Hello friends,
We are enjoying some summer-like weather. There have been storms around, but nothing severe in our area. There have been heavy rains, but many parts of our state are still suffering a critical shortage of moisture. Prayers are in order every day.
Our great-granddaughter celebrated her January birthday on Saturday. It is nicer outdoors in June. I told her she was six and a half, but she let me know she is six! On the topic of special days, my wonderful wife and I celebrated our 62nd anniversary on the seventh.
In our throw-away culture it is becoming rare for marriages to last for any length of time. It is a sad fact, but true, God intended for a man and woman to be joined together until death, but it seems these days those vows taken mean little in the long run. I’m sure we didn’t know what would follow as we shared those vows many years ago, but we persevered through our blessings and trials. We agreed to stay together through feast and famine, difficulties and blessings. Through arguments and agreements. There were hard times and fun times, and we didn’t bail on our promises to each other. In jest, we have sometimes said we stayed together because no one else would have us, but with God’s help here we are.
Here’s a reminder from God’s word concerning marriage: He created Adam and all other living creatures, but among them there was found no suitable helper for him. So, God created a woman to be his helper. That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. (Genesis 2:18-24). Notice she is to be his helper, not a doormat or servant.
My wife and I repaired many fences, fed cattle, made hay and all other kinds of ranch work She was a dependable helper, and sometimes even a constructive critic, when needed, but it was always done in love.
Those vows we shared were also vows to God that we would be true to Him and to each other. Concerning vows, the scriptures say, “This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but do everything he said” (Numbers 30:2).
In His grip,
Pastor Jerry
sandhillspastor 