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RE: To list or not to list.... ?

 
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[Poll]

To list or not to list.... ?


My 'list of qualities' for my future mate IS very important.
  18% (12)
My 'list of qualities' for my future mate is important.
  20% (13)
My 'list of qualities' for my future mate is NOT important.
  0% (0)
I am willing to change my 'list'.
  24% (16)
I trust God to provide my mate and don't rely on a 'list'.
  23% (15)
I don't have a 'list'.
  13% (9)


Total Votes : 65


(last vote on : 10/3/2008 1:16:53 AM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/5/2008 11:46:45 PM   
Dakotasunbeam

 

Posts: 985
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Midwest USA
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John_O,

I'm not suggesting that people have no control over sin. I'm saying that we are all individuals living in sinful flesh. We make mistakes, sometimes we are selfish, prideful, prejudiced, angry, resentful, jealous, etc. It doesn't mean we cannot repent for these things, and that we cannot overcome such feelings or sins--its just that from time to time its bound to happen. My point is that if God gives you any kind of spouse, keep in mind He's giving us someone who is born in sin, struggling in a sinful world. Not perfect. Not ideal. This is reality. In reality we get irritated. In reality we get bored. In reality sometimes we do and say bad stuff. It doesn't mean we can't repent and decided never to do it again. But this is reality. In reality, stuff happens. I think this is why many marriages do not last. People get shocked and awed (sorry about the pun) by the "humanity" or the failings of their spouse--and then they want to call it quits. Spouses screw up big time, and if your spouse doesn't screw up, then you can bet your top dollar that YOU will. If you do not come into a marriage armed with the truth that you're marrying another stuggling fallible human being, you'll cry foul when things get hairy.

Marriage isn't for everyone. It's definately not for the faint of heart. If you cannot come to grips with the idea that your future Mr/Mrs could totally screw up, you're probably better off postponing that walk down the alter. And if you aren't reconciled to the idea that the best mate you could ever have--may not have one characteristic on your list, then be prepared that the fictional character you've created on paper may or may not exist.

Good posts, followtheleader! Also good stuff, OneofHisJewels!
Post #: 226
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/6/2008 5:43:52 PM   
John_O

 

Posts: 8005
Joined: 9/5/2006
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Dakota,

While I agree with all of that there are certain precautions we can take to prevent the worst slip-ups. I do not expect perfection out of my new wife. I expect it out of me. If I do my best to treat her like a queen she will do her best to treat me like a king. And as long as we are both striving to be closer to Christ we can't help but end up closer to each other.

Life is not perfect, and things do happen, but with planning and determination to do well, most things that happen become easily correctable and the worst things (such as adultery) are so far down a list of events that we are guarding against (Like being alone with a member of the opposite sex) that they become nearly impossible

_____________________________

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Post #: 227
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/6/2008 5:49:57 PM   
shemaromans

 

Posts: 3830
Joined: 3/30/2007
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: John_O

Dakota,

While I agree with all of that there are certain precautions we can take to prevent the worst slip-ups. I do not expect perfection out of my new wife. I expect it out of me. If I do my best to treat her like a queen she will do her best to treat me like a king. And as long as we are both striving to be closer to Christ we can't help but end up closer to each other.

Life is not perfect, and things do happen, but with planning and determination to do well, most things that happen become easily correctable and the worst things (such as adultery) are so far down a list of events that we are guarding against (Like being alone with a member of the opposite sex) that they become nearly impossible



_____________________________

"But as for me, it is good to be near God." Psalm 73:28
Post #: 228
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/8/2008 2:24:32 PM   
Dakotasunbeam

 

Posts: 985
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Midwest USA
Status: offline
OK, John_O,

I can see this conversation going into infinity . . . so, how can I put this . . . nobody is perfect and we are not without sin. How that fact plays out in the life of every christian is different. We can do all that we like to be perfect, but the fact is we are not.

I just wanted to highlight this quote of yours . . .

quote:

I do not expect perfection out of my new wife. I expect it out of me.


Is it even realistic to expect perfection from yourself? Either you Are saying that you are God or that you're a perfectionist?
Post #: 229
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/8/2008 2:57:19 PM   
Tinkerbell_


Posts: 7696
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
Status: offline
As Christian's isn't our goal to be Christ like? And in that sense, Christ was perfect so why wouldn't we strive to be perfect? We know we're going to fall short, but if we continue to seek that goal, we can't go wrong, right? As long as I'm striving to be the perfect wife for my husband I'm headed in the right direction. I WANT to be the perfect wife for him. I WANT him to wake up and thank God everyday that he married me. I also want the same for myself. I want him to strive for the same direction as I am. That way we can wake up together and thank God for the other.

