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Sinning and Sneaking (When Nobody's Looking)

Armor-Bearer — 2011-12-10T16:08:42Z

When Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand, he lookedaround to make sure no one was watching. ''Glancing this way and that and seeing no one...'' Ex 2:12. Ever done something wrong when nobody was watching? We all have! One pastor says he counsels people whose business travel makes them vulnerable. 'An executive finds that away from home she's inappropriately flirtatious, even though she loves her husband and wants to remain faithful. A high-powered professional struggles with [sexually explicit images] in hotel rooms, even though he's not tempted by them at home. The Internet sets innumerable ethical traps...By frequenting on-line chat rooms a wife becomes entangled in an emotional relationship with another man ...A husband struggles with the availability of Internet pornography...The sense that noone was watching allowed them to sin in ways they would never sin in ordinary, observed life.' Here's what you need to realize: (1) God sees you when nobody else does. When you couple that with a desire to please Him and not grieve Him, it makes a difference in how you act. (2) 'The godly offer good counsel...' (Ps37:30). If you know you're vulnerable in a certain area, share it with someone who will pray for you and hold you accountable. Nowadays there are even computer programs that will monitor your Internet activity and send areport to others. We use a few of these programs on out phones and home computers. (3) Avoid situations that afford you too much privacy. One woman closed her personal bank account and opened a joint account with her husband because her spending was out of control. God created you to live in relationship with others, and the more open and honest you are, the less likely you'll be to stray. Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching.We all wrestle with our integrity on a daily basis and we usually fall when we lose our connection with God and those who help keep us connected to Him by forming that "circle of friends." What can we do? We can stay prayed upand read and meditate on God's Word. We can also ensure that we are listening to that tiny voice (Holy Spirit) that tells us the right thing to do.

Israel's Darkest Hours: Rebuilding God's Jerusalem III

Armor-Bearer — 2011-11-29T18:47:09Z

Here we are early in the morning, and people have gathered at the temple! (John 8) Yes, this is the time when a woman was dragged to the temple (can we say entrapment)? As you read this chapter, several things will be revealed to you as you establish it all with prayer and these facts: It was early, and it was DARK. Not only was an adulteress brought to the Lord, to trap Him, but some other things were going on. The time had come to celebrate the "Dedication of the Temple and Festival of Lights." Here is the passage: Jesus went unto the mount of Olives (you KNOW He went to pray, and to overlook the city). And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman (where is the man?) taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act (they were planning and scheming—and watching). Now Moses in the Law (Teachings) commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting Him that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he stood up, and said unto them, he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus stood up, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, woman, where are those who are your accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, no man. Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, “though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. You judge after the flesh; I judge no man.” It is interesting that the statement was made that Yeshua was the Light of the world. This is the time of year when the community (and then some), would go to the temple with their lights (lamp stands). Can you imagine the entire temple burning brightly, where the only lights in the place were flickering flames fueled by olive oil? There are a whole lot of similarities and symbolic meanings behind these facts. ...Especially since Yeshua has just arrived at the temple for the Annual dedication celebration--from the Mount of Olives. (Rev 22:5, Isa 60:19 & Zech 14:7) gives more thought to these passages in John 8, and the quote the Lord Himself made, "there will be no light in that city (New Jerusalem), for I will be that Light." This is not only a reference to the Messiah's arrival, but to Himself. The Pharisees took great offence to these words of our Messiah, but they still rang true in their ears. How does all this tie together? When Adonai declared that "He is the Light of the world," it still let you know that the teachers and Law guiders of that day did not believe that Joseph and Mary's Son was the Messiah--even though the Torah, Writings, Prophets, B'rit Hadasha (John 1:1-5) and signs told of Him. We have not even discussed the other celebratory things that are taking place during this time of year. Some honors the Lord, and some dishonors Him. Here is a thought... When times get tough, and things are rough all around, what happens in your mind and heart? Do you fret? Do you pray? Do you celebrate? Do you go to the Mt. of Olives to get some fresh olives to make some "freshly squeezed" olive oil for your lamps, so you can see your way through the darkness? I have not always picked a fresh bushel basket, and certainly the Nation of Israel has not. They will though! The time draws near. Even in our darkest hour, Israel (Judah), Lost Tribes, and us must remember that we can still CHOOSE to see. We have to light the candle (wick of the One who never burns out). His Oil never ends. Even in Israel's darkest times: Holocaust, 6 day war, 400 years in Egypt, 2 captivities (2 nations and the 10 wayward nations lost), being robbed of their YHVH given land, Arab nations constantly attacking you (this should not be) and Muslim hatred of the people of Promise (the heir war). We haven't mentioned those of the Messianic and Christian faith who have been and are still being martyred for Yeshua HaMashiac's Kingdom’s Cause and Name. Israel has been given a Promise by their God, and He simply CAN'T and WON'T break it. With the Lord being the Light in that city, this proud Nation can still see hope. Why? Because their Light has all ready come!

Sin & Rebellion: Rebuilding God's Jerusalem II (Hashem's Sovereign Plan)

