The election was tough, but I won!

Last Sunday evening my wife told me about an election going on at
my daughter's school. There is a Site-Based Decision Making Council
that consists of the principal, three teachers, and two parents. It
influences curriculum, dress code, extracurricular activities,
staffing, etc. The election was held last Tuesday. So, my wife
mounted a telephone campaign. Amazingly, it worked.

Why would I want to do this on top of everything else? The reason
is to help ensure that my children and other children have a
quality education in a healthy environment. Some issues that we and
other parents want addressed include inappropriate books in the
library, evolution in the class room, school dances, and teachers
keeping their liberal comments to themselves.

Anyway, I hope to make a difference.

Are you taking action to change things you do not like, or just
hoping they change on their own? If you cannot be directly
involved, maybe you can support another who can. Those pushing
immoral and godless agendas work tirelessly. Those of us who have
respect for God and the morals revealed in His Word should too.

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Review of Max Lucado's 3:16
Note: This review was initially intended to be for members only.
However, after writing it and reflecting on the need to distribute
it far and wide, I decided to make it available to the public. For
some people it will be controversial; for others it is expected.
There is a PDF version available for download on the page. Please
feel free to email it to your friends or, if you prefer, just
direct them to the page http://www.plainfaith.com/lucado.html.

Members
Five Things A Pastor Won't Tell You: Part 1

*****
Spouse Hunting
Part 3

If you, your children or grandchildren, or a friend are looking to
get married, whether soon or years from now, you need to prepare.
These articles are designed to give you biblical and practical
advice to increase the odds of having a happy, successful marriage.
One thing that must be considered is why you want to marry.

What is the motivation behind choosing one person over another?
What characteristics or traits are you looking for? The answer to
these questions will greatly influence your life for many years to
come.

Some people choose a marriage partner for material or carnal
reasons. They put a heavy emphasis on good looks. It is true that
often the first thing that catches our attention about another is
the way they look. However, as they say, beauty is only skin deep.
Something that is rarely addressed in our society, though, is that
good looks will fade--with some disappearing altogether! Others look
have money as the motivating reason to marry one person over
another. Money comes and goes (Prov. 23:5). Too, it can cause a
heap of problems in a marriage as one or both spouses have issues
with it (spending too much or not enough). There is nothing wrong
with marrying a good-looking, wealthy man or woman, but looks and
wealth should not be the chief reasons.

Many men and women get married for emotional reasons. Emotions will
play a part, but they should not be the guiding force in forming a
life-long relationship. Before you get upset about this, let me
list the emotional reasons I have in mind.

• Friends are doing it.
  
• Avoid loneliness.
  
• Get away from parents.
  
• Spite parents.
  
• It is what is expected.
  
• To give you self-worth.
  
• To change the other.
  
• On the rebound.
  
• Attempt to cover or correct the sin of fornication.
  
• Pity.

All of the above emotional factors start a marriage from the wrong
place. They will often lead to disappointment if not complete shock
when something goes wrong. Emotions come and go; they change too
frequently with circumstances. A marriage must be founded and built
on something more solid and longer-lasting.

A few wise people start their marriage based on spiritual reasons.
First and foremost they want to please God. They want the favor and
blessings of God in their life and the life of their family (Prov.
18:22). These people also have going to heaven as a driving factor
for choosing a mate. The husband and wife will have greater
influence on each other for good or ill (1 Pet. 3:1-7). If the
other person is not interested in eternal life, but only the
hear-and-now, then the godly spouse will have an up-hill battle.

Further, a judicious person will consider future children in the
marriage. They will think about their souls before they are ever
brought into the world. The determination will be to have a godly
home with the children being taught by both parents about God and
His will. Solomon said that "Unless the Lord builds the house, they
labor in vain who build it" (Psa. 127:1-5).

Finally, the couple will not only think about their own home, but
those around them. In other words, another spiritual reason for
marriage is to be a godly influence on the world; a light in
darkness (Matt. 5:13-16). There are too many homes where Satan
rules. These homes have a deteriorating effect on society and
churches. The home in submission to God can help counteract this.
Such a home will be blessed by God.

There are many reasons to marry, but only a few good ones. Others
can and often do lead to disaster. We hasten to say, though, that
with God's help even a home with problems can be improved. It takes
commitment, determination, patience, and a lot of prayer. Whether
it is you or someone you know that is contemplating marriage, help
him or her by encouraging them to be guided by godly principles.
*****

In the not-too-distant future PlainFaith.com will be running a
contest. It is one that all on this email list can participate in.

The prize for the contest is yet-to-be determined, but will likely
be either a 6-month membership or a select ebook.

Do you have preference on the prize? Let me know

All the best,
Steven