A book review of: Come My Beloved by Ellen Gable Hrkach and Kathy Cassanto
I often think that everyone is just like me, similar inside if not on the outside. I thought all Catholics who married would meet in college and get married after graduation like myself and most of my friends. I assumed they would follow a similar path of coming to better love God by learning to love another. Come My Beloved shows that Catholic marriages are not all the same and have as much beautiful variation as the glorious art which has decorated cathedrals over the life of the Church.
The true love stories in this anthology are each unique and inspiring. God’s ways are truly amazing and refreshing to my faith. There are the college stories, like mine. There are stories of widows and widowers finding each other. There are stories of conversion. There are stories of long time friendships blossoming. Each story shows the hand of God in a special way, working to create a new married life by bringing together those who will help each other grow.
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marriage. Show all posts
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Monday, October 12, 2009
Local TOTB
Mother of Divine Providence Parish in King of Prussia will have speakers from the Theology of the Body Institute at 8pm on Wednesday. Although I have heard Christopher West speak, I'm thrilled to see what type of students come out of this Institute. I'm always looking to improve my marriage. Speaking of which, I better go help with the little one.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Response to Friend Two
Friend Two from Facebook, "Actually, now that we're steaming ahead on this discussion, let me pose the matter in another light as I'm curious for your view from this angle: For a moment, divorce the parenting issue from the gay marriage issue. Not all couples (straight or gay) want to be parents. For many couples, marriage is a commitment to each other that basically acknowledges that "now it's harder to walk away, so we will work together to make this work," you know, the whole richer-or-poorer bit. This is a commitment to each partner, and is not directly related to God's view or consent. I'm talking marriage as a social matter, not a religious one. Consider also the fact that making/keeping gay marriage illegal or illegitimate doesn't make "gayness" go away. It just doesn't.
So, for gay couples that would be gay whether they can be married or not, and who don't want kids, answer this: What's the harm? Why not let them commit to each other the same way straight couples do?"
My response is that I have never brought God into any of my arguments so far, so I will gladly leave Him to defend Himself. The marriage commitment as you describe does not exist. Due to no-fault divorce, marriage means almost nothing in legal terms. It is currently easier to legally break a marriage contract than it is to break a bicycle warranty. The social approval of childless marriages only dates back to about the 1920s and the advent of feminism and mass produced contraception. The social and legal benefits of marriage were designed to create a family, not to allow two people to be DINKs.
I never claimed that "gayness" would go away. We still have thieves, even though there are laws against stealing. We still have drunkenness, even though there are an assortment of preventative laws. Laws enforce social norms and teach what is acceptable and not for a civilized society. The anti-social behavior is wrong, regardless of whether the law prohibits it.
Marriage is about love and sex. Sex is about procreation and love, even Freud agrees. The two can not be separated any more than nutrition and pleasure can be separated from eating. If they are separated, the act is perverted, much as bulimia perverts eating.
"What's the harm?" is not a sufficient argument to overthrow hundreds of years of social custom and the only stable arrangement to raise the next generation. The harm is that a counterfeit is passed as the real thing. Two men can not express love the way a man and a woman can. It is a lie that men and women are interchangeable. The love of a man and a woman is fruitful; the love of two men or two women is sterile (I also maintain that contracepted sex is a lie, even in marriage).
I counter with a question. What's the harm in allowing a brother and sister to marry if they are not going to have kids?
So, for gay couples that would be gay whether they can be married or not, and who don't want kids, answer this: What's the harm? Why not let them commit to each other the same way straight couples do?"
My response is that I have never brought God into any of my arguments so far, so I will gladly leave Him to defend Himself. The marriage commitment as you describe does not exist. Due to no-fault divorce, marriage means almost nothing in legal terms. It is currently easier to legally break a marriage contract than it is to break a bicycle warranty. The social approval of childless marriages only dates back to about the 1920s and the advent of feminism and mass produced contraception. The social and legal benefits of marriage were designed to create a family, not to allow two people to be DINKs.
