This week I had the opportunity to witness to someone and I used my blog. I told Kim about it and that was that. This morning, I was reflecting on the week and thought about that and I have to admit that I got a little prideful. I love how God keeps my pride in check. He quickly reminded me of a story that I had read to remind me that there is so much more that others have done, so I thought I would share with you this morning.
A few years ago, my former pastor, Buddy Sweet, gave me a book called "Jesus Freak". Now, I'm not a reader but this book was perfect for me. Each chapter was a story about a Christian martyr and was no more than three pages so someone like me can read a story without losing focus.
There was one particular story that stood out about an 8-year old girl in a communist country in Asia. This story didn't take place 100 years ago, this took place in the last 30 years. In this country the only churches that were allowed were state-run churches. But in secret, Christian in-home churches existed. That was the only way people could get together and learn about God because there were so few bibles. Generally, people were too scared to own a bible for fear of retribution from the government.
The government learned about a home-church in a small village so the police raided it one night when they knew there was a meeting. On this night, the police came bursting through the doors to find 10 or so Christian villagers listening to the preacher. When they bursted in the preacher was holding the bible. The police took the bible from the preachers' hand and began to beat him. Then they threw the bible into the middle of the street. They then told the parishioners that if they would just spit on the bible, they could go free.
The people had saw what the police did to the preacher and they knew they would lose their life if they didn't comply with this demand to spit on the bible. So, one by one, including the preacher, the adults and kids filed out of the house in a single file line and spat on the bible.....all but one!
There was an 8-year old girl that was the last in line. When it came her turn to spit on the bible, she got down on her knees in front of the bible. She gently picked the bible up and began to clean the spit and mud off of it. While she was cleaning it she was crying and praying. Her prayer went something like "God, please forgive these people, they're just afraid. Please don't punish them for not knowing how precious your word is".
While she was on her knees cleaning the spit and mud off the bible and while she was praying, the police executed her right in front of her parents. As I read this I cried (right there in Taco Bell on Alcoa Hwy) and asked God "why"? An 8-year old is innocent. Jesus, the bible doesn't mention you starting your ministry until you were 12, why an 8-year old? I don't remember getting an answer, I only remember being extremely convicted about not reading me bible.
My question is would you be like the little girl? Would I? I have more I want to write about the precious word of God but I will do it at another time. Until then, I hope that you take the opportunity to read God's word.
On a side note, please pray for Sam Wallace and his family. Please pray compassionately that God will give them what they need during this time of hurt.
God loves you and I do too!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thrive or Survive....marriage
Men, at what point in time do you stop looking out for your wife? I'm sure you answered with a resounding NEVER! We should never stop looking out for our wives. We should never stop considering their feelings.
Starting in February, I hope to be leading a men's Life Group at my church (rio180.com) which will focus on marriage. In preparation for the class, I'm thinking about certain topics we need to cover and what I've learned about them in my own marriage. I'm not the best husband now, but I used to be a lot worse until Kim taught me how to be a good husband (btw...I'm still a work in progress). Early in our marriage I had behaviors that Kim tolerated for a while, hoping I would change on my own. Finally, she let me know that my behaviors hurt her feelings. Over time, I had built a wall between us that had to be tore down. I created hurt, on accident, that had to be mended. Not only was the wall between Kim and me but also between God and me. I had to tear it down, and I did. Now that I treat Kim with the respect she deserves, my marriage is flourishing and we both are happy. My former behavior was a habit, the way I had always been. I acted this way without knowing it. Now, the respect I show Kim is a habit. I would never hurt her.
As I research and think about my class and I observe husbands at work it is clear that A LOT of men don't always think about their wives feelings. Unfortunately, I'm talking about men that profess to be men of God. I witness occasions where talk may be a little too friendly....but no harm. I see men taking a second look at an attractive woman and then make the comment "I'm married, not dead". Have you made that comment? If you have, you were in the wrong. I've heard men say that they would do the same thing even if their wife was there because "she wouldn't care". That's even worse. Men, if you think your wife doesn't care if you talk friendly to another woman or that you take a second look, you are a fool and are fooling yourself.
Ask yourself, why would my wife not care that I look at another woman with the same look that I do or used to look at her with? God said have "no other gods before me". Your wife should say "have no other women before me". Men, it is time that we stop settling for a marriage that survives and start working toward a marriage that thrives. To do this, you must make your wife the #2 focus of your life behind God.
#2 focus in your life doesn't mean that she is #2 when she is around or when she may be watching. That means that behind God, she should be where your affection and thoughts are all of the time. If as men we will focus on being good husbands when our wives aren't around, that will certainly make us better husbands when they are around.
Here are some simple rules to put into place to begin working toward a marriage that thrives:
1) Don't ever let another woman catch your eye....EVER!
1a) This goes for TV too.
1b) Even if your wife isn't around.
2) Don't have a conversation with another woman that you wouldn't have in front of your wife.
3) Don't share your marital problems with another woman.
4) Don't let another woman have your thoughts.
5) If your wife tells you that she doesn't mind you breaking these rules, she is lying.
This list isn't all-inclusive but it is a good place to start. Now start thriving.
God loves you and I do too!
Starting in February, I hope to be leading a men's Life Group at my church (rio180.com) which will focus on marriage. In preparation for the class, I'm thinking about certain topics we need to cover and what I've learned about them in my own marriage. I'm not the best husband now, but I used to be a lot worse until Kim taught me how to be a good husband (btw...I'm still a work in progress). Early in our marriage I had behaviors that Kim tolerated for a while, hoping I would change on my own. Finally, she let me know that my behaviors hurt her feelings. Over time, I had built a wall between us that had to be tore down. I created hurt, on accident, that had to be mended. Not only was the wall between Kim and me but also between God and me. I had to tear it down, and I did. Now that I treat Kim with the respect she deserves, my marriage is flourishing and we both are happy. My former behavior was a habit, the way I had always been. I acted this way without knowing it. Now, the respect I show Kim is a habit. I would never hurt her.
As I research and think about my class and I observe husbands at work it is clear that A LOT of men don't always think about their wives feelings. Unfortunately, I'm talking about men that profess to be men of God. I witness occasions where talk may be a little too friendly....but no harm. I see men taking a second look at an attractive woman and then make the comment "I'm married, not dead". Have you made that comment? If you have, you were in the wrong. I've heard men say that they would do the same thing even if their wife was there because "she wouldn't care". That's even worse. Men, if you think your wife doesn't care if you talk friendly to another woman or that you take a second look, you are a fool and are fooling yourself.
Ask yourself, why would my wife not care that I look at another woman with the same look that I do or used to look at her with? God said have "no other gods before me". Your wife should say "have no other women before me". Men, it is time that we stop settling for a marriage that survives and start working toward a marriage that thrives. To do this, you must make your wife the #2 focus of your life behind God.
#2 focus in your life doesn't mean that she is #2 when she is around or when she may be watching. That means that behind God, she should be where your affection and thoughts are all of the time. If as men we will focus on being good husbands when our wives aren't around, that will certainly make us better husbands when they are around.
Here are some simple rules to put into place to begin working toward a marriage that thrives:
1) Don't ever let another woman catch your eye....EVER!
1a) This goes for TV too.
1b) Even if your wife isn't around.
2) Don't have a conversation with another woman that you wouldn't have in front of your wife.
3) Don't share your marital problems with another woman.
4) Don't let another woman have your thoughts.
5) If your wife tells you that she doesn't mind you breaking these rules, she is lying.
This list isn't all-inclusive but it is a good place to start. Now start thriving.
God loves you and I do too!
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