Marriage Should Exhibit Mutual Support and Encouragement

This weekend, I was reminded of the beauty of God's gift of marriage to us. 

It rained on the farm... No, you don't understand.  When I say rain I REALLY MEAN RAIN!  We received just over 12 inches of rain over the past weekend.  Last week our little farm looked like paradise on earth.  Sheep lazily grazing, chickens chasing bugs and laying copious eggs, vegetables growing all over the place ... beautiful!

Then it rained, and rained, and rained, and rained.  The winds gusted to 50 miles per hour and a leak developed in my office.  Vegetables were tattered and torn and now are disease-prone.  Our barn floor looks like a lake.  Animals had to be moved to higher ground.

I was discouraged, downtrodden and depressed.  Yet, in the midst of it all, Kay takes my hand and says "Let's pray".  She prays for our farm but also fills me with encouragement and hope by reminding me that God is ultimately in control.  We've been through the valley before and we can make it yet once again if we set our sights on the mountaintop. 

Later in the day, I had the opportunity to give her some support as she was looking over the deluge of water.  I was reminded of God's strength because she reminded me earlier.  I was able to wrap my arms around her and tell her that it will be OK. 

Isn't that what marriage is all about?  Having a life-long friend and companion to walk hand-in-hand through the trials and the successes of life.  When was the last time you took time to really bless your best friend... your spouse?  Do it today!

Simplicity is What We Make It

Six episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, that is how I spent a good part of my Sabboth day of rest.  What draws us to that show?

For me it has to do with a simpler lifestyle.  Family and town folk caring and looking out for each other.  A church bizaar or picnic being the focus.  Simply sitting on the porch and watching the sun set. 

Why is this so hard for us?  Why do we allow the world and society around us to push us into their mold of rush, rush, rush and always being active for ... well, active's sake?

We have a farm so time is of the essence for us with all the chores to get done each day.  Many lives of both two-legged and four-legged animals depend on us to care for them.  That said, it is up to ME to carve out that 'simpler lifestyle' in my day. 

How do you do it?  How do you make sure that you don't get caught up in the whirlwind of life?

Look at what we GOT, not at what we ain't GOT

OK, I know... the grammar is terrible but I hope that it will ring true with you today. Just finished reading an article in the local paper about the efforts of some to establish a homeless camp in the area to help those that are without a roof over their heads. In reading the article, I could almost hear the NIMBY (not in my back yard) crowd chanting before the County Commission. Oh my, how spoiled we are.

The same thought comes to mind when I see people demanding ONLY organic or the likes and yet so many around the world have no idea IF they are even going to have a meal today. Now I'm not saying that I'm against organically grown food. If that's your thing... OK, but don't demand it on to others.

We are a spoiled people. We want it all and we look down our big fat noses at those who don't have as much as we do and wonder... "what's wrong with them? It's their fault that they're in the mess that they're in."

How fleeting our earthly gains can be. Don't think so, ask anyone that was in northern Japan a month ago.

Walk today with compassion towards those less fortunate. Extend a hand and help. Roll down your window at the stoplight and give him a dollar. Not to make YOU feel better but instead because it is just the right thing to do. Stop with the excuses and reach out to the less fortunate.

God's Judgement on Jerusalem

I have been reading the book of Joshua in the Bible the last several days. What an incredible job that God gave Joshua to do. Jerusalem's impending doom and destruction was at hand. God basically told Joshua to phophecy to the people about the upcoming destruction. Yet, God also tells Joshua 'oh and by the way... they won't listen'. Wow, how is that for an encouraging word.

The bottom-line though is that Joshua is FAITHFUL to what God called him to do.

God judges the people of Jerusalem and they end up in captivity for 70 years after a 2 1/2 year siege on the city. Why? Because they have forsaken their first love. They have turned to idols for worship. The priests of the day told the church goers only what they wanted to hear. They included 'idol' worship even in the services. The people longed for debauchery, lust, greed and the like.

How might that compare to America today? What are we wanting to hear in a church service instead of the voice of God? Good music... the hymn played correctly? Words from the pulpit that underscore what we are doing and give credence to it? Or do we want to hear the WHOLE truth from the Word of God... the Bible?

What are we saying to others... are our ears itching to hear tidbits of tantalizing information about celebrities and friends, or do we want to hear God Himself?

