tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post115865016699007955..comments2024-03-29T01:05:17.952-05:00Comments on Making Home: Marriage, the Great LiberatorJess Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-20521953271298425372009-01-11T08:27:00.000-06:002009-01-11T08:27:00.000-06:00Thanks so much for this (along with many of your a...Thanks so much for this (along with many of your articles on here!!!) I often times find myself praying to marry specifically when it comes to iron sharpening. It's been very hard for me to find someone in the body that'll be honest with me concerning my weaknesses, biblically even as well as someone I can talk to pray with. <BR/><BR/>And that's not my primary reason for wanting to marry but I have found myself praying that way as of late as I find myself being isolated often times and not by choice. And I too pray/have prayed to gain that level of accountability within the body as a whole but aside from great blogs like this, great teachings from pastors mentioned on this blog and some blogging friends from a distance I haven't obtained that as a part of my every day life. So it brings to mind to pray that all the more when it comes to a partner in marriage. <BR/><BR/>Lastly part that guilt you spoke about caused me to miss a marriage opportunity because I kept evaluating rather I was ready, his approach wasn't the best either but looking back now I can see clearly the set backs and again grateful for writers like yourself that bring light to the issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-69848233329345276032008-10-09T20:21:00.000-05:002008-10-09T20:21:00.000-05:00Jess:How refreshing. Thank you for another positi...Jess:<BR/><BR/>How refreshing. Thank you for another positive post with a biblical perspective.<BR/><BR/>I've had a very difficult marriage and feelings of sorrow (that I haven't completely figured out yet), when I read Matthew 19:3-11, but when I step back away from my own situation I really appreciate the quality of your post.<BR/><BR/>So many people need to accept the gift of salvation and so many people need the things that you're expressing here!<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-27341757843417918742008-03-24T12:27:00.000-05:002008-03-24T12:27:00.000-05:00"..... people believe the lie that our society and..."..... people believe the lie that our society and the world tries to tell them: that marriage is a jailcell and once you've got the "old ball and chain" you throw your freedom and your fun right out the window....."<BR/><BR/>Lie? "Society" and "The World" do get things right occasionally.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07413174463075185720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-33713146651999291142007-08-22T06:13:00.000-05:002007-08-22T06:13:00.000-05:00It's Gloria Steinem who was credited with the fish...It's Gloria Steinem who was credited with the fish/bicycle quote, but she credited Irina Dunn for the phrase.<BR/><BR/>"A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle"<BR/><BR/>"This phrase is widely attributed to Gloria Steinem, the implication being that many women may well have no need for or even use for men. The humor derives from the fact that sexual and lingustic stereotypes make the brain expect to hear 'water' as the last word. <BR/>A web site called The Phrase Finder at http://phrases.shu.ac.uk/index.html quotes from a letter sent by Gloria Steinem's letter to Time Magazine in autumn 2000. Part of her letter is quoted below." <BR/><BR/>"you credit me with the witticism 'A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.' In fact, Irina Dunn, a distinguished Australian educator, journalist and politician, coined the phrase back in 1970 when she was a student at the University of Sydney." <BR/><BR/>http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=737946Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-1158887763644564772006-09-21T20:16:00.000-05:002006-09-21T20:16:00.000-05:00Hey Kim-That is awesome that God is doing that in ...Hey Kim-<BR/>That is awesome that God is doing that in you. And I think you're absolutely right to feel the freedom of singleness and enjoy that and look forward to a time of freedom in marriage. <BR/><BR/>It's just that all too often, people believe the lie that our society and the world tries to tell them: that marriage is a jailcell and once you've got the "old ball and chain" you throw your freedom and your fun right out the window. Sometimes it seems from this side of things that the only people <I>longing</I> to be married are those who are gay.<BR/><BR/>And I am so thankful that God is doing a new thing in you, teaching you about the joy of singleness. I've been praying for you about that, wondering what God's been doing- I've sensed some changes in your attitude over at your blog and your comments here lately. I'd love to read a blogpost over there about what all God has done on that issue and the process it's taken to get you from A to B.<BR/><BR/>And yes, we had Piper's book when we were in the States and I didn't get a chance to read it... I think it's packed up there. But we do have it on CD-Rom, which (totally off-topic) I hate. I hate reading things on the computer screen. It's not so big a deal if it's a blog or even a really long e-mail or a position statement on a website. But I can't imagine reading an entire book on the computer.Jess Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-1158882674561389892006-09-21T18:51:00.000-05:002006-09-21T18:51:00.000-05:00The thing I am feeling these days (and I thought t...The thing I am feeling these days (and I thought this after I read the entry again) - is that it's a JOY being free in singleness AND to look forward to being free in marriage. You know? I spent a long time being a slave to being single, and God is really working in me. And I can look forward to a lifetime of freedom, either way! <BR/><BR/>God is so good...