Bill last Sumner I spent 9 days in Salt Lake City doing prayer walks with a friend of mine who was converted out of Mormonism. While out there we visited with Sandra Tanner who was one of the first people, along with her husband, to expose the evils of Mormonism. They both were converted out of Mormonism. Lord willing, I plan to go back out to Salt Lake City and hope to oray and witness to the Mormons. To answer your question Mormons are welcome into my home. But they will be told in love that they are in an evil system and they must repentand turn to Christ

My aapologies if you were offended at my question. But if I cane into this forum quoting suras or verses out of the Koran I would expect someone to ask the same question of me. My question was asked respectfully, but with a concern understanding that the Bible is the final authority in this forum. If anyone thinks I am out of line for asking such a question then I ask them or the moderators to correct me.

Respectfully,

Blaine or Bearmaster

Mr. Bear, Thanks for your response, it was perfect.
God Bless!

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Bill

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Diane

We should take the rose colored glasses off and tone down the celebrity preacher worship. We have such romantic notions about dead preachers, and should stop making them the stuff of myths and legends. Men such as Tozer may have indeed been giants of the faith, but that doesn't mean they were not still flawed men, with personal hang-ups from whose behaviors we can learn much of what to do, and what not to do.

Frankly, to read of how Tozer treated his wife i.e. making her walk miles in the cold to church in Chicago because he refused to buy a car, because he wanted to give half his paycheck back to the church and refuse most wage increases, or refusing to have house guests that he entertained as he did not like people coming over, and leaving her to almost single handedly tend to the raising of their children while he stayed busy at praying, preaching, writing, and consulting... it leaves much to be desired for Tozer as a husband.

I'd rather be more like my father, who while praying a lot less, has loved his wife and family much more warmly, and there isn't a single cross word any of us could say about my father on any level. Nobody but us will remember my father after he is gone one day. But when it comes to being a father and husband, I'd rather emulate the life of my dad rather than the life of Tozer. Such will impact the generations that follow me for years to come, long after men stop reading Tozer.

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Jimmy H

Thanks Paul.

As some of you know, I am a recent newlywed. In getting married, I had to move across town and changes churches. On the way out the door, I talked to one of the pastors at our church, who knew my heart and devotion to the Lord, and knew how greatly I labored during my single years. On average, I conducted 3 small group bible studies a week for several years, not to mention regular church attendance and being involved in other capacities. I made the most of my singleness. Knowing that after changing churches, it would not be long before I would try my hand at getting involved in the ministry of the church, he gave me some sage like advice that went something like this:

Make the first year of your married life dedicated to nothing but your wife. Show her how deeply and fully you love her, and make that the foundation of your life and marriage. Serve her in everything, and simply be the best husband you can be. After a year, there will be time for ministry, and if you do this, you'll find that your wife will be more than willing to serve alongside of you in whatever ministry capacity you so choose. But always make her your number one priority.

Such, so far, is my plan. And in my entire life, I've never seen somebody so happy and full of joy whenever they look at me. Well, except when my snoring sometimes wakes her up at 1 am. But overally, a great feeling. She deserves such treatment, and I plan on treating her in such a way.

There is a time for everything under the Son.

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Jimmy H

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Diane

If memory serves me correct, I also seem to recall Keith Daniels talking about this in a sermon I heard him preach several years ago. He talked about the strain the ministry was having on he and his wife, and their relationship. Without going into that many details, he talked about how he more or less gave all of that up for a brief period in time in order to save his relationship with his wife. He finally worked out a healthy balance between his devotional life/ministry, and his family life.

Granted, Keith Daniels still sounds like he logs countless hours in his devotional life and ministry. But whatever the case, he found something that worked for both he and his wife. And from what I've gathered is that things sound like they are good between the two again. He exhorted us in the sermon to do whatever it takes to make things work, no matter how hard.

Each relationship is unique. Some people have more needs than others. The apostle Paul said spouses should come together frequently for the sexual needs of one another, unless by agreement, for the purpose of prayer and fasting. In other words, "Your devotional life is not your own, it belongs to your spouse."

I would like to think this spills over into the other areas of our life too, when it comes to the day to day stuff. Most couples probably only need to engage in martial relations a couple times a week to get their sexual needs met. But they probably daily need help with cooking, cleaning, fixing stuff, taking care of the kids, making sure the homework gets done, and things like that... oh yeah, and taking time to say hello to one other and found out how their day went.

If after you've taken care of your wife and family, you have time to minister, then throw all of your extra time into that. You aren't single, and you don't have the right or calling to neglect your spouse and children.

I remember Dr. Charles Stanley talking to a woman in her 50's once. The woman said she felt like when she was in her 20's, that God had called her to be a full time missionary to somewhere in South America. Dr. Stanley was quick to remind her that even if God called her to do that years ago, God was currently calling her to be a mom. Sadly, Dr. Stanley didn't follow his own advice, and neglected his relationship with his wife, who after decades of marriage, divorced him, and for years, he and his son Andy have had a broken relationship. Such has left a blemish on his life and ministry.

I recall Paul Washer in his preaching, once talked about how he introduces himself to strangers. When asked what he does for a living, he said he was a husband. When people would further ask what he did for a living, he said he was a father. When people would further ask what he did for a living, he said when he can, he preaches some.

*edited*

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Jimmy H