Marriage Conference

Last weekend, we were so blessed to be able to attend a NCFIC conference called “Gospel-Centered Marriages for a Glorious Church.” It was incredible!

"Until we understand the cross, it's almost impossible to understand marriage, because at the center of marriage is the cross. That's why Paul says 'This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church". What he's saying is 'I'm speaking of the cross'. Marriage is meant to display the glory and the accomplishment of the cross. On the cross was the ultimate sacrifice. It was also the ultimate accomplishment as He won, from every tongue and tribe and nation, those who hated Him. That's why Paul said 'God forbid that I should boast in anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ'. Paul said in Romans 5:6-8, 'Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' And that, brothers and sisters, is the meaning of Ephesians 5:21-33."

~ Scott Brown

Paul Washer gave two messages, one on Principles of “Courtship” and the other was a Presentation of the Gospel. The Presentation of the Gospel, we believe, was the best part of the entire conference. Mr. Washer demonstrated so much passion and God really used him to make the story come alive. What a blessing!

“When we say that Christ died for God and when we say that Christ died for His own glory, that does not extinguish His real love for His redeemed. This is amazing! He loved His people! And He loved them when they were vile and hated Him. He loved them when His holiness would not even allow him to look upon them. He loved them! He really, really loves you. This is amazing. This is not some God coldly manipulating things in order to show how great He is. This is not God just coldly wanting to show something to creation about who He truly is. He loves you! This is the thing that is the most amazing to me. He loves me.”

“From where does zeal come? From where does courage come? It doesn’t come from some sort of John Wayne “power within us”. It does not come from some natural steel in our backbones. It comes from this: What Christ paid changes everything! A man or a woman grabs ahold of this truth and they will be imprisoned for the rest of their lives within the confines of the love of God. It will be these truths that guide them. This is the mystery of all true piety and godliness! That Christ has come and that He has taken our sins upon Himself and that He has died. This is what must drive you. Not even the desire to change culture or fix this world should drive you. If that is your guiding strength it’s idolatry. The thing that must drive you is what God has done for you in Christ!”

~ Paul Washer

Doug Phillips gave several excellent talks including "Wedding Ceremonies and Covenants," "Jurisdictions After Marriage," and "How Fathers Qualify Suitors and Receive Daughters". He is one of our family’s favorite speakers.

There were around 2,200 people at this conference. It was so wonderful to hear these messages on Biblical principles and also to fellowship with like-minded families.

Kevin Swanson was also one of the speakers. He is a very dynamic speaker, full of passion for the Lord, His Word, and families. We enjoyed him.

“God calls fathers to really engage in this area. If you love God, and if you love His kingdom, you have got to engage His kingdom work in the discipleship of your sons and daughters. Why? For you? No. For your daughters? No. For your sons? No. It is for God. It is for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You ought to be willing to lay your life down. If you have to go through that courtship and you have to forgive that young man 79 times or 4,767 times, it is for the sake of the kingdom of God. There were martyrs who had their skin taken off and they were dipped in boiling oil for their love for Christ. Can you make it through this courtship through the love that you have for Christ and His kingdom? Do you have that kind of commitment? Let me tell you this: if we’re going to make it through some of these difficult challenges ahead, it has to be because there are men who are willing to lay their lives down for the kingdom of God.”

~Kevin Swanson

Near the end of the conference there was a Q & A panel which was very helpful in answering practical questions.

For more information about this conference and if you are interested in ordering the CDs click here.

Enjoying lunch in the cool fall weather.

We missed the peak, but it was still beautiful!

We are again “en route” heading to New England and enjoying the beautiful countryside.

Stay tuned for more!