phil Nekro said "Rh an rh ra rrh an hrh rrh rrh" (10-18 06:44 GMT)
Officer Dan said "at 18 hp and is infected. Could someone heal please? Stupid fuckin zeds burn in hell." (10-18 07:02 GMT)
Hobel said "To all in the fort and the zombies Von Luthius and I are plaing music to the fall of the fort please leave us be to our own devices..**grabing a harmonica** lets do the I have the Collapsed barricades blues" (10-18 07:08 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Hobel Well Done Mate! Zombies Hobel and me and Eva and Melani and Luno and Old Man Waits are playing music and singing till the end. Kill us last and we'll make it atmospheric to say the least! *Pulls out Trumpet and plays Zoot Suite Riot! Well Done Eva!" (10-18 07:29 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Yeah, read the Sign Kill Us last! *Continues blasting on the Trumpet to the Bagpipes a stirling and often times improvised version of In the Hall of the Mountain King. Requests taken Always! Zombies! What do you want us to play? We'll do the lot! *Play on" (10-18 07:32 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Hobel, Eva, Luno, Melani. Contact me via PM of Squidgey on the UD Forums after this is done. I wanna keep this band a going strong! Besides the conversation is great as well! Requests people and Rotters! Rottify us last! *Da da da da da-da dar, da da dar*" (10-18 07:34 GMT)
Von Luthius said "Hobel, Eva Luno, Melani, I hav enough NT Syringes to revive us all, if you want it to go when the Fort falls completely! Oh, and the CDF ARE COWARDS! I mean look how many people and zombies are here for our performance. Makes me eart swell with Pride! :D" (10-18 07:36 GMT)
Hobel said "**putting down the Bagpipes for a second* Actally Sir..The CDF was all killed last night as they slept trying to hold the Marks building to the nw most of them are now zombies bitting other zombies outside..even in death the CDF is fighting for the fort" (10-18 07:46 GMT)
Hobel said "Von I will pm you on the main boards..I look foward to playing with out again on other disasters..*picks back up bagpides* ok here is Brown eye Girl comeone everyone join in" (10-18 07:58 GMT)
Barry Zuckerkorn said "uhhhh, the many are outside. there are 71 of them." (10-18 08:44 GMT)
Fifties said "Screw it, I'm not going to wait around to get splattered!" (10-18 08:46 GMT)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.(NIV)
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,(KJV)
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.(NLT)
In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk--better yet, run!-on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline--not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.(The Message)
1 παρακαλω ουν υμας εγω ο δεσμιος εν κυριω αξιως περιπατησαι της κλησεως ης εκληθητε
2 μετα πασης ταπεινοφροσυνης και πραυτητος μετα μακροθυμιας ανεχομενοι αλληλων εν αγαπη
3 σπουδαζοντες τηρειν την ενοτητα του πνευματος εν τω συνδεσμω της ειρηνης
"If boys would be men, would girls be ladies?"
- By Joshua Harris
Let's Be Men.
First, I want to talk to the men. Men, we have our work cut out for us, and we need to take it very seriously. What business do we have pursuing a relationship with a girl when we still haven't figured out what it means to be a man? We owe it to the women in our lives, our future wives, and to God to figure this out.
Elisabeth Elliot, a woman I deeply respect, wrote to her nephew Pete, "The world cries for men who are strong -- strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer. I pray that you will be that kind of man -- grad that God made you a man, grad to shoulder the burden of manliness in a time when to do so will often bring contempt."
I want to be that kind of man. I have a long way to go. I fail more often than I succeed. I let my sin, my fear, and my laziness get the best of me. But I want to change. I know that God has made me a man for a reason. No matter what culture says, or even what some women say, I want to gladly "shoulder the burden of manliness."
It's not the easiest path. Earlier I told you a book that encouraged men to be passive in relationships. According to the author, the only alternative to passivity is being aggressive and overbearing. Sadly, these are the two courses many men take. But God wants us to reject both of them. Biblical masculinity is neither passive nor rudely aggressive. God calls us to be servant initiators--firm, but gentle; masculine, yet caring; leaders, yet servants. We're called to be protectors, not seducters.
Here are four practical ways you can do these things in your relationships with women.
1) Assume the responsibility of leading and initiating in your relationships with women.
Leading is a form of serving. When you provide direction, suggest ideas, and initiate conversation or activities, you're serving your sisters.
