Friday, June 30, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/30/2000 12:25:24 PM | linky <

  God Speaks. Ever seen those billboards? (via Speck) I'm kinda fond of the "youth address" they have listed on that site - www.wuzupgod.com. Heh. :)

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 > > > >  court | 6/30/2000 12:13:35 PM | linky <

  "I wanna do the right thing, I wanna be the sure shot..." (Supertones) It's sometimes hard, going through regular day-to-day life, for me to remember to always make God a part of it. I get so wrapped up in routine and monotony that it's easy to just breeze through the day and come to the end of it and think "was I really an example for God today?" and be disappointed with the answer. It's like the brain goes on autopilot... do this, go there, turn here, answer that... and I kind of become detatched from it all. Hopefully even on "autopilot" people will be able to see Christ in me, but I want to do more.

I read Philippians yesterday... and really absorbed certain parts, parts that I'd read a million times before, but I guess just needed to hear at that moment:

"Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:5-7)

Reading things like this encourage me - knowing there are people out there who are looking for something like this. I pray, pray, pray that God uses this for good things. "In the Light" ... the name came from a DC Talk song, but there's a passage that applies as well:

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we decieve ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. ... And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments." (1 John 1:7-10, 2:1b-3)

If you are a reader of this blog, and there's a subject on your mind that you'd like us to discuss here, please email me and suggest it. We'd love to talk about it. :)

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    Thursday, June 29, 2000

 > > > >  laurel | 6/29/2000 11:23:36 AM | linky <

  ah yes the abortion issue, I'm going to strongly agree with Courtney here. How is there a difference between dumping the baby in a dumpster the night of the prom, and when the baby is found, it's "such an atrocity, who would ever do such a thing to a poor defenseless child?", and then the very same people who say that's horrid turn around and advocate abortion, because it's well, just some cells. I'll go to the extreme here now and ask to anyone who is currenty raising children, are they just 'some cells'? would it be ok for me to just come over someday and give them a nice shot of potassium chloride, pretty quick death, probably quicker than having your brain suctioned out.Are they just a bunch of cells then?

What if your parents had considered you 'just a fetus', or perhaps an 'inconvenience'. Somehow if they decide that while you're still in the womb that it's ok to 'terminate the cells', but if 10 years later your kinda bugging them and they decide to kill you it's murder? someone, anyone please explain the difference, here 'cause i aint seeing one.

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    Wednesday, June 28, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/28/2000 11:23:57 PM | linky <

  Just a little note to tack on to that last post - I'm not trying to start any arguments; I just read that news article and had to vent about it. It's a little off-topic for this blog, I suppose, but it's a topic that really gets to me, and that does get down to basic moral values.

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ... If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:2-3, 5-6)

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 > > > >  court | 6/28/2000 10:46:12 PM | linky <

  This saddened me.

In spite of all the other arguments about abortion, which I won't get into here... partial-birth abortion is just... sick. It's just sick. As the article says:

"Partial-birth abortion is not a medical term. Doctors call the method dilation and extraction, or D&X, because it involves partially extracting a fetus, legs first, through the birth canal, cutting the skull and draining its contents."

We're talking about draining out a brain here. Note the use of technical terms to sort of distance the reader from the harsh reality of it... "draining it's contents." That's a brain, folks. Partial-birth abortion is used in late-term cases... this is probably a baby that could survive if delivered fully. In fact, if it was to be delivered fully at that time, it would be illegal to kill it. Is that messed up or what? So a few inches of delivery make the difference between an expendible fetus, and a living baby that would be saved. It doesn't make any sense. It approaches infanticide.

If it were a little puppy having its brains drained out, or a little kitty or a foal or something, animal rights groups would jump all over the issue and call it an abomination, senseless murder, unacceptable. Yet when it's a human being, the tables turn... why?

This issue has been beaten into the ground; everyone has an opinion and no one's willing to change their stance on it. But this is what I think... and in this age where it sometimes seems every opinion is tolerated except that of one who is a Christian, or even one who believes things commonly associated with "religion," like the pro-life movement... I guess what I have to say doesn't matter much at all.

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 > > > >  thaddaeus | 6/28/2000 06:31:56 PM | linky <

  hey all, yes, It is I the mighty peach man. well I hope all are doing well. I am very busy and I should be able to write more next week. the reason that I haven't been able to get on is because last wednesday I left for a family reunion which included all the corey clan, all of about 140 people, and got back friday, then had a smaller yet still large maclennan reunion. my grandma is the oldest of the ten great uncles and aunts, and my mom is the oldest of five. that is what has been going on since saturday and will proceed through the 4th. oh well - I think I just confused you all. that is my family, kinda confusing. :) I need to go - family calls. bye for now. oh and remember I have written more then both thom and laurel combined, so none of this "where are you" stuff. (huh laurel and thom) has rob, dan, or doug written anything on here? I didn't think so. :) oh well I am having fun. God bless
thad

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    Tuesday, June 27, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/27/2000 02:50:26 PM | linky <

  Hmm - this post got me pondering.