<BR/><BR/>(P.S. Have you heard of the book I mentioned to you regarding Biblical Manhood and Womanhood? John Piper is a contributing author? I was looking at your reading list and thinking you would like it.)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09762896766377039541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-1158851039055744632006-09-21T10:03:00.000-05:002006-09-21T10:03:00.000-05:00I love you too- and I enjoy your perspective. Hea...I love you too- and I enjoy your perspective. Hearing from you keeps me from going over the top from my own perspective. I'm glad we have the body to present all different methods that God does His work in this world!<BR/><BR/>(Thankfully not everyone in the world is as prophet-ish and wordy as me, eh?)Jess Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-1158848882291668492006-09-21T09:28:00.000-05:002006-09-21T09:28:00.000-05:00It was. And I agree. I hope I wasn't being too.....It was. And I agree. I hope I wasn't being too...I dunno. Whatever with my thoughts. <BR/><BR/>I love ya, and I do love hearing what you have to say. :)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09762896766377039541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-1158807039429399082006-09-20T21:50:00.000-05:002006-09-20T21:50:00.000-05:00Yeah, Kim- I actually thought about putting a litt...Yeah, Kim- I actually thought about putting a little disclaimer, but really, I had already done that by revealing the articles that framed my comments. Al Mohler said the same thing you did-- that marriage for the sake of marriage is no good. <BR/><BR/>Of course I would not encourage anyone to marry just for the sake of doing marriage. <BR/><BR/>I think that you would find much comraderie in the biblical world, where it was also seen as some kind of flaw for a woman to be not married, or married without children.<BR/><BR/>I could spend an additional 2-3 paragraphs in each article, trying to make my article palatable to all the other groups not addressed in it. For example- every time a book is written about children, (almost every single parenting book I've read does this) they put in a paragraph in the introduction like "Of course, we understand the strain on single moms and dads, but because the target audience for this book is the 2-parent family..." <BR/><BR/>However, I am not writing a book, but rather just a series of scattered thoughts. While I will continue to aim toward sensitivity to those who desire but have not yet been blessed with the things I am writing about, I think that in tackling issues that regard the Christian family and home, it is going to sometimes be uncomfortable for some people to hear and read. I hope people who are uncomfortable with the way I phrase things will speak up and show me if I'm unbiblical or being insensitive. <BR/><BR/>But, at the same time, marriage is a good thing. And a blessing from the Lord. And I know you agree with that. I have many single women friends who long for marriage and a husband. Of course it's not 'their fault' that they're not married...women aren't to pursue and so therefore have to kind of be passive, even when they'd prefer to be upfront with young men about it. That's why I highlighted two different articles that pinpoint the problem as a male one, that they are not stepping up to lead and pursue.<BR/><BR/>I did read an intersting article- you may enjoy it- over at boundless.org called "Pulling a Ruth"- talking about a woman who did somewhat take matters into her own hands.<BR/> <BR/>I think I've rambled... but anyway, I hope the point of the article was clear- that marriage is in fact a very good thing. Because it is.Jess Connellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00372282510182101716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-1158725463111704352006-09-19T23:11:00.000-05:002006-09-19T23:11:00.000-05:00That was really thought provoking and so true. Yo...That was really thought provoking and so true. You don't hear that sort of thing very much anymore. It would be great if a lot of young men and women could read it. Love you, MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32444916.post-1158667927289321942006-09-19T07:12:00.000-05:002006-09-19T07:12:00.000-05:00I think it's important to note though that marriag...I think it's important to note though that marriage is NOT the goal of life. I think that the issues that older single women face is that our churches put SUCH a high emphasis on marriage and children that if you aren't blessed in that area, you are considered flawed in some aspect. (Just a comment on the encouragement to marry young. I've actually heard the same thing from Mohler - probably the same article, or else he's regurgitating. At any rate - I know the bigger issue is willingness/preparedness, and that's right. Men need to become MEN.) <BR/><BR/>I guess I say this (and this isn't a single v. married debate, and my feelings on this are changing, by the grace of God...) just to perhaps add that marriage for the sake of marriage is futile. It needs to be marriage because you glorify the Lord better together than apart. But if God purposes a person to be single, for whatever reason, he will provide the iron sharpeners and the lifelong satisfaction in a relationship with him. <BR/><BR/>I think that is good stuff, though. I view marriage the same way. See? I just want to be free! :) (Kidding.) <BR/><BR/>I'm going to email you...Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09762896766377039541noreply@blogger.com