New Years Resolutions Versus New Years Goals

If you are like me you have grown weary of resolutions. They never seem to work. From failed U.N. Resolutions that promise to bring peace to a country; to our own personal resolutions that we make each January they all seem to have one thing in common- they fail.

Well as we begin a new year let me encourage you to throw away your resolutions and instead make goals. You may be asking what the difference is? Well, I believe there is a significant, yet subtle difference. Let me explain.

By definition a resolution is "a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something." While a goal is: "the result or achievement toward which effort is directed." My point is this. Resolutions give us no wiggle room- they are firm- and therefore we can easily become defeated when the first sign of adversity hits. And who lives a life free of adversity? By definition a goal is more fluid. Goals give us more wiggle room to amend as the circumstances warrant. If I make a goal to lose fifteen pounds this year, but I break my leg in February and can't exercise for four months I have suffered a serious setback to my goal of losing fifteen pounds. However, because goals are more fluid and defined more by the circumstances in which we find ourselves I can amend my goal based on the fact that I have broken my leg. This leads to greater success in reaching our goals because they remain fluid and realistic throughout the year. It gives us greater confidence and helps us push ourselves in greater ways.

Another thing you need to do is write your goals down. It does not help much to wake up January 1st, contemplate your goals for the year, and then sit down for a day of college bowl games. You must write down what you want to accomplish in the year to come. I like to divide my goals into several categories- Spiritual, Marriage & Family, Financial, Ministry/Business, Personal Development and Physical Fitness. Once you have defined your goals, and written them down you need to keep them in a place of remembrance. I keep mine either to the left of my computer or in the first file of my file cabinet. This reminds me of my goals daily and allows me to amend them when the realities of my life change.

So this year, make a point to set realistic goals for 2011, write them down and keep them in a place where you can refer to them often. I wish you great success in achieving all of your goals for 2011!

Tips for Surviving the Holidays Season with Extended Family

For many people the Holiday Season can bring added stress due to having to interact with Extended Family. There may be strained relationships that one side is aware of, but the other side does not recognize or there may be a relationship that both sides understand to be strained. Either scenario makes for an awkward setting when it is time to exchnage gifts and be in the Christmas Spirit. If you find yourself in a strained relationship with an extended family member here are four tips to help you navigate this Holiday Season.

1. Clearly communicate with your spouse the expectations y'all have for being around the family members in question.
Without clear communication it is easy for one of you to have one set of expectations while the other is thinking something totally different. Make sure you communicate each of your expectations and do it in advance of the family event so that you and your spouse can be on the same page.

2. Communicate with your extended family about how you are going to handle the family event.
If you are only going to be there for an hour or two, but grandma Jo is expecting you the whole day it can create even more tension when you and your clan leave at 10:00 AM. Make sure you communicate in advance how long you will be at the event so you don't have to deal with unexpected issues on Christmas day.

3. Be Honest with your extended family about why you are not staying.
Yes, this may be difficult, but if you lie your way out of an event you are only going to have to do it again when the next family gathering comes. Be honest with your extended family, and let them know why you wont be with them. It will create tension in the short term, but may save the relationship long-term if you are able to deal with it constructively.

4. Protect Your immediate Family
I often see couples where one of the spouses has failed to leave behind their mother or father. Remember when you say "I Do" you are pledging your loyalty and support to your new spouse and the family y'all will create. Do not dismiss your spouses desires for mom or dads. That will leave you with more problems than you started with and a Merry Christmas will not be had by any.

Where is Your Hope?

Where is Your Hope? from Reeves Cannon on Vimeo.

"Just Talking"

If you are into such things as why people get divorced you will have likely heard the common answers of sex, in-laws, and money as some of the top reasons couples quit on their marriage. Well I am here to tell you none of those reasons are why people call it quits. Sure those reasons top the list, but not because they are the foundational causes of divorce. The foundational cause of divorce is a couple's inability to communicate effectively- often about sex, in-laws and money.

Communication is key

Think back to your dating days with your spouse. What made those months and years so special? While there are many things that make dating enjoyable getting to know a person, and learning all about them is what makes it thrilling. And how do we get to know someone? We talk to them, ask them questions, answer their questions. You can probably recall several nights with your spouse where you stayed up until the wee hours of the morning "just talking". I recall one father telling me of a time he received his sons cell phone bill. He noticed the astronomical amount of minutes his son spent on the phone with his girl friend. He inquired how they could talk for that many minutes in a month. It was the girl friend who finally answered, "we just like talking and don't want to hang the phone up so we end up falling asleep and waking up the next morning still on the phone. Now that is love! What happens when we get married?

