I don't understand why there are so many people that refuse to read books like Harry Potter or Twilight for that matter. The most I can get out of anyone is that they don't want to read it just because its "the cool thing" or the "most popular" thing.
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!! Its like saying I'm not going to be Mormon just because everyone is so excited about being Mormon and thinks it so great. That is part of the reason we share the gospel. Because its a good thing. I am in no way saying that Harry Potter and Twilight are better than religion or that everyone should read those books or see the movies.
When you think about other movies like Batman, Transformers, or any other sell out popular movie you don't hear anyone complain and say "I'm not going to see it because I made a promise to myself that I wasn't going to see it because everyone else absolutely loves it and thinks its so good."
Granted I don't think that the Harry Potter movies are that great or Twilight. But I do like the books and have read them several times. Movies just really are never the same as the books but they can be as entertaining. But seriously what is with people just declaring they won't read a book or see a movie "just because".
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Why should I have kids?
Other than the obvious religous reasons why should I or why would I want to have kids? This world is full of so much hate, garbage, and evil that I don't want to subject anyone else to the pure evil that is running around in this world. I know that there are special spirits waiting to be my children but at the same time I find it very hard to want to raise children in today's society.
We live in a world where more and more things are becoming normal and accepted. Until it was brought to my attention I didn't realize all the trash and garbage that is on TV, in movies, and in music. I was absolutly apalled when I found out that the movie industry can leagally put partial nudity in a PG rated movie. Even G rated movies now tend to make some kind of inappropriate comment. We live in a society where it is ok to take an 8 year old child to a PG-13 movie that has sexual and drug related content and references. But its OK because that child won't know what it means. I was sitting next to a child in the movie Transformers 2 and he couldn't have been more than 9. He was laughing at inappropriate comments because everyone else in the theater was laughing. I figured that he didn't know what he was laughing about and it made me sad.
We live in a society where pornography, violence sex, and drugs are becoming more and more ok. Where people choose to live in a virtual world instead of the real world. Because the real world won't/doesn't or they don't think people will accept them for who they are.
Satan is becoming more and more powerful by the day and it is sad that it takes so little now to corrupt someone. That even a "harmless" video game or movie can seem so funny and so hilarious when I know that if it were to have been released when I was young, let alone my parents, there would have been quite a few thousand people outraged by what people are trying to subject us to.
Maybe I am living in a sheltered world but things are worse now than when I was a child. Maybe I shouldn't let that influence my decision on whether I have children. I know that I, as a parent, can choose what I subject my children to; but even then that is only limited. And then you get criticized by others because you "shelter" your children. Because, as it was pointed out to me, most kids now have cell phones so how, as a parent, are you supposed to monitor who you children are talking to and what kind of person they are. Let alone who they are spending time with.
I have a fear that if I do have children that they will be very sheltered because I don't want them to know and be tempted by all the evil things in this world that are becoming more and more accepted.
We live in a world where more and more things are becoming normal and accepted. Until it was brought to my attention I didn't realize all the trash and garbage that is on TV, in movies, and in music. I was absolutly apalled when I found out that the movie industry can leagally put partial nudity in a PG rated movie. Even G rated movies now tend to make some kind of inappropriate comment. We live in a society where it is ok to take an 8 year old child to a PG-13 movie that has sexual and drug related content and references. But its OK because that child won't know what it means. I was sitting next to a child in the movie Transformers 2 and he couldn't have been more than 9. He was laughing at inappropriate comments because everyone else in the theater was laughing. I figured that he didn't know what he was laughing about and it made me sad.
We live in a society where pornography, violence sex, and drugs are becoming more and more ok. Where people choose to live in a virtual world instead of the real world. Because the real world won't/doesn't or they don't think people will accept them for who they are.
Satan is becoming more and more powerful by the day and it is sad that it takes so little now to corrupt someone. That even a "harmless" video game or movie can seem so funny and so hilarious when I know that if it were to have been released when I was young, let alone my parents, there would have been quite a few thousand people outraged by what people are trying to subject us to.
