Is Marriage Worth Fighting For?

At Converting Hearts, Dustin and I work with so many hurting men and women...broken marriages and nearly destroyed families. We have a passion to fight for these marriages because our marriages, filled with the grace of God, are one of the most beautiful pictures for the lost world to see the Gospel. If Christian marriages are filled with sin and divorce, the lost world will see divorce and brokenness when someone begins talking about the love of Christ for his Bride, the Church. When we talk about God's faithfulness, they will immediately see the unfaithfulness of His followers. Yes, Dustin and I believe there is so much joy in a marriage that is founded on Christ, but it is not just the companionship we are after. The reason we help couples fight for horrible marriages to be glorious and hope-filled is because our Creator God's Name is at stake. We fight because we believe the battlefield for Godly marriage and family is the most deliberate fight tactic Satan in using to see the Name of God tarnished (ruined) in those who are lost.

So our plea...don't settle for an okay marriage and don't give up on a terrible marriage...FIGHT to have a marriage that glorifies God Almighty and is a display of the grace and Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians are called to be a witness to the nations, so that the lost call on the Name of this Almighty God that moves in such incredible ways through His people. And if you need help because your marriage is hurting, seek help from your church and a biblical counselor to help carry this burden. Don't give up...never give up...more than your happiness is at stake--fight for the Gospel and the eternity of many who are lost. Fight for a Christ-centered, flourishing and fulfilling marriage, and proclaim the Gospel loudly through it!



Some more thoughts:
Divorce in current American culture is not only practiced, but sought after as a simple solution to marital woes. Counselor, Jay Adams appropriately conveys the concept of divorce as unbiblical; therefore, he instructs Christians to do all they can to understand it and to teach what God, and his Word, says about it. Adams states, unlike marriage, divorce is a human institution; for God in his perfection designed marriage to be permanent.

The very opening words of Scripture, lay the foundation for God’s design of marriage: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24, NIV). Jesus utterly condemns divorce as contrary to the divine institution of marriage held at creation (e.g., Matt. 19:6). As theologian John Murray puts it, “Divorce is the breaking of a seal which has been engraven by the hand of God.”

Marriage is a covenant (Prov. 2:16-17; Mal. 2:14); it is defined as a sacred bond between a man and a woman established by and publicly entered into before God; as “an agreement that a faithful person would not break even if the partner to whom that person is in covenant breaks the stipulations of the covenant.”

The New Covenant established by Christ with his church, in the mind of the Paul (Eph. 5:22-33) was a permanent relationship created by a redemptive act of love when Christ “gave himself up for it he might sanctify, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, it he might present the church to himself a glorious church.” This is the model marriage is to form after, even though imperfect at times.

Do you call yourself a Christian...are you LIVING like one?

These videos were shared with me and I have been watching them with a conviction for me to start living like a Christian. Also, I just finished reading for the 2nd time the book by David Platt, Radical. So, if you are anything like me, I thought you also would be challenged by them!

We live in America in luxury and comfort...even when barely making enough to pay the bills!! We call ourselves Christians, but live more as moral citizens of this grand land called the U.S. of A! When are we going to be sold-out for our God and His Kingdom? Has He called you to live for more than you are living? Your job, your location, your purpose, your ministry, are you serving others or only yourself...Are you living for God or really only yourself?

I know He has called Dustin and me to give our whole life, yet my heart rebels against dying to my own desires and comforts. I love my comforts...love them! He has called us to live a radical life for Him. Really not radical, but because most Christians don't live the Christian life as described in the Bible, we see those Christians who do give it all for the Lord as extreme. Will you obey? Or will you live this life for yourself and then happily waltz into Heaven, because after all you said a prayer and walked the aisle. Salvation means radical abandonment from self and the ways of this world! God saved us for more...saved us to live for Him! He purchased us and we belong to Him and His work...which is true joy! We need the grace of the Lord for every moment of life. To be near His presence and be filled by His power to accomplish the work He has for us...to be His ambassadors. Watch this video and for more videos like it, visit this site. And may the Lord give us a renewed passion to give our lives to see more come to know Him as Savior and LORD!

Life at the FARM...We're a Working Team

So, one thing we failed to mention on here is that we are both officially working at Converting Hearts Ministries. With many loving and sacrificial donations from family, friends, and churches, and CHM, we are officially on staff. However, the failure to mention is that we have been working now for about a month!

Here's what we're doing:
Dustin is the Director of Operations and Social Enterprise; developing the social enterprise component of the ministry through a farm, carpentry, and other self-sustaining projects used to teach the men biblical lessons through hard work illustrations. He will be a counselor to both men and their families, and teach and preach during weekly Bible studies.

I joined Dustin as a counselor for marriages/families and also counsel wives as the Director of Ladies' Ministry. I am also the magazine and seminary coordinator (more like executive editor), for the quarterly magazine, G-360 (Gospel 360). Together we will teach a marriage and family biblical foundations class starting sometime in March or April.

While we are working with CHM we will continue our schooling (which, praise the Lord I only have one more semester to go...Dustin has about 2 years!); lead our small group (not small at about 22 people!); serve as individual, group, and marriage counselors with our church’s Hope Counseling Center; and K.J. will be actively involved in women’s ministry through writing and teaching as she finishes her first book, The Beautification Process.

