Today's thought...

"And the Spirit entered me and lifted me to my feet, and I listened to the One who was speaking to me."
Ezekiel 2:2

The prophet Ezekiel makes multiple mentions of being "lifted to my feet" in his work. And the real truth is that he was seeking the mercy of God for the people of Israel. But to be lifted to your feet, you have start somewhere else... in prayer, on your knees.

Our marriages are similar, in that when we seek restoration or mercy from trials, we should be aware of how we ask and what position we start in. I would imagine, for those of you with present difficulties, that starting FIRST in prayer, kneeling before the God of peace and love and victory over all trials, might bring about some clarity. And if you truly expect to be lifted to your feet by the Spirit entering you, you will have to start lower than standing.

Take a moment today and read this passage with your spouse. It does not speak directly to marriage, but if we take the object lesson and apply it as such, we may learn something about the power of prayer in our homes.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Psalm 23:6

You know, if you take a second to think about it, our spouses are almost always cleaning up after us. And they do so with love and kindness towards our iniquity and flaw, as they married us for better or worse. So, in a way, this verse speaks purely to marriage, in that my wife IS goodness and loving kindness, and out of her love for me she follows me... mostly cleaning up what I messed up, but she assumes the servant-leader role.

And I know that in some things she would say the same of me. There are times when each of us are supposed to lead, and the other is to follow. It is the way of love to allow someone else to shine, or take point, or just go first in line.

And as for where we dwell. Well, since we're Christians, I think no further explanation is needed on that one.

Take time today to thank God for the one who follows you... and for the one you follow. That kind of love is from God... and He deserves the honor and glory and majesty in this, and all other things!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."
Psalm 23:5

I skipped a week in this, as far as postings go, for some serious reflection. And I came to an interesting discovery about this verse as related to marriage; it fits perfectly.

We come anointed to our marriage table, in the face of the world which tells us to overlook the vows and go please ourselves, regardless of who it hurts. And we sit and consume, together, the liquid that flows through all things, the Word of God. And, though we have ups and downs and corkscrews and sudden drops and missing track and pneumatic starts and stops (can you tell I like roller coasters), we have an overflowing chalice to refresh ourselves from... always there... never changing... the Grace and Love of God is THERE!!!

Take time tonight to thank God for your seat at the table. More importantly, thank Him for your spouse's seat beside you. And remember that the world is trying to get what we have, because they cannot understand our eternal security. Be ready to share it, and unashamed to have it.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"Even when I walk though the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4

He is with us in times of distress. He stands ready to guard us. And this should bring great comfort to all, as our own "darkest valley" is different for each individual. The fears are person-specific, and always hit right to the core. In short, the valley is scary.

So dark; so quiet; wind rushes past your ear, and you can hear it change direction. You hear and feel your every breath and heartbeat. So why not turn back? Because in that same terror, you also feel the presence of the Shepherd, there to ensure your safety and deliverance. And be certain, you would not come this way (figuratively) if it weren't necessary.

Take time today to thank God for His provision and protection over your journey. And pray the same for your spouse. God stands with you, and that is all you ever need... but your spouse CHOSE to be there in those dark times, also, and deserves your gratitude.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"He renews my life. He leads me in right paths for His name's sake."
Psalm 23:3

Renews my life... restores my soul... revives me... refreshes me... and all to walk down the path that I am meant to walk, so that His name can receive honor and glory, as it should.

To look at this from our typical marriage perspective speaks volumes, beloved ones. It means that our trials are always ended with Him refreshing us. And it means that those trials were necessary to our path.

Take a moment and thank God tonight for the path you are walking. I assure you, whether it's great and wonderful in this moment or not, He sees you and hears you. And He does NOT fail!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters."
Psalm 23:2

Our lives are often intertwined with unpleasant experiences, unfortunately. We always ask and wonder why we go through the tough times, even though we internally know the answer; it is all for a greater purpose, according to the will of God.

And somehow, so very many of us (myself included) seem to pass right over the good times, as though we feel that He owes us those in return for the bad. News flash, folks... God owes us NOTHING! Because, just as it is said in "Footprints," it is during the tough times that He carries us.

And all of this is applicable to our marriages, as well. Where is the ideal "green pasture" for you and your spouse? Are you there yet, or still journeying toward it? Personally, we are closer than ever before, and looking forward to arrival! But arriving there to rest does not mean that the pasture has no wolves or bears or lions. Threats to our safety will always exist, but we have the Great Shepherd who leads us to our place of rest and relaxation to watch over us... as long as we trust Him.

Chat with your spouse today about your ideal pasture that you aim for. If you don't yet have that picture, then perhaps it is time to put it on paper and see what it will look like. A common goal can unite a couple in amazing ways. And when that goal is in line with God's will for your lives, the possibilities are ENDLESS!!!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing that I want."
Psalm 23:1

How often do we breeze through this verse? How many times have we heard it, and thought about its real power and message? If you take any amount of time, as my wife and I are, and dwell and meditate on this, you will be amazed at the power in these eleven words.

