817 - Narrow-Minded Marriage

Originally written a few years ago...

As I was driving home from Knoxville, Tn. I had ton of time to be thinking. I was reminded of an interview I heard of Halley Berry and her new "love" and father of her child. She has been married a few times and it has been bad. The interviewer ask her if she has plans to remarry the father of her child. She responded sort of like this - "I am not going to go down the marriage road again. Obviously I am not very good at it. I don't think you have to be married to be committed to someone or show your love. In fact we are going to redefine marriage, love, commitment, family" - I can not remember the exact word. But the point was that for some reason she felt that she was important enough to redefine something that largely the world accepts - even those that do not believe in a man and woman - they still believe in the institution of marriage and want their stab at it. But not for Halley - she was going to redefine it for the world to know and live based on her own definitions.

Lord Jesus - I do not think she is a Christian, but I don't know that she is not either. I will not go there. But it just got me thinking. Grace, every thing must be seasoned with grace. If i were to sit down and have a conversation with her, I must have grace. Because what I am going to tell her and the world is narrow minded and I think God has called us to that. Maybe not what the Lord defines as narrow minded. There are only a few ways to do things, well actually one way to do things and that is His way. Any other way is contrary to the Word! Call me narrow minded, but I call it living in the favor!

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small the gate and NARROW is the road that leads to life, and only a few will find it." Matt. 7:13-14.

There is only one way to the Father, there is only one way HE defines marriage, there is only one way to live - attached to the Vine, there is only one way to receive Salvation, there is only one way to go about living my life - die to self. I guess that is pretty narrow minded, but once you enter through that narrow gate my oh my the blessings of living on the Vine.

But as I was saying before I know, Lord, you are telling me that everything must be seasoned with grace and mercy and love and so much more!! According to Micah 6:8 I have an obligation to speak out against direct injustices that the Lord has placed in front of me to do something about. But as I speak out, I must have love about me. I must be willing to speak the truth, but in a way that lovingly directs people to the Father. He will do the calling them to Himself, but I am responsible to do the seed planting even if it was brought on by the narrow minded revelations of wrong.

Only by your grace and mercy have i been able to walk through the narrow gate. Only by the Blood of Christ was I drawn to you to say yes - take all of me! Oh Father thank you!! Thank you for allowing me to feel Your pull so many years ago and have the courage, desire, want to, narrow mindedness to say yes!!! Oh Lord, thank you!!

706 - Unity is not divided

Hey ya'll - just posted my latest Vlog.  Go take a look if you have time.  Just over 5 minutes today.  Also wanted to let you know I will be speaking on the online conference coming up on April 8 from 11am to 12.  Aspiring Women!  I am so very excited.  I am a bit nervous, but so excited as well.  I think it cost $12.95 to be part of the conference.  So far they are having big success.  Love to "see" you there!  Hey - by the way - let me know if you are going to be there - not mine specifically, but I mean to any of the conference!!  

682 - Are you Fireproof?

Is marriage ever hard for you? It is for me. I have a very wonderful husband that I love and I know he loves me, and yet marriage is still hard and takes much work. It is in those times when I quit working or neglect the relationship that I really notice things can, at best, get rough. Marriage takes a constant evaluation, constant communication, and constant forgiveness - receiving and giving.

I have not met anyone that just woke up and didn't love or was not "in love" anymore after just one night of sleep. Like the song from Casting Crown, "it is a slow fade". Things may even seem like they are overnight, but the process of falling out of love starts little by little. This is why marriage needs the constant attention and evaluation!

Clay and I have started a "sort of" young marrieds Sunday School class at our church in Carmi. (I say "sort of" because we are just barely on that road considered young so we have been told. ha ha!) It has been amazing to see the class blossom in no time flat. It seems to me that people do want their marriages to work, but it is hard knowing what to do. Clay and I are on a mission to strengthen our own marriage and anyone else that wants to come along with us on this adventure! It certainly pleases the Lord, and Clay and I have made a promise to our kids that we would do all we can to make sure daddy and mommy always stay together.

Not this Saturday, but the next Saturday, Feb. 7, First Baptist Church will be showing the movie Fireproof to the community. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. We as a church have made a large investment to house this movie and it is all in the name of strengthening marriages. Even the best, most healthy marriages can benefit from this movie. Please come and bring many friends. FREE FREE FREE!!!

Feb. 7 - Saturday evening

6:00pm - finger foods in fellowship hall
6:30pm - Fireproof begins
8:30ish - desserts

Please feel free to call me - 383*4856 or email me with any questions. cletus104 at gmail. I look forward to seeing you there!!