I never claimed that "gayness" would go away. We still have thieves, even though there are laws against stealing. We still have drunkenness, even though there are an assortment of preventative laws. Laws enforce social norms and teach what is acceptable and not for a civilized society. The anti-social behavior is wrong, regardless of whether the law prohibits it.
Marriage is about love and sex. Sex is about procreation and love, even Freud agrees. The two can not be separated any more than nutrition and pleasure can be separated from eating. If they are separated, the act is perverted, much as bulimia perverts eating.
"What's the harm?" is not a sufficient argument to overthrow hundreds of years of social custom and the only stable arrangement to raise the next generation. The harm is that a counterfeit is passed as the real thing. Two men can not express love the way a man and a woman can. It is a lie that men and women are interchangeable. The love of a man and a woman is fruitful; the love of two men or two women is sterile (I also maintain that contracepted sex is a lie, even in marriage).
I counter with a question. What's the harm in allowing a brother and sister to marry if they are not going to have kids?
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Marky Mark
The Catholic Church scores another Big Hit with the sacramental marriage of Mark Wahlberg.
Since it was Roman Catholic, it must have been an Italian Job!
Since it was Roman Catholic, it must have been an Italian Job!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Response to Friend One
Friend One, exported from a Facebook exchange on same-sex marriage, "Sorry for not being clear earlier. Of course we need rules, laws, and the like. The point I was trying to make was based on the assumption that gay marriage was legal. If we have equal rights, than I can choose whether or not to participate, I can choose to belong to groups who may or may not participate, and so on.
To be honest, my position is largely based on my own experience. I have several friends from the GLBT community. These are all people who are gay in the same way you and I are straight. It is not a choice for them. But it ends there -- beyond the fact that they desire a partner of the same gender, they are the same as you and I. They are not bad people. They are not committing a crime by being together. And in the example of my friends, having them marry would give us all so much more to celebrate. Why would we want to restrict their rights? Why would we go out of our way to change our laws to exclude this group of people from being able to marry? If any given Church decides not to recognize gay marriage, then they do not have to.
You made a point in one of our earlier discussions that incest and polygamy are illegal, so gay marriage should also be illegal. To me, that illustrates our difference in opinion. If you group gay marriage in with incest and polygamy, then unfortunately I do not know of a way to explain why it's different other than to just say "it's different.""
My Response:
I find it very interesting to assume that homosexual marriage is legal. The fact that a debate is occurring disproves that point. I would appreciate a definition of the "right" being restricted. I shall assume it is the right to marry the person I love, something which is already severely restricted in law. I can marry the person I love provided that person is: over the age of consent, not related to me closer than second cousin, and unmarried. Of course, I must be over the age of consent and unmarried as well.
Friend, your assertion, that I may join groups which choose to participate or not, is not one that is shared by the majority of the "same-sex marriage" movement. When the governor of New Hampshire said he would veto same-sex marriage legislation unless it included explicit protection for churches, he was ridiculed by the bill's proponent. When the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage was a right, the Catholic Charities adoption program was forced to close unless it placed children with same-sex couples in direct violation of Catholic teaching. I believe that you and I would both be indignant at the idea of a group discriminating against couples based on their inter-racial status, and the "same-sex marriage" movement is using all the same civil rights legal precedent to frame the issue. It follows, therefore, that organizations will be forced to accept same-sex marriage or be closed.
I have not called anyone a "bad person." No person is a bad person, however, their actions may be bad. I decry anorexia, not anorexics; drunkenness, not alcoholics. I was friendly with a priest while I was in high school, he was a nice guy. In my experience, he was a normal guy except that he was a attracted to adolescent boys. Why should their love be illegal? Wouldn't we have more to celebrate if they weren't forced into a closet? Clearly, I am not arguing to legalize pedophilia but my experience could have led me astray if I didn't know the truth.
