Committed to Marriage

Marriage is tough stuff. It takes hard work and sacrifice. I know of many marriages that are struggling and even falling apart right now. Some are much more public than others. I was in a marriage that was once crumbling and falling apart but God restored it. Going through that makes it even more difficult to see people wanting to quit or give up on their spouse and marriage. I KNOW God is in the business of bringing to life things that are dead. It takes work but God is faithful.

God uses marriage as an analogy of his relationship with Israel all throughout scripture. If you think you have been hurt or betrayed by your loved one, search the scriptures for how deeply and repeatedly our Heavenly Father has been betrayed by his bride. Actually take a look in the mirror and think of how we all have deeply wounded and betrayed our Creator. Not everyone has committed adultery against their spouses but I believe we all have committed adultery in our hearts when it comes to our relationship with God.

Jeremiah 2:2 "I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown."

The covenant people of God are his wife. They have often been unfaithful and broken the marriage covenant but would God divorce his bride or quit on his marriage? NO!

But what about her horrible adulteries that were committed against him? Ezekiel 16:32 "You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!" Surely divorce is legit in these circumstances! Nope...not in God's eyes.

Then what? Separation? Yep! Judgment? Yep! Ezekiel 16:58-59 "You will bear the consequences of your lewdness and your detestable practices, declares the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant."

Then what? Is that the end? Does God just separate and pass judgment then end the marriage? Nope! Ezekiel 16:60 "Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you."

But isn't it wrong to take her back after she has laid with so many others? Jeremiah 3:1b in the ESV says it best. (at least to fit in with the song I am putting at the end)..." 'You have played the whore with many lovers; and would you return to me?' declares the Lord."

Ahhh...but what a husband he is! Amazing in his grace! So full of mercy! Jeremiah 3:12 - Go, proclaim this message toward the north: "Return, faithless Israel," declares the Lord, I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful,' declares the Lord, 'I will not be angry forever." That sounds like forgiveness and reconciliation!

God will not divorce. Malachi 2:16 "I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment," says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

God is wholly committed to saving and enriching his marriage. Are you?

I AM SICK OF IT!

I Fight Authority & Authority Always Wins

Praise God for the Richland County Sheriff Department. They caught this high profile criminal in the act of breaking ordinance 4511-21 in the metropolis of Lucas at 8:50 A.M. on Sunday morning. This dangerous criminal was headed eastbound on S.R. 39 taking his wife (and mother of his children) captive and forcing her to attend a Mothers Day Service at a christian spiritual outpost. This man was considered armed and dangerous. Sure enough the deputy spotted a sword in his wife's hand. He was also obviously dangerous as he was driving at a crazy speed of 52 mph as he entered the busy city. What a heroic act of bravery by the deputy. To pursue this criminal through the streets of Lucas for a city block and apprehend him. He then verbally spanked the convict for his offense. He also presented the idiot with a blue ribbon driving award which he is posing with in this picture. These are the thugs we need to get off the streets right here. They think the law doesn't apply to them.
As a result he was punished by being 15 minutes late to his destination and it was believed his wife was polishing and sharpening his sword so it might penetrate a little deeper when she handed it to him point first.

No words were needed. I knew I was wrong immediately. I wasn't paying attention to my speed and even if I was it wouldn't have mattered. I drive above the speed limit because I drive the speed where I believe it's safe and I still have control of my vehicle. The speed limit is for people who don't really know how to drive very well.

I hate that feeling when I know I've just been busted. My heart races, my stomach drops and my butt cheeks clench. Dang it! I hope he gives me a friendly warning. It's Mother's Day, come on. I'm going to church, cut me some slack. 35 mph is ridiculous. This is Lucas, Ohio, give me a break, like it is so busy on a Sunday morning. Isn't there something else happening in this county that is a little more threatening than going a little fast down the highway?

None of it matters. The sign and law say 35 mph. It is so easy to justify my wrong. It is so easy to want grace and forgiveness after you have been busted. Do I wish I wouldn't have been speeding, or do I wish I wouldn't have gotten caught? If I'm really honest, I wish I wouldn't have gotten caught. How often do I play this silly game with God?

The laws and boundaries are set to protect us, not to restrict or confine us. Why do I always think I can push them or even cross them? This is a huge weakness/sin of mine.

I thought of this passage as the lights flashed behind me.

Romans 13:1-5 (New International Version)

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

Hard Time

I went to prison Sunday. Just to visit. As I posted earlier on Feb. 19, I have a friend there.

As I was walking to the front gate I looked at the rolls of razor wire. I said to myself, "there is no way to escape this place without shedding some blood". As the guard buzzed me through the second door the first door slammed shut. It sent chills down my spine. My past flashed in front of my eyes. I thought of all of the things I did repeatedly that could have landed me here. The "not so friendly" state employee told me to get my ID and my birth certificate out. They sent me to a small office with a guard and went over the paperwork I sent in two weeks ago. He looked at the papers, looked at my ID, looked at me, looked at the papers. He was tapping his pen. I began to get nervous, like I was about to be locked up myself. After he was satisfied with what he saw, I had to wait until my friend's number was called. At that point, I had to go forward empty my pockets and go through the metal detectors. Once through that, there were two more steel doors to go through. Bang! Bang! I then had to walk to another building where the visitation would take place. I walked right along the inside of the fence. Razor wire. Rolls of it. I praised God as I walked, thanking Him that I was never in prison. I thought of Joseph and Paul and John and Peter. Great men of faith all imprisoned. In conditions far worse I'm sure.

I finally see my friend. We smile and hug. About 30 seconds of the "how ya doing thing" and he says," When I heard you sent in your papers to come visit, I immediately thought of that time you came to get me to go to church. I have had a lot of time to think and I have wondered if I would have kept going with you, if I might not be here today." He knew why I was coming. He knew what I was bringing. I didn't even have to bring it up. There was some great conversation. His biggest hangup is, "I don't think I deserve it". I told him he was right, none of us do. I explained grace. (Ephesians 2:8) I planted seeds. I told him I cared for him and I would be there for him. I want to spend time with him. I want to pour out everything I have within me, into him. But he has to want it. He has to receive it. It's his choice.

I believe the seeds I planted Sunday have fallen on better ground. I believe God has been busy plowing up that hard dirt. I pray God starts the germination process and allows me to care and nurture the seedling into a firmly rooted oak. A strong, tall, towering oak that will bear much fruit.

I spent nearly three hours in prison on Sunday. As I was leaving, walking past those rolls of razor wire, I again thanked God for my freedom. That's when it hit me. I realized I had served a good 30 years in a prison. A prison where the razor wire was drugs, alcohol, pornography, lies, and deception. A self-centered attitude full of bitterness, resentment, arrogance and most of all pride. There was no escaping that prison without shedding blood either. Blood was shed, but it wasn't mine. I walked free. I definitely don't deserve it. But Christ did it anyway. For me, and for you my friend. Thank you Jesus.