Just Working On It!

Marriage and family is hard work! Without a doubt, it doesn’t just happen, one has to work on it. Marriage and family “God’s Way” takes extra work. One must learn the basics of what God says and prayerfully apply the principals while patiently trusting the Lord to “work all things together for the good”. Marriage is more than just a legal contract based on rights and responsibilities. A covenant marriage commitment is an

eternal commitment with God. It is summarized in our “Covenant Marriage Statement”

Believing that marriage is a covenant intended by

God to be a lifelong relationship between a man and

a woman, we vow to God, each other, our families,

and our community to remain steadfast in unconditional

love, reconciliation, and sexual purity, while purposefully

growing in our covenant marriage relationship.

God is always the giver of the covenant. We are the recipients. So we must choose to accept and remain obedient in the covenant and God will do His part. I am so glad that God is the God of a second chance and so for many of us this is a renewed beginning for a lifelong commitment to grow and make our marriages better. Do not think any marriage is immune from problems. We all need to work to make our marriages ones that are built on the solid rock of the Lord.  Let’s all seek to continue to make a “Marriage Covenant Commitment” each and every day.

A Family Blessing

We are getting ready for our youngest son Caleb’s wedding on Friday January 6^th.  Caleb and Caitlin are such are blessing already to the Baldwin family.

At the rehearsal dinner we want to give Caleb and Caitlin the gift of some blessings to read and receive as they get ready for their big day and new beginning. We are asking the wedding party (including family members) to write them a short blessing in a card or short letter for them to read as they relax after the rehearsal. The Hebrew word for Blessing (Barak) is one of the most important words in the Bible used over 640 times in the OT alone.

 It’s purpose was to clarify direction in life, unify the purpose of life, provide protection from life, and to help in the growth and maturity process. Simply put, to bless was to provide significance and security (worth and wisdom)

God’s nature is to bless, and nothing is greater than God’s nature…therefore whatever comes your way, can be a pathway toward a blessing from God. What a special gift!

In the OT, a father would bless his children by laying his hands upon them, and speaking messages of support and encouragement. Giving direction, purpose, and protection. We must see all that happens to us as a blessing…the hand of God upon us…

God’s design for this to be accomplished is through a family touch and a family blessing…with words, hugs, and prayers.

For the “fruit flavored family” these blessings can be shared any time that they are needed. Plan your blessing and give it to your family.