Marriage Anchors

As you know, we are facing very challenging times. There is trouble in the land.

God’s holy, sacred, and ordained institution, marriage, is under direct broadside assault.

This should not surprise us. The devil wants to destroy the hallowed instrument God uses to pass on a godly heritage. The devil does not want Hell robbed and Heaven filled. He wants lost souls to remain lost forever.

The devil also knows that there is no greater tool in God’s plan to win lost souls, mend or prepare them, and then send them out to reach others for Christ than His ministering agent: MARRIAGE.   Chuck Swindoll says, “Home is where life makes up its mind.”

With all the turmoil, godless arrogance and nonsense that we see via our national media and     offices of political power, Barbara and I are focusing on just a few things:

• This Easter Week we are focusing on Jesus and His Word. We read out loud together a Bible chapter of the Easter story each day this week. We discuss it. We pray together.

• Because the Spiritual Warfare has been intense lately, Barbara and I are focusing on our marriage, not letting anything including family and ministry get in between us.  John 16:33

• Finally, we want to focus on and thank God for you and we want to pray for you specifically by name. Please e mail us your chief, confidential prayer requests to  jgrunseth@centurytel.net

Barbara and I ask the Lord to bless and encourage you this Easter.

Have a peaceful, blessed time focusing on Jesus. Let your heart not be troubled. He has overcome the world!    John 16:33

He is Risen!

Jim & Barbara

Note: By God’s grace, as of today, 1055 downloads of our free e books (below) from 33 countries have taken place. People, churches, and foreign government offices  from 43 nations have visited our website: www.marriageanchors.com

Our Free E Books

7 Glues for your Engagement & Marriage: http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/3/post/2012/07/marriage-mentors-and-authors-say-there-are-7-glues-that-help-hold-relationships-together.html#

Marriage Anchors E Book:   http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/3/post/2013/02/download-the-free-marriage-anchors-ebook.html#

Rekindling Your Faith E Book: http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/RekindlingYourFaith.html

The only way to Heaven:    http://marriageanchors.com/category/your-anchor/

Online giving to our ministry:https://give.ccci.org/give/View/0139150
Our CCC donor account number is #0139150

Our Prayer:

For God to raise up Hearts and Homes to be Gospel Lights to the Nations!      Matthew 5:14

There is always hope with God.

I watched our President place his hand on Abraham Lincoln’s Bible and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Bible.

The Presidential Inauguration and the taking of the Oath of the Office of the President of the United States are supposed to be grand, momentous, and historic occasions for all who call themselves Americans. History is being made. Unfortunately, some of the President’s words revealed a disregard for the God of this fine nation and for the millions who love and honor Him and His Holy Word, the Bible.

I was surprised when the President correlated the struggle of the homosexual movement with the Civil Rights Movement. These two struggles could not be more different.

In the Civil Rights Movement, people of color courageously struggled to achieve rightful equality in all areas of life. This is pleasing and honoring to God and His Bible. All are created equal.

In the homosexual movement, people that are struggling greatly with strong tendencies toward same gender sexual perversion are trying to convince themselves and others that their behavior is acceptable, good, and not sin.

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 

     I Corinthians 6:9-10                                        

If we truly trust in the God of the Bible, it follows that we ought to honor Him and His Word. Right?

What do you think people would say if the President had stated that the struggle of unrepentant, greedy, drunk, adulterers was similar to the cause of the Civil Rights Movement? These practices against Almighty God are equally offensive as the unrepentant, homosexual offender lifestyle.

The Bible, God’s Holy Word, says,

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”   Mark 12:30

I challenge our governmental leaders to decide to not just ‘trust in God’, but back that up with a decision to honor Him and His Word as well.

Maybe they should memorize I Samuel 2:30(b) which says,

”But now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.” 

Before our President placed his hand on those two Bibles, perhaps he should have read what Abraham Lincoln once wrote,

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.”

       Abraham Lincoln 1863  (From Church and State in the United  States, New York: Harper and Brothers, 1950.)