Armor-Bearer — 2011-09-22T15:22:10Z

How is it that we could choose do do what we want, when we want, and how we want, and STILL EXPECT to have a place to live, a place to work or to stay out of prison? WE CAN'T!! There are laws and expectations that have been levied upon us by those in POWER. YHVH, in His foreknowledge of the world, knows what is going on and how. His Sovereignty is still in place and can't be understood. It JUST IS! Every since the beginning, Hashem, has has a plan to reform and restore Jerusalem. His plan was to not only redeem them, but He first had to gather them back home AFTER they were to be scattered all over the globe--due to their SIN and REBELLION. There is sooo much I don't understant about His plan or Sovereignty. I won't attempt to explain either, but I want to throw some pebbles into the lake to see how many ripples of understanding we can get over time. You see, YHVH is churning the butter, and only the cream will be able to rise to the top. Here is something found in the Prophets portion of the TANAKH (Torah, Prophets and Writings)--Malachi 1:3 "Jacob I love, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals." If you would recall, G-d has never liked sin. He has not ever wanted us to play with any form of it either. Here is another Scripture that will slowly tie this all together for you. Prayerfully... When you embark upon something GOOD or BAD, you will ALWAYS MAKE a CHOICE to accept one of them as your PERSONAL desire, and the other you will tinker with---until you get tire of "messing" with it. God loves His creation! ALL OF IT! He does NOT however, enjoy the nature that is within us, that lures us away from Him. Free will is rough, but this is the thing (choice) within each of us humans that will show Hashem and others what we love the most. Jacob or Esau? Read on. Genesis 25:23 lists, The LORD said to her (the boys' mother), "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." This is different, because the elder is ALWAYS the one with the birthright, power, authority, throne (so-to-speak), name, honor, prestige, the ring, etc.). This esteem is USUALLY handed down through blessing by the father (via the right hand). Are you still with me? This did not happen. The Lord G-d had "other" Sovereign plans in the works. Esau was NOT to be the one of promise. His younger brother was. His name is Jacob, later to be renamed--Israel. Esau's name was later to be changed to Edom. Sin and disobedience EFFECTIVELY separates us from Hashem's ultimate and Eternal plans. When we care more about what we can gain from other sources that did not arise from G-d, we will find ourselves choosing the BAD and playing with the GOOD. Esau turned over the BIRTHRIGHT to his younger brother. Get this. For food! What?! Hold on!!! You and I do the same STUPID stuff, and choose the lie instead of the Truth. We have chosen the works of the flesh, over the works of the Spirit of God. We have chosen darkness of this world, over the Light of the world. It WAS NOT that G-d chose the younger over the elder--becasue He UNDSTANDS birthrights. He chose Righteousness over evil. Was that unusual? Look at this though, if He had stuck with Esau, the nation of the promised people would not exist today. The lineage of the Promised Messiah would have been tarnished forever; and our Sovereign G-d would not allow His name, nor His Son's name to be tarnished. "Jacob I love, but Esau I have hated..." The creation he adores, the sin nature (heart issues) He despises. Follow on... Edom over the years became attackers of Israel (even now). Let me put it this way--Esau's decendants became enemies and attackes of the decendants of Jacob. Was it because of jealousy? Some. Was it becasue of sin hating Righteousness? Warmer. Was it because Hashem foreknew from the beginning what was to be? Bingo! Tie all that together, and you have something to start with. It is never about G-d hating people. It is ALWAYS about Him despising sin. Jeremiah 49:10 lists "But I will strip Esau bare; I will uncover his hiding places, so that he cannot conceal himself. His children, relatives, and neighbors will perish, and he will be no more." This sounds a whole lot like the promise of the Lord to UNCOVER (expose) SIN and EVIL. There is no place for sin to hide. Why not? The Lord G-d tells us here, that He will uncover the deeds of unrighteousness (and where they lurk and hide). G-d wants His people, Israel, strangers (grafted in Christian sojourners) to know where their enemies are, so they can fight sin face-to-face. Furthermore, He promises to WIPE THEM OUT for our sakes. How is He going to do that? Better yet, how has He done that? Exodus 17, Joshua was to choose men to assist him with fighting the Amalekites. Hashem told Moses (in the hearing of Joshua), that Joshua was going to fight (and defeat) the Amalekites for generation to generation." After studying this, I was granted the understanding that the Amalekites are (the sinful ways), Joshua (is Yeshua)! Our Messiah will fight on our behalf for all time. He will help us be and remain victorious. These Amalekites were giants (sin). This AMALEK was not the same AMALEK as the decendants of Edom (Esau). However, Esau's decendants eventually mated and tied into history with the bloodline of the Arab nations we have come to know today. Even though Israel's Patriarch was Abram, who was a Chaldean and was mated up with what I understand as to be Syrians, etc., (a form of bedowan arabs), these nations and people are not to be confused as the same in nature or plan. Related? Yes. We all are. Not only by blood via Adam and Eve, but by sinful nature! Thanks be to Hashem (G-d) and Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah Hamashiach (Christ, the Messiah). We are free in Them! Does G-d love the nature in you? Nope. Do you love His nature is the better question. That is one for YOU TO ANSWER! Where do you stand?! With Edom or Israel?

Leadership in God's Kingdom

Armor-Bearer — 2011-09-22T00:58:49Z

Leadership in God’s Kingdom Now when Athaliah the mother Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs of the house of Judah. 2 Chronicles 22:10 Some leaders step into positions of power out of love and a sense of mission. Others seek leadership merely to gain power over others to revel in a smug feeling of superiority. Normally it doesn’t take long to determine which sort of leader you’ve got. It took no time in the case of Athaliah. She would do anything to attain and hold her illegitimate title including murdering her own kin. Leaders are not given authority to better themselves, to enlarge their income or social status, or to improve their standard of living. They are first and always servants of others. This idea appears throughout Scripture. Consider what our Lord teaches us about servant leadership: Human Economy God’s Economy 1: Pursuit of power and prestige. 1: Pursuit of love and service to others. 2: Improve wealth and status of leader. 2: Improve the welfare of the people. 3: See others as enemies and competitors. 3: See others as brothers who compliment. 4: Motive is to kill or remove opposition. 4: Motive is to meet needs and grow the cause 5: The result: the leader is glorified. 5: The result: God is glorified.

Stealing and Borrowing from Man!

Armor-Bearer — 2011-09-07T02:08:44Z

In my efforts, and desires to grow, I have tried several means of implementing new ways of growth in my prayer life, reading, witnessing, meditating, etc. Most if these things I have tried and have not been very successful in have come from what I have gleaned from others (read or listened to). I will tell you this… Those things (abilities) are for those people, and have not typically worked for me very long, if at all. Ask God what will work for YOU And YOUR growth! He alone KNOWS what is beneficial for YOU to grow and mature. Don’t forget, He is Sovereign over your life. Ask Him. Stop imitating (or coveting) what OTHERS have and are doing. That is for them. Be your own servant for God. Your personal time with God, and your personal growth will come from time with Him alone. This IS NOT THE SAME thing as man-to-man fellowship. Fellowshipping with man is a REQUIREMENT of Hashem (God, the Creator). Taking from another man something that is his, and not from God is dangerous, because it won’t fit; and WILL NOT fit. God’s Spiritual outfit and goodness will and has always been tailored just for you, and me. Let us stop imitating other men, and be a man that follows God’s plan and leadership. He will teach us how to speak, and act as we should. His Holy Spirit will lead us and teach us in the Way we should go. Once more, This IS NOT THE SAME thing as man-to-man fellowship. God uses, and we need that time to encourage us to grow and for support and oneness. Yeshua (Jesus) sent them out in 2’s and it is plain in Eccl 4 the importance of 2’s. Oh yeah, marriage is also a number equated with 2’s. Use that other person(s) for their intended purposes, but bond with God, for His specific plan.

Father, Give Us Your Words....

