Broken

Last year, I bought an Elliptical machine to help work my way back into shape. After two weeks, the questionably made product broke. After months of trying to get a replacement part, they gave up and sent me a new machine that still works but has the same nagging weakness. Before I use it, I try to check it out because if I tighten up the part that loosens during use, it can last much longer than the one that stripped out and is unuseable.

This past week, we talked about marriage and divorce. Its a lot like my two elliptical machines. Often times we go into marriage thinking that nothing could ever fail. What we don't realize is that the regular use, the pounding of life, the friction of day to day activities begin to reveal weaknesses that if they go overlooked will cause things to become broken.

On the other hand, if we know there is places where things are likely to break, we can put special care into it, we can "tighten it up." In every marriage, there will be extra tension regarding money, regarding sex, regarding hobies and relationships. Those things will always be an area of weakness in every marriage just like every same model of elliptical machine will likely fail in the same area.

Marriage takes a lot of care. Take time to do a lot of preventative maintenance. Your spouse deserves it. Have a blessed week!

Thoughts from Sunday

When I sat down and began to contemplate some of the tough sayings of Jesus, I never imagined the wrestling match that would have ensued in preparing for last week's message on lust and adultery. What is too much to say, what is not enough to say. How do I handle the comments of Christ accurately. Probably no message I have ever preached has taken me so far outside my comfort zone than to speak as honestly and candidly as I did on this passage.

Matthew 5:27-30 (NLT)
27 "You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not commit adultery.'
28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 So if your eye—even if it is your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 And if your hand—even if it is your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Jesus challenged us to live a life of extremem awareness of what is going on around us and our strengths can quickly become our weaknesses if we are not careful. That has played out in so many people's lives when we see them champion causes only to fall into the sin they were combating. We must strive to be careful, to be wise and to honor people we encounter.

My prayer for all who consider this passage is that we learn to see all people through the eyes of Christ and not as mere objects for our satisfaction. Stay strong, and as Paul said: "Run away from sexual sin!" (1 Corinthians 6:18)

This week, we will look at another challenging subject, the one of marriage and divorce. It lends a question; as people of faith, are we too lax concerning marriage or too condemning concerning divorce? It's certainly something to think about as we prepare for Sunday.

Update

Now that an abundance of activity is complete, I hope to return to my blog more faithfully. The good news is that we have surrendered the use of our youth center through a lease to another local church. We are excited to allow them this opportunity for the enhancement of their ministry. The loan process is complete, and drawing and permits are moving forward. We hope a buyer will come available for the old office soon and provide extra resources for the building project.

Our youth ministry has had a wonderful Summer thanks to the work of Luke and Janelle and a host of volunteers. I know the youth led service was a big hit with the church. We will have to remember to do that again.

New Sunday School classes begin in September, and we are excited to get them rolling. The best way to get involved in a church is to be a part of a smaller group whether it is one of our night groups or a Sunday School class.

On a personal note, I am in the process of getting all my paperwork in to begin doctoral studies through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Rachelle has been pushing me to do this knowing that it has been a desire of mine, and we have decided that now is the time.

This week, we are starting our new series, "Don't Go There" looking at some of those really taboo subjects Jesus talked about with followers and would-be followers alike. Up first is the issue of lust and adultery...there's enough conviction in it to touch all of our lives and enough practical wisdom to teach us to rise above the challenges we face everyday. I hope we will get down to genuine honesty and real practical wisdom for tackling an issue that has become such a part of our culture. As one song writer once wrote, "I would look pretty stupid with my big ol head stuck in the ground." We have to learn to address these difficult topics in a way that allows us to maintain our presence in the world and show a better way. Hope to see you Sunday.