Believe In?

One confession I must make is the I really like Myspace. I like it a lot more than Facebook, as a matter of fact. One item of fun on my Myspace spage is the bulletin. The bulletin is something you can write on and all of your friends, and only your friends, can read it. I have several friends who like filling out silly little surveys that are the consummate example of random-ness.

Recently, a question was asked on one of those surveys: Do you believe in divorce?

I thought about that a lot. How can you say you don't believe in divorce when half or more of all marriages end up there? I understand that the question probably meant, "Would you use divorce in your own marriage if things were rough?" However, I think the actual manifestation for many in Christian churches throughout the world has been, "No, we don't believe in divorce. And since we don't believe in divorce, we will not act kindly, with love or grace, to those who have endured a divorce. In fact, we believe that all who divorce (if their spouse did not cheat on them) are never allowed to re-marry, unless they go back to their original spouse."

Does God hate divorce? Absolutely. Should we teach about covenant and committment and do everything possible to counsel couples in trouble so that we can help them avoid divorce? Of course. But should we look down on those who have gone through a divorce for any of a variety of reasons? I think we have hated divorce so much that we have allowed that hate to carry over to the divorcees.

I am not advocating that we soften our stance on the sanctity of marriage, but I am asking all who call on the name of the Lord to show the Lord's love to those who have endured the loss of their marriage. I am asking that we actually talk about love, committment, proper sexual conduct, sexual temptations, puberty, hormones, emotions, and on and on with our children from an early age.

Do I believe in divorce? Yes, because it (unfortunately) happens, way too often. Do I ever want to use divorce as a way out? No! Do I believe that divorce can be avoided? Of course. Do I believe that as children of God we have an obligation to teach our children about marriage from an early age? Yes. Those are some of the things I believe in.

God bless you--PM

Community

So last Thursday was a really sucky day. When I left work and walked to my car, I was excited about getting home, picking up the kids, and taking them to the circus. Started the car, put it in reverse, and...didn't move. Revved the engine. Put it in drive. Shook the steering wheel. Pounded on the steering wheel. Ran the RPM's up to almost 5000. Checked transmission fluid; added oil. Nothing.

In addition to the realization that some repairs we can't afford were going to need be done on the car, I was so totally crushed at the fact that I could not take the kids to the circus. The only consolation was that the kids did not know we were going. I was going to surprise them when I picked the kids up from Shawna; so at least they weren't going to be disappointed.

Then the community kicked in. I called my friend, Karen, to tell her we weren't going to the circus. She had several free tickets and she was going to let us use them. "Do you want me to take them for you?" she offered. What?!? She was willing to take all three of my children to a circus on a moment's notice. So she drove to Shawna's Wegmans, picked the kids up and went wtih most of the rest of our Thursday night small group to the circus.

There was still the little issue of what I was going to do about getting myself and the car home (in case you didn't know, I work almost 40 miles from home). I had no money to call a mobile mechanic or a tow truck. The only roadside assistance I have only offers tows up to 15 miles. So I started asking at work if anyone had AAA. Not only was I asking, but about five people were walking around the store asking people if they could help me. Sure enough, my friend, Louis, had AAA, and I was able to use his card to get a tow truck that took my car and me to a garage in Trenton.

Last item: I needed to get home. So one more phone call was made, this time to my friend, Jeff, from my Friday night small group. He drove to the garage I was being towed to, waited, and then took me home, but only after taking me to Shawna's Wegmans so that I could pick up the groceries she had bought. (Also, Jeff's wife, Heather, took Shawna to the dentist the next morning since I had to drive Shawna's car to work.)

Just because of all that life was throwing at us, this past weekend was not a great one. It was stressful, depressing, and financially terrible. But we had so many people step up to help us out. Then we got to church on Sunday. Everyone one there who knew what was going on came up to us, hugged us, asked us how we were doing, and just encouraged us with their friendship.

The early church totally relied on each other. There have been times in my life when I really needed the church. I am thankful it is there. I wonder how many people I know right now who need that community in their lives. This isn't a question of denomination allegiance or doctrinal accuracy. It is simply a question of, "Who needs the love that the people of Christ can offer?"

God, open my eyes that I may see.

God bless you--PM

This year, I'll be participating in a very special event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day.I'll walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other women and men. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.I've agreed to raise at least $2,200 in donations. I've set my personal goal at $4200. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of $100? Keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train. You can give online at www.The3Day.org. Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. You can also call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone.

This year, I'm walking for my friend, Heather. Recently, she discovered a lump and it was found to be cancerous. She has already undergone surgery to remove the cancer and is now undergoing her chemo treatments. Among others, I am walking with her husband, Jeff. The two of them are the leaders of my Friday night small group. I am walking to support them and to help find a cure for this terrible disease.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,Paul Mathis

P.S. Ask your employer if they will double your donation through a matching gift program!

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/PhiladelphiaEvent?px=1888550&pg=personal&fr_id=1186&et=mjO7F2IO2jAeG7vTU0ED-g..&s_tafId=6010

Click here to view the team page for Team PCC
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://08.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/PhiladelphiaEvent?team_id=41585&pg=team&fr_id=1186&et=W7vsRlAJ-AtUfwPdCsWw6Q..&s_tafId=6010



For more information about the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, visit http://www.the3day.org/ or call 800.996.3DAY.