Wasn’t it great to see the ten couples stand before us in worship last Sunday who had been married 5O years or more?! It was a most amazing group! We have a few more who were unable to be present and a few “in the wings” in the next couple of years. I really do wish we could’ve taken time to hear from each one about their views on what it takes to make a marriage work. We’ll be looking at that this weekend as First Church Men gather for our second annual Men’s Retreat at Camp Canyon. (Hope all of our men will make every effort tot be present! Kirk and I have some great insights to share and we’ll view Fireproof, as well. We leave at 6:00pm Friday and return by 4:00pm on Saturday).

Here’s some great advice by Christian author, Victor Parachin:

1. Give the four A's every day (Attention, Acceptance, Approval and Affection!)
2. Praise lavishly! Applaud, encourage, inspire and motivate your partner often.
3. Speak with your actions. Show you care by doing something to make your spouse’s life easier.
4. Listen attentively. Total concentration on the other person is a clear demonstration of real love, while failure to listen leaves the partner feeling unloved.
5. Date your mate. Make a list of activities you both enjoy, and schedule them just like any other important appointment.
6. Mind your manners. Couples with enduring marriages “keep courtesies alive.”
7. See the big picture. Don’t’ get bogged down in petty issues. Maintain a sense of perspective and forgive quickly.

One of the greatest threats to marriage in America today is the vocal minority of homosexual advocates seeking to redefine marriage. As I shared Sunday, marriage is not up for “grabs” – to be defined as anyone wants to – it belongs to God and The Church. He designed and created it to bless the relationship of one man and one woman for life, create a healthy environment to raise godly children and to establish a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Church (Ephs. 5:21-33). “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

When I am made aware of organizations and businesses that are promoting a deceptive lifestyle and seeking to normalize gay “marriage,” I feel compelled to take action. As you may know I, as well as many of you, supported effective boycotts against Ford and McDonalds, both which had donated funds to gay organizations. I am now boycotting Pepsi and it’s subsidiaries including Gatorade and Frito Lay. I’ve hand written a note to the President of PepsiCo expressing my views and willingness to boycott their products until they agree to be neutral in this area. My information comes from The American Family Association led by United Methodist Pastor Don Wildmon. This is simply my conviction. By the way, Lent begins next Wednesday. What might God be asking you to give up for the sake of Christ this Lenten season?

Thanks for listening… to God and to me.

Yours in Christ,
Mark.

P.S. We conclude our Lies People Believe Series this Sunday by focusing on “20 Truths that Can Set You Free!” Hope to see you here!