People ask us all the time, What's the secret to a happy marriage? We've been counseling and mentoring married couples for 15 years now and it always comes back to this simple truth. When couples come to us about their marriage relationship, we always ask them about their relationship with Jesus.
The truth is that Jesus transforms our lives. If we will allow Him to come into our lives and start a relationship with Him, He will begin to change things. I had a major problem with anger when Jamie and I first married. I would come home form work angry about something that happened and I would take my anger out on her. It got so bad that something had to be done.
I remember talking with her one evening and she told me that if things didn't change that she wanted us to separate. It really got my attention and I wanted to know how to get rid of the anger inside of me. We prayed together and asked the Holy Spirit to show us the root cause and then show us how to get it out and eliminate it.
The Holy Spirit showed us what to do and we did exactly what He said. Little by little, the Holy Spirit begin to change me and my anger evaporated. Looking back on it now years later, the solution seemed so obvious. But in the heat of it, Satan had blinded my eyes to the truth. As scripture states, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free!
Jamie and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas praising the Lord of Lords and King of Kings! He is the Truth that sets us free
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
25th Celebration
When we married 25 years ago I made a promise to Jamie that I would take her to Germany. It took a few years (25 to be exact) but we did it last November. We've been many places over the years but never to Germany where I had spent the Summer before College in 1976.
We arrived in Munich and immediately fell in love with the places and people there. We always like to get immersed into the culture so we rode the subway into the center of Munich called the Mareinplatz. We took a walking tour of the town given by a college student from Canada. She showed us the Monk who symbolizes Munich. In one hand he holds a bible, his other hand is raised with two fingers in the air. She said he was ordering two beers. Don't know if that's true but it sounded good(Germans love their beer and in fact the German purity laws mandate how it is to be brewed).
We wanted to know what is the state of marriage in Germany? Watching people on the subway and around the town we wondered how are their relationships? We watched young mothers with their children on the trains and subways. One morning we were walking through a park and photographed a young father with his little girl playing among the statues.
Churches are not well attended in Germany. The ornate buildings are beautiful to look at but are empty inside. They seem to rely upon tourists to fund their operation with a healthy dose of government funds generated from the church tax. Our relationship with God is the foundation of marriage. That relationship is nurtured by the church. Without that, there is little hope for a healthy, happy, whole and successful marriage. Nurture your marriage by nurturing your relationship with God.
We arrived in Munich and immediately fell in love with the places and people there. We always like to get immersed into the culture so we rode the subway into the center of Munich called the Mareinplatz. We took a walking tour of the town given by a college student from Canada. She showed us the Monk who symbolizes Munich. In one hand he holds a bible, his other hand is raised with two fingers in the air. She said he was ordering two beers. Don't know if that's true but it sounded good(Germans love their beer and in fact the German purity laws mandate how it is to be brewed).
We wanted to know what is the state of marriage in Germany? Watching people on the subway and around the town we wondered how are their relationships? We watched young mothers with their children on the trains and subways. One morning we were walking through a park and photographed a young father with his little girl playing among the statues.
Churches are not well attended in Germany. The ornate buildings are beautiful to look at but are empty inside. They seem to rely upon tourists to fund their operation with a healthy dose of government funds generated from the church tax. Our relationship with God is the foundation of marriage. That relationship is nurtured by the church. Without that, there is little hope for a healthy, happy, whole and successful marriage. Nurture your marriage by nurturing your relationship with God.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The Manhattan Declaration
We've posted below the Marriage section of the Manhattan Declaration. A declaration with which we heartily agree to all it's parts. We have signed the declaration and hope that you too will read and sign the declaration. you may find it at www.manahttandeclaration.org
Marriage
The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24
This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:32-33
In Scripture, the creation of man and woman, and their one-flesh union as husband and wife, is the crowning achievement of God’s creation. In the transmission of life and the nurturing of children, men and women joined as spouses are given the great honor of being partners with God Himself. Marriage then, is the first institution of human society—indeed it is the institution on which all other human institutions have their foundation. In the Christian tradition we refer to marriage as “holy matrimony” to signal the fact that it is an institution ordained by God, and blessed by Christ in his participation at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. In the Bible, God Himself blesses and holds marriage in the highest esteem.
Vast human experience confirms that marriage is the original and most important institution for sustaining the health, education, and welfare of all persons in a society. Where marriage is honored, and where there is a flourishing marriage culture, everyone benefits—the spouses themselves, their children, the communities and societies in which they live. Where the marriage culture begins to erode, social pathologies of every sort quickly manifest themselves. Unfortunately, we have witnessed over the course of the past several decades a serious erosion of the marriage culture in our own country. Perhaps the most telling—and alarming—indicator is the out-of-wedlock birth rate. Less than fifty years ago, it was under 5 percent. Today it is over 40 percent. Our society—and particularly its poorest and most vulnerable sectors, where the out- of-wedlock birth rate is much higher even than the national average—is paying a huge price in delinquency, drug abuse, crime, incarceration, hopelessness, and despair. Other indicators are widespread non-marital sexual cohabitation and a devastatingly high rate of divorce.
We confess with sadness that Christians and our institutions have too often scandalously failed to uphold the institution of marriage and to model for the world the true meaning of marriage. Insofar as we have too easily embraced the culture of divorce and remained silent about social practices that undermine the dignity of marriage we repent, and call upon all Christians to do the same.
To strengthen families, we must stop glamorizing promiscuity and infidelity and restore among our people a sense of the profound beauty, mystery, and holiness of faithful marital love. We must reform ill-advised policies that contribute to the weakening of the institution of marriage, including the discredited idea of unilateral divorce. We must work in the legal, cultural, and religious domains to instill in young people a sound understanding of what marriage is, what it requires, and why it is worth the commitment and sacrifices that faithful spouses make.
The impulse to redefine marriage in order to recognize same-sex and multiple partner relationships is a symptom, rather than the cause, of the erosion of the marriage culture. It reflects a loss of understanding of the meaning of marriage as embodied in our civil and religious law and in the philosophical tradition that contributed to shaping the law. Yet it is critical that the impulse be resisted, for yielding to it would mean abandoning the possibility of restoring a sound understanding of marriage and, with it, the hope of rebuilding a healthy marriage culture. It would lock into place the false and destructive belief that marriage is all about romance and other adult satisfactions, and not, in any intrinsic way, about procreation and the unique character and value of acts and relationships whose meaning is shaped by their aptness for the generation, promotion and protection of life. In spousal communion and the rearing of children (who, as gifts of God, are the fruit of their parents’ marital love), we discover the profound reasons for and benefits of the marriage covenant.
