A good latte is a good way to slow down and appreciate the world God has given us. Shortly aterward, a good latte is a way to speed up (and, perhaps, appreciate it in a different way).
Today's topic: "Growing from Purity to Pleasure". As a child, Dr. Oliver's understanding of Christianity's rules (purity, or, for example, the Ten Commandments) was fairly legalistic. First of all, such rules are not merely a list of "do not"s: one's actions are only one expression of one's purity, and it is quite common to have - here apparently I decided against spending time on finishing the thought. Or perhaps I went to the bathroom and, upon returning, forgot where I was.
Beyond that, it is also very important to know that such things are in place for our own good; sexual pleasure is something God designed to be a wonderful, wonderful thing. And any substitute for that ideal pleasure is only a cheap substitute. If you fall for it, you have been suckered.
Set your mind on things above. It's not a very natural way for your mind to wander, but it's someplace it should be.
And, guard your thoughts. Not only should you be focusing on things above, but when you're *not* focusing on them, you should definitely not be thinking of things that will cause you to fall. Guard your eyes. It is easy to be caught off guard, and images tend to be remembered for a long, long time-- forever. Once something is in, it doesn't get out. The best way to keep things clean is to guard the entryway.
Flee temptation! Do not look at it as a sign of weakness -- it is weakness, but it is not weakness uncommon to man. And it is wisdom to flee from that which you cannot overcome -- particularly when there is nothing more to be gained by resisting instead of fleeing.