Posted on 09/01/2008 1:13:29 PM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
Dr. James C. Dobson of Focus on the Family issued the following statement:
"In the 32-year history of Focus on the Family, we have offered prayer, counseling and resource assistance to tens of thousands of parents and children in the same situation the Palins are now facing. We have always encouraged the parents to love and support their children and always advised the girls to see their pregnancies through, even though there will of course be challenges along the way. That is what the Palins are doing, and they should be commended once again for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances.
"Being a Christian does not mean you're perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord. I've been the beneficiary of that forgiveness and restoration in my own life countless times, as I'm sure the Palins have.
"The media are already trying to spin this as evidence Gov. Palin is a 'hypocrite,' but all it really means is that she and her family are human. They are in my prayers and those of millions of Americans."
-jpt
One disturbing aspect of this thread is the absence of judgement concerning the sin. Dr. Dobson is absolutely correct in his response but it cannot be the whole answer. There is more. This has become a very public topic right now, so a public statement that teaches the correct principles must be included. When Nancy Pelosi made her offensive remarks that mangled Catholic doctrine, the Bishops from all over the country were required to respond publicly to her errors. There needs to be an unqualified statement from men like Dr. Dobson that pre-marital sex is a serious wrong and boys and girls must avoid the practice. Ministering to a particular individual in a case like this requires all that the good doctor mentioned, but it requires more to help offset the bad public example.
I was a mother to my three babies that died before I was able to give birth. I cared for myself and nurtured them the best I could. I have 7 children. Four are with me now. I hope to meet the other three someday.
Well that’s all that needs to be said on this matter.
I’m sorry your mother did not act as a mother to you, but that’s not a reason for the entire world to rewrite their definition of “mother.” When every word can be redefined according to a person’s personal issues, we’ve lost all basis for communication.
I get the idea that you’re upset now, which may be why you seem to have totally missed the fact that I pointed out your conflation, in your post to which I responded, of “Virgin Birth” (of Jesus) with “Immaculate Conception” (of Mary). You do know they’re not the same, don’t you?
They are clueless aren't they? Like we are all going to stomp in outrage, point our finger at Palin and condemn her.....LOL! If they are gleeful now they better savor it cuz it is NOT going to last long and come Nov 4 they will be wailing and gnashing teeth and then exploding.
Perfect statement from Dr. Dobson.
Hasn't that been a feature of his ministry for many years?
I never had a mother. I was raised in a working class boarding school and, although I wasn't a true orphan, my childhood was largely that of an orphan. Trust me...if anyone knows what a real mother is, I do. Pregnancy and childbirth do not make a mother. Being a loving, nurturing parent does.
Pregnancy and childbirth do not make a mother. Being a loving, nurturing parent does.
_________________________________________
Yes that’s true...
“Our God is the God of second chances...”
When Jesus was asked if we should forgive 7 times, He replied, 70 times 7.
God forgives...
Almost no one knew until Friday that Palin was chosen.
It would have been unkind for Bristol, Bristol's fiance, and her fiance's family to find out 1. Palin was a VP candidate and 2. they were going to be thrust into the limelight immediately.
God bless you for the wonderful work you are doing. /s
but, may God bless you and give you wisdom.
James Dobson has expressed the appropriate words regarding Miss Palin.
Obama thinks having a baby is a punishment.
I'm not. You might check out Merriam-Webster's dictionary, which defines "mother" thusly:
1 a: a female parent
b (1): a woman in authority; specifically the superior of a religious community of women; (2): an old or elderly woman
2: source, origin (necessity is the mother of invention)
3: maternal tenderness or affection
1:26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.
2:4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Nelsons Bible Dictionary explains:
In biblical times, a betrothal for marriage was a binding agreement that set the young woman apart for the young man. The agreement was voided only by death or divorce; one could not get out of the betrothal in any other way. When Joseph discovered that Mary was pregnant, he did not want to make a “public example” of her; instead, he decided to divorce her secretly. However, he did not carry out the divorce, because an angel of the Lord convinced him that the baby to be born to Mary would be the Son of God (Matt. 1:18–25).During the engagement period, the bridegroom had certain privileges. If war was declared, he was exempt from military duty (Deut. 20:7). He also knew that his bride-to-be was protected by Mosaic Law. If another man raped her, the act was treated as adultery; and the offender was punished accordingly (Deut. 22:23–27). This was considered a more serious crime than the rape of a girl not yet betrothed (Deut. 22:28–29).
The length of engagement varied. Sometimes the couple was married the same day they were engaged. Usually, however, a period of time elapsed between the betrothal and the marriage ceremony. During this time the young man prepared a place in his father's house for his bride, while the bride prepared herself for married life.
On the day of the wedding, the groom and his friends dressed in their finest clothes and went to the home of the bride. Together the couple went back to the groom's house. Their friends sang and danced their way back to his house.
Once at the groom's house, the couple was ushered into a bridal chamber. The marriage was consummated through sexual union as the guests waited outside. Once that fact was announced, the wedding festivities continued, with guests dropping by for the wedding feast. Usually the wedding party lasted for a week (Gen. 29:27).
Stop it! Pictures like these make me sob all over again with joy! It gets so hard to see the screen then!
Why would anyone criticize Palin’s earrings? Are they deaf, dumb and blind?
Beautiful picture. The baby is blessed to have parent who love him.
— Jane
You have a nice day. This discussion is giving me that, “I’m going to wake up from this before I go crazy” feeling. Paging Lewis Carroll ...
Elizabeth clearly calls Mary the mother of her Lord.
Those are the words, but if you have some teaching to follow that makes this some kind of denominational issue for you, then feel free to consider your point made.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.