It would be an interesting discussion to discover people's opinions on the end times, as far as the tribulation, and the rapture, and when exactly Jesus returns, and all that (recently popularized by the Left Behind book series. Which is another thing - do you agree with the books? Do you feel they're fairly biblical in their "guesstimating" of the end time events? If you read them, anyway.) I've always tended to believe that we are living in the "pre-" end times; I really wouldn't be suprised if the rapture happened tomorrow. I've always looked at it as 1. Rapture, 2. tribulation for 7 years (the beginning of which marked by a covenant between Israel and the Antichrist), 3. the return of Jesus, as detailed in Revelation. I read the Left Behind books - I think they're fairly smart about it all; everything that happens is referenced back to scripture, and a gospel message is usually presented in each new book.

I think it would be pretty nifty to be alive to see the rapture.. can you imagine?? Of course, part of me says "but there's so much I want to do here on earth still! I want to get married! I want to travel! I want to have kids someday!" but in spite of that, heaven has to be so much more than anything we could experience here on earth. And to be here for the rapture... would be awesome. Of course, I'll probably be in the shower, or in the bathroom, or something. :)

Why I think it could happen any day:

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ... Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, decieving and being decieved." (2 Tim. 3:1-5, 12-13)

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    Monday, June 26, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/26/2000 11:14:38 AM | linky <

  Here's an interesting site - it's kind of the direction I wanted this site to go, but they do it way better. ;) Nifty stuff there...

Thad? Jeannine? Where are you guys? We miss ya! :)

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    Sunday, June 25, 2000

 > > > >  thom | 6/25/2000 06:04:47 PM | linky <

  I am no expert on Catholic theology but I do happen to like history. One thing I wanted to mention about the Catholicism issue is the involving the past days governmental body of "The Church." I observe many people who harbour a lot of bitterness towards "christianity" becuase of the actions (i.e., Crusades, Spanish Missionaries to America, Copernicus, etc.) of the the "The Church." There is no true association between what the governmental institution of the Catholic church did, and Christians. First off, they are two different religions (refer to Courtney's posts). Second, the Church of the era of the Crusades was a body of government in the sheeps clothing of a religion. The pre-renaissance England was governed under the authority of a King and the Catholic church. Many european countries were ruled in this fashion untill recent history.

Anyways I can't really get into detail here but I just wanted to say that it frustrates me to say people discount or refuse true Christianity (dependance on the grace of Jesus Christ) because of the historical actions of a government institution hidden in the guise of the Catholic religion.

Check out this other guy who agrees with me.

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    Friday, June 23, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/23/2000 03:15:09 PM | linky <

  Hey Thad, awhile ago you wrote "I could list so many topics that I think about, but most of them can't be answered with just the little time we have here." What kind of things were you thinking about? I'd be interested to hear. :)

Free will is an interesting thought. It can make your head spin. We were all predestined, "for you did not choose Me, I chose you," (John 15:16), and yet we all have free will, a choice to follow God, or to reject HIm. How does it work? Is it a paradox? I always slowed the spinning of my head by considering the thought that God, in His omnipotent-ness, knows who will choose Him, or who would be likely to choose Him and believe in Him, and those are the ones He predestines. He knows how the future is going to play out, and He knows how we're going to use our free will to "choose" the path of our lives (whether or not to follow Him.)

Another thought on the issue...
And another...

It can be quite confusing. But then again, it's not one of those things that's necessary for us to completely understand - kind of like the theory of relativity or something. :) (uggghh... flashbacks to physics class...) It's kind of comforting to know that God will take care of us, and when we finally do finish our tasks in this world, He'll take us home to heaven, which I would assume will pretty much blow earth out of the water. :D

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    Thursday, June 22, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/22/2000 02:27:55 PM | linky <

  Hey hey hey! A response to the Catholicism/Christianity issue. I'll have to check out some of the resource links he posted. And... another response! Thanks! :) Has anyone read "A Woman Rides the Beast" by Dave Hunt? It's an excellent resource on the topic.

This is quite a touchy issue... especially for those with a background in Catholicism. It's always bound to make people upset. I'm almost afraid to break out the arguments... but "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..."

