[Faith-talk] Relationship Issues

Mon May 15 03:55:48 UTC 2017

Hi Sarah,

I don't counsel women.  I'm just saying that this is what the 
Bible says, and we here in the church which I attend follow its 
teachings the best we can in this world where it either can't be, 
or isn't done that way.  It works for us, so it's not impossible.  
We live in an imperfect world, and of course I know that 
everybody can't do as we do here.  My message was not meant to 
cover all the bases.

Blessings,

Linda

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Sarah Blake LaRose via Faith-Talk <faith-talk at nfbnet.org
To: "'Faith-talk, for the discussion of Blindness in faith and 
religion'"<faith-talk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Sun, 14 May 2017 23:44:23 -0400
Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] Relationship Issues

Hi, Linda.

I certainly appreciate your perspective on this.

I also want to say that speaking as a female, the way that you 
are speaking has been used abusively by many conservative 
churches and there are many women who cannot, and do not have 
children to raise, or who cannot stay home due to the financial 
needs of their families.  Please bear these things in mind when 
you are speaking to women.  All Scripture has a context.  The 
words of Paul were written to churches in specific cultural 
situations.  Paul had no thought that they were ever to be used 
to direct the lives of American churches.  How we interpret these 
words needs to be against the similarity of the culture then and 
the culture now.  If we demand that the woman stay home and keep 
house and the result is that a family becomes impoverished, we 
have used Scripture to oppress and not as a tool of blessing.  
The reality is that many women in ancient times worked out of 
their homes and it is likely that the work they did contributed 
to their family's welfare both economically and otherwise.  
Because of cultural norms, the women did not do the trading.  The 
men did; but the likely traded goods that were produced by women.  
Please think on this before discouraging a woman from working and 
using her God-given gifts.

-----Original Message-----
From: Faith-Talk [mailto:faith-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
Of Linda Mentink via Faith-Talk
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2017 10:46 PM
To: Faith-talk <faith-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Linda Mentink <mentink at frontiernet.net
Subject: [Faith-talk] Relationship Issues

Hi All,

I have read with interest all the posts.  Quite a few things 
crossed my mind as I read.

Firstly, Bill, as has been said, you're too eager, and will turn 
women off with this eagerness or pushiness.  A man tried that 
with me once.  I wasn't interested in marriage, but I gave him a 
chance.  He was a sighted man who played Bass Viol in the 
orchestra which accompanied a community choral group with which I 
sang for many years.  He was very oppressive, and was so full of 
himself, that I told him that there was no room for me, or anyone 
else in his life.  He asked me how to attract a woman.  I told 
him a few things!

Secoddly, to Erica's point about "shacking up," this one really 
bothers me.  I don't know who made the rule in the Social 
Security Administration that people living on SSI lose income 
when they marry, encouraging even Christians to disobey God's 
Word the Bible.  God never said to forget marriage if you 
wouldn't have as much mone coming in.  I believe that this is a 
serious sin, and that God will not bless those relationships, and 
the people in them, as much as He will those who live their lives 
in obedience to Him.  Those who do this are defiling the marriage 
bed, and committing adultery.  Shame on the American leadership 
for putting this rule forward and enforcing it!

Thirdly, anyone desiring to be married should study the passages 
on this in the Bible, especially if they are Christians.  We are 
not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, so fellowship with 
those of like precious faith.  The blind Christian needs to 
handle himself or herself appropriately, and must be confident, 
not helpless and dependent on others.  Marriage is a partnership, 
and a sighted person is not going to even want to enter into a 
marriage relationship with a blind person who can't take care of 
themselves.  As to how far you should go, keep your clothes on.
And, if you're a man, and you can't support a woman, get a job.
God commands mothers to be keepers at home, which society has 
disobeyed.  The man is to be the head of the home, as Christ is 
the head of the Church, and its up to him to provide for his 
family.  The woman should stay at home and raise the children.
That's the Biblical plan.  Some have worked it out so that the 
woman goes to work and the man stays home, in the case of some 
blind friends I know.  And in some cases, both work.  It's tough 
to figure this all out, but it should be done prayerfully.

I am 61, and have remained single and a virgin.  I have had 
relationships over the years, but they didn't work out.  I am 
very content as a single woman.  Paul encourages us to be as he 
is, thereby being able to serve the Lord more fully.  Because I 
don't have to divide my time between taking care of a husband and 
family and serving my Lord, I can be single-minded inservice to 
Him.  I know many who serve the Lord together as couples, and 
most couples I know and fellowship with are happy, well-adjusted 
people raising their children in the church.

If we are willing to obey God's precepts, we will save ourselves 
from a lot of heartache.  Commit your way to the Lord, and He 
will give you the desires of your heart.

I hope this makes sense!

Blessings,

Linda

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