Further, I would challenge you tonight to take a moment and take your spouse by the hand. Both of you should repeat this one verse from this famous Psalm a few times out loud together. I know that you will feel a different and more powerful connection to each other by doing this, and the Lord will inhabit that moment, bringing His plan for your marriage right into focus.

Nothing can stop it when your hearts and minds work together towards Him!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue."

Prov 17:4

In this day and age, it is difficult to ignore the assaults on our marriages. Most of them come from outside, but some others do come from within; sometimes from within us. And those arguments and attacks are usually the very worst.

But, beloved ones, the truth of it all lies in the fact that as a Christian, you are NOT wicked! You may have less-than-perfect moments, but on the whole you are a born-again, new creation filled with the Holy Spirit. And that Spirit inside you can and will overcome all things!

Take a moment today to speak with your spouse about what it means to you to be filled in this way, and the freedom from true wickedness that you have. Odds are you'll have a great time, and further arm yourselves against the negative assaults of the enemy.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"While Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hands down, Amalek prevailed."
Exodus 17:11

This particular passage speaks to war, and I do not wish to incite that among anyone. But please notice that the war was only won with hands lifted high. There is not a single mention of shouting, chanting, grunting or even praying... just hands lifted high, giving glory to God, who creates the victory against the seemingly insurmountable.

This is true in our marriages, as well. As long as we give glory to God for the gift He has given us (our spouse), then we will be able to overcome the arguments and disagreements. It doesn't ever say that it becomes easy to prevail. Actually, Moses had two friends hold his arms up when he was tired. But still, the Lord won the day because Moses put honor and glory where it belonged.

Take time tonight to lift your hands together and pray. Give glory to the One who both created you and brought you together as a couple. He knows what He's doing, whether we want to believe that or not.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet."

- Exodus 14:14

Odd, isn't it, how we grumble ad complain and try to win arguments in our own power? And yet, we know that the day can be won by simply letting God do what He does best... which, of course, is everything.

Today, for the first time in a long time, I will ask that you and your spouse spend some quiet time together. Quiet. Quiet. Quiet.

Let the Lord speak to you both, and honor the Lord by listening to what He has to say!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."
Heb 12:5-6

The love that God shows us all is not a pampering love... it is a perfecting love. It is going to hurt. It is going to be uncomfortable at times. And it will leave memories of the lessons learned.

But here's the good news about it all; His love for you never EVER changes. And when you do right, it will be just as righteous and pure a love as when you misstep. And the biggest kicker is that we should be showing this same love to our spouses and families.

God bless you all!!!

Yahweh Nissi

Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord. The Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."
Exodus 17:15-16

Banners and standards have always been used, like modern-day flags, to rally and inspire the troops in battle. But what if your banner was so big that you could not ignore it... ever? What if it was so big that no one could ignore it? What if your banner was that big, and yet personally fitted to cover and consume you, body and soul, identifying you as belonging to that particular standard?

That IS Yahweh Nissi. He is the banner that encapsulates us entirely, as we attempt to learn more about Him.

It also speaks to how the world works when we offer praise. Even though Moses had to have others hold his arms up to continue the victorious battle for Joshua below, the point is that hands were lifted high to God... and God responded!

Pray tonight that Yahweh Nissi would cover and capture you, reminding you of His awesome presence. And then pray that same protection over your spouse and loved ones. Remember, He is the only banner that no single created thing can ignore; all of creation knows His name!

God bless you all!!!

El Roi

(Pronounced EL raw-EE)

This is a powerful name for God, and it probably gets overlooked quite a bit, because it is only used one time in the entire Bible. It means, "The God who sees me." It is used by Hagar, servant of Sarai, when Hagar is visited by an angel of the Lord in Genesis 16. Again, it is important to note that this is the ONLY time it is used.

When praying to El Roi, you are speaking directly to God's omniscience, because He sees you... all of you... everything about you, all the time, without missing a single thought, movement or tear. He knows you, inside and out. Some would say that this negates the need for confession, but I would caution you to remember that God does not need us; He WANTS us.

Take time today to confess those things that you have not yet had the strength to admit to. He already knows them all, but saying them out loud to Him will bring relief and blessing. And never forget that He sees you!

God bless you all!!!

Elohim

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

I have begun a study on the names of God and Jesus, and will from time to time be posting insights about them and the study. The first one, appropriately, is over the name Elohim (God, Mighty Creator).

Tonight, I would ask you to share with your family that God created everything. I know it sounds basic, but it is good to remember sometimes that He created ALL THINGS, and that all of creation, whether they acknowledge His importance or not, KNOWS HIS NAME. And we would all do well to remember this when we pray.

God bless you all!!!

Happy Easter!

I'm one day behind on this, I know...

Hallelujah, He is risen! The Lord is risen, indeed, Hallelujah!

We pray that your Easter was a blessing, and that your family and friends were all able to once again be blessed by the power outflowing from the resurrection of Christ, which was sufficient payment for all sins of all mankind for all eternity.

Some will say to remember the sacrifice on Easter, or for the week... but I would challenge you to remember it for the year. And then for the next one, and the next one. His Grace to us is eternal; our service to Him should be nothing less!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
Prov 24:3-4

The Book of Proverbs is always open to interpretation by the reader. Some verses are more direct than others, and some paint wonderful pictures with words, allowing the reader to put him or herself into the verse to see what it may mean to him/her.

