tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5384306178652605192024-03-05T18:05:29.449-05:00The New View on SexDJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110829326447619689noreply@blogger.comBlogger479125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-32172074374166654272016-02-23T12:49:00.000-05:002016-02-23T12:49:36.092-05:00Work work work work work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoRaKjCkNxHznz6jG_JqepakAydPaROinr7t9wE7DnOAd88vW2lN8n_p5Raavmp3HTgG-TIWEbBdg5WRwTJIB-M4ThjrXQ7OaP3Hjrp-ObbPIPFlywvSLExBJYSVSgWDpHtA0qMevC1_T/s1600/landscape-1455919272-elle-rihanna-index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoRaKjCkNxHznz6jG_JqepakAydPaROinr7t9wE7DnOAd88vW2lN8n_p5Raavmp3HTgG-TIWEbBdg5WRwTJIB-M4ThjrXQ7OaP3Hjrp-ObbPIPFlywvSLExBJYSVSgWDpHtA0qMevC1_T/s640/landscape-1455919272-elle-rihanna-index.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rihanna debuted the new music video for her hit
song <i>Work</i> yesterday. Rihanna is an
artist that works hard and has a natural talent in the music industry. I don’t
want this to seem like I am downing her. I enjoy her music, but I have to
acknowledge my thoughts. I am disappointed
by her music video for the lessons it sends out to the next generation. Here are a few things I noticed:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sexy clothing <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rihanna is known for making a lot of ‘fashion
forward’ statements at award shows and the like. A good amount of the outfits
she wore showed way more than we anticipated seeing. This music video was no
exception. The clothing was very sexy and revealing, to the point of being
uncomfortable. Why did they have to have such revealing costumes?! Honestly, as
I watched the first version and then the second version of the music video, I
was looking away because I felt bad for just how much of Rihanna’s body she was
sharing with the world. Maybe she didn’t have a choice, but this seems to me
that she was not remembering her value as a person and just who was worthy of
seeing her body. This is not all of us. I have been in that situation, where I
was wearing very sexy clothing. The attention received is fleeting and usually
results in men looking for a booty call from the girl as a reaction, even if
this is not her goal. Not worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dance moves<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean come on, does every music video need to
have them practically having sex on the dance floor through grinding and
twerking? I lost count of how many shots in the video were just of their
crotches thrusting together- taking away their humanity completely- to just focus
on a collection of parts. It is dangerous to have this out in main stream media
because people already think it is acceptable and perfectly ok to act as such
when dancing. The video just perpetuates this lie. In case no one told you,
there are other dance moves you can try that don’t involve compromising your
dignity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Met me in the club<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one ever meets their prince charming in the
club. One minute they are meeting, then the next they are rubbing <i>IT</i> all together, but they don’t really
know each other. Very odd. Of course the video showed the crowd smoking and
drinking, which obviously brings to the table its’ own issues. Are they of age?
Are they drinking in excess. Not a good habit to get into. I can tell you, from
experience, the hangover which comes around the next morning is the worst. I
learned my limits to never drink that much again. They are not being very
realistic about the consequences either. They do not show how people are so
easily used sexually after a night out partying. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The man’s role<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drake is a very talented artist, but I was not
impressed by his role in this video (more specifically the second version). He
sat on the couch while Rihanna danced for him/the camera. Remind you of the
scene in a strip club? Ew. It seemed to feed into the stereotype that men
should not need to work in a relationship, that they can just be lazy. Men
should not be passive; the first time that happened was when Adam let Eve eat
the apple. We don’t need to have repeats of that in every relationship. Men are
called to be the providers and protectors of their girlfriend/fiancé/wife and
family. I guarantee if you asked a Godly man, “Would be ok if his GF/fiancé/wife
danced as such in a club?” He would say, “No thank you. That is a floozy. She
is not wife material.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A women must be sexual
to keep a man<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many types of media have this theme, but it is
so far from the truth. In the video, as you listen to the lyrics, it makes
clear that the women must put it all out there to catch/keep the man’s
interest.<b> Instead of trying to sexually ignite the man you are with; why not
strive to ignite his heart.</b> Seek to do what is best for each other, leading to
true authentic love. Not seeking a one night stand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Work</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> might be a catchy song
to work out to, but it falls very short of God’s plan for humanity.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-6243004498918952672015-11-18T11:36:00.004-05:002015-11-18T11:53:57.549-05:00A Catholic Girl Walks into a Bar <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPyEDvY8GaI9wFSkF4iRkgLCwx7EMt_IRWCAWZwhk1yJgUu1aXmBIOnigq_6NnH6QxmSC0pX_txipZR9p3KwWZ19cYYDjJLOsJyZvgkchFfN-2Uv_VuMbKC8fpiLC37TC0rB493uu5H_O/s1600/63f39712842853e4712de63d6a149827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPyEDvY8GaI9wFSkF4iRkgLCwx7EMt_IRWCAWZwhk1yJgUu1aXmBIOnigq_6NnH6QxmSC0pX_txipZR9p3KwWZ19cYYDjJLOsJyZvgkchFfN-2Uv_VuMbKC8fpiLC37TC0rB493uu5H_O/s1600/63f39712842853e4712de63d6a149827.jpg" /></a></div>
<v:shape alt="63f39712842853e4712de63d6a149827.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_s1032" style="height: 110.55pt; margin-left: -22.7pt; margin-top: 39.15pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: margin; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: margin; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 132.7pt; z-index: 3;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="63f39712842853e4712de63d6a149827" src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif">
<w:wrap anchorx="margin" anchory="margin" type="square">
</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
Catholic girl walks into a bar… Oh wait this is not a joke, it’s my life…
Recently I walked into a bar and found the man of my dreams. Kidding, but he
was pretty ‘McSteamy’ in essence. All evening we chatted and became familiar in
a new friendship blossoming. I remember thinking how fun he was during our
conversation considering we had a good bantering act in play, and how I would
love to get to know him more. As the night was winding down, He invited me to
sleep with him, which was flattering. I was tempted and thought about it for a
second, but overall it was a buzz kill because I do take my faith seriously and
fully embrace the Church teachings about sexuality so I declined the offer and
went home alone. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet, I loved being desired
by him- I just didn’t want him in the same way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlWzhbsnVhtxBmste331IB-izAV1Wzo_3BuzBWDh2N0e1t87ov3yYYVRsQSbtaYYq90PxoIrpj8OFMFOgokRlKLHAkZMwGMsnrjhoY-r8CBX86B4Nun6Ib3qOPgnwWYphroNnhrmRkfic/s1600/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlWzhbsnVhtxBmste331IB-izAV1Wzo_3BuzBWDh2N0e1t87ov3yYYVRsQSbtaYYq90PxoIrpj8OFMFOgokRlKLHAkZMwGMsnrjhoY-r8CBX86B4Nun6Ib3qOPgnwWYphroNnhrmRkfic/s320/giphy+%25281%2529.gif" width="320" /></span></a><v:shape alt="giphy (1).gif" id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1031" style="height: 127.85pt; margin-left: 272.75pt; margin-top: 206.2pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: margin; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: margin; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 252.5pt; z-index: 5;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="giphy (1)" src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<w:wrap anchorx="margin" anchory="margin" type="square">
</w:wrap></span></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Teaching
chastity has had funny affect on transforming my thoughts. Anytime a man is
speaking to me, I am mentally doing a check (like a reflex) to see how <i>Theology of the Body</i> oriented our
conversation is. The teachings have just weaved their way into my own thoughts
and whole life. I do not enjoy being desired by a man when I can tell it is a
very disordered desire towards their own selfish gain. Fortunately, it is very
easy for me to spot these types of men so I can at least attempt to avoid temptation.
I am not perfect, just experienced enough to know my weaknesses and not afraid
to admit my screw ups. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This would not be a
blog of mine if I didn’t quote Saint Pope John Paul II at least once, he
teaches the following about love in <i>Theology
of the Body</i>:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<v:shape alt="raining-men.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1030" style="height: 205.05pt; margin-left: -31.35pt; margin-top: 404.55pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: margin; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: margin; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 189.75pt; z-index: 6;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="raining-men" src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<w:wrap anchorx="margin" anchory="margin" type="square">
</w:wrap></span></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviOoeYb9eNmjWypqe5s5Z1XpMR1KaCfizmTbfLZeTrBR8iEIKfjZospDupXUu5-xl4g1M6T7yZxU7NTYOGtRhD-LdmvcqSK-sqGZ_qznRch7WEShZqaNAvxvOTua_WF8nQhbh-2fQFZuJ/s1600/raining-men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviOoeYb9eNmjWypqe5s5Z1XpMR1KaCfizmTbfLZeTrBR8iEIKfjZospDupXUu5-xl4g1M6T7yZxU7NTYOGtRhD-LdmvcqSK-sqGZ_qznRch7WEShZqaNAvxvOTua_WF8nQhbh-2fQFZuJ/s320/raining-men.jpg" width="297" /></span></a><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t32" o:oned="t" o:spt="32" path="m,l21600,21600e"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<v:path arrowok="t" fillok="f" o:connecttype="none">
<o:lock shapetype="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></span></v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 18.45pt; left: 0; margin-left: 234.45pt; margin-top: 24.8pt; position: absolute; text-align: left; width: 0; z-index: 1;" type="#_x0000_t32">
<v:stroke endarrow="block"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></v:stroke></v:shape><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love as attraction</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: recognizing the good
of another person; seeing the inner and outer beauty of another person.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<v:shape id="_x0000_s1027" o:connectortype="straight" style="height: 18.45pt; left: 0; margin-left: 234.45pt; margin-top: 12.3pt; position: absolute; text-align: left; width: 0; z-index: 2;" type="#_x0000_t32">
<v:stroke endarrow="block"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></v:stroke></v:shape><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love as desire</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: wanting a good for yourself;
desiring the goodness and happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love as goodwill</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">: willing (or desiring)
the good of another person. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are all needed in
a relationship but, ordered towards God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve been reflecting on
all of this constantly, as of late. To clarify, no, I was not just swimming
around in my own fantasy of lustful thoughts about ‘McSteamy.’ But (as humbly
as I can say this) a man’s interest is not foreign to me. Especially this year
it seems to be raining men as potential suitors, from the guys who offer a one
night stand to the gentlemen who are ready to be married tomorrow and treat me
like a princess. If any of ‘said men’ are reading this, I do honestly thank you
for your time and what I have learned from you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<v:shape alt="A043_Host-2.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1029" style="height: 145.15pt; margin-left: 315.4pt; margin-top: 130.75pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: margin; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: margin; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; visibility: visible; width: 162.9pt; z-index: 4;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="A043_Host-2" src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image004.jpg"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<w:wrap anchorx="margin" anchory="margin" type="square">
</w:wrap></span></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The world is starving for beauty, especially
for ALL women to be confident in how authentically beautiful they are. I know
my beauty and worth as a woman, and I am not afraid to allow the world to
encounter the Lord through me, even if they don’t always see me as anything
beyond physically attractive. One of the greatest powers a woman has is just
