MY SISTER, MY SPOUSE (Christian Secrets)

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     In our modern "rush-a-day" world, we might have a  tendency to =
forget some important principles of the marriage relationship. =20

     While we were serving as Pastors (and we did for over 30 years) we =
had ample opportunity to observe differences in the way spouses treated =
one another while in the Church house-- compared to how they did after =
they left and went their way.   Often times there was a BIG difference.

     To combat the trend, I would often use an illustration,  and tell =
the folks that my wife, whom I called "Sister" while in public, was  NO  =
LESS  my "sister" when we got safely within our four walls.

     Too many times, when the door is locked for the night, a man =
becomes a brute beast, or a woman becomes a shrew, and a battle is =
joined.  Often, the children become the confused audience.  "These =
things ought not so to be."
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An excellent issue to discuss.  It has come to my attention that through =
out the world of Pentecost that we have gripped a hold on the many =
truths of the Word of God.  We have through the Spirit and the Word of =
God received revelation and illumination of the wondrous beauty of the =
God's incarnation in the flesh.  We have discovered how that Christ =
became God in the flesh.  What an incredible illumination!  Hither to, =
millions have gone on to receive such great and exceeding promises for =
which I am glad.

However, amazingly we find that the average Apostolic's book shelf is =
filled with books concerning the Godhead, holiness and various other =
how-to-be-a-Pentecostal manuals.  But there are few books in those =
shelves that discuss our relationship with other humans.  Shortly, I =
will go further to discuss our relationships.

The argument could be postulated to say that we have all we need is the =
Bible.  But, I believe this would be an incorrect statement.  If =
everything we needed to know about how-to-be a Christian was in the =
bible then what would the need of the Holy Ghost be?  You see Christ =
dwelt on the earth and was filled with the Spirit and the Spirit taught =
him everything he needed to know.  God's Spirit as well as the Bible as =
well as the ministry as well as the church as well as our brothers and =
sisters help us to grow in knowledge and mature in Christ.

There has become in our modern world a great need for ministers and =
counselors to be ever attentive to the needs of people.  Sadly, I have =
seen minister after minister more concerned with making sure they make =
the page with the largest missionary offering.  Though we have many =
important obligations and ministries to assist we must be ever vigilant =
of the devil's tactics.  If he can but distract you from your own work =
then he can undermine.  Stay close to home, be attentive to the people =
in your life.

It is not enough to merely baptize them, slam converts around the altar =
and spit in their faces and scream in their ears until they get the Holy =
Ghost, give them a Bible study then throw them on the pew and teach =
tithes.  Gone are the days when people were repenting of 'regular' sins =
(so to speak).  So much now I come across people who have endured years =
of abuse, sexual, physical, emotional.  These are problems that =
certainly the Holy Ghost can minister, but we as ministers are also =
obligated to tend to their special needs. =20

Merely obeying the Acts 2:38 message is not enough.  We as Apostolics =
must do more.  Write more books, learn more about counseling, be bold =
and talk about the tough issues.  Sexuality, child abuse, spousal (sp?) =
abuse, the list goes on.  Saints, do not close your eyes don't ignore =
social issues in your ministry.  Grip onto the throne of God, pray for a =
revelation, learn about the needs of people and be concerned about =
people.

The fact is, Pentecostals are just as likely to go through a divorce in =
their lifetime as any other denominal Christian.  Doesn't this prick =
your mind into thinking why?  I always thought that Pentecostals had the =
truth.  Doesn't the truth set you free?   Well, most assuredly it does!  =
But, the key is this: staying free!!!  To do this churches need to =
unite, collect the information about how to care for one another, lets =
face it, if we don't learn to care for each other here on earth how will =
we stand one another in heaven???

It doesn't hurt to care.  Trust, is an issue here.  That means to =
operate in a mode of faith, believing in the  people around you.  To do =
that we must get to know one another, as brother and sister.  Men need =
to love their wives, women likewise their husbands.  Communication is an =
essential ingredient in this equation.  Communicate about your fears =
your doubts.  I have lots more on this subject, but I will obey the =
rules concerning this discussion group.  I will spell check and add my =
piece to the subject line.  I apologize for making this too long, I hope =
it helps someone.

Damien
dserwin@tsixroads.com

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