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It would be difficult for us to say that we could ever conclude the story of Christian marriage because we continue to discover more about God’s plan for this covenant relationship as the years roll by, and we certainly expect that ‘discovery’ will continue to the very end.
Read MoreEvery week the children received a lesson that spoke about the Bible and the stories within, and the two girls always looked forward to juice and tray-bake while waiting for their parents to fetch them after service. Then of course, there was always Sunday Lunch. what a treat!
Read MoreSo, we must accept from the outset that parents must assume a disciplinary role, and this would include any guardian who assumes a parent role. Let us not expect third parties who support our children’s learning to take on that responsibility. A school teacher for example, supports you by reinforcing the foundation you have established.
Read MoreSimeon was four years old and loved most things except bedtime of course. On this particular afternoon, his mother was at the store, his sister was yet to come home from dance class, and his father was in his home office busy on the spreadsheet. Simeon had happily continued to work on the drawing and colouring he had begun at nursery. Rather pleased at his progress, he ran into the office, face beaming and with his rather large piece of drawing paper in tow:
Read MoreThen something happened! Happy and outgoing Grace suddenly became quiet and withdrawn, teary and unstable. Perhaps you have experienced that feeling of helplessness as a parent or guardian, seeing your toddler unhappy and unable to explain and share with you.
Read MoreIf you have been on the receiving end of rage and an uncontrolled temper, you will know how painful this can be. We can testify from personal experience that even a verbal assault from someone who is ‘out of control’ results in emotional pain that is so intense it can also create a physical pain that is totally overwhelming. The angry person may be able to step back into control quickly, and may then be apologetic about the temper, yet you are still bleeding. There is nothing positive or justifiable in a rage response.
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Read MoreBeing a giver is important in the life of everyone who follows Jesus. We are called to imitate Him in everything we do, so being a giver with a pure heart and without selfish motives produces within us not only a worthy witness and reflection of the God we serve, but it moves heaven to do miracles in our lives and in the lives of our family.
Read MoreThe exciting news of the gospel is that we ‘sons and daughters of men’ who accept Christ’s gift of redemption receive new life. Just as Jesus was crucified and resurrected, so are we with Him. This ‘new life’ is not simply a new understanding or a new start. It is far more than new in any physical sense – it is about supernatural life! It is about something too marvellous for words.
Read MoreWe have had meetings with many couples looking for help to resolve their relationship struggles. Each couple having tried to work things out together but unable to come to a positive or a lasting solution, and so they look for help to resolve their conflict. Seeing couples bleeding and in pain is always difficult for us, especially when we see how the enemy has moved in and settled in – a thief with a single purpose – to kill and destroy.
Read MoreWhere to place your trust is always a critical decision. Christians claim that Jesus Christ is Lord, that our trust is in him, and this is our good decision. Yet, there are still times when we are arrested with a prompting to question where our trust has really settled. Our desire for God is genuine, but our declaration of trust in Jesus can be made ‘outside of the furnace’. We can in our moment of doubt when the heat is on us, turn from our trust in the Lord and look for an alternative champion.
Read MoreThe Word of God and its declaration of equality is clear. Both sexes represent ‘Man’, both sexes were blessed and both sexes were made in His likeness in the creative process. This tells us that male and female were always designed for relationship being in oneness ‘Mankind’. It assures us that not only are both sexes blessed by the Creator, but each has been created to bear the image of God.
Read MoreHumankind has nothing more than natural life, but in those who accept Jesus, the spirit has been illuminated – the light of God has awakened within you and now you have supernatural life. You have been utterly transformed. The magnitude of this miracle is no less than taking dry bones from the ground and transforming those dead and dried up things into a person with the fullness of life. You have been called back from the dead.
Read MoreWhen a couple works together to achieve unity, they submit to each other in love and encourage each other by learning and sharing. They navigate the rocky places by learning to put each other first and serve. This is very much part of Gods plan and His deep desire for us (Mark 10:7-8). Although many may agree with the message of selfless service and have a willingness to pursue it in their marriage, progress can be slow, and laboured. At times we wonder how, despite the knowledge of God’s purpose we remain for years trying to overcome disagreement, anchored in an unwelcome state where conflict still exists, and self continues to rise up within us demanding attention.
Read MoreSurely, we should aim to take advantage of every opportunity to build positive experiences, to become a witness and a hero to our spouse, our family and to others with whom we build a close relationship. Let them delight in the memory of you.
Read MoreIt is as if we are declaring to everyone else in that bus – only my push counts! If I push the button the driver will respond, if you push it, the driver will ignore you and the bus will continue.
Read Morebe aware that in some cases, your disappointment is not the failure of the other person, it is simply a failure to match the vision you built yourself rather than one you built together.
Read MoreThis is not to say that traditions are always negative, in fact many of them good, but we must weigh them and hold them accountable to a greater authority and a better culture. Where human tradition comes against a choice for love and life guaranteed by God’s Word, traditions and personal ambitions must bow to the King…
Read MoreYou don’t have to follow the world! If you have found someone and are sure of it, then why should you say that you are not ready, not rich enough, not old enough. Why say that you want more time to experience worldly things before you get married - what are those things that you cannot experience in marriage?
https://pixabay.com/photos/1869621/Today, our focus is more on those little foxes that are insidious. They present themselves not in a battle formation, but approach more like terrorists engaged in guerrilla warfare. These ‘little foxes’ latch onto us trying to ignite negative feelings and responses, gnawing at our affections and blocking our growth.
Read MoreGive your teenagers much more of a say in what happens in family time. Let them engage you as much as you try to engage them. As family members move toward adulthood, it’s important that we learn and share together and that you honour their growing maturity. Family worship should be a source of victory for you and your family over every negative influence and challenge.
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