"strengthening marriages and binding broken hearts"
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Mourning Leads to Happiness?
“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matt 5:4 NLT
The second stop on this journey to happiness brings us to somewhat of a paradox. Imagine stepping off of a train that is destined for a place called happiness. It is a pit stop of sorts, one needed to obtain some supplies. In our case, we need to obtain some more information – some additional directions for the journey.
Once off of the train, we look up and see the sign that announces our present location – “Mourning”. So, on a train bound for happiness we are stopped in “Mourning”. Confused? Good! Read On…
Briefly think about the word mourning, what thoughts does this word engender? No doubt our immediate thoughts are not pleasant. Perhaps, we remember a time of loss in our life and rightly so. Losses can be devastating. Losses can crush our spirit and break our hearts.
During times of loss and remembering times of loss can be tough, perhaps that’s why the Psalmist wrote…
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 NIV
But, what is it about mourning that makes it an included stop on the journey to happiness?
Remember back to your honeymoon days with your spouse. A time when you could FINALLY be with the one your heart desired - 24/7. Remember those days of happiness with very little responsibility. Breakfast in bed at noon, long walks to nowhere in particular, effort-free dining at great restaurants and the sharing of heart, mind and body in un-interrupted bliss, all combining for an ideal start to your marriage. Then, after a time, reality sets in with its schedules, tasks and responsibilities.
If we are honest and, although we do not regret many of the gifts and blessings that cause those staples of our lives, we begin to mourn the loss of those honeymoon days. Sure, we can re-capture fleeting moments of that time with clever and important devices such as “date-night” and short trips over even shorter weekends, but the reality of our lives always returns.
As great as a honeymoon is, there was a honeymoon far greater. Adam and Eve had a great honeymoon. It was to be their “reality”. They ran around the garden in complete oblivion to the cares we now carry. They spent what would be the epitome of quality time with each other and they actually walked and talked with God. But all of that changed when Adam and Eve chose to give in to the power of sin. Do you think Adam and Eve mourned that loss?
God also mourned that loss. So much so that he immediately put a plan of redemption and reconciliation into place to regain that which was lost – a close, intimate relationship with you and I.
Do you mourn the loss of the relationship we could have had with God? Imagine, God himself was present, physically, emotionally and spiritually with the representation of his relationship with his people – Adam and Eve as husband and wife.
Often, when we mourn, we desire to have that which we have lost back. Do you desire a greater and deeper relationship with your spouse? Then, might I suggest desiring a greater and deeper relationship with God – the author of your marriage.
Mourn that loss of close relationship saying, “God, I want to feel your presence in my life and my marriage.”
Pray together as a husband and wife, desiring that close and intimate relationship with the Lord. Mourn what was lost by desiring to have it back and pursuing it with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. When you do, God will be near and he will bring his comfort.
The journey continues…
For Marriages and Families,
Dave
The second stop on this journey to happiness brings us to somewhat of a paradox. Imagine stepping off of a train that is destined for a place called happiness. It is a pit stop of sorts, one needed to obtain some supplies. In our case, we need to obtain some more information – some additional directions for the journey.
Once off of the train, we look up and see the sign that announces our present location – “Mourning”. So, on a train bound for happiness we are stopped in “Mourning”. Confused? Good! Read On…
Briefly think about the word mourning, what thoughts does this word engender? No doubt our immediate thoughts are not pleasant. Perhaps, we remember a time of loss in our life and rightly so. Losses can be devastating. Losses can crush our spirit and break our hearts.
During times of loss and remembering times of loss can be tough, perhaps that’s why the Psalmist wrote…
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 NIV
But, what is it about mourning that makes it an included stop on the journey to happiness?
Remember back to your honeymoon days with your spouse. A time when you could FINALLY be with the one your heart desired - 24/7. Remember those days of happiness with very little responsibility. Breakfast in bed at noon, long walks to nowhere in particular, effort-free dining at great restaurants and the sharing of heart, mind and body in un-interrupted bliss, all combining for an ideal start to your marriage. Then, after a time, reality sets in with its schedules, tasks and responsibilities.
If we are honest and, although we do not regret many of the gifts and blessings that cause those staples of our lives, we begin to mourn the loss of those honeymoon days. Sure, we can re-capture fleeting moments of that time with clever and important devices such as “date-night” and short trips over even shorter weekends, but the reality of our lives always returns.
As great as a honeymoon is, there was a honeymoon far greater. Adam and Eve had a great honeymoon. It was to be their “reality”. They ran around the garden in complete oblivion to the cares we now carry. They spent what would be the epitome of quality time with each other and they actually walked and talked with God. But all of that changed when Adam and Eve chose to give in to the power of sin. Do you think Adam and Eve mourned that loss?