"Why would we go out of our way to change our laws to exclude this group of people from being able to marry?" The fact that no reason is given, as to how same-sex marriage is different than polygamy or incest, exactly captures my concern. Why do we exclude anybody from marriage? Because marriage means something, something which began to be eroded by no-fault divorce and is further eroded by ignoring the difference in the sexes.
I have tried to present my response as best as I can, Friend. Thank you for the thoughtful exchange. I hope that we can continue in all civility.
To be honest, my position is largely based on my own experience. I have several friends from the GLBT community. These are all people who are gay in the same way you and I are straight. It is not a choice for them. But it ends there -- beyond the fact that they desire a partner of the same gender, they are the same as you and I. They are not bad people. They are not committing a crime by being together. And in the example of my friends, having them marry would give us all so much more to celebrate. Why would we want to restrict their rights? Why would we go out of our way to change our laws to exclude this group of people from being able to marry? If any given Church decides not to recognize gay marriage, then they do not have to.
You made a point in one of our earlier discussions that incest and polygamy are illegal, so gay marriage should also be illegal. To me, that illustrates our difference in opinion. If you group gay marriage in with incest and polygamy, then unfortunately I do not know of a way to explain why it's different other than to just say "it's different.""
My Response:
I find it very interesting to assume that homosexual marriage is legal. The fact that a debate is occurring disproves that point. I would appreciate a definition of the "right" being restricted. I shall assume it is the right to marry the person I love, something which is already severely restricted in law. I can marry the person I love provided that person is: over the age of consent, not related to me closer than second cousin, and unmarried. Of course, I must be over the age of consent and unmarried as well.
Friend, your assertion, that I may join groups which choose to participate or not, is not one that is shared by the majority of the "same-sex marriage" movement. When the governor of New Hampshire said he would veto same-sex marriage legislation unless it included explicit protection for churches, he was ridiculed by the bill's proponent. When the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage was a right, the Catholic Charities adoption program was forced to close unless it placed children with same-sex couples in direct violation of Catholic teaching. I believe that you and I would both be indignant at the idea of a group discriminating against couples based on their inter-racial status, and the "same-sex marriage" movement is using all the same civil rights legal precedent to frame the issue. It follows, therefore, that organizations will be forced to accept same-sex marriage or be closed.
I have not called anyone a "bad person." No person is a bad person, however, their actions may be bad. I decry anorexia, not anorexics; drunkenness, not alcoholics. I was friendly with a priest while I was in high school, he was a nice guy. In my experience, he was a normal guy except that he was a attracted to adolescent boys. Why should their love be illegal? Wouldn't we have more to celebrate if they weren't forced into a closet? Clearly, I am not arguing to legalize pedophilia but my experience could have led me astray if I didn't know the truth.
"Why would we go out of our way to change our laws to exclude this group of people from being able to marry?" The fact that no reason is given, as to how same-sex marriage is different than polygamy or incest, exactly captures my concern. Why do we exclude anybody from marriage? Because marriage means something, something which began to be eroded by no-fault divorce and is further eroded by ignoring the difference in the sexes.
I have tried to present my response as best as I can, Friend. Thank you for the thoughtful exchange. I hope that we can continue in all civility.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
How to be a Family
Jen over at Conversion Diary has a spectacular article on how to survive the years of small children. I hope that I can take it all to heart. I will especially comment on the support network. Fortunately, I found a job near my boyhood home so we have been blessed to live near many of my friends and family. We have even encouraged other friends and family to move to the area! This is simply the biggest help imaginable at an amazingly affordable price. Having family and friends who help with the kiddos, in exchange for returning the favor and paying for take-out, is a great example of subsidiarity. Well, except for the take-out.
Monday, June 15, 2009
More on The Issue
Homosexuals were born that way, no wait, ignore our previous statements. Retractions like this, or more appropriately, the original unfounded assertion, make me sad about the current state of psychology. If scientists aren't dedicated to the truth, who can be?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Tried a Response
Well, I finally tried to formulate a concise response as to why "same-sex marriage" should not be legal. I posted it in response to the Facebook poll which has been floating around for a few days. Here's hoping that the Tolerance Gestapo don't hunt me down and silence me for further defining a natural family life.
