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Weekly Newsletter - June 4, 2008
Family Fun Night Contest Who has the best suggestion for a family fun night? Do you like putt-putt? Can be fun, but not too creative. Is there something you and your family like to do that is clean and enjoyable by all the family? Do you have a "dream" family night...something you have not done, but would like to do? We are not looking for what you might do with a church or church group. Rather, we are looking for what your family can do to have a great evening, spending time together without getting bored, and be happy, safe, and loving. We are big on intellectual pursuits. Scoring will be higher for those who can submit a night that includes enhancing Bible knowledge. Your activities should be repeatable by others. In other words, if you have the ability to jet to the middle-east for a night and explore the ruins of Egypt, good for you--it is not practical for others, however. If an "evening" is not enough time, then we will consider something that can be done on a Saturday. So, what can you come up with? Email me to let me know. Just hit reply, describe your family fun event, and send it off. P.S. Did I mention there is a prize? Details coming soon. Featured On www.PlainFaith.com Public Access CURRENT EVENT: Can A Christian Vote? Members Only Ebook Download: How To Study The Bible ***** A Lesson Or Two From Adam & Eve Is there a more famous couple in all of history? I can't think of one. It's only right, after all; they are the parents of the human race (Gen. 1:26, 27; 2:18-25; 4:1, 2). What husband and wife team can match that accomplishment? Anyway, there are some lessons we can learn from them. First, man and woman were made for each other. Adam was made first and was without a suitable companion in all of creation (Gen. 2:18-20). Thus, God made Eve as a "helper comparable to him" (Gen. 2:18, 21-23). God did not give man a beast. He did not give him another man. He did not give him two women. He gave him one woman that was not inferior to him, nor superior. Rather, the creature given to man was a "helper comparable to him." Man and woman do not share the "throne" of the home, however. Man is head of woman. To deny this is to deny explicit teaching of God's Word. "For the husband is head of the wife" (Eph. 5:23). She is to submit to her husband, just as the church is to submit to Christ (Eph. 5:22-24). Liberals in modern society balk at this. Those who respect God and His Word will happily comply. Why? Because they know that the way God designed the husband-wife relationship is best. It leads to true happiness and harmony in the home. Second, Adam and Eve were brought together as "one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). Not only were their lives blended together, but they were sexually united. This relationship is pure in the eyes of God, not dirty or less holy than celibacy. Other sexual activities are sinful (Heb. 13:4). A man and woman are free to enjoy one another's bodies in a lawful marital relationship. It is part of the blessing of marriage that helps to draw two people closer together. The intimacy is there to reinforce their feelings and affection for one another. Those who engage in sexual activity outside this relationship are violating a fundamental principle of God's will. This includes those who fornicate (have sex before marriage), those who commit adultery (go outside their marriage or are in an unlawful marriage cf. Mark 6:14-18; Matthew 5:32), those who engage in homosexual acts, bestiality, pedophilia, and so on. Sadly, this truth is almost totally lost on our society. [Bonus point] Third, Adam and Eve fell into sin together (Gen. 3:1-6). Their closeness brought blessings and dangers. The one to whom you are married will be the biggest influence in your life. This is right. There is no relationship that takes priority over the marriage relationship--among humans, at least (Gen. 2:24). We leave the homes where we were raised and start a new family. As long as our spouse is living right, we are greatly blessed. If he or she commits sin, there is a danger we might follow. Adam was there with Eve when she ate the fruit. She handed it to him and he ate too. Our spouse might put "sin" in our hands. It is our duty to turn it down; not only that, but try to stop him or her from doing it. When sin entered the home of Adam and Eve, trouble came with it. Yes, they were separated from God (cf. Isa. 59:1, 2). What we are focusing on is the trouble between them. When God confronted Adam about his sin, he blamed his wife and, in fact, God. "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate" (Gen. 3:12). When we allow sin in our life, it enters our home and trouble follows. Any honest married couple can attest to this fact. Husbands and wives bicker and fuss over sin in the home. They may blame each other for losing their temper. A man may say it's his wife's fault that he committed adultery. A very sad example of sin affecting the home is David. After he committed adultery with Bathsheba, murdered her husband, and took her for his own wife, his family was filled with troubles (2 Sam. 11-24). Beware, sin in your life will bring trouble in your home. ***** Personal Note Lord willing, later this month I will be attending the Truth Magazine lectures in Bowling Green, KY. This will be the Fifth Annual Lectures. Each year there are many quality lessons presented. Some of the past themes have included the Family, Inspiration of the Bible, and Old Testament Texts. This year's theme is Great Texts of the New Testament. I will write a brief report on it during and/or after the week is done. All the best, Steven |