It was eight years ago today that my wife and I got married—I remember that day very well.
We spent the night before getting the hall where we’d eat the reception all ready, before heading a half hour away for the rehearsal dinner. That night, the guys all shared a room, and I got the roll-away.
The funny thing was the next morning. Having packed my car for the honeymoon, I’d left all my toiletries in the car—back a half hour away! So, we rushed back to the church to get the things I needed, and a half hour before the ceremony I’m in the men’s room, shaving.
That was about the time that my sister-in-law came around with the video camera asking if I had anything to say to my soon bride. Needless to say, with half a face of shaving cream I should have said something, but I did not.
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July 7th, 2009, posted by MInTheGap
Husbands, Wives
What can a story called The Pearl Necklace teach us? That while we hold onto things that we think are the best, we may be missing something even better.
One of the chapel sermons that I heard at Bob Jones University that stuck with me the most was the one preached by Dr. Greg Mazak. In it, he said that if God was going to offer us a BMW, and we had a beat up VW Beetle, why would we refuse the BMW? And yet that’s what many Christians do because they miss the fact that God has our best in mind, even when we do not see it.
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July 6th, 2009, posted by MInTheGap
Kindness On Display
This weekend, the United States of America will celebrate its independence from Great Britain. It was 233 years ago this year that our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and stated that we were going to be free from the King’s rule.
Take time to thank God this weekend for your liberties and freedoms. Pray for your leaders. Attend a parade or a fireworks display. Take some time to be with family and friends.
It’s a great time to reflect on who you are as a person and who your country is and what it will be. For a country is, according to the Declaration of Independence, what the people make it to be.
July 3rd, 2009, posted by MInTheGap
Weekend Kindness
One of the biggest lies that abounds when it comes to intimate relationships is that people believe that they are ok if they do not cross the intimate sexual relationship. In the case of Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC), he has attempted to cast his infidelity as a love story, but this tragedy shows that it wasn’t something that happened once because “I fell in love” but a string of romances that were pointing to what would eventually happen.
Part of the problem with any moral sin is that it rarely starts with the final act. It’s something that takes place over a longer period of time. Hence why Gov. Sanford can say the following:
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Tuesday that he "crossed lines" with a handful of women other than his mistress—but never had sex with them.
The governor said he "never crossed the ultimate line" with anyone but Maria Belen Chapur, the Argentine at the center of a scandal that has derailed his once-promising political career.
"This was a whole lot more than a simple affair, this was a love story," Sanford said. "A forbidden one, a tragic one, but a love story at the end of the day." [Breitbart.com – SC gov ‘crossed lines’ with women]
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July 2nd, 2009, posted by MInTheGap
Husbands, Wives
This morning I will be taking my oldest son to the doctor. Some of you know that he has struggled with allergies and we’re still trying to narrow down one of his symptoms. Today’s test will be three hours of “drink this and wait.”
Parents today can look at their children as a burden—just one more person that they’re responsible for. Parents are trained to look to others to raise their children—be they grandparents, day care or school. The thing is, you, as their parent, have the best ability to influence them for good or ill.
If you spend the time that you have together under the same roof apart from each other, getting what you think is important, you may find that you miss the opportunity to connect with your children, to pass on what truly matters and to be a good example to them.
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June 23rd, 2009, posted by MInTheGap
Encouragment, Parents
The hardest thing for a human to do is to face a problem alone. The fact is, we’re social beings—we thrive on interpersonal contact. We need one another in order to survive, especially when difficulties arrive.
That is one of the reasons that God gave Eve to Adam, and that children are born to a set of parents that love them unconditionally.
If we are to build long lasting relationships, we cannot simply be around when times are good—we also have to be there when times get difficult. We need to support one another when others seem to think that there’s no chance.
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June 22nd, 2009, posted by MInTheGap
Relationship Builder
This week has been full of family for me. Last Sunday, I went to a graduation party for my previous pastor’s oldest son and then travelled back home to celebrate (belatedly) my sister’s birthday.
Tuesday, my sister and her friend travelled to my house and spent the night.
Tomorrow we’re off to spend some time with my in-laws—to visit with my nephew and family.
Spending time with family—unplugged and talking around dinner or a campfire—helps you bond with them, helps you to reconnect and to re-establish roots.
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June 19th, 2009, posted by MInTheGap
Weekend Kindness