I believe this verse is such a "painting." For me, wisdom to marry built the proverbial house. Our understanding of each other and the way to grow together established us. And our rooms have been filled with rare and beautiful treasures... our three children.

Take a moment today to give thanks for the treasures in your home. They may vary, depending on who you are and where you are in your life and walk, but I promise you they exist. And once you begin to look for things to be thankful for, you will discover more than you thought possible!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you."
Prov 9:8

How do you take criticism? Do you get mad at the person who offers it (like I often do) or do you accept the words as instruction?

This particular point has been on my mind for some time now, as I am an example for my household to follow. Whether that example is a good one is up to me. But I should always strive to be as Christ-like as possible, which would mean that I must show grace to all who speak to me. Even if their words are negative and harsh, turn the other cheek still applies.

Take a moment today to reflect on how well you deal with rebuke. Pray for a greater capacity to accept each point of criticism as gracefully as is humanly possible. After all, is there any better characteristic to strive for in a Christ-like walk than to show true grace to another?

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool expresses his folly.
Prov 13:16

We, as men and husbands, must ensure that our actions come from knowledge. Whether that knowledge is from past successes or failures is irrelevant, as it must all lead to a more positive place.

We have to remember that wish that we all make as we grow up: we realize that we want better for the generation to follow us than what we had. And the only way to make certain that happens is to learn from mistakes, have successful ventures, and improve yourself! (And believe me, I am speaking more to me right now than anyone.)

Take time to pray with your spouse today, thanking God for all of the experiences you have had, and for the knowledge that you gained from them. Never take any encounter for granted, as there is ALWAYS something to learn from EVERYONE and EVERYTHING.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
Prov 10:14

Are you wise? Do you keep the knowledge you gain? Is it used for further reflection and reference into the coming moments of trial?

Or, are you too busy talking to see that there are things to learn all around you, in every little sound and shimmer of light? That's usually my problem, at least. My mouth runs 900 to nothing and never seems to stop.

Take a lesson from my experiences today, and slow down before you answer. Do not give away the end of the story to that person you are talking to. And there is no need to relive your past successes every time you have a silent moment... it is in those silent moments that God can speak to you, if you will remain calm enough to listen.

Hear Him today, and have a wonderful evening because of the hearing!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Prov 1:7

Please take a moment to recognize tonight that God is a force to be feared. God created us. He created everything. There is no power that exists in all of creation that can equal or surmount His. All that exists does so because He allows it.

Make no mistake, God is love and does love us. He loves us more than we can imagine or possibly understand. But a little fear is a great thing. And realizing just who He is, and how important He is can help us to properly orient ourselves when we speak to Him.

God bless you all!!!

For My Pastor...

Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
Prov 2:11

My Pastor, a wonderful man of God, has a habit that keeps us all laughing. He asks questions every day on Facebook, just to see what people think about certain topics. Sometimes his questions are truly nonsensical, while others are of extreme import to all people.

But what truly amazes me is that he understands, and is teaching us, that we should never stop asking ourselves questions. You and I will NEVER learn everything there is to learn on this side of Heaven, so asking is important... even if the topic is whether you prefer ice cream or frozen yogurt! (Ice cream, by the way. I believe that yogurt is an insult to dessert.)

Here's the point; having the discretion to answer when it matters to you, and not just to answer so that your voice is heard (or in the case of Facebook, your note is seen) is important, as is the understanding of yourself that does grow when you are honest and look inwards. And while most of the questions and answers are funny, a popular musical artist once commented that a lot of truth is said in jest.

So today, I would like to thank my Pastor for allowing us to see that his focus is always on the growth of the people he serves. And I would ask that you do the same, whether it is expressing thanks or just asking yourself and some friends a "question of the day" to keep yourselves fresh. Something that simple CAN keep the mind active, and it CAN lead you to some great surprises... even about yourself!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Prov 24:14

Oh the sweet moments in life that we have had because of enhanced wisdom. Those glimpses of the real truth that we can see through our "older" eyes. And every time we see another moment of our own growth, we are reminded that we still have so far to go! God is so good to allow us to see both sides of this equation!

Take a moment tonight to think about how far you have come... and then look at how far you still have to go. The worst mistake you can ever make is to think that you have no further to go. Don't be that guy!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Prov 14:23

I am a talker. Any and all who know me can vouch for this. The mere fact that I blog is proof enough that I have found a way to use even more words, due to my vast and deep affinity for doing so. This can be a great thing, as I am easily comfortable in any situation, and able to chat with anyone I encounter about something.

However, it can also be a curse, as I talk too much. I talk to myself. And I do indeed answer myself, which of course makes me completely crazy. I talk my way into problems, believe it or not, when I fail to stop my mouth from the rampant babbling. Definitely, as my friends and family can attest, this has brought its fair share of poverty to me.

But the real test, for me and for many, is whether or not the hard work of putting the mouth to rest can be performed. (I actually thought of stopping mid-sentence here, to see if I could get a laugh.) That kind of work, as I have been learning over the past several years, is not easy. It is just plain hard. But the lessons I have learned through a little quiet and calm are boundless!