simply ‘being’ and allowing others to take refuge in her. ‘Being’ woman is an
art woman can spend our whole life unveiling and thereabout I have become
enticing to men. But, I have been wondering why it is that I cannot muster up a
hint of romantic affection in response to the men who have been pursuing me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Something must be wrong
with me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On one fine Tuesday
afternoon, I figured it out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[Scene: in daily Mass. The
readings have been proclaimed and all present are awaiting the reception of our
Lord in the Eucharist.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvTFvzWxvHeVjrTLRsDm6I45A_8WSs48k7OQhwoGXb3Q9WYWpZH7NbRwBs4CxkX2CHcpY6BcIrVz460HVf3iq9HbH5Uo-HLRCDtATcP3LWDdX-uKwYAqrWfatVSbXvq_MfuN7GkXDFDPr/s1600/A043_Host-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvTFvzWxvHeVjrTLRsDm6I45A_8WSs48k7OQhwoGXb3Q9WYWpZH7NbRwBs4CxkX2CHcpY6BcIrVz460HVf3iq9HbH5Uo-HLRCDtATcP3LWDdX-uKwYAqrWfatVSbXvq_MfuN7GkXDFDPr/s1600/A043_Host-2.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I sit, or really
kneel, in anticipation the tension is building in my heart. My prayer to the
Lord bubbles up in my mind, “<i>Beloved, I
just want you. I long for you. I crave your intimacy in the restlessness of my
soul.</i>” All of a sudden, in the depth
of the sweet silence before receiving him, it made sense. <b>I should want to be with and desire my earthly spouse in the same way,
but not to same degree of intensity because even Scripture says only Christ
will fulfill all our longings. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">Desiring
to be with my future spouse is a good thing. If I am not feeling it with a
gentleman who asks to be mine, it is also a good and important thing to let him
go. How</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"> nice would it be if I dated a man for a period of time, then after I
tried it for awhile tell them I was never into the relationship but I just
wanted to wait and see if my heart would come around? So as nicely as I can
muster, I try to explain why the man should move along in life.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Waiting with full peace
and joy in the arms of my Beloved, for the one he is preparing for me, is the
greatest thing, ever. I am at a place in my life where I can recognize the
vocational call to marriage, but I am not hurried to get there. I love my life,
the way it is going, and the mystery in the adventure I have yet to explore! My
heart is overflowing with a comforting, soothing love from and for the Lord. I
am confident he is working on my own heart for the man I will marry. In that
knowledge, as my gaze is locked on my Beloved, much of my heart does not want
to be disturbed by a man trying to fit into it romantically. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRByvqdL165kfMSqqjnxDlLlVCXL-Bts_9cwQP5J8WqFvH8GrTzG10Sa8OFJMa-pwRW3YtkXDZT9cfOmCPmNus60nOB8XUeiWUSW_lO9PnMj9gJ11OeBgC8SOZcs368mowRs8Xq9_j2lh8/s1600/e27c1726a947c561149514156af8fd28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRByvqdL165kfMSqqjnxDlLlVCXL-Bts_9cwQP5J8WqFvH8GrTzG10Sa8OFJMa-pwRW3YtkXDZT9cfOmCPmNus60nOB8XUeiWUSW_lO9PnMj9gJ11OeBgC8SOZcs368mowRs8Xq9_j2lh8/s320/e27c1726a947c561149514156af8fd28.jpg" width="252" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This does not mean I want to wait forever. I now understand the desire I should have towards a man in relation to my desire for the Eucharist. It makes me excited to anticipate that one day I will be so ‘over the moon’ about a man’s pursuit, which in a way will mirror my constant longing to receive the Lord in the Mass. Honestly, I have no idea how that love will take shape in my life, but that is what I enjoy most about this splendid adventure. I don’t have to worry or stay up all night wishing for prince charming to show up. God knows what is best for me, and I trust him with my heart. I am free to just be in the Lord and live in the truth of his glory each day, each hour, each moment. For he says this:<br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"> “I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">And to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">Of beauty, perfection and love that I offer you with Myself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">Know that I love you utterly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">For I am God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">Believe it and be satisfied.” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">- From St Anthony of Padua</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am the Lord’s and he is mine. When the time is right I will meet, then later share a beautiful, crazy, sanctifying marriage with another… To bear the cutest little fruit in kiddos, of course. Till then, I continue to be with my Comforter in the breaking of the bread.<br /><b><br />Who would have thought all of that could come from walking into a bar? </b><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-15816429632153274042015-08-24T13:31:00.000-04:002015-08-24T13:49:23.443-04:00Tinder .... The Mystery Ingredient <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not married so
this could be a train wreck. Here goes nothing… <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eN6uAqKKMjw4QuzbVUGcXFFGMApwEOp65bLmjDVmdbUOKKMAnncvo9g1zKxEjUZvyvcnr-1he80Kkj3z804O2mOxuqT0nY-ZJ7yvWxqJzyk-MRhexjiCtKYpU37cc1V94knhjN5COhyphenhyphen0/s1600/tinder-header-2-664x374.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eN6uAqKKMjw4QuzbVUGcXFFGMApwEOp65bLmjDVmdbUOKKMAnncvo9g1zKxEjUZvyvcnr-1he80Kkj3z804O2mOxuqT0nY-ZJ7yvWxqJzyk-MRhexjiCtKYpU37cc1V94knhjN5COhyphenhyphen0/s200/tinder-header-2-664x374.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1031"
type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;
margin-left:-6.65pt;margin-top:56.3pt;width:94.9pt;height:53.8pt;z-index:1;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:margin'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.png"
o:title="tinder-header-2-664x374"/>
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin" anchory="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tinder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tenderloin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tenderize.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tenderable</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tenderness.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvOCPp0Budfx7SNYOiAaOs8ncqqUONtR3ViIAjuS6rQXZrbDRy3FQCSjzMwwTdikEU-TkangZNbkXeek4ksuX_Jh-QpAWCDK7Xt9lIjgCRUaW7xTH-EE2qkGTnVfEbTsnI87_zGh8wKAM/s1600/025f1d87e1b2cc613e762ce5cd310744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvOCPp0Budfx7SNYOiAaOs8ncqqUONtR3ViIAjuS6rQXZrbDRy3FQCSjzMwwTdikEU-TkangZNbkXeek4ksuX_Jh-QpAWCDK7Xt9lIjgCRUaW7xTH-EE2qkGTnVfEbTsnI87_zGh8wKAM/s200/025f1d87e1b2cc613e762ce5cd310744.jpg" width="167" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saint Pope John Paul II
is one of my favorite homies! He has inspired me in more ways than one to
understand more about sharing the truth, authentic
love, chastity, and sex. How could that be the case? A celibate man, who was by
all accounts of the world, out of touch with anything relating to marriage… False.
He was a genius and had many insightful things to say about the way of intimacy.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to bring up a
quality that I feel like often gets overlooked, or misunderstood, in terms of
relationships<b>: tenderness</b>. Does
anyone know how to specifically define that word?</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBgt9QKHto8v6XObqAk11dVTSFLHSfNMQhyphenhyphenMAaFDsvB_fN4eCDP0-ueSIkeQIx1fl1KjwPK3G96tHBL2GJuF4UxQLy7CqX1GqGxI-ABBxpk1gBrUwPn2VcDduwj_8Jbc3j875hyiWejtO/s1600/JnADJP.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBgt9QKHto8v6XObqAk11dVTSFLHSfNMQhyphenhyphenMAaFDsvB_fN4eCDP0-ueSIkeQIx1fl1KjwPK3G96tHBL2GJuF4UxQLy7CqX1GqGxI-ABBxpk1gBrUwPn2VcDduwj_8Jbc3j875hyiWejtO/s1600/JnADJP.gif" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The best I could come up with
was the scene from <i>Tangled</i> of
Rapunzel’s mom brushing out all of her flowing, long, golden locks. Meaning: tenderness is simply when someone is gentle with another person.That’s it. I, myself, did not even know how limiting that definition is.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">Saint Pope John Paul II
says, “</span><b style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">Tenderness is found in the
tendency to make one’s own feelings and mental states of another person.” </b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">So, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">in relationships that are based on love, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">it is
an unsurprising adjustment to move from the self to focus on the other, feeling
closely involved with the inner life of the beloved.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The action of
tenderness naturally seeks outward expression. In marriage<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Kelly%20O'Brien" datetime="2015-06-18T13:25">,</ins></span> your
spouse essentially becomes a part of you so much that they are another “I” as
you are united together in the bond. So you want to communicate this sense of
closeness… “I feel the need to let the other “I” know that I take on his/her
feelings and his/her state of mind to heart, to make this other human being
feel that I am sharing it all, that I am feeling what they feel." Hence
we persons show our affection by holding hands, a kiss, drawing someone into
our arms etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrP-IY-Qrkn1gUzAGdBLok8g4fS1E8Rxer4A4inKt_irtcszYZtBLE_LkACrhiwH0uFP0MRzUjEAxZb0XcRiuHKiSjQMwUZX1fpV725Tvj6uZDryaPIOCeiSdKGjuanXFbJaRDSNu1xSN/s1600/Couple-love-31396193-1440-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrP-IY-Qrkn1gUzAGdBLok8g4fS1E8Rxer4A4inKt_irtcszYZtBLE_LkACrhiwH0uFP0MRzUjEAxZb0XcRiuHKiSjQMwUZX1fpV725Tvj6uZDryaPIOCeiSdKGjuanXFbJaRDSNu1xSN/s320/Couple-love-31396193-1440-900.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even with the lens of
just how beautiful dating and marriage can be, the devil is at play trying to
distort the way the world views both. We all can recognize the ways our culture
has fallen into use of the other, even mutual use. I don’t need to go into
specifics, yet we need to see the effects
of expressing this tenderness too soon.
If tenderness is premature in a relationship, it can stop authentic love
from growing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I dated a man in
which we thought we had a good friendship foundation, only to escalate quickly
towards the physical expressions of tenderness. This actually hurt us more than
anything because it became the center of the relationship. Our relationship
fizzled out fast and today we no longer talk at all. <b>We
created the illusion of love, a love which in reality does not exist.</b> Our
relationship crumbled by the roadblocks we ourselves put up. Often young people
think the way I thought, that this physical expression of tenderness will lead
to authentic love. It is a clever trap set.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1028"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="images (15).jpg" style='position:absolute;left:0;
text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:149.25pt;height:189.7pt;
z-index:4;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:top;
mso-position-vertical-relative:margin'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image008.jpg"
o:title="images (15)"/>
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin" anchory="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxlBw0TAnjU7VkNUuc3-gTFoBAyQOeUDKQHzFSSSYoC_qVTWsfG3_jSKPKERDbs59Rc3F5pB-a15VjNFqI7vqk56fZyfbevYyjVIC8Y7x7H4vfOEGvjlNOfS4B6M1KYRWGNDIvCRep8sj/s1600/images+%252815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxlBw0TAnjU7VkNUuc3-gTFoBAyQOeUDKQHzFSSSYoC_qVTWsfG3_jSKPKERDbs59Rc3F5pB-a15VjNFqI7vqk56fZyfbevYyjVIC8Y7x7H4vfOEGvjlNOfS4B6M1KYRWGNDIvCRep8sj/s1600/images+%252815%2529.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If we are
to grant a man or woman the ‘right to tenderness’ (to show or receive it) we
must also demand a greater sense of responsibility. </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">AKA marriage, not
casual sex in or out of dating relationships. In truth, expressions of
tenderness should always be accompanied by an even greater sense of
responsibility for the other person.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Circling back around to
marriage, tenderness should involve a participation in emotion and commitment
to love. This is what brings the couple to feel the closeness of communication.
Saint Pope John Paul II expands on his earlier definition of tenderness here
saying, “<b>It is the ability to feel with
and for the other person.</b>” It creates a feeling of not being alone, a
feeling that his/her life is equally the content of another very dear person’s
life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My stepdad and mom,
Richie and Marge, are a great example of this in my life. For the most part,
they do everything together, even grocery shopping is done as a team. It is so
adorable I have to fight the urge to vomit. In the midst of the challenges and joys
of their marriage, I can clearly see the tenderness they express towards one
another. Sometimes things are tense, as with any marriage. I can tell when my
mom is hurt by something, so too does Richie feel the pain. On the same token,
when a joyous occasion burst forth in our lives they both act like IT. IS. THE.