We acknowledge that there are those who are disposed towards homosexual and polyamorous conduct and relationships, just as there are those who are disposed towards other forms of immoral conduct. We have compassion for those so disposed; we respect them as human beings possessing profound, inherent, and equal dignity; and we pay tribute to the men and women who strive, often with little assistance, to resist the temptation to yield to desires that they, no less than we, regard as wayward. We stand with them, even when they falter. We, no less than they, are sinners who have fallen short of God’s intention for our lives. We, no less than they, are in constant need of God’s patience, love and forgiveness. We call on the entire Christian community to resist sexual immorality, and at the same time refrain from disdainful condemnation of those who yield to it. Our rejection of sin, though resolute, must never become the rejection of sinners. For every sinner, regardless of the sin, is loved by God, who seeks not our destruction but rather the conversion of our hearts. Jesus calls all who wander from the path of virtue to “a more excellent way.” As his disciples we will reach out in love to assist all who hear the call and wish to answer it.
We further acknowledge that there are sincere people who disagree with us, and with the teaching of the Bible and Christian tradition, on questions of sexual morality and the nature of marriage. Some who enter into same-sex and polyamorous relationships no doubt regard their unions as truly marital. They fail to understand, however, that marriage is made possible by the sexual complementarity of man and woman, and that the comprehensive, multi-level sharing of life that marriage is includes bodily unity of the sort that unites husband and wife biologically as a reproductive unit. This is because the body is no mere extrinsic instrument of the human person, but truly part of the personal reality of the human being. Human beings are not merely centers of consciousness or emotion, or minds, or spirits, inhabiting non-personal bodies. The human person is a dynamic unity of body, mind, and spirit. Marriage is what one man and one woman establish when, forsaking all others and pledging lifelong commitment, they found a sharing of life at every level of being—the biological, the emotional, the dispositional, the rational, the spiritual— on a commitment that is sealed, completed and actualized by loving sexual intercourse in which the spouses become one flesh, not in some merely metaphorical sense, but by fulfilling together the behavioral conditions of procreation. That is why in the Christian tradition, and historically in Western law, consummated marriages are not dissoluble or annullable on the ground of infertility, even though the nature of the marital relationship is shaped and structured by its intrinsic orientation to the great good of procreation.
We understand that many of our fellow citizens, including some Christians, believe that the historic definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is a denial of equality or civil rights. They wonder what to say in reply to the argument that asserts that no harm would be done to them or to anyone if the law of the community were to confer upon two men or two women who are living together in a sexual partnership the status of being “married.” It would not, after all, affect their own marriages, would it? On inspection, however, the argument that laws governing one kind of marriage will not affect another cannot stand. Were it to prove anything, it would prove far too much: the assumption that the legal status of one set of marriage relationships affects no other would not only argue for same sex partnerships; it could be asserted with equal validity for polyamorous partnerships, polygamous households, even adult brothers, sisters, or brothers and sisters living in incestuous relationships. Should these, as a matter of equality or civil rights, be recognized as lawful marriages, and would they have no effects on other relationships? No. The truth is that marriage is not something abstract or neutral that the law may legitimately define and re-define to please those who are powerful and influential.
No one has a civil right to have a non-marital relationship treated as a marriage. Marriage is an objective reality—a covenantal union of husband and wife—that it is the duty of the law to recognize and support for the sake of justice and the common good. If it fails to do so, genuine social harms follow. First, the religious liberty of those for whom this is a matter of conscience is jeopardized. Second, the rights of parents are abused as family life and sex education programs in schools are used to teach children that an enlightened understanding recognizes as “marriages” sexual partnerships that many parents believe are intrinsically non-marital and immoral. Third, the common good of civil society is damaged when the law itself, in its critical pedagogical function, becomes a tool for eroding a sound understanding of marriage on which the flourishing of the marriage culture in any society vitally depends. Sadly, we are today far from having a thriving marriage culture. But if we are to begin the critically important process of reforming our laws and mores to rebuild such a culture, the last thing we can afford to do is to re-define marriage in such a way as to embody in our laws a false proclamation about what marriage is.
And so it is out of love (not “animus”) and prudent concern for the common good (not “prejudice”), that we pledge to labor ceaselessly to preserve the legal definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and to rebuild the marriage culture. How could we, as Christians, do otherwise? The Bible teaches us that marriage is a central part of God’s creation covenant. Indeed, the union of husband and wife mirrors the bond between Christ and his church. And so just as Christ was willing, out of love, to give Himself up for the church in a complete sacrifice, we are willing, lovingly, to make whatever sacrifices are required of us for the sake of the inestimable treasure that is marriage.
Marriage
The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24
This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:32-33
In Scripture, the creation of man and woman, and their one-flesh union as husband and wife, is the crowning achievement of God’s creation. In the transmission of life and the nurturing of children, men and women joined as spouses are given the great honor of being partners with God Himself. Marriage then, is the first institution of human society—indeed it is the institution on which all other human institutions have their foundation. In the Christian tradition we refer to marriage as “holy matrimony” to signal the fact that it is an institution ordained by God, and blessed by Christ in his participation at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. In the Bible, God Himself blesses and holds marriage in the highest esteem.
Vast human experience confirms that marriage is the original and most important institution for sustaining the health, education, and welfare of all persons in a society. Where marriage is honored, and where there is a flourishing marriage culture, everyone benefits—the spouses themselves, their children, the communities and societies in which they live. Where the marriage culture begins to erode, social pathologies of every sort quickly manifest themselves. Unfortunately, we have witnessed over the course of the past several decades a serious erosion of the marriage culture in our own country. Perhaps the most telling—and alarming—indicator is the out-of-wedlock birth rate. Less than fifty years ago, it was under 5 percent. Today it is over 40 percent. Our society—and particularly its poorest and most vulnerable sectors, where the out- of-wedlock birth rate is much higher even than the national average—is paying a huge price in delinquency, drug abuse, crime, incarceration, hopelessness, and despair. Other indicators are widespread non-marital sexual cohabitation and a devastatingly high rate of divorce.
