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!

Living Stones Church

Since yesterday was Fathers Day my pastor, Sam Barrington, decided to begin a three week series called UFC (Ultimate Fighting Champion): Something Worth Fighting for. I first want to encourage you, particularly if you are a guy, to go to www.livingstones.cc to check out the podcast of this past weeks message. Then plan to be there for the next two in person. The message is great! Sam speaks about, among other things, the feminizing of Jesus and the danger that message is to the gender balance in our churches today. Let me say it now and get it out in the open. Jesus while here on earth was a mans man. Jesus was not a wimp. He was a carpenter by trade, and in the first century, that meant a lot of manual labor; plus they had never heard of Craftsman. So come to 718 E. Donmoyer Ave. in South Bend, IN. on Sunday. You won't regret it.

Begin Now to Ready Your Heart

Hang on to your hats Living Stoners! This is a clip from Samaritans Feet, a group that has a goal of giving 10 million pairs of shoes to 10 million children, in 10 years around the world, including the United States. The cool thing is, we are going to be a part of that effort by giving each and every child from Monroe School on South Bend's south side a new pair of shoes. Our almost firm date is September 19. I am so pumped! I can't wait. Begin today praying about being a part of this Living Stones Church outreach. We will need tons of volunteers that Saturday. Don't miss out on this life changing event! Stay tuned!

A Little Good News

I have to admit, sometimes the messes we have in this nation along with the instability of the world, are a bit much to take. And I think each generation thinks that their time on earth was the worst. And maybe sometimes they're right. But most often they're not.

We are certainly living in challenging times today. Most of us probably don't remember what it was like to be fighting a war on two fronts 64 years ago; or watching US Flags being burned in the streets 20 years later. No, each generation has its issues. This one has its own too. But through it all one thing remains constant. The good news of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice remains the hope for Christ followers all over the world. The love we bring to the world because He loved us first is needed today as much as ever. More you ask? No, I don't think more. It has been a constant need for 2,000 years. Do we have our role to play in the presentation of the Good News? You bet; just as the generations did before us.

So now is not the time to grow weary. Now is the time to power up. Get in touch with the Holy Spirit. We've got a story to tell. We've got Jesus. We've got a little Good News too.