GREAT NEWS

[S.R.Patch]

SR Patch
tell us what your definition of marriage is!
Lawson hit it right on I think the divorce rate being what it is today do you
think "Marriage " as described by human law will help bind two people together?

Hi John,
No, I think a union is no stronger than it's members.
I think a life is liken to links in a chain, remember that TV show, "The Weakest Link"?
Where a lacking of nurturing or teaching understanding is in want, there forms a weakness in the chain. Some learn with time and experience to build or strengthen the weakness, others only add tension and a break occurs.
I myself have many weak links and only through God's help and grace have I managed along with a wonderful wife and two beautiful children.
I offer myself as "The Weakest Link" that others might learn from my mistakes and not repeat them, but also what little I've learned to save any trouble.

[Tim H]

I don't see Patch as doing anything other than telling the truth. The truth can at times be harsh. I know Patch didn't post what he did because he wishes ill on ANYONE. I share his conviction that if we all just pat each other on the back in the midst of sin, then we are not following Gods commands to love one another. Asking for people to rejoice in someones sinful behavior is wrong.

I can understand, as many others who have posted, that life can deal some tough things out to us. However, those things cannot be used to justify sin.

What would you think if someone posted on here, "Pray for my friends and I as we are going out drinking and driving. Pray that nothing bad happens to us. We are getting together to celebrate our friends birthday"

Would you be offended by those who advised that you should not drink and drive? Would you think they were uncaring because they didn't just say, "Have a great time and we'll be praying for you. Hope your friend has a wonderful birthday."

[Newt]

It's not surprising tha so many can remember the scripture "thou shall not judge", but seem to have forgotten all about self responsibility and if you love me you will keep my comandments. He also said broad is the path but narrow the gate.
God is the judge of who is going through the gate. Spiritual discernment is the a little deeper and requires a little more than if it feels good it must be right.

[Pike Ridge Beagles]

This man and his woman may have made their vows to God. A legal document doesn't necessarily bind a marriage that is made in heaven. I pray your twins both are healthy and I pray you and your "wife" raise them in God's will.

Ed

[Newt]

In addition, the day that my wife and I were married, just a few minutes prior to the ceremony, the preacher was talking to me about marriage. He stated, if Marg and I had truly commited our selves, then in the eyes of God we were already Man and Wife. The ceremony was to make it legally binding.

Best to you Emma, your wife, and your children. Hope you have a long happy marriage and a healthy family

[S.R.Patch]

This is definitely one way to cut down on the divorce rate...
I wouldn't buy the cow if I was getting the milk for free.
In my day, you met the parents, ask to court the girl, got engaged and ask her father for her hand in marriage.
You committed and had real skin in the game.
In the end tho... I wonder who pays for all this "free love" when both parties decide it's a "no go" and part their separate ways? all the children? housing, food and transportation?
I see alot of married couples having pets instead of children, this is good tho, if they don't want the life long commitment of caring, raising and paying for their children's, children.
I guess lessons are meant to be relearned.
As my old friend used to say, "Nothing new under the sun, it's all been tried and done before".
I truly wish you all the best and a long happy life together...

[bluegrass]

Those that are coming down so hard on Charles are really both missing the point and misreading him altogether. I don't for one minute believe he would wish anything but good health and a prosperous future for the new baby. However, to criticize him for the expression of suprise at the way a baby born out of wedlock is being congratulated is wrong. We can all have different beliefs regarding marriage and what constitutes a commitment between two people, but please remember that when you get MARRIED you make a VOW before God. Most marriage ceremonies anyway. Charles is only expressing what would have been said many years ago by society in general at the mention of an out of marriage baby being born.

If someone's beliefs do not require them to get married there is this little thing in our country called freedom. They are free to cohabitate as they see fit and we have no laws against it. I too share the belief though that it is unprofitable to ask God to bless what is commonly called "shacking up". That does NOT mean however that I or anyone who shares MY opinion(which is worth very little) would wish anything but good things for the newborn to be!!!

It mererly means that we disapprove of the manner in which he or she or they will brought into our troubled world!!! It might be just a piece of paper, but like a well drawn out pedigree, what it represents means much.


