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Saturday, February 20, 2010

Timely Words from the Past

More than fifty years ago I heard A. W. Tozer preach in Chicago. He belonged to a breed of preachers who feared nothing but offending God. He and his ilk proclaimed the Word with integrity and faithfulness. They saw themselves as God’s servants, not His publicists.

Tozer warned believers about a new cross that would soon replace the old rugged cross. He wrote:

“The new cross encourages a new and entirely different evangelistic approach. The evangelist does not demand abnegation of the old life before a new life can be received. He preaches not contrasts but similarities. He seeks to key into public interest by showing that Christianity makes no unpleasant demands; rather, it offers the same thing the world does, only on a higher level. Whatever the sin-mad world happens to be clamoring after at the moment is cleverly shown to be the very thing the gospel offers, only the religious product is better.”

Timely words from the past!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Together or Married?

Gloria and I celebrated Valentines Day at a buffet, and we took our marriage certificate with us. The buffet had advertised a good deal: two free lunches for every couple married 50 years or longer. Showing a marriage certificate was required proof. Ours shows we were married June 7, 1958.

A couple I judged to be in their late 80s had brought along their marriage certificate. Just as the woman was presenting it, the young cashier asked, ”How long have you two been together?” I chuckled. That question fits a long-term married couple about as well as size 5 shoe fits a basketball center. It’s simply one more indication that times have changed.

Hardly a day passes without our local newspaper posting birth announcements of babies born to unmarried parents. Marriage models the highest and deepest love that can exist between a man and a woman. It reflects the love Jesus has for His church. Somehow, how the thought of just being together falls short of the biblical model of love.