Something Happens

While it was communicating that formed and created the strong bond that gave us the idea we would make a good marriage team often we forget how to communicate once we tie the knot. Maybe it is being busy, the pursuit of the American dream (not knowing it will cost us our marriage), the busyness of children's schedules, or just a natural drifting apart that robs us of those "just talking" moments, but in order to connect and maintain intimacy in our marriage we must reclaim those "just talking" days of yesteryear. They are the super glue of your marriage.

Just Stop and Talk

Often couples show up in my office unaware that the "problem" that seems so complex is really that they have just stopped sharing life with each other. Admittedly, once you stop sharing life it can be hard and sometimes awkward to start sharing again, but to save your marriage or keep it enjoyable you must! If you find yourself in a place where isolation and busyness has robbed you and your spouse of those "just talking" moments commit today to reclaim them. Yes, it may be awkward at first, but do it..kinda like just taking the plunge and going on a first date. Commit to putting a stake in the ground of your marriage and create an atmosphere where you can "just talk". Maybe it is a specific time each night or a midday break or a weekend date, whatever it is make it a can't miss event in your life. If you need some additional tips on how to get started and rebuild some intimacy in your marriage stop by for a session or two so you can reclaim your "just talking" moments.

A New Video BLOG

I have started a new video BLOG. It will not replace this BLOG, but the Video BLOG is going to be my primary means of communicating so check it out and mark it as a favorite in your favorites section.
Click here for the new VIDEO BLOG

A Great Opportunity for your Local Church

I have been teaching seminars for Walk Thru the Bible for almost two years. I teach three different seminars for them, but by far my favorite is the one I teach on marriage and personality. It is called "Understanding the Love of Your Life". It really is a fantastic seminar. Check out this 5 minute info video on the seminar and email me if you would like to talk to me about bringing this to your church.
Click Here for the Video

Time Standing Still?

It was not the way I had envisioned my weekend starting- especially this weekend. I had things to do- namely demolish a kitchen so it could be ready for the workers who would restore it later that week. There was a backsplash to chisel out, kitchen counters to remove, and cabinets to repaint. All of these activities were to be accomplished with precision as time was not on my side.

As I left the office Friday afternoon to set out on my weekend full of work I felt a small twinge in my throat and was already feeling a little sore even though I had not yet lifted one cabinet or appliance. “This can’t be.” I thought to myself. “There is work to be done. I cannot get sick.” Thankfully, I was able to plow through Friday night finishing all of the priming of the cabinets, but when I woke up Saturday morning I knew that something had to give- either me or the work that was left to be done. My temperature was 103 and I felt like I had been through a ten round cage match. No way did I feel like demolishing a kitchen!

With a deadline to meet I was determined to stay on schedule. I went to work knocking a few tiles off the backsplash and then laying on the couch for an extended time of rest. It was a slow, rough go of it, but in the end I was able to accomplish what had to be done for the work that was scheduled the following week. No, I did not accomplish everything I wanted to get done, but what had to get done was done. However, it was not just getting the work done that made the weekend a success. In the midst of the rest, work and more rest I was reminded of a valuable lesson-

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Proverbs 16:9


Yes, it took me a couple more weekends to get everything finished in my kitchen, but God had a plan and it was accomplished in his time. The question for all of us is this: What are you trying to accomplish in your life and are you attempting to forge ahead of God’s plan or are you allowing him to lead and direct your path? Yes, be faithful to do the necessary work, but trust God to accomplish the results in his time.

A Night Without the Family

It was a night most Dads with two young, busy children would relish- a night at home to do whatever I wanted without interruption. As circumstances would have it I found myself with a wife who was working the night shift at the hospital and my two children, due to an early morning appointment I had, spending the night with Mimi and Pop.

So with a free night to burn I did what many Dads would do- I sought to relieve some stress! My way of relieving stress comes in the form of getting my hands dirty and tackling projects I have no business tackling. The particular project in my crosshairs this night- repainting the kitchen cabinets. Now even a novice, as I am, knew that this would not be a one night project, but I figured I could make great headway with no kids and the house to myself. And Yes, I did have permission from Rebecca before starting the project- a necessary first step in any project. A painful lesson I have learned the hard way. So I set out to start my project and I must admit it went quite well. I cleaned, caulked, filled in screw holes, sanded, de-glossed and was even able to apply the primer to the bottom cabinets. It was truly a nice nights’ work.