Maybe I am living in a sheltered world but things are worse now than when I was a child. Maybe I shouldn't let that influence my decision on whether I have children. I know that I, as a parent, can choose what I subject my children to; but even then that is only limited. And then you get criticized by others because you "shelter" your children. Because, as it was pointed out to me, most kids now have cell phones so how, as a parent, are you supposed to monitor who you children are talking to and what kind of person they are. Let alone who they are spending time with.
I have a fear that if I do have children that they will be very sheltered because I don't want them to know and be tempted by all the evil things in this world that are becoming more and more accepted.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Triple the fun.
This last Friday was a great evening. My husband and I had the great pleasure of watching our friends adorable triplet girls. They are becoming more and more social every time we see them. (They no longer cry when my husband enters the room.) We had a great time. After the girls finished their dinner we headed outside to play. We ran around the play ground, climbed the slide, played in the sandbox and ran down a very small hill with wagons in hand. It was tons of fun, and they never ran out of energy. We went back inside to get a quick drink when our friends returned from their evening out. All us girls went back outside for more fun on the play ground. While we were outside we saw a rabbit that lives in the bushes make its way out. We tried to get the girls to slowly and quietly walk up to the rabbit, but he ran back into the bushes. The girls went up and down the slide and had both Melissa and I climbing up and down with them. It's been a long time since I've climbed up a slide. We made our way over to the swings and I took turns with each of the girls swinging with me. The higher we climbed the more they laughed. We all sang Happy Birthday to Melissa. Each of the girls took turns blowing out the candle. When Chloe had her turn she sang a solo of Happy Birthday just for her mom. After the girls went to bed we played the greatest game ever...... WASHERS. I may not be very good, especially since I've only played twice. But needless to say it is the funnest game and Jeff and I both LOVE it!
Thank you so much for letting us watch your girls and a wonderful evening of fun!
Thank you so much for letting us watch your girls and a wonderful evening of fun!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Debt
What more can I say, debt sucks! I am amazed at the amount of money people, myself included, can spend when they don't actually have it. I am happy to say that hopefully (cross your fingers) Jeff and I will be out of debt by the end of the summer! Good news right?! Well then there are student loans. Where is our bail out for that? But debt aside I would have to say that life is great and wonderful and I couldn't be happier!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Hello to all!
I have, in the last few days, decided to be better about a lot of things in my life. And my blog is one of them. For those of you who would like to "follow" or be listed as a "Friend" on my blog please let me know. I started to list friends and then realized that just because yes I consider you a friend doesn't mean you want everyone to know about your blog or read it. If you wouldn't mind having your blog listed let me know and if you don't want it listed I will remove it if it is already there.
I hope that everything is going well with all of you and as I figure more things out about blogging this will become more interesting.
Thanks to all of you for being such good friends!
I hope that everything is going well with all of you and as I figure more things out about blogging this will become more interesting.
Thanks to all of you for being such good friends!
Twilight for men. All men are vampires
I found this article the other day and found it very interesting. I think this explains why women/girls love Twilight so much. Plus it gives a little gospel spin on Twilight. ENJOY!
