We are in the midst of summer, it's hot. No, we are not as hot and

humid as those of you around the Gulf coast area, but for me it is

too hot. My preferred climate is probably in the Colorado, Wyoming,

Montana area. Although, my favorite spot is south-central New

Mexico. I know, I know, you are scratching your head wondering why

that would be my choice when I don't like it too hot. Well, when we

lived there back in the early 1990s, I loved it. There were about

362.5 days of sunshine; winters were near perfect; summers were

hot, but dry and we could drive into the mountains for a cooler

climate.

Anyway, one thing about it; God has created a world with many and

varied climates and terrains that there is something for all of us

to appreciate. When you stop and consider this vast wide world, it

is truly an amazing place.

Bible Study Teleconference

I am considering having a Bible study teleconference. The idea

would be to pick a book and study one chapter or one section per

week. For instance, James would be a five week study. We would

designate a night and time where folks would call a teleconference

number to get in on the study. There would be no charge for the

studies (other than possible long-distance charges).

Before I try to set it up, I need to gage the interest level.

Please go to the following survey and choose which book you would

like to study. The level of interest will be determined by the

number of people who vote.

Bible Study Teleconference Survey

Family Fun Night

Please go to the link below and vote on your favorite idea for a

family fun night. We received many suggestions but had to narrow it

down. There are six to choose from; let us know which you like the

best. I will give two weeks for voting and then announce the top

two winners.

Family Fun Night Survey

*****

Adultery Preventative: Spend Time With Your Spouse

My wife told me about an interview she saw on TV. The guest was a

divorce mediator. One point she made was that couples who spend

more time together doing fun things are less likely to have

affairs. Part of the appeal of an affair, according to her, is the

excitement of it; something new and exhilarating.

We are not going to argue all the reasons or even the chief reason

for someone committing adultery. Rather, we just want to make note

of the fact that if you spend more time with your spouse, you will

be less likely to have an affair.

Some things are obvious. If you are with your spouse, you cannot be

with another.

How do we do this?

The whole family may do something fun together. See the above

contest on family fun night for some ideas…and go vote in the

survey.

Husbands and wives can plan date nights. Find a sitter for the

children (if they are still young) and go out together. Pick a

restaurant and/or activity that is a little different, special, or

exciting. Take your time and don't worry about what is happening

with the children. It is a real drag for one spouse to be

constantly anxious about the kids.

If possible, and I know this is a tough one, go on a vacation

together without the children. Some are able to do this even when

their children are quite young. Others, like us, just could not

bring ourselves to do it. However, when the children are older and

able to do more for themselves, having a grandparent, aunt, uncle,

or close friend watch them for a few days might be okay. Go some

place the two of you have always wanted to go and have fun.

Even when people are older and the children are gone, there is

still a danger of adultery. Keep the fun and excitement in the

relationship as much as possible. You may not go hang-gliding, but

there are still many pleasurable things you can do. Take a trip to

Branson to catch some shows. Take up a new hobby together. Maybe

even treat yourselves to spa visits and get some pampering or, as

some may be more inclined to, go to a dude ranch for a week. Come

on, spend your kids' inheritance! At least some of it.

Anyway, here is the bottom line. The more we are together, the more

we grow together, not apart. With the right attitude and some work,

our marriages can become strong and more beautiful through the

years. An affair will not be attractive; there will be no allure

there. This all, of course, takes commitment, as we all ought to

have since we took a vow before God and man.

“Rejoice with the wife of your youth…And always be enraptured with

her love” (Prov. 5:18, 19).

*****

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All the best,
Steven