"Marriage is for children. Children have the right to be raised with a mother and a father who spend their whole life together raising their children in a loving environment. Biology clearly indicates that only a man and woman can create new life and that children are not fully, mentally developed until well into their 20s. Society provides benefits to marriage so that there is incentive to sacrifice for the next generation who need much guidance to reach maturity. Hopefully, they will have a chance to make it there."
Facebook failed to post it the first time I clicked. Interesting.
"Marriage is for children. Children have the right to be raised with a mother and a father who spend their whole life together raising their children in a loving environment. Biology clearly indicates that only a man and woman can create new life and that children are not fully, mentally developed until well into their 20s. Society provides benefits to marriage so that there is incentive to sacrifice for the next generation who need much guidance to reach maturity. Hopefully, they will have a chance to make it there."
Facebook failed to post it the first time I clicked. Interesting.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Casual Dating
Dr. Gregory Popcak mentioned the dating hierarchy in his most recent Family Foundations article and it conveniently matched the one which I discovered in college: casual dating, exclusive dating, engagement, and marriage. It seemed eminently logical to me, once I started thinking things through instead of following what felt good.
I loved casual dating a lot. Hanging out with a girl with no commitment to future dates, just a chance to get to know a fellow human being, was a great experience to develop important marriage skills like friendship, communication, and listening. The girls I dated seemed to react to this in odd ways. One treated it like an interview and started firing questions. Another was almost mute as if she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I can only guess that they assumed I would try to get myself invited to their rooms or something. Dates ending at the door to the dorm are the best for personal growth. Friendships can develop and last beyond these dates.
Exclusive dating was awesome once it followed the previous step. It indicated an increasing commitment to one woman. In the past when I jumped right to this step, it was forced and fake, as if I were acting a part. Once it followed casual dating, the work of breaking off ties to casual dates further emphasized the commitment to one woman.
Engagement was the most confusing since there were certain traditions to follow for the proposal but nothing besides Pre-Cana and wedding planning beyond that day. Fortunately, I was bright enough to realize that I better make this future marriage work and devoured relationship books by Gary Smiley and John Grey. I wish I'd known about Dr. Popcak back then.
Marriage at the end of this chain was spectacular because I spent years committing myself to it. It was a culmination of practice, study, and ultimately sacrament, since the grace of the Lord flowed into me to further perfect my love so that I can make a better gift of myself to my bride.
Thanks for the support Dr. Popcak.
I loved casual dating a lot. Hanging out with a girl with no commitment to future dates, just a chance to get to know a fellow human being, was a great experience to develop important marriage skills like friendship, communication, and listening. The girls I dated seemed to react to this in odd ways. One treated it like an interview and started firing questions. Another was almost mute as if she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I can only guess that they assumed I would try to get myself invited to their rooms or something. Dates ending at the door to the dorm are the best for personal growth. Friendships can develop and last beyond these dates.
Exclusive dating was awesome once it followed the previous step. It indicated an increasing commitment to one woman. In the past when I jumped right to this step, it was forced and fake, as if I were acting a part. Once it followed casual dating, the work of breaking off ties to casual dates further emphasized the commitment to one woman.
Engagement was the most confusing since there were certain traditions to follow for the proposal but nothing besides Pre-Cana and wedding planning beyond that day. Fortunately, I was bright enough to realize that I better make this future marriage work and devoured relationship books by Gary Smiley and John Grey. I wish I'd known about Dr. Popcak back then.
Marriage at the end of this chain was spectacular because I spent years committing myself to it. It was a culmination of practice, study, and ultimately sacrament, since the grace of the Lord flowed into me to further perfect my love so that I can make a better gift of myself to my bride.
