“Summer Love” came to a close this past Sunday with the message entitled, “It Takes Two.”  If a marriage is going to be all that God desires it to be, then it must take two committed people.  Here are the lessons inspired by the story of David and Bathsheba:

• It takes two to start poorly
• It take two for forgiveness to work
• It takes two to start over
• It takes two to make a marriage successful

But what is a successful marriage?  Is it one where there is never a disagreement?  Is it one where all the kids turn out “normal” (whatever normal is???)?  Is it one where each spouse has every need or desire met?

Of course these are skewed and selfish views of success.  I like what is defined in the preface of  “The Love Dare,” a 40-day devotional featured in last year’s movie, “Fireproof:”

[God designed marriage] to help us eliminate loneliness, multiply our effectiveness, establish families, raise children, enjoy life, and bless us with relational intimacy.  But beyond this, marriage also shows us our need to grow and deal with our own issues and self-centeredness through the help of a lifelong partner.  If we are teachable, we will learn to do one thing that is most important in marriage–to love.

Success in marriage is learning to love.  It is NOT the absence of differing opinions, mistrust, or dysfunction.  Rather, it is loving IN SPITE of all that imperfection.  That is the unconditional love modeled in Jesus’ love for us, and that is what our marriages should demonstrate to our spouses, and others.  If you need help (just like me) in this area take a look at the resources at www.thelovedarebook.com.

I am not sure how being bored became such a part of our identity as human beings, but there is a lot of it going around. Some days at work or nights at home that sense of “um, OK, so what can I do to pass some time?” comes over each of us. I often wonder about those “good old days” that people talk about where there was no internet, Wii, PS3, text messaging, or even TV. You know those times where people sat in rocking chairs or front proch swings and drank lemonade and waved to the neighbors. Were those really good times? It is hard to tell now because even if we try it out, we have to make sure we are back inside by 9 so we can watch Grey’s Anatomy or The Bachelorette.

I am not sure it is so easy to turn back the clock, but I do know that there are some solutions for boredom that I am pretty sure Jesus would endorse. Steve talked about participating in Youth Serve yesterday. Today I went out and helped distribute food at the Second Harvest food drop. Second Harvest is a national organization that brokers mass quantities of food for little or no money and then gives it away to people who are hungry. It seems like I remember Jesus saying something about feeding the hungry…

I am not saying this to give Steve or myself a virtual pat on the back. I am saying that there are things to do out there that are beyond our four walls of existence. And there are plenty of opportunities in the Lancaster County area. If you ever feel bored (or even if you don’t), let us know and we can provide you with some great opportunities to serve where you can actually see the difference you are making in people’s lives.

On the Journey with You,
Scott

I had a great time with Youth Serve today in Kershaw.  I was a supervisor paired up with with a Youth Serve Staffer and his campers.  We had the job of spreading a mountain of fresh mulch over the Haile Gold Mine Park   Of course, other Youth Servers were roofing while some were repairing a deck at another home.  And that is just what they accomplished in one day (and Thursday is the short work day of the week)  I think that they took one look at me and thought I was best suited to use a shovel and wheelbarrow…I’ll take that as a complement!!

As I write this, the youth are probably playing some wacky water games or splashing in the pool to cool down after a HOT day.  Tonight they will have great food and a really wonderful time of worship.  Youth Serve is a terrific camp for teens, but I always enjoy volunteering too each year.

Today, I invited my dad to come with me, and he’ll be back tomorrow to direct some youth servers to install handicap bathroom fixtures for one Kershaw resident.  This work means so much to those who are helped, plus, the campers, staff and volunteers always feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.  It is hard work, but it makes you feel great knowing that you’re making someone’s life brighter.  This has been my father’s first experience with Youth Serve, and I hope that it has inspired him to come again in July.

The next week of Youth Serve is July 13-17, where you can volunteer too, or if you’re between the ages of 13-19 you can be a camper!  This year, I could only volunteer one day during the week, but it is so worth it.  I hope many of you can at least take a day during the next week to volunteer a little time.  Check out their website for more details.

This Sunday we’re ending the Summer Love Series with a look at the marriage of David and Bathsheba.  It wasn’t a great start, but through repentance and working together, we have some positive examples to glean.  Probably a lot of relationships have rocky starts, but God can do something when both partners are committed to God and His ways.  This week will be a very encouraging message for your marriage.  See you there!

Sunday was a super day!  We had a great time at church, and I got a new Father’s Day coffee mug from my kids.  My brother-in-law sang a wonderful song for us during the service.  He wrote the song about the encouragement that he received from his parents.  His parents were there to hear him sing, too.  Their belief in him continues to help him achieve great things.

This week I will attempt to be more encouraging to my family. When I’m encouraged I know that I strive to be a better father and husband.  Doesn’t it make sense that our spouses and kids will be more loving with more encouragement?

Maybe that’s why the Bible says that the man who loves his wife (provides and protects, loves and leads her to Jesus) really loves himself.  When we encourage our families, we reap the benefits of having an encouraged family.

I hope you’ll consider how you can provide for and protect your family’s future with a little encouragement this week.

We recorded Brian as he sang for us Sunday, “nothings-too-big.”  Take a listen, and don’t forget about your Home Team’s second meeting this week.  Also remember that Family Day Camp is this Sunday.