Joyfull New Year!

A post near the end of January does not qualify as a Happy New Year piece.  Especially in the light of a devastating earthquake in Haiti, lingering illnesses in the family, and deaths of family members of friends of ours.  As I read Psalm 16 I began contemplating the difference between 'happy'and 'joy'.  In the Christian worldview the difference between the two words is significant.  We can be happy only when things are going well and our spirits are uplifted, whereas a state of joyfulness is not dependent upon our circumstances, but rather a willful state of mind (James 1:2, 1Thessalonians 5:16).

I find that David has a great perspective on a new year, one that focuses on his relationship to God and not on what his resolutions for the year might be.  In verse one he talks about the need to be preserved by God ...

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...