As I started cleaning up the mess I had made I noticed a strange sound- it was the sound of silence. Yes, it was 11:30 PM, and the goal every night in the Cannon household is silence at that time, but this particular night it was deafening. I did not like it! I had been able to work for several hours and not notice the loud scream of silence, but as I prepared to go to sleep myself I was suddenly reminded that no one- not my son, daughter, or wife were there with me. It was in that quiet moment that I was reminded of this verse- Psalm 127-3-5:

"Children are a gift from the Lord: they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior's hands. How happy is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates."

A few minutes later another verse popped into my mind- Proverbs 18:22:

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD.”

So often I run through life unaware of the blessing that my wife and children are to me. I appreciate them, but do I truly show them how much I value and love them? The silence of a night alone taught me that I can do a better job. What about you? Do you find yourself taking for granted your family?

Do you brush your teeth or hair first?

Tallon came running into my bedroom this morning as he does every morning- way to early- and said in his patented voice, “It’s time to get up, Daddy, I’m hungry.” After a few minutes of prodding and begging we mustered our way down stairs to eat some eggs and oatmeal- a combination only a four year old would want. On our way back up the stairs I informed Tallon that we needed to make a stop in the bathroom to comb his hair, which had decided to have a party on his scalp during the night, and brush the oatmeal and egg breath out of his mouth. He grabbed his spider man “noisy” toothbrush (noisy means electric in four year old talk) and I grabbed the hair brush. As I went to comb his hair he immediately stopped me and said, “Wait Daddy, I can’t do both at the same time.” Little did he know that that statement would keep me thinking the rest of the day…

You see, he was intent on fixing his inward problem- bad breath, and I was intent on fixing his outward problem- party hair. As I started thinking about what he said a question popped into my mind- am I more interested in covering up the flaws people see me exhibit or am I more intent on fixing my inward flaws- my character? So often we are not concerned about our inward character, but only with what we portray to people- the outward appearance. We may think, “As long as I come across in a positive way I am OK even if on the inside I am wasting away.” The only problem with this perspective is that it is hypocritical. Jesus spoke to this when he referenced the Pharisees. He said in Matthew 23:27 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.” I came to the conclusion that I don’t want to be like a whitewashed coffin. If I want to change and grow as a person- husband, father, worker, Christian, friend, etc.-I need to work from the inside out. After all true, lasting change starts from the inside out!

What about you? Are you brushing your hair and ignoring your smelly breath? You may look pretty from a distance, but when people get close they are going to realize you stink!

Understanding The Love of Your Life-- Coming to First Baptist Florence

BLOG Readers:
I have exciting news! We are just about 6 weeks away from a great couples event at First Baptist Church in Florence. September 11th and 12th I will be speaking at their annual couples conference. I will teaching on relationships and personality. The conference is called "Understanding the Love of Your Life and it is an excellent conference that will give you and your mate lots of tools to help with your own marriage or serious dating relationship. Contact me to sign-up (or the church directly) and also check out the promo video for the conference. It is really cool!!!!!!! Click here for the video.

Still Feel Like Giving Up on Marriage?

By Gary Chapman.

Adapted from Desperate Marriages by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

Whatever you do, don't give up on your marriage.

I know that if you are in a deeply troubled marriage, you may feel that you only have two options: stay in the marriage and be miserable, or divorce and hope for something better. There is a third alternative. Try the power of unconditional love. Few people can resist love when it is expressed in the right language.

Should you stay in a marriage for the sake of the children?

When parents divorce, typically children feel intensely rejected. Children get angry at their parents for violating the basic rule of parenthood. Parents are supposed to make sacrifices for children, not the other way around. Because we are creatures of memory and relationships, we carry the pain of broken relationships for a lifetime.

After the divorce, most parents plan to continue good relationships with their children, but parent-child relationships are forever altered by divorce. As adults they often fear that their own marriage will not survive. And in fact, the divorce rate for "children of divorce" is higher than for those whose parents stay together. So, do your children a favor and continue to work on your marriage.

Does divorce seem like the best alternative to you? If so, I hope you'll think again. Divorce, unlike death, does not end the partners' contact with each other. Most end up living in the same city, especially if children are involved. And your disagreements about how to raise children will continue.

Nor is divorce a pretty picture financially. Research indicates that 73 percent of divorced women experience a decline in standard of living. One wife said, "Our marriage was bad, but our divorce is even worse. I still have all the responsibilities I had when we were married, but now I have less time and less money." The effects of divorce linger for a lifetime. So do yourself a favor call a counselor, read a book, or reach out to a pastor. Your marriage is worth it.