'Twilight' for men: All men are vampires
By Michael De Groote
MormonTimes.com writer
Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2009
It would be easy for a man to mock "Twilight" by Mormon author Stephenie Meyer. But the novel, which chronicles the swooning and ogling of teenager Bella for her vampire boyfriend Edward, should be required reading for all men. True, a man might find himself screaming at Edward: "Bite her! Just bite her already!" True, he might fling the book against the wall a few times in frustration -- especially when (spoiler alert!) the final great vampire showdown takes place while the first-person narrator is unconscious, which means there is no action description of what would have been the best part of the book: vampires fighting vampires. But if a man can read the book -- which, by the way, might make a great movie someday -- he just might come away with an amazing insight into what women want. And what do women want? Edward is the perfect man. And the good part is, every man is Edward. Every man is a vampire. Edward is described as a "beautiful boy" with "perfect lips" and a "voice like velvet." Edward has a "dazzling face" and, let's mention it again, "flawless lips." Again and again he is described as beautiful and gorgeous. He is strong, dark and beautiful. He is immensely talented and beautiful. He is sensitive and beautiful. He is moody and beautiful. Women and girls love him even though his ever-so-beautiful lips are cold and probably stained with cougar blood. In other words, Edward is the perfect man. And the good part is, every man is Edward. "But hold on a second," you may say. "I am not even handsome, let alone 'beautiful with perfect lips' -- I'm not sure I want to have perfect lips, I'm not sure I even want to know what perfect lips look like." But now I am going to give you the secret for understanding "Twilight" and when you understand Bella and Edward you will thereby understand all women. "Twilight" came from a woman's real-life, middle-of-the-night dream. In other words, this novel grew out of a woman's subconscious mind. It is telling us things she does not really want us to know. This, by the way, is a good place to take a moment to encourage you to never tell another person your dreams. If you are the type of person who has no difficulty figuring out the symbolism in your dreams, you probably aren't going around blabbing about your nightmares. If you can't figure out the symbolism in your dreams then beware -- other people will figure out every embarrassing personally revealing detail for you. And, true to form, this instance of Stephenie Meyer's dream is also personally revealing. We've looked at Edward. Let's look at Bella. Bella is good-looking enough. She is smart. She is brave. She has pluck. She is clumsy. And, she smells good -- especially to Edward who wants to drink all her blood, except that he loves her and that would end the relationship. In the topsy-turvy world of symbolism, Edward is every man and Bella is every woman. Yes, gentlemen. We are vampires. In a woman's mind, we are Edward. OK, so we are not perfect in our looks, but remember this is subconscious symbolism. Edward's perfection is symbolic of all the love and good things we represent to the women in our lives. It is the good us. But we are also vampires -- we have the ability to make life miserable for women. We can give into our own desires without regard of how it would destroy their lives. We have the power to dazzle or destroy. I am not going to get into anything deeper than this. There are other aspects, perhaps, to this that are best left for MormonTimes.com columnist Laura Brotherson. What is it about Edward that Bella and all Meyer's fans love? He controls his vampirish impulses and deep desires because he loves Bella. Bella knows he has these desires and admires him more than she would if he did not have these desires. Sure, he wants to drink her blood, but even more than that, he wants her to be happy and live. What could be more beautiful?
Edward, self-mastery and the marital fire
By Laura M. Brotherson
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009
Edward Cullen of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight fame has captured many hearts and minds. I'm not a big fiction buff myself, especially when it comes to things like vampires. But there is definitely something profound for young and old, male and female alike to learn from Edward Cullen.
As a marriage educator, I'm all about strengthening marriages, so after reading a recent article titled, "What Girls Want: An Edward" it got me thinking about how important some of Edward’s character traits are, not only for our youth going through the potentially treacherous teen years but for those of us who have moved on into marriage as well.
Admiration of Edward Cullen
There's no shortage of swooning young women who think Edward is all that, but I wonder if the adoration isn't less about his mysterious eyes and swoopy hair and more about what he is willing to do (and be) for his beloved Bella. Edward Cullen epitomizes mastery over self.
Edward’s nature (as a vampire) is to eat Bella for dinner. But instead he has incredulously taken on the task of her guardian and protector. It's like a lion falling in love with a lamb. Thankfully for Bella, Edward comes from a family who has not only taught him to control his deadly appetite, but helps him do so as well.
I went to see the movie when I began writing this article. What has me so enthralled with Edward's character is his sacrifice and self-discipline, especially because it goes so against his natural wiring.
When Bella asked Edward why he has chosen the path that he has, he responded that he doesn't want to be a monster -- apparently regardless of the formidable cost to him.
Curiously, he acknowledges finding strength in the self-restraint, even though he is never fully satisfied.
I can only imagine how Bella or any young woman would see such a personal sacrifice being made on her behalf. If that isn't breathtakingly attractive, then I don't know what is.
It's little surprise to me that when Edward asks Bella, "Do you trust me?" there is no hesitation. How could you not willingly give your whole life and anything else he wanted, knowing full well he would never take or do anything that would hurt you?