We think of ourselves as a couple-saint; we are unified as a team in ministry. God has placed heavily on our hearts the need for solid teaching and biblical counsel that calls individuals and families to actively live for their Creator.

If you want to read about how the Lord worked in getting us to this ministry go to:
From Wreckage to Restored.

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Officially a Zoo!

It was all Dustin's idea!!! I promise!!!

Here he is...this face that bleeds, "I see a cute and cuddly creature and can't say no!"Dustin called on Monday and gave me the ultimatum. There was a kitty at the Converting Hearts farm and it was either to the pound or our HOUSE for him. He was a stray...we think! Well, having two dogs already, I was not in the market for another pet...even as sweet as a kitty. So reluctantly after Dustin assured me this was "his dream kitty because he was so sweet" I said, "OK...we'll see how it goes!"

After this little boy amazed us in one days with...eating about two pounds of food already, learning to use his litter box, making friends with the dogs, purring non-stop (even while getting a BATH!), and sitting in our laps...We add to our family of four (two with paws)...another set of paws. Baxter, the boy kitty. We weren't sure how the puppies would do with him. But, besides Ike screeching like a little girl when Baxter raised his paw to hit him, they seem to be becoming fast friends.

Since he was a stray cat, my dad referred to him as the HOBO Cat. So He's name is offically (named by Dustin) Baxter "HoBo" Nally. Here is our newest furry family member.

Where Baxter likes to sit...currently where he is while I'm writing this!! haha

Tiger stripes match Daphers!!! All the kiddos wanted a piece of the new kitty toys!

Baxter's Motor Never Stops!!!

And finally...I think they will be great friends!

Thoughts on Childbirth...ya, a little random, I know!

I have never had a baby so I'm not speaking out of personal insight here...but one of my best friends just did on Tuesday (actually twins)! My sister, my friends, my cousin, my mom (obviously..hehe) all had babies. Babies everywhere! The word I'm hearing from all these ladies is: childbirth is quite painful!!! Why is this interesting to me right now, you ask? Well, I am editing a document for Converting Hearts on the Doctrine of Sin. Deep. I mean it is...really deep.

Here's the title:

A Biblical explanation of Sin: The Prognosis and Diagnosis

Therefore, while editing it hit me while thinking deeply theologically through the fall of man and God's curse to mankind: WHY God gave those specific curses to men and women? So here is what I amazingly gathered in my study (if you can follow).

Man was created distinct from the rest of creation—in the image of God. This identity gave him the freedom to serve God fully; to pursue work and rule over the created things (Gen. 1). Eden was governed by a couple general laws: (1) Adam was to rule over creation according to God’s image and likeness (Gen. 1:26), (2) serve Yahweh (Gen. 2:15), and (3) reproduce other worshipers (Gen. 1:28). So bottom line was: Love God, rule over the created order, and make more worshipers.

Though Satan could not make Eve sin; he enticed her and challenged the strength of her allegiance to God and reliance upon Him.

He said, “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

More or less saying, "Did God really say..." And challenging God's trustworthiness.

The strength of Eve's allegiance and trust was present prior to this test and temptation, which could have been strengthened if she had passed the test. Therefore, neither God is to blame for Adam and Eve’s idolatry, nor Satan, though he did play a role; Adam and Eve had the ability to overcome sin through trusting their Creator God.

The curse: The punishment for man’s disobedience was a broken relationship between man and God; God’s perfectly created order on earth was handed over to Satan and death would reign. The curse to man was that cultivation or ruling over creation would be burdensome, as all harmony between creation was destroyed. For women, childbirth would be terribly painful and she would desire to reign over her husband.

So, then. Here are my deeply theological thoughts: The broken relationship between man and God was completely restored through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. And, through the Holy Spirit's (massive) help, we can even have harmonious relationships with other people (i.e., wives out there, we can even die to self...I'm saying, give up that control freak in you...and submit to your husband).

The Final DEEP Answer:
So, why childbirth? It seems that the curses given specially to men and women are to be a constant reminder of how far we fell in our treason against the perfect Creator and how high God lifted us to share in Jesus' inheritance...because he loves us He died in our place!

So, back to childbirth...Sure, not everyone experiences physical childbirth. But, at Creation, God commanded a one-flesh union to be fruitful and multiply...worshipers (because there was no sin in man...yet). (Side note: We can also multiply worshipers through discipleship--Matt. 28:18-20). Now, every time a baby is born through the pain of childbirth--something that would have been joyous of bringing a new worshiper in the world--is now painful because the child is full of sin and death. It is a brilliant reminder to every person on earth (because we've all been born) that we need the only One who can make us into a worshiper--Jesus Christ. Then, we can be born-again (sometimes just as painful for the spiritual parents as physical childbirth!).

The pain in childbirth should make you think of the Creation account, how God made redemption through Christ, and how trustworthy He is! AMEN!

Cool, huh! (If you caught any of those very very deep thoughts!)

P.S. I almost went searching on Google for a "childbirth" picture, but then got scared...not certain what would flash on this large screen. Since God gave us an imagination, just imagine childbirth. See, now you have a picture along with this post :)