Protecting Your Marriage

Ten Tips for Protecting Your Cross-Cultural Marriage

Despite the stressors and disappointments in your cross-cultural marriage, if you desire God's gifts for your marriage, He promises you a more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31). As you and your spouse attend to the following ten tips, I am convinced that you will see each other and your marriage the way God sees it – a vessel of honor:

1. Prioritize your spiritual identity as a Christ follower over your cultural identity.
2. Prioritize understanding over judging.
3. Do not minimize what your spouse maximizes. (If your spouse thinks it is important, it is!)
4. Everything important to you should be explained to your spouse rather than assumed.
5. Honor and value your spouse's parents and extended family.
6. Negotiate boundaries with your extended families that are acceptable to each of you. (Caution: In a healthy marriage, parental loyalty should never exceed spousal loyalty.)
7. Give your spouse the benefit of the doubt. (Grace asks that you assume the best of your spouse rather than the worst.)
8. Embrace your identity as a cross-cultural person. (Value the fact that you represent the fusion of two cultures that enhances your perspective.)
9. Integrate elements of your respective cultures in your daily living (e.g. food, language).
10. Pray daily for the wisdom, grace and patience necessary to treat your spouse with trust and respect.

Copyright © 2008, Dr. Harold L. Arnold, Jr. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

When It's Hard to Forgive

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Do you have a situation where forgiveness seems impossible? Perhaps you're thinking, "I just can't forgive this person for what he's done to me. It's too painful to deal with. He's done it too many times. He's hurt me too deeply."

But the power—and the beauty—of the transformed Christian life is that "it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13 NKJV). It will never be the depth of your love that causes you to forgive such heartless acts and attitudes.

It will never be within your power to overlook the wicked lies and wild justifications of those who have made you distrustful of just about everybody. It will be—it can only be—the love of Christ transplanted into your believing heart that can exchange your weakness for His strength.

God's Love—and Lorna's

Several years ago, I met a dear woman named Lorna Wilkinson, whose husband had brought a great deal of discord and mistrust into their marriage. He was an alcoholic, and his condition had worsened over the years, bringing with it all the turmoil that tends to accompany substance abuse: financial pressure, irresponsibility, the chaos of never being able to depend on him, never knowing if he'd be where he said he would.

Finally Lorna decided that she had been through enough. She came to the conclusion that divorce was the only way out, the best way she knew to salvage what remained of her life.

So she took the step. She filed all the paperwork, asked him to leave, and prepared to move on.

She was not yet a believer. But providentially, right at that critical juncture in her life, she "happened" to tune in to a "Revive Our Hearts" radio program, when I was teaching about forgiveness. Her heart was gripped as she learned of the incredible forgiveness God offers through Christ, the way He deals with our sin by perfectly releasing us, thus enabling us to extend the same kind of forgiveness to others.

Day after day, this needy woman continued to listen to the broadcast, her thirsty heart drinking in the truth of the Word. Within a short period of time, her eyes had been opened and she was brought to faith in Christ.

But her divorce was still moving forward ... until the day her phone rang. It was her husband, saying he was sick.

"At the time, I was still frustrated and angry to some degree," she admits. "I said, 'Why are you calling me? Why don't you call 911?'"

He did. Just in time. Her husband was having a heart attack.

Extended family began to gather at the hospital, not sure if he was going to make it. Part of her wanted to be done with him, but somewhere in the depths of her heart, the Lord seemed to be saying, "Go whisper in your husband's ear that he doesn't have to worry about a place to live. Tell him he can come home."

That day, amid a tangle of tubes and wires and other life-saving devices, Lorna gave her husband the most revitalizing gift of all: the gift of forgiveness.

By God's grace, he did recover. He came home. He was a changed man. Miraculously, he no longer had the urge to smoke or drink. He landed a full-time job and began working faithfully to provide for his family. Newfound love entered their home, a desire to pray and worship, a focus on lasting priorities. There were flowers, postcards, candlelit dinners. Everything.

Early in the process of restoration, there were moments when those old feelings would flood back in Lorna's heart. "Lord, I can't do this," she would cry out in prayer. "I cannot love him the way You intended me to love. But I am asking You, Lord, to give me Your love, to just let it flow through me to this man."