A former supervisor of mine taught me, during these quiet moments, how to be a real leader and keep my emotions in check. A friend once taught me more about being a man than anyone else, just by being still and patient. And my wife teaches me more and more every day from the stillness she shows... stillness I should apply. But most of all, I learn from the moments when I find true quiet, and allow God to speak through me without interrupting Him. That ever happen to you?

Take a moment tonight to thank Him for those moments. And then take the time to think of who shows the greatest example of the hard work it takes to be still. It is harder to maintain than anything, in my opinion, and deserves a huge round of quiet, still nodding.

God bless you all!!!

Cleanse Yourself...

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
1 John 1:8-10

I heard a counselor say once that the only problem in marriage is within the one spouse attempting to change the other. I concur fully. No one can change anyone else, by any means. It has to be a personal choice to become different, whether for the better or worse.

The passage above, especially the second verse of it, is frequently cited as proof that we can confess to God all of our sins and be forgiven. It does not say that we will only be forgiven "if we..." No. It says "forgiven."

Take a moment tonight to look at yourself. Can you be a better spouse in your marriage. If you can, then the marriage will improve. And the best part of that is that your spouse will want to improve, as well! It has been said that misery loves company; but ACHIEVEMENT loves it more!!!

God bless you all!!!

Washed Clean...

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.
1 John 5:18

A friend asked me to explain this verse this morning. After some consideration, I realized that this verse speaks to the fact that we are covered by the blood of Christ through His atonement for our sins, and for all sins for all time. Therefore, we are born of God, and our sins... past, present AND future... are washed clean and forgiven. In the eyes of God, we sin no more. This is only from His perspective, because he sees us now at the beginning, middle and end of our lives, all at once.

As for the second part of the verse, there is a song that speaks to the statement about the evil one no longer having the ability to harm. The song is called "The Problem," and was written by a band called Downhere. It says that there are those among the believers who would say "the devil made me do it" to explain transgressions. However, the issue with that statement is that once Christ inhabits you, the devil has lost! The only person in control at that point is... well, YOU! You have the richness of the Kingdom within you, and the knowledge of what is right and wrong, but you can still decide to make the wrong choice. However, as the song states, there is no purpose in blaming the devil; if you are still under his influence, then you have not received Christ.

One other point, though, is that each and every sin are equal in the eyes of God. It has been said that death is the great equalizer, because everyone dies. However, I would submit to you that SIN is the great equalizer, because none of us (NO NOT ONE) are capable of escaping it. In death, the Christian has victory and eternal life! Those who do not believe and follow Christ do not experience this, so death is absolutely not equal for all. And make no mistake, murder, in the eyes of God, is totally equal to dishonoring your mother by sneaking a cookie before dinner, even though you were told not to.

Please take heart in your victory today, precious ones. Spend a few moments in prayer, reorienting and confessing your sins and transgressions to the Lord.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chron 7:14

I am seeking His face tonight, more than ever before, and fully turning from my own wicked ways. It is one thing to give advice, but another entirely to be able to follow it. I am now committing to following the advice that I give.

Therefore, tonight, I am asking before you and Almighty God that I be forgiven from my transgressions. I am asking that He bless me and embolden me to press on toward the goal and achieve it.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Prov 21:21

I have said many times before, and I will say again, if your focus is in the right place, your actions and results will be in the right place. Husbands, you should be pursuing these things as an example to your wives, as well as to your children. A famous man once said, "You have to be the change you wish to see in the world." Your world is right in your home... so lead through example and be the change!!!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise."
Neh 9:5b

I have a simple thought for you all today... just take the time to praise God for all that He is and all that He does for you!

Imagine, if we actually spent the time thanking Him for all these things, we probably would have very little to complain about!

God bless you all!!!

Let It Show...

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Col 3:16

The idle mind is the devil's workshop. How long do you let the negative words of the enemy dwell in your minds? How much time do you spend wishing you could have or should have said this or that? Put that all away!!!

As husbands and wives, our first responsibility is to show Christian love to each other. Following that, we must demonstrate it to all people. Some say that we only need to show it to our children, but there is someone in your office right now who needs to know that an unconditional love DOES EXIST in this world! And they only have you to introduce it to them!

The strength of your heart is dependent upon the power of the Word within you. Allow it to take root and grow, and shine freely from you at all times. You never know who you may lead to a better life through your positive example!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Eph 4:1

Many people do not quickly or readily associate themselves with the analogy of being a "prisoner" for the Lord, since we have so very much freedom. But, as Paul writes to the church at Ephesus, we, too, should be living a life worthy of our calling.

You might not be in jail, and you may have never done anything to deserve any major punitive action, but this earth is indeed a prison for ALL of us that have been called to the Lord. So live your life to exemplify the Lord.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2 Cor 12:9

So many of us decide that we must be impervious to the storms that seem to come, and that we will not give up fighting for the best, even for a moment. The problem with this philosophy is that it is a front for others, and not a truth that honor's the Lord. We all face trials. No one has the perfect marriage, the perfect job, the perfect friends, etc. And believe it, friends, I do mean that as plainly as I said it; NO ONE.