Of the many differences between the two, there are a couple that really stand out in my mind. First and foremost, Catholicism is not dependent upon Jesus for salvation. Have you ever noticed in Catholic churches, whenever there's a cross anywhere, Jesus is still hanging on it? He's not dead anymore. the work is done... He died and rose again 2000 years ago. Yet he is depicted only halfway through his task.

Catholic faith is more dependent upon Mary, Jesus' mother, for salvation. In Catholicism, it is Mary who provides grace, and it is Mary they pray through to receive intercession from. Note the Rosary, and the "Hail Mary, full of grace," and the various statues/amulets of Mary. It is believed that saying a lot of "Hail Marys" or praying the Rosary one can lessen his or her time in Purgatory, where it is believed Catholics will "burn off" their earthly sins in a kind of "temporary" hell. These things are typically done for relatives after they have died along with special Masses, to speed up their time in purgatory. Sounds a lot like... working your own salvation, eh? Not quite the "by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast" of the Bible. (Eph. 2:8-9)

And there are many, many, many, many other differences between Catholicism and true Christianity... these are just the ones that came to my mind at the moment. I'm focusing on Catholicism mainly because it is commonly mistaken for true Christianity, and that is the cause for much confusion amongst skeptics. I did a lot of studying on this issue a few years ago, and I would like to review my studies before I say much more, to be sure I am getting everything correct.

Laurel mentioned she might be posting her testimony on here a little while ago, because it really applied to the debates that were going on before. She became a Christian last year after growing up in a very un-Christian home, and has a lot of good things to say. :)

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    Wednesday, June 21, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/21/2000 02:59:11 PM | linky <

  I've been reading a lot of other webpages lately, and I've noticed that a lot of people tend to mix up true Christianity with Catholicism. It's one of the more common errors I hear when listening to people debate one or the other. There are differences, and very large and crucial ones at that. They are most definitly not the same thing. Just the other day I was reading something somebody wrote on their webpage about why they didn't believe in Christianity, and they mentioned something to the effect of "I don't listen to the pope." Well, neither do I. He has absolutely no influence on my life or my relationship with God. On another page, the webmaster was also discussing their reasons for unbelief, and talked about how the pope condoned so many horrible acts and persecutions, and how he was an awful man. Catholicism is being mistaken for true Christianity, and I think that's the basis for a lot of the misunderstanding and confusion.

If anyone is interested in a full discussion about how exactly the two are so different, I'd be glad to talk about it, but I don't want to just launch into it if no one's interested. :)

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    Monday, June 19, 2000

 > > > >  thaddaeus | 6/19/2000 12:34:29 AM | linky <

  well hello all again, sorry I haven't even touched the Puter for the last few days, let alone have enough time to respond to your awesome posts. I really quicky wanted to talk about the roles of Males and Females, and I really can't add anything to what you have said, Court and Jeannine. one thing though, is what you said about agreeing with your husband. I too think that you can disagree with him, but I feel that you should still listen and submit (I hate saying it, it sounds so negative). I think each person has their purpose, they are equal yet different. I like to think of it as a business, you have the boss, and workers. the boss works, and the boss pays bills and runs the business, he makes hard decisions of things to do, he provides the need for the employers, like money. that is his job. but yet without the employees, there is no business. neither work harder, just different.

A man has his obligations; my mom told me once that she is glad she doesn't have to make the decisions, because she knows that she can trust in my dad to actively strive to be right in his decisions. and many think that when we say "submit," we mean it to say "we are better than you." that isn't true. when Jesus was "courting" his bride (the church), yes he gave everything, but he also guided her, making sure that what he did didn't benifit himself, but was purely for her benifit.

You see, men are to take in all aspects before making a decision. when my family was thinking about moving up to WA, my parents were trying to decide whether to move to WA or northern CA. in WA we were to buy a bakery, and in CA we were to work in a bakery company (dad). when I was asked, my answer was that I didn't care. when my mom was asked, she said she didn't want to get tied to another bakery. now even though it was a 25-year dream of my father's to move up to WA, he made the decision to move to north CA, because he was looking at the best interest of her and not just at himself. he was willing to put that dream aside for another 2 years (we didn't know this at the time).

so we each have roles and we need to do them happily. you think that it is easy; I would rather be told then have such a great responsibility. but yet I am called to, so I WILL rise to the need of my future wife, Lord willing, Jeannine. I am sorry if that causes you embarresment Jeannine, but it is true. ok I have to get to bed - I will write more later. good night all and God bless you.

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    Friday, June 16, 2000

 > > > >  | 6/16/2000 12:21:40 PM | linky <

  Here here. Amen. Thanks be to God, the Author and Perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God...

