“Pastor, this is a potential “sticky situation.” What should we do about it? We need some answers. We need wisdom.”
Ministry life is made up of a multitude of decisions everyday. Some are black and white. Others, no so much. Pastor, how do you handle the “sticky situation” questions/decisions?
Continue reading “Handling That Sticky Situation”
The country road in front of my house begs for any power-stroked truck to manifest its prowess in an ever-increasing, swift, thunderous, exhaust smoke-billowing fashion!
Power! When needed to winch-out another vehicle stuck in the mud, a 2023 Ram 2500 truck with 410 horsepower would get the job done! Indeed, power to burn!
Continue reading “Power to Burn!”
Has your marriage become stale and/or “in a rut”?
Has the “honeymoon” been long gone?
Are you both just living/existing under the same roof?
Recently I shared with my wife that one of the fascinations of our smartphone is the new information, pictures, reels, videos, livestream, etc. that can capture our attention from one frame to the next in rapid-fire, mesmerizing fashion.
Since marriage is a picture of the gospel (Ephesians 5:22-33), and we walk in newness of life in Christ day-by-day, moment-by-moment (Romans 6:4), our marriage should be one of paralleled day-by-day, moment-by-moment renewal. We should be intrigued with our spouse, the other half of us.
What does that look like?
One of the ways of walking in the newness of life in Christ is through keeping short accounts of sin. We are continual repenters (2 Corinthians 7:8-11), confessing our sins, coming under the blood of Christ and appropriating His forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9). This parallels marriage. Everyday our old sin nature is active and can rear its ugly head and we take the bait by sinning against our spouse. Then and there, we need to confess our sin to God and then to our spouse, turn from it, ask for forgiveness (not an apology), and walk in the newness of relationship.
This keeps a marriage fresh from anger, bitterness, grudges, criticism, jealousy, and other mental attitude sins. In exchange is the newness of freedom and restored fellowship, sin covered and not brought again, words of kindness, and the joy of the Christ-life in marriage!
So, is your marriage “hum-drum”? Be fascinated with your other-half today!! One way to do that would be to take a day trip! Let me suggest one in the area of western North Carolina.
Day Trip Enjoying the Scenic Route of Marriage:
Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway to the quaint town of Black Mountain, NC. Begin your day with a stop at the Blue Ridge Biscuit Company & Bakery, then head on over to the Town Hardware & General Store for a step back in time up to the present.
After strolling through the shops, have lunch at Veranda Cafe & Gifts. From there, walk down the hill to an intimate bookstore and coffee shop (downstairs), Sassafras on Sutton . Enjoy a book, a quiet afternoon and a wonderful cup of coffee! You can spend at least a couple of hours in this cozy, romantic shop. For supper, you may want to try The Pure and Proper.
Enjoy the newness of marriage in Christ!!
“There is no area that is more important than this. It doesn’t take long to realize that you have married a sinner, and what you do when you make this discovery will determine the character and quality of your union. You will only respond in a way that is right, good, and helpful to your spouse’s sin, weakness, and struggle when you are celebrating the transforming grace of an ever-present, always-faithful Redeemer” (Marriage: 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make, Paul David Tripp, p. 42).
This past weekend, Denise and I had the privilege of leading the Barnhardt Baptist Church, Goodview, VA, Couples’ Retreat. For the past three years they have used the facilities at the Hilton Garden Inn as well as various attractions in Bristol, VA.
As we navigated through the theme of “Marriage on the Gospel Highway,” we watched the Word convict, encourage, strengthen, and change marriages for the glory of God!
We played some crazy games and laughed as couples worked together to win various prizes (restaurant gift cards, candy, Escape Room admission).
Friday night after the first session, a trip to Blackbird Bakery topped off the evening!! There we had the blessed privilege of counseling with a precious young couple who had some well thought out questions about marriage!
Saturday morning, breakfast afforded another opportunity to converse with a couple about marriage and life on the Gospel Highway. After breakfast, Denise and I led split sessions. This room created a warm, intimate setting to gather around the Word. This is one of the many joys the Lord gives us through D & D Ministries!
After a break and checking out of our rooms, we closed out the morning with a final session. How blessed to have a part in seeing couples desire to intentionally grow their marriages in and through Christ on the Gospel Highway!
“So, in your marriage, God will find ways to drive you to the end of yourself so that you will put your hope and strength in him. Your moments of weakness are not the bad moments of accident or bad luck. No, moments of weakness are there because of divine intention. They are the delivery system of glorious forgiving, empowering, and motivating grace. God is using them to rescue you from you and to make you a person who, in marriage, really is committed to love you as you have been loved” (Marriage: 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make, Paul David Tripp,p. 319).
So where are you and your spouse headed for your Valentine’s Day date? Perhaps you have already had your date? Is dating a consistent part of your marriage? One of the most neglected aspects of marriage is continuing to date after marriage.
Remember when you were dating before marriage? Oh, how you planned, maybe even connived to accomplish seeing each other? Nothing would stop you. HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! May I ask a question? Why did you stop dating after you were married? Have you stopped? Why?
Here are some ideas to help you put that dating spark back into your marriage:
Don’t make excuses for not dating! All of the suggestions above are cheap, but marriage is not cheap. It’s worth the investment!! The key is having a time set aside in your weekly calendar that is reserved for just the two of you.
And . . . husbands, you take the lead in setting up and fulfilling the dates. This will speak volumes to your wife!
So, let this Valentine’s Day date either be the renewal of a great habit or another day of a refreshing deposit in your marriage journey!
The church auditorium was 3/4 empty on Sunday . . . . Christ is enough.
The church auditorium was packed to overflow . . . . Christ is enough.
Sunday’s sermon was a failure . . . . Christ is enough.
Sunday’s sermon was theologically, exegetically, practically sound . . . . Christ is enough.
Continue reading “Contentment On the Mountain and In the Valley”
“How have you seen God at work in your life today?”
This is a question that I’ve posed to many believers over the years. The goal is not to put anyone on-the-spot but simply to acknowledge that God is always at work around us inviting us to join Him in His work (John 15:5). Watching God at work as well as joining Him in His work at His invitation is an adventure (John 14:21; Hebrews 12)!
As God works, it is always in unison with His character, His names and His word.
Continue reading “Pastor, What Do You See?”
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