And God's love slowly began to melt the awful memories. One by one, she began entering into each of those descriptive phrases in 1 Corinthians 13—"Love is patient and kind ... does not insist on its own way ... rejoices with the truth ... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

As God's love began to fill their home, Lorna and her husband started to experience the kind of marriage she had always dreamed of but had given up hope of ever having. In fact, four months after they were reconciled, Lorna's husband woke her early one morning to say, "I now know that a man should love his wife the way God has loved us. I want to tell you, Lorna, at this moment, I love you that way."

These were the last words she would ever hear from his lips.

Within hours, a second massive heart attack took him home to be with the Lord. Imagine where Lorna and her children might be today if she had chosen the logical way, the natural way, the vengeful way—the bitter path of unforgiveness.

Imagine the lives that would still be in shambles, the regrets that would have lingered for a lifetime.

"Do not give up on your marriage," she urged the listeners in an interview. "Do not give up on your spouse. Take it to the Lord in prayer and always remember: What you are not able to do for yourself, He will do it for you and in you."

Resulting Peace

Certainly, not every marriage is remedied the way Lorna's was, even by forgiveness. But even when you can't see the results—though the situation may not clear up entirely or get any better at all—you can still know that you've done what God has required of you. You can continue to forgive as His grace and love flow through you. And you can walk in peace—His peace.

Adapted from Choosing Forgiveness: Your Journey to Freedom. By Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Published by Moody Publishers, Chicago, Ill. Copyright © 2006 by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission.

A New Years Day Tradition

One of the best ideas I have ever heard came a few years ago via a radio program I was listening too. The speaker was discussing leaving a Godly legacy for your children and he mentioned that each new years day he sits down to write a hand written letter to each of his children. I thought this was a novel idea and so I began doing the same every January 1. It has been a few years now since I have started and each year I have compiled letters to my son and wife. They are personal letters recalling the events of the past year, truths I want to impart to my son, and special memories I want remembered. each letter is unique and personal. The letters are kept in a safe deposit box and they will be opened after I die. It is one way that I can leave a legacy to my children and wife, let them know how much I love them and give them an opportunity to recall life events we shared together- things my son will not even recall at his young age. This year I have the privilege of writing an additional letter- to my daughter.

This has proven to be a special time for me each new years day and it is something I highly recommend for each father or mother out there. Take some time and write a hand-written note to your children and wife- it is not too late to start. It will be a rich experience and one additional way you can pass on a Godly legacy.

Moving at Break Neck Speed

“We need to slow down!” I hear these words quite often. I am either screaming them to myself or my wife is graciously reminding me that we are on a crash course with burnout and fatigue. Not two foes I have time to meet. Often “survival” becomes the goal of the day. I must confess all too often that is my rallying cry.

When I take a moment to stop, however, and look at what consumes my life it gets even more discouraging. It seems that in my pursuit to keep up I have busied myself with insignificant pursuits. I have made decisions with my time without regard to what God has called me to do and be about. Putting it all together it makes no sense. I am running at break neck speed to pursue things that will not last- often to the detriment of more eternal pursuits. 1 Corinthians 3:13 reminds us that all of our work will be tested by fire. This verse reminds each of us that much of what we do on this earth will not amount to anything but firewood in eternity. As Believers, we must understand that our ultimate purpose in life is to become more like Jesus (I Peter 1:13-16). You can do this as a mom, a doctor, a pastor, or you can choose to ignore this purpose and go about your duties as a mom, pastor, doctor, etc without regard to your purpose.

As I have reflected on this truth I have been challenged to assess the activity of my life compared to what I know the purpose of my life to be. I have some priorities that need to be changed- do you?

Friends- They Key to Adolescent Success?

I have spent several years working with adolescents. From being a youth pastor to a professional counselor who devotes much of his practice to youth, adolescents have been a significant part of my professional work. I even have a degree in youth ministry (adolescent education). Recently I was reflecting on what it takes to help teens navigate through the challenges of adolescents. There are many keys, but I have come to believe that outside of a relationship with Christ the most vital key to an adolescents success depends on his friends. Certainly a relationship with Christ is vital, and loving, supportive parents are tremendously important, but as I reflected on all of the teens I have worked with it is the company they keep which seems to determine their ability to navigate adolescents unscathed. The teen can have supportive parents, profess a relationship with Christ, but if they choose the wrong companions the teenage years can be wrought with trouble. This is because teens are at a stage in life where peer acceptance is at a climax. They are seeking to become independent and in that desire they will break from their parents values and ideals and go with the values and ideals their friends espouse.