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 > > > >  court | 6/16/2000 09:53:45 AM | linky <

  Oh dear... seems we've been the talk of the blogger town lately. In response to some of the things I've read on other people's blogs... I'm going to post something I wrote last October.

"I'm quite inspired to clear the air here about faith. About God. About believing in a savior.

It seems a lot of people are very mistaken about Christianity. The media, and even a lot of churches themselves, taint the image of a believer of Christ, distorting it into something it's not. I constantly hear people making erroneous statements about faith that have no grounds in the actuality of it.

When you get down to it, Christianity is not a "religion," or a set of rules to follow. It's a relationship with God. It's a lifestyle, a life-choice, a decision. It's basing your life on God's plan for you. It's not a church building, or old men in stuffy suits, though some misleading ones do exist. True Christianity is dependent on the Bible - nothing more, nothing less. Church is simply a place where you join up with other believers to worship. You do not have to go to church to be saved. Christianity is an internal thing, not a "show." The "side effect" of Christianity is the changed lifestyle true believers display - following the teachings of God.

Most people my age seem to have the idea that Christianity is for the weak-minded. On the contrary, if one would just examine all the facts and study it instead of making broad assumptions, one would discover that true Christianity makes more sense than anything else. It is the One True Thing.

"What?" you say. "You can't say Christianity is the only way."

Assuming you believe in God, go ahead and examine all of the world's religions closely, and tell me they all paint a similar picture of God, that they're all compatible. They're NOT. The one unifying theme in all of the world's religions (except Christianity, which as I mentioned above isn't a "religion," or set of rules to follow, anyway) is that one must do something, perform some act, or follow certain rules to earn his or her way to heaven, or nirvana, or whatever. Do you honestly think that you could ever earn your way to heaven, or perfection? Honestly. Maybe you're a good person. Maybe you're nice to people and you pray and you try to be as perfect as possible. You're still not.

Perfection is impossible to achieve. We humans are imperfect beings. We have desires, malicious thoughts, rebellious natures. We cannot make ourselves perfect. We cannot earn our way to heaven. No matter how hard we try.

Of all the faiths in the world, only one offers the way out. Only one shows us the path to God. We don't get there by being good, or saying enough "Hail Marys," or going to church every Sunday. We get it in the simplest way possble - accepting the FREE GIFT God has to offer us - salvation based on the ultimate payment for our bad deeds, our sin - Jesus' death on the cross.

Since we are all imperfect, none of us could ever make up for or "pay" for our imperfection. Therefore, Jesus, fully Man and fully God, completely perfect, had to pay the penalty in our place. It's the only way the strike against us could have been removed, and it was done. The work was complete 2000 years ago. All we have to do is believe, and accept the gift. It is so freaking simple. He paid the price so we wouldn't have to.. and He gave us a choice. We can choose whether or not to accept. Sadly... most people don't look close enough. They don't see the truth because they believe the misconceptions. Just ask Laurel...

Life is too short, and the ramifications too costly, to at least not take a closer look. Study. Examine the evidence, weigh the facts, make a decision. It's worth it. I could say a lot more... so if you have any questions... please feel free to email me. I obviously don't know everything, but I will try to answer every question."

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    Wednesday, June 14, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/14/2000 02:24:58 PM | linky <

  For anyone who missed it, here's the final paragraph of that post (linked below) Laurel was discussing:

"But let me end with this. A (Christian) who thinks homosexual activity is wrong is not 'homophobic.' Nor does she hate gays and lesbians. Nor is he intolerant. Nor is she narrow-minded and bigoted. Nor is he prejudiced against gays and lesbians. People are people. We aren’t opposed the people, we are opposed to the activity. Gays and lesbians—as human beings—should receive the same dignity and respect as any other person who is created in the image of God. Not more, not less, but the same."

I'll let Laurel tell her story about that issue, but I thought it was interesting because there is a certain stereotype/predjudice the rest of the world has against Christians, like, "if you're a Christian then you hate everyone who's not like you and who doesn't follow your 'laws,'" when in fact Christianity is about love, and forgiveness... justice must be served for turning against God, but it's not our job to administer that justice. God will take care of it. Our job is to spread the Word and be good examples through our lives, striving to be like Christ. Obviously it runs much deeper than that, but it would be an interesting topic to tackle.

If anyone has anything left to say about the gender roles thing, though, please post it! :)

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 > > > >  laurel | 6/14/2000 09:57:03 AM | linky <

  yeah, that post is pretty cool, makes me want to e-mail it to all my family. (neener neener neener kinda thang). but they didn't send the dr. laura thing to me, so i wont. anyways... i would be very interested to hear and participate in a discussion on the last topic he touches on. see all y'all at the pier tonight.