We confess with sadness that Christians and our institutions have too often scandalously failed to uphold the institution of marriage and to model for the world the true meaning of marriage. Insofar as we have too easily embraced the culture of divorce and remained silent about social practices that undermine the dignity of marriage we repent, and call upon all Christians to do the same.
To strengthen families, we must stop glamorizing promiscuity and infidelity and restore among our people a sense of the profound beauty, mystery, and holiness of faithful marital love. We must reform ill-advised policies that contribute to the weakening of the institution of marriage, including the discredited idea of unilateral divorce. We must work in the legal, cultural, and religious domains to instill in young people a sound understanding of what marriage is, what it requires, and why it is worth the commitment and sacrifices that faithful spouses make.
The impulse to redefine marriage in order to recognize same-sex and multiple partner relationships is a symptom, rather than the cause, of the erosion of the marriage culture. It reflects a loss of understanding of the meaning of marriage as embodied in our civil and religious law and in the philosophical tradition that contributed to shaping the law. Yet it is critical that the impulse be resisted, for yielding to it would mean abandoning the possibility of restoring a sound understanding of marriage and, with it, the hope of rebuilding a healthy marriage culture. It would lock into place the false and destructive belief that marriage is all about romance and other adult satisfactions, and not, in any intrinsic way, about procreation and the unique character and value of acts and relationships whose meaning is shaped by their aptness for the generation, promotion and protection of life. In spousal communion and the rearing of children (who, as gifts of God, are the fruit of their parents’ marital love), we discover the profound reasons for and benefits of the marriage covenant.
We acknowledge that there are those who are disposed towards homosexual and polyamorous conduct and relationships, just as there are those who are disposed towards other forms of immoral conduct. We have compassion for those so disposed; we respect them as human beings possessing profound, inherent, and equal dignity; and we pay tribute to the men and women who strive, often with little assistance, to resist the temptation to yield to desires that they, no less than we, regard as wayward. We stand with them, even when they falter. We, no less than they, are sinners who have fallen short of God’s intention for our lives. We, no less than they, are in constant need of God’s patience, love and forgiveness. We call on the entire Christian community to resist sexual immorality, and at the same time refrain from disdainful condemnation of those who yield to it. Our rejection of sin, though resolute, must never become the rejection of sinners. For every sinner, regardless of the sin, is loved by God, who seeks not our destruction but rather the conversion of our hearts. Jesus calls all who wander from the path of virtue to “a more excellent way.” As his disciples we will reach out in love to assist all who hear the call and wish to answer it.
We further acknowledge that there are sincere people who disagree with us, and with the teaching of the Bible and Christian tradition, on questions of sexual morality and the nature of marriage. Some who enter into same-sex and polyamorous relationships no doubt regard their unions as truly marital. They fail to understand, however, that marriage is made possible by the sexual complementarity of man and woman, and that the comprehensive, multi-level sharing of life that marriage is includes bodily unity of the sort that unites husband and wife biologically as a reproductive unit. This is because the body is no mere extrinsic instrument of the human person, but truly part of the personal reality of the human being. Human beings are not merely centers of consciousness or emotion, or minds, or spirits, inhabiting non-personal bodies. The human person is a dynamic unity of body, mind, and spirit. Marriage is what one man and one woman establish when, forsaking all others and pledging lifelong commitment, they found a sharing of life at every level of being—the biological, the emotional, the dispositional, the rational, the spiritual— on a commitment that is sealed, completed and actualized by loving sexual intercourse in which the spouses become one flesh, not in some merely metaphorical sense, but by fulfilling together the behavioral conditions of procreation. That is why in the Christian tradition, and historically in Western law, consummated marriages are not dissoluble or annullable on the ground of infertility, even though the nature of the marital relationship is shaped and structured by its intrinsic orientation to the great good of procreation.
We understand that many of our fellow citizens, including some Christians, believe that the historic definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is a denial of equality or civil rights. They wonder what to say in reply to the argument that asserts that no harm would be done to them or to anyone if the law of the community were to confer upon two men or two women who are living together in a sexual partnership the status of being “married.” It would not, after all, affect their own marriages, would it? On inspection, however, the argument that laws governing one kind of marriage will not affect another cannot stand. Were it to prove anything, it would prove far too much: the assumption that the legal status of one set of marriage relationships affects no other would not only argue for same sex partnerships; it could be asserted with equal validity for polyamorous partnerships, polygamous households, even adult brothers, sisters, or brothers and sisters living in incestuous relationships. Should these, as a matter of equality or civil rights, be recognized as lawful marriages, and would they have no effects on other relationships? No. The truth is that marriage is not something abstract or neutral that the law may legitimately define and re-define to please those who are powerful and influential.
No one has a civil right to have a non-marital relationship treated as a marriage. Marriage is an objective reality—a covenantal union of husband and wife—that it is the duty of the law to recognize and support for the sake of justice and the common good. If it fails to do so, genuine social harms follow. First, the religious liberty of those for whom this is a matter of conscience is jeopardized. Second, the rights of parents are abused as family life and sex education programs in schools are used to teach children that an enlightened understanding recognizes as “marriages” sexual partnerships that many parents believe are intrinsically non-marital and immoral. Third, the common good of civil society is damaged when the law itself, in its critical pedagogical function, becomes a tool for eroding a sound understanding of marriage on which the flourishing of the marriage culture in any society vitally depends. Sadly, we are today far from having a thriving marriage culture. But if we are to begin the critically important process of reforming our laws and mores to rebuild such a culture, the last thing we can afford to do is to re-define marriage in such a way as to embody in our laws a false proclamation about what marriage is.
And so it is out of love (not “animus”) and prudent concern for the common good (not “prejudice”), that we pledge to labor ceaselessly to preserve the legal definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman and to rebuild the marriage culture. How could we, as Christians, do otherwise? The Bible teaches us that marriage is a central part of God’s creation covenant. Indeed, the union of husband and wife mirrors the bond between Christ and his church. And so just as Christ was willing, out of love, to give Himself up for the church in a complete sacrifice, we are willing, lovingly, to make whatever sacrifices are required of us for the sake of the inestimable treasure that is marriage.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Good to be home
We've just returned from two weeks in Germany, Austria and the Czeck Republic. A twenty fifth wedding anniversary trip for us. It's amazing how fast time goes by and how we measure the passage of time. The events that mark the years are interesting because we tend to thing they happen in a vaccum but upon reflection their were so many events taking place at the same time in difference areas of our lives but we only remember those certain events that have a "marker".
