Marriage Takes Three Podcast

Marriage Takes ThreeGod established the institution of marriage at the beginning of time. In the creation account found in Genesis, we not only read about the relationship the man and the woman had with each other, but also about the relationship they had with God. As the man and the woman focused [not only] on each other but also on God, all was well. However, when they lost their focus on God, things began to unravel. In order for a marriage to be all that it can be, it must include God. There needs to be more than a two-way relationship between a man and a woman. There must be a three-way relationship between a man, a woman, and God. Marriage takes three. Join Rev. Joe McDowell in weekly "Marriage Takes Three" podcast lessons on marriage. In the podcasts, we will study the theology of marriage, we will see the biblical principles of marriage, and we will discuss practical applications to help you make your marriage the best that it can be.

For insight and inspiration for your marriage:

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Together

This Christmas season found our family together. We celebrated Christ together and we celebrated our family. This photo was taken last night. We celebrated Michael‘s and Naomi’s second birthdays. As the wonderful evening came to a close, the realization that we will not all be together again for a year began to set in. I praise God for love that can and does span the distances that separate us. I praise Him that just as “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” nor can these things separate our family! I pray our family and yours will be a testimony to this verse from Romans. I pray our family’s love for each other and yours for your family will witness to God’s love for us. By God’s grace we WILL stand against all that this world throws at us! My Sons, by the power of God in the Holy Spirit – FIGHT—fight the good fight.

Expression of Joy

Can there be any doubt that Naomi is enjoying her Carousel ride? You know, Naomi isn’t really going anywhere—she is just going around in a circle, but she’s enjoying the journey tremendously. Where are you going? Do you have great plans that you believe will bring you great joy? How specific are they? Can you really cause them to happen? And, what if they don’t happen? Will you be crushed if they don’t come to fruition? That’s an awful big weight to carry, because no matter how hard and how well we plan, most outcomes are just not in our hands. Oh, we occasionally reach goals and make wonderful accomplishments, but we must be careful for if we really think we are in control, we are foolish. We cannot control life. We can only take the journey. The question becomes are we enjoying the journey? As a Christian, I do know my destination. It is in Heaven. However, I don’t know all the stops along the way. There have been some stops that I have planned, but there have been many that I didn’t. I have found no matter how the journey goes, there can and should be joy. For life is truly amazing. Why? Because God is at work and He does have a plan and His plan will be accomplished. So, as best I can, I’m going to journey with Him and stop where He plans. Most of His stops are quite grand. While I know I fall way short, I hope that overall, there will be no doubt that I am enjoying my Carousel ride—my life’s journey.

Miracles. Are there miracles today?

Miracles. Are there miracles today? This is a picture of one. This is Haley. Haley is Brenda’s great-niece. She wasn’t supposed to live past one year. Haley turned three years old on November 28 and there was a party. Birthday parties take on new meaning when a child has Pompe Disease. Each day is a victory and each year is incredible. Haley has come a long, long way. She is able to do so much more than doctors ever expected. She is precious beyond description. She has blessed all who know her and who have watched her life. She has a remarkable mom, dad, and older sister who love her and care for her. Those who know Haley truly have richer lives. One cannot know her and not see the work of God. We praise God for her—she is a miracle. If you would like to know more about Haley, visit: http://www.helpinghaley.com/ Be sure to read her story and a little about Pompe Disease and I promise, you will be amazed and truly blessed by this remarkable little girl.

Thanksgiving

Today in these morning hours, I watch the still lake and listen to the crow call. I think of my girls, my sons-in-law, and my grandchildren. I won't see any of them today, but they are in my heart. I miss them greatly. I long for the day we will all be together and that day is only a little over a week away. Today, I will see my Mom, Brenda's mom, my sister and her family, Brenda's brother and his family. It will be a wonderful day--A day of family and good food--A day of praising my Lord and Savior, Jesus. As I enjoy all of this, my heart of hearts will be longing for those listed above. Those who next to my Lord and Brenda are adore and treasured most. Happy Thanksgiving to the loves of my life. I miss you.

The Daraja Children's Choir

The worship of children is a precious thing to see. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). To receive the kingdom like a little child is to receive it in total trust without holding anything back. Last Friday evening a chlidren’s choir from Kenya performed at our church. The choir is called "The Daraja Children’s Choir." Daraja means “bridge.” The children are a bridge from their world to ours. They present to us the needs that are so great in Kenya, but they also present to us a joy that is truly amazing. These children love the Lord Jesus and they are filled with joy and hope. As they led our church in worship, you could see them worship in complete joy. As I fired shot after shot, I zoomed in close to capture their expressions. I quickly realized I was capturing much more than good pictures. I was capturing moments of worship. I was capturing children singing not for the people who were in front of them, but for the One who they adored. With each click of the shutter, I worshiped, too. I became not an intrusion into the moment but a part of the moment—worshiping as I focused and clicked. I praise God for the experience I and many others had as we worshiped with the Daraja Children’s Choir. I pray further that the experience will result in actions. I pray many will be looking for the “good works which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10). I encourage you to learn more about these children and about God’s work in Kenya. See this link: http://410bridge.org/daraja
If you would like to see more pictures from this worship experience go to: http://macmac.smugmug.com/gallery/6627084_CFSmg#422508944_38x3B
Study their expressions and see hearts pouring out to the Lord Jesus.

Marriage Retreat - Lake Junaluska

One of my favorite and most rewarding things to do is to teach on marriage. Eleven couples joined Brenda and me for a weekend retreat. We had fun playing games, eating meals together, and whitewater rafting. Most importantly, we talked about marriage. We identified strengths and growth areas in our marriages. The couples were lead to discuss these as a couple and they were encouraged to bring some part of their discussion back to the group to share. Marriage is a wonderful institution. It takes constant work for it to be all that it can be. Marriage was designed by God to be an awesome experience and to be a reflection of His love for us. Many marriage do not equal the task, but some do. When they do, they are glorious to witness and they are a glorious experience for the couple. What is your goal (hope) in marriage? Let it be: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." Genesis 2:24-25