FIFTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE...NOT A 50/50 DEAL

Nancy and I are thankful for the 50 years of marriage He gave us in spite of ourselves. God brought us together and we were married June 29th 1969 in Moses Lake, WA. I was in the military and gone much but soon I was transferred to Point Robinson Lighthouse Station USCG (Vashon Island, WA). Here is were we began our family of eight kids. Life led us many places after that but this week we came back to Point Robinson again to celebrate God's goodness in giving us those 50 years.

Point Robinson Lighthouse where I was assigned during some of our first years of marriage. This picture was taken June 29th on the exact hour we were married fifty years before (1969). The lighthouse still functions as a beacon to ships that have to navigate one of the few 90 turns in shipping lanes in the US.

You might ask how is it possible to get along that long? My answer is that marriage is not a 50/50 deal. Some say “if you do your part then I will do mine.” “But if you don’t keep your end then I’m done.” However, when God performed Adam and Eve’s garden wedding He made it clear they were to leave and also “cleave” to each other in Genesis 2:24.  The Hebrew word for “cleave” can also be translated “hold fast” or “be joined to.” It has the idea of clinging to or being committed to a person. This is the part of the vows that emphasizes the covenant of marriage which is to be “until death do us part.” For the believer this means self-sacrifice and putting the other person first and yourself last. Christ is clearly the greatest example of this because He willingly submitted to execution on a cruel cross so that He could redeem His bride the Church by His blood.

Scriptures says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-26

We entered marriage with Christ first and ourselves last. Understanding and living His Word has made the difference for us.

Nancy and I in front of our Keepers Quarters when we lived here in the 70’s just before Josh came.

A picture 50 years later (this week) in front of the same quarters with some of our local family. On the left is Hannah’s family. On the right is some of our son Josh’s family. He was working that day. Josh was our first son and was born while we lived here. He is what is called a Child of the Light.

Lighthouse duty may seem romantic. It was for us. But some Coast Guard men couldn’t handle it because of being with their wives 24 hours a day. One I knew quickly and sadly put in for a transfer to a polar icebreaker so he could be at sea for a major part of the year…and away from his wife. Another young keeper had problems with his spouse so he set up his bed in the small attic storage room of the lighthouse. It was not a hospitable place being next to the fog horn which I assume he preferred listening to. However, regardless of your surroundings a life of following and living for Christ makes any relationship or situation better.

Night at the Keepers Quarters built in 1885 and the lighthouse down the long sidewalk.

The light still functions although it is now automated. The sparkling 5th order prismatic lens is still there but the actual light is now a small resin lens on the catwalk outside the lantern room. It has a LED light that functions on solar energy. It still guides ship around one of the few 90 degree turns in the shipping lanes in the US (between Seattle and Tacoma). The fog horn still works too. Dozens of large commercial and small private vessels rely on it daily. This weekend an annual Low Tide Festival will draw nearly 800 people to the station. I’ll be helping with this event as former Keeper.

Sunday July 21 at 9:15 Nancy and I will be doing the main adult Sunday School class on “Biblical Insights from 50 Years of Marriage: No 50/50 Deal.” We don’t know all the answers but we know where they can be found. Join us then or on Livestream.

Pastor Mark

WHY IS GOD CALLED "FATHER"

Father’s Day is a good time to think about our heavenly “Father”. In one sense God is the father of all mankind since He created all things. But we should be clear that God being the Father of all things does not automatically mean we are forgiven and on our way to heaven. That is another subject.

God as a heavenly Father is good and gracious to a lost world through what we call “common grace.” In other words God brings good and gracious blessings of all kinds on all men without distinction. It is undeserved and sovereignly bestowed by God. He blesses us with food, water, natural beauty, health and so on. Jesus made this clear when He said, “…for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Mt. 5:45b).

On the other hand God is a father in a very special way to those who have come to repent and put their faith in Christ. The name “Abba Father” is important name of God in understanding God as our heavenly Father in this way. Abba is an Aramaic word that means “daddy.” It expresses affection, confidence and trust in a childlike way that a child might put in their father. In the garden Jesus prayed “Abba Father” (Mk. 14:36). We also note that Romans 8:15 uses this name when the Holy Spirit adopts them into God’s family. During this adoption process Galatians 4:6 says the Spirit cries out, “Abba, Father.” What a wonderful picture of the new birth using human birth as an example. The right to call God “Abba Father” is something that only born-again Christians have (Jn. 1:12-13).

