Marriage Gets Mangled

TIME Magazine - November 29, 2009

   This is my significant post of today, and also this blog's 25th posting! Curious that it should be on this subject, though. 

   The above issue of TIME Magazine caught my eye while grocery shopping at Price Smart, so I had bought it on Monday and had a cursory look. Done in association with the Pew Research Center, it looks at the seismic shifts in American society's view of and attitude toward marriage, family and "evolving notions of what constitutes family in our society". Given the magnitude of osmotic influence that our southern neighbour exerts on Canadian economy and culture, I believe it is quite safe to assume that the shifts described will be seen in our society as well, if not already underway.

   Given what I've seen and read so far, it's quite an explosive article.

   The caption on the 'Contents' page reads "The marriage conundrum: We don't really need it for procreation or security, so why do we love it?". From there to the observations and statistics in the main article, the assertions and implications run the gamut from incisive and brilliant to ludicrous and asinine. It is equally noteworthy that my own emotions and reactions have been simultaneously and proportionally driven from shock and disillusionment to provocation and fury.

   So in addition to the posts that will be appearing this month, I intend to devote quite a bit of thinking and real estate in the coming weeks both to this article and the related issues that surround the whole sorry state of affairs. It got me thinking about a related blog post that I put up earlier last year, titled "To Hold Someone's Heart". I don't think I'll ever forget what I was feeling while writing that.

   This, on the other hand, is too much.

- The Wisdom Seeker

REFERENCES:

[1] Who Needs Marriage? A Changing Institution

[2] The Decline of Marriage And Rise of New Families

Set Construction - Day 4

   Didn't get to do too much today, mostly because I arrived after most of the action was over. But I did get to help haul two big stage lights from floor to ceiling using a rope and pulley, which was really cool :)

   In addition, I checked out the paint job that I had done yesterday on the set, which had turned out surprisingly well for a first attempt. I suspected that it was probably because the guys must have done a second coat and made it looked really professional, rather than any painting skill of my own!

   Here are some shots of how the set looked today. Technical rehearsal was beginning just as I left. It seems things will really ramp up from Monday to Friday next week, with work going from 9 AM to 10 PM everyday. It's really special being part of something like this. I'm looking forward to helping as much as I can :)

Willingdon's main stage today

Set that I helped paint with props added

Fireplace with props added

- The Wisdom Seeker

Excerpt: God's Providence

   I came across this paragraph while eating breakfast today morning that I wanted to share. It is  found in Chapter 7, "Look for God's Providence" of the book "Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion?" by Bruce Waltke:

"Try to keep in mind that God in His providence will allow both positive and negative experiences to come your way. They are not necessarily a measure of your spirituality, although they may very well be a wonderful opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we are at the mercy of time and chance. Peter reminds believers that "it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good, than for doing evil (1 Peter 3:17)." You may do the right thing and still have circumstances go against you. All you can do is learn to accept the fact that God has never promised that life will be fair or that we deserve an explanation for everything. There will be times when you believe that the Word of God is leading you to do something, it becomes the desire of your heart, and other Christians encourage you to follow your heart, but providence will not allow it. Assume that God has something else planned. Learn to trust God in spite of your circumstances."

- Bruce Waltke, "Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion?"

   I hope this encourages you.

- The Wisdom Seeker