Wives, Be Subject to Your Own Husbands...

Our men’s Bible study group is going through the book of Ephesians, and this last week we studied Ephesians 5. I can remember as a child hearing about how these verses about marriage were so oppressive of women, and how we have evolved so much as a community and should be beyond this ancient rule. Every time I read these verse, I am struck by the gravity of each of the commands. Yes, wives are to “submit to their husbands”, but husbands are to “love” their wives, and not just to the best of their ability. They are to love their wives “as Christ love the church and gave himself up for her.”

Which is the harder task? Who is over who in this scenario? As I can see it, each is to lower him/herself to put the other’s wellbeing before the themselves. And certainly, the husband is asked to love his wife with a sacrificial love that only comes from God.

I am reminded of a youth group lesson I was conducting over this very subject in South Dallas. After reading the verses and discussing the topic, my adult leader asked me if I thought these verses were more for the time, and not applicable today. So I asked her, “If your husband loved you with the passion that Christ loved the church, would you have any problem submitting to his authority?” Her answer was “no”. This is the issue which is normally omitted when talking about wives submitting to their husbands. All that said, it is not “if my husband loves me as Christ loved the church, I will submit to him” or vice versa. Our call is to be obedient to Christ. Love well, submit well, and let the blessings of God rule in your life.

Finish Strong

This week I had a chance to talk to a business coach from another industry, and he was relating to me that in his experience, it is the "last 10%" that makes the difference between having a great company, and having a mediocre company.

If there is one thing in my life, it has been that it is important to finish what you start. My early years in Montessori school instilled this value and if that had not been enough, my high school cross country coach drove the point home with one thing to add. Don't just run to the finish line, but run through it. It can be the difference between first place and 5th in some cases. I am reminded of our final district race my senior year, where our top runner came to the finish line and just waltzed a cross, winning the race. Because he did not run through the finish line, he missed breaking the school record by one second.

In work, in faith, in relationship, in all, I look forward to being able to say with confidence what Paul says in Philippians 3:14. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Abraham the father of Isaac, the father of Jacob, the father of...

Yesterday I sat in church for the first time in a month.  My spirit was parched for the Word of God, and as I listened to the pastor, I felt the Lord's leading me to start reading through the book of Matthew.

It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ through his earthly father Joseph, and I had a fleeting thought to just skip all the begats, bars and son ofs.  Many do this and I have done this before, but I was prompted by the Spirit to read through it.  I believe that Scripture is "God-breathed" and that if it wasn't suppose to be there, it wouldn't be.  After reading through the list, I am impressed once again how God uses every bit of Scripture to build up the body.

Starting in 1:6, the list includes "Jesse who was the father of David the king.  David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah."

David, the king in his time, basically was watching Bathsheba bathe on her rooftop from his window over looking the kingdom, and he decided he wanted her for his wife.  Her husband was at war and conveniently (emphasis mine) died on the front lines by David's design.  He is confronted by a close friend and he repents, unable of course to bring her husband back to life and undo his mistake.  What I gleaned from this bit of Scripture is that God is so awesome in His sovereignty to be able to use even our most treacherous mistakes for his glory.  So to echo Paul's burning question from Romans 6:1 "Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?  May it never be!"  Thank God that our mistakes are not powerful enough to thwart the plan of God.

Catch the Fever

If you haven’t yet heard of this band, you will soon.  Sleeperstar is a Dallas band that is quickly moving up in the world.  Recently they had one of their songs played on the popular teen TV show, Vampire Diaries, resulting in their music going viral through Europe.  As entertainers go, they are young, energetic, and they are learning new tricks as they go.

As creative minds, they push the music as far as they can in order to achieve a rich and unique sound for their listeners.  Although they sometimes get caught up in some of the same neat tricks, they present a musical blend between Switchfoot, Cold Play and a bit of U2.  The lead singer, Chris Pearson, has a powerful voice, and the three vocals behind compliment him very well.  They have a groovy stage presence that makes you feel like they’ve been rockin’ for a long time.  Really, they have only been around for just 4 years now.

Check them out on Facebook, or on their website.  Better yet download some of their music on iTunes.  For some really good listening I would start with the upbeat and energetic sound of their song Disengage.  It’s like candy for your ears. Follow that up with the acoustic sounds of Texas Rain, and you will have a good vibe for their musical range.  These are some of their older songs, but their new music is worth the listen as well.

It was a blast seeing them at the House of Blues for the second time last night, and I can’t wait to see them again.