With a level of character and commitment seldom seen, Edward reminds himself, and Bella as well, that he can never lose control with her, as it would be simply deadly.
Parental engagement
To me, the most poignant part of the movie was when Edward, with his father at his side, had to take on the impossible task of saving Bella's life by sucking the venom out of her without taking too much of her blood. I felt cautiously comforted knowing the father was there, attentive to the inordinate challenge that Edward faced.
Lucky for Edward (and Bella), Edward's father was on hand with his experience, strength and wisdom at a critical juncture. He was there to implore Edward to resist once Bella's life had been spared.
My heart stopped beating as the immensity of Edward’s predicament and the father's words penetrated my heart, "Enough! Remember who you are. Stop, Edward! Find the will to stop!"
What an incredible force for good would exist if our young men would take on the task of mastering their appetites and passions, and to stand strong in their rightful place as guardians of virtue and moral protectors.
How much easier the task would be if parents would actively engage themselves in helping their sons develop such self-mastery.
Parents and youth are not alone in such a tremendous undertaking. This kind of self-mastery, unselfishness, and trustworthiness are possible only with a conscious and constant partnership with God.
Society likes to tell us that boys will be boys, and men cannot help themselves while assigning women the responsibility of protecting virtue. That is not God's plan.
Particularly in the case of youth, young women often do not yet fully grasp the power of the sex drive, nor their role in its cultivation in young men. They need the experience and wisdom of their parents to safely guide them.
Parents play a vital role not only in helping young men master their God-given desires, but also in helping young women not to detract from that effort or make it needlessly more difficult.
Self-mastery and the marital fire
The characteristics of self-discipline and selflessness profoundly affect marriage, and more specifically the intimate relationship. One of the interesting dynamics of the sexual relationship involves the ironic dilemma of the wife's primary challenge being to awaken and cultivate her sexual desire, while the husband's pressing challenge is generally to bridle his passion.
The bridling of his passion is no small task, with no small consequence. His self-mastery and attentive focus on his wife's needs are vital ingredients in the percolating potential for intimate bliss for both himself and his wife.
For a woman to look into the eyes of the one she loves and see not only a delicious hunger, but also the power of his restraint is a grand gift, indeed. A man's self-mastery is not only incredibly attractive but also incredibly sexy.
Lovemaking might well be likened to a fire. In the presence of fire, a woman must first feel safe and assured that someone is in control of the fire, before she can let go and surrender to it -- a necessary step for her fulfillment.
If the man does not have the will nor the discipline to master his desires, she will instinctively stay on duty keeping watch over the fire while he ventures off on his own flight of ecstasy.
Because a man's greatest bliss is intimately connected to his wife experiencing her bliss, his self-mastery represents no small sideshow in the symphony of sexual love.
Hidden treasures in self-mastery
In God's divine design I believe men are chosen as the principal keepers of virtue, but only if they have mastered their own desires. I can't help but wonder if within a man's self-mastery there lie hidden treasures and exultant joys hitherto unknown.
I don't hesitate to suggest that a man's mastery over his sexual desire is likely the single greatest source of his strength, especially if he turns to God in his efforts to put off the natural man.
I think God deliberately made man's sex drive as he did, not only for the purpose of bringing a man and a woman together to marry and create life, but also as man's greatest tutor, beckoning him to master this power rather than allowing it to become a monster that masters him.
Putting off the natural man
God’s directive to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac may be likened to that which God asks of us. Though difficult and heart-rending, with faith, trust and obedience Abraham would nevertheless obey.
Many men struggle mightily not only with sex-related addictions, but also with the inevitable differing desire of their wives. These challenges provide unparalleled opportunities for men to come unto Christ and be perfected in him, and to deny themselves of all ungodliness (see Moroni 10:32).
I imagine we all struggle with some thorn of the flesh obscuring our divine identity like a mortal overlay. Part of our job here on Earth is to overcome our mortality and put off the natural man.
The natural man (or woman) is an enemy to God and will be forever unless we yield ourselves to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and become a saint through the atonement of Christ (see Mosiah 3:19).
