ABOVE IS MARGARET AND ALLAN NICHOLLS, welcome once again at our breakfast table after eleven years or so. They are both here for a split visit together with their son in law Paul Davis, their daughter Fiona's husband, here for the first time. Really a very special and longed for visit. a VERY GLAD WELCOME, Paul!
We first met in 1972, when I was invited to speak at Christian Life Centre, Rowan Road, Bexleyheath. And again in 1983. Allan is Secretary of the AENON Trust in UK, and after overseas incoming mail began to be tampered with in Kenya, in the middle, late Eighty's, he suggested that those who might feel led to support Testimony Faith Homes in the UK, might find it safer to do it through the Trust than via Kenya Post. In 1991 we agreed, and they have been involved ever since in assisting funds sent on to us by well wishers and friends. Paul, who also works for the Trust is here with us now as part of a plan for him to get more practically conversant with the work of TFH, and also other similar ministries that seek to rescue needy children, and help them find hope for their the future.
With us. also at breakfast this morning, were Ian and Diana Hogley, our dear friends from Huddersfield, whom we have known and loved since 1968. The three of US first set foot in Kenya in 1968 within a few months of each other. All celebrating 50 years this year. They are sitting to the right in the photo, and my dear wife is trying to promote BLUE BAND margarine, among other things..........It is Blessing to have them with us, and to rejoice in all that the Lord has done - for each of us over the last almost 50 years.
AND NOW !! - THE SATURDAY NATION for today 10th February 2018
IS MARRIAGE
FACING CRISIS?
THE JOY, PAIN...
What a Headline! And on the FRONT PAGE of a National Newspaper! Because 'Valentines Day' is in the air! Unfaithfulness, interference from 'In-Laws' and poverty the main causes of divorce, they say!
On page 4&5 of the Paper, a comprehensive Article examines the front page Alarm Call. I did not read it all. We all should know, and I know you will already accept, that the incidence of Divorce has increased alarmingly since the 1960's. TODAY, we talk more and more about FAILED marriages, until the fact has already been in question for some time - the question of whether or not Marriage has any place in world society generally. It began as the cornerstone of Home and Family; the sure and permanent foundation to build them upon. MARRIAGE was not just two people coming together for sexual gratification. It was meant to be a ROCK of unbreakable and united Agreement, and everlasting fidelity, between two people yielding themselves to one another in a single unity, for ever dependable, and faithful. A REAL marriage produces the REAL MAN, On this the house (and perhaps the Species) could be built, the family born into, and given the security and hope needed to grow up, and themselves establish their own home and family. And THIS was based on each person being unselfish enough to die for the other, just as Christ died for the Church. It was a Promise to each other of sure confidence that it would not, for any reason, other than death, be broken. A promise entered into with a Third Person present as Witness and Accuser if the Promise is broken; NOT a man, or a woman; not a priest or a Magistrate; BUT GOD ALMIGHTY. A solemn promise, not made as a piece of bureaucracy or civil law, and not entered into as entertainment or a piece of erotic or emotional excitement, glitz or glamour. NO. Marriage is a SOLEMN, binding, and unbreakable Agreement. A Completion.
THAT IS MARRIAGE. It was brought into being by GOD, for the good of Man, and for the Honour land Glory of God Himself.
In the Article in today's Nation we are informed -
That 42% divorced couples are divorced in their 5th year of Marriage.
77% divorced by their 10 year of Marriage.
World wide, the incidence of divorce is climbing, and more and more homes and families are in a state of fragmentation, with more and more children finding less and less to hope in, for their own future, and indeed for finding any reason to pursue such hope! YES, A Crisis IS upon the world in this respect. Children will be born without faith or trust in humanity at any level. Children who have been shown nothing but selfish unfaithfulness as a norm, and given no reasonable hope for themselves to see anything different in each other. We doubt the REAL and LASTING love of each other in marriage, or friendship of any kind. We doubt the moral integrity of all mankind, and are fearful of trusting in any relationship. We are all encouraged to mistrust and suspect each other of almost ANY lie, deceit, or even attack. We are not learning to LOVE each other, but we ARE learning to doubt in another person's love, and even to do without love altogether, in case we get hurt. A very uncomfortable, cold, and and purely cynical world, where everyone is more and more looking over their shoulder in case a 'knife' of some kind is coming our way. A spiritually peaceless society where there is less and less peace of mind. A quietly, terror struck world from the cradle to the grave.
I have been married 47 years this year. But it hardly matters. People of Seventy are divorcing all around me, and it is a truth in today's appreciation of Marriage, that a couple can divorce at any time for any reason - even the day after the Wedding - even after living together for 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or MORE years together. And at whatever time a couple marries they testify the love they have for THEMSELVES and not for the other. They demonstrate how much they lied at the altar. They show how FAR away they are from understanding, appreciating, apprehending and believing in from GOD. I love my wife. I love myself too. There are times I do not love what I see in my wife, and there are certainly times she will not see something to love in me. If we let these occasional imperfections, and dislikes about each other come to the surface and interrupt the very real LOVE that brought us together, then we shall destroy it. We all NEED to suffer each others revealed imperfections. We need to suffer and forgive them as a MARK of the LOVE we have for each other. The longer we do so, and more we persevere, the MORE we shall KNOW the love each has for the other, and we shall find increased capacity to forgive. I have a feeling that if we cannot forgive an go on loving, WE ourselves will one day be shut out and away from LOVE and forgiveness until the very last drop of our offence has been sucked out of us.
I find my heart and spirit crying out for broken lives, broken marriages, homes and families. Crying out for children thrown to one side, and left in the dark, alone, homeless......... Yes, and I hear the Devil revelling in it all, and enjoying the evil, the pain and sorrow brought into the world just by letting us love ourselves more than God. Our Homes are full of the result of this evil, and regretfully if may go on repeating itself...... Pray for our children. Pray that we may be able to give then at least a little that has been snatched from so many of the, and to provide in Jesus an even greater hope than they may have lost or even never known.
Love to you all
John, Esther, and Daryl Green
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