Rather than attempting to diminish our God given freedoms and righteous standards, our President and all other Americans should heed what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said a number of years ago:

 ”He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”

Question: Who determines what is evil and what is not: God Almighty or man?

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html#DKRfmriXoU0Mr7S8.99

__________________________________

Let us remember to pray for our leaders and our great nation! Barbara and I welcome your comments.

If you are not absolutely sure of your eternal destiny…if you are concerned about your relationship with your Creator, the Living God of the universe, then check out:

http://marriageanchors.com/2012/05/18/your-anchor-dont-leave-port-without-him/

“If you truly love your Saviour, and would honour Him, then “hate evil.’” Charles Spurgeon Devotional June 7th.

***

Note: Some of the above content is taken from our book Embracing the Truth: Understanding the Eight Keys to Christian Living. To preview and order go to:

http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/embracing-the-truth.html

___________

Hear are our other materials.

Click to get our newest free E Book: 7 Glues for your Engagement & Marriage:

http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/free-tools.html

Click to get our free E Book Marriage Anchors:

http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/MarriageAnchors.html

Click to get our free E Book Rekindling Your Faith:

http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/RekindlingYourFaith.html

To order our book I’m Getting Married!: Preparing your Heart for a Lifetime go to:

http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/im-getting-married.html

To order our book Remember the Rowboats: Anchor your Marriage to Christ go to:

http://www.amazon.com/Remember-Rowboats-Anchor-Marriage-Christ/dp/1934327409/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351785551&sr=1-1&keywords=Remember+the+rowboats

To order Home to Home: Passing on Five Cornerstones of Christian Marriage go to:

http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/home-to-home.html

Or call: 1(800) 827-2788 for any ofthem.

Biblical Counselors with CRU

Rev. Jim & Barbara Grunseth
W4760 Steeple Chase Way
Elkhorn,WI 53121

Online giving to our ministry and our Bio: https://give.ccci.org/give/View/0139150
Our CCC donor account number is #0139150

Jim E-Mail: jgrunseth@centurytel.net
Barbara’s E-Mail: rberrybarb@centurytel.net
Ministry Site: www.marriageanchors.com
Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/1jgrunseth9

Office: 262-642-5092
Jim’s Cell/Text: 262-745-4160

© by Cru 2012

To grow in your relationship with the Lord Jesus, check these out:

http://www.everyperson.com

www.everystudent.com

www.startingwithgod.com

http://wayofthemaster.com/

http://excellentorpraiseworthy.org/

http://www.faithdeployed.com/

www.needgod.com

Crown Financial Ministries: http://www.crown.org

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.”

Abraham Lincoln 1863
From Church and State in the United States
New York: Harper and Brothers, 1950.

Lincoln’s words ring loud and clear. We have forgotten God. Because of this, as the Apostle Paul declares, we have exchanged the truth of God for the lies of the devil.

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie…”

Romans 1:25

According to Carl Zimmerman’s research in his book, Family and Civilization, eight specific patterns of domestic behavior have signaled the downward spiral and imminent demise of every culture:

1.  Marriage lost its sacredness; it was frequently broken by divorce.

2. Traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony was lost. Alternate forms and definitions of marriage arose, and traditional marriage vows were replaced by individual marriage contracts.

3. Feminist movements appeared, and women lost interest in child bearing and
mothering, preferring to pursue power and influence.

4. Public disrespect for parents and authority in general increased.

5. Juvenile delinquency, promiscuity, and rebellion accelerated.

6. People with traditional marriages refused to accept family responsibilities.

7. Desire for and acceptance of adultery grew.

8. Increased tolerance for sexual perversions of all kinds, particularly
homosexuality, with a resultant increase in sex-related crimes.1

1 Family and Civilization: Carle Clark Zimmerman; edited by James Kurth; 2nd ed., rev. and abridged. Wilmington, Del.: ISI Books, 2007.
 

In light of the moral condition our country is in, read the following:

“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common  enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader … If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security.”

Samuel Adams
Father of the American Revolution, instigator of
the Boston Tea Party, signer of the Declaration of Independence, member of Congress

I wonder what Samuel Adams and Abraham Lincoln would think and say now?

