tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post8164274226056565000..comments2023-05-30T02:34:51.780-05:00Comments on FullyPersuadedBaptist: And Two Paths CrossedJames McEntirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-83531749445724217552006-12-29T20:49:00.000-06:002006-12-29T20:49:00.000-06:00Whew....I'm relieved!Whew....I'm relieved!James McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-76259277212122917352006-12-29T17:32:00.000-06:002006-12-29T17:32:00.000-06:00Fear not, you still are. I just understand you be...Fear not, you still are. I just understand you better. LOLLoneStarBloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02834778117746128676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-26844899887181399632006-12-29T17:19:00.000-06:002006-12-29T17:19:00.000-06:00lonestarblogger,
Oh no, it sounds as though I may...lonestarblogger,<br /><br />Oh no, it sounds as though I may have ruined my reputation as a fringe radical??<br /><br />Seriously, thanks for your gracious comments, they are much appreciated!<br /><br />As for not keeping in close touch, this is probably my weakness. I have friends from Alaska to South Africa and many points in between and I don't really communicate with any of them on a regular basis. I have never been an avid letter writer, although I am working on that with the grandkids. I do not enjoy the phone. Most of these friends we just pick up where we left off before when we do see each other. It has been probably two years since I have seen Bro. Andy and we have not spoken but when they visit in February I am sure we will pick up just like old times.<br /><br />Now, I am not suggesting that this is the best way to maintain a friendship it just seems like this is what happens in my life.<br /><br />Maybe this next year I can do better. As the years pass I do feel a growing sense of urgency to stay in touch.<br /><br />All I know is that my main objective is that my children end up happily married and serving the Lord that they might be used to raise up a godly seed in the earth!James McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-24134994017058351552006-12-29T10:05:00.000-06:002006-12-29T10:05:00.000-06:00Pastor McEntire,
Well, you are my brother! I am ...Pastor McEntire,<br /><br />Well, you are my brother! I am very proud of that fact. You and I went through severel years where we didn't really keep in close touch. I regret that deeply! I don't think it was because either of us meant to be that way, it was just that so many things seemed to be more important than the phone call or visit that I could always get around to tomorrow. <br /><br />Well, tomorrow is here but way more tomorrows have become yesterdays than I ever intended before realizing that tomorrow is here. There is no time like the present. <br /><br />I said that to say this. During those years of seperation, I began to draw certain conlusions about you that were based on tid bits of incomplete information. I know that we have our points of disagreement but the more I learn about you the more I realize that we have very similar ideas and beliefs about how things in life should be handled. <br /><br />I read your thoughts on dating and dispite some minor ideas in which we would probably disagree on, I thought to myself I could have written this almost word for word. I agree with you completely. I have told all of my children that dating should only serve one purpose, to find a life mate. Dating for any other reason is trouble. Most people that I talk to and share this idea, automatically assume, when I say this it means I want my kids to marry whomever it is they are dating at the time. No, no, no.....I want them to date this person because I have approved of them, at least what I have seen of them thus far, I want them to date in order to get to know them a little better and as soon as an issue comes up that would make them not a suitable marriage partner then they need to break off the relationship. <br /><br />I believe none of children would ever marry someone of which their mother and I don't approve. I am very thankful that our children trust us enough to have that confidence in us. I would never do anything I thought would be in conflict of their own interest. Including putting my approval on someone I know can not contribute to a good and lasting relationship despite how they may or may not be infactuated with that person. The infactuation will not last. Compatablility can with comittment and effort. <br /><br />It was a good post and one that everyone with unmarried children should read and give due consideration. Several people have told Tina and me we should write a book on how to raise children. If I did, I would ask your permission to use this post as the chapter on "Dating!"LoneStarBloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02834778117746128676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-31712539796102755542006-12-26T19:50:00.000-06:002006-12-26T19:50:00.000-06:00Mrs. Fully Persuaded Baptist said...