If men will deny themselves of all their ungodliness, and love God (more than their favorite self-indulgence) with all their might, mind and strength, then God's grace will be sufficient for them.
God gives us weaknesses and mortal challenges to invite us to repent and humble ourselves before Him, and to believe in the power of Christ to sustain and even heal us. With humility and faith in Christ it is enough for God to make our weak things become strengths (see Ether 12:27). Through God's grace, man (and woman) may be perfected in him (see Moroni 10:32).
We may truly feel inflicted by our mortal weaknesses. But God, nevertheless, asks that we become as a little child, obedient and submissive to him, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things, which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon us (see Mosiah 3:19).
Satan, too, sees the potential for great power if we stay in our "natural man" selves. He skillfully takes advantage of man's makeup to ensnare him with pornography, infidelity and other addictions, keeping man from the very thing that can give the greatest joy and peace.
He's pretty good at snaring women as well! He seeks to enslave us all and bind us down to endless misery. But if we seek out God as our source of strength and sustaining, our weaknesses can truly become our strengths.
Trust as the foundation in marriage
Trust is at the core of a strong marriage. Trust comes from self-mastery. Self-mastery at any point in our lives provides protection for the future. Self-mastery secures the trust between a husband and wife, protecting both from perilous influences.
One can only imagine the heartbreaking struggles that come to those who must grapple with the devastating effects of pornography, infidelity or other addictions. The soul of the marriage is shattered. Trust is destroyed, leaving questionable hope that it can ever be restored.
When trust has been broken, the painful process of rebuilding trust is very difficult, but essential -- and possible. The relationship can be restored to a place of peace, and with concerted effort and divine intervention, God can even make the marriage stronger than it was before.
Yes, there is much we can learn from the character of Edward Cullen.
Exquisite efforts at self-mastery coupled with a willingness to protect rather than destroy make him an easy object of admiration. But it's not really about him for me. I’m inspired by what his character traits could add to our lives, and how it could strengthen our marriages.
I challenge each of us to consider how self-mastery might bless our lives. I especially challenge men everywhere, young and not so young, to consider their role as guardians of virtue and keepers of the fire.
'Twilight' for men: All men are vampires
By Michael De Groote
MormonTimes.com writer
Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2009
It would be easy for a man to mock "Twilight" by Mormon author Stephenie Meyer. But the novel, which chronicles the swooning and ogling of teenager Bella for her vampire boyfriend Edward, should be required reading for all men. True, a man might find himself screaming at Edward: "Bite her! Just bite her already!" True, he might fling the book against the wall a few times in frustration -- especially when (spoiler alert!) the final great vampire showdown takes place while the first-person narrator is unconscious, which means there is no action description of what would have been the best part of the book: vampires fighting vampires. But if a man can read the book -- which, by the way, might make a great movie someday -- he just might come away with an amazing insight into what women want. And what do women want? Edward is the perfect man. And the good part is, every man is Edward. Every man is a vampire. Edward is described as a "beautiful boy" with "perfect lips" and a "voice like velvet." Edward has a "dazzling face" and, let's mention it again, "flawless lips." Again and again he is described as beautiful and gorgeous. He is strong, dark and beautiful. He is immensely talented and beautiful. He is sensitive and beautiful. He is moody and beautiful. Women and girls love him even though his ever-so-beautiful lips are cold and probably stained with cougar blood. In other words, Edward is the perfect man. And the good part is, every man is Edward. "But hold on a second," you may say. "I am not even handsome, let alone 'beautiful with perfect lips' -- I'm not sure I want to have perfect lips, I'm not sure I even want to know what perfect lips look like." But now I am going to give you the secret for understanding "Twilight" and when you understand Bella and Edward you will thereby understand all women. "Twilight" came from a woman's real-life, middle-of-the-night dream. In other words, this novel grew out of a woman's subconscious mind. It is telling us things she does not really want us to know. This, by the way, is a good place to take a moment to encourage you to never tell another person your dreams. If you are the type of person who has no difficulty figuring out the symbolism in your dreams, you probably aren't going around blabbing about your