Is It Hot in Here or Is It Just You?

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I must admit, I think our whole 'guy must ask girl out and not the other way around' thing is messed up. Guys have the freedom every day to make a dating attempt, whereas girls generally have to wait for the once a year opportunity known as Sadie Hawkins. I know that things have relaxed a bit since I was a teenager in the 1800's - I mean the 1980's... but I know for a fact that there is still a wide-ranging unwritten standard that guys initiate the dating conversation.

So the girls are stuck with waiting. And even after the waiting, many times the lines that guys use range from corny to cheesy to the definition of lame. This is called adding insult to injury-so to help with this burden I have included a list below of common corny-cheesy-lame lines and good responses you can use to make sure they *get* the message. Ladies, enjoy. Guys, if you have ever thought about using these, don't. Just stand up straight, look her in the eyes, and with minty fresh breath say something like "I'd like to buy you dinner...how does Saturday at 6:30 sound to you?" Or not-but either way-read and learn:

HE: I'm a photographer. I've been looking for a face like yours!
SHE: I'm a plastic surgeon. I've been looking for a face like yours!

HE: Hi! Didn't we go on a date once? Or was it twice?
SHE: Must've been once. I never make the same mistake twice!

HE: May I have the pleasure of this dance?
SHE: No, I'd like to have some pleasure too!

HE: How did you get to be so beautiful?
SHE: I must've been given your share!

HE: Is it hot in here or is it just you?
SHE: It's hot!

HE: I'd go to the ends of the earth for you!
SHE: Okay, but would you stay there?

HE: Will you go out with me this Saturday?
SHE: Sorry! I'm having a headache this weekend!

HE: Your face must turn a few heads!
SHE: And your face must turn a few stomachs!

HE: Go on, don't be shy. Ask me out!
SHE: Okay, get out!

HE: I think I could make you very happy!
SHE: Why, are you leaving?

HE: What would you say if I asked you out on a date?
SHE: Nothing. I can't talk and laugh at the same time!

HE: Can we go and see a movie?
SHE: Sorry, I've already seen it!

HE: Do you think it was fate which brought us together?
SHE: Nope, it was plain bad luck!

Ouch! But you have to admit they get the point across-and a very sharp one at that. You know, sometimes it's important to have a quick and intelligent reply when the situation demands it...not only when it comes to your dating life, but especially when it comes to your Christian life. Why? Well, here's how the Bible puts it:

But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. (1 Peter 3:14-16)

If you consistently live your life the way Jesus wants you to, you will stand out from the crowd-and when someone stands out from the crowd, the crowd will want to know why. So Peter tells us that

"if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it."

In other words, do you have a good list of comeback lines? Are you ready to quickly and intelligently respond to those who are trying to 'pick up' on why your life doesn't revolve around hookin' up, gettin' bling, and ridin' dirty?

If not, you may miss some amazing opportunities to share Christ-which is a really bad thing. So let me throw a few your way to get you started-then you can develop your own style of 'comebacks'. But first-be warned! These lines must be delivered in the way Peter mentions: "in a gentle and respectful way"-so read: not in an arrogant or sarcastic way. In other words, don't be a jerk when you defend your faith, because that does more damage than not defending it in the first place!

So here you go-read and (hopefully) learn:

FRIEND: The Bible is just a bunch of old myths.
YOU: You know, I don't really believe that's true-and I'd like a chance to show you why-what do you think?

FRIEND: Why do you think you're so much 'holier' than everyone else?
YOU: Actually, I am...(just kidding). If that's how I come across, first off, I apologize. Second, I honestly see myself as a rotten sinner, which is why I'm trying to pattern my life after Someone who wasn't...can I share more about that with you?

FRIEND: How can you prove that God exists?
YOU: I can't-not in a scientific method sort of way. But think about two things- do you believe in anything you can't prove? And also, are there different kinds of 'proof' besides the scientific method?

FRIEND: All religions are basically the same, so why does it matter?
YOU: Well, my challenge with that is the fact that all religions contradict each other in huge ways, so they really can't all be right. Can I show you how I found this out?

So maybe you're waiting to ask someone out or be asked out, but don't wait any longer to go out and get the conversations going, because you may never get these chances again!

Head: What you need to know about this truth

We need to be ready at any time with quick and intelligent answers that let people know why we are Christians, and we need to answer them with gentleness and respect.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

I've pointed out this story before, but it is more than worth mentioning again, because it absolutely illustrates what we're talking about:

The Story of Telemachus

He was born misshaped and frail. The fact that he survived beyond infancy was in itself a miracle. He had early on learned to live with ridicule and avoidance. He could have gone through life full of bitterness had it not been that he had experienced God's love through a special order of monks who lived in his village. He became a convert to the faith and was welcomed into their brotherhood where he found comfort, acceptance, and contentment.

That is until one day while in his devotions he heard the voice of God in his inner being say, "Go, I will lead you." Telemachus obediently prepared for his journey of faith saying to the others, "He must follow God's calling." He left the sanctuary of the monastery, and began his journey of faith and obedience. He was lead to join a caravan traveling to Rome. He entered the great city unsure of what to do next or where to go.

Telemachus was caught up in the shuffling hurry of the crowd and pushed and jostled as he went along with the mass movement. He found himself before a huge building and seeking to find his way discovered a darkened corridor with a beam of light at the end. The inner voice called, Follow me." Telemachus followed and as he walked into the light was in the midst of a huge arena where men were fighting and killing each other for the sport of the crowd. Telemachus cried out, "In the name of Christ, stop!" No one listened. He went from one combatant to the other being shoved, and knocked down crying, "In the name of Christ, stop!" The crowd roared with laughter at the sight of the little monk among the gladiators. Then suddenly in anger a sword flashed and Telemachus fell dead, his head severed from his body. The crowd grew still and silent. No one made a sound and one by one they rose to leave, shocked at the lifeless body of this little monk.

History records this was the close of the great coliseum in Rome and its gladiator games. Some say the games closed due to many reasons but Telemachus' story suggests His sacrifice made a difference.

What kind of difference is God calling you to make?

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

Now that you have a few comeback lines to get you started, it's time to dig deeper! Check out this great article by Greg Stier that has certainly helped me out - My Difficult Friend.