God also mourned that loss. So much so that he immediately put a plan of redemption and reconciliation into place to regain that which was lost – a close, intimate relationship with you and I.
Do you mourn the loss of the relationship we could have had with God? Imagine, God himself was present, physically, emotionally and spiritually with the representation of his relationship with his people – Adam and Eve as husband and wife.
Often, when we mourn, we desire to have that which we have lost back. Do you desire a greater and deeper relationship with your spouse? Then, might I suggest desiring a greater and deeper relationship with God – the author of your marriage.
Mourn that loss of close relationship saying, “God, I want to feel your presence in my life and my marriage.”
Pray together as a husband and wife, desiring that close and intimate relationship with the Lord. Mourn what was lost by desiring to have it back and pursuing it with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. When you do, God will be near and he will bring his comfort.
The journey continues…
For Marriages and Families,
Dave
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Declare Your Dependence
Matt 5:3 NLT
God blesses those who realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
We are on a journey. I am glad for your company as, together, we learn some things from God’s Word that will strengthen and encourage our marriages and enrich our lives.
Our first stop on the journey towards true happiness is foundational for the miles that lie ahead. Last week, I wrote about how fleeting human happiness can be and the lengths we go to achieve it. We can amass great wealth, great fame and even build a great family and still be relatively void of happiness – true happiness.
True happiness is not momentary, nor is it found in things, or even, our relationships here in this world.
True happiness comes from God – more importantly, our need of Him. We get so wrapped up in trying - Trying to be the best husband/wife, trying to be the best father/mother, trying to be a good worker, pastor, teacher or church member. Simply, trying to be a good Christian can become heavy at times.
There is something liberating in saying, “I can’t do this without you, God.” Once that prayer is uttered, something happens. Something within us breaks and there is a joy that fills our hearts.
Suppose you were assigned a task – let’s say you were given the responsibility of, umm… - peeling several hundred pounds of potatoes (hey, I am an X-Navy guy). One could assume that peeling several hundred pounds of potatoes would be a daunting task. However, how would you feel if someone brought you a peeler machine? Sure, you would still have to move the bags of potatoes, load and empty the machine, dispose of the peels and wash the freshly peeled potatoes, but the task would become much less daunting.
It is the same when we acknowledge our need for God. We still have to make an effort but the heavy parts of our lives are now placed on His broad shoulders. He lightens our load.
Are you struggling to find happiness in your life? “
Cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Are you struggling to find happiness in your marriage? Jesus said…
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV)
Do not let your struggle for happiness rob you of enjoying the source of joy. Declare your dependence, your marriage’s dependence and your family’s dependence on God. God wants you to realize your need of him in every aspect of your life.
The journey continues…
God blesses those who realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
We are on a journey. I am glad for your company as, together, we learn some things from God’s Word that will strengthen and encourage our marriages and enrich our lives.
Our first stop on the journey towards true happiness is foundational for the miles that lie ahead. Last week, I wrote about how fleeting human happiness can be and the lengths we go to achieve it. We can amass great wealth, great fame and even build a great family and still be relatively void of happiness – true happiness.
True happiness is not momentary, nor is it found in things, or even, our relationships here in this world.
True happiness comes from God – more importantly, our need of Him. We get so wrapped up in trying - Trying to be the best husband/wife, trying to be the best father/mother, trying to be a good worker, pastor, teacher or church member. Simply, trying to be a good Christian can become heavy at times.
There is something liberating in saying, “I can’t do this without you, God.” Once that prayer is uttered, something happens. Something within us breaks and there is a joy that fills our hearts.
Suppose you were assigned a task – let’s say you were given the responsibility of, umm… - peeling several hundred pounds of potatoes (hey, I am an X-Navy guy). One could assume that peeling several hundred pounds of potatoes would be a daunting task. However, how would you feel if someone brought you a peeler machine? Sure, you would still have to move the bags of potatoes, load and empty the machine, dispose of the peels and wash the freshly peeled potatoes, but the task would become much less daunting.
It is the same when we acknowledge our need for God. We still have to make an effort but the heavy parts of our lives are now placed on His broad shoulders. He lightens our load.
Are you struggling to find happiness in your life? “
Cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Are you struggling to find happiness in your marriage? Jesus said…
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV)
Do not let your struggle for happiness rob you of enjoying the source of joy. Declare your dependence, your marriage’s dependence and your family’s dependence on God. God wants you to realize your need of him in every aspect of your life.
The journey continues…
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