Two let takeaways from tonight’s reading

1. Although Samson could strangle a lion with his bear hands (epic!), he could not smothering his burning lust and see Delilah correctly.
How can I keep my desire for love and pleasure from deceiving me???
1. Decide what kind of person I love love before passion takes over. Determine whether her character and faith in God are desirable as her physical appearance.
2. Because most of the time I spend with my wife will not involve sex, her personality, temperament, and commitment to solve problems must be as gratifying as her kisses.
3. Be patient. Time and observance often reveal what is beneath the pleasant appearance and attentive touch.

2. In spite of Samson’s past, God still answered his prayer to destroy the pagan temple. God. Still. Loved. Him. One of the effects of sin in our lives is to keep us from feeling like praying. But perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer.

Don’t let guilty feelings over sin keep you from your only means of restoration. No matter how long youve been away from God, He is ready to hear from you and restore you to a right relationship. Every single situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn again to Him.

What an amazingly inspiring, sad, humbling, thought provoking, applicable, intense book.