Comments for DPC women's blog

Comment on Dream, Laugh, Smile, Dance, Sing or… by Sue Smith

Sue Smith — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:13:44 +0000

Thanks Cathy, its very helpful to be challenged to think through something that I have just been letting “go through to the keeper”. Please write more!

Comment on Rally in Prayer by Ruth

Ruth — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 11:45:19 +0000

Who ever wrote these prayer points; thank you.

Comment on The Voice of Truth… by Sarah F

Sarah F — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:32:03 +0000

Thanks Jacqui, a good and helpful reminder. I have been enjoying listening to Casting Crowns too.

Comment on Being A Christian at University by Ruth

Ruth — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 02:04:27 +0000

Thanks for all the work that must have gone into compiling that info Sue. I am sure it will be valuable for those heading off the Uni.

Comment on Being A Christian at University by Kylie

Kylie — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 21:17:43 +0000

I thought that I might add to your list my recommendation for the University of New England. The UniChurch (Anglican) otherwise known as St Marks Chapel on campus holds 2 services on Sunday and have their MTS workers lead Bible Study at most of the colleges and in town.

Comment on Book Review – 50 Shades of Grey by Pip

Pip — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 04:46:03 +0000

I have read 50 shades of Grey. There had been so much hype about the book, and many of my friends had read it and were talking about. I thought long and hard about whether I should read it, but in the end I wanted to be able to have informed conversations with them about the book, so decided to read it. I had read a few reviews, and gotten the basics gist of the plot, however I’ve always been a firm believer that if you are going to be critical of something, you need to form your own opinions about it, not just accept those of others.

Anyway, I think that this review is overall very good. Kara Martin is right that this book is very unhelpful. The explicit sex scenes themselves are probably a good enough reason to avoid the book and the relationship between the two main characters is disturbing at best. However, I disagree with Martin on a couple of points.

Firstly, I think it is a bit of a stretch to compare Ana and Christian to Bella and Edward in Twilight. I know that’s where James got her original idea, but they are worlds apart. Secondly, I don’t think James presents this sort of relationship as a “romantic ideal”, as Martin claims. Nor do I think that she “encourages females to see obsession as a positive thing” or “encourages females to be the victim of male fantasies.” The book presents two people in a relationship, who both want very different things out of that relationship. Ana is infatuated with Grey, and while she doesn’t agree with or enjoy many aspects of their relationship, she goes along with this because she hopes to be able to change Grey. As the relationship progresses, Ana realises that this is never going to happen, and she chooses to leave the relationship. I feel that Martin’s comments about the encouragement Ana receives to continue in the relationship from her family and friends, are taken out of context. While I can see how you might conclude that James is promoting the things listed above, I don’t think that she actually is. I think she has explored the negative impact that this sort of relationship has. I would liken it to someone writing a murder mystery. Just because someone gets murdered in their book, it doesn’t mean they are promoting murder. Finally, Martin is right that this book doesn’t present a healthy view of relationships. Unfortunately, this is nothing new for fiction in modern day society.

Anyway, just some thoughts. As expressed earlier, I agree that this book is unhelpful, and if you are considering reading it, you should think very carefully about this. It is definitely extremely inappropriate for teenagers.

Comment on Book Review – 50 Shades of Grey by Sue Smith

Sue Smith — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:57:08 +0000

Thanks for alerting us to this review – I found it helpful. I keep hearing snippets about the book – enough to know I didn’t want to read it – but now I feel as though I can speak more specifically to the unhelpfulness of it .

I felt the opinions expressed were clearly christian and I found the verses for reflecting on toward the end of the review were helpful for reminding us of God’s perspective on relationships. Not sure that I agree with or understand Ash’s assessment .

Comment on Book Review – 50 Shades of Grey by Ash

Ash — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:56:15 +0000

Interesting article, and a good ethical take on the issue. However, this article does not reference enough Bible verses, and although I admit it is an opinion piece, it appears to be too human centred and not Scripture/God centred enough.

Comment on 25 words by Ruth Chapman

Ruth Chapman — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:04:28 +0000

I began a read the Bible in a year program in about July. It has turned out to be such a blessing. I love it so much that I develop a strategy to catch up whenI get behind.
At first I was quite task oriented about it and so read to make sure I got it done but gradually I changed so that I read thoughtfully now and have learned to pace myself through out the day so that I don’t read all the readings in one sitting.
I have taken to writing out verses that stand out and have been able to use some of them to help me pray.
Another benefit is that I have been able to remember where to find verses and use them to encourage a friend who is having a difficult time.
My confidence in God has grown.
It is well worth the effort and I am sure that you will not be disappointed if you make a consistent effort.
If it is hard to find the time maybe you could choose to read the Bible over two years instead of one. How much you read each day is less important than planning to succeed in reading it everyday.

Comment on Halloween vs Christmas by Leanne

Leanne — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 01:29:55 +0000

This was really helpful. As a primary aged child I participated in trick or treating many times with my neighbours, so as a Christian adult I was questioning whether that was the right thing for me to do. If my children want to participate in the future I will consider it prayerfully and with discernment.