I truly do hope the baby or babies are born healthy and strong, and that you continue to be as committed to them and your family as you are now....good luck!!!!

[New York Hillbilly]

Not to steal from the post, but I wanted to share MY good news as it's timing could not be better. I could not say anything yesterday because the web is a small place and I was afraid it would leak out some how. I was on my way to a charity fund raiser for the medical mission to El Salvador that I go on as a clinician, and had to pull over for a phone call.

The young man who has been dating my daughter for the past four years called to ask my permission to ask my daughter to marry him. Needless to say, I consented, and let him know how pleased I was that he showed me the respect to do so. I called my wife and told her and it was tough to keep quiet until today.

My daughter called a few minutes ago from a chairlift they were riding to the top of a mountain, screaming and laughing with the news. My wife had her on speaker phone, and I had to tell my daughter to stay calm enough to not fall out. LOL! There has been no discussion of dates as far as I know, but she cracked up laughing more when I asked her to not make me prove my father's love by getting married during hunting season.

Just as I wish the author of this post the best, I hope those with opposing views on marriage would wish me and mine the same. We can see things differently and do things differently and still not resort to name calling or implied threats. Thanks for letting me share my great news here. It seemed an appropriate place at an appropriate time.
God bless!
NYH

[Salzer mtn]

Mr. Patch, i have the upmost respect for the way you believe. I also believe the same way. We are old school, the bible says marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will JUDGE, Heb13:4. Alway's people will come up with the scriptures about judging someone else when they don't won't to hear the truth. The bible also say's to judge righteous judgement. If a homo or a lesbian would have put on this board to be happy for us we are getting a new baby everyone would have judged and condemned that. In the eyes of God there is no little and big sins, sin is sin. To be a great strong nation it MUST begin at home. What used to be years ago a scandal is not even blushed at any more.

[Tellico Hunter]

I would have to agree with Mr Patch. I believe as he does. I heard a preacher one time say, "when you live together, the only thing you have committed to do is to not committ". I read all of the posts and in no way did I see judgeing anywhere, but I did see the truth. People are quick to say you are judgeing when the truth hurts. It is part of the condemnation. I will leave with some words from my papaw. "If they are good enough to sleep with, then they are good enough to marry" The bible bares it all out about the diference between marriage and fornication, and read it for yourselves. My thoughts and prayers go with you, your girlfriend, and the baby(ies)

1 Corinthians 7:9:
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn

The word of God judges not Mr Patch or any one else here

[wildcatfan0309]

I really don't understand any of this...what family? your getting a girl pregnant repeatedly, unmarried, not ordained of God. What is there to rejoice about? It only seems you've learned nothing and is blasphemy to ask God to bless such goings on.
Has the whole world gone mad while I was asleep...

There is no shame, there is no moral correctness,... have all senses gone numb?
Evil prevails when good men remain quiet, I plead as my defense.

I offer prayer not for a blessing, but that your conscience and eyes be opened, an God's will and understanding come unto you. How can He bless what is unsanctioned an goes against His instruction?

great ol holy one
your redicoulous
how could you go to preachin at chris and downing him
after the loss of his last baby girl
now he so tickled of his new good news and you have to come on here
bible thumping and acting stupid
no not acting....your stupid!!!
and your right there is no shame for sure
because you should definitly be a shamed of your self
for your statements
nothing wrong with religion
i dont "belong" to church to say
but ive went to church all my life
and i know a lil about it
god wants people to spread the word about him
but there is people that god wants to keep there mouth shut
and im sure your one of them
im sure youve really drawed people in with your statement on here

[Alabama John]

Reading the past posts about the two of them, if he was my own son or she my daughter, I would be concerned for their family.

Patch is acting worried like an old Dad just like I would. Nothing wrong with being concerned for this relationship and especially for any children of this union. Patch could just skip his posts and not give a crap, that would be much easier!

Reading what's all been posted for us all to read and worry about them, who wouldn't be! Thing is, many of us have prayed and sent up smoke for them since the precious daughter went to heaven and again, when he told us of other bad sorrows that he's experienced.

At the same time I and all you fellow Beaglers wish them the very best and pray to God that all works out great and the child or children come healthy and are enjoyed and taught the right life lessons by both father and mother.