Armor-Bearer — 2011-09-07T02:06:39Z

The song "Give me the Words to speak" has inspired this post....So often we say things that we should not say--even in the privacy of our prayer closets. Even IF God understands (and He does) our ineptitude, we should never utter crazy, unholy things that we do so often, and so effortlessly. We preachers, pastors say so many horrific things, and they don't even come close to being accurate. I have heard us say things like "I don't think" or "I don't believe" or "it does not fit today" or "it is has been superseded by something else." Why do we say such silly, ignorant things? God's Son, Yeshua (Jesus), would NEVER UNDO what His Dad (or Himself) has said or done. Yeshua has told us, "I only do what I see my Father do." We lead the "sheep into the ditch" because we use our denominations as platforms, rather than using God's secure foundation (Word of Truth) as the foundation of man's denominations. Hashem's Doctrine--you know, the One Yeshua said "was NOT His, but the Father's, is the ONLY one that is flawless and foolproof! The ONLY problem with His Word is not in and of Itself, is with THOSE of us who attempt to use it. ...Especially who use it to fit what WE THINK or BELIEVE. It has always been a source of contention between "notable leaders" and "high profile" pastors to dog out what other pastors believe. Wow! That shows the "world and unbelievers" we are unified, when we don't even think our Holy God is right all by Himself. Father, You have given us the Words to speak, thru your Son, the Word Himself. Why do we work so hard at FINDING the RIGHT words to say, when you have all ready given us what to say? ...Talk about blasphemy and arrogance. We don't get it. How about this men of God...? Why don't we just study His Word the easy ways it was intended, in the context it was written in, about the people He was speaking to, for the purpose He intended it for? Hmm? If and as we do this, wonderful things will begin to be performed by the Lord's Spirit, as He said would happen, because the Truth is not being compromised by His "shepherd servants"-- us. I know I have asked the Father to "give us the words," but He has all ready done so--the Bible. What we need to do now is to actually use it to His liking, and not to our choosing! People are waiting and trusting us to know what we are talking about; and to not come off as spiritual buffoons--not showing ourselves as able "to accurately handle God's Word of Truth." We have been sanctioned to: (1) lead the sheep. (2) Feed the sheep and to (3) love the sheep. We can't accurately do it the way we are doing it today. It has been said, "if we keep doing the same thing, expecting different results, we are insane." I don't want to be looked at as if I am wearing a straight jacket, recently released from the padded room. Our studying has to be better than this. College and Theology alone WILL NOT get us there. God's Truth will though. I would prefer to be smiled at by the Maker of noses, because I have been faithful and true to Him--whose name is the Word of Truth, not the "author of confusion." Come on Pastors, Preachers, Teachers, Apostles and Prophets of the Most High God, you are accountable--you have always been since the beginning (yeah they still exist). This is one of those things people say have been done away with, because (they don't believe or agree with it). You are treading on thin ice partner, and the ice has a crack in it. Lets repent and do this the Way God intended. Correctly. Blessings. Micah 6:8 Oh, enjoy the song, by Aaron Shust.. Calloused and bruised dazed and confused My Spirit is left wanting something more Than my selfish hopes and my selfish dreams I'm lying with my face down to the floor I'm crying out for more (crying out for more) Give me Words to speak Don't let my Spirit sleep Cause I can't think of anything worth saying But I know that I owe You my life So give me Words to speak Don't let my Spirit sleep Every night, every day I find that I have nothing left to say So I stand here in silence awaiting Your guidance I'm wanting only Your voice to be heard Let them be Your Words Let them be Your words I just don't understand this life that I've been living I just don't understand I just don't understand these lies I've been believing I just don't understand I know that I owe you my life My life. My life

Don't Let Go of Your Dream

Armor-Bearer — 2011-08-25T02:57:01Z

Don’t Let Go of Your Dream But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who spied out the land, tore their clothes: and they spoke to the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us”… And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Numbers 14:6-8, 10 During its early stages, a dream is an incredibly fragile thing. As a corporate leadership expert Bob Biehl says, “Dreams are like soap bubbles floating close to jagged rocks on a windy day.” New dreams are fragile because we haven’t had time yet to let them grow or develop. When a seedling oak is only a year old, a child can tear it out by the roots, but once it’s had some time to become firmly established, even a hurricane can’t knock it down. Young dreams are also more easily shot down because if they are attacked, it is usually by close confidants, because they’re the only people who know about them. Our hopes and desires may be able to weather the criticism of a stranger, but they have a more difficult time surviving when undermined by a friend.

Accepting The Responsibility of A Leader's Trust

Armor-Bearer — 2011-08-25T02:55:29Z

Accepting The Responsibility Of A Leaders Trust And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the lord. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 A leader can delegate anything except responsibility. Leaders simply cannot give it away. They can model it; they can teach it; they can share it. But in the words of Harry Truman, buck stops with the leader. When Jehoshaphat become king of Judah, he assumed a trust. He was to lead the people and manage the nation’s resources. One of his greatest challenges came when an army from three countries laid plans to attack Judah. Jehoshaphat faced the same options we all face in a crisis: give up, back up, or stand up. At such time we find out the quality of our leadership: 1. Dropout: leaders who give up and fail to take responsibility. 2. Cop-outs: leaders who make excuses for why they aren’t responsible. 3. Hold-outs: leaders who waiver to long to take responsibility. 4. All-outs: leaders who own the responsibility and take action- like Jehoshaphat.

Make Communication Clear

Armor-Bearer — 2011-08-20T14:03:54Z

Jesus' disciples said to Him, “See, now, You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! Now we are sure that You know all things…. By this we believe that you came forth from God.” John 16:29-30 The success of your marriage, job, and personal relationships all depend greatly on communication. People will not follow you if they don’t know what you want or where you are going. You can be a more effective communicator if you follow four truths. 1. Simplify your message: The key to effective communication is simplicity. Forget about impressing people with big words or complex sentences. If you want to connect with people, keep it simple. 2. See the person: As you communicate with people--- whether individuals or groups ask yourself these questions: Who is my audience? What are their questions? What needs to be accomplished? 3. Show the truth: Credibility precedes great communication. Believe in what you say. Then live what you say. There is no greater credibility than conviction in action. 4. Seek a response: As you communicate, never forget that the goal of all communication is action. Every time you speak to people, give them something to feel, something to remember, and something to do.

Without Buy-In, The Vision Perishes

Armor-Bearer — 2011-08-20T14:02:39Z

All leaders have vision. But all people who possess a vision are not leaders. A compelling vision alone will not make someone a leader. Nor will a great vision automatically be fulfilled simply because it is compelling or valuable. Followers need to buy into the leader. Once Gideon possessed the vision to deliver Israel from its enemies, he still needed to get the people to buy into his leadership. Even though the vision was ordained by G-d, it still required time and action from Gideon. Ultimately, so many people bought into Gideon’s leadership so completely that G-d had to send a bunch of them home to make sure He got the glory for their victory. Just because a person has a vision and occupies a leadership position doesn’t necessarily mean that the people will follow. Before they get on board, they have to buy-in. And that doesn’t happen in an instant. Buy-in is an ongoing process.