Knowing this there are two important steps I want to highlight that parents can take to help ensure their child does not succumb to the pressures of adolescents. One, make your home a place where teens want to be. This does not mean you have to have every latest gadget, but when your child's friends are in your home create an environment that is welcoming and pressure free. Give them the freedom to enjoy themselves while you watch from a safe distance. A child who feels like his parents are getting into his business will not bring his friends around. Teens do not want to hear their parents voice every time they have a friend over. Be sensitive to your requests and corrections in front of your child's friends. If they are embarrassed you can be sure you will not be seeing much of your child's friends and your child will do everything they can to stay away as well. You must be involved in their lives, but give them the space to figure out who they are. This is a delicate balance, but one that is vital for helping your teen through adolescents.

Two, Pray! Whether you have a teen now or the teenage years are several years away you can begin now by praying. James reminds us that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). The challenges that teens are facing today are enormous. I am amazed at the changes in culture in just the time I have been out of high school. It is startling and scary! Prayer is the parents most effective tool in combating the challenges of the teenage years and whether your child is in the midst of these years or is several years away begin now by seeking the face of God.

If you want additional help and resources in helping your teen navigate adolescents call Reeves to schedule an appointment. 843.662.2021, ext 1.

Two thumbs UP!

My wife and I were able to go see the movie Fireproof this weekend. What a great movie! I was a little concerned that it would be another low budget, "cheesy" movie with the same basic storyline of a troubled marriage being saved. Man, it was so much more! I was challenged, convicted and encouraged. If you are married or thinking about getting married this movie is a must see! It will convict you and inspire you all at the same time.

For those who have seen other movies created and produced by this company, such as Facing the Giants, you know that the acting is not A-list Hollywood. Let me say that the acting in this movie is far and away better than the acting in other movies this company has produced, but this is not a movie that you go too because you want to see an actor or actress perform well. This movie depicts real life, and it will speak to you. Make it a priority this week to set a date with your spouse to see this movie. Your marriage will reap the benefits! If I could think of a more emphatic way to tell you to go see this movie I would! Simply, please, GO!

Understanding the Love of Your Life

Many of you have asked when I am going to do another Marriage seminar in the area. Well, you will not have to wait long. October 24th and 25th at Bay Branch Free Will Baptist Church in Timmonsville, SC I will be teaching again on the subject of personality and marriage. The conference- called Understanding the Love of Your Life (designed by Walk Thru the Bible)- is fun, energetic, and powerful. You will walk away with tremendous insight into your unique personality style and the style of your mate. Armed with this knowledge, and the Biblical understanding Walk Thru the Bible is famous for you will come away with a weekend of significant marital growth. To sign up email me at reeves@sandhurstchristiancounseling.com.

Lessons from a Child

Have you ever had one of those moments? A moment where you are innocently playing or reading with your child when all of a sudden you are taught something only a child can teach you?

My son and I were reading one of his favorite Bible stories- David and Goliath. In the particular children's Bible we were reading from that day, the story ended with a simple question: What did you learn? As I read the answer written on the page I was once again reminded of God's impeccable timing and ability. God knew the message I needed to hear that day and He used a childrens book and my three year old son to teach me. When I sat down to read the story I never thought God had something for me. I mean, while I do not in any way profess to be a Bible scholar, I have been to Bible college and seminary, what can a childrens story teach me about Scripture? Heck, I have even been to the mountain in Israel where David and Goliath fought. Yet it took this childrens book to remind me of a great truth that is vital for all of us?

As I was wrestling with the challenges of the day and week I was reminded, as it was written in bold letters, "No problem is too big for God." What a simple, but profound statement. A statement that was written for a child, yet fitting for adult-size problems- your problems and mine!

All of us have struggles as we navigate this life of depravity, yet we must remind ourselves that "No problem is too big for God." Whether it is a deep Bible study that teaches you this truth or a simple childrens story do not let this truth escape you as you continue the journey!

An Extraordinary Example

Many of you are familiar with the testimony of Robertson McQuilkin. Dr. McQuilkin is the former president of Columbia International University who resigned his position to care for his ailing wife, Muriel. The last four days Family Life Today has highlighted the testimony of Robertson and Muriel. Whether you know the story well or have never heard it before I encourage you to listen to the broadcast with your spouse. Use it as a catalyst for your own discussion about marriage, commitment and life. It will be a great source of encouragement and intimacy for you and your spouse as you listen to the broadcast. The titles of the broadcast are titled: My Decision Part 1 and Part 2, What God has Done, and Our Future.
Click here to listen