It's another miracle, but I am inclined to agree with John again. *sigh*

_____________________________

Post #: 230
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/8/2008 3:02:01 PM   
John_O

 

Posts: 8005
Joined: 9/5/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam

OK, John_O,

I can see this conversation going into infinity . . . so, how can I put this . . . nobody is perfect and we are not without sin. How that fact plays out in the life of every christian is different. We can do all that we like to be perfect, but the fact is we are not.

I just wanted to highlight this quote of yours . . .

quote:

I do not expect perfection out of my new wife. I expect it out of me.


Is it even realistic to expect perfection from yourself? Either you Are saying that you are God or that you're a perfectionist?


Read Tinks post right after yours. She phrases it very well.

I can either aim for perfection, or aim for mediocrity, which do you think will result in a better life for my wife?

_____________________________

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Post #: 231
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/8/2008 3:04:16 PM   
John_O

 

Posts: 8005
Joined: 9/5/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: PrincessGiselle
It's another miracle, but I am inclined to agree with John again. *sigh*

Well D'uh. Doesn't almost everyone.


(Ouch. OK OK I take it back)

My Overwhelming Humility demands most strenuously (ouch) that I take back that last sentence. I know that many, many people disagree with me.


(I can't help it that they're wrong. )

_____________________________

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Post #: 232
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/8/2008 3:08:35 PM   
trainfan


Posts: 2331
Joined: 7/26/2007
From: neither here nor there
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: PrincessGiselle

As Christian's isn't our goal to be Christ like? And in that sense, Christ was perfect so why wouldn't we strive to be perfect? We know we're going to fall short, but if we continue to seek that goal, we can't go wrong, right? As long as I'm striving to be the perfect wife for my husband I'm headed in the right direction. I WANT to be the perfect wife for him. I WANT him to wake up and thank God everyday that he married me. I also want the same for myself. I want him to strive for the same direction as I am. That way we can wake up together and thank God for the other.

It's another miracle, but I am inclined to agree with John again. *sigh*



_____________________________

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Post #: 233
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/8/2008 3:14:18 PM   
Tinkerbell_


Posts: 7696
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
Status: offline
*stunned*

Wow...both John and Craig agree with me. Quick! Someone screen shot this before the moment fades!!!



_____________________________

Post #: 234
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/8/2008 3:17:01 PM   
mutinywxgirl


Posts: 12573
Joined: 4/29/2005
From: west coast of FL
Status: offline
LOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_____________________________

When blood and water hit the ground.
Walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive.
The day true love died. The day true love died.


Lisa is happy THE ROWDIES ARE BACK!
Post #: 235
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 12:14:54 AM   
Dakotasunbeam

 

Posts: 985
Joined: 6/2/2005
From: Midwest USA
Status: offline
Uh, Okay, John_O. We're diametrically opposed! Obviously we are operating from two different frames of reference! More power to ya!
quote:

ORIGINAL: John_O

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam

OK, John_O,

I can see this conversation going into infinity . . . so, how can I put this . . . nobody is perfect and we are not without sin. How that fact plays out in the life of every christian is different. We can do all that we like to be perfect, but the fact is we are not.

I just wanted to highlight this quote of yours . . .

quote:

I do not expect perfection out of my new wife. I expect it out of me.


Is it even realistic to expect perfection from yourself? Either you Are saying that you are God or that you're a perfectionist?


Read Tinks post right after yours. She phrases it very well.

I can either aim for perfection, or aim for mediocrity, which do you think will result in a better life for my wife?
Post #: 236
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 9:20:10 AM   
John_O

 

Posts: 8005
Joined: 9/5/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam

Uh, Okay, John_O. We're diametrically opposed! Obviously we are operating from two different frames of reference! More power to ya!


I think were probably much closer than diametrically opposed. Just tripping over the words. Eventually
we'll get to the "OH so that's what you meant all the time! why didn't you just say so?" point.

Probably on a later thread.

GBYAKY

_____________________________

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Post #: 237
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 9:48:00 AM   
WaitingforBoaz


Posts: 3976
Joined: 2/11/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: John_O

quote:

ORIGINAL: Dakotasunbeam

Uh, Okay, John_O. We're diametrically opposed! Obviously we are operating from two different frames of reference! More power to ya!


