Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thanksgiving Proclamation

One of these days I am going to finish up my series on a good marriage, but not today. In the meantime, enjoy this Thanksgiving proclamation given by Governor Wilbur Cross in 1936:

Time out of mind at this turn of the seasons when the hardy oak leaves rustle in the wind and the frost gives a tang to the air and the dusk falls early and the friendly evenings lengthen under the heel of Orion, it has seemed good to our people to join together in praising the Creator and Preserver, who has brought us by a way that we did not know to the end of another year. In observance of this custom, I appoint Thursday, the twenty-sixth of November, as a day of Public Thanksgiving for the blessings that have been our common lot and have placed our beloved State with the favored regions of earth -- for all the creature comforts: the yield of the soil that has fed us and the richer yield from labor of every kind that has sustained our lives -- and for all those things, as dear as breath to the body, that quicken man's faith in his manhood, that nourish and strengthen his spirit to do the great work still before him: for the brotherly word and act; for honor held above price; for steadfast courage and zeal in the long, long search after truth; for liberty and for justice freely granted by each to his fellow and so as freely enjoyed; and for the crowning glory and mercy of peace upon our land; -- that we may humbly take heart of these blessings as we gather once again with solemn and festive rites to keep our Harvest Home.
Given under my hand and seal of the State at the Capitol, in Hartford, this twelfth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty six and of the independence of the United State the one hundred and sixty-first.
Wilbur L. Cross

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Bank


#2 in the Gingerbread Village- the Bank. What do you think, does it need a sign?

A good marriage- part 5

We live in a society that promotes and encourages recreational sex. And while the voices preaching on sexual experimentation and self gratification are increasingly louder, there has been a deafening silence coming from the direction of the church. 

Who can argue that the sexual aspect to a marriage relationship isn't important? One of the biggest reasons I hear for couples "trying out" sex before they enter into covenant relationship is that they need to know whether or not they are sexually compatible to confirm the decision to marry. The top reason for divorce is centered around sex; too little sex, too much sex, and adultery. With at least half of all marriages resulting in divorce, the lack of vision and understanding about sex is an epidemic in our culture.

Sex was God's plan. The mystery of two people becoming one flesh is speaking of the sexual relationship. However, the plan of God was that sex would be the fruit of intimacy between a man and a woman- the culmination of two lives becoming one in spirit, soul and body. You can't compartmentalize your relationship, separating the different aspects from each other. Marriage is the commitment to becoming one- to journey down the path of intimacy in every area of your relationship with each other, including sex.

When the Bride of Christ doesn't carry a vision for sex as the act of love and intimacy within marriage: we lose the ability to speak to a society drowning in perversion and we forfeit the amazing plans of God for romance.

This is a short post on a big subject. I am passionate about cracking open this topic but there is too much to say in one sitting. If anything, I hope that I can inspire you to learn about sex from the One who can teach you all things. (Jn 14:26) Vision changes things. We need a vision for sex. Our world needs a vision for sex. And, I believe we are the ones called to bring it to them.

My favorite book on the subject so far is When Two Become One. Read it for you and your marriage, and then give it away. I already have, several times. Lets be bold enough to dive in to the topic of sex and begin to speak truth into a culture that is desperate for it.

I believe a fulfilling sex life is a critical part to a good marriage. It is the cherry on top of the sundae of intimacy.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Introducing...


I thought I would take a small break away from the blog series to introduce you to the first building in our gingerbread village: the chapel. If you will notice the windows, they are glowing as a result of the new flame-less tea lights that inspired the village project. Next up, the bank.

Tomorrow I will resume the blog series.