I remember the first Thanksgiving that we were married. Jamie's mom was still alive then and so full of life. She wanted to know all about our time together as husband and wife for all of the three months we had been married. From her wheelchair she would ask all the questions and piece together our relationship. She was a wonderful woman, so full of life.
Having been diagnosed with MS years earlier, she was on a gradually declining slope. Slowly losing the use of her hands and feet. But that first year she seemed to be especially full of energy and excited to have her family together.
Jamie's dad was one of the few spouses of MS victims that stayed with his spouse. so many can't take the pressure and responsibility of caring for an MS victim. He provided all her care for over 30 years. Their marriage was a picture of love, respect and committment to their marriage vows. A great example of how a marriage should be.
As we celebrate 25 years together, we remember the heritage we have and the great example of love and sacrifice that was their marriage. May we all have the courage to live as they did.
I remember the first Thanksgiving that we were married. Jamie's mom was still alive then and so full of life. She wanted to know all about our time together as husband and wife for all of the three months we had been married. From her wheelchair she would ask all the questions and piece together our relationship. She was a wonderful woman, so full of life.
Having been diagnosed with MS years earlier, she was on a gradually declining slope. Slowly losing the use of her hands and feet. But that first year she seemed to be especially full of energy and excited to have her family together.
Jamie's dad was one of the few spouses of MS victims that stayed with his spouse. so many can't take the pressure and responsibility of caring for an MS victim. He provided all her care for over 30 years. Their marriage was a picture of love, respect and committment to their marriage vows. A great example of how a marriage should be.
As we celebrate 25 years together, we remember the heritage we have and the great example of love and sacrifice that was their marriage. May we all have the courage to live as they did.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Reconciling Relationships
Jesus loves us so much that He sent us a helper, the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke in the Gospel of John about a wonderful relationship that He was sending to His disciples after He was gone. He told them of this beautiful intimate relationship that they would experience that would be better than being with Him.
Sometimes people confuse the different manifestations of our Lord. They will say that God is a big God and is not relational at all but someone to be revered and worshipped. And of course He is that. However He is also an intimate relational God whoose greatest desire is to have an intimate relationship with His people.
That relationship is through the person of the Holy Spirit. God in His infinite wisdom knew that we needed a big God. Someone that we could run to when everything in life was falling apart and He would shelter us under His mighty arms. But He also knew that to have a relationship with us, He would need to be close to us indeed even inside of us. As the book of Ephesians points out, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us when we become believers. But He does not force himself on anyone so He waits for an invitation for relatrionship with us.
He is there for us all the time. Willing to share His most intimate secrets with us if we will only ask and seek a relationship with Him. He longs to bless us with His wisdom. Ask Him today to begin that intimate relationship with Him. He will speak to you in ways you would not believe possible before. He will give you specific advice and counsel about your situation and help you through it. Imagine the wisdom of the ages available to us 24/7!
Ask Him in to your life and begin a relationship with the King of Kings today.
Sometimes people confuse the different manifestations of our Lord. They will say that God is a big God and is not relational at all but someone to be revered and worshipped. And of course He is that. However He is also an intimate relational God whoose greatest desire is to have an intimate relationship with His people.
That relationship is through the person of the Holy Spirit. God in His infinite wisdom knew that we needed a big God. Someone that we could run to when everything in life was falling apart and He would shelter us under His mighty arms. But He also knew that to have a relationship with us, He would need to be close to us indeed even inside of us. As the book of Ephesians points out, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us when we become believers. But He does not force himself on anyone so He waits for an invitation for relatrionship with us.
He is there for us all the time. Willing to share His most intimate secrets with us if we will only ask and seek a relationship with Him. He longs to bless us with His wisdom. Ask Him today to begin that intimate relationship with Him. He will speak to you in ways you would not believe possible before. He will give you specific advice and counsel about your situation and help you through it. Imagine the wisdom of the ages available to us 24/7!
Ask Him in to your life and begin a relationship with the King of Kings today.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Augusta to Greenville
We did back to back interviews on Christian TV stations last week. in Augusta,GA on TV 49, a wonderful Christian station broadcasting the truth to millions of people around Augusta and on cable and sat internationally to ove 50 countries. Russell and Dorothy Spaulding, the station owners interviewed us for two hours on their Club 36 program.
Russell and Dorothy before buying the station walked with the Cross from Florida to Washington, DC and then for eight years all around the country. They never planned one day before another, never asked for money or a place to stay along the road. God provided for them every day with food and shelter and wonderful people. Their book "We Walk by Faith" chronicles the years they spent walking the Cross throughout the United States.
Then on to Greenville and a great Christian station, TV 16 broadcasting to millions of viewers all over the Carolinas. Our hosts, Bill and Ann are wonderful Christian servants, Bill is a pastor and long time host of TV 16's Nite Line program. This station gave a start to Tammy Faye and it is where she did a nightly cooking show.
We were able to tell people about the wonderful relationship waiting for them in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is one who will give us intimate and specific instructions if we will only ask Him. He is the Third Cord that binds a marriage together. Our book Third Cord Secret is available through our website at www.thirdcordsecret.com
Russell and Dorothy before buying the station walked with the Cross from Florida to Washington, DC and then for eight years all around the country. They never planned one day before another, never asked for money or a place to stay along the road. God provided for them every day with food and shelter and wonderful people. Their book "We Walk by Faith" chronicles the years they spent walking the Cross throughout the United States.
Then on to Greenville and a great Christian station, TV 16 broadcasting to millions of viewers all over the Carolinas. Our hosts, Bill and Ann are wonderful Christian servants, Bill is a pastor and long time host of TV 16's Nite Line program. This station gave a start to Tammy Faye and it is where she did a nightly cooking show.
We were able to tell people about the wonderful relationship waiting for them in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is one who will give us intimate and specific instructions if we will only ask Him. He is the Third Cord that binds a marriage together. Our book Third Cord Secret is available through our website at www.thirdcordsecret.com
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Blessing of Marriage
This month we are celebrating 25 years of marriage. Starting out, we learned how to live together and function as a couple and later as a family. As we began to discover the intricate machinery of our relationship. We began to see and understand God's design for marriage.
Several years ago we read a passage from a James Dobson book which challenged us greatly. I'm paraphrasing, it started out with: For every 10 couples who marry, 5 will divorce. (an unfortunate fact however not the point of the book)But what happens to the other 5 that stay together?