I think were probably much closer than diametrically opposed. Just tripping over the words. Eventually
we'll get to the "OH so that's what you meant all the time! why didn't you just say so?" point.

Probably on a later thread.

GBYAKY

This is many times what happens to us, but many tangled quote boxes have passed before we get to this point.

I think many times, your high ideals (which are good to have,btw) come across as a "happily ever after" fairy tale. You want to seek perfection in your marriage and because your have decided to do this, you assume your wife will always do the same. You assume that because you want to make her happy, she will be. You also assume that since you sincerely desire to walk closely with the Lord all the days of your life, she will too.
(never going through valleys or deserts)

Here is the problem.....We are talking about humans....a fallen people....sinners.
We mess up!!!! Sometimes we mess up little and sometimes we mess up big. We all know this. I know that you know this. However in your posts when you talk about this "Happily Ever After", we care enough to try to set you straight, so you don't set yourself up for some big disappointment when you realize that you married a human that rubs you the wrong way and low and behold she brings out a little human in you also. KWIM

_____________________________


"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a mans character, give him power" - Abraham Lincoln
Post #: 238
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 9:59:09 AM   
iwillfearnoevil


Posts: 4192
Joined: 11/6/2007
From: upstate NY
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wow great post nadine ... you are right ... there are no guarantees/promises for happily ever after fairy tale like in the movies ... but i think the "fairy tale" comes from us working through the mess ups (our own and our spouse and any children and the rest of the world ... these trials that continue to refine us and allow God to mold us even more if we let him ... part of our happily ever after is that our God is there for us and that also one day we'll be with him :]
Post #: 239
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 10:08:36 AM   
WaitingforBoaz


Posts: 3976
Joined: 2/11/2008
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quote:

ORIGINAL: iwillfearnoevil

wow great post nadine ... you are right ... there are no guarantees/promises for happily ever after fairy tale like in the movies ... but i think the "fairy tale" comes from us working through the mess ups (our own and our spouse and any children and the rest of the world ... these trials that continue to refine us and allow God to mold us even more if we let him ... part of our happily ever after is that our God is there for us and that also one day we'll be with him :]

Exactly, the "Happily Ever After" is when you have lived that long life and gone through many of lifes difficulties together. Picture an old couple rocking in their rocking chairs saying"remember when you did that... I almost killed you." and laughing about it....or "Thank God we turned to Him during that time...I didn't think we were going to make it through that one." You come up with the stories yourself....there will be alot of them. They will have earned their "Happily Ever After" And then of couse Heaven will be the ultimate Happily ever after for all of us

< Message edited by followtheLeader -- 4/9/2008 10:23:37 AM >


_____________________________


"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a mans character, give him power" - Abraham Lincoln
Post #: 240
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 3:00:24 PM   
John_O

 

Posts: 8005
Joined: 9/5/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: followtheLeader

quote:

ORIGINAL: iwillfearnoevil

wow great post nadine ... you are right ... there are no guarantees/promises for happily ever after fairy tale like in the movies ... but i think the "fairy tale" comes from us working through the mess ups (our own and our spouse and any children and the rest of the world ... these trials that continue to refine us and allow God to mold us even more if we let him ... part of our happily ever after is that our God is there for us and that also one day we'll be with him :]

Exactly, the "Happily Ever After" is when you have lived that long life and gone through many of lifes difficulties together. Picture an old couple rocking in their rocking chairs saying"remember when you did that... I almost killed you." and laughing about it....or "Thank God we turned to Him during that time...I didn't think we were going to make it through that one." You come up with the stories yourself....there will be alot of them. They will have earned their "Happily Ever After" And then of couse Heaven will be the ultimate Happily ever after for all of us


Just to save time I'll respond here to this whole discussion.

It's not "happily ever after thinking". It's "happily ever after working". With M's illness I know what troubles a marriage can face. But I know that if both members work at it, it will all work out. Every marriage can be a happily ever after. And it can be that at every phase of the marriage.

We are a fallen people. We all sin. But some sins (such as adultery) can be totally avoided if people are prepared to avoid them.

I've been laughed at previously on these forums for postulating that a married man should never be alone with a single woman. However, I still believe that because you are not very likely to commit adultery in a crowd. KWIM? And if you don't let yourself become familiar with that single woman in the first place you are even less likely to even be tempted to that adultery. (Of course working on the marriage concurrently is required also)

So while it is inevitable that we will sin it is not inevitable that we will commit adultery, or even that we will sin against our spouse.

