Congrats brother. You are such a blessed man and have been blessed again. Treasure the times because they grow up soooooooooooo fast 

Thanks!  And I'm beginning to understand that.  I've got a 9 year old daughter that it's hard to believe is already 9.  I'm blessed, in more ways than I can begin to imagine.  But it's sure nice tryin'! 

[Disclaimer: I do not gamble and would not actually put money on anyone. I will, however, bet on the finer things in life, like manna serving, mansion room cleaning, etc.]

Your on brother........

By the way, look towards the Raiders this year.

No way!  Yah, they're playing better than...like ever before, but I'd put money on the Pats before them.  Then there's always Chicago...

Disclaimer: I do not gamble and would not actually put money on anyone.  I will, however, bet on the finer things in life, like manna serving, mansion room cleaning, etc.

Brother sorry to tell y'all but...... I've only been wrong once in over 30 years.  Sooooooo if y'all like to make a little wager, say.......... You serve me my manna in heaven   , if I'm right.  If you win, I'll serve you brother, how does that sound??  

You know what they say?  There's always a second time for everything!     As for the serving...deal! 

Why??

Some of us, and I'm not saying me cause I'm not, are superstitious about certain...things.  Some of us, and I'm not sayin' me cause I'm not, have to have things a certain way before, during and after every game.  Some of us, and I'm not sayin' me cause I'm not...might think you're calling the season, and hence should call it the right way for our benefit.  I'm not saying that!  But it might bring me Colts some good fortune if you were to change your call!   

And what about the year before when you said they were going to win, and I said nope..... I also said they would win last year. I called that one right as well, didn't I.

NASCAR.................... OH YAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

Ok.  You need to quit predicting.  NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      Either that or take a bribe to change your call...

Nope, they are going to lose again brother.

Lose?  They WON last year man!  They're 4 and 0 this year!  That's a Nascar fan for ya...

Whatcha think?     3 and 0...

Re:  levels of verbal and emotional abuse
Everyone has their own opinion of what constitutes a certain level, the place where you draw the line, etc.  When you put 35 years into a marriage, and call it quits and it's NOT because of adultery or wanting freedom, etc., it's not a light decision.  As I said before, he was negative, pessimistic, critical, and angry--angry to the point that he would break things, throw things, put his fist through a door, get in my face shouting and putting me down.  There wasn't a day went by that he wouldn't be all 4 of those words before the day was over.  He was very critical and at times almost had me believing he was right, but he wasn't!  He would taunt me with things, tell me I was stupid, didn't know what I was talking about, etc., and it wasn't just lightly--it was loudly and strongly.  It's hard to describe unless you've been there.  I have a friend who is going through the same thing at the same time as me (not divorce, but the same problems with her husband). and what she tells me about her husband is exactly what I was experiencing with mine.  We know what each other was or is going through.

The church, as most relatives, friends, etc. does not know what my husband is like at home, and it makes it hard for them to believe he can be such an ogre.  He goes to a different church, and I have no id.ea how they're dealing with it because he is the organist there.  My church has only seen him a few times when he came to socials with me, and of course, he always has his false face on and is on good behavior, so of course, they think He seems so nice. .  Believe me, I prayed for many years about this!

Most ogres appear nice at first.  I'm sorry you've had to go through this sis!  I'm praying for you and it looks like you've got a good thing going with this friend of yours that is experiencing the same thing!  I'm really happy for you there.

Sister Chocoholic,

Hey Sis!  I wanted to comment on one thing and then, hopefully, encourage you:

Ahh, that does make more sense.  I had been thinking that MAYBE Jesus didn't go any further or be more specific because it might give someone an out for no good reason OR you know the saying "out of sight, out of mind"--well, MAYBE He didn't want to mention any other situations so as not to give anyone an excuse or loophole.  Am I making sense?

I find it very interesting that the only place you find this "out" is in the book of Matthew - a gospel distinctly written to the Jews.  This whole process speaks about the Jewish marriage tradition Sis.  The betrothal took place, but the "marriage" was held over until the groom came for his bride a year later.  In the meantime, he went to his father's house to prepare their home.  For 1 year, he would watch her to determine her purity.  If she failed, he was legally allowed to divorce her at that point.  After he came for her and they became one...it was a done deal.  Hence Jesus had no need to go further.  The Jews understood this.  We don't quite get it, and often misinterpret that portion of scripture.  Scripturally speaking, there is no cause for divorce in our mindset of the meaning.

HOWEVER

Note how Jesus presented this whole scenario.  He simply said in the beginning it was not so.  He merely stated that it was Moses who oked it, not God.  And yet...

...David put away his wife, murdered another woman's husband and married her.  God gave them Solomon.

...Solomon had a WHOLE BUNCH of wives.  God was merciful through this time.

From Jesus response, and the biblical example, I look at marriage and divorce from God's grace and mercy.  Wrong, yes.  But like you said, God's not abandoning you in this decision.  He continues to work and to bless those who go through divorce.  My parents and my wife's parents are examples of that.

That said, does God want you to continue being married and being abused? I'm not God, but I'd have a hard time believing that He'd want that too!  Regardless of the circumstances and your choices, God is working in you and will continue to do so.  He loves you and will keep on loving you through this.  We'll pray for you too!

Hopefully this instructs as to the passage at hand, and also encourages you. 

What are they?  Let's start naming them!  I'm beginning a study in these, and want some input.  Not to mention that it's a wonderful topic to recall, remember, and praise Him for!

late on this one...but congrats

Never too late for congratulations!  Thanks Brother!

Hey Kevin!  Baby Chloe has more hair than YOU do!  and she's absolutely delicious!  Congratulations my brother!

=^..^=

Thanks Sis!  It's not saying much that she has more hair than me!  Of course, people ask where she gets the hair from and then look at me questioningly.    

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! What a Blessing!!!!!!

Thanks!  Very much so a blessing!

Treasure them brother. Some people have no idea of how blessed they are to have children.

I am blessed Brother.  I know that well.  And I treasure each of them.  God has been very gracious to us!    Thanks!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Yes she is beautiful.

Thanks!  She's gorgeous!  But then I am partial...