3 will struggle but stay together. Only 2 will achieve the relationship goal of Genesis: A man will leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife and the two shall become one flesh.
God's design in marriage was to bless both participants with a greater blessing than either could achieve apart. We see in God's plan that husbands and wives if they learn to function together as one have great spiritual authority and power over their situations in life.
When confronted with a difficult situation, we have seen God come to our defense with great speed and power when we pray together. Several years ago our son was diagnosed with a serious learning disability that threatened to prevent him from learning.
We attacked the situation in prayer together. We saw our son make great progress so that by his senior year of high school, he was in the gifted program and taking college level courses at a local college. Now he is a sophomore in college, in the honor society and in a nursing scholars program.
We credit all of this to God through the power of prayer. The kind of prayer that God cannot deny. The prayers of a husband and wife praying together. Today, if you need a breakthrough. Pray together and ask God to do what he so desires to do for you. To bless you!
Several years ago we read a passage from a James Dobson book which challenged us greatly. I'm paraphrasing, it started out with: For every 10 couples who marry, 5 will divorce. (an unfortunate fact however not the point of the book)But what happens to the other 5 that stay together?
3 will struggle but stay together. Only 2 will achieve the relationship goal of Genesis: A man will leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife and the two shall become one flesh.
God's design in marriage was to bless both participants with a greater blessing than either could achieve apart. We see in God's plan that husbands and wives if they learn to function together as one have great spiritual authority and power over their situations in life.
When confronted with a difficult situation, we have seen God come to our defense with great speed and power when we pray together. Several years ago our son was diagnosed with a serious learning disability that threatened to prevent him from learning.
We attacked the situation in prayer together. We saw our son make great progress so that by his senior year of high school, he was in the gifted program and taking college level courses at a local college. Now he is a sophomore in college, in the honor society and in a nursing scholars program.
We credit all of this to God through the power of prayer. The kind of prayer that God cannot deny. The prayers of a husband and wife praying together. Today, if you need a breakthrough. Pray together and ask God to do what he so desires to do for you. To bless you!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Julie and Julia
We saw Julie and Julia tonight. It was quite fun. Most people would csll it a chick flick. However, Alan enjoyed it as much as I did. It's two beautifil love stories intertwined into one story line. In both cases the husbands support their wives, while the wives pusue their dreams. Julia Childs', husband works for the governmenr during the McCarthy era. While Julie's story takes place in modern day New York City. I didn't know that it was a true story until the end of the movie, which makes it that much more intriuguing.I never knew much about julis Childs, but I am ready to get a book about her. What a loveable character!
I think the part I love best is the way marriages were depicted. The husbands and the wives were so in love with one another. They laughed together, supported and affirmed one another. It was rerfreshing! I am so tired of seeing dysfunction in families and marriages amongst movie stars and in the entertainment industry. People need to see what healthy looks like in this crazy, mixed up world. Keep it coming!
I think the part I love best is the way marriages were depicted. The husbands and the wives were so in love with one another. They laughed together, supported and affirmed one another. It was rerfreshing! I am so tired of seeing dysfunction in families and marriages amongst movie stars and in the entertainment industry. People need to see what healthy looks like in this crazy, mixed up world. Keep it coming!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Years ago as Jamie and I were beginning our work with married couples, we visited with Reverend Frank Barker. Reverend Barker, now retired was the founding pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian church in Birminham. As Frank shared with us that afternoon, we began to see the heart of a man committed to doing God's work without regard to himself. He so unselfishly served God with all of his being during his time as Senior Pastor at Briarwood.
He spoke of one particular situation in which one of the elders in his church was preparing to leave his wife. The man was involved in an affair and had told his wife that he was leaving her. Frank arrived at the man's house as he was preparing to leave.
Intervening in the situation, Frank pleaded with him not to leave her but to come to his senses and see what would happen to him and his family if he were to leave. Finally, begging him not to destroy himself, Frank convinced the man to stay and break off the affair.
Because of Frank's willingness to stand in the gap, the man and his wife reconciled and worked out their problems. He was willing to do whatever it took to turn the situation around.
We were so touched by his simple obedience to God's word to be a watchman on the wall and to speak the truth in love. It reminds us that sometimes what is needed is for us to get in the face of one caught in sin and do what is needed to bring repentance.
Jamie and I will forever be grateful for his Christ like example and pastors heart.
He spoke of one particular situation in which one of the elders in his church was preparing to leave his wife. The man was involved in an affair and had told his wife that he was leaving her. Frank arrived at the man's house as he was preparing to leave.
Intervening in the situation, Frank pleaded with him not to leave her but to come to his senses and see what would happen to him and his family if he were to leave. Finally, begging him not to destroy himself, Frank convinced the man to stay and break off the affair.
Because of Frank's willingness to stand in the gap, the man and his wife reconciled and worked out their problems. He was willing to do whatever it took to turn the situation around.
We were so touched by his simple obedience to God's word to be a watchman on the wall and to speak the truth in love. It reminds us that sometimes what is needed is for us to get in the face of one caught in sin and do what is needed to bring repentance.
Jamie and I will forever be grateful for his Christ like example and pastors heart.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Almaty
Jamie and I are having breakfast tomorrow with a great friend and missionary, John Weed. John has been working in the nation of Kazakhstan for over 10 years. He planted Joy Church in Almaty and through his leadership the church has grown to over 10,000 primarily Muslim Christians. Joy Church has planted over 50 churches in the country of KZ.
The people there are desperate for the life giving word of Jesus Christ. Joy Church sponsors a drug and alcohol rehab facility as well as an orphanage located in neighboring Tajikistan. Please pray for the people there that the evil one will not be able to blind their eyes to the truth of God's wonderful good news.
John has asked us to lead a marriage retreat in Almaty in which he can bring in the pastors and their wives from all 50 of their church plants. The pastors and wives almost never receive any ministry themselves because the people in their churches are so needy. Please pray that we can minister life and refreshing to them as we pour into their lives. These men and women have sacrificed much to be a believer in Jesus Christ.
The people there are desperate for the life giving word of Jesus Christ. Joy Church sponsors a drug and alcohol rehab facility as well as an orphanage located in neighboring Tajikistan. Please pray for the people there that the evil one will not be able to blind their eyes to the truth of God's wonderful good news.
