Young people are opting to delay or forgo marriage. This is a tragedy on many levels. It used to be that young adults longed for the time they would get married. They saw this as the perfect experience for lifelong commitment, intimate friendship, and a partnership to do life together. While our culture has a different view today, are the old ways still relevant? I say a resounding yes.

Full disclosure. I am a product of a failed marriage. My first marriage lasted less than five years. This is typical. Here are seven common reasons why most marriages fail before the 5-year mark:

1. Belief that marriage will cure all – this is a failed solution for common law relationships that are having relational problems
2. Undisclosed debt – money secrets never work
3. Religious differences – don’t seem important when infatuated
4. In-law troubles – two families merging can be challenging
5. Opposite goals – You want to do what?
6. Degenerating intimacy – dating stops, work load ramps up
7. Not communicating – conversation becomes functional instead of personal

Obviously, if one is going to make it work, the above list must be addressed. But my blog today is Why Marriage. Here are a few reasons why one should marry:

The Flawed Factor

I remarried and am in my 40^th year - committed to a most wonderful, beautiful, awesome (but flawed) woman in the world. I say flawed, because we all are. There are no perfect people. And this is one of the main reasons why we should get married. It was and is God’s method to chisel off the rough edges in our lives. I often hear from twenty somethings; they are not ready to get married. They must work out their life problems first. While their motives are good, the method will not work. It is only in the context of intimacy, commitment to another, and love that we actually are able to change the things about us that are hindering our personal development.

The Sex Factor

Ok, let me be blunt. We were designed to have sex; to procreate and to enjoy. It is the highest and most spiritual value of a relationship. However, only in the confines of a committed and trusted relationship do we experience the true value of sex. When one takes it out of the marriage context we reduce it to a physical experience. It is designed to be spiritual in that two-people become one. When someone “becomes one” with more than one person, there is a fragmentation of the soul that takes place. This can cause depression, anxiety, loneliness, unfulfillment, inability to trust, and an emptiness that is palatable. When we save sex for the person we are making a public commitment to in marriage, we are giving that person a gift that is not shared with anyone. It is the most precious thing you can do.

The Intimacy Factor

We are designed for intimacy. When two people give their hearts and lives together in a public ceremony, they are embarking on a journey of great delights. Intimacy is formed in the crucible of crisis, hardships, and turmoil. It is then strengthened by pleasurable moments, goals reached, and hearts exposed. This doesn’t happen without time and resolve to stick together until death do us part. Many a couple have forfeited true intimacy at the convenience of divorce, or serial monogenous relationships.

This Sunday I will be sharing on the practical and tried and true reasons why marriage is as important today as it was in the day man and woman were first formed. We will have fun discussing this, looking forward to you being with us.

Communion

This Sunday is Communion Sunday. It is when we come together as a family to eat at the Lord’s Table.

Growth Group

Growth group is a wonderful opportunity to grow in God and with each other.  We meet in small groups to share our lives, study the previous Sunday’s sermon, pray and eat dessert together.

Registrations for the next start-up are now underway.

Group gatherings will begin on Thursday, September 13 and will run until November 22. 

Contact the KCF office to register or sign up at the Information Table on Sunday.

Our Daily Bread

Want to make a difference? You can make a significant impact with a hungry person by donating to Our Daily Bread in Nelson, BC. We have seniors, children, women, young and older people come for food, community and support. Individual lives have been changed forever by the love shown at Our Daily Bread. Please help someone today by donating $100 or what ever you can online at http://kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/?p=odb-donations Our Daily Bread Nelson Hot Lunch program. Thank you for supporting those that need it.

S.H.A.R.E. Nelson

Want to know how to get a good deal on some great items? Follow the S.H.A.R.E. Nelson Facebook page and don’t miss out on any sales.

S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great opportunities.  Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire.  Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! Check out our FB page.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM

Calendar of Events

• Vocal Coaching Workshop for Worship singers and leaders, Saturday August 18, 10am – 2pm at KCF, Registration required
• Group Groups begin Thursday, September 13^th, Sign up now open!
• Ladies Conference – Freedom! Sept 21-22 Hosted by KCF, Register at KCF office   

Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.

Pastor Jim

August 9, 2018