Where do you think we are as a nation on the ever worsening scale of 1 through 8 from above?

We believe we are in the final stages.

If we, as a people, do not turn back to God from sin and self focus, beg His forgiveness, and, once again, embrace the truth of Holy Scripture, our nation, our communities, our churches, and our families will sink into the mire of tolerance, mediocrity, and compromise. As biblical counselors, we know many marriages and families are falling apart. It does not matter who the couple is or what faith they say they follow. Disintegration of the family unit and a falling away from reverence for God are directly related. Few people look to God’s inerrant, inspired Holy Word, the Bible, as authoritative for all areas of life.

Chuck Swindoll said, “It is at home where life makes up its mind .”

Our nation is in crisis! People today are hurting and wounded in their personal lives. Many have simply lost hope. Many are living in sin and refusing to acknowledge their iniquity before Almighty God. They know they are in sin. They just don’t care! We live in an increasingly pagan land where barbaric values are replacing the godly, humble virtues that forged our country.

Here is the great danger.

When a nation rejects God’s truth, whoever is in power determines what is right. The ruling philosophy becomes:

Might determines Right.

This is what happened in Nazi Germany. Since Hitler had rejected God and had the power, he determined what was right. Millions lost their lives as a result! Roughly only 1 in 7 pastors refused to pay the required homage to Hitler and His 3rd Reich. They suffered dearly. Many were imprisoned and died from the harsh treatment.

America, as a nation, has rejected God. Politics has become a power struggle. The victor determines who and what is right. The victor also determines who and what is wrong. Money and image have become false gods. Christians who seek the truth found only in God’s Word must embrace it, love it, and stand up for it. If we don’t, who will? We have been lied to and many of us are in bondage to these lies.

“Truth is so obscure in these times and falsehood so established that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.”

Blaise Pascal (1623—1662)    French Philosopher, Mathematician, Scientist, and Christian
                                                                                                                                      

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2Chronicles 7:14

The aging grandfather looked to his beloved granddaughter and asked her, “Do you believe that darkness will come into your life?” She thought for a moment and then said, “Yes, Grandfather.”

Then he looked deep into her eyes with a caring, steadfast love from God and asked, “And what if the darkness prevails?” The sadness on her face was slowly replaced by a smile of growing proportions. She took a deep breath, looked into his eyes, and said with resolve:

“Then I will light a candle!”

When we choose to dwell in the darkness, we snuff out a lot of candles. Instead, Barbara and I want to light as many candles for the Lord as we can. We want to cheer the hopeless, encourage the crushed in spirit, and bring comfort, joy, and light to those still swallowed in darkness. This is our prayer!

We want to introduce as many people to Jesus, our Lord and Savior, as we can. We want to prevent souls from going to Hell and, instead, help them go to Heaven someday.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Edmund Burke, 1729-1797, Irish political philosopher, Whig politician and statesman who is often regarded as the father of modern conservatism.

America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. Both were fought for. Both must be fought for again, not with bullets, but with moral courage and conviction. These must be rooted in the eternal Word of God, the Bible.

We must ask God to help us become men and women of courage.

Courage enough to face ridicule, loss, threats, and marginalization. Courage enough to stand up for the honor of God and country, and for marriage and the family. Courage to defend our Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. Courage to stand against the quickening currents of tolerance, disrespect toward Christian convictions, and celebrated gross immorality. Courage to pray humbly to Almighty God, the One who blessed this nation into being.

“Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” 

Maya Angelou, American Poet and Pulitzer Prize Winner.

Let us pray for courage.

Then let’s stand and be courageous for the Lord and this blessed land.

If you are not absolutely sure of your eternal destiny…if you are concerned about your relationship with your Creator, the Living God of the universe, then check out:

http://marriageanchors.com/2012/05/18/your-anchor-dont-leave-port-without-him/

“If you truly love your Saviour, and would honour Him, then “hate evil.’”          Charles Spurgeon Devotional June 7th.

