An amazing thing happened last Friday morning. We experienced an
earthquake. My wife and I were up at 5:30 AM due to her not feeling
well. We heard it approaching and felt it shake the house. After
just a few seconds I knew what it was; or at least I was pretty
sure.

To those of you in California, that may not be a big deal, but to
us in the Midwest, it was a shock. I have been through tornadic
weather, a hurricane (Hugo, 1989), dust/sand storms (one recently
in Egypt), blizzards, and more.

I loved it! No one was hurt, no real damage that I know of.

Such things remind me that men are so small and powerless. We
cannot create or prevent earthquakes (or the weather). We must
simply deal with it. God, though, has power over it all. He is
truly the Almighty. By His power He spoke the universe into
existence (Psa. 33:6-9).

---Important, Urgent Movie Recommendation Below---

New Material On www.PlainFaith.com

Public
Video on Bet Shean, Israel: go to the Sample Material page

Members Only (login for access www.PlainFaith.com)
Article - Revelation 8-11
Truth Magazine - May 2008
Audio Tract - Minister, Master, Messiah

*****
Spouse Hunting
Part 1

Are you or someone you know "spouse hunting"?

The fact is most people will get married. Very few choose to remain
single. Paul did so he could focus on serving God. It is perfectly
acceptable for a man or woman not to get married. However, God did
make man and woman for each other and it is natural for us to seek
companionship (Gen. 2:18-25).

The joining together of two is to be permanent, "until death" (Rom.
7:1-3). To cleave or join is the idea of cementing or gluing
together. It is not a loose bond, but solid one; a permanent one.
Too many do not take it seriously and disrespect God's will
concerning the marriage bond. All of this is said to make the point
that spouse hunting is not to be approached arbitrarily. Rather,
great consideration is to be given.

First, as alluded to above, we need to be settled that God sets the
standard for marriage, not man (cf. Jer. 10:23). He made man and
woman and instituted marriage. He has not abdicated His rule over
men and women. Rather, His will is the end-all on subject. He knows
best.

Next, let us understand that Bible marriages will give us helpful
insight. There are good ones and bad ones. Generally speaking,
Isaac and Rebekah had a good marriage. It was founded on the fact
that Abraham wanted his son to marry a woman with a solid spiritual
background, not one of the Canaanites who were infested with
wickedness (Gen. 24:1-4). Thus, his servant traveled to Abraham's
home land to find a wife; an arranged marriage! Even though Isaac
did not meet Rebekah prior, when he took her to be his wife, he
loved her (Gen. 24:64-67).

We also submit to you that Zecharias and Elizabeth had a good
marriage, otherwise they would not have been blessed to have John.
The same goes for Joseph and Mary raising Jesus in their household.
We know Joseph was around for at least 12 years (Lk. 2:41-50). He
and Mary were entrusted with the care of the Lord during His
growing years. Jesus was "subject to them" (Lk. 2:51). "And Jesus
increased with wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men"
(Lk. 2:52). The point is, Joseph and Mary were godly people and
thus had a good marriage and home.

Bad marriages are also instructive. Solomon was heavily influenced
by his pagan wives, so much so that he not only tolerated idolatry,
but became personally immersed in it (1 Kgs. 11:1-13). Ahab was
persuaded by his wife Jezebel (1 Kgs. 16:29-34). Biblical history
shows he vacillated between humility before Jehovah and following
his wicked wife. She was head-strong and "wore the pants" in the
family pushing idolatry on her husband and the nation.

It matters who you marry.

In light of this, one thing that will readily jump out is that
parents (and grandparents) need to prepare their children (or
grandchildren) for marriage. Fathers are charged to raise their
children in the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Part of this is not only setting
an example as a good husband, but also teaching his children what
to look for when seeking a spouse. This needs to start early and be
repeated often so it will stick with them into their late teens,
twenties, thirties or whenever they begin to seriously consider
marriage (Prov. 22:6).

Finally, both those preparing for marriage or helping someone to do
it, need to be prayerful (1 Thes. 5:17). Turning to God's Word and
humbling appealing to Him in prayer will greatly benefit anyone in
any situation, including the most important human relationship in
life.

*****

MUST See

Go...I mean, GO see Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. It is the new
documentary by Ben Stein. We went Friday night and it was great. It
shows how freedom of speech is being trampled on by those who hold
to Darwinian evolution. Men and women who even suggest considering
Intelligent Design are being silenced.

Too, the movie connects the dots between Darwinism and abortion and
euthanasia. It is frightening. You, your children, grandchildren,
and friends need to go see it. Our 12 year-old daughter went with
us and it made an impression on her.

Excellent Commentary On Ephesians
Ebook for only $12.74 ($11.04 for members)
Click Here

All the best,
Steven