Leadership Series "Cursed Self Interest"

Armor-Bearer — 2011-08-19T00:36:37Z

Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “My kingdom and I are guiltless before the L-rd forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.” 2 Samuel 3:28-29 When you forget whom you serve, you quickly fall prey to the basic human instincts. Leaders are not exempt. Joab, a nephew of King David and a successful army commander, showed great arrogance toward the king by chiding him for entering into a treaty with Abner, a former enemy. Joab basically called David a fool for allowing Abner to escape unharmed. Joab secretly plotted to kill Abner, not because he posed a threat to David’s kingdom, but out of personal vengeance. He sent to retrieve Abner so he could murder him in cold blood. When David heard what Joab had done, he praised the dead man but pronounced a curse upon Joab and his family. G-d tells us that vengeance belongs to Him. Leaders who cannot humble themselves to serve G-d and those He has raised up will eventually act out of selfish motives and hurt the kingdom.

Add Some Spice to Your Marriage. It Starts With 48 Hours...

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-31T20:36:48Z

Want to add some spice to your marriage? How about going to a "Weekend To Remember" (couples getaway). A "Weekend to Remember" is not a large counseling session, and you will not be asked to participate in small groups. Rather, you will receive marriage-changing principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives that will strengthen your marriage. Whether you are newly engaged or have been married for 50 years, you will find value in the tools provided at the getaway. This time will help you to Focus on what matters: Life has a way of overwhelming a marriage. Jobs, kids, activities, errands. Before you know it, checking your e-mail is more important than carving out a date night. FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway is a chance to make a change. It’s a time to rediscover each other and find more intimacy in your life together. This time will help you to Connect: When you arrive for the weekend, we’ll help you step away from daily life. Cell phones are turned off. To-do lists are forgotten. You'll find it's a warm, engaging environment that’s all about making progress in your marriage, not placing blame. This time will help you to Discover: What you and your spouse will hear during the Weekend to Remember® is not just one couple’s opinion on marriage. Instead, it is the result of more than three decades of biblical research by a team of men and women who distilled what it takes to have a successful marriage and family. The Weekend to Remember getaway is not a large counseling session, and you will not be asked to participate in small groups. Rather, you will receive marriage-changing principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives that will strengthen your marriage. During the weekend, you will learn how to: Receive your mate as a gift, Clarify your role as a husband or wife, Resolve conflict in the relationship, Maintain a vital sexual connection, Express forgiveness to one another, Increase your commitment, creating an even deeper level of intimacy, our speakers will show you exactly how to pursue a marriage that really works through stories of their own breakthroughs and blunders. Every couple drives away with a roadmap to a great marriage. We want you to leave the weekend with encouragement, hope, and practical tools to build and grow your relationship. That’s why we call this a Weekend to Remember.

He Wanted A Divorce, She Wanted A Marriage--"Weekend To Remember" Couples Getaway (3)

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-28T23:02:38Z

After 18 years of marriage, Scott Garmon woke up one morning, looked at his sleeping wife and thought, Who is this woman lying next to me? He began to weep. He felt something inside of him was missing. Whatever threads of feeling Scott once had for Suzette had long disappeared. Isolated ... lonely, Scott had felt disrespected by Suzette throughout their entire marriage. But Suzette was oblivious to her husband’s despair. Scott became more and more disconnected from Suzette. Although he wore a smile at church and work, he believed his marriage was doomed. A few months before their twentieth anniversary, he went on a weekend renewal retreat for men. God, if You are here, he prayed, show up, because I’m at the point where I’m ready to walk away and give up on life. When Scott returned home he had a glimmer of hope for his marriage. But that hope dimmed after he told his wife that he wanted to go on a short mission trip to Africa. “No you’re not!” she said. From the expression on his face, Suzette was jerked into reality. She realized she didn’t really know her husband. In her mind she was Scott’s wife and he was supposed to make her happy. Both Scott and Suzette had come to the same conclusion: Their marriage was in deep trouble. “You’re not meant to break up” After months of fighting with Scott, Suzette told a dear friend Dana about their hurtful arguments. “You need to go to a FamilyLife Weekend to Remember®” Dana said. “You’re not meant to break up; you’ve been together too long.” Reluctantly the Garmons agreed to attend the November 2005 marriage conference. They went purely out of an obligation to Dana and her husband, who had surprised them by paying for their registration. At the time Scott had no desire to live the rest of his life with Suzette. He was secretly making plans to divorce her. During the conference, while learning about God’s purposes for marriage, the couples were assigned to write love letters to each other. Suzette didn’t even know how to begin. She told God that she didn’t understand how to be a good wife and promised she would do whatever it took to save her marriage. After praying, Suzette had an overwhelming sense of peace. She sensed God saying, Your marriage will make it, but it’s going to be hard. Suzette didn’t care how hard it would be. She was determined not to lose Scott. When the conference ended on Sunday, Suzette told Scott that she had changed. “We’re going to make it! We’re going to be okay!” She also said she had checked a box on the evaluation form indicating that she wanted to join the FamilyLife volunteer team. Scott looked at Suzette with disbelief. “I am not going to volunteer for this organization.” He said if she happened to be recognized as a volunteer at the 2006 marriage conference, she’d either be alone or with another man. The test of a lifetime Suzette began to read Love and Respect, a book that she had purchased at the conference. She learned that God made Scott with a special need for respect and that she had been created with a special need for love. She recognized how she had repeatedly disrespected Scott over the years and vowed that, with God’s help, she would show him unconditional respect. Suzette did her best to please her husband, but he would respond by saying, “I don’t love you!” He constantly told her, “You need to find another man.” He even suggested that she find “one of those rich, divorced fathers” at the school where she worked, and start dating him. Suzette answered with a kiss. “No, you’re my man,” she’d say, “I’m not leaving you.” Sometimes when she left for work, Scott stood at the door and yelled, “I don’t love you. I don’t care if you come back.” When that happened Suzette cried all the way to work. God, this is so hard, she prayed, but I know You want me to do this. On December 20, 2005, Suzette began to doubt if her marriage would make it. That’s the day when she found some new e-mails Scott had sent to his old high school girlfriend. Suzette read a long poem that he had written to the woman, “What if you had been the one I had been with?” “It just killed me,” Suzette says. Overcome with emotion, she shoved the computer screen to the floor. Was there any hope? New hope Thinking about giving up on her marriage, Suzette called her friend Dana. “You’ve got to stay strong,” Dana said. “You can get through this.” For the next four days Suzette had plenty of time to think about Dana’s words; she and Scott were not speaking to one another. Then, on Christmas Eve as Scott put the children’s bikes together, Suzette walked up to him and said, “I want to make love to you.” Suzette explains that she sensed God telling her to love her husband no matter what he had done. “So I had to just keep doing things like that, and that would amaze him,” she says. After two months of testing his wife’s claim to be a changed woman, Scott became tired of his charades. He stopped taunting her, thinking, There is something different here. Suzette had new hope for her marriage when Scott gave her a Valentine’s Day gift. “Are you coming around?” she asked. “No,” he said. “That’s just for the memories I used to have.” It was a start. Several months later, when Scott told his wife that he wanted to go on a mission trip to East Asia, this time she replied, “I want you to go.” He was stunned. On a prayer walk during his mission trip, Scott realized that he had been wrong to want to do missions work when he was abandoning his first mission field, his family. God reminded him not to throw away His gifts of Suzette and their children. When Scott returned home, he told Suzette that he knew that God wanted them to stay together. Then he added, “I don’t love you. I feel nothing for you. I am here on faith because God said ‘Go home.’” Suzette continued trusting God. The turning point Two weeks after Scott returned from East Asia, he and Suzette sat at church like wooden bookends. Their children were seated between them. As the minister began his sermon, Scott reflected on something he had learned at the Weekend to Remember: Love is not a feeling, but a choice. He bowed his head and begged God to help him once again feel love for his wife. After his prayer, Scott whispered to the children, “Move, I’ve got to get over there near your mother.” Suzette was shocked as he scooted near her side. Some people seated nearby turned to see what was going on. Scott faced his wife, “I love you again! It’s all coming back. I love you more than I ever have.” Scott had finally joined Suzette in the fight to save their marriage. Over the following months he and Suzette worked through their many problems. Little by little God transformed their relationship. Scott even joined Suzette on the FamilyLife volunteer team to help promote the conference And when Scott and Suzette went to their second Weekend to Remember in 2006, and the local volunteers were asked to come to the stage to be recognized, Scott and Suzette walked to the front of the hotel ballroom … together. They had made it.