                                                                                                                      ***

Note: Some of the above content is taken from our book Embracing the Truth: Understanding the Eight Keys to Christian Living. To preview and order go to:

http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/embracing-the-truth.html

___________

Hear are our other materials.

Click to get our newest free E Book: 7 Glues for your Engagement & Marriage:                                                                                                

http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/free-tools.html

  
Click to get our free E Book Marriage Anchors:

http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/MarriageAnchors.html

Click to get our free E Book Rekindling Your Faith:

http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/RekindlingYourFaith.html

To order our book I’m Getting Married!: Preparing your Heart for a Lifetime go to:

http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/im-getting-married.html

To order our book Remember the Rowboats: Anchor your Marriage to Christ go to:

http://www.amazon.com/Remember-Rowboats-Anchor-Marriage-Christ/dp/1934327409/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351785551&sr=1-1&keywords=Remember+the+rowboats

To order Home to Home: Passing on Five Cornerstones of Christian Marriage go to:

http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/home-to-home.html

Or call: 1(800) 827-2788 for any of them.

Biblical Counselors with CRU

Rev. Jim & Barbara Grunseth
W4760 Steeple Chase Way
Elkhorn, WI 53121

Online giving to our ministry and our Bio: https://give.ccci.org/give/View/0139150
Our CCC donor account number is #0139150

Jim E-Mail: jgrunseth@centurytel.net
Barbara’s E-Mail: rberrybarb@centurytel.net
Ministry Site: www.marriageanchors.com
Our Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/1jgrunseth9

Office: 262-642-5092
Jim’s Cell/Text: 262-745-4160

© by Cru 2012                                                                                             

To grow in your relationship with the Lord Jesus, check these out:
http://www.everyperson.com

www.everystudent.com

www.startingwithgod.com

http://wayofthemaster.com/

http://excellentorpraiseworthy.org/

http://www.faithdeployed.com/

www.needgod.com

Crown Financial Ministries: http://www.crown.org

       In 1762 Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778) wrote the beloved hymn “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”. He had recently been ordained as the Priest or Curate of Blagdon Parish, England. Evidently, one day he was caught in a horrific storm with thunder, lightening, and torrential rain. Since he was near high cliffs, he found shelter in a small cave or cleft in the rock. It was here he received his inspiration to write this wonderful hymn.

       Like you, I struggle in life. I am often lured by tempting bait. The song of the sirens woos my ship toward the rocks of disaster. There is no sense in trying to cover the truth. I am weak. The Apostle Paul once said that he was Chief of Sinners (1Timothy1:15-16). Well if that is true then I am on the Short List!

       As I follow Jesus, I find I have a choice. Since I am profoundly weak, I can choose this hour to either be foolish in my weakness or wise in my weakness. Dear friend, for me this is not as easy as it seems!

       As my mind often drifts through the day, I find myself wanting that God, my Heavenly Father, would revolve around me, my prayers, my dreams, and my desires. After all, I say that I love Him and want to bring Him honor. Right?

       This is where I can easily deceive myself. As I seek the Lord Jesus, I discover that my desperate need is not for Him to bless and comfort me and address all my needs. Rather, in the simplest of terms, my desperate need is for Him and Him alone.

       When I choose to fully realize my bankrupt condition of my spirit before my holy, matchless, and eternal God, then and only then can I gaze upon my Savior. Only when I allow Him to break me completely will I know what absolute surrender is.  

       There are four stanzas to “Rock of Ages, Cleft for me.”  Note carefully the third:                        

       3. Nothing in my hand I bring,

           Simply to Thy cross I cling;

           Naked, come to Thee for dress;

           Helpless, look to Thee for grace;

           Foul, I to the fountain fly,–

           Wash me, Savior, or I die!

         Please carefully look at this 1900’s post card. What do you see? Do you see the storm? Or do you see His Cross? Do you see her circumstances? Or are you beginning to see her Savior. Look. She is not only clinging to the Cross of Jesus but her eyes are on Him.

