Chris Little

We went to the store this week and bought school supplies. Do you remember how excited you were as a kid to start school? Well, maybe not start school, but to at least get all that new stuff! The new folders, new crayons, new backpack, and everyone’s favorite…the new lunch box. You went from Star Wars to The A-Team or maybe you’re the kid that went from Strawberry Shortcake to The Smurf’s. What an exciting time – then school started.

Remember that first day of school? You got all your new stuff and you be-bop into the classroom with your backpack full of stuff and your mom has actually made you a cool lunch – for once – and you are ready for a new year. You meet old friends, new friends, get a new seat, new classroom, and a new teacher and you are giddy with excitement. Your teacher says “Hi” and asks about your summer and all is good with the world. Before you know it it is time for recess, then lunch and the day is flying by when all of a sudden the teacher says, “Class, we are going to take a quiz.” Ugh! Agh! What? Is she kidding? It’s really still summer isn’t it? We all love school until it costs us something or we have to work a little bit. We all love school in the beginning, but at the end of the school year we are so ready for it to end.

Does going to church ever feel that way to you? All excited about it and looking forward to it and then…you know, it’s church. You end up checking it off your list of completed tasks for the day/week and move on. Then the next week you gather all your stuff and then…until you are not gathering all your things and going to church? Why is that? What happened?

There are a variety of reasons why, but I have found in my own life that I can narrow it down to one – my pursuit of Jesus. I’ve forgotten the reason I go to church, am a part of the church, actually the church in action. Jesus loves the church. He actually cared so much about the church he called it his bride. What a beautiful picture! Who doesn’t love a wedding? Everyone is excited, dressed up, smells good, and everyone has hope. Hope that this marriage relationship will not just last, but be successful and thrive! Then 5, 10, 15 years down the road…is there still that excitement, does everyone still dress up, smell good, or have hope? Not always. Why? Many times it is distraction from our first love. Careers, education, kids, you name it and it can be a distraction to a marriage relationship.

The same is true for our relationship with Jesus. You met, fell in love and where standing at the altar ready for what was to become…and then you were distracted. You start going to church because you have to go. You are even inconvenienced by your need to go. So, how do you change your church experience? Go on a date with Jesus! When is the last time you intentionally set aside time for Jesus? Try it, you might like it. You might like church again too. You might actually meet some people at church who love Jesus too.

Awwww! The excitement of school supplies…I can’t wait until next school year!

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It’s almost football season again. I admit I struggle with my fanaticism when it comes to football. I have to be intentional about how much time, thought, and energy goes into the season. I have my favorite teams and players like many people, but I study football. So, as you might guess, sometimes my passion for football gets in the way of other things.

One of the things it gets in the way of is “hearing”. Imagine the scene with me for a moment: The football game is on and I am studying intensely. Becky comes into the room and begins talking to me. I recognize she is present and I “hear” something, but I am not really listening because of my focus on the game. I say “ok” or something like that and continue watching the game. A little later in the day I vaguely remember that I said “ok” to something, but cannot remember what it is. I look around for the obvious stuff – trash taken out, clean the kitchen, etc. – and hope that those suffice. Sometimes that works. Usually it doesn’t. How do I know? I know because Becky will say, “Did you hear what I said earlier about ____________ ?” It is then that I sheepishly have to admit, “No.”

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I’m learning that to hear my wife during a game I have to stop the game, turn and face her, and engage in active listening. It’s hard to do sometimes – especially when the Cowboys are about to score a touchdown. However, I’ve learned it’s worth it (although the thought just crossed my mind that is a good reason to have Tivo™).

I believe that many of our conversations with God are like this too. We are so focused on our “stuff” that we don’t hear the specific words that God wants to share with us. Our hearts and minds are distracted by all the other voices. It takes effort to put aside the distractions of life to hear from God. However, I guarantee that it is worth it.

What distracts you from hearing from God? When are you most available to hear from God?

P.S. I don’t have N.F.L. Sunday Ticket because that would only feed the hunger. I am tempted, but have refrained so far.

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The Gore’s announced their impending divorce last week. Who knows what are the reasons?  I am sure there are a myriad of reasons, excuses and blame to go around. However, the important part is that these two have decided to call it quits. They have been married for 40 years. That is a long time in my book.

Hearing their story made me think about several important parts of the recipe for a successful marriage. The one that kept rising to the top of the list was being intentional about romance. In know, it doesn’t sound very romantic. However, romance is almost always intentional. It takes thought and preparation to do many of the things that are “romantic”.The better you know your spouse, the more romantic you can be. Giving your spouse flowers, chocolate, and a store bought card that expresses your love for your spouse that they don’t know is potentially expected, but not necessarily romantic.

So, what is the most romantic thing you have done for your spouse this month?

“Marriage is easy” is a statement that sounds like a bunch of junk. It is not true. Marriage is not easy, but it can be fun & rewarding. A quick glance of Song of Solomon 7:1-8:4 shows us what I am talking about.
Marriage is easy if we choose to serve one another (v. 1). King Solomon is on his knees before his bride serving her. He is doing the job of the house servants by removing her sandals. I imagine he also included a little foot massage as he asked her about her day.
Marriage is easy when we say good things about each other immediately. We (especially us guys) are filled with good intentions that never become good actions. We think good thoughts about our loved ones, but do not immediately take action…so, we forget & it never happens.
In Song of Songs 7:2-4, Solomon told his wife how beautiful she was and in 7:5 he discusses her character (which is the best part of her or us because beauty fades). Tell your spouse how beautiful she is – often! She is hearing the opposite message from everywhere else.
Marriage is easy if you tell your spouse how much she means to you and how much you desire her. A woman needs to know she is desirable to you – no matter how long married.
Marriage is easy because she will respond. Listen to this, ” I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me.” she responds that she feels safe & secure in her relationship with her man. She knows that his desire is for her alone. “Desire” literally means to be attacked by a wild animal. How cool is that? She wants her man to pounce!
Marriage is easy when we are intentional & purposeful. She sets a date with her man (v.11).
Marriage is easy when you are creative. You can be creative then you are intentional. Creativity happens via planning. We need to develop the habit of saying “yes” to the best things so you can say ”no” to the not-best.
Marriage is easy when you are affectionate. In Solomons’ day it was prohibited for a man to touch a woman unless he was the father or brother of the girl. She wants to be able to show him off. That she loves him (Song of Songs 8:1-4).
Well, as you can see – marriage is easy – NOT! It’s hard work…but, it can be well worth it!