Welcome Harpazo!

A hearty Grace Harbor welcome to our new resident Harpazo! The Sonshine is warm today and we are glad you have joined us! I expect others will be moving into our inviting shores soon. The conversation is good, and the mercy abundant! Our neighbors are kind, and as my <harumph> waistline might betray I enjoy the harbor fish shop down by the wharf a little too much, but I love speaking about the good things of God, the issues of the day, or really just whatever, here in the harbor! And because I (we) have committed this to be a place of honesty about our thinking, and as a result of a recent conversation with a fellow believer, allow me to propose the -

Question of the Day!
Can/Should Christian couples with children remain unmarried?

And again - I am talking about those who are Christians - not those who are not. No that one group is better, but isn't one group expected to walk in the tenets of faith if professes? Not really even a question for most of us I admit, but not quite the straw man that it appears at first, although you think it would be with the scripture's clear teaching on fornication and adultery. Some believe "true" marriage to be beyond the state -which it is - and hence not in need of a marriage license.

While the culture at large has had an ever growing lax attitude towards marriage for sometime I fear that same attitude has made it's way even some within the Church. Believe me -I'm not trying to judge anyone as lost, or of less worth than anyone else. I know that God's grace is eternal and forever. I don't decide, nor do I want to, who gets in or out; still I can't help but believe that we who are in Christ have a standard based on, and defined by, God's love. Doesn't a relationship with God mold us to His character? He is committed to us. Marriage without a full commitment is not marriage, but rather playing at it.

Not that I know a lot of Christian folks in these circumstances, but they are not unknown to me either.. If a man and woman aren't willing to commit themselves legally and completely before God then should they consider themselves married, or in obedience to God? Surely their children are deserving of the loving protection and stability that marriage is intended to impart to them. The love of God is selfless, but holding back this kind of natural commitment from those that are professed to be loved the most is nothing but selfishness. How wonderful is God's plan!

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4

The judgment is evident in the broken homes of so many of the fatherless, or motherless, children who long for what they have never known -loving stability.

Thank God that no matter where we are, or what we've been, He cleanses us by His Blood, by His Love! Those who call upon Him can find freedom from sin to walk in the true love He has for us! I am not talking about being "holier-than-thou" I am speaking of truly living the life in humility, and in deed. I am not speaking as though we are without fault, but rather admitting them to our selves and to God with the intent of being REAL. it is a sword that cuts both ways I think. If I seek my will in His name and as His child excuse my blatant disobedience I have misunderstood the Grace that has saved me. At the same time if at any point what we call "being real" leads to some sort of sanctimonious self righteousness we have also missed what being REAL is. Let he who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

The only way to stand is in humility.

And on the lighter side of things, and because of my interest in things musical, how did Constantine get voted off American Idol last night?!?! Just wrong!