Comments on: Miles Better than Winning the Lottery

By: mailloux

mailloux — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:43:05 +0000

your explanation of the importance of spiritual love was spot on. In the wrinkled infirmity of a long married couple, who have faced many hardships, there is much beauty to behold. It’s that grace of God that shines through.

I greatly appreciate your readership, your very kind words, and your insightful comments.

Take Care, mailloux

By: mailloux

mailloux — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:18:58 +0000

“A cheapening of sex” is certainly one of those phrases. In popular culture it seems to have lost any meaning whatsoever. Cheapening has about as much meaning as a nonsense word like “bapply-he-haw” Most cannot not even begin to fathom what cheapening might involve. You, though, have summarized it nicely.

The late Pope John Paul II went into a great deal of detail concerning human sexuality and the cheapening of sex in our modern age. His collected works on the topic are often referred to as Theology of the Body. My post is derivative of that theology.

Thank you too for reading and for your comments which are always perceptive and thought provoking. And, if the good Lord allows, I still hope to be blogging and/or writing in some capacity ten years from now.

Take Care, mailloux

By: penguin2

penguin2 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:01:55 +0000

Instead of refrigerators lasting 20-30 yrs, washing machines forever, cars with a little care, giving many years of service, everything manufactured today is built with an obsolescence date. As the leftist in our society have been taking down our core foundational values, starting with the concept of God, they have been able to erode the moral values and institutions that derive from such a spiritual foundation. They have created and sensitized our society to a life of belief- that nothing is to be sustained, or striven for.

Babies are disposable, families are disposable, marriages replaced or unnecessary, people are disposable as they become inconvenient and a “burden” on society. The leftist don’t recognize or accept that we are sustained when we are challenged and have something to strive for. Their life construct seems to lead to a disintegration of the spirit and soul. Ours take us to great paths on this earth and beyond.

By: janis

janis — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:21:04 +0000

marriages is so very true. And it’s also sad that so many people never stay in a committed relationship long enough to appreciate the evolving aspect. So many think that if they hit a hard patch–and all of them will–that it means it’s time to opt out and look for greener pastures. They never place themselves in the position of doing the hard work that will lead to true maturity and solid spiritual growth. My parents are in their 80′s and have been married for 62 years. They’ve lost a son, been through financial difficulties, have both been seriously ill, etc. and they remain devoted to one another.

That initial rush of passion falls away. If you and your partner don’t work to strengthen the spiritual bond, there is nothing to sustain the relationship. It’s only when you go through hard times together and work to overcome them together that you realize the value of true commitment. In our increasingly disposable society, the family unit has really taken a beating.

By: penguin2

penguin2 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:10:08 +0000

Last night I was reading your diary, and as I often do I start talking about what another profound writing you have produced. Right as I said that, my husband said he had caught one while at work. He normally doesn’t have time to read much of Redstate, so I either tell him about stuff, share my Mailloux folder (I’m talking printed pages), or bookmark diaries for him to read.
Anyway, I thought it was neat that he just happened to catch this diary.

I like the way you are able to correlate the love of God and the Trinity with the spiritual love that should exist in the marital relationship. And I guess my emphasis is on the importance of that spiritual love. As the marital relationship evolves, and it will, having a strong foundation of the spiritual bond is what will hold it together, long after physical attributes change or life’s circumstances stress the marriage. To me, this is why marriages of long standing duration, even unto illness and ultimate death by a spouse show continued commitment and devotion. In other words, the couple was sustained by a spiritual value connection and commitment, greater than all other early images, which do fade.

As Janis and others said above, your children are beautifully blessed to have such shinning examples to live by. They are gleaning from their family home, an incredible foundation that will take them through life.

By: Vaughn Harold

Vaughn Harold — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:47:50 +0000

By: janis

janis — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:39:11 +0000

all sorts of thoughts, feelings and remembrances. You make a point that hardly anyone in popular culture will admit to anymore, which is that sex is not solely about the physical, even when it is between two people who don’t even know one another. Two people cannot be that intimate, cannot share such strong passions without leaving an intangible part of themselves with the other. And that’s the fact that no one touches upon when it comes to explaining why teenagers shouldn’t be sexually active. They are not emotionally mature enough to even recognize what they are throwing away in the heat of the moment. Unfortunately, many older folks are no wiser in this day and age.