Thanks for the support Dr. Popcak.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Featured Author
Ellen Hrkach has been interviewed at Time with Tannia and covers lots of my favorite topics: NFP, books, entrepreneurship, and marriage. Maybe one day she can guide me through writing a novel, especially if I keep buttering her up with free links and reviews and advertising...
Friday, April 10, 2009
No Pics here!
The Joy of Catholicism
A book review of "Holy Sex - A Catholic Guide to Toe-Curling, Mind-Blowing Infallible Loving"
by Dr. Gregory Popcak
I was intensely curious about this book, not only because of the edgy title, but because of a sincere desire to help devoted Catholics have excellent marital relations. Dr. Popcak covers the subject well, answering most reasonable questions and concerns about moral, marital intimacy along with some outliers. He gives a few examples of conflicts and how they can influence a couple's attitudes and feelings in regard to the most intimate aspect of their relationship. That is when the book is at its best, sharing real stories of practicing Catholics. The "Catechism" side, if you will. Unfortunately, the "Joy of Sex" side is a bit too explicit for my taste, though I imagine it is vastly more modest than anything in the Relationship section of my local Barnes & Noble. For a difficult subject, Dr. Popcak did a good job but this still isn't quite the book I was hoping to find. However, I gained enough valuable insight to have no doubt that his next book will make it to my shelf.
A book review of "Holy Sex - A Catholic Guide to Toe-Curling, Mind-Blowing Infallible Loving"
by Dr. Gregory Popcak
I was intensely curious about this book, not only because of the edgy title, but because of a sincere desire to help devoted Catholics have excellent marital relations. Dr. Popcak covers the subject well, answering most reasonable questions and concerns about moral, marital intimacy along with some outliers. He gives a few examples of conflicts and how they can influence a couple's attitudes and feelings in regard to the most intimate aspect of their relationship. That is when the book is at its best, sharing real stories of practicing Catholics. The "Catechism" side, if you will. Unfortunately, the "Joy of Sex" side is a bit too explicit for my taste, though I imagine it is vastly more modest than anything in the Relationship section of my local Barnes & Noble. For a difficult subject, Dr. Popcak did a good job but this still isn't quite the book I was hoping to find. However, I gained enough valuable insight to have no doubt that his next book will make it to my shelf.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
What a Couple!
I opened my Catholic Standard & Times to discover a great article about a wonderful couple who live the Church's teachings and spread the good news. I am so thankful for the many good examples of the faith which I have met in my work to share the glory of the Church's teaching.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Passport to Truth
I am always flattered when someone asks for my opinion and I was particularly flattered to receive an autographed copy of Passport by Christopher Blunt at the CCL Convention.
Christopher Blunt has written a novel demonstrating nearly the entirety of the Church's teachings on marriage and sexuality. I am stunned by how well everything hangs together without being forced. The plot involves fornication, abortion, contraception, personalism, NFP, annulments, and marital chastity. The story is gripping and believable with a main character, Stan, who appeals to me, a Simpsons-loving entrepreneur. Stan is also a Catholic like me, who takes the Truth for granted and needs to re-learn the Faith constantly.
As Stan re-learns the Faith, a variety of events occur in his life which succeed in being surprising while not being unexpected. Stan's life is not a common one, yet it appeals to the common man. His is a truly Catholic life, where small things can teach great lessons and where an average man is prepared for great gifts.
Christopher Blunt has written a novel demonstrating nearly the entirety of the Church's teachings on marriage and sexuality. I am stunned by how well everything hangs together without being forced. The plot involves fornication, abortion, contraception, personalism, NFP, annulments, and marital chastity. The story is gripping and believable with a main character, Stan, who appeals to me, a Simpsons-loving entrepreneur. Stan is also a Catholic like me, who takes the Truth for granted and needs to re-learn the Faith constantly.