He Led a Double Life--"Weekend To Remember" Couples Getaway (1)

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-28T22:58:43Z

Scott Jennings never dreamed he would cross the line. But somehow it happened. He was unhappy at home. He loved Sherry, but … well, she was the boss at her work, and she acted like the boss at home. When things needed to be done, she would tell Scott what to do. And he got tired of it. He wasn’t one to talk about his emotions. So he turned inward. He would escape to the fire station—where he was a volunteer fire fighter—and start drinking. Things got worse after the Jennings’ son, Steven, was born in 1995. Sherry wanted to be supermom and Scott was happy to let her do it. Soon he avoided being around Sherry and Steven altogether. If Sherry went to bed early with Steven, Scott stayed up late and watched TV. He often pretended that a call had come in from the volunteer fire department, but when he left the house he would head to a local bar instead. That’s where he became friends with people who seemed to really understand him. Scott also turned to a woman at work for a listening ear. Eventually they went to a motel together. He never thought he would be the type of person to cheat on his wife. But he did. He had stepped into a world of repeated lies, affairs, and deceit. Scott Jennings was living a double life. An unfamiliar phone number In 2002 Sherry grew tired of waiting up at nights for Scott. She was weary of the crying, the arguing, the making up, and then repeating the cycle again. She knew there was more to life than this. She started attending a local church and, at times, Scott reluctantly joined her. Over the course of several months Sherry came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She begged Him to heal her marriage. For years Sherry had believed her husband’s lies about working late and answering alarms for the fire department. But in 2004 she could no longer avoid the truth. She knew something was terribly wrong in her marriage. She found an unfamiliar phone number on her husband’s cell phone and drove to the local address that matched it. Sure enough, Scott’s truck was parked outside an apartment complex. With the remote to his truck in her hand, she set the horn off, which brought him outside to silence it. And that’s when Scott’s double life fell apart. When he saw Sherry, he claimed he was just visiting a friend before he came home. Sherry didn't believe it. She knew that Scott was trying to cover up the fact that she had caught him with another woman. She told him that it was time to go, that she was his wife and they needed to talk. Scott followed Sherry to their house. They talked in the backyard for about an hour. He told her that he was depressed. He had it all—a loving wife, child, and house—and yet he didn't want it. He seemed confused and told Sherry that he felt trapped by her and their son, Steven. He said that he wanted his freedom. Sherry decided to give her husband space. She hoped and prayed that things would somehow work out in their marriage. Scott, on the other hand, went on several trips with his girlfriend and spent large amounts of time drunk or under the influence of prescription drugs. End of a marriage One night, when Scott was leaving his girlfriend’s apartment, he discovered that his truck was gone. “I hoped that it had been towed or stolen,” Scott says, “but in my gut I knew that I had been caught again.” His girlfriend drove him home, where he found the truck. As soon as he walked into the house, he says, “I started in on Sherry and was very verbally abusive and angry.” She told him he could no longer live in the house since he was not living as part of the family. Scott was stunned by his wife's words. He packed a bag and left in anger, tearing up part of the yard as he drove away from the house. Sherry reluctantly filed for divorce and eventually followed through with it. The final divorce proceeding was on September 21, 2005—their fourteenth wedding anniversary. Scott and Sherry drove to the courthouse together, and he played a CD with teachings about marriage. He hoped this might lead Sherry to change her mind, but it did not. "I angrily went through the proceedings and spent the rest of the day drunk and stoned," Scott says. "I think I was in a state of shock." After the divorce Two days later, when Scott called to say goodnight to his son, he also talked to Sherry. His girlfriend complained that he spent too much time on the phone with his ex-wife. Even he was surprised by his response. “The fact was that I still did love Sherry.” Scott’s girlfriend was livid. She punched him in the eye and told him to leave. He gathered all of his belongings, meekly called Sherry, and asked if he could store them in the garage. When he arrived at the house after midnight with his meager belongings, he wanted to see Steven. Sherry refused, and Scott became belligerent. He threatened Sherry with a lawsuit and left. With just a few items of clothing and a six-pack of beer, he checked into a cheap motel. As soon as he got into his room, he called Sherry and berated her. He didn't know what to do or where to go. "Everything that I had held dear was gone," he says. “When he called me for the second or third time,” Sherry says, “I tried to honor him and not yell at him.” Finally, she contacted Scott’s sister, Nancy, a pastor's wife, thinking she might be able to talk some sense into her brother. Nancy convinced Scott to open the Gideon Bible in the room’s nightstand drawer. As she read from the book of Isaiah, he followed along. Tears filled his eyes when he recited Isaiah 55:7: “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, for He will freely pardon.” A changed man Wanting to get away from reminders of his failures, Scott decided to drive to his mother’s condo in North Carolina. He knew she was visiting family, and he could be alone for a while. He called his boss and said he was quitting his job and moving out of state. His boss was empathetic and wished him well. “I didn’t see how things could possibly work out," Scott says. On the road, he hit the radio’s scan button and heard a preacher ask if anyone was listening who didn’t know which way to turn next. “It sounded like he was speaking directly to me.” The preacher asked the listeners, “Do you want to climb out of the pit of darkness towards the light?” He explained how to repent and give Jesus Christ control, and Scott felt a deep sense of remorse for his wrongdoing. He repeated a simple “sinner’s prayer” to indicate his decision to receive Christ as his Savior and Lord. “I said the prayer and I literally felt different right afterward,” he says. “I felt like I had been carrying so much anger.” Scott realized that his struggles with drugs and alcohol could be traced to his anger at God for allowing his father to die—just three years after he and Sherry got married. “Somewhere along the line I made the decision that I wasn’t going to talk about it [his father’s death] anymore.” At the same time, as a volunteer fireman he had learned how to keep things to himself. He wouldn’t talk to anyone about the horrendous things that he often witnessed. “There was one particularly horrible wreck, and for a long time I would look at people’s faces and see one of the victims.” He drank to avoid the pain. And when his alcohol use became obvious to co-workers, he started to abuse prescription drugs. The sights, the smells, and the sounds of death haunted Scott until the day his life changed on his way to North Carolina. God doesn’t do this for everyone, Scott says, “but I physically let it [the anger and pain] go. All of those things were gone.” A Weekend to Remember® After Scott reached his mother's house, his sister Nancy and brother-in-law Douglas (who lived nearby) came to see him. "I told them that I had come to accept Christ," Scott says. He had started reading the Bible regularly, and they realized he was sincere. Over the next week, news of Scott's faith reached Sherry. They began studying Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life together, discussing chapters every day by e-mail and then by phone. Scott told Sherry that he wanted to rebuild their relationship, but this time with God in control and at the center. Sherry said she wanted the same thing, realizing “This is the Christian husband that God has for me.” Sherry hoped that someday she and Scott would remarry “But we needed to do it God’s way.” Sherry had heard about FamilyLife’s marriage conference on the radio—how it helped couples understand and apply God's blueprints for their marriage. She told Scott, “We aren’t going one more step until we find a Weekend to Remember.” A few days later, Scott registered them for one in Philadelphia. When the Jennings began their conference weekend, Scott wanted to do everything that he could to deepen his relationship with Jesus Christ and his wife. He wanted to show Sherry that she and God were his main priorities. The first session of the conference introduces the concept of isolation in marriage, and the common factors that contribute to it. "That session was difficult,” Sherry says, “as we listened to all the familiar ways we broke our marriage and built walls of isolation.” During the remainder of the weekend, the Jennings heard about God’s plan for marriage, and learned about practical communication tools for improving their relationship. They saw that God had been working in their relationship in ways they didn’t dream of. “We left that weekend knowing that God was using all the trials, tribulations, and ugliness, all our bad decisions from the past 14 years,” Sherry says, “to bring us … to a place to accept each other.” They prayed that God would lead them in reconciliation and restoration, and also that they would follow and honor Him. Eventually they remarried, on May 5, 2007. Today, Scott and Sherry not only promote the Weekend to Remember in North Carolina as FamilyLife volunteers, but also lead a marriage ministry in their church. Sherry says that she now knows the truth about marriage. It’s “about choosing each day, each minute, to honor God with our words and actions, and in turn, we honor our spouses.” She says that God created Scott specifically for her. “How can I not love, honor, treasure a perfect gift from my perfect God?”