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    Tuesday, June 13, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/13/2000 08:54:13 PM | linky <

  this is an interesting read. The guy makes some good points. It's kinda long, but read the last paragraph of his post especially - might make an interesting topic for us to discuss, eh? :)

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 > > > >  court | 6/13/2000 04:08:43 PM | linky <

  Somehow, an invitation was sent out to the wrong person: Stuyvesant Parker from ElectricBiscuit.com. I have no idea how this happened... I don't recall sending an invite to him. I don't even know the fellow. So, however that happened, I apologize for the inconvienience, Mr. Parker. I'll attribute it to a Blogger error and leave it at that. :)

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    Monday, June 12, 2000

 > > > >  | 6/12/2000 04:48:46 PM | linky <

  I too agree that this is a great topic, roles of men and women in the church and in marriage relationships. Of course none of us can speak from experience (marriage-wise) but can only spout our own opinions, and share ideas, and or Bible verses to enlighten the others. But isn't that what this "forum" is all about? =)

First of all, about the "enlightened" woman of the 90's. I honestly don't know what to think about it. I know many Christians that are for women's rights and everything the world seems to support now. I don't know when women started becoming pastors, but that just rubs me the wrong way. I believe women shouldn't be the head over a whole church. In I Timothy, there is a passage instructing the believers in worship. Chapter 2, verses 8-12.

"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent."

Many people take this to mean that a woman should not pastor a church, and others think it applies to women not properly instructed, like the women in Ephesus. Men are supposed to be the spiritual leaders, in a marriage...but I don't think that passage means that women have to agree with everything their pastor, or husband says. God has given men and women both, a sound mind, and He expects us to use it. If our husband is in the wrong, we need to call him on it, not just sit and accept it. There are many other things to draw from the Scripture quoted above that could be discussed too, like the way a woman dresses, or what have you, and I am the least knowledgable to state all. =)

Like Courtney says, there can be many parallels drawn between the relationship between man and wife and Christ and His church. We are called His bride. I love thinking about this, and reading about it. I was in a class called "Foundations for Marriage" in Pullman taught by my pastor, not just for those that were engaged or even dating, but also for singles, which I was at the time. =) He encouraged us to use Christ's example when dating. How did Christ court his bride? He gave everything up for her. He didn't want to, but knew it would please His Father, and would be for the good of the bride, His church. He continues to bless His bride, nurtures her and helps her grow. We in turn are submissive, and have a respect, a fear for our bridegroom. Unlike a man, Christ is perfect, so we could never call Him on a mistake. =) But we can let Him open doors, and accept his payment (for our sins). I love that analogy.

I can't say that I like the extreme liberal point of views, as in girls that won't let guys open doors for them or pay for things...personally, I'm an old fashioned girl. Men used to be the initiators, the "chasers" and the "leaders" in a sense. And Biblically, I think they were closer in the "Little House on the Prairie" days than we are now to the image of Godly marriages and roles of each spouse. Ephesians talks about these roles in chapter 5, verses 22-30:

"Wives, submit to your husbands as in the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-for we are members of his body."

This is a beautiful idea, and picture of a Godly marriage. I may not get married for a long time, but whoever God brings into my life for a husband, I pray that he would be one to seek the Lord's will and best for his family, and that I would use the "Proverbs 31 woman" as an example of the most Godly wife. It's a big responsibility, raising a family, taking care of a household. But with God in the center, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
In Him,
Jeannine

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 > > > >  court | 6/12/2000 03:10:40 PM | linky <

  I was just wondering if you all realized this forum is on an actual webpage, and it's not just what you see when you log in... hit "view web page" underneath the "post" box to see it. :)

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 > > > >  court | 6/12/2000 02:26:33 PM | linky <

  Thad said: "so we have already talked about the dating relationship; what do you all think about the roles of Men and Women in the marriage? Church?"

I think a lot of people, um.. "enlightened" women especially, tend to jump all over the (supposed) "christian" idea of women as "slaves" and "inferior beings" and all that, when in actuality, they're not realizing that in the Bible, men and women have different, yet equally important roles... "different" being the key word. Each gender has a role to fill, a very important role that, when left empty, leaves a hole in the overall balance of relationships. A woman's role is very, very important... supporting and raising a family is no easy job. That great section in Proverbs, talking about a virtuous woman, is a great example:

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her, so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is still night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She percieves that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. ... She makes tapestry for herself, her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. ... Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:10-31 (exerpts), NKJV

I'm focusing more on the woman's role because it is the one more often misunderstood and misrepresented. Both the man and the woman, in marriage, are instructed to love and respect each other, and "let no man separate" their bond. Also, an interesting "side effect" of falling in love with someone in the Biblical sense is that you start to notice parallels between your relationship with your partner and your relationship with God, as if He's showing you what it's like to love someone so much you'd die for them... kind of an "example" to help you understand His love for you more.

