Love and Submission

As we continue into the new testament with regards to the basis of a Godly marriage; I would like you to read a quote. This quote was one that I choose to have read at my own wedding almost eight years ago. It goes beyond the lovey dovey and to the heart of what sustains love in marriage. To me it was a refreshing message of what a husband and wife should also be.

"The basis of marriage is not mutual affection or feelings of emotions and passions that we associate with love, but a vocation, a being elected to build together a house for God in this world, to be like the cherubs whose outstretched wings sheltered the ark of the covenant and created a space where Yahweh could be present...The real mystery of marriage is not that a husband and wife love each other so much that they can find God in each others lives, but that God loves them so much that they can discover each other more and more as living reminders of His divine presence. They are brought together, indeed, as two prayerful hands extended toward God and forming in this way a home for Him in this world." Henri Nouwen from Clowning in Rome

Separate In Form but Equal In Image {Part 2}

continued from previous post...click here.

So now we know what God intended for sex and marriage to be before the fall. How does this change after the fall? Or does it change at all? Before we get to the eating of the sin fruit I want to clear up a few things.

In the last blog we talked about the male and female aspect of God. That both male and female were created in his image. That I believed the female aspect of God is the Holy Spirit. {You may want to read the last blog if you are confused.} What I want to be clear on is that when we worship God we worship God. That is to say we do not worship His male or female aspect in body but in spirit. God is not part god and part goddess. God is God. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. None of which now have a bodily form. They are spirit. That is why God was and still is against graven images or idols. It is making gods or goddesses into bodily form and then worshipping them. It is not right. So take comfort in knowing that God has both male and female aspects but worship God; not male or female.

Separate In Form but Equal In Image {Part One}

Since February is known commercially as the month of love, I thought it may be a good time to discuss my thoughts on the subject.

Relationships are a part of every one's lives. More importantly romantic relationships seem to be the longing of the human race. Everyone wants to feel loved, right? But what is happening in the name of love? Sex is huge and is in our face constantly. Sex outside of marriage is the norm. Marriage is disposable, if attempted at all. Marriage is no longer the celebration of two people's love and commitment but instead the demand for legal recognition of a particular relationship. Within those who actually do marry the incidence of abuse, infidelity and divorce is sky high. There is also confusion over what roles gender plays. So what's the deal? What is marriage suppose to be? What did God intend it to be? What does it mean to be male or female? Have we interpreted what the Bible says about marriage and gender in respect to the glory and character of God?

Running On Empty

Been thinking a little more on what drives us to seek pleasure. As I said before pleasure in and of itself is not wrong unless it is outside the principles and truth of God. Otherwise God is a God of pleasure. He meant for our lives here on this planet to be enjoyable. So why is it that so many people are unhappy? A Christian would say "Well it is because you don't have the Lord in your life." But when I look around I seem to see just as many Christians "Holding out for heaven. " and completely miserable. Is this our testimony? Is this the joy and contentment of a life in Christ?

One of the most difficult things I have found raising my 6 and 3 year old is teaching them how to be content. In this day and age with the constant barrage of consumerism it has proven to be challenge. Not only that but also the non stop stimulation. Television, computers, cell phones, portable DVD players in the car, video games, portable video games, ballet practice, girl scouts, PTA meetings, field trips, potlucks, karate practice, swim team, gymnastics...aaahhh!!! It's no wonder that kids don't know how to sit still anymore! Or just sit and play with blocks or something simple.

Instant Gradification Gradifies Only for an Instant

Building on what we discussed in the last couple of posts about desire and lust. How do we know the difference between righteous desire and violent desire{lust, coveting}? I think we first need to define the difference between desire and need. Need is something that is a necessity or requirement. What is it that man absolutely needs for survival? We often hear of hikers lost in the woods or mountain climbers losing their way in a blizzard. So if you were one of these people what would you do? Find food, water and shelter; right? Really with those three things man can last for quite some time. On the other hand desire is a wishing or longing for something beyond necessity. These are the things that we often define as pleasures. Pleasures are things that we don't need to survive but are also things that can enhance or make life more rich.