Category: My Thoughts

Random thinking.

Why Mate for Life?

by Kathryn Spurgeon, posted in My Thoughts

So, what’s the secret?  Here’s a picture of a mom and dad raising their babies by the pond in my back yard. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from them.

“Geese are  fastidious when it comes to loyalty. They’re well known for the long-term pair bonds they form. So what’s their secret? What makes these water birds so successful in their relationships, and why would geese mate for life?

As nice as it would be to attribute the birds’ success to their undying love for one another, it’s probably just pure and simple selfishness.

Just like human relationships, avian pairings involve a series of sacrifices and tradeoffs. Although the gander may be tempted to stray and arrange a few trysts on the side, doing so would leave his own partner vulnerable to other males. Such adulterous behavior could also incite his partner to either desert him or avenge herself by having a fling of her own — thus diluting his paternal contribution to the upcoming brood.

 In addition, time spent flirting with other geese takes away from the important task of helping to care for the young. Similarly, females tempted to stray risk alienating their mates and being forced to raise the brood alone. Unlike other animals such as reptiles, adult birds don’t just take off once the eggs are laid.”

(quote from howstuffworks.com)

Well, maybe that’s something to think about. God knew what he was talking about all along.

True love

by Kathryn Spurgeon, posted in My Thoughts

 If we truly love someone, we won’t steal from them, lie to them or talk bad about them, and of course, we won’t take away their wife or husband, etc. In other words, if we really care about others, we’ll keep the ten commandments, God’s laws. So, perhaps keeping the commandments means we are loving others? Following God’s way is showing true love?

You can self-righteously keep the law in every detail without loving, but you can’t truly love without keeping the law.

John Powell, Unconditional Love

 

When do we speak up?

by Kathryn Spurgeon, posted in My Thoughts

Why are we so afraid to intrude into each other’s lives? For many of us, it’s fear of disapproval. We don’t want to be the one to tell a friend that their lifestyle is dangerous, that a certain behavior is self-destructive, or that they’re following the wrong path toward happiness. And most of all, that God will judge them for their behavior. Oh, no, we couldn’t do that. It’s a fine line between gently admonishing our friends and family and being judgmental. How do we know when to speak and when to keep silent?

Chuck Colson discusses contemporary American culture in his recent Blog, Where are the Adults? He mentions that parents are not expected to know anything about their children’s actions. Teenagers operate in a “parallel culture” free of adult interference and their world is defined by their peers instead of their parents. Adults adopt a hands-off approach.

It’s so true. We tell teenagers how important and smart they are (so as not to hurt their self-confidence.) And many times we’re either too busy to interfere or step into their world or we’re afraid of our kids’ disapproval. Look at Phoebe Prince in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Where were the adults? This happens not just with our children, but with each other. We live in a hands off society.

I discussed this last night with Brett, a college student. America has become a dark place and Christians have the only light. So how can the darkness ever change if we continue to hide the light? We, as Americans, cherish independence, self-rule, and self-sufficiency, but what about righteousness, accountability and morality? Godly love means caring more about a person’s eternity than our own likeability. Okay, so now I’m preaching.

But I’m also convicted.

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19