I think this is a good topic for everyone to respond to... that means you, Laurel. :D

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    Sunday, June 11, 2000

 > > > >  thaddaeus | 6/11/2000 11:17:27 PM | linky <

  well I am back now and wow, look at all the comments.:) Well I hope everyone is doing well. Hey court, what about doug Granthem joining in our little get-together here? his address is ddgrantham@yahoo.com. so we have already talked about the dating relationship; what do you all think about the roles of Men and Women in the marriage? Church? I hope this isn't too indepth, just a thought for a talk. I could list so many topics that I think about, but most of them can't be answered with just the little time we have here. but any way I need to go so I will check back later. bye for now. Thad

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    Friday, June 09, 2000

 > > > >  thaddaeus | 6/9/2000 11:01:38 PM | linky <

  well hello all, not much going on here, tomorrow I leave for a staff meeting down at Ocean Shores. well I hope every one is doing fine well this can't bee looooonnnnngggg. so I am done with my two cents.
thad

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 > > > >  court | 6/9/2000 02:16:54 PM | linky <

  Hey, if anyone has a topic they're dying to talk about, please feel free to start up a discussion. :D

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    Thursday, June 08, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/8/2000 03:11:19 PM | linky <

  Laurel wrote on her homepage:

"(Courtney) started a new blogger thang, it should be interesting, having no experience in the current topic, and very little interest of being on-line recently, i've not been participating. though some who are well versed in the topic, and have an interest of being on-line have posted some rather thought provoking material."

Thanks Laurel :)

In my experience, there is a time when God lets you know what's right for you, dating-wise, even if you're pining for something else. The relationship I was in prior to my relationship with Thom was Christian, "equally-yoked" and all, but it wasn't the right thing for me. He wasn't the right one. At the time, though, it all seemed OK. But I had no idea what God had in store for me... and like I said before, what He ended up giving me was a lot better than anything I imagined. But first I had to trust Him.

Dating with the intent to marry is an important factor as well. It's important to consider the possible future whenever entering into a relationship with someone... otherwise what are you in it for? To have a little fun, to make yourself happy? It's all a little too precarious and risky. The Biblical idea of marriage is to become completely one with your partner, in body, soul, and mind... I think it would be hard to completely join with someone if there were little emotional pieces of yourself floating around in the world, connected to past relationships.That kind of ties into premarital sex as well, but that's a whole different topic. :)

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 > > > >  | 6/8/2000 10:48:16 AM | linky <

  I think we are all on the same plane here, which makes this very fun. Thad, I loved what you said, and I'm happy you added all that, those are the things I should have said but, well, you included what I didn't. You finished my sentence. =) Courtney, I loved what you said also.

A dating relationship should be focused on God and encouraging the other towards Christ. I also agree that dating a non-Christian, or being married to one doesn't work. I know first hand about this. My dad isn't a Christian, as some of you know. My mom is. Lets just say that when things go wrong, they can't pray and trust in the Lord together for guidance. Observing this my whole life has giving me a living example of an unequal yoke. I know God did this for a reason, so that I wouldn't get into any serious relationship with a non-believer. You can't agree on a way to raise children, even discipline ideas may differ. Anyway, very bad idea.

One thing I've noticed, is that the way you act, your life testimony attracts and repels certain individuals. Especially the way you dress. Not that this matters, but we all know that appearance is one of the first things we notice about a person. I guess this is mainly directed toward girls. But if a girl is dressing inappropriately, i.e. tight shirts, short dresses, skimpy things...you get the idea. I think (and of course I am not a guy) guys may take that as an open invitation. I'm not saying that anything that happens is her fault, but I think she is partly to blame. Also, wearing things that draw attention to yourself can cause a brother to stumble. I am saying all this to myself also. I must keep in mind my Christian brothers, and even non-Christian brothers when I go shopping or looking through catalogs. This is something I've been thinking a lot about lately.

Anyways, back to dating...the same thing happened to me as to Courtney. Once I was happy being single, and not looking for a possible boyfriend, there he was right in front of me, a strong Christian, desiring to grow in Him, one of the greatest people I have ever met. For a year, God kept me somewhat in "darkness" drawing me close to Him before He revealed this person to me. Somehow I knew that I couldn't date during this time. It's amazing how God works. He does miracles everyday, even lifting a spoon to our mouths wouldn't be possible without Him.