The Power of Your Words--"Weekend To Remember" Couples Getaway (2)

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-28T22:57:35Z

When we discipline our children, our words often speak louder than our actions. Yes, the rod stings and can hurt. But the wounds our words leave behind last far longer than any physical discomfort our children experience. With the right words, however, the rod brings great healing. (Read "The 'Forgotten' Part of Discipline" for more on this subject.) Here are some examples of what not to say: "You always ... " or "You never ... " If our purpose is to build up and restore our children, these will thwart our efforts. Phrases like these are rarely true; they are often spoken out of anger or frustration, neither of which restore our children. "Your brother / sister never does this ... " If Christ determined our worth in the same way, how would we stand up? There is always someone better than we are. But this phrase is doubly destructive. In one statement you tear down the disobeying child and puff up with pride the obeying one – building a wall of resentment between them. "What are you, stupid?" Your children's intellect is not the issue here. Smart people sin just as much as anyone else – maybe even more. The source of your child's bad or foolish decision was their heart, not their head. "You're hopeless." Not only does this communicate what you think of your child, it also is wrong. Can you think of a more hopeless case than Saul of Tarsus? He became Paul and was used to write one third of the New Testament. Can you think of a more hopeless leader than Peter? How about a more hopeless orator than Moses? They all had one thing in common – God. "With God, nothing is impossible." (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; Luke 18:27) Do not steal from their hearts what God has preserved in Christ. These words cannot restore a child. They cannot walk them to wisdom. At best, they are ineffective. At worst, they are verbally abusive. And as parents who love Christ and have been charged with the welfare of our children, we must be more careful with our lips. Also, saying nothing at all during discipline can often hurt more than any words you say. Silence robs your children of the love they need following a fall. Imagine the Prodigal Son returning to a silent father; that story of grace would become a great tragedy. Yet, we recreate that tragedy in our homes far too often. If you cannot think of something kind to say, don't choose silence. Just admit something like this, "Daddy needs to pray and ask God's forgiveness for what's happening in my heart … I'll be back in a minute." If your God is the same as mine, He will give you something to say while you pray – He's never let me down. Important words to use when disciplining On the other side of the spectrum are words that have within them the power to heal and restore. These express God's purposes behind the times when He disciplines us. They should express the purposes of our hearts when we discipline our children. Here are some examples: "I love you." With these three sincerely-intended words, you can communicate to your children that your love for them has nothing to do with their performance. Telling someone that you love them in the immediate wake of their sin is restorative. It removes the shame and the need to perform back into your acceptance. It lets them know that you are not standing above them but you are in it with them. "Do you understand what we've just talked about?" After the physical part of discipline comes the instructive part. It is here that you correct and instruct your children's hearts and minds on what happened, what they could have done differently and why what they did was wrong. When you do this, it is important to know they are hearing what you are actually saying and not misinterpreting anything. So ask this question and then listen. If they say "no" or "I'm not sure," you have a chance to explain it in another way until they do understand. This is a small thing for parents to do that provides an enormous benefit to you and your children. "I struggle with the same thing." Behind every childish sin is an issue that we all have in common. A 4-year-old boy may lash out and punch a friend in the eye. However, the issue that drove that sin may have been anger or envy. We can relate to that sin. The key here is helping your children know that dealing with sin is a life-long process. Christian parents often feel that if we confess that we are also struggling, we might lose their respect. The truth is, if you are not honest about your own sin, you may not even have their respect. Let them know this and pray for God's power together to change the two of you. "You are a blessing to me and our family." When the one who just swatted their backsides says these words, it places the act of discipline in the same context as God's discipline of us. Though He responds to our actions, we are still a blessing to Him and His family. We need to share that type of encouragement with our children. Once discipline is over, stop talking about it—especially in front of others. This builds great trust between you and the offending child. They know they can trust you and share honestly with you because they never see you share what happened with others. Words like these will reassure your children of their value to you. They will underscore that the foundation of your relationship is bigger and stronger than any wrong act they could perform. Words like these mirror how God the Father loves you.

