August 22, 2013

Missionary Update - Hubbards

Edgewood has supported missionaries Van and Janese Hubbard for many years.  In 2012, the Hubbards moved to Sierra Leone, Africa to begin ministering there.  They are working to train pastors, church leaders, and Christian school teachers.  They have also been involved with evangelistic crusades to see new people come into a life-saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  Over a recent three month period of these crusades, they saw 511 professions of faith!

Here is a link to a video of Van and Janese sharing more about their ministry.

Hubbard's Video Update

I was personally blessed and encouraged to get to spend time with Van and Janese while they were in the Seattle area this summer.  Their faithful service and hearts for the Lord are such an amazing testimony.  Please join with us in prayer for Van and Janese and their continued ministry in Sierra Leone.

August 16, 2013

How to Frustrate Your Wife

A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail with a subject line that really caught my attention.  It was from FamilyLife Ministries and the subject was, "How to Frustrate Your Wife."

They said there were two easy ways to frustrate your wife: 
1. Fail to love her
2. Fail to lead her

Thoughts on Loving Your Wife
You must love your wife to the extent that she has no doubt about it.

When shopping for greeting cards, we regularly see cards that say, “I know I haven't said it as often as I should…."  A Christian husband should never be in a position to buy that card!  We should be confident that we are regularly speaking words of love and affection.

Recently, as I’ve been thinking a lot about missions and the multi-cultural church, I’ve been reminded of a strong concept about serving and loving others.  You can’t show up in another country and just plan American-style events and expect a different culture to feel loved and served.  You have to get to know the culture and serve in a way that speaks to them.  It’s the exact same concept overseas and in our own households. 

In case you haven’t noticed, men and women tend to think differently.  That different thinking also goes into the way we show our love to each other.  We have to make sure we are showing our love in a way that speaks her language, not ours.

Thoughts on Leading Your Wife
Christian wives hope their husbands will be godly leaders.  It means taking the initiative in leading the family in engagement with God's Word both in the local church and at home.  It is our responsibility to shepherd our flock by providing for them, protecting them, caring for them, and helping them grow.

In his sermon last Sunday, Pastor Dave reminded us that one qualification of an elder is to be someone who can lead their family.  He referred to I Timothy 3:5 which says, “If a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?

Ephesians 5:25 challenges us to “love our wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for it.”  That’s quite a high calling!  But I hope all the husbands that read this today can be encouraged and challenged to do just that.