Hello Everyone!
First things first. I hope we can all enjoy this picture of Bob and a sloth. New profile pic, Bob?In all seriousness, I am glad to hear that Bob and other families from our church are enjoying the Love Like You Mean It Marriage Cruise. Continue to join me in praying for the couples on board. Pray for love to be deepened between husbands and wives. Pray that God would be glorified in the marriages that are represented.Speaking of marriage, in addition to the kind words about my sermon on Sunday, many of you have also asked me to reshare the "Marriage Advice from a Puritan Pastor" quote. So, without further adieu, here are Richard Baxter's 10 steps to have a peaceful marriage.
- Keep up your conjugal love in a constant heat and vigour.
- Both husband and wife must mortify their pride and passion, which are the causes of impatience; and must pray and labour for a humble, meek, and quiet spirit.
- Remember still that you are both diseased persons, full of infirmities; and therefore expect the fruit of those infirmities in each other; and make not a strange matter of it, as if you had never known of it before.
- Remember still that you are one flesh; and therefore be no more offended with the words or failings of each other, than you would be if they were your own.
- Agree together beforehand, that when one is in the diseased, angry fit, the other shall silently and gently bear, till it be past and you are come to yourselves again.
- Look before you, and remember that you must live together until death, and must be the companions of each other’s fortunes, and the comforts of each other’s lives, and then you will see how absurd it is for you to disagree and vex each other.
- As far as you are able, avoid all occasions of wrath and falling out, about the matters of your families.
- If you cannot quickly quench your passion, yet at least refrain your tongues; speak not reproachful or provoking words. Talking it out hotly blows the fire, and increases the flame; be but silent, and you will sooner return to your serenity and peace.
- Let the sober party condescend to speak fairly and to entreat the other (unless it be with a person so insolent as will be the worse).
- Confess your fault to one another, when passion has prevailed against you; and ask forgiveness of each other, and join in prayer to God for pardon.
Which step do you need to implement most in your marriage? Is it to remember that your spouse is just as much of a sinner as you are? Do you need to remember that they are in need of grace just as much as you are? How about not speaking "reproachful or provoking words"? Do you and your spouse need to spend some time confessing your faults to one another and asking God for forgiveness?
All of us want peaceful marriages. Additionally, Jesus calls us to not only be peacekeepers but peacemakers (Mt. 5:9). There's a profound difference between the two. A peacekeeper in marriage is someone who just wants to keep the status quo even at the expense of intimacy. A peacemaker is someone who actively looks for ways to mend what's broken in the relationship. I am praying that each one of us, whether you're married or not, to be peacekeepers in our jobs, at church, and in our homes. D-NOW WEEKEND IS ONE WEEK AWAYI can definitively say that the students who are registered and the adults who are involved are both very excited for D-Now. If your student has not signed up yet, here is the link:https://redeemerlr.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3368014 (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=9f56472fcc&e=46d3d4e33a)
Before D-Now, the students have an opportunity to hang out at the Perkins'. Please inform me if your student plans on joining. I would love to have a headcount for food!SPRING MEN'S RETREATOur Spring Men’s Retreat is now sixteen days away.
And we’ve made a pivot in our plans. Our friends from Gracepoint Church in Searcy aren’t able to join us as we had hoped.
The good news is, that means you’ll be hearing from Matt and Bob and me. And we’ll be talking about core virtues Peter tells us we are to “add to our faith.”
Lock in your spot . Register now (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=bc4be21a11&e=46d3d4e33a). Enjoy a great weekend of fun, games, fellowship, great food and time together in God’s word.
A VERY SPECIAL DATE NIGHT
We have a big night coming up in May.
We’re bringing in some special guests – Jim and Carol Shores.
We’re focusing on our marriages.
And we’re designing a special night that gives you a perfect opportunity to invite another couple to join you for a date night. Maybe go out to dinner together first. Then head to church for dessert and the program.
The cost for us is $25 per couple. But any couple you bring from outside the church can come for just $10 (have them use the promo code friend when they register to get the discount).
Here’s the registration link (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=1883e7b2fb&e=46d3d4e33a).
I promise, this will be a night that you will enjoy. And a night that will make a difference for your marriage.
Let’s fill the church that night!
READY FOR SUNDAY
Don’t forget – our Gospel Way Catechism class is happening every Sunday at 8:30 am. Everyone is welcome as we preview he upcoming catechism questions and answers.
We will be returning to our study of Ephesians this Sunday. I don't know about you all, but I am excited to dive back in!
See you in church!
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Cole
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