This does not mean that you treat women as if you were their husband and the one to lead them in important life decisions. Even during the season of courtship, this isn't your place. Until you're a woman's husband, she is under no obligation to submit to your leadership. If she has a Christian father, that protection and oversight should come from him. But while you shouldn't overstep your bounds, you can serve a woman (and win her trust for the future) by leading and initiating in small ways.
For example, you can serve your sisters by being the one to plan times together. This applies to a courtship as well as friendships with women. My single friends Jacob and Ryan frequently plan get-together at their apartment. They do the work of organizing activities and inviting other guys and girls to participate.
One woman told me what a burden it is when her male friends sit around waiting for women to plan everything. "I don't like it when a man sits there asking, 'So what do you want to do?'" she said, "I want them to make a decision!"
The same principle applies in your courtship (or friendships). Do you initiate conversations? Do you carefully plan your dates? Are you thinking ahead and directing the course of the courtship? It's your job to make sure that it's continuing to grow at a healthy rate. It's your responsibility to make sure you're both guarding your hearts.
As you can see, servant leadership requires work. It means sacrifice. It means going out on a limb and proposing ideas, setting direction, and inviting others to follow. It means listening, taking others' interests and needs into account, and adjusting as necessary. It means deferring to others at times. Leadership isn't tyranny; it's service rendered. It's difficult, but it's a big part of what it means a man.
2) Be a spiritual leader in your relationships with women.
Men, we should set the spiritual pace in our relationships with women.
We should be the ones to make sure our relationships aren't merely, superficial and entertainment oriented, but deep, God focused, and characterized by biblical fellowship.
The first important step is to make your own personal growth in godliness a priority. Don't be content to be spiritually lukewarm-strive to set an example of passive for God.
My friend Joseph sets a terrific example in this area. When he's with a group of friends, at some point in the conversation he'll ask a question like "So what did you think of the sermon on Sunday?" or "Can I share something God is showing me?" or "What's the area God is helping you to grow in?"
Do you know what is Joseph doing? He's initiating biblical fellowship. He's asking questions that help him and his friends share the new life they have because of Jesus. He's leading them in talking about reality of God in their lives.
Joseph isn't a spiritual show-off. That should never be our motive. His goal is to serve his friends and enrich his own life. He knows how easy it is to let a whole night go by without having a serious a serious, God-focus conversation. He knows that in fellowships he and his friends are truly growing closer.
Men, in marriage we'll be called to be spiritual leaders of our homes. Before marriage, let's practice leading in biblical fellowship with friends and during courtship. Then we'll be that much more prepared to do so with our wives and children.
3) Do Little Things In Your Relationships With Women That Communicate Your Care, Respect, and Desire to protect.
This doesn't have to be complicated. Simply be a gentleman to the women in your life. Your goal is to show through your actions that their status as a woman is a noble one.
Let them feel your concern and respect in as many ways as you possibly can. You can do this through small actions: open the door for them, pull out their chair, escort them to their car (or house) at the end of the night. If you need more guidance, ask a few Christian women for pointers. You'll be amazed how willing they'll help educate you!
In your courtship, remember that you're not doing these things merely to impress or to win a woman's heart. You are doing these things for God's glory. You do them to serve a sister in Christ and honor her as a woman.
(A brief aside to women: If you're just friends with a man, and he's trying to treat you like a lady, don't assume he has a romantic interest in you. One of the fastest ways to derail a man's attempts to practice servant leadership is to interpret his actions as romantic overtures. As my friend Jen put it, "Girls should assume that until a guy express interest, they're just friends")
4) Encourage Women to Embrace Godly Femininity.
Look for ways to encourage your sisters in godly femininity. When they make room for you to practice leadership, thank them. When they're humble and gentle, encourage them. Femininity is not weakness. It requires great strength of character for a woman to be gentle in an age that screams for her to do otherwise.
When you see woman going against the grain of culture by cultivating a skill that will serve her family someday, compliment her. When a girl is pursuing a demanding career, but it is still being feminine, let her know you notice. Let her know you respect her.
Men should be the biggest encouragers and prayer warriors for women who are seeking to glorify God by practicing godly femininity.
A Challenge to the Girls: Be Godly Ladies
I think I can understand how you feel. I'm sure that you can think of ways these biblical truths have been misused and misapplied by domineering and chauvinistic men. I'm sorry that has been the case. Please know that there are many men today who want to spend their lives proving that that's not what biblical masculininity is about.
Don't give up on us. We need your support. We need your prayers. We need you to fix your eyes on God-not on the men who have misrepresented His plan-and live your life in response to His commands for you as a woman.
Here are the four ways you can be sisters to the men in you life and practice mature femininity.