BEST. THING. EVER. They are always leading the family as a team. I think the
tenderness they cultivate in authentically loving the other is wonderful
glue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curious
how this show of love, through tenderness, specifically affects women?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Women not
only expect this type of tenderness from their husbands, but they actually have
a special right to it in marriage.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Husbands must enter deeply into the emotional
lives of their wives for 3 reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivokYKgsysxoidCZ6IEAIfBAva18ftYZdVsj071WgwFlicQIFJEWcxRqIGQLNKXjb8FZhotqNrngkYbnfZWkLahEmx4fSGEd3oSeIzDi_Yb7PQ8kaOuvawscHye0WvWyFUTWZIJPcf6x3Y/s1600/download+%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivokYKgsysxoidCZ6IEAIfBAva18ftYZdVsj071WgwFlicQIFJEWcxRqIGQLNKXjb8FZhotqNrngkYbnfZWkLahEmx4fSGEd3oSeIzDi_Yb7PQ8kaOuvawscHye0WvWyFUTWZIJPcf6x3Y/s200/download+%252810%2529.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: small;">Honestly, a </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">woman’s</b> <b style="font-size: 12pt;">emotional level is deeper than a man’s so they simply have a greater
need for tenderness. </b><span style="font-size: small;">It is also helpful to note that men may never
understand this need fully, similar to how women may not get why men ‘always
think about sex.’ It is not that women need their man to fix everything
magically, we know you </span>aren't<span style="font-size: small;"> superman. We just would like you to listen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Woman naturally <i>gives
herself</i> to man.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
In a sense, a woman feels the transition from single life to married life in an
acute way. She might notice or feel the break from her family to enter married
life in a deeper way, especially if she has a close-knit family. While there is
excitement in a new life with her husband, she might feel the loss of leaving
all she has ever known in her family’s way of life to create a new life with
her man.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBaXlatM-Fz5cUJp8VpgdhnBvj1qfbxtjCKZKQqaeGyV9qMHiAX5h6V7dBv8lM0KR127n9hgSnvWDVLbRW7doT1hKJCMoOnaM9AsUknVLAzvSOLnzwYuGv7rLVcOFlhLPgd1qqS-j30DR/s1600/JesusAkiane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBaXlatM-Fz5cUJp8VpgdhnBvj1qfbxtjCKZKQqaeGyV9qMHiAX5h6V7dBv8lM0KR127n9hgSnvWDVLbRW7doT1hKJCMoOnaM9AsUknVLAzvSOLnzwYuGv7rLVcOFlhLPgd1qqS-j30DR/s200/JesusAkiane.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> 3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Women have to go through more in life.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Ya know… the
important, difficult stuff like pregnancy, childbirth, and possibly leaving a
job. Some women feel very alone in these experiences so have a special need for
tenderness from their husbands as they go through them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Men have a unique
challenge to be tender with their beloved. You are not doing marriage right if
all you do is financially provide for your family, or fix up the house. Men are
called to enter deeply into the emotional lives of their wives. You must begin
to feel with and for her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don’t
forget about the art of tenderness between the two of you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As
Jesus said, “<b>Love one another as I have
loved you</b>.” </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-72049453639128080172015-08-17T12:43:00.000-04:002015-08-17T12:46:23.482-04:00Sexting: Don't Sho Yo 'Nae Nae' <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaubNlVrdrTVAu0gVrFhyphenhyphenv0nxBP74Yc8zgajtzeuBfskiuN5pj4X5tmmy1orn96Glw2980neFgbVAbxkW7G3c3Ty8uVLKby6h2zJaQ0JVbSV3bu5hPDZuNmKxY1qbDkesalv7Vg2pH7ihl/s1600/gty_sexting_thg_120607_wblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaubNlVrdrTVAu0gVrFhyphenhyphenv0nxBP74Yc8zgajtzeuBfskiuN5pj4X5tmmy1orn96Glw2980neFgbVAbxkW7G3c3Ty8uVLKby6h2zJaQ0JVbSV3bu5hPDZuNmKxY1qbDkesalv7Vg2pH7ihl/s320/gty_sexting_thg_120607_wblog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I love Elite Daily’s
site and often read up on the voice of “Generation Y.” I, recently, ran across an
article filled with questionable info about sexting. In the article they
discuss <a href="http://elitedaily.com/dating/sexting-is-good-for-couples/1173975/">6 ways
sexting can keep your long- term relationship strong</a>. Apparently a major
88% of people have engaged in sexting at least once, but I am not shocked by
this. To me, this means a whopping 88% of people have scars from love gone
wrong. They are desperate to be accepted, they don’t know the depth of their
worth, and they are infinitely loved by the Beloved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Honestly, this might be
TMI, and mom if you are reading this then just skip down a few paragraphs… I
bought into the lie of sexting in the past and am not proud of it, and it took
me some time to figure out why it is wrong. I have never been the person to
just lie down and take ‘no’ for an answer, so when someone said I can’t sext, I
reacted by thinking they don’t know what they are talking about. No one
explained the reasons behind how sexting is contrary to the dignity of the
human person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sexting is an
attractive activity, same as any sin. What I didn’t realize was by engaging in
sexting I was pulling someone further away from God. Sexting gives evidence to
a lack of self- control for both people involved, and I was forgetting the
infinite worth of another, then ultimately letting go of my own dignity in the
process. Sounds romantic right?! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let
me explain why the author’s <i>6 reasons to
sext</i> are, in fact, not good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sharing secrets builds
trust.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">They say: “Trusting your guy with the most private things
you like to do, in private and with your privates, will strengthen your bond.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcA1fnHfbafe09cFbL4u7exxayaRz4YxvmSRt5Cg3D8YnnBgzxRbwPrc8hpn17VB5zB3PvOTr5PgLuhKRJ1hG87Tr_Bx_WnbiLaWH_jeWHW78Y1MJ1tre5u4S1n9GnXzWAX5IFwLlb3Cl/s1600/Be-Not-Afraid_iphone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcA1fnHfbafe09cFbL4u7exxayaRz4YxvmSRt5Cg3D8YnnBgzxRbwPrc8hpn17VB5zB3PvOTr5PgLuhKRJ1hG87Tr_Bx_WnbiLaWH_jeWHW78Y1MJ1tre5u4S1n9GnXzWAX5IFwLlb3Cl/s320/Be-Not-Afraid_iphone.jpg" width="213" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Saint Pope John Paul II talks about the feminine genius
saying, <b>“Women are called to become masters of their own mystery.”</b> Women are
not called to reveal everything right off the bat, but to unveil themselves to
their husband in marriage. This includes a natural physical and emotional
progression through a dating relationship on into marriage. Meaning saving sex
for marriage requires the purity of our mind and words as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Good communication is key for a marriage to work well. Your
physical, emotional, and spiritual trains must all be in a line at the same
speed, so to speak. Trusting your guy with these fantasies or desires outside
of marriage puts your emotional connection ahead of your physical and spiritual
connection. If you do trust him by sharing your desires, the article makes a
good point of the risk you face of them sharing these images or sexts with
their friends or the public. Do you really want to take that chance with the precious
gift of your own sexuality? Sharing these things does not strengthen your bond
in a healthy way, but a co-dependent way. As in you need to <i>take take take</i> from the other, instead
of recognizing the self-gift that you are worth waiting to discover by that
future spouse one day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> In marriage, you
will need to discuss your sexual needs and desires, but not by way of
objectifying the person through sexting. The discussion should be done in a
loving open conversation about how to best [in a pure way, ordered toward God’s
plan] pleasure your spouse through the sexual act. This is a good and normal
thing to do periodically in marriage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sexy thoughts build
tension (the good kind).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is true. Yet, in the context of attempting to wait to have sex till marriage
and/or living out the married vocation, building this tension outside of
immediate foreplay can be a very dangerous thing. When we constantly think sexy
thoughts, this means we are constantly building up lustful thoughts. We become
enslaved to that desire of sexual pleasure to be met, all the time. <b>Human persons are not made for slavery, but
for true freedom, which comes from self-control obtained by not objectifying
another. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Personally,
I know saving sex for marriage is difficult, and I have fallen to temptation a
few times. Each time, sexy thoughts have helped in my demise. Thinking about
sexual things did not build tension in a good way, but in a way that caused an </span>animalistic<span style="font-size: small;"> reaction, a loss of morals to the bad side of passion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sometimes
we can’t help a sexual thought coming into our brain, and that is normal. The
best thing to do is to allow them to be a passing thought, not dwelling in the
fantasy or desire. I mentally give the person or sexual feeling back to God,
and strive to think of how they are a child of God worthy of a pure love, even
in my mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z5y4az85BZZ-dGtt7fXhm40fvEyQE8zxM_38IJXOQpGnjwELnZcOJOC9AfxOpw86qN6sf0vA-pqEf7gFo6aYJ5aVA_DP-nf4yLjj9ko38jsYQQUVPdNvvw0bqgXatEYjn2asAs45eUxh/s1600/300movie01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Men are fragile and
weak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z5y4az85BZZ-dGtt7fXhm40fvEyQE8zxM_38IJXOQpGnjwELnZcOJOC9AfxOpw86qN6sf0vA-pqEf7gFo6aYJ5aVA_DP-nf4yLjj9ko38jsYQQUVPdNvvw0bqgXatEYjn2asAs45eUxh/s1600/300movie01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z5y4az85BZZ-dGtt7fXhm40fvEyQE8zxM_38IJXOQpGnjwELnZcOJOC9AfxOpw86qN6sf0vA-pqEf7gFo6aYJ5aVA_DP-nf4yLjj9ko38jsYQQUVPdNvvw0bqgXatEYjn2asAs45eUxh/s320/300movie01.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">False.
Basically this section is stating that men need women to sext them to gain
confidence in the relationship and that the woman is being satisfied sexually.
If a man needs this verbal affirmation of sexting from the woman that they are
dating or are married to, they have not fully grasped what true authentic
manhood is all about, and you should not waste your time on them. They have reduced
you solely to what you can do to pleasure them in the relationship, not
focusing on how best to love you. Sexting is selfish in nature. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sex
and sexting should not be the meter of confidence in a relationship as
successful. Your confidence in the person you are dating or married to should
come from how they treat you, how they treat others in their life, and are they
going after the Lord’s heart by growing in holiness and virtue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>True
men, comfortable in their own masculinity, will not degrade a woman they are
interested in perusing or are married to- to a mere moment of bodily pleasure.</b>
They know the power of masculinity and use it for the good. They should have a
standard of their own in regards to purity and hold their relationships to
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Dopamine is addictive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They
said, “</span>While sending a
naughty text to someone, you might experience a rush of excitement that can
actually improve your chances of bonding! <span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The brain doesn’t differentiate between love
and excitement at first, and that confusion can be incredibly
sexy.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXrLFP3bsZSHh7sBEqWWgVX9ALcvkcxMUxfnogcpd_hVKloANCs-XUk2waGa6uqN6-sPHpySuqKEVw7ZRQ75z1FAPCrde2GeAFhvdG2_TQ0MMrl6huzoRZgNpGD7jct4I-mwBI2e7qXkd/s1600/download+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXrLFP3bsZSHh7sBEqWWgVX9ALcvkcxMUxfnogcpd_hVKloANCs-XUk2waGa6uqN6-sPHpySuqKEVw7ZRQ75z1FAPCrde2GeAFhvdG2_TQ0MMrl6huzoRZgNpGD7jct4I-mwBI2e7qXkd/s1600/download+%252812%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dopamine
is the pleasure chemical and yes two people will be more bonded if they sext
about their desires, whether in marriage or outside of it … and YES it is
confusing. This confusion between the feelings and true authentic love is not a
sexy thing, just a stressful thing. We cannot base our love on these feelings
from dopamine. Love is more than the feelings; it is about doing what is best
for someone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
think sexting can be addictive. It is one of those things that when you start,
it can be difficult to stop. When we rely too much on the feelings, then they
fade, what will be left outside of the physical aspect of the relationship? I
don’t want to train someone to use me in that way and neither should you.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Fun is king.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone wants to have
fun in life, living it to the fullest. Why does society seem to think that
being pure has to make you boring, or that the only way to have fun is to be
sexual with someone? In case no one told you, you can have fun in a
relationship and not be sexual. Remaining pure in your relationships is
challenging sure, but that </span>doesn't<span style="font-size: small;"> mean you are automatically boring. It simply
allows for more creativity in how you date. Also, chastity gives way for a
great foundation of friendship to be formed for when the feelings come and go. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sexting prevents
cheating!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">REALLY? When you are
far away from the BF/GF and you are building that tension, then you see someone
else sexually attractive while away, what do you think might happen? That
tension will want release and if someone else offers, it would be tricky to say
no. Sexting can lead to cheating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWB2k2gnkTrol40tlK68zvA9U42lP2tw8ot62-FC21_ODnUayv4eXNX29F3eRI809j9KjyBgnus11ZsE59n1z2l4Pjkg-VS4emnZOFZNfgNZQYCMdKx5JcosLRueJBS-kz5p5Ml5-T7lo/s1600/images+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWB2k2gnkTrol40tlK68zvA9U42lP2tw8ot62-FC21_ODnUayv4eXNX29F3eRI809j9KjyBgnus11ZsE59n1z2l4Pjkg-VS4emnZOFZNfgNZQYCMdKx5JcosLRueJBS-kz5p5Ml5-T7lo/s1600/images+%252817%2529.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">With that being said, I
don’t think it is wise to build that tension through sexting and not be able to
act on it. Reasons for that are hopefully clear, in terms of outside of
marriage, but even in marriage it is not the best scenario. This sexual tension
naturally comes about through foreplay so expressing the desire in a sext
without immediately being able to act on it can just leave us with lustful
thoughts about our spouse aka sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sexting holds us back
from trying to live a life following Christ. I know how appealing it can be,
but I also know the joy and freedom that comes from purity of thoughts and
words. <b>Trust in the plan that God has for you, that you are loved and worth the
pure abundant love of another. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-28153284818140528862015-06-18T10:51:00.000-04:002015-06-18T10:55:23.781-04:00Paradise Lost?<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> In Theology
of the Body, a teaching of Pope Saint John Paul II, we look to the Garden of
Eden to show us truths about the human person.
