Messages By: madaboutu

I meant that just because the original author was Canadian - did not mean that I surmised that other Canadians felt the same way about opinions being expressed, nor did it mean that they were ignorant of the freedom of speech.   

Eric, 

Thank you for having an open mind .... to what the Lord wants for your life.  In all of our ways we are to acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths.  He tells us that we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole heart.  It is evident that you are searching and seeking.  I visited your blog this morning - but only briefly ... I promise to return.  The best thing that I know about our Lord and Saviour is this ... that He desires that we know Him intimately.  And one way that we arrive at this intimacy is through daily communion with him .. practicing the presence of the Lord .. praying without ceasing ... not compartmentalizing our faith ... looking to his word ... and pouring our heart out to Him about everything.  Look at David and the other Psalm writers, they told him what was on their hearts and minds.  They expressed their hopes and dreams, their fears and failures, their faith and love .... Our God is HUGE ... He can handle any question ... any fear ... any thought ... any anything.  He knows that we will stumble and falter and sin.  We are mere human beings.  There is none perfect, not one.  That is what is so amazing and miraculous about His gift of salvation - that you have received.  We didn't do a thing to earn it.  He paid the price.  Jesus is at the right hand of the Father always interceding for us.  Even when we don't know how to pray the Holy Spirit promises to intercede for us in a way that words cannot capture.   

As I wrote above, I truly believe that you are sincere.  That is why it is so important to immerse yourself in Him - His Word - His fellowship - His teachings - His love.  The wisdom of man is foolishness to a believer and the wisdom of God is foolishness to those who do not believe.  There are times in our walk when the world will be telling us one thing and He will be telling us something completely different.  He has given us that discerning Spirit that resides within us and if we are listening ... we will know our path.  He loves you.  He created you.  He sent His son to die for you.  He wants you to continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge and truth.  Continue to put your trust in Him.  I will be upholding you in prayer.   

"Even heterosexuals could decide to be attracted to partners that would ordinarily not be considered attractive- the disfigured, the grossly obese etc.. " 

Are you suggesting that no one heterosexual or homosexual) is attracted to someone who is disfigured?  Or that it is harder to be attracted to someone who is not considered attractiveby societal norms? 
 

Several years ago there was a show, LA Law, which featured two of the partners who fell in love and got married.  The writers of the show received numerous letters from people who insisted that it implausible and improbable that these two people would fall in love and get married.   They based all of their protests on the the outward beauty of the woman and the 'ordinary' and 'short' and 'dumpy looking' appearance of the man.        

What could the writers respond in the face of protestors' societal expectations that this woman would never be attracted to this man?  They responded with the truth - these actors were married - to each other - in the real world.  

Loving someone is a choice - that goes far beyond someone's outward appearance - homosexual, or straight.  I would imagine that writers on both sides would suggest this to you.  A relationship built on the superficial will eventually crumble.  And attraction often goes deeper than the skin - and those first 'wow' moments.  That would account for those who fall in love with someone they've never 'seen'. 

My original response  to your post including these questions:  "Are you suggesting that no one heterosexual or homosexual) is attracted to someone who is disfigured?  Or that it is harder to be attracted to someone who is not considered attractive by societal norms?" 

See the "or" ... I think you missed that I was clarifying.   

Although I must admit that I believe that some of what we find 'attractive' as individuals is driven by nurture not nature and societal standards - hence the difference we find when we look historically at the body image of women.  Rubenesque women  were the ideal at one time - as contrasted with the Twiggy or Kate Moss image that was so popular ....  

Wow - it never would occur to me that someone would characterize me response to you as a 'tirade'.  As far as being 'politically correct' ... I think the only one who has directed that at me before was my husband - when I was expressing my disgust at my brother-in-law's labeling of some others  using very derisive terms -( which I found antithetical to his walk with the Lord. )  

You said it.  Ditto and then some.  I haven't seen the show yet - comes on in about an hour - but I have three sons:  15, 13, and 12.  I don't know if girls do this - but boys start talking about driving very early.  And we have made it perfectly clear that turning a certain age does not mean that we will turn over an (on average) 3200 pound car to propel through the neighborhood.   

My bil and his wife allowed their son to begin to drive even though he deceived them about his classes and grades, intercepted mail from teachers, and deleted messages on their answering machine.  They set up a carrot for him and even though he wasn't even close to reaching it, they allowed him to drive.  He then took the car when they were not at home - when he was not a licensed driver.  He was caught when the car broke down at school and he tried to 'fix' it and messed it up terribly?  What lesson did he learn?  The entire family had to go to school and he and his siblings had to push the car to their house (not a close drive or push).  In my opinion the siblings (who are very responsible) were punished for this son's crime. Did they take away driving privileges then?  Only for a little while.  Then he was back driving their autos because the one from grandpa was ruined and they were 'dependent' on him to get the other boys to school and church activities.  They then allowed him to purchase a pick-up truck.  My bil said that this was safer because it only had spaces for the driver and two passengers so his son would not be able to supersede the limits in Colorado - he wouldn't have enough room.  What my sons saw was a couple of parents caving in to their child.  And we have been adamant that they should not expect that from us.   

In the case of our nephew and this boy on television - how about telling these kids that they BROKE THE LAW .... and violated the publics' trust as well as their  parents' trust.  Repercussions are in order.  Take those keys and take them now.  A  teen who is making excuses for his excessive speeding (or driving unescorted when he is underage) is in no way ready to be behind the wheel.      They are driving a lethal weapon - because they have no healthy fear and respect for the privilege they have  been granted.   

When we lived in Colorado - a young teen was late for a band practice.  He attempted to pass two cars by driving BETWEEN them in their  lanes.  He killed a father.  He caused great harm to another.   

Personally I have followed teens before (safe distance) and then gone and rung the doorbell and reported what I've witnessed.  I've also called the cops when I've seen cars speeding through our neighborhood or being driven recklessly.  We can no longer expect that parents are going to act with the greater good in mind when it comes to their teens.  I'll take the tongue lashing that some will mete out that 'it's none of (my) business' etc., with the thought that at least they are hearing from someone that what they are doing is WRONG and could KILL someone. 

Again .. APPLAUSE!!! and a STANDING OVATION.  I do hope I live close to you. 

Dr. Phil was talking to the mom about not giving up and he told her something akin to 'you only lose if you quit' .. but that wasn't it.  Does anyone know the exact quote?  I'd like to have it if anyone remembers it or knows how to get it without paying for an entire transcript? 

Thanks.