NEWK-IT! too! (Honesty Ahead) 3-19-09
Subject: NEWK-IT! too! (Honesty Ahead) 3-19-09
Send date: 2009-03-19 11:45:34
Issue #: 4
Content:
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1 Greetings IN Christ, 3-19-09

NEWK-IT! discussions over the past few weeks have revolved around the vineyard theme and this NEWK-IT! too! will parallel those discussions.  There is so much beautiful imagery in the vineyard regarding our whole life - our life in Christ, our life with one another and our life with our spouse. 

Marriage is a grafting.  The married couple is grafted into each other's family.  The married couple is grafted together as one flesh. They are no longer two, but one.  Each maintains their distinctness while forming one unit which works together toward a common purpose, a common goal. 

Marriage is a binding together, like the branches of the vine are bound together to the trellis system. Husband and wife have the distinct opportunity to compliment one another so that each might come to a fuller expression of themselves through the other.  Marriage isn't a binding which stunts growth, it is freedom - true and complete freedom within the context of the marriage.  The opportunity for expression of that freedom between the married couple is magnificent and should not limited by IT!, which chokes the life out of the vine - shame, embarrassment, past hurts, lack of trust, selfishness, self consciousness, pride, unhealthy lust, pornography, etc.  NEWK-IT! Allow God's word to enter all aspects of life, bringing his life giving presence to your marriage.

When the two begin growing toward opposite goals or compete for nutrients or moisture the vine begins to experience serious trouble.  The vinedresser is truly the one through whom pruning, tending, training, tying, etc takes place. The vinedresser's job is to assess problems, tend to those problems and guide the vine to a healthy production of fruit.  The vinedresser's goal is for growth to take place and for the married couple to produce fruit together with a common goal.  The fruit may include raising children together or it may not.  The good works God has placed before us are so often lived out in the context of marriage, in all aspects of married life.  God recreates and we have the creative ability to recreate a loving environment in our homes and lives.  It may take a miracle, but they are God's specialty!

Marriage also gives us many opportunities to practice our faith!  Trusting God's plan,   forgiving and asking for forgiveness within the context of the closest human relationship on this earth are just a couple examples.  The person we care for most deeply is the person who has the most power to hurt us and we them.  As we live out forgiveness we also tackle IT! together, rather than alone.  IT! gets in the way and tackling IT! as one, brings wholeness to the marriage. 

Marriage provides a safe environment for us to express ourselves fully, as God intended, with our spouse.  A relationship with mutual trust and passion provides the soil in which a marriage thrives.  Healthy marriages grow.  Partners are playful even amid the stresses of life.  They are passionate and compassionate.  God designed us as sexual beings, not just for the purpose of procreation like other animals, but for the creation of love.  The creation of love together in a healthy marriage brings health and healing to life in general. 

If your marriage is healthy, praise God, then watch for others who are hurting and reach out (a lot of Christians fall into the unhealthy, hurting category!).  Be a mentor and trusted friend (only to a person of the same sex).  If your marriage is hurting, pray to the Lord of the harvest to bring good fruit into your life, to heal your marriage.  Reach out, find a mentor and pray about your marriage with them.  God's beautiful design of healthy marriage is for you!

May God grant us courage to tackle this topic in our lives.  May God grant us boldness to speak out in a world where unhealthy sexual expression surrounds us.  May the peace that passes understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Blessings IN Christ.  Join me today! Passionately love your spouse and reach out to them with the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Wrap your arms, life and love around them!

God working in us and through us.

Cindy Steinbeck Newkirk 
Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery
5940 Union Rd. Paso Robles, CA. 93446
805.238.1854 (o) 805.674.1909 (c)

 

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