nightmares. If you can't figure out the symbolism in your dreams then beware -- other people will figure out every embarrassing personally revealing detail for you. And, true to form, this instance of Stephenie Meyer's dream is also personally revealing. We've looked at Edward. Let's look at Bella. Bella is good-looking enough. She is smart. She is brave. She has pluck. She is clumsy. And, she smells good -- especially to Edward who wants to drink all her blood, except that he loves her and that would end the relationship. In the topsy-turvy world of symbolism, Edward is every man and Bella is every woman. Yes, gentlemen. We are vampires. In a woman's mind, we are Edward. OK, so we are not perfect in our looks, but remember this is subconscious symbolism. Edward's perfection is symbolic of all the love and good things we represent to the women in our lives. It is the good us. But we are also vampires -- we have the ability to make life miserable for women. We can give into our own desires without regard of how it would destroy their lives. We have the power to dazzle or destroy. I am not going to get into anything deeper than this. There are other aspects, perhaps, to this that are best left for MormonTimes.com columnist Laura Brotherson. What is it about Edward that Bella and all Meyer's fans love? He controls his vampirish impulses and deep desires because he loves Bella. Bella knows he has these desires and admires him more than she would if he did not have these desires. Sure, he wants to drink her blood, but even more than that, he wants her to be happy and live. What could be more beautiful?
Edward, self-mastery and the marital fire
By Laura M. Brotherson
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009
Edward Cullen of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight fame has captured many hearts and minds. I'm not a big fiction buff myself, especially when it comes to things like vampires. But there is definitely something profound for young and old, male and female alike to learn from Edward Cullen.
As a marriage educator, I'm all about strengthening marriages, so after reading a recent article titled, "What Girls Want: An Edward" it got me thinking about how important some of Edward’s character traits are, not only for our youth going through the potentially treacherous teen years but for those of us who have moved on into marriage as well.
Admiration of Edward Cullen
There's no shortage of swooning young women who think Edward is all that, but I wonder if the adoration isn't less about his mysterious eyes and swoopy hair and more about what he is willing to do (and be) for his beloved Bella. Edward Cullen epitomizes mastery over self.
Edward’s nature (as a vampire) is to eat Bella for dinner. But instead he has incredulously taken on the task of her guardian and protector. It's like a lion falling in love with a lamb. Thankfully for Bella, Edward comes from a family who has not only taught him to control his deadly appetite, but helps him do so as well.
I went to see the movie when I began writing this article. What has me so enthralled with Edward's character is his sacrifice and self-discipline, especially because it goes so against his natural wiring.
When Bella asked Edward why he has chosen the path that he has, he responded that he doesn't want to be a monster -- apparently regardless of the formidable cost to him.
Curiously, he acknowledges finding strength in the self-restraint, even though he is never fully satisfied.
I can only imagine how Bella or any young woman would see such a personal sacrifice being made on her behalf. If that isn't breathtakingly attractive, then I don't know what is.
It's little surprise to me that when Edward asks Bella, "Do you trust me?" there is no hesitation. How could you not willingly give your whole life and anything else he wanted, knowing full well he would never take or do anything that would hurt you?
With a level of character and commitment seldom seen, Edward reminds himself, and Bella as well, that he can never lose control with her, as it would be simply deadly.
Parental engagement
To me, the most poignant part of the movie was when Edward, with his father at his side, had to take on the impossible task of saving Bella's life by sucking the venom out of her without taking too much of her blood. I felt cautiously comforted knowing the father was there, attentive to the inordinate challenge that Edward faced.
Lucky for Edward (and Bella), Edward's father was on hand with his experience, strength and wisdom at a critical juncture. He was there to implore Edward to resist once Bella's life had been spared.
My heart stopped beating as the immensity of Edward’s predicament and the father's words penetrated my heart, "Enough! Remember who you are. Stop, Edward! Find the will to stop!"
What an incredible force for good would exist if our young men would take on the task of mastering their appetites and passions, and to stand strong in their rightful place as guardians of virtue and moral protectors.
How much easier the task would be if parents would actively engage themselves in helping their sons develop such self-mastery.
