Dating vs. Courtship
I was presented with this new Christian view on dating about halfway through last school year... I still haven't developed an opinion on it but, here are some excerpts from a website I found about it (http://polynate.net/books/courtship/part1.html):
Dating was invented in the early part of this century. Prior to that time, marriage always involved much more input from the parents, and "trial relationships" leading up to marriage were not conducted at all. Courtship, as discussed in more detail subsequently, seeks to emulate the Godly models described in the Bible that were conducted by God's people up until the invention of dating.
Courtship is a word that has been adopted to describe a biblical model for the relationship leading up to marriage. In the Bible, the parents were always involved in the marriage process.
Once we are married, we recognize that certain things are sacred to our partner. Things such as co-habitation, kissing, intimate hugging, sex and bringing up children. We recognize that not only our physical body, but our emotions, even our spirit are dedicated to that one partner, for the rest of our life (according to our vows).
The dichotomy is this: in dating, we presume to partake of many of these privileges of marriage. We would be shocked if a married man had an emotional attachment to another woman, and yet it's quite acceptable for singles to have a different emotional attachment every week. On the one hand, we save sex for our partners (and some even do that sparingly), but on the other, we engage in rampant emotional promiscuity, giving pieces of our hearts away until one wonders what will be left for that special, life-long partner.
The primary purpose of marriage is not to please you, but to serve God.
So to have a successful marriage, the most important thing is to ensure that you follow His principles that He laid down when He designed marriage. The irony is, when we focus on His principles instead of our pleasure, we end up having a very satifying and pleasant marriage!
I'm going to be looking into these concepts a little more in order to form a more definitive stance on this stance on dating... Sometime in the near future I'll post again on this topic.
Saturday, November 09, 2002
Thursday, November 07, 2002
Wednesday, November 06, 2002
Election Results
Ahhh.. the morning after.... The elections silly! Yes, we all await the next morning so we know how our votes affected the elections.... Here's a run-down of the things I voted for....
* US Senate Election
John Warner walks away with the position as US Senator from Virginia for the 4th term (he's been in the Senate since 1978), carrying a wopping 84% of the votes. Also on the ticket were Jacob Hornberger and Nancy Spannaus under the independent label raking in 9 and 7 percent of the votes, respectively.
* US House of Representatives Election - VA 6th District
Bob Goodlatte amazingly pulls away with the position of representative to the US House of Rep's for his 6th term.... Its a good thing he ended up winning because he was running unopposed....
* Judicial Power and Jurisdiction Amendment to the VA Constitution
Ballot Question: Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to permit the Supreme Court to consider, as part of its original jurisdiction, claims of actual innocence presented by convicted felons in the cases and manner provided by the General Assembly?
* Exempt Property Amendment to the VA Constitution
65% yes! (this helps my college)
Ballot Question: Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow localities by ordinance, rather than the General Assembly by law, to exempt property from taxation that is used for charitable and certain other purposes, subject to the restrictions and conditions provided by general law?
* Educational Facilities Bond Issue
72% yes!
The purpose of the Act is to allow the Commonwealth to sell bonds to raise funds to pay for capital projects at state-supported colleges, universities, museums and other educational facilities. The capital projects contemplated in the Act have an estimated useful life of more than twenty-five years and include, but are not limited to, capital projects for the renovation of instructional facilities, construction of new academic space, construction of new research space, upgrades to heating and cooling systems, and improvements for handicapped accessibility.
* Parks and Recreational Facilities Bond Issue
The purpose of the Act is to allow the Commonwealth to sell bonds to raise funds to pay for capital projects at state-supported parks and recreational facilities. If this Act is approved, the Commonwealth may issue Commonwealth of Virginia General Obligation Bonds and sell the bonds to raise funds to pay for specific capital projects. The capital projects contemplated in the Act have an estimated useful life of more than twenty-five years and include, but are not limited to, capital projects for the acquisition of land for natural area preserves and parks, campground construction, visitor center renovation, road improvements, trail improvements and shoreline erosion repair.