       Let me invite you right now, this moment, to take a deep breath and slow down your pace. Drop all of your dreams and your hopes at the foot of His Cross. Dump all of your sin, your failure, and your disappointments as well. Join me. Let us run to His Cross. Let us cling to it. In so doing, we look up into the kind and assuring face of Jesus, the Great Redeemer of our souls and the Good Shepherd of our hearts. It is here we are invited to stay. It is here we must stay.

       Dear friend, be encouraged and strengthened this hour! May the Word of God capture you and define you. Then may He shine through you to those who need Him.

‘Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”’   (NLT)

The Apostle Paul said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”  (NIV)

Again Paul said, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”  (NLT)

Paul stated, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  (NLT)

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”    (NIV)

He also promised, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”   (NLT)

King David wrote, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”   (NIV)

David also wrote from the depths of his heart, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” (KJV)

_______

If my wife Barbara and I can help you and encourage you, please contact us at:

Office: 262-642-5092 or Jim’s Cell: 262-745-4160

jgrunseth@centurytel.net

Click to get our newest free E Book: 7 Glues for your Engagement & Marriage: http://www.campuscrusadeministrynews.com/free-tools.html

Click to get our free Marriage Anchors E Book:    http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/MarriageAnchors.html

Click to get our free Rekindling Your Faith E Book: http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/RekindlingYourFaith.html

If you are not sure if your sins are fully forgiven or you are fearful of your eternal destiny, click here:

http://marriageanchors.com/2012/05/18/your-anchor-dont-leave-port-without-him/

Also please visit our website at:  www.marriageanchors.com

God bless you,

Jim (& Barbara) Grunseth

CRU Chicago

Have you once and for all settled the question, do you belong to God?  Are you going to Heaven?  Are you a child of God? Is Jesus Christ really your personal Lord, Savior, and Master? Who is your anchor in life? When all else fails you, will your anchor also fail you?  When others betray and lie to you, will your anchor do likewise? Consider the following questions in light of what the Bible says:

Around 7:00 PM the flock slowly started back toward their shepherd to be fed and tended to for the night. They had been grazing all day in the pasture. Some liked the hillside while others preferred the grass near the pond.

One sheep had developed a few open sores around her nose, mouth, and eyes. Flies had been troubling these raw places of vulnerability. She was in pain. Ahead of the others, she saw her shepherd. He was waiting for her, sitting on a small stool by the open entrance to that wonderful refuge known as the sheepfold; a safe, protected place of refuge and security.

She ran to him. The shepherd welcomed her with open arms. The first thing he did was comfort her. Then, one by one, he removed the briars and sticks that had gotten caught in her wool from the day. Finally, he gently looked her over, reached down to a jar in his pocket, and scooped up some homemade salve into his hand. With much kindness and attentiveness, he put ample amounts of the healing balm on each of the sores on the sheep’s head. The relief was instant!

The pain subsided and healing began. Best of all, the ointment repelled the flies and other insects. No wonder she wanted to come home! Grain, a loving touch, and safety awaited her in the sheepfold for the night.

Husbands and wives, this is a perfect picture of how you both are to treat each other every hour, every day. The roles can easily be reversed in that the sheep could have been male and the shepherd female.

If your spouse does not look forward to coming home or having you come home, something is seriously wrong! You and your mate are called and equipped by the Lord, our true Good Shepherd, to comfort each other with grace and acceptance.

The 23^rd Psalm says:

(v.1)  “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

(v.2)  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

(v.3)  he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

(v.4)  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

(v.5)  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head

with oil; my cup overflows.

(v.6)  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in

the house of the LORD forever.”

Focus in on verse 5 in the middle where it reads, “You anoint my head with oil;” This is what a good shepherd does to sheep when they come home. He puts healing, comforting balm on their sores and troubled areas which are many.

Whenever your mate comes to you or when you seek out your mate, ask the Lord Jesus, your Good Shepherd, to anoint your mate’s head with the oil or balm of comfort, empathy, listening, and patient kindness through your countenance and through your touch. God promises to bless you if you do. (1Peter 3:9)

God’s Living Word confirms this message.

Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Hebrews 3:13a  “But encourage one another daily,”

Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as

in Christ God forgave you.”

