Father Ken Zelten OFM; is the owner, and director of ceremonies for Ministers in a Minute Wedding Ministry; and is Senior Pastor of Bird Song Christian Church in Milledgeville, Tennessee
If you have questions for Father Ken, or comments about our inspirations, please contact Fr. Ken at fatherken@bellsouth.net
Inspirations from Father Ken
Good Times & Bad Times
July 2008
At the conclusion of one of my recent sermons, a church elder got up to lead us in our benediction... He began "Lord you have shown us that if we are there for you in the GOOD times, that you will be there for us in the BAD..."
That is very powerful stuff, and the topic of this month's inspirations. Think about that for a minute... How many people can you really count on during the difficult times in life? Many times when counseling couples preparing for marriage, or couples who are already married, and whose relationship has met with an "unexpected bump"... we discuss the good times and bad times.
Christ's love for us knows no boundaries. As children of GOD we live our lives in a way that the Bible teaches, and we hope and pray for the best. If our Savior can be there for us during difficult times, don't we owe it to ourselves to show this same type of commitment towards our spouse? Following Christ's teachings, and trying to live our lives as GOD would have us, gives strength and power to life, and can change your life and your relationship drastically...but you have to mean it.
Its so easy to get caught up in the pressure of work, home, and family, and to let your relationship with your spouse come last. I submit that if you are planning a lifetime commitment with your partner, that, after your relationship with GOD; your spouse must come second. We live in a "disposable society" if it quits working...toss it out. Imagine where we would be if GOD tossed us out when we broke. If GOD can be there for us in the difficult times...don't we owe it to ourselves to be there for each other when times get hard?
I challenge you to invest yourselves fully in your relationship with your "significant other" Take time to express yourselves...even if for some you (guys especially) that's not easy to do. Don't wait for Valentines Day...Mail your wife a special card...remember to say "I love you" Going out to dinner is nice...but Guys...How about staying in and fixing dinner for her? What you put into your relationship will come back to bless you ten fold. Anyone can be happy during the GOOD times...but how you handle the bad times, shows true character.
God never promised us a TOMORROW...so the best we can hope to achieve is our absolute BEST for today. Are you giving your spouse your BEST? ...The one person who will be there for you, along with GOD, during the difficult times?