As Stan re-learns the Faith, a variety of events occur in his life which succeed in being surprising while not being unexpected. Stan's life is not a common one, yet it appeals to the common man. His is a truly Catholic life, where small things can teach great lessons and where an average man is prepared for great gifts.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Oh, woe is she
Here is a damsel in distress, awaiting her knight in no-fault armor to save her from a life of reality. I was going to fisk the whole thing, since a dear reader actually e-mailed to ask what I have to say, but the article is not worth repeating any more than I would repeat what I found upon staring at my navel for three hours.
After denigrating her husband for a few paragraphs, she mentions how women of all ages can look sizzlingly hot and therefore attract a new future ex-husband. Maybe this isn't the best way to find a good man since that attitude got her to where she is now, middle aged and dreaming of divorce. Perhaps she could try something different, like prayer and self-sacrifice, just to mix things up a bit. Also, getting off hormonal contraception is a good idea, since many of her issues can be related to its side effects as explained in Contraception:Why Not by Dr. Janet Smith.
Then, after a few paragraphs of trying to summarize the feminist revolution, she cites examples of other women: a high-powered high-earner, a mogul's wife, a clothing designer, and a doctor. Do I even need to mention that she lives in New York? Maybe she should get out more. I bet Wife Swap would take her.
Her final hypothesis is that marriage will wither away like a vestigial organ. I can only pray that she actually try to use her organ before it withers away, she may discover that it isn't so vestigial after all.
After denigrating her husband for a few paragraphs, she mentions how women of all ages can look sizzlingly hot and therefore attract a new future ex-husband. Maybe this isn't the best way to find a good man since that attitude got her to where she is now, middle aged and dreaming of divorce. Perhaps she could try something different, like prayer and self-sacrifice, just to mix things up a bit. Also, getting off hormonal contraception is a good idea, since many of her issues can be related to its side effects as explained in Contraception:Why Not by Dr. Janet Smith.
Then, after a few paragraphs of trying to summarize the feminist revolution, she cites examples of other women: a high-powered high-earner, a mogul's wife, a clothing designer, and a doctor. Do I even need to mention that she lives in New York? Maybe she should get out more. I bet Wife Swap would take her.
Her final hypothesis is that marriage will wither away like a vestigial organ. I can only pray that she actually try to use her organ before it withers away, she may discover that it isn't so vestigial after all.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Regular DeVil
I have been a fan of Disney since birth, and it is with heavy heart that I have seen some of their choices as a business. However, I just recently "got" a character name and I felt like a total maroon. While reading 101 Dalmatians, I realized that Cruella DeVil's last name is actually devil. I can't believe it took me so long to notice. I also can't believe how much I enjoyed those moves as a kid and how far they have dropped in quality. It is quite sad to read, "This is where the path of hatred leads us" as the moral of Pocahontas. Even 101 Dalmatians with its simple plot has a deeper story or parental dedication to children. A formula which leads to tremendous value and success. Long live Pixar!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Practical Ease of NFP
In light of the previous exchange at I Have to Sit Down, I decided to write about what can be done, practically, by each spouse to make abstinence easier.
The single best thing that can be done to make abstinence easier is not to focus on it with all of one's mental power. I know, easier said than done. I notice that I constantly focused on abstinence in the first years of NFP. The focus on abstinence made it larger than life and it loomed over everything, casting darkness upon the things we were already doing to handle abstinence. At the worst, this attitude would have me counting the days since our last interlude, which only made everything more difficult. In this case, accurate charting was actually an obstacle to learning charity.
Putting the focus on abstinence was an extension of focusing on myself and focusing on the self is antithetical to developing virtue. All virtues are learned by dying to self in some form or another, and the sacrifice involved in abstinence is only beneficial if I actually sacrifice with the proper attitude, not just grudgingly endure what I am giving up until "go time."
Putting the focus on abstinence was an extension of focusing on myself and focusing on the self is antithetical to developing virtue. All virtues are learned by dying to self in some form or another, and the sacrifice involved in abstinence is only beneficial if I actually sacrifice with the proper attitude, not just grudgingly endure what I am giving up until "go time."