A Father's Love

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-25T00:18:52Z

Three feet tall and full of questions, she must have thought I was the smartest man alive. at seventeen, I think she still does. I didn't always have the answers, to every little how and where and why. Some of the questions you would hear are... Daddy, why's the sky so blue today? Does Jesus really hear me when I pray? When I grow up, will I be just like you? There are days when I would rather her NOT COME CLOSE to being like me. I have behaved so poorly over the years as a father. Some other questions.. Will I be tall and strong and brave? You know what men...? If we are worth our weight in salt, we will be there when it's cold, especially when they are lonely. When their little heart is lost trying to find it's way. We know that the world is always changing, but we have to remind them, that some things never change. When our lives on this earth is through, there will always be a part of us in them. Because some things are forever, nothing is ever gonna take my love from my daughter. I have a story that I will share with you all in a few moments. I MUST GET up the NERVE to type it out. You know, the one thing my seventeen year old has learned is... There is no power on earth like a father's love!! So big and so strong as a father's love. That love is a sacred promise. ...A promise from Heaven above. ONE of the things I think about and wonder about is--Did I hug enough? Did I care enough? When she most needed me, was I there enough? Enough to make her feel the power of her father's love... My answer....? A RESOUNDING NO! I am a good father. If she tells the story, I am on another level. However, I let her get away from me. Her mother left me after ten years of marital pain. She was unfaithful, but I wanted to make it work. Living by the Word of God is a rough thing. I went through some VERY difficult times over the years. I won't dwell there, for God has healed me in several areas of my life post those years. I have raised her via long distance. I have been a large portion of her growth, because my Father God has taught me that a father can still be a father even without living in the same home. The best situation for the children, and the Kingdom of God is always a WHOLE family. That will not always be the case, but the parents should always make a concerted effort to make it work. Over the years, my eldest daughter has visited me during the mandated times, and other times as well. I was never an absentee dad, I was involved. ...Still am. We have taken many trips across the USA (via car and airplane). She is seventeen, and is off to college next year. There is sooooo much more to put out there, but let me tell you this... Sadness comes along with the deal. It does. Tears come along with the deal. They do. I have cried my tears, and vented my frustrations about her not being in my home each and every day. Those are rough thoughts to deal with. I spoke with her today, and shared with her what she will get for graduation, if she maintaines an A/B average. She about came through the phone! She again has some incentive to overachieve. She is such a wonderful teen who has shown that she can't be trusted, and also that she can be a really powerful young godly woman--if she trusts the Lord God, Adonai. She will be fine. We still discuss her husband. She still hears her dad pray in her hearing about her virginity and husband's virginity. These are futuristic prayers of faith! They are also prayers that become SEED to her heart, mind and spirit. I am dad. Yes! That is who I am.... Mostly, I want to become a father--like my Heavenly Father! That is who I want to be! That IS my Quest!!!

"When" Someone Stumbles, Help Them Up (gracefully)

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-21T20:13:55Z

What is the 'spirit' in which we are to restore someone? The spirit of gentleness. 'If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.' '(Gal 6:1). More than likely, the person is already hurting and as fragile as glass; condemnation will only worsen their plight. Understanding and acceptance - not agreement - are what's needed here. The spirit of humility. 'Each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.' (2 Corinthians 10:8-13). We're all cut from the same bolt of cloth; we're all capable of blowing it. Remember, Peter said to Christ, Lord, others may deny you but not me! (Matt 26:33). And he meant it; he didn't believe it could happen to him! We must be careful about our own lives, examining ourselves, knowing that we too are vulnerable to all types of temptation and sin. Finally, the spirit of love and empathy. Paul writes, 'Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ' (Gal 6:2). In this passage the word 'burden' means 'a heavy load'. It means being willing to walk with them, weep with them and work with them until they've been restored. If the hurting cannot find grace, love and healing in the family of God, where can they go to find it? Dr Charles Stanley writes, 'It should be clear from the scriptures that we have a responsibility to restore a fallen brother or sister. It should also be clear that this sensitive, delicate issue must be handled with great care, lest we damage our witness to an unbelieving world.' "We fall down; we get up...and the Saints are just the sinners who fall down and get up." Proverbs 24:16

The Courage to Resist Temptation (used from another source)