I was just reading in Psalm 119 last night...I came across some of my favorite verses:

"I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your laws." (verses 147-149)

May we be as "obsessed" with studying God's word as this author did.
Blessings,
Jeannine

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    Wednesday, June 07, 2000

 > > > >  thaddaeus | 6/7/2000 11:39:37 PM | linky <

  Sorry about missing singing tonight, hopefuly Jeannine told you the reasons. but if not I just have a speech tomorrow, and stuff I have to do. :) I hope it was awesome, I hope thom, you wern't the only guy there. :) ok back to the speech. bye

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 > > > >  court | 6/7/2000 11:27:33 PM | linky <

  I'll explain about the posts not showing up the way you type them in the box - you have to know some HTML to get the line breaks, paragraphs, etc. to show up. Usually after you guys post something I come in and edit the HTML so it looks something like you wanted it to. If you want to do your own HTML, email me and I'll teach you a few things. :)

The point that dating is good for some people and singleness is right for others is a good one. What happened to me was, as soon as I stopped looking (like crazy :D) for someone, the one that FIT me was dropped right into my lap. God waited until I gave up searching on my own and trusted completely in Him for my future, and then He gave me a better relationship than I could have ever come up with on my own. Dating for me is an amazing thing... especially when it's the person you connect with completely, one who is also striving for the same ideals/spirituality that you are. Dating non-Christians is a bad idea, as Thad said. It's just asking for strife... physically, emotionally, and (obviously) spiritually. Not to say that dating a Christian is an easy ride. Good relationships take work... but they are well worth it.

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 > > > >  thaddaeus | 6/7/2000 08:06:09 PM | linky <

  well, this thing isn't doing what I hoped. oh well

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 > > > >  thaddaeus | 6/7/2000 08:03:09 PM | linky <

  well first off, Man I love to have a friend like Jeannine, especialy a girlfriend. I hope that doesn't offend you Beans, but I do, (this is going to be long) I don't know what else I can say other then I agree with you. Laurel, marriage is a good thing, and singleness also. Each has their ups and downs. just a few months ago I could do anything, go anywhere, and not think twice about it (well maybe not). But now I have to think about someone else, and no I am not saying jeannine and I are married even though It may sound like that. but in my mind that is a focus in our relationship, well, also that I might be focused and pursuing my relationship with God, that I might be giving her the respect she deserves. ok here is another thing about dating. In my mind I feel it should be done with a focus of God, that the relationship isn't for the soul purpose of my benifet (spelling ahhhhh) but that I am to encourage and cause her relationship to grow also. I know that I might not marry Jeannine but right now our focus is to be on christ and he is holding our hands, guiding our path; and here is a good example of dating and marriage, maybe you have seen it maybe not.

O (God)
/  \
/      \
/          \
/              \
/                  \
O (man)        O(woman)

When we get closer to God we get closer to each other. this brings up another thing; each person has to be equally yoked, that is, simply that each person needs to be at the same spot in their walk, so that you are holding the same amount of weights and the spiritualness isn't in just one person. I don't think dating a non-Christian is smart (actually, dumb). mission dating never works, and may cause stumbling in the believer's walk. now the Bible. What does it say. well not alot, ya we have ideas that are applicable but it never says that this is the right way and this is the wrong. it says things like flee from temptation, flee from sexual immorility, this goes more then just fornication (pre-marital sex). Mathew 5:19 says if you even think it is just as doing it is sin. it says in Philipians 4:8 that we need to be thinking about holy things, things of purity, nobleness, things that are praise worthy, things that are lovely. we are called to dwell on these things, and if dating is causing immorality then it is wrong. so how far is too far? I don't know. everyone is different. I do think that knowing boundries is very important. Jeannine and I have even written them down, and yes it was difficult, I don't like hearing don'ts. but they are needed. and I am glad we know where we stand. wow this is long. :) sorry. about High school, dating is really unneeded, no offense Thom, but about you two, I feel differently, maybe it is because I feel Thom is quite mature (don't let that go to your head:) but also that I have talked enough to you two to know that your intentions are good, and admiriable. you see it is alot to think about when we are in these relationships. Paul puts it quite well in the passages Jeannine shared. Relationships are difficult and singleness is easier for some, but for me I have always wanted to get married. I don't think I could handle singleness. I might pop with passion. :) so to sum up the entire thing, dating has its pluses as does singleness. I focused on dating becuase I have been thinking about it a lot really. if your intentions are to abide to the will of God and also to pursue holiness, and lift up that person, then I am behind you. but if you are dating for the soul purpose to have fun and to supply your own wants and desires, then I do not support. well this is long enough and I have plenty to accomplish. May his grace and peace abound on every one of you
Till all have heard
love your brother in Christ
Thadman peach

