It has been fun over the past couple of weeks dealing with the issue of marriage relationships. It has been a great series for me as I desire to be a better husband to Merideth and father to the kids. As we focus on the marriage relationship, I would like to invite you to join me in attending the opening of the movie "Fireproof" on Friday September 26th. I have personally seen this movie and highly recommend it to be seen regardless of how you rate your marriage. We all can use improvement! It is my desire that you will not only attend but also reach out to another couple and invite them to attend with you.

To help us work on our relationships we have a challenge each week. Your love challenge this week: Respect: what can I do that will make my spouse feel more respected by me
Those of you who are single: at school, home, work,--whose life would you like to add to by giving them greater love or respect? How will you make that happen?

We started the new series this week "'Til Death Do Us Part". BARNETT BRICKER SAID, “SUCCESS IN MARRIAGE DOES NOT COME MERELY THROUGH FINDING THE RIGHT MATE, BUT THROUGH BEING THE RIGHT MATE”. It is my desire that we will discover a new excitement for the covenant of marriage as we walk through this study together. Jesus clarified God's original intent for marriage when he quoted Genesis 2:24 by saying, "what God has joined together let no man separate".

This week, I challenge you to spend time praying for your spouse. If you are single, pray for a friend. Think of three areas that you would like to see God at work in their life.

We spend so much time trying to "fix" people. Turn it all over to the Master and let him work

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3: 5-6

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
-Proverbs 16:3

I was sitting in a parking lot talking to someone that is close to my heart. In the midst of conversation about the future and the “what-ifs”, it was pointed out to me that I’m a control freak. I’m an event planner, so planning is my life. It was a harsh reality but I could see where they were coming from. I put that same control, or tried to anyways, on my life. When I asked the person, whom I consider my best friend, if they worried about the present and the future they simply said "no", and that they knew God had it in His control. It wasn’t a new concept to me as I had always heard, and even tried to give my problems, worries, and concerns to God, but I would soon bring it back down and try to manipulate it myself. I couldn’t trust that God knew what was best for my life. How could He? No one knew me better than me…at least that’s what I thought.

That same day the person I had been spilling my heart to gave me the Bible out of the back seat of his car…his had references, mine didn’t… to look over and read the passages about trust, worry, and faith. It sat in my kitchen for a few days. I would walk by it, place my hand on it and just walk away. I didn’t feel ready, or that God would even accept me back into His grace, but finally, I picked it up and began looking up worry, faith, and trust. I was curious about what God had to say to me. I turned to passages that told me that worrying about my future was a lack of faith in God, and I didn’t want that for my life. I wanted to be able to wake up each day and know that God had it in His control, and that my future and the things of my heart were in His time and not mine. I wanted to be able to breathe again, and feel that joy that only God brings. I wanted to go through each day trusting and believing that God does everything for a reason, and that He loves me and does everything for my good.

I may not be able to see the whole picture right now, but slowly He is painting His way through my life. One day I will see the whole picture and fully understand his plan for my life, but for today, I am simply walking by faith. The baptism I went through on August 10th was a way for me to let go of the pride that kept me from God, and also a chance for me to humbly bow down and fully hand over all control. It’s still a conscious effort and something I will take day by day, but I am very grateful for God’s love and grace, and the conversation in the parking lot.

-Alicia Jordan

I read this prayer today and thought that I would share it with you as it was beneficial to me. The journey of faith is one of discovery. Part of that discovery is realizing the potential of becoming critical as time passes.

Dear God, please forgive me. I sometimes look at those I see and get frustrated by the way they are. Some are angry and act ugly and even curse. Others have no desire to do what is right. Some just want to "party" and live like the world all the time. Some are lazy. Some are hurting and holding on to bitterness. I don't always understand why they are that way. Then I, in my frustration, become angry and grumble. Forgive me for my ungodly attitudes and complaining. I am sorry. Help me to see the potential in others and to pray for them more and criticize them less. I pray that through my prayers to you and through my Christian testimony and example and through my words and deeds, these people would come to know you or come back and lay their issues on the altar. I pray that we all will lift our burdens to you and drop them at your feet, so that you can take them away and guide us in the way everlasting. Please relieve our griefs and burdens and replace them with your peace. Please bless us as we serve you. Please help us and pick us help when we stumble. Thank you for your mercies. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.