V.Day: 10 Keys to Intimacy In Marriage

One of my goals for this year is to grow in intimacy with my wife Sharon. Don’t get me wrong, we have a great relationship but I would be the first to say that we still have lots of room for growth. I love her with all my heart but there are some things  that I do really well, and then some other things that I don’t. I’m not insecure about that – I just recognize that I need to grow.

One area that sometimes we seem to be missing each other on sometimes is that of ‘intimacy’. I work hard to serve her and my son, really try to make time, leave work at the office etc. and then struggle a little with the fact that she feels a gap in our ‘intimacy’ (I have figured out that she doesn’t mean our sex life). It has been hard for me to define. If I can ‘get it’ then “I will know what to do do” (yes ladies, very typically male). So, I’m on a journey of growing in intimacy.

One of the blogs I read is from Pastor Joseph Mattera – today I was pulling up an article from his site to share with our office team and I stumbled upon an older one titled “10 keys to Intimacy in Marriage”. The intro really grabbed my attention:

February 14 is a day set aside for couples to express their love. However, most men are clueless in regards to the state of their relationship with their spouse. If men would just learn to properly prioritize their marriage and family, focusing properly on what matters most, then all the other things they desire for significance will manifest in their proper time!

As I read further I found some practical teaching on how to grow in this area. Check it out here. 

DeMar DeRozan: You gotta check this guy out!

ESPN’s TrueHoop passed on this video of DeMar DeRozan, a freshman at USC.

He is unreal – check out the highlights

What a finish!

2.8 seconds…

Three “game-winning” shots…

Unbelievable!

Several Posts on Lakeland…

As you know if you read this blog I’m continuing to follow the Healing Outpouring in Lakeland, FL with Todd Bentley. I’m sure that many of you reading have formed opinions for or against what is going on – personally I’ve stated that I’m for what God is doing there but that I’m not expecting it to be perfect either.

I want to encourage you to be open to ‘new things’ – I was reading a post from a leader that I really respect but he took a shot at ‘gold dust, jewels’ etc. This hit home with me because I’ve had the opportunity to meet an amazing, God-loving couple who have had supernatural jewels given to them. we have had people in our church come out of time in the presence of God and had gold dust all over them (my Mom didn’t wash her shirt for several days ).

Do I completely get this? No. Do I need to? No. Now it would be wrong if someone got so focused on gold dust for example that they forgot about Jesus, winning souls, making disciples etc. but it is also wrong to write something off without meeting people who have experienced it, thoroughly researching it, spending time in prayer over it because it may be something new (to us) that God is doing! I can say from personal experience that I have seen these experiences (when handled with wisdom) be a benefit and blessing to people.

With Lakeland, if you have been there, talked with people who have been healed, heard the hearts of those involved and you have decided that it is not of God then I respect your opinion. If you have made a decision based on some rumors, and a couple youtube videos then I would humbly encourage you to not write it off and speak negatively about it. Is it ok to have concerns/reservations? Sure. But don’t pass judgement without thorough research and prayer. Maybe this is God and you need to be open to ’something new’.

Here are several posts regarding Lakeland:

• Pastor Barry Boucher posted some of his thoughts from his recent trip.
• Randy Bohlender  had an interesting perspective from his ‘pilgrimage’ with his 6 year old son.
• Charisma reported on some recent developments as well.

Discrimination @ York University

I was very concerned to learn last week that the student council of York University, one of the largest in Canada with approximately 50,000 students and 7,000 staff members, has voted 8-0 to deny any resources, space, recognition or funding to Pro-Life groups. The school administration has stated they disagree with the decision but can do nothing about it.

Whether your position is Pro-Life or not, you should be disturbed by this decision. It blatantly discriminates against Pro-Life students and Pro-Life clubs – all because eight student council members do not agree with their position. University is a place to discuss and debate ideas and positions and this decision runs completely contrary to that.

I call on the student council to reconsider their discriminatory decision and on the University Administration to take a stand and exert their authority to see that there is inclusion for all.

My Canada has outlined several action points that can be taken:

1. Write a letter to the editor or article and submit it to your local newspapers. (If you would like to join our official volunteer writer’s team contact us at admin@4mycanada.ca)
2. E-mail Robert J. Tiffin, York’s vice-president who has publicly disagreed with what is happening. He needs to know his stance is supported and that the public feels strongly that he should exert his power over the YFS who are showing clearly discriminatory actions against a group of students. Contact: Robert J. Tiffin rjtiffin@yorku.ca . 
3. Email the York Federation of Students expressing your concern for freedom of speech. Contact: YFS President: Hamid Osman president@yfs.ca, YFS Vice President External: Gilary Massa vpexternal@yfs.ca

I encourage people who join me in concern regarding this decision to take action and let your voice be heard. It is very important that we enter the ‘public square’ and speak out articulately, and respectfully regarding issues of morality, life and justice. (Regarding that – it is important that any communication is done in a respectful manner. People who have a different opinion than us still deserve to be treated with honor. We will not get anywhere through accusations or flying off the handle.)

You can read Life Site News’ report here and My Canada’s here.