The only issue is whether we are willing to work hard enough to make our marriage all it should be. I am. Now I just need to find a woman who also is.

I hear a lot of the "well everyone sins so you can't count on your spouse not sinning" as "Everyone does it so you may as well just accept it". People figure that they can't stop it so hey may as well just give in and quit even trying to prevent it.

I know that's not how they are meant on this forum (or at least I hope they are not meant that way) but IRL that sort of comment usually means just that.

As an example: "Kids are going to have sex anyway so we may as well just give them condoms". How about we teach them not to fornicate in the first place? There are still people who are virgins when they marry. If one can do it, all can do it.

Same goes for adultery. I never committed adultery, my wife never committed adultery. If we can do it, anyone can do it. If I could be totally faithful to my first wife, I will be able to be totally faithful to my next wife.

I know I am not perfect. I will sin sometimes. She may even get angry at me sometimes (in fact, knowing me, she will get angry at me sometimes) but at the end of the day, and at the end of our lives, I will have been true to her and will have tried to be the best husband I could be.


As I said to Dakota: "I can either aim for perfection or aim for mediocrity, which will give my wife a better life?" I have chosen to aim for perfection

And to bring this portion of the discussion full circle. It was asked what if I marry someone who meets my list yet she chanegs in 5 years to be nothing like that.

My original answer still stands. Unless there are major health problems she won't change that much. If a man and his wife DECIDE to maintain their marriage then they are not going to fail at it.

So I keep my list. It clarifies for me who I am looking for.

< Message edited by John_O -- 4/9/2008 3:14:15 PM >


_____________________________

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Post #: 241
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 3:58:45 PM   
WaitingforBoaz


Posts: 3976
Joined: 2/11/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: John_O

quote:

ORIGINAL: followtheLeader

quote:

ORIGINAL: iwillfearnoevil

wow great post nadine ... you are right ... there are no guarantees/promises for happily ever after fairy tale like in the movies ... but i think the "fairy tale" comes from us working through the mess ups (our own and our spouse and any children and the rest of the world ... these trials that continue to refine us and allow God to mold us even more if we let him ... part of our happily ever after is that our God is there for us and that also one day we'll be with him :]

Exactly, the "Happily Ever After" is when you have lived that long life and gone through many of lifes difficulties together. Picture an old couple rocking in their rocking chairs saying"remember when you did that... I almost killed you." and laughing about it....or "Thank God we turned to Him during that time...I didn't think we were going to make it through that one." You come up with the stories yourself....there will be alot of them. They will have earned their "Happily Ever After" And then of couse Heaven will be the ultimate Happily ever after for all of us


Just to save time I'll respond here to this whole discussion.

It's not "happily ever after thinking". It's "happily ever after working". With M's illness I know what troubles a marriage can face. But I know that if both members work at it, it will all work out. Every marriage can be a happily ever after. And it can be that at every phase of the marriage.

We are a fallen people. We all sin. But some sins (such as adultery) can be totally avoided if people are prepared to avoid them.

I've been laughed at previously on these forums for postulating that a married man should never be alone with a single woman. However, I still believe that because you are not very likely to commit adultery in a crowd. KWIM? And if you don't let yourself become familiar with that single woman in the first place you are even less likely to even be tempted to that adultery. (Of course working on the marriage concurrently is required also)

So while it is inevitable that we will sin it is not inevitable that we will commit adultery, or even that we will sin against our spouse.

The only issue is whether we are willing to work hard enough to make our marriage all it should be. I am. Now I just need to find a woman who also is.

I hear a lot of the "well everyone sins so you can't count on your spouse not sinning" as "Everyone does it so you may as well just accept it". People figure that they can't stop it so hey may as well just give in and quit even trying to prevent it.

I know that's not how they are meant on this forum (or at least I hope they are not meant that way) but IRL that sort of comment usually means just that.

As an example: "Kids are going to have sex anyway so we may as well just give them condoms". How about we teach them not to fornicate in the first place? There are still people who are virgins when they marry. If one can do it, all can do it.

Same goes for adultery. I never committed adultery, my wife never committed adultery. If we can do it, anyone can do it. If I could be totally faithful to my first wife, I will be able to be totally faithful to my next wife.

I know I am not perfect. I will sin sometimes. She may even get angry at me sometimes (in fact, knowing me, she will get angry at me sometimes) but at the end of the day, and at the end of our lives, I will have been true to her and will have tried to be the best husband I could be.