Luke 6:36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Just as Jesus, your Good Shepherd, is toward you, so you are to be toward your mate. If you feel he or she does not merit your comfort and kindness, remember that you do not deserve the Lord’s. He gives it to you freely and fully because He loves you unconditionally. His love and care for you are not based on your performance or innate worth. It is based only on His amazing love.

Finally, John 13:34 sums up your calling in marriage.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Now, husband or wife, fulfill your calling.

Click to get our free Marriage Anchors E Book: http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/MarriageAnchors.html

Copyright 2012 Jim & Barbara Grunseth, CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) jgrunseth@centurytel.net

Have you ever walked on a pine forest pathway on a beautiful day? Imagine with us for a minute. You are enjoying the soft, pine needles under foot and the tall, evenly space pine trees that reach upward to the brilliant blue sky. As you calmly walk down this verdant path, your eye catches something small but precious. You stop and kneel down to discover a stunning and delicate May Apple blossom.

Quietly you confirm once again that God is an artful Creator who showers us with His goodness, His glory, and His majesty. In a similar way, home grown compassion reveals to us our Lord Jesus who is the author of compassion. It is the Lord “who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,” Psalm 103:4 “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.” Psalm 116:5

The Encarta Dictionary defines compassion as, “sympathy for the suffering of others, often including a desire to help.” Like the precious May Flower blossom, compassion in marriage creates a sought after oasis for the needy soul. Looking at many biblical examples, we find that compassion was often bestowed on undeserving, destitute, and sinful people. This is the very compassion and mercy of our Lord toward those who could never perform well enough or measure up high enough to ever merit it. That is all of us.

Working with many marriages and families over the years has been both a rewarding and an insightful experience. Occasionally we come across a May Flower blossom. A kind husband or a supportive wife shows compassion toward his or her mate and this tender fragrance permeates the home. The children like being there because home is safe and secure. Mom and Dad care for each other. They support each other. They never grant conflict a lengthy stay in the Lord’s home. Home is where acceptance and help reside. It is indeed the Lord’s home and the needy souls inside are His guests. Because of this one single quality we see in some mates, we have hope.

Sometimes day after day, week after week, of counseling, training, and mentoring couples in troubled homes, Barbara and I get weary. Some people find it nearly impossible to show compassion and kindness to their mate. Unfortunately, sometimes, judgment and rejection become so ingrained in a husband’s or wife’s heart that living with them is like living with a blast furnace, a porcupine, or a dripping faucet. Some husbands and wives have swallowed the lie that they have every right to ridicule and reject their mate or his or her extended family.

One husband stated, “She doesn’t meet my needs! She is always on my back for something! Surely I deserve better! What’s wrong with her. How come she can’t get her act together like my friend’s wives!” This grieves our Lord. When God brought Barbara into my life 17 years ago, I was a desperate and destitute man. I had lost my wife of 20 years to a difficult 7 year battle to cancer. My nerves were shot. I was depressed and suffered from migraines daily. I begged God for mercy much like Bartimaeus, the blind, poor beggar did in Mark 10:46-52.

I know the Lord is merciful and compassionate toward me not just because His Word says He is but because I, like Bartimaeus, have received it. Not only was Jesus compassionate and merciful in giving me Barbara, but she, time and again, has bestowed mercy on me, a wretched, undeserving man. I am blown away by how kind, forgiving, and helpful she is not just to me but to many others as well. She is a gift from God. She is a home grown, compassionate wife, mother, and friend. I know Jesus lives and is true to His Word. I see Him everyday in our home. I see Him in Barbara. I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve her. Of course, neither do I deserve what Jesus has done for me. I am grateful.

If compassion is a distant relative that has not been invited over in a long time, ask the Lord to invite His compassion in your heart, your marriage, and “His” home. It might be that your showing compassion in your home will convince others you actually love Jesus, are grateful for His compassion, and that He is worth pursuing. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 May God grant you His home grown compassion.

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As always, Barbara and I are here to help you. Please visit www.marriageanchors.com for more insight and encouragement on marriage God’s way.

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