John has asked us to lead a marriage retreat in Almaty in which he can bring in the pastors and their wives from all 50 of their church plants. The pastors and wives almost never receive any ministry themselves because the people in their churches are so needy. Please pray that we can minister life and refreshing to them as we pour into their lives. These men and women have sacrificed much to be a believer in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Reform Divorce
In the early 1970's Alabama, following the state of California's lead, changed their laws concerning divorce. Alabama became one of the first states to enacted a "No Fault" Divorce law in which it became much easier for married couples to divorce.
As no-fault divorce gained popularity, the great majority of divorces where granted on the basis of incompatibility. In 1995, the state's divorce rate was 43 percent higher than the national average.
Couples mutually agree to marry however with no-fault divorce legislation, one party can unilaterally end the marriage without consent from the other party. Prior to the passage of no-fault laws, both couples had to consent to divorce and often a judge would threaten to impose sanctions that led couples to try and work things out.
We desperately need to reform our States divorce laws to remove no-fault language. Please join with us in supporting divorce reform at www.reformdivorce.org
As no-fault divorce gained popularity, the great majority of divorces where granted on the basis of incompatibility. In 1995, the state's divorce rate was 43 percent higher than the national average.
Couples mutually agree to marry however with no-fault divorce legislation, one party can unilaterally end the marriage without consent from the other party. Prior to the passage of no-fault laws, both couples had to consent to divorce and often a judge would threaten to impose sanctions that led couples to try and work things out.
We desperately need to reform our States divorce laws to remove no-fault language. Please join with us in supporting divorce reform at www.reformdivorce.org
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Froggy
Sometimes it's the little things that we celebrate in life. Earlier this week, Jamie found a little green tree frog on the top of our garbage can lid. It had been caught between the lid and the trash can and the lid had closed on it's body. It could not move it's legs at all. So she brought it inside and created a little nest with leaves and water and some goldfish food. Who knew that frogs like goldfish food?
We actually prayed for the little thing that God would heal its legs. Slowly it was able to move around on one leg. Pulling the other behind fully stretched out. Very sad looking. Well then it started to use both legs crawling around his little nest. Finally he was climbing to the top of the nest trying to get out.
Well finally today we had him out and he jumped out of Jamie's hands onto the floor. time for release back outside. We left him on a tree, looking for insects to eat, fully recovered and ready to jump. What a neat thing to whatch happen! God heals and is concerned even about a little green tree frog. What does that say about us? God cares about even the smallest of things where we are concerned. Ask him to heal you today!
We actually prayed for the little thing that God would heal its legs. Slowly it was able to move around on one leg. Pulling the other behind fully stretched out. Very sad looking. Well then it started to use both legs crawling around his little nest. Finally he was climbing to the top of the nest trying to get out.
Well finally today we had him out and he jumped out of Jamie's hands onto the floor. time for release back outside. We left him on a tree, looking for insects to eat, fully recovered and ready to jump. What a neat thing to whatch happen! God heals and is concerned even about a little green tree frog. What does that say about us? God cares about even the smallest of things where we are concerned. Ask him to heal you today!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Celebrate
Yesterday Jamie and I drove to Atlanta with my Mom amd Dad. While traveling he and I were talking about his time overseas. He had started at Auburn and shortly after arriving there was drafted. He spent time in some of the most well know battle grounds in the Pacific. He was in Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo in the Hebrides. Then on to Leyte and then finally in Cebu on the Philipine Islands. Recently he went to Washington D.C. on an Honor Flight along with 135 other Veterans.
He is the last of that greatest generation of men who went to war and sacrificed everything to provide for our American way of life. His generation is one of self-sacrifice. He has always been that way. Even today, he would give before thinking of himself. What a heritage to leave behind for future generations. A heritage of sacrifice for something bigger than oneself.
On this Fourth of July, I celebrate my father and all those who have given their lives in service to our country. My dad, a Godly man represents the love of our heavenly Father better than anyone I know. I thank God for all the heros that helped make our country the beacon of freedom that it is today.
He is the last of that greatest generation of men who went to war and sacrificed everything to provide for our American way of life. His generation is one of self-sacrifice. He has always been that way. Even today, he would give before thinking of himself. What a heritage to leave behind for future generations. A heritage of sacrifice for something bigger than oneself.
On this Fourth of July, I celebrate my father and all those who have given their lives in service to our country. My dad, a Godly man represents the love of our heavenly Father better than anyone I know. I thank God for all the heros that helped make our country the beacon of freedom that it is today.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Different from the World
We have an opportunity to appear on the Paul Finebaum radio program next week. His is a secular sports talk show. Jamie and I have been thinking about how to present what we have written to a decidedly un-Christian market. As Christian's we are called to be "in" the world but not a part "of" the world. As Paul, the Apostle, instructs in Romans 12:2, we are not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what the will of God is. That which is good and acceptable and perfect. We are also called to be salt and light to a generation that is perishing.
We see so many Christians conforming to the world rather than being transformed by their relationship with Christ. Our daughter's favorite shirt is from a camp she attended years ago. On it is written the phrase "Carpe' Diem" or "seize the day". Many times we are afraid of what others will think if we express our faith or take a stand for what is right. When in reality the world is desperately searching for someone to speak some truth into their lives.
If we are salt, then we are a preservative to help keep our culture from disentegrating. We are called to enhance the lives of those around us, as salt improves flavor. We are the aroma of Christ and a sweet smelling incense to those that are searching for life. Be salt and light to someone today, Carpe' Diem!
We see so many Christians conforming to the world rather than being transformed by their relationship with Christ. Our daughter's favorite shirt is from a camp she attended years ago. On it is written the phrase "Carpe' Diem" or "seize the day". Many times we are afraid of what others will think if we express our faith or take a stand for what is right. When in reality the world is desperately searching for someone to speak some truth into their lives.
If we are salt, then we are a preservative to help keep our culture from disentegrating. We are called to enhance the lives of those around us, as salt improves flavor. We are the aroma of Christ and a sweet smelling incense to those that are searching for life. Be salt and light to someone today, Carpe' Diem!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Good Gifts
Jamie and I have met so many people over the years who struggle with their identity in Christ. Years ago when we first became followers of Jesus Christ, He gave us a revelation of how we are seen by our heavenly Father. That experience forever erased from my mind all thoughts of inadequacy because I saw myself through God's eye's. I knew that He loved me and accepted me without reservation.
