Merry Christmas!

We are excited to celebrate Christmas! We have seen the Lord Jesus Christ work in the hearts and minds of thousands of couples this past year. We know there are families celebrating their Christmas together with great joy because of how God changed the life of a husband or a wife or both at a Weekend to Remember marriage conference this last year.

Margie and I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Many of you reading this have a part in our ministry and we wish for you to rejoice with us for the marriages saved and families restored through our ministry here at FamilyLife. 

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Christmas Posts I Want to Share

As I read the blogs I follow these seem worthy for me to share.

Dr. Albert Mohler writes on "Where does the story of Christmas begin?" See http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/12/21/where-does-the-story-of-christmas-begin/  for this post. As a new believer (1978) I was in awe as I discovered God's revealed history in scripture, correcting many misunderstandings I had about the world in which I found myself living. The idea espoused in Dr. Mohler's post, that all goes back to God's plan, is comforting in this age of chaos. I am still in awe as I understand more of God's revealed plan.

Dr. Jay Adams addresses our culture, the use of words, and the misconceptions we may have of the 'Incarnation'. See his December 16, 2009 post 'Tis the Season to be Jolly? for a jolly good read!

The Heart of Christmas

The Heart of Christmas by permission of author/artist Jim McMurry. The words say it all...

The wind is growing colder
Winter's in the air
School is finally out and
Christmas lights are everywhere
The tree is decorated
All the presents underneath
But there is something missing
On this snowy Christmas Eve

Once again the thought returns
That finally I must face
Amid this tinsel and the lights
What room is there for grace?
Why have I traded so much love
I never will replace
With all these shiny things
These little things

Lord, return me to the heart of Christmas
Turn me to the One to whom I pray

Why we do what we do...

This time of year we are focused as a nation on thanksgiving. I am thankful and let me explain why (before you click on the video below).

Reading through the book of Jeremiah has caused me to consider the state of nations throughout history. The Old Testament is full of examples of the rise and fall of nations, specifically the nation of Israel and nations interacting with Israel. One thing clear to me is that the states that obeyed God and his Word fared well according to his promises. Many examples of individual well-being abounds in the Old...

Sovereignty

In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:6 ESV)

This proverb is encouraging when I am having a day of confusion. By confusion I mean being faced with priorities of equal value and limited time in which to accomplish my tasks and desires. This proverb is a call to action... doing what we can do when we can do it.

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV)

If I fulfill the tenants of this proverb I can rest with satisfaction. God is sovereign and he desires my worship and allegiance to his written word.

For Veterans Day

At a recent meeting between FamilyLife® and the Military Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ we were informed how we could work together for maximum impact. Much of what was shared focused on how our ministry could best interact with the Military Ministry and Chaplains to encourage and strengthen marriages. We were exposed to a variety of facts that play into the destruction of marriages of military couples. To name a few… long separations, uncertainty of the spouse’s return from the war zone, posttraumatic shock syndrome.

We were recommended some reading materials, one of which was Joker one: A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, leadership, and Brotherhood written by Donovan Campbell and published by Random House. A great read.

The major take away from this book for me was that leadership is learned and earned. The story tells of great courage and leadership...

Bride & Groom

The bride and groom are back in town! Timothy and Mary Susan (pictured here following the wedding ceremony) had a delightful honeymoon in the Ozarks. The weather was good and they spend much of their time out of doors on hiking trails.

Their laughter here reminds me of many comments made at the FamilyLife Weekend to Remember by couples who say they were able to laugh together for the first time in many years.

Have you laughed with your spouse today, this week, this month?

Wedding Prayer

Yesterday was a blessed day as I had the honor to officiate at my son's and his bride's wedding. This closing prayer best expresses my joy for them and the delight of their wedding day.

"Heavenly Father, God Almighty, Creator and Preserver of all mankind; because of the relationship that Timothy and Mary Susan have with You through Jesus Christ, I can pray with confidence that they will keep the covenant made before You and these witnesses today.

May they live according to Your Holy Word, practicing Christ likeness through word and deed in the power of the Holy Spirit. Look with mercy upon Timothy and Mary Susan, that they may love, honor, and cherish each other. May they live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and in righteousness. May their home be a light for the lost and a haven of peace for all.

I pray Heavenly Father that you would bless Timothy and Mary Susan with children and I pray that their children be Christ followers. I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen."

Worldwide Day of Prayer

Today we joined FamilyLife and other Campus Crusade for Christ staff for a day of prayer. Here in Little Rock we met at the Friendly Chapel Nazarene Church. Our day started with pastor Paul Holderfield, Jr. welcoming us and giving a history of his church and its mission. The focal point was his father's personal testimony and how God used him to start this church and its service to the people in this inner city environment of North Little Rock. A wonderful testimony of God's salvation and redemption for man!

Dennis Rainey then led us in a time of Scripture study and personal reflection. His key verse was, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21 ESV) it was a refreshing talk about personal holiness being necessary to identify evil, understand how to deal with temptation, and to respond in goodness.

My special highlight for the day was praying over the personal requests of friends and partners in our ministry.

Daily Refreshment

When I need a quick "pick up" or spiritual "shot-in-the-arm" I go to the ESV Bible On-line. I especially like the Book of Common Prayer Daily Office Lectionary as a devotional. Always offered is a Psalm, today Psalm 97:1, "The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!" What an encouraging way to start or end the day!

A nice feature is that you can listen as well as read, check out this link. http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/bcp/