But Christ told us that we can be glad for our trials and weak moments, for His amazing grace covers us in those times of need! Another way to think about it would be to say that when you reach the end of your rope, you have also arrived at another destination; the point of grace!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fools eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Prov 17:24

Again, I will ask where your focus is? All of us have wandering minds and moments of daydreaming, but where is your focus when that happens? It is of paramount importance that you remain above the fray when that mental warfare begins within you. An idle mind, as you well know, is the devil's workshop.

Keep your focus laser sharp It is mentally exhausting, and physically draining, and you may miss out on some worldly fun... but wouldn't you rather have an ETERNITY in PARADISE with JESUS than a few minutes spent laughing on earth?

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.
Prov 19:2

So often we tend to jump off the pier without testing the depth of the water. And more times than not, we find that the water was nowhere near as deep as we thought. Take a moment to slow down today, and evaluate whether or not the leap is as important as the water itself. You may discover that there is no reason to jump... you're safer on the dock anyway.

God bless you all!!!

Eyes on the Prize...

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge - do not give me over to death.
Psalm 141:8

Ladies and gentlemen, where is your focus? Are you focused on the things of this world, most of which we cannot control? Are you focused on the material things you wish to gain/attain, most of which will only cause you to want one level better than what you have? Or are you focused on the greater reward that comes only from the Father?

We all have the opportunity every day to make certain that our focus remains on the things it should. The question is whether or not we take that opportunity and deliver ourselves into a moment of realignment to God. This is true of all things, including marriage.

Take the time tonight to focus together, praying that your family would always remain focused on the Father. It is only He who brings comfort and peace. Watching Him and learning His ways should be of paramount importance! Only then can we hope to live out the command to be holy.

God bless you all!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, Valentine's Day is here!!!

God showed love to us through the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. Jesus loved us enough to die for our sins, taking the pain and shame for all of us.

How do you show love to your spouse?

Take a moment to pray together today with only one purpose; thank God for your spouse. Tell Him what your spouse means to you, and say "THANK YOU!"

God bless you all!!!

Abandoned...

"I'm abandoned to the Captain of the mighty host of Heaven..."
excerpt taken from "I'm Abandoned", from the musical "My Utmost For His Highest"

There is a moment in this song where the lyrics absolutely rip my heart out and force tears. I have listened to this song so many times, and I still cannot make it through the entire piece without tearing up. And the kicker is this... I truly hope it stays that way.

And the whole point of this song is to state that the whole of one's life is devoted to Christ. Christ comes first in all things, and the focus is ever upwards, looking for the greater reward that God has promised us.

Oddly enough, all of the vows we take in marriage are quite similar. And if we take the entire song and apply it towards our spouses, I would firmly wager that the proverbial waterworks would be unstoppable! Take a listen (or a read) to this slight adjustment:

"I'm abandoned to my wife/husband, no one else under all of heaven;
and I pledge him/her my allegiance, till the earth beholds His kingdom!"

Perhaps we should all take a moment tonight and remind ourselves of the abandonment we promised to the gifts we were given by God. And as we pray and give thanks to God for them, we should also give thanks for our appointment to them. Truly, there is nothing better.

God bless you all!!!

Being a Man...

After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: "I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do."
Acts 13:22

Gentlemen... we're going a tad old school today... but David is a man we should ALL learn from.

God said that David was "a man after my [God's] heart." What a powerful statement! To be seen in the eyes of the Lord of all creation as one who wishes only for the will of the Lord... wow. And David was exalted in many ways for his obedience. He was the boy who slew the giant, and the most powerful king that Israel had ever seen. He was the leader of the hose chosen to bring forth the Christ! What greater honor can there be?

I bet it surprised God when David murdered a man to have an affair... that must have been quite shocking. Oh wait; no it wasn't! God is omniscient, omnipresent and immutable... He knew what David would do, knew the outcome, and loved David the same all the way through it!

I believe that the single largest truth we can all take away from David is that he, although chosen by the Lord, was still a man just like you and me. What happened with his indiscretions is fairly simple to explain... he stopped looking up. He began to focus on circumstances, rather than the God who had lifted him up. And when he began to look at the world, he was drawn into the world.

Fellas, this is true for all of us, and there is nothing we can do to stop the world's attempted invasion of our hearts and minds. They will keep coming, no matter what. But what we can do, like David did, is realize our transgressions for what they were and are... ask forgiveness... let it go... and move forward with a song of joy! Hide the Scriptures in your hearts, so that you will have added protection against the devil and his schemes.

Take a moment today to pray with your wife. Tell her that you wish only for her to focus and aid you in lifting your request for forgiveness to God. And after your prayer is finished, know that the Spirit of God is filling you with the ability to turn away from the worldly "brass rings" that some grasp for so desperately! After all, if David could be forgiven... we can, too!

God bless you all!!!

Personal Happiness...

I have been thinking on this topic for some time, and I decided to do some research to see if my suspicions were true. After looking intently for verses that relate to God promising us a "happy" life, I have come to one clear conclusion: no such promise was ever made.

