Christmas Hope

Just a quick word to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. Thank you for visiting this blog and especially to those who are frequent visitors. Since July the C2 (Christian Squared or ChristiantheChristian) Blog has been accessed over 1,300 times (over half of which are repeat visits, or "regulars").

Also, to share a little hope for those struggling this season - as cliche as it sounds, God the Creator of all truly cares and has a plan for you. While cliche I know (mostly because of how many people say it who do not truly know God), I say it quite expectantly because of the promises I see in Scripture and two situations I've recently encountered of God redeeming "hopeless" people.

SITUATION ONE
I met a couple struggling in sin together. Without going into the details, it's sufficient to say that both were ready to walk out on each other (matter of fact, the husband did a few times, but returned). When I met with them they told me "we're done. This is our last hope before we pack it in for good." Instead of pointing fingers I challenged both to look at their marriage in a new light (to see what God thought of them and what He was doing in their marriage). They are still far from being out of the dark, but after speaking with the wife last night - things are going much better! Why? Because for the first time in their marriage they are looking at God's original design for marriage and learning to love each other selflessly.

SITUATION TWO
This one hits far closer to home because it's MY situation. I've come into several "struggling marriage" situations over the last few weeks which has given me much time to reflect on my own and how far God has brought ME. While I am no means perfect, I know the man I am today is not the same man my wife married! Rewind to the early years of our marriage and you'll see a selfish, "immortal" (so I thought), and misguided boy who thought he knew it all and was untouchable. Through a series of devastating events (mostly brought on by my own ignorant choices), friends willing to speak truth to me and a wife that is an amazing example of mercy, love and grace (all attributes she demonstrated to me, through God's strength many times) I sit back in awe of the God that constantly seeks to redeem (buy back) people through His Son Jesus Christ (see "Jesus Was an Offensive Baby" below), restore them (put them in a right relationship and standing with Him) and the USE THEM to make His name known. I never would have thought that I would be writing a blog as a ministry, serving as a youth pastor or counseling marriages - but that's the power of God! Here I sit, a changed man with a new purpose because of the God who cares and restored me!

He offers hope to the hopeless. So for those struggling this season, I assure you the morning is just around the corner. It's always hardest to trust in the midst of despair or struggle, but take a step of faith in trusting Him who redeems, restores and saves and, ultimately, desires to use YOU, too!

Merry Christmas!

Jesus Was An Offensive Baby...

With it being Christmas time I thought we'd talk a bit about this History/Life/People/Culture/World-changing Savior whom came to us as a Child (Charlie Brown's Christmas is now sufficiently locked in my mind... cue "CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT?!?!"). No, we're not gonna talk about the popular parts (and rightly-so) of the story of His birth.

Instead, I want to talk about FOUR things this Baby was, and represented, that we often overlook at Christmas:

1. A Clear Path: While there was never a gray area with God before, the birth of His Son made it clear how one could go to heaven. Jesus said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me." That's it... not "believe in whatever you want and be faithful to it and you're in" or "go to church, pray daily, eat your veggies and you're in"... it's either through belief in Christ alone as the One true Savior or you're out.

2. An Ultimatum: yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace (or as the famous Christmas passage reads because of His birth: "peace on earth and good will toward men"; though it actually reads "peace, and on earth, peace to those whom God favors")... but unfortunately we misunderstand what that title means. Jesus Himself said, "I did not come to bring peace, but to bring a sword" and that He would divide a family against itself. "WHAT?!?!?!?" you may be asking. Let me clarify... because of sin, mankind is separated from the pure and holy God (Father); man is not at peace with God, but an enemy of His due to their sin (James 4:4, Romans 8:31-39). Christ came to bring peace between MAN and GOD. However, Christ warned that whoever believed in Him and followed Him would be thought of as foolish by many; thus, many people would turn their back on those new “believers”… even their own family at times (hence the reason a family would divide against itself). CHRIST WAS AN ULTIMATUM – either you’re with God, or you’re against Him. Christ being born made it clear that there could be no other option.