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 > > > >  court | 6/7/2000 04:50:02 PM | linky <

  "Courtney, that passage you quoted is actually found in Ecc 4:9-12, just to clarify. =)"

Eh heh... I've got one of those wee little Bibles... must have glanced at the wrong chapter number when I wrote that down.. :D

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 > > > >  | 6/7/2000 11:56:56 AM | linky <

  Hey, this is a great idea...thanks for including me in your uh..."blogging." =) I don't quite know how all this works, but will catch on soon enough. =) About the whole dating topic, well, I want to hear what Rob and Thad had to say in their discussion. But as for me, I have come to think that both dating and singleness are gifts from God. Singleness is a special time where one can get very close to God and grow, to discover more of His will and plan for their lives. Some have been pre-ordained to be single for life. I will quote pieces from I Corinthians 7...

"It is good for a man not to marry...now for the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion...Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this...What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;...An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs-how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-how he can please his wife-and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: her aim is to be devoted to the Lord is both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world-how she can please her husband."

Now, I encourage you all to read the whole chapter, as I just quoted pieces, those most applicable to us at this point in our lives, but the rest deals with married life. Now the Bible doesn't mention the word "dating" exactly, but it supports both singleness and marriage. My personal view is that a dating relationship should only be pursued when two are either seriously considering the other as a future mate, or ready to get married themselves. High school dating just doesn't make sense to me, although I did participate in it myself. Yes, that sounds like I'm saying to "do as I say, not as I do." But most learn better by experience. Getting to know someone as a friend is the best way that I have found. Then as you get older, and wiser, begin to ask God what He wills for you and that person. But the hardest thing is waiting for God to bring that person into your life. For some, it's never, and others it's later, rather than sooner. But God knows best, and as we seek to serve Him first, He will bring that special person into our lives, and it will be incredible. Right Thad? =)

Courtney, that passage you quoted is actually found in Ecc 4:9-12, just to clarify. =)

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    Tuesday, June 06, 2000

 > > > >  laurel | 6/6/2000 07:36:06 PM | linky <

  dating bad. (waits patiently for the flames to char me)

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 > > > >  court | 6/6/2000 03:36:42 PM | linky <

  OK guys, I'm going to try to start a discussion or something, since this place seems to be pretty dead so far. So... (racks brain for topic) what do you all think about dating? Good? Bad? Waste of time? I remember Rob, Thad, and a few others had quite the talk about it awhile ago. Since I am currently in a relationship I think you all know my opinion on the matter... :) I do think there's a section in Ecclesiastes that supports me:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken (you, your partner, and God)."
--Ecc. 3:9-12, NKJV

I'd like to hear what the rest of you think. :D

By the way... this is a cool website. Check it out.

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    Friday, June 02, 2000

 > > > >  court | 6/2/2000 11:34:25 PM | linky <

  Read something nifty in my devotional ("My Utmost for His Highest") a few nights ago... it was talking about putting God first in your life, in trust and in everything. One of the quotes I liked was:

"If I put my trust in human beings first, I will end in despairing of everyone; I will become bitter, because I have insisted on man being what no man can ever be - absolutely right. Never trust anything but the grace of God in yourself or in anyone else."

That was interesting to me because a lot of the time, I do try to hold the people in my life to a standard they could never reach. (Sorry you guys. :>) Thom and myself talked about it for a little while and agreed... it is hard not to expect perfection... even when you never expect it from yourself. We should only trust in God... humans are too falliable.

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 > > > >  court | 6/2/2000 11:46:26 AM | linky <

  hmm.

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    Thursday, June 01, 2000

 > > > >  thaddaeus | 6/1/2000 09:51:22 PM | linky <

  well well well how is everyone I see you are already including me in this whole topic :) so you guys just kinda jumped into this whole thing huh, sounds like me. :) well about the whole topic about premarital sex - you are both right on, sex was meant to be within the marriage; God has a way of knowing things before anyone else. like how pork has a disease in it, and unless cooked throughly, you may pick it up, for this reason the Jews were told not to eat it. He knew that in the world there are diseases worse then what you could get from pork.

Today we only know of 64 sexually transmited diseases. You know the perfect condom, well, lets just say it ain't too perfect, of the 64, 27 of them will pass right through the condom, including AIDS and many more just like it if not worse. you see, God knew this - he does things for our sake and, just think about it, you were right Thom, the pregnancies (the condom only works 80% of the time anyways) the divorce rate it doubled. these are just a few. about my speech - that is pretty much it. I talked about my purity ring, what it symbolizes, and all that. I will have to finish this later. I have to go now... dinner calls hey, what about Jeannine for another person to add to the list? just curious :) ok bye now

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