We were promised blessings, and eternal life, if we walk in faithfulness to His word and commands. But the key is that we do not know when those blessings will come; all of that is on His timeline. And it is not our place to be prideful and demand it of Him, either. We must be patient, faithful and remain in prayer giving thanks in every circumstance. (1 Thess 5:18)

The world we live in wants us to chase after happiness, and tells us that if we are unhappy then we should change things up. Get a new job, a new home, a new spouse, an alternative lifestyle, etc. But let me pose a query for us all today... were our grandparents happier than we are, and was there world better than ours is, morally? The answer is an unequivocal YES THEY WERE, along with YES IT WAS!

The Bible speaks quite plainly to the fact that things are GOING TO BE DIFFICULT, and that we must be prepared to face trials. Christian believers were NEVER CALLED to live a life of luxury and comfort, but one of strife at the hands of the worldly oppressors. And make no mistake, things are going to get worse before they get better for those of us who do not fear speaking our beliefs aloud. We must take up our individual cross and bear it daily and proudly, never forsaking the One who did not forsake us! (Luke 14:27)

This is also a prevalent problem in our culture with respect to marriages. The divorce rate is climbing, somewhere around 50% now, and the majority of it stems from needs for "personal happiness." What happened to personal accountability? What happened to personal responsibility? What happened to just keeping a simple promise?

I beg you today to thank God for the patience and faithfulness He has bestowed upon you to see things through to the end. It has been said that people like our grandparents just aren't around anymore, but the conservative rise in America proves otherwise. Times will get tough; things will not always be rosy; and arguments will happen; "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Cor 15:57)

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
Prov 21:30

So often we find ourselves pondering the struggles we face today. Spiritual warfare is a real thing, and we are all fighting it every day. Some are powerful warriors, and some are in denial over the existence of such a struggle. But, unlike the Superbowl, there is no need to wait for overtime... we already know who the Victor is!

So why fight? Put simply, there are generations after us that need to learn the proper defenses against the devil's schemes. They need to know how to put on the full armor of God (Eph 6:10-18) and be ready. And if we don't teach them, then the enemy will certainly recruit. But rest assured that your labors in this area are NOT in vain, for we know the outcome!

Added to this, marriage is a plan built by the Lord, delivered to man as a gift. And perhaps you are in a position to teach your spouse about the war raging in the world. Do not think that this is mere coincidence, precious friends... it is Divine Appointment!

Take time today to thank God for His plan for your life, as well as your spouse's. You may not understand all of it, but as a reborn Christian you can rest assured of where you will spend eternity! And no one can take that away from you!

God bless you all!!!

His command...

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2 John 6

His command is for us to walk in love with all people, as the love of Christ dwells within us. And if we show that love to strangers, how much greater should it be to our spouses? Do not forget to remain constant while at home, showing that powerful and awesome love to those closest to you. If you walk in love and show your children how to do the same, they will be better equipped to show the same devotion to their families!

God bless you all!!!

Stay the Course!!!

I have no verse to attach to this, but I do have a topic we can all relate to... traffic.

I was driving along today and noticed a usual phenomenon to Houstonians; the "lane-hopper." This is a person who changes lanes every 2.4 seconds to attempt to be the first person to the exit, as though we are all in a race. This exquisite animal jumps all over the enormous interstate only to realize that the exit ramp is now upon them, and four lanes away... so they swerve without slowing to make their exit, screaming at everyone in their way. The "hopper" is a creature of pure entitlement, only concerned with its own needs and desires.

The funnier part of watching the "hopper," is watching all of the other drivers on the road. But the most impressive is the one who remains in one lane, because that is where they need to be to exit. And the single-most amazing thing begins to happen when these two creatures interact on the roadways... the "hopper" does not end up in front of the steady-as-she-goes driver. It's a tad like that old fable about the tortoise and the hare, right? Remember who won?

And the "hoppers," much like the hare, do nothing but get disgusted with the fact that they had to slow down. There is no personal accountability to the fact that they should have taken more thought to their place and when the exit was coming up and how fast they were driving... no way! "It's everyone else's fault that I was late, not mine!" Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

(Isn't it funny that everyone going slower than you is a moron, while everyone going faster than you is a maniac?)

So what if we applied this to our marriages? Those "stay the course" folks who remain with the one they choose compared to the "quickie divorce" crowd, who are always searching for someone else to make them happy. Divorce is not cheap, financially or emotionally. And people run to it like mad when they have what our courts call "irreconcilable differences." But all things are made new in Christ Jesus, and there is ALWAYS a way out!!!

Take the time tonight to evaluate which side of this equation you belong to. I think you'll find the similarities fairly astonishing! And thank God for your spouse, as always, and for their ability to understand where you are and meet you there, as Christ does.

God bless you all!!!

Show It

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9

God showed us His amazing love by sending Christ to die for us. Now, as believers, we live through Him in total victory, washed by His blood. We have no need to fear, but every reason to remain vigilant to the very end.

However, husbands and wives, this does not excuse us from showing that same love to our spouses. I have a close friend who often says that our level of comfort or discomfort with prayer, reading, or any other Christian discipline is irrelevant, because Jesus hung naked, bleeding on a cross and died for us. Follow this example and realize that if God loved us enough to send Jesus to die for us, it doesn't hurt us to take a moment and express our love for our spouses.

