Dear Pat Robertson

Dear Pat Robertson,

You remember that one time a few years ago when your Cristian Broadcasting Network (CBN) contacted me about running a story about our family? Do you remember that I decided not to allow you to run a story about us because I disagreed with many of the theology and values of CBN? Do you remember that I told you that I didn't want people to associate my beliefs and the beliefs of my family about God, sickness, family values, etc. with your beliefs? Remember how it was a tough decision, and I didn't really tell anybody about it then because I didn't want to look like I was being judgmental?

Well, right now, I'm incredibly thankful that God helped me make that decision, because it is painfully (and yes, I do mean that it pains me) obvious that the God and Bible you believe in are very different than the God and Bible I trust.

A question posed to you, Pat Robertson this week:

"I have a friend whose wife suffers from Alzheimer's. She doesn't even recognize him anymore, and, as you can imagine, the marriage has been rough. My friend has gotten bitter at God for allowing his wife to be in that condition, and now he's started seeing another woman. He says that he should be allowed to see other people, because his wife as he knows her is gone...I'm not quite sure what to tell him. Please help."

Your, Pat Robertson's response:

"I know it sounds cruel, but if he's going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again...to make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her. If you respect that vow...you say until death do us part...this is a kind of death."



Pat, I am thankful that I know better than to listen to your words and "logic" about marriage and death. I am thankful that I know the Bible and the heart of God well enough to believe with everything I am that God can do amazingly beautiful things in a marriage even when one person is sick and on the brink of death.

Your response to this person comes from a heart that either does not know God's Word or refuses to trust His Word when it doesn't make sense to our sinful hearts and minds. I am disappointed but not surprised. I am a sinful man with an incredibly sinful heart, and I know that I allow my human brain to rebel against the commands and promises of God far too often as well. I know, looking around me, in my church and in the Church (universal) that we all allow Satan to trick us with human logic into rebelling against God's perfect plan.

But, I also know that marriage is sacred, that God hates divorce, and that those who honor their marriage vows despite the difficulties that come with age and poor health are being fully obedient to His Word. I have never once considered leaving my wife because of her illness, not because I am a "good" person, but because I know that God desires that I remain committed to my vows, and because I trust that He works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

I don't expect you or the person who asked you that question to ever read this, and I certainly don't expect that my words would ever change your heart or mind about this. But, I want the world to know that there is another way, that those who stay committed to their vows even in the difficult times can come through it with miracles and incredible blessings. The love I have for my wife today is beyond anything I ever experienced during the time we spent together before she became so sick.

Pat Robertson, I love you in Christ, but you are flat out wrong. I know this because the Bible tells me so. My wife would tell you the same thing.

Sincerely,

Nathan Lawrenson

Duke Speech

In case you missed it, you can watch our keynote speech at Duke's CF Education Day Here.

Nate

Gwyneth's Great Strides Page!

Gwyneth is three and a half, and with our Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis coming up this Saturday, we thought she was old enough to begin helping us raise money to find a cure for CF. Please, take the time to check out Gwyneth's Great Strides Page and consider donating to help us find a cure for CF!!!

Nate

Come Outside and Play

Chatting Live Right Now

Tricia and I are chatting live with you right now about CF at http://www.justin.tv/dukecfcenter#/w/1746729760

Nate

Live Video - Duke's Cystic Fibrosis Education Day

From the kind people at Duke:

For those interested in following CF Education Day this Saturday via the web, we use a free (advertising-funded) website that is not affiliated with Duke to carry the broadcast. The web link is http://www.justin.tv/dukecfcenter and it will be live on Saturday when the speakers are presenting. There is also a text chat window where people at home can type questions. One of our CF center staff will be monitoring the chat and can read the questions aloud when the presenters take questions.

Users at home do not need an account log in to Justin.tv. The chat is open to "anonymous" users, and they will appear as "justintv42738965" or some combination of numbers. This is beneficial in protecting our patients' privacy, but the risk is that sometimes random users (not affiliated with our CF center) will drop by and post in our chat area.

With that in mind, and knowing that we can't control what ads are presented by the service, I do recommend parental guidance if families are watching at home. I would hate for a child to see something that their parents would not want them to view (violent video game ad or similar). It is possible to view the video in fullscreen mode and this may limit the intrusiveness of advertisements.