What are our eyes longing for... more and more violence that we see on TV and in the movies? More and more bed-hopping and lust that is so common today? Or do we want to see Jesus face-to-face?

It is time to wake up and smell the coffee, folks. I envision that America is not long for this world in the path that we are presently on. We look A LOT like the citizens of Jerusalem in the days of Joshua. Will we as a nation wake up and REPENT (i.e. turn around)? Or will we continue down this path to destruction?

The day is near...

Satan's Attacks - Cower or Fight?

This week has been a classic example of how satan can attack me and my marriage. Through many small issues throughout the week, he has created an enormous amount of friction between me and my eternal love. None of these issues by themselves would hardly even get a glimpse but piled up together, they have created all kinds of turmoil.

My wife and I have become short with each other... we have been taking words and issues way out of context... we have both been dealing with feeling inadequate towards each other as well as towards the missions that God gives us each day. You know, the bottom line is that it has been a really stinky week as far as our relationship is concerned.

It is often said that if your on a mountaintop to hang on because there is only one way to go and that is down. Down, down, down to the valley's of life. Down in the valleys where the scenery is not as spectacular but it is where things bloom and grow. Several weeks ago we were on that mountaintop. We rode on a Dinner Train and spent an incredible weekend together. We laughed. We praised God. We dreamed. We planned. We focused on the trinity that makes up our marriage (myself, my wife and God).

I also have come to know that spiritual attack from satan is a true sign that I (we) are on the right track. Well if that is the case, we must be doing God's work because we have been attacked. Spiritual warfare is not new to me but I look upon it in a different way than I used too.

In the past I have tended to cower and play the weaker role waiting for the attack to cease. I 'holed up' within myself saying little and doing very little but having a humongous pity party in my soul. This past week, my soul has wanted to take that path and I have taken a couple of steps down it several times in the past couple of days.

But no more, satan! I'm standing my ground. I'm standing on the Rock... the Rock of Salvation in Jesus Christ. As spiritual leader of my marriage and family, I will NOT let my anchor be set in this world. It is steadfast in God's promises and God's oath. I do not need to drift in pity and sorrow. I WILL rejoice in the eternal strength and allow Jesus to embolden me to fight the battle with His strength and not my own. I have decided to trust God and live with hope... even in the storms of life. GOD WILL COME THROUGH!

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus Christ (John 16:33)

Do I choose the doubt that satan places in my path or the faith that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. I choose faith!

Do I choose the anxiety that satan throws at me or the contentment that God has everything under control. I choose contentment!

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

That reminds me of my very favorite verse in the Bible... my 'life verse' so to speak...

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)(emphasis my own)

Finding the Gifts in Everyone

I am struck this morning as to how we as individuals in our society in America look and thus treat others around us. We see some people as 'important', we see others as 'busy', we see yet others as 'worthy'. But how does God see us?

The Bible in so many verses tells us how much God loves us and cares for us as His children. I am a father of two so I can understand that feeling. I love my daughters more than words could possibly ever express. It is a gut thing... nothing that can be placed into words. If God loves each of us in that manner, shouldn't we at least attempt to view others in like manner?

How often do we see someone in a job that we consider menial and say to ourselves 'they probably deserve it'. Other times we get upset with someone and think to ourselves 'wow, how dumb are you... you can't even do that'.

How dare we as followers of the one true God and savior, Jesus... How dare we treat HIS children in that manner. My heart breaks for those whom society sweeps to the gutter. The thing is through... I am guilty of doing the same. God, please forgive me.

I can think of a family where there is a lot of talent except for one. "Why can't you be like your brother or sister?" is the common phrase for that one. He doesn't know why he can't be like them... he only knows that he isn't them... God made him unique with special gifts of his own.

I can think of how upset I got with a checkout clerk at a local store because she needed the bar scan to enter a sale in the cash register. "I told her the price... that should be enough", I thought in my mind. Yet, she is trying to the best of her ability to do her job as she was trained. God also made her unique with special gifts of her own.

Shouldn't we be all about showing the love of Christ to others so that they will want what we have found? Shouldn't that love be shown in acceptance at least of the person (but maybe not their actions if they are contrary to God's Word). God loves them as a child of His. As Christ followers shouldn't we do the same?

God, help me to be more sensitive to those around me. Help me to approach others seeing them through your eyes. Help me to show them your love. God, help me to be the man that you have called me to be.