Take at least one intentional moment today to reach out to your spouse and tell them how much they matter. You might be surprised at just how enormously impactful the smallest things can be!

God bless you all!!!

Purpose...

For my determined purpose is that I may know Him - that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly. And that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers; and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness even to His death, in the hope...
Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

This has been on my mind for some time. This particular verse is one that has appeared in so many different places. So many different teachings and courses have cited this verse, and I am endeavoring to memorize it fully. But I am also contemplating a deeper meaning of it, as well... for marriage.

It is true that the only person you can change in yourself, and that in order to bring about change in any circumstance, you must lead by example. A servant-minded form of leadership is the only way to accomplish true, lasting change. And I believe that this is true of marriages, as well.

Imagine for one second if you lived this verse to the fullest, hoping to be blessed through the sufferings that we all go through. Imagine if we truly desired to serve our spouse, regardless of their level of appreciation. Imagine if we learned more about how to be like Christ, so that we could properly love and honor our spouse. What a relationship!!!

Take a moment tonight to read through your version of this verse, and compare it to the AMP version above. Look through it with your spouse, and pray together for the deeper understanding that we all need to strive for; the understanding of how to truly become a servant-leader, especially in our homes!

God bless you all!!!

Whatever is...

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

So often we focus on the negative in our lives. I posted a few days back that I had a "pity party," and that I was the only person in attendance. That is so true for almost all of us, isn't it?

And then when you bring your spouse into the picture, I would bet that every person on the planet can agree with me that it is easier to see the faults. But why do we do this? I think I do it because my wife and I are so very much alike... I see my own faults in her, and they remind me of myself, and I get mad and want her to change. However, as a noted father and son pair of authors recently taught my church, no one can change anyone other than him/herself.

So today, I ask that you take the extra seconds necessary to look deeper into your spouse for the things that Paul speaks of in this verse. And then dwell upon how blessed you are to have a husband/wife that truly reflects these characteristics. Because if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we should be looking for the best and most beautiful in the one we chose to share life with!

God bless you all!!!

What a piece of work...

"What a piece of work is man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an angel! In apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world - the paragon of animals!"

Hamlet (Act II - Sc. II)

Shakespeare truly had a grasp on the human condition. His plays and stories have captured the hearts of men and women for centuries. Personally, I am quite fond of his work. I particularly enjoy the humor and drama of the way he tells a love story, like "Much Ado About Nothing." He truly was ahead of his time!

But there was this other guy who also understood the human condition... more specifically, the male condition. He lived a few hundred years before Shakespeare, and he used to walk around with some pretty impressive folks. But then Jesus came to him, and his name became synonymous with evangelism and conversion. Saul became Paul.

The passage below might seem long, but it is worth the read. We all, gentlemen, can relate to this. Every single man since the original sin is tainted in this way. The question is, can you see it for what it is, as Paul did?

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. ^[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature ^[b] a slave to the law of sin. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 7:14-25

Men, we must be ready to stand on principle, as Paul did, and recognize that we are new creations in Christ! Stand firm, and lead your family. Remember, all of us go through it... never feel alone!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Matthew 6:5

Husbands, this one is for you.

I will ask tonight that you remember that your role as a husband is that of the head of the home. But please make no mistake in understanding that your headship must be in the capacity of a servant-leader. You must maintain a meekness and calm about your spirit.

Meekness isn't often a word men feel comfortable with, but think of it this way; strength under control. Wise men have said for years that it takes a stronger and better man to walk away. Being that man will enhance your entire life.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:1

Brothers and sisters, we have all been granted the privilege of being raised as Christ, with Christ on the last day. Therefore, in all things we should keep our eyes on the prize! We may never attain true peace this side of heaven, but we should endeavor to keep our focus upwards.

Keep your focus on the greater reward... the reward that only Christ can provide for us! Let go of all of the petty things. Because if you truly sit down and ask yourself whether or not it is worth it to keep up the argument, I think you'll find ample reasons to just let it go.

God bless you all!!!

Attitude

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Col 3:23-24

This morning, when I should have been praising God for another glorious day that He has given to my family and myself, I failed. I showed my humanity this morning, most of all to my beloved wife, who should never see any less from me than that of a powerful, godly leader of the home. But I decided to have a pity party.

No one came.

I was mad at her at first, for shutting me down, but it has proven to be one of the greatest things that could have happened today. You see, my wife is amazing... not to overstate it, but simply AMAZING! She knows when I need to be knocked down and when I need to be picked up. And she knows that I reference Scripture a lot, with a lot of topics.

And when she told me that I made the decision to stay at home for a while, and that I am in control of the option to return to work, I remembered the verse above. I haven't been working at it with all my heart. I haven't been relishing in the joys that come each day. Nope, I have been focused on the negative. But that's all going to change, thanks to the objective view my bride brings to me!

