Husband submitting to wife-is it OK?

[Carry_Your_Name]

That's in reality. Somebody has to have the last say, or a civil war breaks out. Marriage is kept together by a pecking order and unselfishness both.

This certainly wouldn't be true everywhere. In a declining formerly Christian society, yes.

Then it is true in a declining former Christian society.

We're not, as Christians, being thrown to the lions. So no, we aren't in the kind of "perilous times" that Paul was speaking about when suggesting the single life. But he also recommended the single life if one could not only do it but enjoy it.

To be honest, I'm neither enjoying nor suffering, but avoiding. I might've been using Christianity as an escape from the doom and gloom I've just described, and I genuinely don't see any other option.

 

[RandyK]

Yeah, but the cost of the current stability is the hope for the future. A man ought to have his own place to live and raise a family, that's a requirement for marriage in my culture, a basic security need of a shelter, which I think is a quite reasonable demand. However, in a normal economy where apartments and houses are built for the purpose of dwelling and mostly affordable, housing wouldn't be considered such a big hurdle, even if you live in a car, a boat, a freight container or a tent, that's not permanent, people have hope, women see potentials, they're willing to take the risk with a guy who doesn't have his own place yet, but in the forseeable future, they can save enough for the down payment, manage the mortgage, move into a house and fulfill their dream, and marriage makes it easier and quicker, when they have dual income and reap the benefits of tax credits for couples.

However, as I've described, over the past 15-20 years, an apartment has become a status symbol and housing a financial means to hedge against inflation, it's not affordable for average people any more, their dream is out of reach, and slowly they lose their desire for marriage and family since they don't have a stable fundation for it. What was an economic issue has become a cultural issue. That might be hard for you to imagine, but that's the reality I'm living in.

I believe you believe that. I think, however, you're undervaluing what couples are willing to share, in terms of hardship, led by hope for the future. You might find that a compatible partner is going through the same thoughts you do and wants very much to share in both an adventure and the struggle to have meaning--just to be appreciated.

A couple could meet on a train they've stowed away on and ultimately find a place to call "home." From there, it begins to settle in their minds to take advantage of opportunities that eventually arise. Once investment is made, the objective gets clearer, and results begin to create greater hope and encouragement.

When I had nothing a friend and I sat in coffee shops drawing out on napkins plans to make money. It took years but eventually opportunities arose. Taking advantage of the smallest opportunity sometimes led to something much bigger. Humbling oneself creates the notion that the only direction that lies ahead is "up."

Musk has been trying to develop really inexpensive dwellings. And if you're not too proud they are affordable, even if very small. Being small they are economical to heat and to cool.

I many years ago went to the library and read about constructing unique, cheap structures you could build for yourself. I never built one, but I did learn some elementary principles of construction--something I never entertained before.

 

[RandyK]

Then it is true in a declining former Christian society.

To be honest, I'm neither enjoying nor suffering, but avoiding. I might've been using Christianity as an escape from the doom and gloom I've just described, and I genuinely don't see any other option.

You're looking at things in reverse if you think you're "using" Christianity. Christianity uses you because in true Christianity God is Lord. He is in charge, and we work with Him with Him as our director.

That being said, finding an "escape" isn't always a bad plan. You just have to have a plan on where to escape to?

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

You're looking at things in reverse if you think you're "using" Christianity. Christianity uses you because in true Christianity God is Lord. He is in charge, and we work with Him with Him as our director.

That being said, finding an "escape" isn't always a bad plan. You just have to have a plan on where to escape to?

No, it's not a bad plan, just a bad coping mechanism to avoid pain and distress. The destination doesn't matter, the point is to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, even though sooner or later I'll be pull back to reality.

 

[RandyK]

No, it's not a bad plan, just a bad coping mechanism to avoid pain and distress. The destination doesn't matter, the point is to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, even though sooner or later I'll be pull back to reality.

You sound very depressed and unhappy. I wish I could help! I'm just glad you have the Lord. With Him there's always hope...

 

[Juliarod]

Musk has been trying to develop really inexpensive dwellings. And if you're not too proud they are affordable, even if very small. Being small they are economical to heat and to cool.

Where are these inexpensive homes being bult, Brother Randy?

 

[RandyK]

Where are these inexpensive homes being bult, Brother Randy?

Don't know--I just read the news. Musk apparently has been preparing for this.

There are numerous strategies, including building a tiny home, buying a fixer, buying a small display mobile or a mobile home from the factory, etc.

I know people who converted a bus into a living quarter. I have a friend who currently lives in an RV. I know a couple who lived in a sailboat.

One can probably rent an excavator and dig out the side of a hill for an underground home. Bury an old railroad car or convert a storage container? ;) It all requires research, savings, and work.

One can buy an old house and rent out rooms in it--I know people who do that too. There are options for those who call upon the Lord and wait, exercising due diligence and self-discipline. But there aren't always easy answers.

A Frames are easy to build, though I haven't built them myself. Dome houses can be built in small triangular pieces in your back yard--they've been built in a day in contests. But there are zoning limitations, etc.

Don't look at the mountain--focus on the little hills to start with has been my motto. Use what you have. If you don't have anything--pray.

 

[RandyK]

My wife and I met when we were both in incredible poverty. We worked ourselves off of Section 8 and welfare programs. We over a period of time bought cheap homes and fixed them up, paying off our debts. Prayer worked for us. We're doing much better today in our retirement.

 

[Juliarod]

My wife and I met when we were both in incredible poverty. We worked ourselves off of Section 8 and welfare programs. We over a period of time bought cheap homes and fixed them up, paying off our debts. Prayer worked for us. We're doing much better today in our retirement.

My husband leads ministry and works construction and I am doing only part-time work while also in ministry with him. We are in an apartment right now but hope to have our own home one day, God willing of course. Yes, much prayer and hard work. God will provide! Amen brother!