Two Shall Become One

I went to a marriage conference this weekend with my bride of 26 years. What a wonderful time we had and learned so much that can make our marriage even better. I want our marriage to last a lifetime as God intended when He created it. For that to happen, we must take the time necessary to look inward as well as outward to see what we can to to better meet each others needs.

God brought to light an area that I need to make a lot of change. I have taken the role as 'spiritual leader' of my family very, very seriously and in doing so, I seem to have crossed some lines toward dictatorship (not really that extreme ... still, read on).

We live on a farm whose income comes primarily from citrus. There is some unused acreage that we want to develop in some way to help with the income of the farm but we have not come to any conclusions. Kay has often come up with ideas but I have squashed them quickly thinking that I'm the know-it-all. This weekend, I have come to the realization that on many, many subjects; I'm in fact the 'know-it-little'. I have not honored Kay's ideas as I should have. For that my precious love... I am sorry. I will try harder in this area.

Loving the Lost

I learned yesterday how important it is for all of us who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus to be reaching out to the lost around us no matter where we are or what we are doing. In Matthew 27:37-40, Jesus sums it all up.

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind'. This is the first and greatest commandment. And
the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. All the Law
and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

In our churches in America it is so easy to just wander in and wander out week by week and never reach out to those around us. But look at the second command above... if we are to truly love our neighbor (those around us in the work or social setting), shouldn't we be concerned for their eternal destiny? Remember good works doesn't cut it. They can be a 'good' person in the eyes of society and yet be heading straight down the path of eternal damnation. Do I care? I better if I truly stand on the commandments above.

God, today show me how I can reach out to someone around me. I don't want to do this under my own power though and certainly not for my own glory. I want to be obedient to You. Please open the doors and give me a gentle nudge to act... to love my neighbor as myself.

I Love My Wife

I have a bumper sticker on my car. It says "I Love My Wife". Simple in text but it creates more conversation than any I have ever seen.

Most of the comments come from men who ask if my wife made me put that on my car. I had such a comment this past week from a person who serves on a committee with me. He then asked if my wife made me put the sticker on my car when she caught me with my girlfriend. I responded "no, man... I put it on my car because I love my wife!"

A good response at the time but later I wish that I spent a little more time witnessing to this guy about the love for my wife as well as its source (God).

You see, my wife IS my girlfriend. She is all I ever need. I feel that way because I do not want to seek the worlds description of 'love' but want to only depend on God's. Jesus came and walked on this earth to show us the perfect example of love. That perfect love as abused to the point of being unrecognizable and then nailed to a cross because of His perfect love for you and for me.

Perfect love... not love as the world tries to describe or redescribe. Why would you want to have a dime-store copy of a Rembrandt when you can have the actual painting by the creator himself. I have a Rembrandt whose beauty is beyond description. I am blessed beyond all measure.

Being the Dad that God Expects

I found myself yesterday sitting on the floor speaking with my 21 year old daughter. She has been searching for direction to go in a career after finishing college and she just keeps hitting dead ends.

Something told me that this was the most important use of my time. It was time to drop everything and just listen.

You know, being a Dad... I feel that I need to have all the answers. I need to be able to 'fix' things but sometimes, I just need to sit and listen. I didn't have any answers for her and only marginal guidance. I did have a heart for her though and I do know who does have the answers... Jesus.

I sat and I listened. Yesterday was a good day...

A Man of Integrity is Hard to Find

As I venture out into the blogging world I do so wanting to speak my heart hoping that it will encourage others of the same mindset. You see I am just a family man who is seeking God's heart in all that I think, say and do. I strive to see the world around me as Jesus would have me see it.

I am a husband of the wife of my youth for 26+ years and I have two grown daughters and one son-in-law. I absolutely consider myself to be the most blessed (I don't like the use the word 'lucky') person alive. I adore my wife and my family more than I could ever possibly express.

I only feel that way though because I daily throw off the things of this world that are considered important and ... well, just the way that guys are. I'm far, far, far from perfect. I have made so many mistakes in my life that I deeply regret. I know that I will probably make more. Yet, I approach today reaching for God's hand, depending on His word (The Bible), and trying my best to please Him.

I pray that you will join me on this journey. A journey to make a difference in the lives of those around me. A journey to stand up for what is right. A journey to be a man the way that God intended. Join me, will you?