Christian Marriage Spice

Humble Servant Friend & Warrior Commander King

Marriage Lover — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:40:47 +0000

In a recent small group we read through passages of scripture about Jesus from John and Revelation. There are two very interesting, compelling, and overwhelmingly important description of Jesus. When he first came... he came as a humble, servant and friend. In the second coming... He will come in in glory as the undisputed Warrior King Commander. He is the same Jesus in both passages.

I don't feel led to try and write much about this to "set it up". Jesus speaks for Himself in word and action...

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“Missions Exist Because Worship Doesn’t…” Two Teaching Approaches: Old White Guy & Young Black Dude

Marriage Lover — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 11:26:24 +0000

This post will not contain much original content. The characterization of "old white" and "young black" is not about condescension, racism, or anything like that whatsoever. So if you think there is any sinister motivation here... shut it and chill. There's not. If Michael Jackson taught us anything... it doesn't matter if you're black or white.

The purpose of this post is to celebrate how the beautiful gospel can be preached and taught in widely varying ways and contexts. Another purpose of this post is to explore this idea by me asking questions for your contemplation. I also hope to expose my readership to a different context and the idea of contextualization.

Believe it or not... this is Part 1 of 2! There is another awesome specific correlation between John Piper and Lecrae's worship and teaching.

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Reader Response: On Marriage, Gender Roles, Submission, Scripture, God’s Sovereignty & Grace

Marriage Lover — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 09:35:31 +0000

One of the most popular and controversial posts on my little blog is Lowly Woman: Cook, Clean, Make Babies & SUBMIT to Your Husband.

Tonight, the post received a comment that I really appreciated. I really enjoy interacting with my few readers!

I started writing an email response to him, but it got pretty long so I thought I would just publish it as a blog post. In order to full appreciate the context, you might want to read the complete referenced post.

"Brandon" submitted the following comment:

Hi, this is in response to your post: "Lowly Woman: Cook, Clean, Make Babies & SUBMIT to Your Husband". My wife, we are both new too our faith, has taken the scriptures on a wife's role distressingly. There have been many times when she comes to me in tears and we seem unable to find "adequate" answers through praying or other knowledgeable Christians.

Her biggest issue is why God declares that women can't be spiritual leaders like pastors in a church and why did He deem that only men should have leadership roles? Honestly, it is a bit unsettling for me as well. I try to tell her and myself that it has nothing to do with superiority but I guess we are still blinded by our human perceptions of pride and worth.

If you have any input on this it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

First of all, Brandon... thank you for writing!! I really appreciate your thoughts, honesty, and the desires in your message. I sense a real "seeker's heart". Thirst for God's truth is awesome.

I hope this is not too disappointing, but I will not have a magical cohesive and conclusive answer for you. However, I am humbled to share some of the thoughts and considerations. Some of the thoughts below may seem like "cop outs"... but, I don't think they are....

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The Prodigal Son: Rebellion & Religion and the Need for Repentance & Redemption [Mark Driscoll]

Marriage Lover — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:14:22 +0000

I recently listened to a lecture by Mark Driscoll from 2011 to the students of New Saint Andrews College.

This teaching blew my mind and heart in many regards. It was the most heart-opening teaching on the Prodigal Son that I have ever heard.

Truthfully, this is now the 4th time I have listened to the lecture. I wanted the words to be emblazoned in my mind and heart, so I typed notes from the lecture for this blog post. I definitely want to encourage you to watch it, as the video teaching is much more dynamic than my text notes.

I am definitely challenged on many fronts with this lecture... but I am most penetrated by the following:

The ultimate goal is not learning more ... but for heart transformation so we can glorify God and more people can come to know his saving Grace through Christ... because of Him changing us.
The life of a Christian is one of repentance. This seems to be resonating in my mind like a distant gong.
Religious Christians counter the sin of religion by intentionally seeking relationships with lost people. I desperately need to get out of my bubble.

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Contrast & Comparison: The Birth of an 8 Pound 6 Ounce Baby Jesus

Marriage Lover — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:27:54 +0000

It is definitely interesting how being a dad has changed my perspectives on life, the world, and scripture. Today, the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke was illuminated to me in a completely new and wildly unexpected way.

My heart was awakened as we sang the classic carol "O' Holy Night". I started picturing the classic nativity scene. Then, the Christmas sermon our pastor delivered recounted the birth of Christ... comparing the evil tyrant King Herod, with the loving, humble, powerful King Jesus.

During church, I started reflecting on my wife's pregnancy and the birth of our son. During my reflection, I started comparing and contrasting our experience with the experience of Mary and Joseph as new parents of Jesus.

I assume most new Christian parents think these things... however, it is new to me. My meditation on and experience of the miracle of Christmas is profoundly different than a year ago. So, here we go...

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I Surrender All?

Marriage Lover — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:15:41 +0000

At church a few weeks ago I had another "new daddy" experience that broke me in half in a wonderful way.

It involved holding my baby son in my arms, while standing beside my sweet wife, as we sang "I Surrender All" at my church...

Before I share that moment, I'd like to set the stage a little.

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[Ponderings of a New Dad] God’s Love is Illogical

Marriage Lover — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:37:40 +0000

So... an odd, incredible, and somewhat important event occurred about eight weeks ago... my wonderful wife gave birth to our first child!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A beloved baby boy.