Often, when talking about the Garden of Eden, we talk about how great it
was, with all of the innocence and peace, and how all of that is lost forever
because of sin. This was how I understood the story of the Garden of Eden for a
long time, that we had one chance for paradise and we blew it. We would always
be controlled by sin which meant that I would always be stuck in a whirlpool of
sin and unhappiness. It is true that mankind was expelled from the Garden
because of sin and, through our disobedience, we broke our relationship with
God. This would be a really awful story,
if this were the end. <b>It’s not</b>. <i>Christ came into the world and died on the cross to redeem us.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Redemption
in Christ offers us something better than the Garden. Here, I would like to
differentiate between restoration and redemption. Restoration would be to go
back to the original state of being in the Garden. Redemption involves a saving
transformation. God has made it new. God is all-knowing. He knew we were going
to sin when He created us with freedom and so made a plan to give us something
better than the Garden.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwnSXyt13jZxNDAN4ACkb2aUccFg24aYYiHQsl8k0WxY1vFThLWOxM1fl7VajwEjW14963B0snbH0t40mD6on4mGkt-ARc51qGG7clt-ViwvVpc0YzS5tZbvdHsGO8LVjXQi4C1YBsT9r/s1600/public-domain-images-free-stock-photos-bicycle-bike-black-and-white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwnSXyt13jZxNDAN4ACkb2aUccFg24aYYiHQsl8k0WxY1vFThLWOxM1fl7VajwEjW14963B0snbH0t40mD6on4mGkt-ARc51qGG7clt-ViwvVpc0YzS5tZbvdHsGO8LVjXQi4C1YBsT9r/s400/public-domain-images-free-stock-photos-bicycle-bike-black-and-white.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is not just about living in a
heavenly paradise. It’s also about our daily life. He gave us Christ who
instituted the sacraments. The grace
that we receive in the sacraments gives us the power to live out the call of
the Kingdom of God. “What is the Kingdom of God?” you ask. Jesus
gives us the answer to this question in the Gospel of Luke. "The coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the kingdom of God is among you" (Lk. 17:20b-21). Every day, we have the opportunity to
live out innocence and peace through grace. We can choose love instead of use,
generosity instead of greed, and humility instead of pride. It is when we
choose goodness that we make the Kingdom of God present in the world. At times,
this seems insurmountable. You do not have
to look far to see the pain and hurt caused by sin, but by grace, we are set
free from sin. Slowly but surely, God changes our hearts to love Him better. He
has changed me. I once thought that the battle against sin was hopeless and
that even trying to overcome sin was pointless. I felt helpless. God would not
let me keep believing this lie and showed me that He had given me the power,
through the sacraments, to choose freedom instead of sin. Here’s<span style="color: red;"> </span>the thing about grace, <i>it’s stronger than sin. </i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg8DfKSm4Qlp69NeEQL_Fw1ZIdDU-LvXavyuy4xNDQcv09GNN2MdMV1K3bQ72AL3zC7qkNqSxkyLVftgAxksKsPhh0KsK_6gA0OCnCmmpDCMZlVj9lvsAmZUcL8YZVSQQIgpB4D5DQgxK3PG9a4Z1Sj77HFujQR0SMyHbUAxgZ5iai7C_HQzZI8vO2q=s0-d-e1-ft" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg8DfKSm4Qlp69NeEQL_Fw1ZIdDU-LvXavyuy4xNDQcv09GNN2MdMV1K3bQ72AL3zC7qkNqSxkyLVftgAxksKsPhh0KsK_6gA0OCnCmmpDCMZlVj9lvsAmZUcL8YZVSQQIgpB4D5DQgxK3PG9a4Z1Sj77HFujQR0SMyHbUAxgZ5iai7C_HQzZI8vO2q=s0-d-e1-ft" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This relates back to
Theology of the Body because in our relationships, we can feel like we will
never be able to love the other person as we should. Sometimes, chastity seems
too difficult to master but we have to remember it is grace that enables us to
love our significant other. There’s a
story of several bishops in the early Christian Church, who saw a prostitute
passing by. All but one bishop turned away as she walked by so that they would
not lust after her. The one bishop looked at the woman intently with love. As a
result of the love that this bishop showed her, the prostitute turned her life
around and became a saint, St. Pelagia. The difference between the two
responses, both noble, is that God ultimately wants us to be able to look at
everyone the way that Adam looked at Eve in the Garden. The freedom that the
one bishop had is offered to all of us. When we have this freedom, it
translates into our relationships. In freedom, we can truly love. This is the
essence of the Garden of Eden: freedom and love. These are not lost to us at
all but through Christ, av<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>ailable to us <b>right now</b>. <i>Let’s not forget this truth.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guest blogger: Camilla MacKenzie</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-49445742240666134072015-06-12T13:59:00.003-04:002015-06-14T15:21:17.412-04:00 The Lies of Love <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSPltaEvPyCbsOyDi-4zsTADjalxGXGhMo_tS1fbg2xdG0y13ajmG454W_OirwQZ_kTnVU2w7VrK_pZDrrxjrfWTW1wC-s20icCrby0eNiY6NUf2RQ_xIYl5RzywQockBtKvYUqGswY2N/s1600/ovs4lb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSPltaEvPyCbsOyDi-4zsTADjalxGXGhMo_tS1fbg2xdG0y13ajmG454W_OirwQZ_kTnVU2w7VrK_pZDrrxjrfWTW1wC-s20icCrby0eNiY6NUf2RQ_xIYl5RzywQockBtKvYUqGswY2N/s200/ovs4lb.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 7<sup style="text-indent: 0in;">th</sup></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">
grade I dated a guy for 1 day and then we broke up. Why? He was not performing
the bells and whistles of proving his love to me. I was not “feeling” him, therefore, I ended it. BOOM! No mercy
here. I had this idea of how I wanted my man to express the grandeur of love to
me through our dating relationship and I would not settle for anything less. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When teaching in
class, we define <b>love</b> for the
students as<b>, doing what is best for the
other person.</b> You would be amazed by how many of them think that love, to
be true, must have feelings. Those warm and fuzzy feeling are simply
infatuation but they are neither good nor bad. These infatuating feelings can
sometimes lead to love. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can assure you, it
is possible to be infatuated with someone and not do what is loving for them.
Think about celebrities… I am one of the world’s newest Swifty fans. I LOVE HER
1989 ALBUM! If I saw Taylor Swift out walking down the street you bet I would
express my infatuation for her talent. But it would not be very loving, if I
tackled her causing her to get hurt. The loving thing to do would be to shake
her hand and say thank you, right? We have all heard those stories of celebrity
fan sightings and restraining orders happening as a result of them going overboard.
So, yes it is possible to be infatuated with another person and not do what is
loving for them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
margin-left:69.5pt;margin-top:0;width:109.5pt;height:109.75pt;z-index:2;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:right;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:center;
mso-position-vertical-relative:margin'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"
o:title="11138154_10153540276464156_3889213248776010945_n"/>
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin" anchory="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFAPZiaIeubb_xw_KZHDCAlkXqassDznY38609jj4NqJTKcaluDIA3FYDhX4T1ugovYqt64vCI2xY2lG9tS9m2on99nUIjXstFF9okaGZ-VKlIYS6HOrg3pJfI-L3CcWgmde2ttXUw413/s1600/11138154_10153540276464156_3889213248776010945_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFAPZiaIeubb_xw_KZHDCAlkXqassDznY38609jj4NqJTKcaluDIA3FYDhX4T1ugovYqt64vCI2xY2lG9tS9m2on99nUIjXstFF9okaGZ-VKlIYS6HOrg3pJfI-L3CcWgmde2ttXUw413/s200/11138154_10153540276464156_3889213248776010945_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you authentically
love another person and not be infatuated with them? It might be surprising to
hear, but yes this is possible as well. If anyone has ever been irritated with
their parents or annoyed with their siblings then they can recognize this truth.
My brother and sister are 8 years younger than me. Yep, I am a third-wheel to
their twin bond for life. Haha. They are my favorite people and I love them
very much (I do what is best for them). When we were living under the same
roof, I would get home from school and walk into my room to witness my sister
trying on all of my clothing and my brother eating all of my snacks. You better
believe I kicked them out of my room so fast. I did not have warm and fuzzy feelings
for them. It wasn’t like I walked into my room and saw them destroying my life
and said, “Oh brother of mine, thank you for eating all of my snacks.” RIGHT? No
one does that, we are human and sometimes we get upset. Therefore, you can see
how we can love another person without being infatuated with them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCp3ZOI49NC96JMEpV7IauVX7Pmqq-vq6W8PeOWgCEUNiu0qvidg_-_DDU_PUZ3UFNZmeVk2Nb1Bc_ykvv-n8t8sylhUMkdTbrZKJxLn2eAOAw2tbsiMtn-nFU2v_VCvpQrJtyiZ5jBIUv/s1600/images+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCp3ZOI49NC96JMEpV7IauVX7Pmqq-vq6W8PeOWgCEUNiu0qvidg_-_DDU_PUZ3UFNZmeVk2Nb1Bc_ykvv-n8t8sylhUMkdTbrZKJxLn2eAOAw2tbsiMtn-nFU2v_VCvpQrJtyiZ5jBIUv/s1600/images+%252814%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Infatuation comes in
waves throughout a relationship. It is not always going to be present. We
cannot base our love on the feelings. <b>Love
is a choice and it involves and action.</b> We choose to do what is best in our
relationships. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This leads me to my
original dilemma. I grew up for a large part of my life thinking that love HAD
to have these feelings, but I was wrong. It has taken me a few years to change
my mind-set on love because our society drills into our brains that love is about
the feelings. I mean we see it on every TV show, in movies, throughout the
books we read, and even in our daily conversations. The scene is always the guy and
the girl in a place that somehow it is perpetually raining. The guy has made some silly
mistake and now he is begging for her love saying, “Tell me Susie, do you
really love me, do you have feelings for me?” Now can you begin to understand how our over
sexualized culture is affecting our thoughts by confusing authentic love for
infatuation? But, honestly, most of those scenes are just referring to
infatuation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
margin-left:358.35pt;margin-top:11.85pt;width:163.6pt;height:122.05pt;
z-index:4;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:margin'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg"
o:title="images (13)"/>
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin" anchory="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mZyxMYj2H2JYauiJi59isf0RWl-cdumIqs1FMxkiNNNsMDjAQBgejRyoJVpbrj1eYi-vlednIN-A96q9z5sA0wAOTD7ZsL-PIzoCxLLTNxGLQTd5edcMrntDg2djTSmuB-f38JtwjDPr/s1600/images+%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mZyxMYj2H2JYauiJi59isf0RWl-cdumIqs1FMxkiNNNsMDjAQBgejRyoJVpbrj1eYi-vlednIN-A96q9z5sA0wAOTD7ZsL-PIzoCxLLTNxGLQTd5edcMrntDg2djTSmuB-f38JtwjDPr/s1600/images+%252813%2529.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I have grown up past
7<sup>th</sup> grade, my thoughts on love and what kind of man I would like to
marry have shifted. I no longer want to be with the man who I have those infatuated
feelings for, who will complete me. I want to be with the man who inspires me,
challenges me to be better, and the man who will truly love me by doing what is
best for me. I read an article recently on the dating problems of our generation
today, which you can check out <a href="http://verilymag.com/2015/06/marriage-relationships-lasting-commitment-patience-love-choices-aziz-ansari">here</a>.
It struck me in more ways than one but I want to share a few thoughts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> True marriage and relationships are ok if they
have elements of infatuation but the goal would be to <b>date and</b> <b>marry someone who
has a patient openness to loving a flawed human being. </b>In this kind of openness to love, we allow
ourselves the freedom that infatuation-based relationships do not. This is the
freedom to be ourselves, and to not worry if ‘who we naturally are’ will be a
deal breaker. Even though our society
basically pukes infatuation everywhere, that is not what will bring about a
deep lasting marriage. Marriage is going to be tough. It is not about personal
gratification, but about growth and goodness between the two of you. <b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The author shares a
story about a couple’s choice to get married and it might surprise you. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“They
gazed into one another’s eyes as they told me their love story, and it struck
me how incredibly simple it all was. They had dated for a long time before they
broke up—unsure of each other’s imperfections and afraid to commit to
someone who wasn’t the right match—and then finally got back together again.
