Twenty Six Years of Joy

Belinda and I entered the 'highest halls of human happiness' 26 years ago today. The time has proven a marvelous journey that still finds us as excited as ever.  What began with commitment at the altar of Park Cities Baptist Church, continues with the same.  Along the way we have known encouragement - from friends, family and church.  Today we enjoy contentment - a kind of comfort (not complacency) in our own skin and with each other.  

It is said that our faith in Christ has much in common with marriage. Like marriage, Christianity also begins with commitment then continues through the encouragement of spiritual growth to create a soul knowing the deep contentment of an all-satisfying relationship with Christ.  Perhaps that is why Paul and other biblical writers drew from the analogy.  (Ephesians 5)

When I asked for my wife's hand, I said, 'there will never be a day in our marriage that you doubt my love for you." A bold statement?  Not really.  For as I began to unpack the passage from Paul, "husbands, love your wives..."  it occurred to me that love, here, was not a noun but a verb - a command.   In other words, this was something requiring more than romance, more than feeling, it required my choice.  In short, on any day that I consciously decided to love Belinda, then followed through with words, attitude and actions, I could.  Likewise, on any day that I decided not to love her, I wouldn't.  Making this 'bold' statement not nearly so after all - only as 'bold' as my will.  My commitment to her was nothing short of a commitment to Christ - and, in that, also held the promise of aid by the Holy Spirit in me.    

Perhaps this dashes your idea of romance.  Or, if like me, this may encourage you in how the marriage covenant may be maintained - at least from a husbands perspective.  I do pray so!  For... on the day that you do so (commit) you will unlock the potential of LIFEchange forever. What was it that Jesus said?  "Take my yoke upon you, learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light, and there you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29 and 30)  In other words, what seems hard is really (In Christ)... the easiest and most sensible step of all.  

Yours 'for 26 years of joy, more!'

Pastor Sam 

Keep talking, it can get worse, or...

OK.  I rarely use this blog to vent but, this time, I must.  I listened last night (02.09.2009) to our President's press conference and came away with more bad news.  Before bedtime I told Belinda, "the Dow's dropping today" to which she asked me, 'how do you know that?' "Because it watches TV," I replied, then went on to bed with a sour stomach (by the way, the Dow, at 3:00 PM eastern time on 02.10.2009, is down 370 points).  

Then, today, in a phone call to one of our largest banks holding one of our Credit Cards, they tried hard to convince me I needed a new 'fee' attached to my card because, "Mr Dennis, don't you realize that this is one of the worst times in our history?"  To which I replied, "Now, that's enough!"  December 7, 1941?  "Yes."  September 11, 2001, "Yes!"  "But today?  No Ma'am!"   Then asked for the name of her CEO and his address, for, today, I am sending  him a personal check for $20, to invite him, when he gets off his jet, to have a hot dog on me.  But don't tell me, anymore, that this is the worst of times in our history.  I have had ENOUGH. 

So now you know how I feel.  Like you I care for people, and am more than willing to help those in need.  Like you I am feeling the pinch of volatile markets.  Like you I am concerned over dying industry, and whether or not we really need to shore them up once more or just let them go on and die.  Like you, I want the government to do what they can, and should, but... I do not want them telling me what's good for me.  Not now and not ever.    If you want to stimulate my economy, mail me a check, but, don't take it from Peter if he doesn't have it. I know his friend, Paul, and he surely does not need any more midnight robberies from his bank.  

Yes, scripture tells us a lot about the things we should do.  We are to honor our parents, do good to all, preach the gospel, help the poor, and... guard our tongue.  Yes, the tongue is a powerful thing.  It is like a rudder on a ship. (James 3:1-18)  For with one word a whole ship can be turned.  That's why we must aim to be careful with what we say, and to whom. 

If you are wondering about this economy, or, really, about anything in your life, don't look to what might be if things get worse.  Look to what is and could be as you take steps and speak words to make things better.  

In short, choose your words carefully.  After all, "a fools voice is known by much speaking." (Eccl. 5:3)  And, with that, I beg your leave.

Yours for better - 

Pastor Sam