That experience was a work of the Holy Spirit to forever change our perspective. Our prayer for you is that through the power of the Holy Spirit you too will see yourself through God's eye's. When that happens, Satan schemes can no longer be effective in condeming you because you know the truth! Your marriage will be so strengthened by this revelation that it will transform your relationship and take you to a higher place with Him.
That experience was a work of the Holy Spirit to forever change our perspective. Our prayer for you is that through the power of the Holy Spirit you too will see yourself through God's eye's. When that happens, Satan schemes can no longer be effective in condeming you because you know the truth! Your marriage will be so strengthened by this revelation that it will transform your relationship and take you to a higher place with Him.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Atlanta Live
Jamie and I were on the Atlanta Live TV show last Friday night. We had such fun, the hosts Roy and Sherry were great and we were able to share with the Atlanta cable market about Third Cord Secret and our passion to save marriages.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Over the last 15 years, we have counseled with more couples than we can remember. Now in our 25th year of marriage, we have seen so many that it is hard to keep them all in our minds. Their is one word which seems to come up in our conversations with couples over and over again. Hopeless! It's hopeless, we hear from either the hudband or wife or both.
We have learned that nothing is impossible with God. He can make the situation that appears hopeless turn around. He just needs a willing partner to help turn it around by agreeing with what His word has to say. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we will not give up." Gal. 6:9
If we will invite the Holy Spirit to show us the way in the troubled waters where marriage can sometimes take us, we will see Him rescue us if we are willing to continue doing what is right. We should not grow tired of doing what is right because we shall see the fruits of our efforts as long as we press through.
We have learned that nothing is impossible with God. He can make the situation that appears hopeless turn around. He just needs a willing partner to help turn it around by agreeing with what His word has to say. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we will not give up." Gal. 6:9
If we will invite the Holy Spirit to show us the way in the troubled waters where marriage can sometimes take us, we will see Him rescue us if we are willing to continue doing what is right. We should not grow tired of doing what is right because we shall see the fruits of our efforts as long as we press through.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
As foster parents, we have been charged with the care of infants awaiting adoption. It has changed our perspective of "adoption" process. In scripture, Jesus has told us that as Christians we have been adopted into the family of God. Jesus actually being a joint heir with us in the inheritance that is eternal life.
Foster parents' role in the adoption process is simply to care for and shepherd over these children while the adoption papers are finalized. Then we have the great joy of being a part of introducing the child to their adoptive families. We love them, then pass them on to their final and permanent destination.
For the first time, we are seeing these moments of great joy in life from His perspective. God celebrates with us, each one of these special times in life.
Like Him, we love these babies from the moment we meet them. We love them well while they are in our family. Then they are placed in their forever families; their adoptive homes. What a joy that day is for these adoptive families. Seeing them receive their long awaited child. What a day of rejoicing! I imagine it to be how God feels when He is in the labor and delivery room with every new mother and father as they see their brand new baby.
Every moment in life you experience with your Lord. He is there to cheer, love, comfort, or greive with you. You are His and He is yours. You are family and His adopted one. "...you have received a Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God..."Romans 8:15-16
Foster parents' role in the adoption process is simply to care for and shepherd over these children while the adoption papers are finalized. Then we have the great joy of being a part of introducing the child to their adoptive families. We love them, then pass them on to their final and permanent destination.
For the first time, we are seeing these moments of great joy in life from His perspective. God celebrates with us, each one of these special times in life.
Like Him, we love these babies from the moment we meet them. We love them well while they are in our family. Then they are placed in their forever families; their adoptive homes. What a joy that day is for these adoptive families. Seeing them receive their long awaited child. What a day of rejoicing! I imagine it to be how God feels when He is in the labor and delivery room with every new mother and father as they see their brand new baby.
Every moment in life you experience with your Lord. He is there to cheer, love, comfort, or greive with you. You are His and He is yours. You are family and His adopted one. "...you have received a Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God..."Romans 8:15-16
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Graduation and Promotion
This is the season for graduation. We've attended on consecutive weekends the graduation of our neice and nephew, one from Birmingham Southern and the other from Sewanee. That led us to thinking in terms of spiritual promotion. In the natural, there is this intense period of academic study and then graduation where you begin to apply those things you have learned.
In the spiritual, there is a parallel with the natural after an intense period of studying the Word we begin to apply what we have learned into life. Then God brings promotion. Psalms 75:6-7 says: For promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the West, nor form the South. But God is the judge; He putteth down one, and setteth up another.
That led us to wonder just how does God decide who to promote and who to put down? That decision is in large part our choice. Psalms 106:3-5 is the key: How blessed are those who promote justice, and do what is right all the time! Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation, that I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, That I may glory in Your inheritance.
Who would not want to receive what He is talking about here? Even as our culture becomes more wicked and corrupt we see in this youngest generation the seeds of justice and righteousness spoken of in Psalms 106 that will lead to God's favor and deliverance from our evil ways.
One of the greatest blessings that God is referring to here is a great marriage. Those that walk in justice and righteousness will enjoy all the blessings that God has to give.
In the spiritual, there is a parallel with the natural after an intense period of studying the Word we begin to apply what we have learned into life. Then God brings promotion. Psalms 75:6-7 says: For promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the West, nor form the South. But God is the judge; He putteth down one, and setteth up another.
That led us to wonder just how does God decide who to promote and who to put down? That decision is in large part our choice. Psalms 106:3-5 is the key: How blessed are those who promote justice, and do what is right all the time! Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation, that I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, That I may glory in Your inheritance.
Who would not want to receive what He is talking about here? Even as our culture becomes more wicked and corrupt we see in this youngest generation the seeds of justice and righteousness spoken of in Psalms 106 that will lead to God's favor and deliverance from our evil ways.
One of the greatest blessings that God is referring to here is a great marriage. Those that walk in justice and righteousness will enjoy all the blessings that God has to give.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Our church has a Wednesday night service. Part of each Wednesday night we take time to pray for people. Jamie and I are part of the prayer team that does that. It must be a God thing but most of the people we pray for are having issues with their marriage. God seems to direct people to us for prayer. It's humbling to be able to interceed for people going through such heartache and trouble.
Almost always we are impressed to invite people to come before the throne of
God as Hebrews states. In fact it says to approach the throne of God with boldness so that we may receive help in our time of need. Most people think that God is a mean angry
god ready to take a bible and knock them on the head and punish them for the stupid mistakes they've made.