But they didn’t get back together because they came to a resolution regarding
one another’s flaws or because the stars were finally aligned. They got back
together and <b>ultimately decided to marry
because they didn’t know anyone else they would rather struggle though marriage
with</b>—and they both wanted marriage.”</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;
left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:110.4pt;margin-top:356.85pt;width:242pt;
height:124.55pt;z-index:5;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:margin'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\ALICIA~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.jpg"
o:title="wedding-venues 2"/>
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin" anchory="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibw9xySqtAyj08iAs8OgOGMXnPwZKPpUYlgEZ6Mq4Wnf6NuIxUDOfLV6M7x8Y5Jz-kEHQ5cSW_Mf-oKvh7_2BWonQFSOVj9QHMLiqtH9aFspMkstr64d6j7yGUuCOHGN74flPYRd_J_IFb/s1600/wedding-venues+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibw9xySqtAyj08iAs8OgOGMXnPwZKPpUYlgEZ6Mq4Wnf6NuIxUDOfLV6M7x8Y5Jz-kEHQ5cSW_Mf-oKvh7_2BWonQFSOVj9QHMLiqtH9aFspMkstr64d6j7yGUuCOHGN74flPYRd_J_IFb/s320/wedding-venues+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is now my goal in my relationships, especially the ones
that are romantic. I would like to love someone, who I can fully recognize how
they are a flawed human being. At the same time not let that thwart our
affection. Our own weaknesses can build up the relationship to make it stronger.
So that, in the end, we still strive as a team to do what is best for each
other in leading the other to heaven.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you love those in your life authentically or are you simply letting infatuation
be the base of your relationships? </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-39467296267868605182015-03-25T13:13:00.005-04:002015-03-25T15:14:37.065-04:00Heartbreak Warfare <h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwcmt-V6wfQazHxuOvIWNt-araoUaM8dozvwteRigPftU_YP9_yTV9nasBfrExelDrQqBtKl7MogBBi8UFlT-xK7VMvePDujKeP1l7vG_SRwgYEPhxGl7HZiK4tcK7FNDHJ2W-P67eYRU/s1600/the-break-up-2006-798521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwcmt-V6wfQazHxuOvIWNt-araoUaM8dozvwteRigPftU_YP9_yTV9nasBfrExelDrQqBtKl7MogBBi8UFlT-xK7VMvePDujKeP1l7vG_SRwgYEPhxGl7HZiK4tcK7FNDHJ2W-P67eYRU/s1600/the-break-up-2006-798521.jpg" /></a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You are not the one.”</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boyfriend held me in his arms,
looked deep into my eyes and said that to me. WHAT? This was the beginning of <i>THE END</i> for us. Unfortunately, we did
not have a clean break up. It was filled with a lot of tears and the spiral of
emotions that accompany a broken heart.
We intentionally wounded one another and ended all communication. We
both ended up losing a friend. </span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need help when the emotional
aftermath of post break-up overtakes our lives. I want to share with you <i>The Break-Up Guide, </i>which was derived by
my househould sisters. We have come up with some ways to help cope with the
initial post break-up stage. This consists
of the 3 day period right after someone has broken your heart. This also
applies if you are the one who has done the heart-breaking.</span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (We will look at this from a female
perspective.)</span></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXardkDW3ImomLtEirvSBAjxuBZO98PDoqCS7blhZxh9IJU9YrhYfNk6guZryul__-JyS1YItXWEWS1jACEfNpvSormOsmyESGvaeKTIyo-O39Bt8JOQmdFouua777yMZl0fXrrNJKe7GI/s1600/break-up1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXardkDW3ImomLtEirvSBAjxuBZO98PDoqCS7blhZxh9IJU9YrhYfNk6guZryul__-JyS1YItXWEWS1jACEfNpvSormOsmyESGvaeKTIyo-O39Bt8JOQmdFouua777yMZl0fXrrNJKe7GI/s1600/break-up1.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During these 3 days you are allowed to
wallow in the pain from your broken heart, the dream of the life you envisioned
getting ripped from you, and the storm cloud that continually looms above.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">These days may include ugly tears,
chocolate and junk food, remembering all the cutsie </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facebook/Instagram photos, obsessively analyzing all of your old
texts to see where exactly things </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">went wrong, not showering for days because you don’t care enough to
function, and avoiding the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0in;">real world because you do not want to see your ex anytime soon (or
ever again.)</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the 4</span><sup style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> post break-up day you </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">must </i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">begin to get your life in order:</span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> a.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shower.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> b.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Don’t stay in your pj’s all day- Get dressed in
the morning, it will make you feel a little better. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Apply make-up, looking great will help you feel
great.</span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Stop posting melancholy <i>Coldplay</i> song lyrics onto social media. (We all know who you are
talking about and that you are hurting from him.)</span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">e.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Clean up your room/apartment because you know
you have an overflow of tissues and crummy pizza boxes by the trash can.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7oEgEu_YeZqWhyUjBLL72qPvnGZUK1Q1FmtwHvEkkPkZL3WT0jk5Zx5EU2N2hjnOYs9VuZCugQzCXo9fGRGdhrFG3uqSeU17n-nKlRzcWvdk3-yd0O9iYLvmOALKQFkA_lX6zIED_iy7/s1600/someecard_breakup_adele.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7oEgEu_YeZqWhyUjBLL72qPvnGZUK1Q1FmtwHvEkkPkZL3WT0jk5Zx5EU2N2hjnOYs9VuZCugQzCXo9fGRGdhrFG3uqSeU17n-nKlRzcWvdk3-yd0O9iYLvmOALKQFkA_lX6zIED_iy7/s1600/someecard_breakup_adele.png" height="224" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">f.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Don’t obsess and stalk him on social media. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">g.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Go to class/work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">h.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Resume your normal favorite activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">i.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Don’t resort to self- destructive behavior such
as excess drinking, smoking, drugs, picking up men for a one-night stand, or
self- harm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">j.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Communicate with others who have been wondering
why you dropped off the face of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">k.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Delete your ex’s old texting conversations so
that you no longer live in the past dream that is not going to come true. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">l.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Possibly delete your ex’s number entirely to
help with him not being a part of your life anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">m.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Spend time in prayer surrendering your pain to
God and allowing Him to comfort you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">n.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remember who you are. You are an independent
person who doesn’t need another person to know they are valued and worthy of
true love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some additional thoughts to keep in mind during this time:</span></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Having good girlfriends to support you helps. Vent
to the person(s) who you know well, love, and trust to just be a good listener.
It is ok to be selfish with your time right now, as your heart is healing. Try
to avoid spending time with people who might drain you and bring you down
instead of building you up. At this time you are going through your whole
relationship ‘play by play’ so you will repeat the story multiple times. Even
if you don’t realize it now, you will ‘word vomit’ a lot and will most likely
be very annoying, so pick your friend who will listen wisely.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Recognize that everyone goes through this stage
of the <i>raw </i>post break-up differently.
Ever heard that song about how “the heart does not break even?” It is
true. So be patient if you know someone
who is in this stage and simply be there for them.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH8pWzRSNhiE-jNmxPrYtNohjdmVfzmbUr-WoOd6uSWr7th6Z7I_fRQZXdz4sDqao9b5hoOk_-4sUpd85gdVZzoQikaNg6WIS2SsTTsL0TvcL_UQPOGhhwwUypa04PfaNJp7_wQYZhKIj/s1600/bb6761dda3726beecf812d409e4d18d0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKH8pWzRSNhiE-jNmxPrYtNohjdmVfzmbUr-WoOd6uSWr7th6Z7I_fRQZXdz4sDqao9b5hoOk_-4sUpd85gdVZzoQikaNg6WIS2SsTTsL0TvcL_UQPOGhhwwUypa04PfaNJp7_wQYZhKIj/s1600/bb6761dda3726beecf812d409e4d18d0.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">While the hard
and fast rule is 3 days… you may adjust the number of wallowing days according
to the length of the relationship. For example: 1 month dating you only require
1 day for wallowing. Or 2 years dating, it is ok to take a week or so to be
consumed with the sadness. The important thing is to just give yourself a cut
off day when you will get out of bed, dry your tears, and begin to move on with
your life.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Just because you have gone through this process
does not mean you will never think of your ex again, but it is a good idea to
get to a place of thanksgiving for what you have learned when he crosses your
mind. This way you do not dwell on him, just move on in your thoughts. </span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the things I have adopted in
my life when it comes to break-ups; they have been very effective! It may seem
difficult to put these suggestions into practice. However, sometimes when we
don’t take extra steps for our hearts to heal in the aftermath of a break-up we
could end up creating a larger wound. I know every break-up has its unique
wounds, but trust the Lord to guide you in healing your heart fully in His
time.</span></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy healing! </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="normal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-60443936465425041062015-03-04T14:03:00.001-05:002015-03-04T15:53:18.123-05:00Too Scandalous for Hollywood <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">You could categorize me as: the girl with Dad wounds. This
has affected a lot more of my life then I usually care to express. </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> never
been very emotional; there </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">wasn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> time for that when I was a kid. I had to be the strong one, the adult at a very young age. I needed to take care of my
siblings when our mom was gone for work and dad decided to let addiction lead
him down a destructive path. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zSyQi_YAywl_JGyjoXBHwZJwIS7Ge1fcGvM_HOZXu9VuC-c6RaKReBhHtr_ZXqA6FuyCdicSiZpP8q5wAJg7-HYXtmRq-RKgyMQzAro2M3ynYK6bhgWS3tVYTb_oCq3X7K_eTRxlNqR8/s1600/10701971_10153161260084156_7038918447305528976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zSyQi_YAywl_JGyjoXBHwZJwIS7Ge1fcGvM_HOZXu9VuC-c6RaKReBhHtr_ZXqA6FuyCdicSiZpP8q5wAJg7-HYXtmRq-RKgyMQzAro2M3ynYK6bhgWS3tVYTb_oCq3X7K_eTRxlNqR8/s1600/10701971_10153161260084156_7038918447305528976_n.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place of prayer and Adoration</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Portiuncula Replica at</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Franciscan University of Steubenville </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">When I was a freshman in college my parents were finalizing
the long awaited divorce and one night I received some heartbreaking news. I
felt like no one would understand. I </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> know what to do. After my tears
ducts stopped leaking I literally ran (in my pj’s) to the chapel for prayer and
Adoration. I broke, in the soothing presence of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One moment I was eye to eye with the Monstrance, the next I
was resting in the peace of the Spirit with Jesus. I was looking around, no
longer in the chapel, but on a sandy beach. The Lord gives us the desires of
our hearts, and I was just beginning to realize this truth, for I love the
beach. I’m basically a sunshine child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I looked around this beach scene I was startled by
beauty. The fall seasonal, crisp, salty wind (my favorite season) was blowing
the waves in to crest perfectly, and the greenest grass I had ever seen blew
just so. I still had no idea why Jesus wanted to show me this place, so I
looked for some sign of a lesson I could learn or take comfort in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After a moment of seeking, I saw a man and rushed towards