As I said to Dakota: "I can either aim for perfection or aim for mediocrity, which will give my wife a better life?" I have chosen to aim for perfection

And to bring this portion of the discussion full circle. It was asked what if I marry someone who meets my list yet she chanegs in 5 years to be nothing like that.

My original answer still stands. Unless there are major health problems she won't change that much. If a man and his wife DECIDE to maintain their marriage then they are not going to fail at it.

So I keep my list. It clarifies for me who I am looking for.


You did not include my first post that IWFNE responded to in your quotes, did you see that one? I said nothing about adultery. We already beat that topic into the dust, only to find out that we agreed, mostly and that it was a semantics issue. Remember.
I never insinuated that you should not work on your marriage.(you compared it to giving kids condoms because they will have sex anyway. Which is a whole other topic that burns me up, BTW)I did not read anywhere where someone said,"whats going to happen, is going to happen so forget living intentionally, because it won't matter in the long run" No one is saying that.(at least not in this thread)
quote:

This is many times what happens to us, but many tangled quote boxes have passed before we get to this point.

I think many times, your high ideals (which are good to have,btw) come across as a "happily ever after" fairy tale. You want to seek perfection in your marriage and because your have decided to do this, you assume your wife will always do the same. You assume that because you want to make her happy, she will be. You also assume that since you sincerely desire to walk closely with the Lord all the days of your life, she will too.
(never going through valleys or deserts)

Here is the problem.....We are talking about humans....a fallen people....sinners.
We mess up!!!! Sometimes we mess up little and sometimes we mess up big. We all know this. I know that you know this. However in your posts when you talk about this "Happily Ever After", we care enough to try to set you straight, so you don't set yourself up for some big disappointment when you realize that you married a human that rubs you the wrong way and low and behold she brings out a little human in you also. KWIM



The point in my above post is this. Plan, pray, live intentionally but understand that choosing someone that fits your list (or as close as you can get) will not guarantee that they will never mess up, never change, never hurt you. You just cannot know a person well enough, before you are married to predict how they will react in any situation. The best intentioned people mess up. They just do.
I will be the best wife to my future husband that I can possibly be. My husband was spoiled and my new one will be too. However, I cannot even predict how I will respond to a situation I have never been in.
Everyone brings their unique past and hurts with them into a relationship. Even those that have never been married. You really cannot predict how someone will behave when faced with pain or adversity etc. you just can't.

When you put 2 particular chemicals together in the same amounts you will get the same reaction every time. No matter how you look at it 10 +10 will always equal 20. I get it John, but we are talking about people. There are way to many variables this problem cannot be worked and the outcomes will be different everytime even if you did.

BTW....How do you KNOW that you will not sin against your spouse?Ever?

_____________________________


"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a mans character, give him power" - Abraham Lincoln
Post #: 242
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 4:59:52 PM   
John_O

 

Posts: 8005
Joined: 9/5/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: followtheLeader
I never insinuated that you should not work on your marriage.(you compared it to giving kids condoms because they will have sex anyway. Which is a whole other topic that burns me up, BTW)


No. I compared people saying "Well we're fallen so you can't say you'll never commit adultery" to people saying "well they're going to have sex anyway so we may as well give them condoms". Each statement is untrue. We can teach our kids to not have premarital sex (and there are still virgins out there to show that it works). Likewise we can teach ourselves not to commit adultery (and there are couples married for decades that have never commited adultery so we know it works).

[quoteI did not read anywhere where someone said,"whats going to happen, is going to happen so forget living intentionally, because it won't matter in the long run" No one is saying that.(at least not in this thread)

That's not what they said but that is how those sorts of statements are normally meant in the real world. If you allow people to fail (by telling them before hand "Lots of people commit adultery, we're fallen people, you can never say that you won't do that") then you get more people failing. If you expect success you get more success. I am not saying that you can expect, and receive perfection. But I am saying that if you expect someone to succeed, they usually do.

quote:

This is many times what happens to us, but many tangled quote boxes have passed before we get to this point.

I think many times, your high ideals (which are good to have,btw) come across as a "happily ever after" fairy tale. You want to seek perfection in your marriage and because your have decided to do this, you assume your wife will always do the same. You assume that because you want to make her happy, she will be. You also assume that since you sincerely desire to walk closely with the Lord all the days of your life, she will too.
(never going through valleys or deserts)



OK. Why would I marry someone who DIDN'T want to seek perfection in our marriage and who DIDN'T want to follow the Lord all her life? I wouldn't.