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-19T23:40:09Z

The Courage to Resist Temptation---By Dennis Rainey---Dan is a man’s man. A family man. Venerable. Virtuous. If you met him, you’d like him. But despite an impeccable track record, he almost threw it all away.He was going through a season in his life when everything was difficult—he felt pressure at the church where he was the pastor, and he felt the unrelenting pressure of being a good husband and father.It all seemed so innocent. He missed his twentieth high school reunion, and soon afterward received a note from an old girlfriend who had dumped him just before the prom. She said she missed seeing him at the reunion; he was the one person she was hoping to reconnect with after all these years. Dan wrote back and said he would love to reconnect as well, and perhaps they could get together the next time he returned for a visit. So he set up a lunch meeting for him and his wife, Kathie, to meet with this woman. Notice that Dan included Kathie; he wasn’t a total fool … at least not yet.When Dan’s old flame walked through the doors of the restaurant, he thought to himself, She is better looking now than she was at 17! Almost involuntarily he said to Kathie, “Wow, would you look at that?” which got him a sharp elbow in the rib cage. After a cordial lunch, Kathie left the table for a few minutes, and instantly the conversation turned more intimate until she returned. When lunch was over they said their goodbyes and Dan thought, Well, that was that.After Dan returned home, he received another note from the woman saying she had hoped they could have spent more time together, just the two of them. She had some things she really wanted to talk about, and she wanted some “closure” in their relationship. He wrote back and said he would be speaking at a conference a few hours away that fall (one of our Weekend to Remember marriage getaways, if you can believe it!). In her reply she said that, by “coincidence,” she’d be in the same city that very weekend on business, so maybe they could get together. They set a dinner date. But this time Dan didn’t tell Kathie about it. Now, Dan is a geologist by training, a very smart man. And he did what men have been doing for centuries: He rationalized his actions. He even thought he could use the rendezvous to tell his old girlfriend about his faith in Christ! “You are an idiot!”But in his gut he knew it was wrong, and for several months he felt increasingly guilty. Every time he opened the Bible, no matter what passage he tried to study, all he could hear was God telling him, “You idiot!” Here he was, a pastor at a growing church, the leader of a beautiful family with a wife and three children, a man who spoke around the country on how to have a good marriage, and he was about to put himself in a situation where he could throw it all away in a single compromise. The only thing that saved Dan from certain shipwreck was an accountability partner, a man he met for breakfast every week to talk about their lives and to challenge each other to walk in obedience to Christ. Dan called him his “sparring partner.” To Dan’s credit, at one of their breakfasts he finally told his friend about what was going on. After listening his sparring partner courageously stepped into Dan’s life and said, “You are an idiot!” Then he took out his cell phone and said, “You’re going to call this woman right now and cancel that date.” Dan did exactly that. He told the woman he was happily married and that it was not appropriate for him to continue any sort of relationship or communication with her. He apologized for his improper attitude toward her and asked for forgiveness. When Dan hung up, a truckload of pressure fell off of his shoulders. Then that true and faithful friend said the one thing that Dan didn’t want to hear. “Next, you need to tell Kathie all about this. And if you don’t tell her by Friday, I’m going to tell her.”Dan did tell Kathie the whole story. Kathie’s response was what every man needs from his wife when he admits a weakness or temptation. She said she was disappointed that he didn’t trust her earlier with the story. She admitted that she knew that this woman had deeper intentions than just talking about old times. Kathie knew that Dan was struggling, but just knowing that his sparring partner was committed to help surface and conquer those struggles gave her security in their marriage relationship. She was proud to be married to someone who was man enough to be accountable to others.The power of temptationDan almost took the bait. That’s what temptation is, you know. It is a “lure” toward sin. Satan is a master angler who knows exactly where your weaknesses are. He is an expert at presenting you with bait that is designed perfectly for you.Temptation isn’t sin; it’s when we swallow it and act on it that it becomes sin. And it can destroy our lives.You may not think it takes much courage to face your temptations, but it does. Accountability is a proactive step toward never underestimating the power of temptation. Manhood requires us to resolutely “flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). We have to put the lure of adolescent behavior behind us, face upward, and step up to our responsibilities as men.Temptation never ceases as we grow older. One friend approached me after listening to me speak on this topic and admitted, “I can’t believe I’m 60 and still struggling with these issues.”I can. One foolish choice made in a moment of weakness can wipe out years of integrity. You and I can become idiots very quickly!

Free Fall... What Happends When You Hit....?

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-19T23:38:14Z

Let us start with a really cool link. I will warn you, when you watch it, it WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! COPY AND PASTE IT INTO YOUR FAVORITE SEARCH ENGINE--[http://bethanyspear.posterous.com/free-fall-by-prolifik-films]. Regardless of what you think about it, it WILL cause you to think about some things. We as men have a HUGE responsibility to LEAD!! However, we do really horribe jobs of it. Much of the time. If people were to look through your eyes dude, what will they see? Here, take a step or two backward, and allow other people to step in to SEE WHAT YOU SEE, and what your HEART HAS IN IT. How does your wife look to them (and you)? How does your neighbors wife look to them (and you)? How does the world look to them (to you)? What about SIN...? Can they tell if you hate it or love it? WATCH THE VIDEO! [http://bethanyspear.posterous.com/free-fall-by-prolifik-films]

Pulling Down the Past

Armor-Bearer — 2011-07-10T13:24:27Z

Let me start with the very true statement... EVERYONE has a past. In stark reality, there are some not-so-cool things that went on in that past as well. The issue(s) surrounding our past are what causes us to cringe, and try to erase our memories of those times. However, if we stop to take a look at our past (objectively), we will see that God has used much of that past to get us to where we are today. How so? Our past experiences have driven us to choose differently. Often times, we wind up chosing the same direction as our parents or the one(s) who raised us. We all (I believe) have spoken this statement, "I will not make the same mistake(s) my parents have." Well, too often we do, and so goes the cycle. Know this... God has set up some things, some people, some victories, some opportunities, etc., in your present and future--past too, to get you in line to think about who He is; and to bring you into alignment with what He wants to do in your life. It all starts with trusting Him and surrenduring your heart and life to His will. The rest gets easier, yet harder. Once again, the past arises, and He shows you through someone or something, that He has control of your life (seen and unseen). Your past? He is still there. Your present? He is there. Your future? He is there..., waiting on you to arrive. For years my heart had struggled, till the freedom came at last. Though I claimed forgiveness, I was a prisoner to the past. But the war grew silent, and my doubts were all erased. When I saw the walls removed, God was standing in their place. He’s pulling down the past. He’s tearing walls apart. He’s clearing out the storms that were clouding up my heart. He’s building my tomorrows on a foundation that will last. There’s nothing to see when I look back, because, He’s pulling down the past. I still have times of struggle with the memories in my mind, yet I’m no longer shackled to what I left behind. Now His blood has covered all the things that I regret. Even as the Lord forgives, I’m assured that He forgets. Regardless what some of those walls are or were, He has the ability and LOVE to tear them down. He is able and willing to bring you out of those dark places, and into His Light, where He is. What are some of those walls He is tearing down? Here are some: HOMOSEXUALITY, LESBIANISM, HUMANISM, FEAR, HATRED, BIGOTRY, RACISM, REVERSE-RACISIM, RAPE, ATHEISM, INCESTUAL RAPE, ALCOHOLISM, SICKNESS, AGNOSTICISM, DIVORCE, MURDER, DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, LONELINESS, all forms OF SEXUAL ABUSE, and ANGER. I venture to say, many of these issues run wild and free thoughout your family. God's Word (Yeshua), tells us that He cam to heal the ones who are sick. This covers all this aforementioned. Get freedom through Yeshua (Jesus)--God's Son. HE is just a conversation away.