Is it just me or does it make sense that I might feel awkward in a chruch group studying "The Purpose Driven Life" when I don't believe? My wife seems to find it strange that I would feel awkward.

I understand why you might feel that way. Are the people in your church are reasonable sorts? Could you be honest about the fact that you do not believe? If you were to be honest, would they be respectful of that? When I studied it with a group, there was plenty of discussion over the premises or arguments that we did not automatically accept, etc., but I think everyone in the group at least believed there is some sort of a God who is probably at least somewhat like the generic picture of God we get from generic Christianity.

Part of me wants you to take it purely for my selfish reasons, so you can report back to me on what it's like to take it, if you're not a Christian, already. To cut your wife a huge amount of slack, she is *far* from the first person I have seen either using or touting PDL as an evangelism tool, and as someone who has taken the study, that it's used and even touted as such, puzzles me.

If you want to ask me any questions about it, my profile address is good. I'll spoil you silly for whole thing, if you like. Overall, I can say that I mostly liked it. Once I grasped the premise (pretty early on) though, it seemed somewhat elementary to me, and that disappointed me, a little. There's some what I think of as church-speak in it, which I think a lot of Christians use without thinking. Since Warren does aim this not only or even primarily at church goers, I found myself wishing he'd lose some of the church-speak. Also, at times, I wondered about Warren's choice of scriptures to support his points. I didn't find anything unscriptural about the points, themselves, just wondered sometimes, as the verses he chose to support them.

Are there any different groups at your church right now, Gud?

There are different groups, but I'm not really interested in them. Really, I'm not all that interested in this one was well.

Part of me wants you to take it purely for my selfish reasons, so you can report back to me on what it's like to take it, if you're not a Christian, already

Kinda pointless so far. You start off with the premise that God has created you for a specific purpose and I don't buy into that.

People try to save me all the time, Gud. Best of luck, babe.

Gud, is your wife trying to make you believing as she does some kind of project? That would be awfully difficult to live with.

Is there a word for cross-post, but when it happens in real life? Because my exercise ball just arrived today.

Ooo! Stephanie, we have one that we got for labor (but didn't use or bring to the hospital), and Paul considers it the most useful object in the house, because it's perfect for sitting on and bouncing babygirl to sleep. Just, y'know, don't use it for a week or two if you have stitches, because ouch.

Also: the Boppy is the most perfect thing known to mankind, and I find it easier to take the baby out of the bedroom and feed her on the couch with the Boppy at 4am than to try feeding her in the bed. This may change if and when we figure out side feeding, but at the moment, my bigger-than-her-head boobs are making that particular position a no-go.

Although if she's had some Sweeping Conversion TM, she may just want to share, but still...what Robin said. But she might mean it in the best way.

There are different groups, but I'm not really interested in them. Really, I'm not all that interested in this one was well.

Yeah, I was just thinking maybe you could join another in the spirit of marital compromise, one you might feel less awkward about, or one that might interest you more, plus you'd reap the benefits of getting out of the house, with other adults, for something other than work.

My church had a great marriage course, which although produced by a church and led by Christians, wasn't actually religious, or in any way a bible study, or bible-themed study. At most (that I can remember) the leaders (it's a vid based course) mention their faith casually in it. If, by chance, your church is offering it (http://themarriagecourse.org/marriage/ ) I would recommend it as something you and your wife could take together, and I would recommend it over the PDL, particularly since your world view is different than hers. It's a very healthy course.

Did she say why she wants you to take the PDL? I am being nosy, because I really am puzzled when I see PDL recommended for people who don't believe.

Kinda pointless so far. You start off with the premise that God has created you for a specific purpose and I don't buy into that.

You're already taking it?

Also: the Boppy is the most perfect thing known to mankind, and I find it easier to take the baby out of the bedroom and feed her on the couch with the Boppy at 4am than to try feeding her in the bed. This may change if and when we figure out side feeding, but at the moment, my bigger-than-her-head boobs are making that particular position a no-go.

The side feeding gets way easier as your milk production evens out. And I am totally with you on rather get out of bed than use the boppy in bed.