Living Stones Church: UFC Part 2

This morning our pastor, Sam Barrington, spoke to the men once more. This week was about how we size up in marriage according to God. Sam took the book of Ephesians, Chapter 5 and started with verse 25, which gives us a road map for our relationship with our wives. I must say I have not heard it preached with such immediacy as I heard it preached today. Our marriages in the church are in as much trouble as those who don't profess Christ to be the center of their life. And it seems that by the time we decide to do something about it, the unraveling is down to the last thread. That is unacceptable. Satan knows that the way to undo what Jesus has done for the church is to go after the family. If he can destroy the relationship between mom and dad, he can mess up the lives of two or three kids as well. Add to that the financial difficulty that comes with divorce, and you have a mess that includes generations untold.

Since this blog is about men, I think it is appropriate to jump in here. The solution is quite frankly, simple. Men need to take the lead in building the marriage relationship. It is spelled out quite clearly. Love your wife as Christ loved the Church. Boom. This hits right between the eyes. No excuses. If we are the men God intended us to be, divorce will drop by more than 50%. A wife needs to know she is loved under no uncertain terms. Women love security. Children love security. And though your marriage may be in some trouble, if you will go to your wife and begin to be an Ephesians 5 husband, things will change. Don't read verse 23. You take care of verse 25 and 23 will take care of itself. I don't want to hear "but she...." It is time to take care of business. As Sam said, and I paraphrase,if the marriages of our church and the south side of South Bend were to become so strong that we all but wiped out divorce, the atmosphere in our families would change so drastically that everyone would want what we have.

But men, you can't do it alone. Partner up with a good friend and set a strategy on how to improve your marriages. If you need help and are willing to do what it takes, go to someone you trust and ask for help. Don't be a Lone Ranger. Ask for help from Sam. I just want you to ask! This battle for our families can be won! Let's stop talking about it. Let's swallow our pride, and get it done! I can hardly wait to hear the results!