More on "the Question"

This may be my last post for a while, as we are leaving for most of June to visit family and work at a summer missions project. I don't know about computer access, so we will see!

Thank you for all the responses on skydiving moms-I think Vince's response wins the prize so far! Now here is what TWO Christian marriage counselors told my wife and I some years ago:

Both men were into adventure sports, including mountain climbing in Africa, wilderness river rafting in winter, etc. Both their wives had problems with this (the men were both dads) and it stressed them out, worried them, etc. Both men told us it was manipulation for their wives to ask them not to go-it was important in these guy's lives, they said- even a spiritual experience -to do these risky activities and besides, they took all the right precautions. Their wives had no right to "control" them. One would assume it would work both ways-in fact we have had friends where the mom did go sky diving and the husband went along with it. BUT....

I questioned their thinking at the time this way (and still do): If we are called to love our wives sacrificially, wouldn't it be the more loving thing to forego things that worry them and cause them anguish? Don't we have the responsibility to be there for our kids? Is cheating death really a "spiritual" experience or just an adrenaline rush? (Studies have shown that bungie-jumping, hang-gliding types are, in fact, "hooked" on their own adredaline). And where in scripture is that kind of experience even hinted at? On the contrary, the spiritual priority is to put others first, not our own "highs". It seems to me that the far more godly thing to do is NOT go, but spend more time with our wives and children (as most fathers need to do).

Both counselors had no response to this. In fact, one of them ended up including adultery in his adventures and left his wife and the Lord. In addition, both taught egalatarian marriage (equal roles), which seems a little contradictory here.

If that stimulates any thoughts, please comment!

P.S. My father seems to be stable and we will be spending time with him next week. This may be the last Father's Day together. If you think of us, I would appreciate prayer that my Dad would go to his Lord with a smile and the knowledge he has had a good life and has been well loved.