I appreciate your characterization of sex being “weaponized” in this day and age. Seeing the clothing and accessories for sale for little girls these days is disgusting. Our culture has certainly moved in a drastically unhealthy direction when 4 and 5 year old girls are prompted to look like little hookers. Maintaining a child’s innocence in this world is truly a heroic struggle. I hope that you will still be posting here in 10 years so we can see how your kids make it through their teen years. If ever a child had every spiritual tool they needed to do it successfully, it surely would be the ones that you and your wife are raising. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us, mailloux. You help keep us all sane and remind us of what is truly important.

By: TNJim

TNJim — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:23:46 +0000

I recommend thee.

By: mailloux

mailloux — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:51:41 +0000

I do have a brother, but he’s older and already married. Ironically, he’s also somewhat belligerent towards religion and very liberal. Family dynamics are a strange thing, eh?

I will pray that God helps you in discerning your vocation and if it be marriage, then I pray you meet a wonderful spouse who, through your marriage, will help draw you ever closer to God.

Thanks too for you very kind words.

Take Care, mailloux

By: mailloux

mailloux — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:43:44 +0000

In my opinion there is nothing more heroically loving than one spouse tenderly caring for another at the end of life. Whether that involves changing an adult diaper or spoon feeding the equivalent of baby food, I’ve seen the love in their eyes for the person they married regardless of the ravages of age. And, truth be told, love tested by such fire is purer than the day they said, “I do.”

Thank you for weighing in with great insight!

Take Care, mailloux

By: Vaughn Harold

Vaughn Harold — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:16:55 +0000

do you part. It’s easy to love at first, but will you love at the end?

Love never quits, no matter how much it is abused, so get back to us on that love thing in about 40+ years.

By: mailloux

mailloux — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:57:42 +0000

Please see the comment directly below this thread.

Take Care, mailloux

By: mailloux

mailloux — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:56:20 +0000

is always greatly appreciated and your opinions/comments are highly regarded.

Thanks again.

Take Care, mailloux

By: Aaron Gardner

Aaron Gardner — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:45:13 +0000

By: mailloux

mailloux — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:39:28 +0000

Please read the post a second time. Nowhere in it did I say anything about the value of an atheist’s marriage. If anywhere in that post, you feel that was implied, it was certainly not my intention, nor is it my belief.

My post was on a Christian perspective of marriage. Further it was a call to reject defining marriage based primarily on the sexual act; something that I fear is happening on a more regular basis and in my opinion will be destructive. Finally, my post was a call for Christian conservatives to defend the institution of marriage.

As far as an atheist’s marriage is concerned? I’ll offer an opinion that will probably warrant another “Ugh”. But please do remember, you were the one that chose to comment in my diary. So, the way I figure it, you opened the door . . . You can no more hide from God than you can avoid breathing air. Even if you don’t believe in God, it doesn’t make his Providence any less real. You being a child of God will never be abandoned by Him. A loving marriage involving an atheist where the will of God is honored (and that will is to love selflessly) will be blessed by God nonetheless. God is a loving and patient Father desiring the salvation of all His children, including you exitsfunnel. If that makes you wretch with another “Ugh”, then I’m sorry for your visceral reaction, but I certainly won’t apologize for speaking my faith.

Always with respect, mailloux

By: exitsfunnel

exitsfunnel — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:44:11 +0000

I’m an atheist and I love my soon to be wife every bit as much as you love yours and our marriage will be every bit as valuable as your is.

Just so you know.

-exits

By: TxTess

TxTess — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:44:13 +0000

Just kidding! I am content single as I am.
As always a wonderful diary. I am thankful that you continue to share your thoughts. Your son’s statement wasn’t just an excellent bridge to the comparision to God’s love, but it is a wonderful show of your love for your wife and that you must be awesome parents. With both you and your wife as examples, your childrens’ future spouses are going to be very blessed.