How is Your Marriage Doing?

This weekend Vic Hildebrand was sharing with us about the importance of the Christian marriage. All too often we devalue the relationship with our wife (or husband) as we push time with them aside for 'more important things' ... especially if it is ministry related! The problem is, when things aren't right at home, nothing else seems to go right in our life either. And get this one guys, if you don't treat your wife right, the Bible says it will hinder your relationship with God! (1 Peter 3:7) “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

So here is a little relationship check to see how your marriage is really doing. The check-up works best when both partners take it, and then compare answers. The goal is to pinpoint problem areas, praise positive areas, and increase communication. Try to take this check-up once a year. Save your answers and compare them from year to year.

Try it out, and see what in your marriage needs to change.

God Bless, Pastor Matt

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RELATIONSHIP CHECK-UP

Rate your marriage on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest.

What is your marriage's weak spot?

What is its strong point?

On a scale of 1 - 10, how committed are you to making your marriage last?

Do you and your spouse share enough fun times? When was the last time you and your spouse laughed together?

Do you and your spouse spend enough time alone with each other? When was the last time you spent an evening alone together, in a social way?

Would you like more compliments from your spouse/ When was the last time you complimented your spouse?

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being best, how would you rate your sexual interaction? Do you feel comfortable talking with your spouse about how to improve this area?

How do you feel when your spouse criticizes you?

When was the last time you criticized your spouse?

Would your spouse rather have a back rub, a quiet hour to read, a home-cooked meal, or an afternoon at the movies?

Is your spouse your best friend? Why or why not?

Are you willing to change to make your marriage better?

Fill in the blank:

The thing I like most about my spouse is her/his _________.

I wish we had more time to _________.

I love it when my spouse ___________.

The thing my spouse understands least about me is _________.

The thing I miss most from our dating days is _________.

The thing we argue about the most is ____________.

If I could change two things about myself, to better please my spouse, it would be _________ and __________.

My First Pastoral Duties ...

Luke 22:25-26 And he said, The kings of the Gentiles are lords over them, and those who have authority are given names of honor. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

This Sunday was our "Transition Sunday" where we transitioned from my Dad being the Senior Pastor of EWC, and I became the Senior Pastor and Jason became the Associate Pastor. Vic Hildebrand was here and gave a great message and commissioning to shepherd the flock and oversee the congregation. The service comes to an end and as we are walking into the hallway, with so many people wanting to shake hand and give their encouragements, Danielle got a head of me. By the time I caught up with her she had borrowed a baby that she was proudly carrying around the hallway. And just like babies do, next thing you know there is 'baby barf' (yes I know the polite term is spit up) flying everywhere. I quickly ran to the kitchen to grab some towels to wipe it up before people started slipping in it (wouldn't that have been a sight) when it occurred to me ... this is really what being a Pastor is all about.

Too often we think of ministry as what happens on the stage, or what people notice and then congratulate you on how 'spiritual' you are. The truth is most ministry goes unnoticed behind the scenes. Even on a Sunday morning the service doesn't go well just because the preacher did his part well or the worship team all played well. Things come together when each one does their part ... the Sunday School teacher who is so faithful to teach the Word of God to the kids, or the ladies working in the kitchen through the sermon so the food for the carry-in dinner is ready right after the service ends, or those who stay after to help clean up even though they would like to go home, put their feet up and watch TV like everybody else. That is real service! Not the church 'service' that serves only ourselves, but sacrificial service that gives even when we don't really feel like it. That is worship! (Giving of our time, talent and treasure for God's glory not our own) So I am thrilled that my first official act as Pastor of EWC was cleaning up baby barf in the hallway.

Pastor Matt