him because my heart knew him before I could fully make out who he was, my Beloved,
Jesus. Overwhelmingly, <b>joy burst through
my soul, by being in the physical presence of the Lord</b>. He just held me in
his arms for what felt like forever. We walked along and explored the beach, as
the waves sang a lullaby of peace, putting to rest all my worries, helping me to
trust in the Lord who was leading me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I shared my experience with a priest friend of mine
because, yes, I know, this seemed crazy. I promise you it is real, so stay with
me. He just smiled and said, “Ah! You two have a place.” What a delight it was
to go to my place with Jesus and talk. Not every prayer time would lead me to
rest in the Spirit and go to this place, but sometimes I was given the gift of
being with him there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMkuzB26B6O1EAShuLCwqRZxbC2spBFddtZCN7ff3pAi9kfaVLiG7DBKkHYTIoluwEciqtg1vlQ-4tnkQ-xVIMU_wqbWRHl7w6p8DAg38nvHnfHSw1mfvdJ4FWa2O-P3jwcSj3DN2kwS5/s1600/892157_10152102811329156_417965416_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMkuzB26B6O1EAShuLCwqRZxbC2spBFddtZCN7ff3pAi9kfaVLiG7DBKkHYTIoluwEciqtg1vlQ-4tnkQ-xVIMU_wqbWRHl7w6p8DAg38nvHnfHSw1mfvdJ4FWa2O-P3jwcSj3DN2kwS5/s1600/892157_10152102811329156_417965416_o.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fast forward a few months… I went on a retreat to grow in
becoming the Beloved’s through a deeper understanding of womanhood. Sitting in
Adoration, my place with Jesus kept coming to mind. I had to figure out why. As
we walked beyond the beach to an archway that seemed to have no end, outlined
by dozens of trees, I asked Jesus. On one look I could tell these trees had been
there for a very long time. They had a shade of soft, blush pink leaves that
covered the whole sky forming a tunnel of beauty like I had never seen. My
favorite color is pink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I starred in awe at these trees, Jesus got down on one
knee, took my hand into his own, and looked right at me. He said, “Chloe, I love
you. I am yours and you are mine… Will you let me be enough for you?” This was
his proposal to me as my Beloved, of course I said yes! Then we danced. I stink
at dancing, yet love to be a part of the intimacy of a dance; somehow Jesus was
the perfect teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the midst of dancing he whispered, “Chloe, this place,
our place- the fall air, the beach with the peaceful waves, the wonderful aged
pink leaf trees- where you can always find my presence, is the beauty of your
soul. I cried as I realized how the Lord really knows my heart better than I
know myself and how he took the time to romance me exactly how I needed to be
healed of past wounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If it
is true that our hearts and soul are made for God, then we starve for beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK609fl7dcvoGrSm9Sv7mClZ5KqFu6vHORYBvGIrR4DjLCKMZvc0XYNbLAOCyQNPXtolWZoq7cU0A3axwT8hVkv8M0ToNBNjourP6oz_PHDH8weiXtp0Zmtxjla8UNnJBX99-hlzbJU-z6/s1600/JesusAkiane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK609fl7dcvoGrSm9Sv7mClZ5KqFu6vHORYBvGIrR4DjLCKMZvc0XYNbLAOCyQNPXtolWZoq7cU0A3axwT8hVkv8M0ToNBNjourP6oz_PHDH8weiXtp0Zmtxjla8UNnJBX99-hlzbJU-z6/s1600/JesusAkiane.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.akiane.com/store/</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I heard in a homily once that we are not defined by our own
wounds but by the wounds of Christ. This stuck with me as a lot of times in my
past, out of anger; I let my wounds define me, but no longer. Just to remind
myself of this I even sign my letters/emails with “In His Wounds, Chloe.” I am
the Lord’s and I will remain hidden, taking comfort in his wounds rather being
crushed by the weight of my own. He makes me whole, new, and beautiful. The
things that have broken my heart are actually the ways God shows my unique
beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are all made in His image and likeness, yet our own sin
twists and distorts our view of ourselves and others making it difficult to see
one another truly in the light of Christ. But this is something we so deeply need to
recall in the presence of each human person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Know that God is revealing himself more and more to you through
your daily lives and how wonderfully perfect he is guiding you to discover yourself
anew. You are, right now, just as he desires you to be. Hold onto the truth
that he has not created a flaw in you, he never leaves you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-euBcRNcDK-lXzqdncJfZwXckbQqlwBH5PfmPmAK9l1GwOhw0g38JQaxCqHq-ucXwVMXB1lazDGuIJFNTNLyaYnIGpCyMD6D-5hc9H10EA9zi-e6EBCre6v_GWvjG5Q5Surd7mfvOOr_/s1600/96c8cb98366db6bd601ad3b59b13195f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-euBcRNcDK-lXzqdncJfZwXckbQqlwBH5PfmPmAK9l1GwOhw0g38JQaxCqHq-ucXwVMXB1lazDGuIJFNTNLyaYnIGpCyMD6D-5hc9H10EA9zi-e6EBCre6v_GWvjG5Q5Surd7mfvOOr_/s1600/96c8cb98366db6bd601ad3b59b13195f.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">People ask me all the time about why I work in the ministry
field. My experience lit a fire in me to help others notice just how lovely the
Lord sees them. Honestly, I am so drawn to the beauty of the broken souls, through
sin, we are all broken souls. At the same time I stand in awe of the healing
hand of the Lord in our lives. I love the broken, in that I strive to see Jesus
in each of you, and to respond in kind. If I can share and show the loving
mercy of God to one person I encounter on this earth; that is when I am doing
his will. <b>We all have to keep a
stubborn, tenacious faith in the mercy of God</b>; which if we let ourselves, we
often see through others around us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our calling as authentic men and women is to be beautiful
from our souls, reflect the Lord, so that others may know him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">P.S. A common question I have received upon telling this
particular story of my faith journey is: are you going to enter the religious
life? No, I have discerned, with the Lord, that I am called to the vocation of
marriage! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-7651703119810255242014-12-18T12:56:00.003-05:002014-12-18T14:26:01.347-05:00Naked Notification <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKoClI6g48UCdwy_ZcEo8xDnJcpqyiukwab2Outj7azxnFr_5gLKmEQmTckaN0nz0Pxr6Zdoomgni8E4aYTqlBOWdxQIBY4TadqE1XL-v3Czz96-0prCGYUelgwhbHYdat-YoPI-6BHCu/s1600/images.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKoClI6g48UCdwy_ZcEo8xDnJcpqyiukwab2Outj7azxnFr_5gLKmEQmTckaN0nz0Pxr6Zdoomgni8E4aYTqlBOWdxQIBY4TadqE1XL-v3Czz96-0prCGYUelgwhbHYdat-YoPI-6BHCu/s1600/images.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Boise Tech Mall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was
babysitting eleven kids a few weekends ago at a hotel. Every child was under
the age of 11, and all of them were well versed on how to use technology. They
knew how to work smart phones better than I did. They just assumed that the
hotel TV had <i>On Demand</i> movies
recorded already. They had no idea what I meant when I explained that the TV
only had basic cable. Even the one-year-old knew how to turn the iPad on with
the button and a swipe of her little finger.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Technology
has been pretty helpful in my own life. I remember plenty of times being lost
while studying abroad in Europe. When in Paris, we were able to use my
Smartphone to find the best viewing spot of the Eiffel Tower. Or
when at the <i>Head and the Heart</i>
concert (that happens to be one of my best friend’s favorite bands) the option
to record a song was a wonderful way to include her in the memory. Also, being
able to connect with family and friends overseas has been a blessing!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">But at
what cost?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The social
media world seems to be finding convenient ways to help us all stay plugged in
and connected. We have <i>Instagram</i>,
where we can take and edit pictures so people only see the best side of us. We
have <i>Snapchat</i>, so that others can
view our stories through images. We have <i>Twitter</i>
and <i>Facebook</i>, where we share all the
great things about ourselves. And many more Apps and websites are available to
draw people closer to the amazing details of our lives.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs7pHzZYL4tIvx4jNYYGAvGCafq8jFO-plc0LvU3vpT8myJ4Yb-s4h0uzJ3MzPtdsPhtEJ2i-htpfrw_81m3eVtGGnhgSlnIEKDILFlQEBkszaKymbJOh_SMPpTNAUQLcSAohV4k_45wd/s1600/face-to-face+communications-resized-600.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs7pHzZYL4tIvx4jNYYGAvGCafq8jFO-plc0LvU3vpT8myJ4Yb-s4h0uzJ3MzPtdsPhtEJ2i-htpfrw_81m3eVtGGnhgSlnIEKDILFlQEBkszaKymbJOh_SMPpTNAUQLcSAohV4k_45wd/s1600/face-to-face+communications-resized-600.gif" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">We are
now supposedly more connected with each other than ever before.
We thrive on the amount of followers we have and the amount of <i>likes</i> we get for each update or photo we
post. I would venture to say that instead of technology connecting us, the
reality is… <b>We are losing the ability to connect with others.</b> Beyond
all the ways we share with our “friends,” we actually end up feeling isolated, instead
of feeling more connected.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">As part
of my job, I talk with teens about chastity and the beauty of God’s plan for
our sexuality, but as you can imagine there is some down time when we can talk
with the teachers as well. This past week I was able to talk with one teacher
on this subject of technology and social <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>media. She has
been a teacher for many years and has noticed a very interesting shift in her
students’ behavior. She said her students’ attention spans have decreased
since technology has become more and more “at our fingertips.” She even noticed
her students need more review in order for them to retain any information. They
have little desire to remember anything because they have the ability to ask <i>Siri</i> or look it up on Google.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
college, I studied the Catholic faith and how to pass it on. During one class
on youth ministry my professor predicted that in the future he has a concern
that teens won’t ask, “Who is Jesus?” but rather, “What is a relationship?” At
this point, here is our dance with technology. With all the ways we
seem closer through our Apps, we are missing out on the truest form of intimacy
we all crave by establishing REAL relationships.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Plugging
into our digital lives more and more could cause us to forget how to form an
actual relationship with another human person face-to-face. What a scary
thought. If one day, people can’t form relationships they will be unable to find
authentic love. <b>Our hearts long for
authentic love and the fleeting attention we receive by the number of<i> likes</i> in our media will not fulfill our
desire for this love.</b></span><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
solution? Silence. </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">All the technology in the palm of our hands has caused a growing
problem. We don’t like silence. We can’t just <i>be still</i> anymore.
We fear the silence. Maybe we want to avoid the truth that we would have to
face if we allowed ourselves to reflect inward on the longing of our hearts.
This might sound extreme but we are numbing ourselves to reality. Avoiding the
unpleasantness, loneliness, sufferings, anxiety, boredom, we use the noise or
the notifications to fill the false need instead of the real need of being
wanted and loved. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQcyAi3kW3MS4mo3xcN6cda6WO9ipBPZgh0JQjRrG4_52ZaxohKVaz2aoxBEX5JkhCnyI45aml-FXYQvrbxJ2FmaT7Fo6hW0ZNnPSVMeDeLgcog7V7Pi1kKIrZ8XlNrMqQfl7gUXsE7Xs/s1600/adorationBESTTIME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQcyAi3kW3MS4mo3xcN6cda6WO9ipBPZgh0JQjRrG4_52ZaxohKVaz2aoxBEX5JkhCnyI45aml-FXYQvrbxJ2FmaT7Fo6hW0ZNnPSVMeDeLgcog7V7Pi1kKIrZ8XlNrMqQfl7gUXsE7Xs/s1600/adorationBESTTIME.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Nashua College </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Silence creates
the room for us to hear God. For me this was not an immediate thing I woke up
and did. It takes practice. We must begin to discipline and train ourselves.
The more we grow in prayer, the more natural it will begin to feel to rest in
the stillness. The most important relationship we need to grow in is our
relationship with Jesus Christ and silent prayer time is a great starting
place. As we become more rooted in Christ we can more fully shed the things of
this world. Letting go of the earthly things “connecting” us gives us the
freedom to give our lives and connect our hearts to God. So I pose this question to you:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b> Is logging
into your technology logging you out of true intimacy? </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05916946777501409825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-19861170671218003722014-10-03T13:11:00.003-04:002014-10-03T13:14:22.690-04:00DJ's Introduction<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would like to take a moment to formerly introduce myself
to the PCE community. My name is D.J. Hueneman and I am honored to join such a
dedicated staff here at PCE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud
to say that I was born and raised in Cincinnati and attended Elder High School.