Parents and youth are not alone in such a tremendous undertaking. This kind of self-mastery, unselfishness, and trustworthiness are possible only with a conscious and constant partnership with God.
Society likes to tell us that boys will be boys, and men cannot help themselves while assigning women the responsibility of protecting virtue. That is not God's plan.
Particularly in the case of youth, young women often do not yet fully grasp the power of the sex drive, nor their role in its cultivation in young men. They need the experience and wisdom of their parents to safely guide them.
Parents play a vital role not only in helping young men master their God-given desires, but also in helping young women not to detract from that effort or make it needlessly more difficult.
Self-mastery and the marital fire
The characteristics of self-discipline and selflessness profoundly affect marriage, and more specifically the intimate relationship. One of the interesting dynamics of the sexual relationship involves the ironic dilemma of the wife's primary challenge being to awaken and cultivate her sexual desire, while the husband's pressing challenge is generally to bridle his passion.
The bridling of his passion is no small task, with no small consequence. His self-mastery and attentive focus on his wife's needs are vital ingredients in the percolating potential for intimate bliss for both himself and his wife.
For a woman to look into the eyes of the one she loves and see not only a delicious hunger, but also the power of his restraint is a grand gift, indeed. A man's self-mastery is not only incredibly attractive but also incredibly sexy.
Lovemaking might well be likened to a fire. In the presence of fire, a woman must first feel safe and assured that someone is in control of the fire, before she can let go and surrender to it -- a necessary step for her fulfillment.
If the man does not have the will nor the discipline to master his desires, she will instinctively stay on duty keeping watch over the fire while he ventures off on his own flight of ecstasy.
Because a man's greatest bliss is intimately connected to his wife experiencing her bliss, his self-mastery represents no small sideshow in the symphony of sexual love.
Hidden treasures in self-mastery
In God's divine design I believe men are chosen as the principal keepers of virtue, but only if they have mastered their own desires. I can't help but wonder if within a man's self-mastery there lie hidden treasures and exultant joys hitherto unknown.
I don't hesitate to suggest that a man's mastery over his sexual desire is likely the single greatest source of his strength, especially if he turns to God in his efforts to put off the natural man.
I think God deliberately made man's sex drive as he did, not only for the purpose of bringing a man and a woman together to marry and create life, but also as man's greatest tutor, beckoning him to master this power rather than allowing it to become a monster that masters him.
Putting off the natural man
God’s directive to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac may be likened to that which God asks of us. Though difficult and heart-rending, with faith, trust and obedience Abraham would nevertheless obey.
Many men struggle mightily not only with sex-related addictions, but also with the inevitable differing desire of their wives. These challenges provide unparalleled opportunities for men to come unto Christ and be perfected in him, and to deny themselves of all ungodliness (see Moroni 10:32).
I imagine we all struggle with some thorn of the flesh obscuring our divine identity like a mortal overlay. Part of our job here on Earth is to overcome our mortality and put off the natural man.
The natural man (or woman) is an enemy to God and will be forever unless we yield ourselves to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and become a saint through the atonement of Christ (see Mosiah 3:19).
If men will deny themselves of all their ungodliness, and love God (more than their favorite self-indulgence) with all their might, mind and strength, then God's grace will be sufficient for them.
God gives us weaknesses and mortal challenges to invite us to repent and humble ourselves before Him, and to believe in the power of Christ to sustain and even heal us. With humility and faith in Christ it is enough for God to make our weak things become strengths (see Ether 12:27). Through God's grace, man (and woman) may be perfected in him (see Moroni 10:32).
We may truly feel inflicted by our mortal weaknesses. But God, nevertheless, asks that we become as a little child, obedient and submissive to him, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things, which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon us (see Mosiah 3:19).
Satan, too, sees the potential for great power if we stay in our "natural man" selves. He skillfully takes advantage of man's makeup to ensnare him with pornography, infidelity and other addictions, keeping man from the very thing that can give the greatest joy and peace.
He's pretty good at snaring women as well! He seeks to enslave us all and bind us down to endless misery. But if we seek out God as our source of strength and sustaining, our weaknesses can truly become our strengths.