God being seen as a “Father” sets the standard for us. Jesus said, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mat. 5:48). Since even believers sin sometimes it is only through Christ we can be made perfect since He died for our sin and gave us His righteousness.

Jesus even taught us to pray starting with, “Our Father who is in Heaven" (Mat. 6:9). He also taught us to baptize new believers “into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mat. 28:19).

So why do we call God the “Father”? Someone suggested it is because He has a deep voice. Really! At least He did in The Ten Commandments movie. Listen to Dennis Prager’s ideas on this.

Thoughts From A New Grandfather, is also a short video my son Caleb did on becoming the first of my eight kids to become a grandfather this year. And…yes, that makes me a great grandfather.

Whatever you do don’t forget to honor your Heavenly Father and your earthly one too.

-Pastor Mark

DON’T FORGET…

• Saturday 6/15 from 8-9:30AM we will have a special Father’s Day emphasis on our Men’s Discipleship breakfast. Guys bring your dads and sons. Breakfast is free and what dad’s like.

• Sunday 6/17 at 9:30AM there will be an informal all church Father’s Day Fellowship on the patio. Sunday School is cancelled. So bring Dad’s favorite his favorite finger foods. Then during the 10:30AM worship we’ll have a Baby Dedication just before Enriko Stigter will preach.

A SALUTE TO OUR D-DAY VETS

This morning I was up early thinking of what it was like 75 years ago today early in the morning of June 6, 1944. Men were waiting on board ships or landing crafts while others prepared to board planes as the massive assault began on Omaha Beach. Chaplains circulated among them, read Scripture and prayed final prayers.

Here at Discovery we have been privileged to have and hear the stories of three of these D-Day Vets over the years. Be thankful for God’s grace in the battle and for those who served in that epic time.

Larry Ellsworth the sailor.

Larry Ellsworth joined the Navy during WWII and served aboard a PT (Patrol Torpedo) boat attached to the USS Portunus during D-Day. Their small fast attack boat ran interference to prevent German subs from sinking our ships as they approached Omaha Beach. Larry spoke of needing to lay a large smoke screen for vessels to be hidden behind or under during attack.

Larry came to Christ later in life and was a very active member here at DBC from our start in 1980. He was a faithful helper as needed and was on maintenance staff at Tacoma Baptist Schools. He also laid the brick for our entry way pillars. He and Carrie moved to Sumner eventually. Larry passed away 2013.

Larry Ellsworth

Hal Roberts joined the military after seeing a movie about paratroopers. He wanted to jump in spite of what his wife Jeanne said so became a paratrooper. On D-Day he remembers chaplains praying for them before they boarded their planes. They flew and soon called for the nervous men to jump. Looking out the window it appeared they would land in the sea. When they did jump the water really was only a thick cloud cover. France was below and bullets were flying. Hal and his buddies landed in a field but were pinned face down in the mud for nearly a week as a machine gun nest occasionally fired bullets inches above them. Eventually they took the nest, joined up with some Brits and did a running attack on enemy headquarters in an old building. They neutralize it as well. Hal went on to fight in two campaigns and by God’s grace survived. Hal and Jeanne became part of our flock, saluted me when coming to church and shared many war stories.

Hal Roberts

Blaine Highfield, a local boy, joined the military during WW11 also and became a fighter pilot. During D-Day he flew missions to keep enemy planes away from our jumpers. During a mission his wing-man left him with no cover. When he got to base there were 97 bullet holes in his plane. They were everywhere except into the cockpit. He soon realized God’s plan for him was not to die on a field in Belgium. He flew 79 combat missions, received a distinguished flying cross, an air medal with a 9 oak leaf cluster and 5 bronze stars and later became a follower of Christ also. He retired in 1983 as Lt. Col, USAF.

I met Blaine when he came to Discovery a few years ago. I soon realized he should meet Hal Roberts. On Veteran’s Day we arranged a surprise meeting during morning worship. Hal happened to wear his old uniform that day. During announcements I called for Hal and Blaine to stand. For the first time these battle buddies met and realized they had supported each other in battle. It was an emotional moment after 70+ years. We seated them together for the picture below. Since then those brothers in battle and now in Christ have also been promoted to their supreme Commander in heaven and await their return with the Lord.

Hal Roberts (L) and Blaine Highfield (R) meet for the first time.

On D-Day about 2,501 American troops alone died of the 4,414 Allied deaths. Don’t forget to pray for our troops, our president and those in authority that we might live a quiet life able to proclaim the truth of the Gospel of Christ. This is a good thing. (cf. I Timothy 2:2-3)

-Pastor Mark