1) In Your Relationship with Godly Men, Encourage and Make Room for Them to Practice Servant Leadership.
If a man's biggest temptation is to be passive, a woman's biggest temptation is to take control. The man isn't setting a course, so the woman grabs the steering wheel. It might fix things in the short term, but in the long run it only discourages men from playing their God-given role as initiators.
You can encourage men to be men by refusing to do the work of leading for them. What you want to avoid is developing a habit initiating your relationships with men. This doesn't mean you never do so, but that it's not the normal pattern in your life. Neither does this mean that when you're single, you're supposed to submit to every man you meet. God asks a woman to submit to her husband. But a single woman can, with men whose character warrants it, encourage servant leadership and respond to their initiative.
So if you're in a courtship, make room for him to lead. Step back and let him be one to take charge. How else will he learn to lead? How else can you practice for the time when you will follow a husband?
Sylvia, who is in her thirties, gave me one example of how women can let men lead. "We ladies can be too quick to fill the silence in a conversation." she said. "We're like, 'Oh no, he's not talking! I need to say something.' But I think it's important for us to let there be awkward moments of silence so the men can step up and lead the conversation."
2) Be a Sister to the Men in Your Life.
What are the categories you have for Christian men in your life-potential boyfriend, potential husband, no potential whatsoever? I encourage you to drop these categories. The first way you should view a Christian guy is as a brother.
Be a sister to the men in your life. Pray for them. Be yourself. Don't put up a front. Be a friend.
And remember, encourage men to lead and to initiate doesn't mean that girls never start a conversation or have ideas for activities. My coworker Dawn and her three roommates make a practice of inviting a group of guys over for dinner every two weeks. They use these times to reach out to new people in their singles ministry and to develop friendships. Dawn and her roommates are being sisters to their brothers in the Lord.
3) Cultivate the Attitude that Motherhood is a Noble and Fulfilling Calling.
Today many people scorn motherhood and the skills associated with managing a home. In our culture children are viewed as a nuisance, and motherhood is considered a waste of a woman's talents. A college counselor once told me that majority of the female students she worked with secretly longed to get married and have kids, but they were too ashamed to admit it. What a tragedy!
Please don't believe our culture's lies about motherhood. If God has placed that desire in your heart, don't be embarrassed about it. The Bible encourages younger women to learn homemaking skills from older women. Learning to keep a home and love husband and children is part of God's plan for the complete training of younger women (see Titus 2:3). Don't hesitate to learn the practical skills that will one day allow you to serve a family. Search out godly mothers in your local church from whom you can learn.
You can process biblical femininity without being married or having children. As a single woman, you can express your femininity by practicing hospitality and by caring for and nurturing the people in your life. But you can also honor God's plan for womanhood by agreeing that motherhood is a high and noble calling.
4) Cultivate Godliness and Inward Beauty in Your Life
A girl once wrote to tell me how God had used Proverbs 7:5 to convict her of being like the wayward woman who led men astray. "I don't want to be a seductress like her," she wrote. "I don't want flirtatiousness or immodest clothing to keep guys from seeing me as a sister in Christ."
If you want godly men to respect and cherish you as a woman, refuse to buy in to our culture's obsession with being physically beautiful and sexually alluring. This is an attitude that springs from the motives of your heart and extends to the way you dress and act around men.
Is your wardrobe an expression of your love for God? Shannon often says to women, "There's a big difference between dressing attractively and dressing to attract." What's your motive? Have you ever asked your father or another Christian woman to honestly evaluate your clothing? Are you willing to sacrifice fashion to be obedient to God?
During out courtship, Shannon honored me by always acting and dressing modestly. A few times that meant getting rid of outfits that she didn't think would cause a problem (Ladies, you'll never know just how differently we're wired until you get married!". Once when I told her that a particular pair of shorts were a little too short and were causing me to struggle, she quickly replace them.
In Scripture, Peter tell Christian women that their beauty should be that of their inner selves -"the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:4).
Your #1 Match: ENFJ |
The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. |
Your #2 Match: ENFP |
The Inspirer You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends. You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules. Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives. You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller! You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist. |
Your #3 Match: ENTJ |
The Executive You are a natural leader - with confidence and strength that inspires others. Driven to succeed, you are always looking for ways to gain, power, knowledge, and expertise. Sometimes you aren't the most considerate person, especially to those who are a bit slow. You are not easily intimidated - and you have a commanding, awe-inspiring presence. You would make a great CEO, entrepreneur, or consultant. |