Highlights from an article I found in the Roanoke paper... "Triumphant GOP Looks to new Agenda"
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush and his party savored sweeping midterm election victories Wednesday and began sketching an agenda for a new, Republican-controlled Congress. The leader of defeated House Democrats, Rep. Dick Gephardt, signaled he would step down.... Republicans were assured of 51 seats in the new Senate, a gain of two. Democrats had 47 and the support of one independent....In the House, Republicans had 227 seats — a gain of four — and led for one more. Democrats won 203, and led for three. There was one independent. Senior aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Gephardt intended to declare on Thursday that he would not seek a fifth term as House Democratic leader. The 61-year-old Missouri lawmaker is a potential challenger for the White House in 2004, but it was not known whether he would discussion his presidential ambitions when he made his announcement....The elections marked a remarkable triumph for Republicans, who bucked history to gain seats in a midterm election in which they held the White House."
Not only did the Republican party end up with majorities in the House and Senate, but also a majority of the governorships throughout the country, even Governor Jeb Bush of Florida came out on top.
I'm not a republican, but I am conservative and Republicans tend to be more conservative than Democrats, so I guess it was a great day for Republicans and a not so shabby day for conservatives alike.
Ahhh.. the morning after.... The elections silly! Yes, we all await the next morning so we know how our votes affected the elections.... Here's a run-down of the things I voted for....
* US Senate Election
John Warner walks away with the position as US Senator from Virginia for the 4th term (he's been in the Senate since 1978), carrying a wopping 84% of the votes. Also on the ticket were Jacob Hornberger and Nancy Spannaus under the independent label raking in 9 and 7 percent of the votes, respectively.
* US House of Representatives Election - VA 6th District
Bob Goodlatte amazingly pulls away with the position of representative to the US House of Rep's for his 6th term.... Its a good thing he ended up winning because he was running unopposed....
* Judicial Power and Jurisdiction Amendment to the VA Constitution
Ballot Question: Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to permit the Supreme Court to consider, as part of its original jurisdiction, claims of actual innocence presented by convicted felons in the cases and manner provided by the General Assembly?
* Exempt Property Amendment to the VA Constitution
65% yes! (this helps my college)
Ballot Question: Shall the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow localities by ordinance, rather than the General Assembly by law, to exempt property from taxation that is used for charitable and certain other purposes, subject to the restrictions and conditions provided by general law?
* Educational Facilities Bond Issue
72% yes!
The purpose of the Act is to allow the Commonwealth to sell bonds to raise funds to pay for capital projects at state-supported colleges, universities, museums and other educational facilities. The capital projects contemplated in the Act have an estimated useful life of more than twenty-five years and include, but are not limited to, capital projects for the renovation of instructional facilities, construction of new academic space, construction of new research space, upgrades to heating and cooling systems, and improvements for handicapped accessibility.
* Parks and Recreational Facilities Bond Issue
The purpose of the Act is to allow the Commonwealth to sell bonds to raise funds to pay for capital projects at state-supported parks and recreational facilities. If this Act is approved, the Commonwealth may issue Commonwealth of Virginia General Obligation Bonds and sell the bonds to raise funds to pay for specific capital projects. The capital projects contemplated in the Act have an estimated useful life of more than twenty-five years and include, but are not limited to, capital projects for the acquisition of land for natural area preserves and parks, campground construction, visitor center renovation, road improvements, trail improvements and shoreline erosion repair.
Highlights from an article I found in the Roanoke paper... "Triumphant GOP Looks to new Agenda"
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush and his party savored sweeping midterm election victories Wednesday and began sketching an agenda for a new, Republican-controlled Congress. The leader of defeated House Democrats, Rep. Dick Gephardt, signaled he would step down.... Republicans were assured of 51 seats in the new Senate, a gain of two. Democrats had 47 and the support of one independent....In the House, Republicans had 227 seats — a gain of four — and led for one more. Democrats won 203, and led for three. There was one independent. Senior aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Gephardt intended to declare on Thursday that he would not seek a fifth term as House Democratic leader. The 61-year-old Missouri lawmaker is a potential challenger for the White House in 2004, but it was not known whether he would discussion his presidential ambitions when he made his announcement....The elections marked a remarkable triumph for Republicans, who bucked history to gain seats in a midterm election in which they held the White House."
Not only did the Republican party end up with majorities in the House and Senate, but also a majority of the governorships throughout the country, even Governor Jeb Bush of Florida came out on top.
I'm not a republican, but I am conservative and Republicans tend to be more conservative than Democrats, so I guess it was a great day for Republicans and a not so shabby day for conservatives alike.