I went on to earn degrees in Secondary Education and Paramedical Sciences at
the University of Cincinnati. I currently hold an Ohio teaching license and
Ohio paramedic certification. I enjoy speaking with young people about God and
have had the privilege of leading several retreats. This has been an exceptionally exciting start to the school year as my wife and I await the birth of our first child.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The call to ministry came later in my
life after pursuing several other careers. I have worked as a paramedic,
firefighter, and science teacher for several years before arriving at Pregnancy
Center East. My previous job experiences gave me a direct look at lives
devastated by poverty and broken homes. I’ve noticed that many young people
have a distorted view of love, and there are few options offering God’s view of
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited for the opportunities
I will have to spread the word of God to young people with PCE. Kelly and I had
an amazing opportunity to speak to 147 High School students about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">True Love and the Dangers of Pornography</i>
at the beginning of the school year. This was a unique assembly style talk we
hope to continue in addition to our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In
Control</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Theology of the Body</i>
classes. Kelly and I continue to work hard finding new and exciting ways to
reach our students.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
DJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110829326447619689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-30855354981587123052014-10-03T13:09:00.001-04:002014-10-03T13:09:20.834-04:00Chloe's Introduction
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">My name is
Chloe Morrill and I am happy to introduce myself as Pregnancy Center East’s
newest Chastity Educator. I hail from a little town named Fruitland, Missouri,
which is located an hour and a half south of Saint Louis. I earned bachelor
degrees in Theology and Catechetics from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Most of my family lives in Missouri, but as my mom says, “Although Cincinnati
is far from Missouri, you will love working in the pro-life movement.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">I was involved
with the middle school and women’s ministries at Franciscan University, which deepened
my understanding and love for the dignity of the human person. I have been
blessed to speak with women, men, and teens about the truth of their respective
identities as sons and daughters of God. I have walked with many as their lives
have been transformed by the Lord. These moments took my breath away and gave
me a desire to work in a faith filled environment upon graduation. I hoped to
work in a ministry that upholds this dignity and fights on the front lines of
the pro-life movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">You can imagine
my delight when I discovered Pregnancy Center East! During the summer I helped
teach the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Theology of the Body</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for Teens </i>summer classes while training
to present our chastity programming in </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">22 elementary
schools, 4 high schools, and 7 parishes</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">
here in my new home, the beautiful city of Cincinnati. I look forward to the
opportunity to tell many more young people how wonderfully they have been made
in His image and help them discover the beauty of the Catholic faith through
Chastity Education. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif";">So far, this
journey has been an adventure of humble growth. I have two degrees and a little
experience under my belt, but I am so excited about all the things I am going
to learn as we continue through the school year. I have big shoes to fill, and the
opportunity is a great honor. I am diving in with all that I am to serve the
Lord and the members of the Pregnancy Center East family. Please pray for me!</span></div>
DJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17110829326447619689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-199860344649520602012-12-10T16:01:00.002-05:002014-12-18T12:46:02.357-05:00Choosing the Rite Outfit<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Until about 4 years ago, I usually wore jeans and a hoodie/sweater to Sunday Mass. After all, jeans were nicer than my usual soccer shorts or sweatpants, and I was comfortable in that. I figured that the point was not what I wore to Sunday Mass, but rather that I was there every week, participating fully, actively, and consciously. My parish seemed to be on my page, wardrobe-wise. Some people dressed up, but most people dressed casually, and it wasn't uncommon for some kid to show up in his or her full soccer uniform, right down to the cleats. "Come as you are," was my policy and that seemed sufficient.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Junior year of college, I transferred to a school where <i>everyone</i> dressed up for Sunday Mass. Girls wore skirts, dresses, heels, cardigans, and jewelry. Boys wore dress pants and collared shirts. A guy in a tie and blazer would be much more on the bandwagon than a guy in a tee shirt. It was different than what I was used to.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It made me think, though. Which is better? "Come as you are" or "Bring your best to God"?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Both.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">...Kind of. I thought a lot about appropriate Sunday Mass wardrobe and here's what I've got. There are pretty much 3 basic questions I ask:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Is it modest?</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This is the most basic one. If my clothes invite anyone to lust, then it's not appropriate to wear anywhere, including Mass. Disqualifications include skin tight, too short, featuring cleavage, or words on the butt.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Does it reflect the importance of the event?</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When people do or attend something important, we dress up. Think of an audience with the Pope, a graduation, a wedding, meeting the President. The most important day in the liturgical calendar is Easter Sunday, and we've always dressed accordingly. Every Sunday, year round, is a "little Easter." Sundays are not counted in the 40 days of Lent because we are celebrating the Resurrection. Every Sunday is a re-celebration of Easter Sunday. That's a big deal, so I wear something nicer than I would wear if I were going to the mall or a friend's house.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Is it reverent?</span></strong><br />
<div class="mceTemp">
<dl class="wp-caption alignright" data-mce-style="width: 206px;" id="" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center; width: 206px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a data-mce-href="http://ucsocietyofsaintpaul.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/b16.jpg" href="http://ucsocietyofsaintpaul.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/b16.jpg"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img alt="What the heck is a humeral veil, you ask? It's the cloth over Pope Benedict XVI's hands in this picture." class=" " data-mce-src="http://ucsocietyofsaintpaul.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/b16.jpg" src="http://ucsocietyofsaintpaul.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/b16.jpg" height="153" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="196" /></span></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">What the heck is a humeral veil, you ask? It's the cloth over Pope Benedict XVI's hands in this picture.</span></dd></dl>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Mary, Jesus' Mother, always magnifies the Lord and leads us to him. John the Baptist announces and prepares the way for Jesus' ministry on earth: "He [Jesus] must increase; I must decrease." Did you ever wonder why priests wear a humeral veil during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament? Part of the reason priests wear that when they handle a monstrance that holds Jesus' Precious Body, is to draw attention <i>to</i> the Eucharistic Lord and <i>away</i> from themselves. We are all called to direct everyone's attention to Jesus, and what we wear speaks even when we're silent. If my clothes will encourage anyone to look more at me than at him, I won't wear it to Mass.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The end result is that I wear a dress or skirt (sometimes dress pants/dress shirt) Sunday Mass. Cardigans are key. My shoes are a little more casual: usually Toms (not flip-flops), and sometimes I wear heels. If, due to some unfortunate, unavoidable, unforeseen circumstance, I am not able to dress up for Mass, <i>then</i> I go with the "come as you are" principle (For that reason, I give people the benefit of the doubt. For all I know, they were out of town the night before, had car trouble, couldn't get home to change before Mass, and can't go to any of the other Masses because Great Aunt Ruth needs their help all day.).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In closing, here's an interesting video about what priests wear to Mass, what the vestments symbolize, and what priests pray when they vest. Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxxYLmD8T_U&w=560&h=315]</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Do you have any tips on Mass wardrobe? Is appropriate attire for weekday Mass different than Sunday Mass?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<em><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Cross posted at <a data-mce-href="http://ucsocietyofsaintpaul.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/choosing-the-rite-outfit/" href="http://ucsocietyofsaintpaul.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/choosing-the-rite-outfit/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://ucsocietyofsaintpaul.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/choosing-the-rite-outfit/</a></span></em></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-82187003837130865452012-06-20T10:53:00.001-04:002014-12-18T12:43:24.072-05:00Modesty Matters: Humility<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="entry-content" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Sometimes it’s easy to get so focused on how leggings can’t replace pants and <a href="http://chastity.com/chastity-qa/how-far-too-far/modesty/it-wrong-wear-bikini/it-" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #bb5974; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">bikinis encourage lust</a> that we forget why modesty matters. Following specific rules when getting dressed is great, but styles come and go, so I stick to principles that I can apply no matter what. I’d like to share some of those principles, beginning with (drum roll, please): Modesty is part of humility.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Conquering my desire to be desired is, for me, the most challenging aspect of practicing modesty and chastity. Wanting to be wanted is not bad: it helps us seek and find community, experience intimacy, and be drawn to the Lover of our souls, who desires us more than his own life. Only the divine can fulfill our desires. Everything else the world offers, even good things, leave us wanting more. Nothing finite satisfies us because we were created for eternal life. Therefore, all of our desires must be oriented towards holiness, or we’ll never actually be satisfied. Humility is seeing myself as God sees me; no more and no less.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Inextricably linked to confidence, humility flies in the face of “flaunt it if you’ve got it” as well as the lie that I am unworthy of love. A humble person knows that she is a wonderful reflection of Beauty himself and does not need to prove it by exposing her body. She knows that the gift of her sexuality is so precious, that the only person to receive her must first lay down his life before God and his Church, and she refuses to cheapen that gift or allow anyone else to preview it. She does not compete with others for attention because she is secure in who and whose she is. Want to be humble? <a href="http://www.bombaxo.com/blog/?p=404" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #bb5974; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Check out the Litany of Humility.</a></div>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_477" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.5em; padding-left: 0.5em; padding-right: 0.5em; padding-top: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 223px;">
<a href="http://puritasblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/modesty.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #bb5974; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-477" src="http://puritasblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/modesty.png?w=213&h=300" height="300" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.398438) 0px 1px 1px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0.25em; margin-right: 0.25em; margin-top: 0.25em; max-width: 100%;" title="modesty" width="213" /></a><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'Sorts Mill Goudy', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0.5em; margin-right: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Prom Pick: I love bows, pink, and other girly things, so I love this dress from Delia's! If you have long legs, it might be too short, but their return policy is pretty good. $39.50</div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Challenge yourself. Ask why you want to wear that dress, tell that joke, discuss that topic, or buy those shorts. Is it to draw attention to your body? Turning heads is not bad—you’re beautiful!</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But showing too much of your body can distract others from seeing the rest of what makes you wonderful: your smile, sense of humor, silly expressions, compassion, strength, etc. It is tempting to choose clothes that show off your body, but I urge you- overcome that temptation! Humility is dignifying, pleasing to God, and reveals your unique beauty in ways immodesty simply cannot.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="sharedaddy sd-like-enabled" id="jp-post-flair" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 0px !important; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-left-radius: 0px !important; border-top-right-radius: 0px !important; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-23429570705107980622012-05-14T00:16:00.003-04:002014-12-18T12:46:30.491-05:00Masturbation: What's the Big Deal?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As the Creator of sex, for which I think we’re all grateful, God knows the absolute best way to use it. When we choose to express our sexuality as it is intended to be expressed, tremendous graces and blessings enter the world.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Sex is the marital vows, translated into body language. My anatomy expresses the reality that I am someone’s gift. Sexuality is not meant to be self-serving. Sex is designed to be a complete, life-giving, faithful, free gift of self, and its purposes are the built-in results: babies and bonding.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Masturbation, however, turns sexuality in on itself. Masturbation is all about me: my pleasure, my desires, my loneliness, my stress, my sleepless nights, my gratification, my “whatever.” Masturbation is incompatible with love (doing what’s best for the other person), and that is why it’s a mortal sin. There is momentary pleasure, but no openness to life, no giving, and no receiving. It is a band-aid approach for whatever struggle the person hopes it will relieve him or her. What appears to be a remedy only brings shallow and temporary relief, but never healing.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">In fact, it usually deepens the wound, especially because masturbation is so addictive. Addiction is an assault on freedom. Between fixes, an addict (to drugs, masturbation, cigarettes, pornography, alcohol, or anything) may feel stressed and on edge, consumed by her craving and anxiously seeking an opportunity to get the next fix. An addictive behavior limits a person’s ability to love, because she cannot give what she does not possess. Until she dominates her own desires, they enslave her.</span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If you are struggling with an addiction, talk to a counselor or priest who can help you overcome it. You are not a freak, a loser, or a lost cause. You are also not the only one who struggles with your addiction. God—who desires to free you from every entanglement so that you can experience true love, joy, peace, and happiness—loves you. God’s grace is bigger and stronger than masturbation and/or any other addiction we face.</span><br />
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="embed-youtube" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #f3f3f3; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1kV9DG8qtjk?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="text/html" width="640"></iframe></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Although I don’t struggle with the temptation to masturbate, it has burdened friends I love very much, both male and female. For added perspective, here are some other Catholics who are talking about this issue:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.stevegershom.com/2011/11/light-of-hope/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“Natural” by Steve Gershom</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.stevegershom.com/2011/11/light-of-hope/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“Light of Hope” by Steve Gershom </span></a><br />
