Joyeux Noel

Joyeux Noel (French with English Subtitles) or The Christmas Truce (English version). This movie is based on the true story of a truce that was called on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Dec. 1914, WWI. It is an amazing story of how, in the midst of war, on Christmas Eve, British, French and German troops stopped fighting and fellowshipped in peace with each other through Christmas Day. It is currently only available for rent or purchase.

In this movie, the Prince of Peace, Jesus, brought, for a few hours, peace on earth and good will towards men between warring countries. What if we followed Jesus' example and made a decision to be peaceable and loving to all those we meet, starting with our families. If we decide to live that way for the Christmas season, perhaps we can extend it, little by little, for the entire year. I am willing to try. How about you?

The Fourth Wise Man

This is a movie about one of the wise men who had been studying Scripture in anticipation of the coming of the Lord. He and his cohorts realized that the time had come, and set out to seek the Lord. This fourth wise man was separated from the group and the movie is about his journey in seeking the Lord. To me, it is a reflection of how we can seek the Lord in our everyday lives. I highly recommend it. It can be seen on YouTube at this link

What Does God Say About Marriage - Part 2

As I said last week, the most important thing a couple can do is to keep God in the center of their marriage, a third partner in the relationship. In Ecclesiastes 4:12, the Bible tells us that "though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (from www.tasseldepot.com) "The cord of three strands represents God, the groom, and the bride - braiding these three strands symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God in marriage." In Proverbs 3:6 the Scripture says in essence: In everything you do, put God first and He will direct your paths and crown your efforts with success.

I don’t know where you are in your relationship concerning God’s order of things, but if you are out of order and want your relationship to work better you might consider working together with God to reorient your relationship.

Wives, do your best to respect your husbands and their position in your relationship because when men are respected, they feel loved and are more likely to love you in the way you can receive.

Husbands, it takes a man strong in the Lord to lead his family, love his family, and put their needs above his own. When you can love your wife with God’s definition of love (1 Corinthians 13), she will feel loved and be more likely to respect you.

Doing our best to follow God's instructions about marriage, John and I were both delivered from any preconceived notions about each of our roles in marriage. We were given the freedom to work in each of our strengths. Consequently, each of us was free to be our best selves - who God created us to be. Our marriage was above and beyond anything I could have imagined. I pray that all of my readers could experience the same in their relationships.

As I conclude this post, I encourage everyone to embrace the Greatest Commandment. In Matthew 22: 37-40, Jesus explains the bottom line.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

And in Galatians 5:22-23 we are given a picture of what love in action looks like. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

God bless you