Having your a child is a profound and momentous occasion. You would think I would be glowing and gleaming with flowing blog posts about it the joys of fatherhood. However, I have found myself at a loss for words. Being a part of and observing the creation of life is so big and perplexing. I have found myself baffled and dumbfounded.

I really just haven't known what to say.

My fantastic mother-in-law has asked me a simple question a couple times that I usually would not hesitate answering. Though no fault of hers whatsoever, the question has annoyed me for weeks. She asked, "What has being a new parent taught you about God and His love?" It was a great question. I felt like a paralyzed deer surrounded by headlights. My head and heart responses were the equivalent of white noise. I could not figure out why, and it really bothered me.

The question was straight-forward, clear, and made plenty of sense. The entire Bible is about God's fatherhood and love, as shown through the offering and sacrifice of Jesus. Surely... with my loving Jesus, being a "spiritual" and ridiculously sentimental fella, and my being part of the miracle of life alongside my lovely bride and dream girl... I should be able to feel something magnificent and deliver a powerful, spiritual sounding, and deep soliloquy... or at least muster up SOMETHING. Anything!

Nope.

As I hold the tiny, precious, and helpless human that God has blessed us with... and look at his beautiful face... tears well up. I often have no idea why.

Yet... I have been unable to respond to the simple question, "What has being a new parent taught you about God and His love?" The question has been a dripping faucet in my mind.

Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

This week, I think I figured out the reason...

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Who You Are In Christ… You Are More

Marriage Lover — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:25:06 +0000

I know I have not posted in a while. First, my lovely wife was pregnant with our first child... now we have a newborn! Ay ay ay, I have had great difficulty figuring out how to verbalize the depth and quantity of thoughts during all of this into blog posts. I will definitely be adding many of these thoughts in the coming weeks and months.

Today at church, our worship team introduced a new song during worship. The song is entitled "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue. The words below from the song really touched me and have been resounding in my head all day. The bottom of this post contains the complete lyrics and a the music video.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

‘Cause this is not about what you’ve done,
But what’s been done for you.
This is not about where you’ve been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

I thought this would be a fitting way to start your week... with a focus on who you are as a son or daughter of God and co-heir with the risen Jesus Christ. Below are some reminders of who you are in Christ. As you read this list... remember, this is true of others as well. How is your heart impacted as you look at your spouse, friends, and enemies through the lens of these truths?

Who you are in Christ... you are MORE....

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God Stories: Ian & Larissa Murphy [from John Piper's Desiring God]

Marriage Lover — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 07:58:01 +0000

Apparently I am on a bit of a kick related to these "God Stories". I recently finished organizing and leading a course called "Man School" at my awesome church. Week 4 of Man School was entitled "Leading in Sacrificial Love". During that lecture, we discussed dating, marriage, sex, porn, friendship, etc, and how men are called to humbly and courageously serve, lead and protect God's daughters.

For that lecture, we showed the brief video story of "Ian and Larissa Murphy". This story shows such a compelling example of the CHOICE and POWER of intentional, Holy-Spirit-driven love. Ian and Larissa met each other in college and "hit it off". Around when they had been dating for 10 months, Ian got in an accident that caused severe brain damage. The traumatic damage severely impacted his mind, speech, and body.

After he regained a higher level of mental ability... they decided to marry, despite the difficulties and challenges. It is pointless for me to describe the video and story any further... you should watch it.

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God Stories: “God of Second Chances”, Danny & Carlos Whitaker

Marriage Lover — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 00:27:25 +0000

You may or may not have seen this viral video before.

Carlos Whitaker is a fantastic musician, worship leader, leader, dad, and Christian man. He has a high traffic blog, where he writes about life, worship, adoption, parenting, Jesus, and brokenness. He has been blessed with a platform that he uses well for the glory of God.

The video below is taken from a blog post, "Save Us From These Comforts – Danny’s Story", he did in May 2010 about an unbelievable experience. He was recording a video for a song called "God of Second Chances" from his [then] upcoming album release, Ragamuffin Soul. Carlos was our worship leader at Sandals Church back in the day.

While the camera was recording as he sang... Danny, a homeless guy, walked up to him. At first, he was quiet and pensive. He seemed touched by the message of the song. Then he started free-styling with him. It is incredible!

I have seen this video probably 20 times. Every... single... time... I cry like a baby. This video always reminds me of how interconnected we are, how uniquely God created us, the power of music & worship... and the power of our testimonies for proclaiming the beauty and glory of Christ.

This God Story also always challenges me with the reality that we are often presented with divine appointments. The question is... how will we respond.

God, please keep changing my heart to see, serve, and love your people as you do.

Bonus Video: "All The Single Ladies"

Incidentally, another interesting tidbit about Carlos Whitaker and his family is that one of their home videos went viral in in 2010. The original video has almost 6,000,000 views! In the video, the Whitaker family is in the car while Beyonce's song "All the Single Ladies" plays in the background. Carlos' [adopted] son, Losiah, starts happily singing along from his car seat. Carlos then jokingly tells Losiah that he can't sing along because he isn't a single lady... his son then has a melt down. It's funny.

The video also won a People's Choice Award. Carlos ended up being interviewed on the CBS Early Show and the Today Show. One of my favorite things about this story is that Carlos used the platform to talk about the importance of adoption and beauty of Christ's love.

Check out Carlos' blog. Buy his music.