Posts

Covenant Over Convenience: Recognizing Marriage as Serious Business

-
Image
      Are we treating our marriage vows as a sacred covenant before God, or merely as a consumer contract? Do we see wedding ceremony as just a union between a man and a woman, or is it something more? When we think about marriage what part does God have in the equation?       In a world driven by convenience, contracts are broken the moment one party fails to deliver on their end of the bargain. But God never intended for marriage to operate on a consumer mindset, yet this seems to be the mentality that many people have today.       We often treat weddings like they are nothing more than a bride's special day, a sweet ceremony, or a lavish party . We spend so much time making sure the decorations are put in place, and the venue scheduled. We send out invitations and make all the arrangements that need to be made, to ensure this day is special.  We spend so much time considering the service, and yet spend so little time on the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Paper and the Bond: Why Divorce Isn't a Quick Fix

-
Image
           Can we truly erase the spiritual bonds of our past by simply signing a piece of paper?      In our fast-paced society, we love things done quickly. We love fast food, quick easy meals, and lightning-fast projects. We love the concept of a quick fix. When something breaks or becomes uncomfortable, our first instinct is often to discard it, clear the slate, and immediately start over or just give up. It's been said, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again; unless you're skydiving, then you probably need to pray." Yet how many times do we treat things in our life like we are skydiving without a parachute? How many times do we just give up on things because they get hard or difficult? How many times do we just quit because something is too difficult or it seems too hard to fix?      This attitude has seeped into our society and, in particular, into our understanding of marriage. Sadly, many people today view ...
Post a Comment
Location: Ashmore, IL 61912, USA
Read more

Grace in the Hard Places: Understanding God’s Heart on Divorce

-
Image
        How do we reconcile God's perfect design for marriage with the messy, painful reality of human brokenness?        It is easy to talk about lifelong commitment when things are smooth, but what happens when a relationship fractures? What happens with the papers are final, and the relationship is severed?       Dealing with this topic can feel incredibly daunting. In a culture where it is widely reported that roughly 50% of all marriages end in divorce, addressing this subject risks offending or hurting at least half of the people in the room .       Yet, divorce was just as rampant in Jesus' day as it is in ours, and Satan works just as hard today to destroy families and break covenants . While it is tempting to ignore these challenging passages out of fear or a desire for safety, doing so muzzles the mouth of Christ and ignores vital instructions He deemed worthy of teaching .     ...
Post a Comment
Location: Ashmore, IL 61912, USA
Read more

The Divine Glue: Why You Can’t Build a Great Marriage Alone

-
Image
     Who is ultimately responsible for holding a marriage together?        The secular world tells us that a successful relationship is purely a horizontal contract—a 50/50 agreement dependent entirely on human effort, mutual chemistry, and personal willpower. But what happens when human effort runs completely dry?     In my humble opinon t his human-centered view of relationships has left modern couples highly vulnerable. According to long-term data from the National Center for Health Statistics, the American marriage rate has seen a steady decades-long decline, dropping to a historic low of 5.1 marriages per 1,000 people in 2020. This systemic breakdown isn't confined to the secular world; it heavily impacts the church .       The church often focuses alot of their energy on the sinful lifestyles and relationships that are being promoted in our culture, yet the church seems to tolerate fractured relationships, cohabitati...
Post a Comment
Location: Ashmore, IL 61912, USA
Read more