Tuesday, November 05, 2002
Election Day
In honor of one of the greatest American freedoms: voting
I voted for the first time today. That's one of the good parts about being 18! And I got one of those stickers to show that I participated in my country! But, today's post is related to the elections.... Political Parties....
There are many, many, many independent parties in the United States.... Some of these include:
* The American Reform Party - breakaway from the Reform party known for by Ross Perot
* The American Nazi Party
* Communist Party USA
* The Constitution Party - (a personal favorite for the 2000 presidential election) formerly known as the US Taxpayers Party... and basically a very serious Religious Right platform
* The Green Party - highly liberal
* The Labor Party - liberal group created by labor unions
* The Libertarian Party - Libertarians are neither left nor right... they believe in total individual liberty and total econmic freedom (this is a party I tend to lean toward more now than before)
* Reform Party - Ross Perot
* Socialist Party USA - advocate left-wing electoral change versus militant revolutionary change.
* and many more.....
However many independent parties exist, however, America is highly a bipartisan system.... balanced between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
* Democratic Party (DNC): right now have a 50-49-1 majority over the Senate because one Repubican was suayed into converted to independent and thus throwing the majority (by one) to the democrats... That's why this years election is so crucial, because the majority could go back to the Republicans and our President can actually get something done without getting shot down.
* Republican Party (RNC): currently control a slim majority in the House of Representatives, several key Governorships, and the White House.
To read more on these parties, I've found a really good resource: http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm.
I've said before that I'm VERY conservative. But I never said what party I am... That's because I don't believe in choosing one party. Especially, Democratic or Republican because there are liberals and conservatives in both. I prefer to choose who I vote for based on their political views and platform, comparing them with my own personal ideology. I hope that other people feel the same way too.
Finally, voting is a very important freedom for Americans to take advantage of. If you don't vote, then you have absolutely no right to complain about the government.... NONE! If you're able to go out and vote, do it! Don't assume that other people will vote the way you want them too... Take matters into your own hands and make a say in your country!
In honor of one of the greatest American freedoms: voting
I voted for the first time today. That's one of the good parts about being 18! And I got one of those stickers to show that I participated in my country! But, today's post is related to the elections.... Political Parties....
There are many, many, many independent parties in the United States.... Some of these include:
* The American Reform Party - breakaway from the Reform party known for by Ross Perot
* The American Nazi Party
* Communist Party USA
* The Constitution Party - (a personal favorite for the 2000 presidential election) formerly known as the US Taxpayers Party... and basically a very serious Religious Right platform
* The Green Party - highly liberal
* The Labor Party - liberal group created by labor unions
* The Libertarian Party - Libertarians are neither left nor right... they believe in total individual liberty and total econmic freedom (this is a party I tend to lean toward more now than before)
* Reform Party - Ross Perot
* Socialist Party USA - advocate left-wing electoral change versus militant revolutionary change.
* and many more.....
However many independent parties exist, however, America is highly a bipartisan system.... balanced between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
* Democratic Party (DNC): right now have a 50-49-1 majority over the Senate because one Repubican was suayed into converted to independent and thus throwing the majority (by one) to the democrats... That's why this years election is so crucial, because the majority could go back to the Republicans and our President can actually get something done without getting shot down.
* Republican Party (RNC): currently control a slim majority in the House of Representatives, several key Governorships, and the White House.
To read more on these parties, I've found a really good resource: http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm.
I've said before that I'm VERY conservative. But I never said what party I am... That's because I don't believe in choosing one party. Especially, Democratic or Republican because there are liberals and conservatives in both. I prefer to choose who I vote for based on their political views and platform, comparing them with my own personal ideology. I hope that other people feel the same way too.
Finally, voting is a very important freedom for Americans to take advantage of. If you don't vote, then you have absolutely no right to complain about the government.... NONE! If you're able to go out and vote, do it! Don't assume that other people will vote the way you want them too... Take matters into your own hands and make a say in your country!
Sunday, November 03, 2002
Thoughts of the Day
(this blog is quickly turning non-political... but that's okay)
Assurance of Help in Temptation
"No Temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." ~ I Corinthians 10:13
Christ the Center
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~ Galatians 2:20
(this blog is quickly turning non-political... but that's okay)
Assurance of Help in Temptation
"No Temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." ~ I Corinthians 10:13
Christ the Center
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~ Galatians 2:20
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