Interesting Critique of the Courtship and Betrothal Movements

Here is a very interesting online book that is a self-proclaimed response to the courtship and betrothal movements. It is written by Robin Phillips, son of Michael and Judy Phillips, who are well-known in the courtship and betrothal communities for their writings, particularly Best Friends for Life. Unfortunately, I don't know how to copy and paste parts of a PDF file, or I'd give a sampling of the book, but let me just say, if you are an advocate of either betrothal or courtship, in whatever form, READ THIS BOOK!

It's. . . interesting. . . refreshing. . . largely true, to say the least. I like Robin Phillips perspective. He doesn't think recreational dating is a good practice, and he understands problems with our culture's general view and practices related to romance, but he also has some very good critiques of commonly-held views in courtship and betrothal circles. He attacks the movements, not all courtship. It's a very good read.

To keep him or not to keep him?

Sooooo . . . I haven't visited the Garrisons' home in years. It's not that I don't love them, I've just been busy, I suppose. However, this strange guy decided to come into Susan's life and since he's here on a visit, well, someone had to make sure he's okay. With guys these days, you just never know.

He's a friendly sort of fellow. His beard is passable, I suppose. At least Susan likes it. Or at least that's what she claims. Not much she could do about it unless she decided to shave it off when he falls asleep sometime - now that would be a grand idea!

He talks about math as if he was in love with it - that kind of scares me. You'd think it was his life or something. I've always said that anyone who loves math is crazy, so...he's officially CRAZY! Once I get home, I'll see if there's a medical description for this symptom, and if so, I guess he'll be admitted to a hospital for crazies. Then poor Susan will be without a man. Or she could go along with him because she just might be crazy herself for liking him.

Which brings me to something else. Who needs a man anyway?! Come on, all they do is require attention, time, food...and all sorts of work. If a girl wants flowers, she only need move into a cottage covered with roses and then she can have roses anytime she wants...without the hassle of a man.

But to each her own. If she likes him, I suppose he'll do. I've always thought they were perfect for each other, so there's really no way for me to stand in the way of PREDESTINED love. Since there's no way she can resist it, how can I fault her? Or him for that matter. Of course, he's obviously the blessed one here. Any guy who gets a girl is beyond lucky - well, actually he's just out of his element because he does not in any way deserve such a wonderful, amazing, intelligent, beautiful, better-than-him lady! (Adrian just received a bonus point for saying AMEN to the last comment!) I mean, I don't mean to sound cocky, but after God created Adam, he, I assume, realized he could do better. It's well known that before every masterpiece you always produce a rough draft!

As we close, it looks like Adrian just might get to stay because he agreed that women were better! What a somewhat good guy! ;-)

So rest assured, everyone, Adrian is allowed to *drumroll please* stay. He's not being kicked out of the Garrisons' home...and he's not being told that he doesn't make the cut. I've always wanted to tell some guy that he wasn't good enough for my friend, but...what can we say except he gets to stay. And yes, he's paying me good money for this endorsement - or maybe that's just me wishing. To require money, I'd need good blackmail on him. If anyone has some (Lane??), please submit ASAP.

With all the love of a happily single, concerned friend,

Esther, Inc.
Helping Boys Mature Into Men since 1984

Two Great Posts on Courtship

Adrian has written two excellent posts on courtship, one from a grace perspective and one from a law perspective. Both very good. And yes I'm prejudiced :-D.

A bit more, for those dying of curiosity. . .

EDIT: I finally tricked Blogger into loading pictures. Yay!

Adrian and I are having a great deal of fun reading all the responses to my post and his :-). You all are too funny, though I rather expected just such a response. I think Grace *ahem* and Jessie *ahem* created quite an atmosphere of mystery with their recent "cryptic" (or not so cryptic!) comments, resulting in a rather evident restlessness on our blogs :). The riddle I posted was shamelessly stolen from Emma, for anyone still in the dark on that score, and the answer is "courtship."

As many of you know, Adrian and I both started blogging in fall of 2005, and we began commenting to each other via Blogger after meeting through Crystal's blog (oh yes, she sure has a lot to answer for!) though solely thinking of each other as friends for several months, at least. Over the next year+, we communicated off and on as our schedules permitted, sometimes logging some rather extensive comments (my record for a single blog comment was 41 paragraphs).

The more Adrian and I "talked," the more I grew to admire him, and the more I became amazed at just how much we had in common, both in practice and belief. But, as I told Adrian later, I appreciated our disagreements almost as much as our agreements, for it was often through our times of disagreement that I really learned to respect him. A person's character comes out in times of difference more than in times of harmony, I've decided, and Adrian's shone :). My mom and sister interacted with him some online as well, as did I with his twin brother Lane.

In early November (2006), Adrian e-mailed about a possible visit to Atlanta to meet me and my family. In the next several weeks we exchanged many e-mails of impressive length. He spent December 8th-11th visiting us, and we had a wonderful time! I think my family likes him :-). Oh. . . and I do too ;-). After Adrian's visit, my dad gave him permission to court me. And just yesterday I returned from Minnesota, where I spent 4 days visiting with Adrian and his parents, who are absolutely delightful. Here's a picture I took over my visit last weekend:



We would now appreciate your prayers as we seek God's will in our relationship!

A Riddle

My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings,
  Lords of the earth! their luxury and ease.
Another view of man, my second brings,
  Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!

But ah! united, what reverse we have!
  Man's boasted power and freedom, all are flown;
Lord of the earth and sea, he bends a slave,
  And woman, lovely woman, reigns alone.

  Thy ready wit the word will soon supply,
  May its approval beam in that soft eye!

For the answer, go here.