Thank your spouse tonight for being the one person that will put you in your place when you NEED it. We all fall short of the glory of God, and all of us need to be reminded that we are all sinners every once in a while. It takes a true friend to point that out to someone openly... and there is no better friend to me than my wife!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
1 Thess 2:4

This one is for the husbands, specifically. And I would ask you to truly reflect for a moment on how you speak. Do you, in fact, speak as a man approved by God? Are you that confident? Do you have the required assurances?

Paul did. And if he can, then so can you... trust me.

Although this passage is spoken to the Church at Thessalonica, I would like for you men to personalize it and speak it over your marriages. We must be husbands after God's heart. Our love and commitment to the Father, Son and Spirit will grow the love our wives have for us, and lead them to chase the same path. And that is our job, men; to LEAD!

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

If the righteous inherit their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
Prov 11:31

The right thing. The straight and narrow. The path less-traveled. All of these are synonymous with righteous choices. They are also similar to the more difficult way to live; being in this world, but not of it. After all, we are all only here on leave from our true home with the Lord.

So many people take the quick and easy way out of things, believing that it will go unnoticed. However, as today's verse says, it will not only be seen but multiplied!

Take a moment today to encourage your spouse to remember their own Christian integrity. The riches of this world should not be the motivator... remind them that the harder path pays greater dividends in an eternal sense.

God bless you all!!!

Exercise...

Exercise is such an interesting thing... it revitalizes the body, as well as the spirit. And no one knows that more than the person who dives back in after a long respite from working out.

Another way to put that, though, would be to say that no one is in more pain than the one who lays off for a long time and then gets back into it. The muscles have atrophied, the lungs don't want to cooperate and breathe deeper, and the attention span for other things is always more appealing than for the work. But then comes the aftermath...

The joy of invigorated muscles and a revived sense of accomplishment that can only come from hard work. But this is also true with spirituality... and marriage.

The more you work to memorize Scripture, the easier it becomes. Similarly, the more you offer compliments and servant-minded love to your spouse, the more natural it will feel. And it's not that hard to do, on either account. It does take a purposeful approach, though, along with a conscious decision to better yourself in those areas; kinda like going to the gym, huh???

Take a moment this evening to thank your spouse for something you have not mentioned recently. Remind them of one of the key reasons you love them. You will find the joy of speaking those praises is quite powerful, indeed!

God bless you all!!!

Weight Loss!!!

Well... I won't say that I have made a resolution, because the statistics show that something like 93% of people fail to keep resolutions. I will say that my wife and I have made a conscious decision. We have both decided to approach 2010 with a more healthy lifestyle.

We will both be involved in more exercise, and I am going to kick-start the whole thing in the Book of Daniel, with the Daniel Fast. For the next three weeks, I will fast as Daniel did, and pray. I will add to this a regimen of exercise, and become more healthy.

I would ask that you pray for both of us as we endeavor through this. Also, keep watching for updates as we post them. And, as always, pray for your spouse and that he/she would also choose to embrace a more healthy lifestyle in 2010.

God bless you all!!!

Today's thought...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

It is odd how things work out, isn't it? How one can believe that they are in the perfect place, and then it all gets ripped away in an instant, only to find an even better place! My wife said to me yesterday, "I have given it over to God (my work situation), because He already has the details worked out."

Now THAT is true wisdom! And she is correct; the Lord knows what is happening now, what has happened, and what will happen. And through the sadness of a lost job, and the trials of a job hunt, I have grown closer to my entire family. Neat, right?

But the key is this... God knew who to put me with. She has helped me in so very many ways, the largest of which has come in my growing up. And His plans for me have definitely not harmed me.

Spend time today thanking your spouse for who they are, and for what they support you in, regardless of how big or small. As said before, an attitude of thankfulness changes many things. And I am asking again for you to be thankful for your spouse. And thank God for your spouse, as well. He deserves all the glory, after all!

God bless you all!!!

New Year; New Challenges

Every good and perfect gift comes from above.
James 1:17

So I took the month of December and spent it with family, not typing or blogging at all. I have had some interesting new developments and challenges come my way, and I think it's time to share the way I have faced them. After all, with much advice, plans succeed, right?

I lost my job in November (in retrospect, actually a pretty good thing). Our family has been blessed enough to have a dual income, and my wife is capable of supporting us, so I have been at home with the children. It was the prudent decision to make, as daycare is our largest single monthly expense. So I have now become the 21st century Mr. Mom, cooking and cleaning and playing with the munchkins. But you wanna know something? I wouldn't trade this gift for the world!

I have a whole new appreciation for the stay at home parent now, since I am one, and I realize just how difficult it can be. It's a lot of stuff to juggle.

But I am looking to re-enter the workforce. I have given thought to all kinds of things... most prevalent would be returning to the career for which I have a degree. That's probably where I will end up; back in a funeral home.

Big point to all of it though, is that my marriage has NOT... I repeat, has NOT suffered because of this. We are actually closer now than we were before. And I know, as my wife does, that it is only by the grace and peace that only God can provide that we are allowed to do this!

So, as I wish you a happy New Year for 2010, I would ask one favor of you. Please thank God for your spouse daily this year. Just do it. Your spouse is a gift from God. You'll be surprised how a thankful attitude can change so very many things in your life!

God bless you all!