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Plan A
An excellent opinion piece in the Buffalo News was forwarded to me from the CCL Community. I simply love the closing line, "Plan B has failed. It's time to come up with Plan A." It's good to already know what Plan A is: chastity. I hope the world can learn quickly.
Friday, January 18, 2008
PNFPN Conference
The PNFPN and Philadelphia Catholic Medical Association will have an annual conference on March 1, 2008. It will be about Marriage Prep and will include some great speakers including Matthew Pinto who is both enlightening and funny. Go to PNFPN's website to register. Leave me a comment if you are going so I can meet you face to face, dear reader.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Married to This World
Dawn Eden has this great post on a topic of exceeding interest to me. I have been trying to understand the Biblical verses relating to how married people are focused on this world and I think she has some real insight. Not surprisingly, the answer to my unspoken dilemma over the proper use of my material goods in this world is to love God more deeply. Why am I always surprised?
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Eden Regained
by: James F. Volpe
A review of The Thrill of the Chaste
by: Dawn Eden
I must admit that I was salivating over the thought of reading this book for months. I am an avid reader of Ms. Eden's blog, The Dawn Patrol, and her writing style impressed me. The book does not slack from her witty, concise, and current prose. She shares many of her experiences with unchastity in a humorous, frank manner. Most amazingly, she shares these intimate moments without being gossipy and gratuitous in detail. It is rare these days to find any popular books which don't contain gratuitous sexual imagery or innuendo, so for a book which is dealing heavily with this subject to handle it tactfully is very impressive.
Throughout the book, Ms. Eden wove in the Christian understanding of marital relations by juxtaposing it with the Sex and the City philosophy as espoused by Carrie Bradshaw from the popular television show. Not surprisingly, her experience taught her that television deluded its viewers. Television, and pop culture in general, had shown strong women as those who used sex to get love. She actively followed this philosophy for years until realizing that it had not led to any serious, loving relationship and, furthermore, it was turning her into someone who was incapable of finding such a relationship. Once she knew this, she began actively loving everyone, instead of just those who took her to bed. She turned herself into a loving person, so that she can hopefully find the man that the Lord has for her. Resigned that the Lord may have other plans for her, she shared how she is far closer to marriage now than she ever was in the past.
The book defied my expectations by being more than the memoir of a past, sinful life but also an insightful look into how the ways of the world had deceived a young girl while the ways of the Lord brought her hope and fulfillment, while keeping her clothes on.
A review of The Thrill of the Chaste
by: Dawn Eden
I must admit that I was salivating over the thought of reading this book for months. I am an avid reader of Ms. Eden's blog, The Dawn Patrol, and her writing style impressed me. The book does not slack from her witty, concise, and current prose. She shares many of her experiences with unchastity in a humorous, frank manner. Most amazingly, she shares these intimate moments without being gossipy and gratuitous in detail. It is rare these days to find any popular books which don't contain gratuitous sexual imagery or innuendo, so for a book which is dealing heavily with this subject to handle it tactfully is very impressive.
Throughout the book, Ms. Eden wove in the Christian understanding of marital relations by juxtaposing it with the Sex and the City philosophy as espoused by Carrie Bradshaw from the popular television show. Not surprisingly, her experience taught her that television deluded its viewers. Television, and pop culture in general, had shown strong women as those who used sex to get love. She actively followed this philosophy for years until realizing that it had not led to any serious, loving relationship and, furthermore, it was turning her into someone who was incapable of finding such a relationship. Once she knew this, she began actively loving everyone, instead of just those who took her to bed. She turned herself into a loving person, so that she can hopefully find the man that the Lord has for her. Resigned that the Lord may have other plans for her, she shared how she is far closer to marriage now than she ever was in the past.
The book defied my expectations by being more than the memoir of a past, sinful life but also an insightful look into how the ways of the world had deceived a young girl while the ways of the Lord brought her hope and fulfillment, while keeping her clothes on.
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