<a href="http://lifeteen.com/1-09-not-quite-sex/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">“Love Life Podcast – Not Quite Sex” by Matt Smith at Life Teen</span></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-87675262279764064062012-04-21T12:30:00.004-04:002012-04-21T12:30:58.283-04:00Oh, the humanity!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://puritasblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/katniss.jpg?w=300&h=168" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-462" height="168" src="http://puritasblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/katniss.jpg?w=300&h=168" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" title="katniss" width="300" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">HUNGER GAMES SPOILER ALERT. Skip to the next paragraph.) During the tribute interviews leading up to the Quarter Quell, the audience in the Capitol is an emotional hot mess. The same spectators who have gleefully taken pleasure in 74 years of watching tributes murder one another are crying, fainting, and calling for change.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-459" height="167" src="http://puritasblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/kony-2012.jpg?w=300&h=167" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0.5em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" title="KONY-2012" width="300" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Invisible Children’s Kony 2012 video, posted to YouTube March 5, 2012, has garnered more than 86 million views and a passionate, albeit rash and emotionally driven*, response from many people (especially teens and young adults). As the video points out, technology enables us to see and connect with people all over the world, in ways we never previously could, and allows us to come face to face with people who had been “invisible” to us. Many are shocked by and distraught about the plight of child soldiers in Africa and, although they don’t know how, want to do something to save them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> <a href="http://puritasblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/trayvon-martin.jpeg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-463" height="225" src="http://puritasblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/trayvon-martin.jpeg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; display: inline; float: right; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0.5em; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: auto;" title="trayvon-martin" width="300" /></a>Trayvon Martin is a seventeen-year-old boy who was recently shot and killed. The case was under investigation for awhile, because law enforcement that acts first and thinks later is usually more dangerous than it is protective. However, the case elicited an interesting cultural reaction: people began donning hooded sweatshirts to rally one another to consider Trayvon to be “one of their own” and see from the perspective of Trayvon’s family members. Bloggers and reporters insist that if our children are not safe, no one is.<br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So, what do the Hunger Games, Kony2012, and Trayvon Martin have in common? When people recognize someone’s humanity, they do not tolerate his murder.<br /><br />Some folks argue that a baby isn’t a person until implantation, or until after 120 days, or until he/she can survive outside of the mother, or even until some time after birth, but scientific advances are making it harder and harder to deny that life begins at conception. That is why ultrasound technology is such a key player in the pro-life movement. An ultrasound reveals not a clump of tissue, but a little human being. Upon seeing her baby and hearing his or her little, beating heart, a mother’s anxiety is often overshadowed by awe, respect, protectiveness, compassion, or love.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1EStMIHpFow?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Abortion ends the lives of three to four thousand little kids every single day in the USA, and that will continue for as long as we tell ourselves that they are not people</span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">“I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child – a direct killing of the innocent child – murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?” – Mother Teresa</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*I am fully in favor of rescuing child soldiers, but for reasons I do not wish to get into here, I don’t think Kony2012 can accomplish that.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: medium; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-39355673997178016062012-04-14T12:04:00.003-04:002012-04-14T12:16:51.492-04:00This one's for you girls...<a href="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00mcvzGyC1ql5rivo1_500.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 334px;" src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m00mcvzGyC1ql5rivo1_500.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I've been asked so many times about what "guarding your heart" means, how you do this practically, especially if you're in a relationship that could lead to marriage, etc. etc.<div><br /></div><div>And, although grad school and life just seems to have gotten in the way of me coherently gathering (and blogging...) my thoughts about this and many other things, it's a question that still catches my interest. Here's something to think about:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://catholicyoungwoman.blogspot.com/2012/04/pieces-of-heart.html">The Catholic Young Woman: "Pieces of My Heart." </a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;font-size:13px;">"Eventually I questioned the premise that 'to love' was equivalent to 'giving one's heart away.' . . . . </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;font-size:13px;">We needn't be afraid. The flutterings of the heart that we experienced in that relationship that ended have taken away nothing. To give our hearts and our love to our husbands never meant to give him the sentiments that come with package but in the end are only incidental to True Love. Giving our hearts to our husbands means giving him a heart that is fully immersed in God's." </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;font-size:13px;">"Above all else guard your heart, for in it lies the wellspring of life." - Prov. 4:23</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-28732097355499590122012-04-12T14:50:00.000-04:002012-04-12T14:50:50.630-04:00Sticks and Stones Build Churches<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rmoesRNUmTMgtTda7oCAbJDvqh3RAcaXUxCTSNLyVV4k-RajN-sjPthaNeF2wloo0pmQ0Z7ZeYO47AlGIhrAbGmQNx69lcT6dxVPFi7aP_SElobknq1kHcvdXcCAfywrgEp1cLUfhb4/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rmoesRNUmTMgtTda7oCAbJDvqh3RAcaXUxCTSNLyVV4k-RajN-sjPthaNeF2wloo0pmQ0Z7ZeYO47AlGIhrAbGmQNx69lcT6dxVPFi7aP_SElobknq1kHcvdXcCAfywrgEp1cLUfhb4/s1600/heart.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
From the HHS Mandate to Nicki Minaj’s Grammy performance, Catholics have a lot of reasons to be offended these days. I guess, even after 1982ish years of it, we still haven’t warmed up to being the community punch line. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against us, but dang- it won’t be for lack of trying.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
My twelve college roommates would attest to the fact that I’m pretty laid back, I have an overactive sense of humor, and it takes an awful lot to offend me. That changes, however, the moment you start talking about my Mama. Malicious comments or disrespectful jokes about Holy Mother Church just don’t tickle my funny bone. Too personal, you know?</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
If you’re an offended Catholic, be assured that I am right there with you. But please do me a favor: stop babbling about how these things would never fly if they were offensive to Muslims. Of course they wouldn’t—mocking someone’s religion is always out of bounds. Don’t waste another moment pointing to another kid on the playground and wondering why no one bullies him. Once you’ve gotten over that, bust out your Bible and catechism and make sure you know how to respond to people with bogus ideas about the Church and her teachings. We have their attention! Let’s use that!</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In and through the Sacrament of Confirmation, you accepted as your own the mission of the Church and received the Sacramental grace to carry it out. That mission is basically this: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). You know the peace, joy, wonder, and awe that come from being in a relationship with Jesus. Don’t let fear or insecurity stop you from revealing the beauty of Catholicism to others.</div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:13-17</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-23534827432050941042012-02-21T21:10:00.000-05:002012-02-22T18:10:57.953-05:00Susan went from being "single" to "in a relationship."<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the girls at your lunch table is dating a jerk.
They’ve been together for a while, but everyone knows she’s too good for him
and nobody understands why she puts up with him. You tell her, “He’s just using
you,” and “You deserve so much better!” but to no avail. She defends his
antics, assuring everyone that he’s not as bad as he sounds, and “If you guys
knew him like I know him, you’d understand.” Everyone sympathetically shakes
their heads and sighs as she stares at her phone again, wondering what he <i>really</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> meant by that text message.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then one Friday, purely out of the blue, she marches to the
lunch table, plunks her lunch tray down on the table, and declares, “I’m done.
It’s over.” Jaws drop, eyes widen, and everyone scoots in, eager to hear more. “The
things he says and does are not okay, and I am sick of enabling him. From now
on, I am only dating guys who respect me and what I stand for.” You and your
friends devote the rest of the day providing supportive text messages, warm
hugs, and declarations of “I’m so proud of you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In English class, you whisper to another friend, “So, do you
think it’s too good to be true?” She shrugs and whispers back, “Let’s just do
whatever we can to help her see that this really is what’s best.” You invite
your group of friends over to your house for a girls’ night in her honor and
all seven of you stay up talking, laughing, and eating ice cream until two in
the morning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday night, you log onto Facebook and before you even get
a chance to upload the album from Friday, you see that nasty little heart
announcing to the world that they are in a relationship. “Cute,” you think, “18
people like this.” You scroll over it and, sure enough, all of his friends and
their girlfriends are thrilled about it. You click over to her profile and your
stomach knots as you read her status: “Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got
until it’s gone. I’m so sorry I made you doubt my commitment. Thank you for
always forgiving my stupid mistakes. 10.18.11 <3 Together forever <3” 16
people, who clearly aren’t clued in on the situation, like this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was disappointed, though admittedly not shocked, when
Susan G. Komen for the Cure publicly apologized for having the prudence and
courage to withdraw their financial support of Planned Parenthood. I had hoped
that we could make Komen feel right at home “on this side of the fence,” but
they have abandoned their bravery and “gotten back together” with an
organization that pretends to help save lives but, in reality, ends life. Maybe
in the future, with our support and encouragement, Komen will do what’s truly
best for women by using their grants to fund health instead of homicide.<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-65898383507803382912012-02-10T19:03:00.004-05:002012-02-10T19:14:11.501-05:00Matt Fradd - Breaking Free from PornSweet video of last night's Life on the Rock show with Matt Fradd! Great guy. Inside this episode Matt tells his conversion story and really gives a clear picture of authentic love - the role of feelings, what infatuation is, the commitment of deep love...and why chastity is necessary for authentic love. <div><br /></div><div><div><div><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qmF7S5QJuXo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> </div><div>You can visit Matt's website <a href="http://http//www.theporneffect.com/">here</a>, as well as take a look at <a href="http://www.whodoesithurt.com/guests/144-dr-peter-kreeft">Peter Kreeft's "Battle Plan"</a> for conquering sin in our lives.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-25332582050902485122012-02-09T14:20:00.002-05:002012-02-23T21:05:52.224-05:00"Throwing Stones at Ocho's Pornography"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HwFfcPpBfzZRzIKZsVx5y-bInPWIB6pevCULghPN7REC197era9eccF9mbktihybCO5EuQACtuffhBCxc_Eh1N9WMtq5_-RM0x1wXe6hJHpYj4lxo6pqDC_r8SZhreMYq_2C5UoiQ5Jp/s1600/new_bird.png"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HwFfcPpBfzZRzIKZsVx5y-bInPWIB6pevCULghPN7REC197era9eccF9mbktihybCO5EuQACtuffhBCxc_Eh1N9WMtq5_-RM0x1wXe6hJHpYj4lxo6pqDC_r8SZhreMYq_2C5UoiQ5Jp/s1600/new_bird.png" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 80px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 139px;" /></a> John Leyendecker of <a href="http://http//www.focus.org/">FOCUS</a> tweets at Ochocinco regarding the use of pornography... and gets a response. Read the whole thing <a href="http://www.focusequip.org/blog/posts/throwing-stones-at-o.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-32439043737226083752012-02-07T21:42:00.004-05:002012-02-07T21:58:38.031-05:00Women Made NewJason and Crystalina Evert announced today that they have launched a new website focused on sexual healing for women: <a href="http://www.womenmadenew.com/">www.womenmadenew.com.</a> It looks beautiful and I can't wait to explore it more!<div><br /> <div><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BLXS14j57TU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Through their new website I also found <i>Celestial </i>magazine, which is dedicated to nurturing the soul of women. Love it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a sneak peak of <i>Celestial</i>:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"From a young age, we are taught as women that when we grow up we are supposed to "become someone". In the mind and heart of a young girl, the possibilities are endless! The innocence of our youth impelled us to dream and desire things that now seem impossible in our womanhood. So where along the way did we lose these dreams, our innocence, our childlikeness? Can we recapture this all again?" </i>Click <a href="http://http//inside.celestialmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=61">here</a> to read the rest. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-19212395904842147992012-02-04T18:58:00.002-05:002012-02-04T19:07:04.712-05:00"Jesus Proposed on a Cross"Any thoughts?<div><br /></div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/I4OK9DmLpCY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-38489400324518879072012-02-01T12:09:00.002-05:002012-02-21T20:45:38.864-05:00Breakin' up is hard to do: My letter to the Susan G. Komen Foundation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqemi4xlPf7nILUgeE4yC7f96KnJFAMnpuDtFJyqhy0frJMMNhtLLA3cUP4_Rt3aQ1qOQwAlKsaI8h1MXsckbbfuuvu3B2kJnm05IHMt_XcWKcZ1FNYjrn3mV-pgS61A0ymIlQ5ZVGrI/s1600/komen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqemi4xlPf7nILUgeE4yC7f96KnJFAMnpuDtFJyqhy0frJMMNhtLLA3cUP4_Rt3aQ1qOQwAlKsaI8h1MXsckbbfuuvu3B2kJnm05IHMt_XcWKcZ1FNYjrn3mV-pgS61A0ymIlQ5ZVGrI/s1600/komen.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>The Susan G. Komen Foundation has denounced its relationship with Planned Parenthood! This is thrilling news for anyone in support of women's health, family life, marriage, the pro-life movement...</i><br />
<br />
<i>This is a bold move that could very well result in the loss of many of the Foundations' supporters, so I encourage you to write them a letter, assuring them that they have gained <b>your </b>support. Not sure what to say? Here's the letter I sent them today. Feel free to copy:</i> <br />
<br />
To whom it may concern:<br /> <br />
I am personally grateful that you have severed ties with Planned
Parenthood. Thank you for taking this important step in women's health. I
look forward to supporting your work in preventing breast cancer
through mammograms (which, as I understand it, Planned Parenthood does
not provide) and other services. Although severing your relationship
with Planned Parenthood was likely a difficult choice, it is truly
necessary, because an abundance of studies indicate that abortion and
oral contraception (to which Planned Parenthood can direct more funds
while someone else foots the bill for other services) increase a woman's
risk of breast cancer. By cutting ties with Planned Parenthood, the
Susan G. Komen foundation is refusing to fund what it fights. Thank you
for your commitment to the cure.<br />
<br />
Kelly O'Brien<br />
<br /><br />
<i>I sent my letter to <span class="gI">news@komen.org. If letters ought to be addressed to someone else in the Foundation, please let me know!</span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-721016179862131842012-01-19T17:11:00.002-05:002012-01-19T17:23:46.993-05:00March for Life 2012<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;">Excited for all of those who will be marching for life on January 23rd in D.C. this year! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;">BUT, if you can't make it to D.C., head downtown this Sat. Jan 21st for the Cincinnati Pro-Life Rosary Procession and Rally. Our own leaders in the pro-life movement from PCE and PCW will be honored in a special way! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.cincinnatiprolife.org">www.cincinnatiprolife.org</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;">Thanks for all you do to promote LIFE! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;"><i><b>I ask you all to have the patience and perseverance to seek justice and peace, to cultivate the taste for what is just and true.</b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;">" - Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus Address January 1, 2012</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Microsoft Sans Serif';font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/StS3nUpDNqc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-538430617865260519.post-27780291878727792402011-12-30T13:56:00.004-05:002011-12-30T14:10:41.611-05:0028 Days on the PillInteresting to think about. How much DO we know about the birth control pill?<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rvWFJ7ExbTY" frameborder="0" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://www.28daysonthepill.com/">http://www.28daysonthepill.com/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0