3. True Love: not a fickle kind of love like we see so often in our society, but one that was UNCONDITIONAL and given before we even knew we’d need it or want it! God demonstrated love (He didn’t just say “I love you”) by sending His Son in the form of a Child, who would eventually die as a Man so that ANYONE who chose to put their faith in Him could be cleared of all wrongdoing in the eyes of God and have a new chance at life. No matter what, God promises those who are really with Him – it is a FOREVER deal! No backing out… no changing His mind… no changing the requirements later… He’s in it forever, PERIOD. Don’t believe me? Read Romans 8:31-39.

4. A New Definition for Loving Others: More than just be nice and give stuff, Christ said that we ought to “be last.” Putting others first was a revolutionary thought in that day and time. To serve others was a lowly job… Christ didn’t just teach it, though… He exemplified it! He said “For [I] did not come to be served, but to serve and to give [My] life as a ransom for many.” Translation: Christ came to serve mankind in the ultimate way – to lay down His life (take our punishment for our sin on Himself, thus freeing us) so that you and I could have a second chance. Now THAT is Love!!!

So as we celebrate this amazing birth, I pray we remember exactly what it did for mankind! It was more than just the birth, Wise Men, Shepherds, music, angels, plays, decorations and food… it was a new beginning!!!! I pray that you may experience this Peace that He came to bring!

Merry Christmas!


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How to Ruin a Marriage Together!

Typically when we hear about one falling it is because of a self-destructive pattern of choices. Left in the wake of those decisions is usually husbands or wives, children, family, close friends, church members, etc. These decisions are, more often than not, single-party ventures (one person making the decisions), but…

…what happens when a husband and wife fall (self-destruct) TOGETHER?

Instead of protecting one another, one or both persons in the marriage encourage the downward spiral by embracing destructive choices together. One such case happened recently. Music artist Amy Winehouse (“Rehab”, “Me and Mr. Jones”, etc.) and husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, have spent much time in the media lately due to their regular run-ins with the law over serious substance abuse issues. As this blog is being typed Blake is currently serving time in prison for some of those issues. Janis Winehouse (Amy’s mother) reportedly said her daughter was misled by her husband into a lifestyle of “drugs and self harm.” While I do understand the power of suggestion, it is important to remember that Amy made the choices, too – she is not a victim (in entirety)… after all, it does take two to tango. It is terrible what this couple is going through, but I am not here to dissect their marriage or lifestyle. Instead, what I am here to do is plead with husbands and wives to rethink what is embraced in your marriages. What decisions are being made jointly that have the potential of ruining your marriage?

Vices come in all shapes and forms: substance (alcohol, drugs, etc.), sex (utilizing what God gave to be between one man and one woman and open that relationship up in a number of unhealthy ways: open marriages, “swinging,” pornography or raunchy R-rated/unrated movies as a “spice it up” tool, etc.), finances (choosing to embrace a financially irresponsible lifestyle), integrity (being one couple in the dark and another in the light), etc. These are but a few ways husbands and wives endanger themselves and their marriages. I don’t believe Blake or Amy (or any other husband or wife that has struggled in similar fashion) ever woke up one morning and said “let’s be reckless and ruin our marriage together!” Instead they sought out recreation and leisure together and it has led them to places neither expected to go… and now their marriage is crumbling.

So what’s the point?

Husbands, we are called on by God to protect our wives. Not just when someone threatens her, but in everyday life. In the decisions we lay upon her to make on our marriage’s behalf. Are we asking her to test waters she ought not to test? Are we tempting her in ways in which she may not be able to recover? Are we asking her to try something she may later regret?

Wives, likewise care for your husbands. Seek to protect their eyes, hearts, minds/thoughts, reputations, etc. Are the desires that you have something that could ultimately hurt him, you or your marriage? Are your wishes going to help him grow as a husband or encourage him to walk a path he will later regret? Though the husband is the leader of the family, remember what a powerful role you have, too (afterall, it was Eve who tempted Adam in the Garden).

One last question: are the decisions you make together as husband and wife something you pray daily for your own children to experience in own their marriages? If not, maybe we have some questions to ask ourselves.

I encourage you husbands and wives to read the following passages together: Ephesians 5:22-33 and 1 Peter 3:1-7.

Until next time… may God richly bless your marriages!!!

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