...which is a bit of a misnomer as we're currently here in the states and won't be back until January 2019 lol, God willing, but I thought it was a catchy introduction 
So. Yup. I'm Mark. Hate introductions, never sure where to start and it's reflected in my 'About Me' on my profile. *shrug*. Also haven't decided what to do for a profile pic so bear with me for now.
Let me say first what I'm looking for and then a bit about myself, because honestly I'm not sure where to start posting or who to ask.
I'm looking for fellowship with other believers in Christ that share my understanding of the morality and goodness of Biblical polygyny. Looking for encouragement in a world and--especially in the West--culture that hates it, especially in the 'Church' :\ Looking for wisdom as well for those who have dealt with some of the struggles surrounding it and especially in terms of how it relates to the first wife. **And I'm going to throw in a disclaimer, because I'm a sensitive soul lol...please respond in Christlike love and not judgementalism...I deal with that enough in the rest of the Church**
So now time to go out on a limb and share a bit about my own story.
I grew up in the typical Christian church that preached monogamy and monogamy only. By the time I was in college I had started to question whether we were really designed to be in monogamous relationships (in any sense, friendship, romantic, etc), when God is not monogamous in that sense (He is faithful to us, but even within Himself is a trinity...and He is married to each of us!). I wrestled with this for a long time, and contented myself with simple friendships with the opposite sex (which I still believe in wholeheartedly!). But it was no more than a lingering question until the rubber hit the road so to speak when, after being happily married for a number of years, I fell in love with another woman, while simultaneously having the deepest love for my wife. HOW COULD THIS BE?! I heard the voices of all of western culture screaming at me, and as my wife was not ready to accept a sister-wife at the time, I had to end the relationship (I say that...don't take it wrongly, I just mean 'before one began'). It was one of the most painful experiences of my life, but I did what was neccesary to keep the peace and be loving to my beloved. But it forced on me the realization that it is indeed possible for a man to love more than one woman equally at the same time, and for neither relationship to hurt the other (in theory). After much prayer, soul searching, and Bible study (and some helpful words from mentors and friends) I came to realize that this was because God designed men to be naturally polgamous (or, polygyny-able?), and not only permitted it but seemed to encourage and provide it in the Bible (David's example). Since then, while I'm still saddened at the loss of what could have been a wonderful, loving relationship, I have talked with my wife about the issue and, praise God, after her own study she came to realize the truth as well. Her head and her emotions are at odds though, and she has warned me that while she supports polygyny theologically, she is not able to accept such a marriage herself and so I have accepted that until the Holy Spirit changes her heart, I can be content in my current situation
As to who I am: I'm an artist, pure and simple. And seeking to be a Knight in Shining Armor for Christ. That's the term I always use, for several reasons: one, it speaks to my heart for others, especially the lonely, especially women (and I don't mean that in a romantic/PUA sense). Two, it speaks to my belief in chivalry, gentleman-ness, Biblical marriage roles, and a general disgust towards modern feminism and how it has infected our culture. And lastly, it speaks to my calling. I have a heart for the people and country of Japan, and my wife and I have been called to work as tentmaking missionaries there, to be salt and light. I've had the wonderfully affirming but simultaneously overwhelming experience of being told by a (non-believing) Japanese friend of mine that they felt "[you] and your wife seem like sunlight reaching down into the crappy darkness of my life to pull me up out of the mud". Yikes. Talk about pressure lol. It's been a process of remembering constantly that the onus is not on me, but Christ, to 'save' others...all I can do and be is who He has made me.
So. Yup. I'm Mark. Hate introductions, never sure where to start and it's reflected in my 'About Me' on my profile. *shrug*. Also haven't decided what to do for a profile pic so bear with me for now.
Let me say first what I'm looking for and then a bit about myself, because honestly I'm not sure where to start posting or who to ask.
I'm looking for fellowship with other believers in Christ that share my understanding of the morality and goodness of Biblical polygyny. Looking for encouragement in a world and--especially in the West--culture that hates it, especially in the 'Church' :\ Looking for wisdom as well for those who have dealt with some of the struggles surrounding it and especially in terms of how it relates to the first wife. **And I'm going to throw in a disclaimer, because I'm a sensitive soul lol...please respond in Christlike love and not judgementalism...I deal with that enough in the rest of the Church**
So now time to go out on a limb and share a bit about my own story.
I grew up in the typical Christian church that preached monogamy and monogamy only. By the time I was in college I had started to question whether we were really designed to be in monogamous relationships (in any sense, friendship, romantic, etc), when God is not monogamous in that sense (He is faithful to us, but even within Himself is a trinity...and He is married to each of us!). I wrestled with this for a long time, and contented myself with simple friendships with the opposite sex (which I still believe in wholeheartedly!). But it was no more than a lingering question until the rubber hit the road so to speak when, after being happily married for a number of years, I fell in love with another woman, while simultaneously having the deepest love for my wife. HOW COULD THIS BE?! I heard the voices of all of western culture screaming at me, and as my wife was not ready to accept a sister-wife at the time, I had to end the relationship (I say that...don't take it wrongly, I just mean 'before one began'). It was one of the most painful experiences of my life, but I did what was neccesary to keep the peace and be loving to my beloved. But it forced on me the realization that it is indeed possible for a man to love more than one woman equally at the same time, and for neither relationship to hurt the other (in theory). After much prayer, soul searching, and Bible study (and some helpful words from mentors and friends) I came to realize that this was because God designed men to be naturally polgamous (or, polygyny-able?), and not only permitted it but seemed to encourage and provide it in the Bible (David's example). Since then, while I'm still saddened at the loss of what could have been a wonderful, loving relationship, I have talked with my wife about the issue and, praise God, after her own study she came to realize the truth as well. Her head and her emotions are at odds though, and she has warned me that while she supports polygyny theologically, she is not able to accept such a marriage herself and so I have accepted that until the Holy Spirit changes her heart, I can be content in my current situation
As to who I am: I'm an artist, pure and simple. And seeking to be a Knight in Shining Armor for Christ. That's the term I always use, for several reasons: one, it speaks to my heart for others, especially the lonely, especially women (and I don't mean that in a romantic/PUA sense). Two, it speaks to my belief in chivalry, gentleman-ness, Biblical marriage roles, and a general disgust towards modern feminism and how it has infected our culture. And lastly, it speaks to my calling. I have a heart for the people and country of Japan, and my wife and I have been called to work as tentmaking missionaries there, to be salt and light. I've had the wonderfully affirming but simultaneously overwhelming experience of being told by a (non-believing) Japanese friend of mine that they felt "[you] and your wife seem like sunlight reaching down into the crappy darkness of my life to pull me up out of the mud". Yikes. Talk about pressure lol. It's been a process of remembering constantly that the onus is not on me, but Christ, to 'save' others...all I can do and be is who He has made me.
. There is the ladies section on the forum, but we also have a ladies chat on Monday nights, 7.30pm Eastern.