Let's NOT fo...<b>Mrs. Fully Persuaded Baptist said... <br />Let's NOT forget that he didn't run....that made me LOOK like I was chasing.</b><br /><br />See, I told you so??James McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-64548515289965508872006-12-26T17:14:00.000-06:002006-12-26T17:14:00.000-06:00THAT WAS A GREAT TRUE STORY. IT WAS FUN HEARING IT...THAT WAS A GREAT TRUE STORY. IT WAS FUN HEARING IT AGAIN AND I, TOO, AM GLAD THAT ''TWO PATHS CROSSED,'' YOUR AND MICHELE'S. <br /> MOMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-35536870255577410392006-12-26T17:12:00.000-06:002006-12-26T17:12:00.000-06:00Let's NOT forget that he didn't run....that made m...Let's NOT forget that he didn't run....that made me LOOK like I was chasing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-82559547241739060632006-12-26T15:57:00.000-06:002006-12-26T15:57:00.000-06:00Zan,
It was actually India that I had in mind whe...Zan,<br /><br />It was actually India that I had in mind when I mentioned talking to missionaries who minister in cultures where marrages are arranged. In fact the missionary is a national, reaching his own people.James McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-39591900347071704492006-12-26T10:37:00.000-06:002006-12-26T10:37:00.000-06:00Zan,
Thanks for commenting. Most people are prob...Zan,<br /><br />Thanks for commenting. Most people are probably surprised that she was the chaser becuase I am fairly aggressive myself. And most people are also surprised that she is older. I'm not sure if that is due to my maturity or her immaturity?? Heheee! Or maybe it has something to do with sporting a beard that is quickly greying. Or maybe it is just people's conception that the man should be older?? My Granny was for years older than my Papa. I always thought that was strange until I met Michele and then it did not seem so strange. I also have a brother who married a girl four years older than him. She is my age.<br /><br />As far as the woman pursing a man, I suppose I am not to thrilled about the use of the word "pursuit". We are certainly approaching this critical decision a bit differently than how our relationship came into being. Consequently my thoughts on the subject have developed over the years, particuarly the last 9 or 10 years. I have read quite a bit about this whole area of choosing spouses, watched videos, and studied my Bible concerning this matter. My present position is that I do not believe one can lay down hard and fast rules. I think there are some guiding principles that should be considered. For example:<br /><br />The modern concept of dating is out of the question! It poses far too many problems.<br /><br />Parental involvement is critical and should not be dismmissed.<br /><br />Parents primary role should be to help their children determine what kind of spouse they want.<br /><br />Parents should not choose the spouse but have a relationship that allows them to rule out certain candidates.<br /><br />Arranged marriages are not necessarily more productive. I have drawn this conclusion from speaking to missionaries who minister in cultures where this is the norm.<br /><br />If my daugher had an interest in a young man I think that it would be in keeping with propriety for me to express to the Father of the young man that my daughter is available for marriage.<br /><br />I do not expect my daughters (I still have three at home) to sit around and just wait for something to happen. The important thing is that they always practice proper decorum and shamefacedness and this is best accomplished by addressing areas of interest through their Father.<br /><br />The intital stages of the relationship should be closely monitored to ensure likemindedness before the relationship is allowed to develop emotionally.<br /><br />The young people need to "cut to the chase" and discuss from the outset issues relating to theology, marriage, and home life recognizing that the objective of this process is seeking a marriage partner not recreation dating that establishes a pattern of developing emotional attachments and then breaking them off for another emotional attachment.<br /><br />That is my thoughts in a nutshell on the issue!<br /><br />Believe me, the nerve racking stage will be over all to swiftly and they will be leaving home and establishing their own lives. Two of my six are gone and two more are standing on the threshold waiting to catch the wings in their sails, with two more following on their heels. I was just thinking last night after spending time with my extended family yesterday what it will be like when they are all gone and it is just my bride and me! The time is hastening on. Enjoy it to the max!<br /><br />See what happens when you raise issues with a preacher??<br /><br />Hope you too had a Merry Christmas and that you will likewise have a great New Year. I personally love New Years.James McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.com