So since my wife and I are starting from the same place, each trying to make our marrige the best it can be and each trying to follow the Lord as best we can, then any change from that would only be due to mental disease or a long habit of sin left undealt with. If we deal with our sins as they happen, and guard against those we can prevent, then together we can build a "happily ever after" marriage right here right now. Even in the valleys and deserts.

quote:

Here is the problem.....We are talking about humans....a fallen people....sinners.
We mess up!!!! Sometimes we mess up little and sometimes we mess up big. We all know this. I know that you know this.


And you instantly repent and fix the problem. That way it doesn't lead to bigger problems. If you take care of the little things the big things never get a chance to take root. Again, if a married man doesn't spend time alone with a woman who is not his wife he is not likely to commit adultery with that woman. Or if a person has a weakness for ice cream and eats gluttonously every time they go to the ice cream store then it is unlikely they will eat gluttonously at the ice cream store if they never go there. Resist temptation (Gal 5:16 and James 1:14-15)

quote:

However in your posts when you talk about this "Happily Ever After", we care enough to try to set you straight, so you don't set yourself up for some big disappointment when you realize that you married a human that rubs you the wrong way and low and behold she brings out a little human in you also. KWIM


I was married for 18 years. I know all about rubbing people the wrong way and the trials and tribulations that can arise when two people live together as one. I know how annoying the simple things can be. I know how upset people can get at each other. I know all about the fights and the struggles and the disappointments. I know all about her cutting her hair when you didn't want her to (had to throw that in for fans of the hair thread). And yet all these things are trivial and overcomeable if each has decided to work on the marriage and follow the Lord.

quote:

The point in my above post is this. Plan, pray, live intentionally but understand that choosing someone that fits your list (or as close as you can get) will not guarantee that they will never mess up, never change, never hurt you. You just cannot know a person well enough, before you are married to predict how they will react in any situation. The best intentioned people mess up. They just do.


They will mess up. They will hurt me. They will change (a little). But they don't have to change so much as to be different from the person I married (speaking mentally, spiritually and emotionally here) . If they follow the Lord now, they will follow the Lord then. What would cause them to change (barring severe trauma or mental illness)?

quote:

You really cannot predict how someone will behave when faced with pain or adversity etc. you just can't.


I can however trust what the bible tells us to do and know that if we do those things our marriage will work.


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BTW....How do you KNOW that you will not sin against your spouse?Ever?


I know that I will never commit adultery. When I get married I will no longer place myself into positions where that temptation could arise (such as now I try very hard to never be alone with a married woman outside of family)

Sin takes intent and it takes opportunity. If I never give myself the opportunity and take captive any though leading anywhere near intent, then I will never commit that sin.

It's impossible to live a sin free life. It's relatively easy to eliminate specific sins out of your life and adultery is among the easiest to eliminate.

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Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Post #: 243
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 5:20:13 PM   
shemaromans

 

Posts: 3830
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SOCCOL

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"But as for me, it is good to be near God." Psalm 73:28
Post #: 244
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 5:31:03 PM   
trainfan


Posts: 2331
Joined: 7/26/2007
From: neither here nor there
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quote:

ORIGINAL: shemaromans

SOCCOL


Ditto!

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Post #: 245
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 5:55:32 PM   
Tinkerbell_


Posts: 7696
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
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quote:

ORIGINAL: trainfan

quote:

ORIGINAL: shemaromans

SOCCOL


Ditto!

Tritto!!!

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Post #: 246
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 8:44:25 PM   
trainfan


Posts: 2331
Joined: 7/26/2007
From: neither here nor there
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: PrincessGiselle

quote:

ORIGINAL: trainfan

quote:

ORIGINAL: shemaromans

SOCCOL


Ditto!

Tritto!!!


You, me and John_O agreeing again.

_____________________________

<---- Look a smiling dog!

________________________________

Support your local economy buy local and support local retailers.

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Now on Facebook trainfans model railroad pictures.
Post #: 247
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 8:51:35 PM   
AngelInWaiting1983


Posts: 10842
Joined: 6/8/2007
From: South Carolina
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Once upon a time I had a list. Yes there are things i'd like for my mate to have. However I know God will provide for me what I need in a potential life partner.

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Reflecting with Terri

Dance like no one is watching. If they are, who cares!
Post #: 248
RE: To list or not to list.... ? - 4/9/2008 8:55:10 PM   
Tinkerbell_