Fond Dream or
Wild Nightmare?
Bob Young

A husband and wife who were having marital problems went to a family counselor for advice. Several lengthy sessions made it apparent that little progress was being made toward resolving the conflicts. They asked their preacher to help. During the session, the preacher noticed a cat and a dog lying side-by-side in front of the fireplace. "Look how peaceful they are, and they don't see eye-to-eye on everything." The husband responded, "Yes, but just tie them together and see what happens! "

Families in our day are in trouble. Marriages disintegrate at an alarming rate. Fifty-two percent of all baby boomers are divorced. The chances of a newborn today living with both natural parents into adulthood is less than thirty percent. Families headed by single parents have doubled in the last two decades. Indeed, marriage can be one of the most blessed or most miserable relationships. The preacher was fond of saying that marriage can be a bit of heaven on earth, or a bit of the other place! Fond dreams quickly turn into wild nightmares.

The Bible gives helpful instruction regarding marriage in I Peter 3:1-7. Notice these principles.

 1. Marriage is not finding the right person -- it is being the right person! Even wives married to unbelieving husbands can help a marriage be better by a godly lifestyle. Being the right person is inward, not outward. When choosing a marriage partner, look below the surface. It is not enough to have a beautiful outside -- good marriages are based on beautiful insides.

 2. Husbands and wives are different, but are heirs together spiritually. The unique intimacy of marriage makes it especially susceptible to incompatibility. Differences that are tolerable and even amusing in casual relationships are impossible irritants in the constancy of matrimony.

 3. In some sense, eternity rests on the way we treat our marriage. Husbands are reminded that prayers can fail because of the way wives are treated.

Let us thoughtfully and prayerfully build strong homes based on God's will and way. Remember, marriage is either a holy wedlock or an unholy deadlock! ❦

Youth Meet Tonight
Our teens are scheduled to meet this evening after services for a time of fellowship and devotional service. See Matt Faneuf for more details.

FSOP Extension Class
The new semester for the School of Preaching extension class held here at Orange Street on Thursday evenings, will begin on August 22. Those interested in taking the class should register as soon as possible. Bob Bauer will be teaching the book of Hebrews this term. See Bob if you have questions.

C hristianity is not a voice in the wilderness, but a life in the world. It is not an idea in the air but feet on the ground, going God's way. It is not an exotic flower to be kept under glass, but a hardy plant to bear twelve months of fruits in all kinds of weather. Fidelity to duty is its root and branch.

UPCOMING AREA EVENTS:

• August 17 - 2^nd Annual Ladies’ Day
     “Add To Your Faith”
     South Fla Ave - Lakeland

• Starts September 2
     Personal Work Class at Orange Street
     12 wks. - Monday Nights - 7-9:30
     “Fishers of Men”

• Sept 29 - Oct 2 - Gospel Meeting
     Orange Street church of Christ
     Guest Speaker - Jimmy Clark
     Start Making Plans Now