Nothing could be further from the truth. God so desires to help His kids that He is willing to go to great lengths to communicate and demonstrate His love and compassion for us. We are simply the mail carriers bringing the good news that God wants to help and is ready to work a miracle in their lives if they will only allow His Holy Spirit in to do the work.
Jamie and I met with a couple a few years ago who were on the verge of divorce. Lots of stuff going on. We simply prayed for them and directed them to what God's word had to say about their situation. she was dealing with some very serious emotional issues and both had messed up.
But God did'nt remind them of how bad they were and how screwed up they had made things. He simply went to work through the power of the Holy Spirit. And their lives began to change for the better. She actually got healed of her emotional issues. No more medications and they both had their relationship healed. They have a wonderful marriage today and getting stronger.
So often we play the blame game where God comes in and helps straigthen out the mess. I thank God we have such a wonderful heavenly Father who loves us enough to get involved in our mess and help us clean it up.
Blessings!!
Almost always we are impressed to invite people to come before the throne of
God as Hebrews states. In fact it says to approach the throne of God with boldness so that we may receive help in our time of need. Most people think that God is a mean angry
god ready to take a bible and knock them on the head and punish them for the stupid mistakes they've made.
Nothing could be further from the truth. God so desires to help His kids that He is willing to go to great lengths to communicate and demonstrate His love and compassion for us. We are simply the mail carriers bringing the good news that God wants to help and is ready to work a miracle in their lives if they will only allow His Holy Spirit in to do the work.
Jamie and I met with a couple a few years ago who were on the verge of divorce. Lots of stuff going on. We simply prayed for them and directed them to what God's word had to say about their situation. she was dealing with some very serious emotional issues and both had messed up.
But God did'nt remind them of how bad they were and how screwed up they had made things. He simply went to work through the power of the Holy Spirit. And their lives began to change for the better. She actually got healed of her emotional issues. No more medications and they both had their relationship healed. They have a wonderful marriage today and getting stronger.
So often we play the blame game where God comes in and helps straigthen out the mess. I thank God we have such a wonderful heavenly Father who loves us enough to get involved in our mess and help us clean it up.
Blessings!!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Forgiveness
I go to a men's bible study on Saturday mornings at a local coffee shop. I've known most of the guys that attend for years and love all of them. We have a great time discussing and studying biblical concepts. Lately we have been discussing foregiveness and it is fascinating to hear the different perspectives we all have on the subject. We all agree that Jesus was the first foregiver and because of His foregiveness of us, we are empowered to forgive.
We were reading the parable about the servant who owed an enormous amount of money to his master. The master forgave him of his debt however the servant went out and refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him only a few dollars. When his master found out about it he called the servant before him and dispatched him to the jailers until he paid back the entire debt.
Jesus forgave us that debt we could not pay back so that we would in turn forgive others the small things they do to us. It's true in marriage isin't it that when we choose to forgive our spouse, the forgiveness we have received from Jesus empowers us to pass it on. Just a thought to keep in mind as we go through the day, to pass on the forgiveness we have received to others.
We were reading the parable about the servant who owed an enormous amount of money to his master. The master forgave him of his debt however the servant went out and refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him only a few dollars. When his master found out about it he called the servant before him and dispatched him to the jailers until he paid back the entire debt.
Jesus forgave us that debt we could not pay back so that we would in turn forgive others the small things they do to us. It's true in marriage isin't it that when we choose to forgive our spouse, the forgiveness we have received from Jesus empowers us to pass it on. Just a thought to keep in mind as we go through the day, to pass on the forgiveness we have received to others.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Family Reunion
I went to a big family reunion today. There I saw people that I hadn't seen in many years; in some cases, not since childhood. There were many more people there that I had never seen before. We were mingling with one another, trying to figure out who belonged to which family. There was one thing we all had in common, we were related.
Our heavenly Father says that we are all children of (God) His. He gives us all His incredible, perfect love that we are counted as His. The world, however does not recognize Him in you. When He comes and is manifested in you, you shall resemble and be like Him. Those that have this hope resting on them, purify themselves. (1John 3:1-3)
We who have fled to Him for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed and set before us. (Hebrews 6:18 b)
The mighty indwelling strenth and strong encouragement comes from the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we are hopeless. Invite Him into your life and be part of His family!
Our heavenly Father says that we are all children of (God) His. He gives us all His incredible, perfect love that we are counted as His. The world, however does not recognize Him in you. When He comes and is manifested in you, you shall resemble and be like Him. Those that have this hope resting on them, purify themselves. (1John 3:1-3)
We who have fled to Him for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed and set before us. (Hebrews 6:18 b)
The mighty indwelling strenth and strong encouragement comes from the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we are hopeless. Invite Him into your life and be part of His family!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Hope
It's a wonderful day to make a brand new start. In this time of hopelessness around the world their is one who we can truly place our hope in. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No one is like Him! Jamie and I have seen so many couples lost in their circumstances and without hope in the world.
But I am reminded of a couple we worked with just last year who had no hope, or so they thought. They were near divorce and at a loss as to what to do. In his desperation he turned to Jesus and the miracles began to happen. We watched as the love of Jesus Christ transformed this man into a completely different person. At one time a heavy drinker, he told me "you know I just don't think I want to drink anymore." Wow, what a work of the Holy Spirit in this man's life.
And then his wife began to change. What was once a relationship without love began to blossom into something new and different. It was wonderful to watch it happen. This couple that had no hope now had a new begining, something that was not there before as the Holy Spirit transformed their life.
We get to witness this more and more often now as times are hard and many couples are in crisis. One thing we have never been more sure of, the answer to their problems lies in inviting the Holy Spirit into their lives and allowing Him to transform their lives!
But I am reminded of a couple we worked with just last year who had no hope, or so they thought. They were near divorce and at a loss as to what to do. In his desperation he turned to Jesus and the miracles began to happen. We watched as the love of Jesus Christ transformed this man into a completely different person. At one time a heavy drinker, he told me "you know I just don't think I want to drink anymore." Wow, what a work of the Holy Spirit in this man's life.
And then his wife began to change. What was once a relationship without love began to blossom into something new and different. It was wonderful to watch it happen. This couple that had no hope now had a new begining, something that was not there before as the Holy Spirit transformed their life.
We get to witness this more and more often now as times are hard and many couples are in crisis. One thing we have never been more sure of, the answer to their problems lies in inviting the Holy Spirit into their lives and allowing Him to transform their lives!
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