Trust as the foundation in marriage
Trust is at the core of a strong marriage. Trust comes from self-mastery. Self-mastery at any point in our lives provides protection for the future. Self-mastery secures the trust between a husband and wife, protecting both from perilous influences.
One can only imagine the heartbreaking struggles that come to those who must grapple with the devastating effects of pornography, infidelity or other addictions. The soul of the marriage is shattered. Trust is destroyed, leaving questionable hope that it can ever be restored.
When trust has been broken, the painful process of rebuilding trust is very difficult, but essential -- and possible. The relationship can be restored to a place of peace, and with concerted effort and divine intervention, God can even make the marriage stronger than it was before.
Yes, there is much we can learn from the character of Edward Cullen.
Exquisite efforts at self-mastery coupled with a willingness to protect rather than destroy make him an easy object of admiration. But it's not really about him for me. I’m inspired by what his character traits could add to our lives, and how it could strengthen our marriages.
I challenge each of us to consider how self-mastery might bless our lives. I especially challenge men everywhere, young and not so young, to consider their role as guardians of virtue and keepers of the fire.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Movies: Ruining the book since 1920
For a low budget movie I would have to say Twilight wasn't half bad. There are MULTIPLE things that bothered me. First off you can never find an actor that could play Edward. He is pretty much defined as being perfect and I don't think you could ever find any man on this planet, let alone an actor, that is going to be flawless in his looks no matter how much makeup you put on him. I didn't care for the actor that was chosen to play Edward. He, in my personal opinion, should have read the books before playing the role to find out who Edward was and how he was. When he first "smells" Bella in biology....... WHAT THE CRAP. The boy looks like he's going to vomit!!!!! And if you can hold your breath why in the world are you covering your mouth!?!?!?!? The makeup job on all the vampires had its good moments and its bad. The worst, the first time Carlise enters the movie..... HELLO is he albino???? Then in Edwards first scene with Bella his face is pale but the rest of him isn't. The musical score in the movie, I think, could have been better. When you read about Edwards lullaby he writes for Bella it is WAY more complex than what they had playing in the movie. Plus the music in a movie can either make or break a moment and it most of the time broke the moment. The chemistry between Edward and Bella was pretty bad. They just seemed so awkward around each other and their "love" for one another wasn't very obvious. And don't even get me started on the meadow scene. I envisioned the "sparkling" of the vampires to be a little more noticeable than that. If I would have come across Edward in the daylight I would have thought he was wearing a lot of glitter. I did like the baseball scene, but again it could have been better. The book describes the bases to be a lot farther apart, but other than that it was pretty cool. I did like their selection of actors for Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, and Alice. They all did a wonderful job with their characters and really seemed to understand who the characters were. I could continue to "pick apart" the movie but won't.
The book was great. The author has a way of pulling you into the story. She has a way of capturing the way a girl/woman feels when she is in love with someone and can't seem to live without that person. Sure its more of a love story but it also has its intense page turning moments that you just can't seem to put the book down until you find out what happens. I loved all the books. Just the way she has laid out the story in all the books was great. She really does have a way of drawing you into the story without boring you with all the details of describing something for 5 pages. She really knows and understands a girls "fantasy" life and her "prince charming" to be able to write these books. Sure no girl would want to have her life threatened as many times as Bella, but the love story of the books is dead on.
I know that movies will never be as good as the book. I'm just hoping that with this next movie it will be a lot better than the first.
The book was great. The author has a way of pulling you into the story. She has a way of capturing the way a girl/woman feels when she is in love with someone and can't seem to live without that person. Sure its more of a love story but it also has its intense page turning moments that you just can't seem to put the book down until you find out what happens. I loved all the books. Just the way she has laid out the story in all the books was great. She really does have a way of drawing you into the story without boring you with all the details of describing something for 5 pages. She really knows and understands a girls "fantasy" life and her "prince charming" to be able to write these books. Sure no girl would want to have her life threatened as many times as Bella, but the love story of the books is dead on.
I know that movies will never be as good as the book. I'm just hoping that with this next movie it will be a lot better than the first.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)