"I Love My Hubby" Meme

I was tagged by one of my sista Noelle, our fearless leader at Take Root! As she said, I too love a good meme and this one is about husbands, and I have a great one....

Here are the rules:

Grab the graphic and insert with these rules, in your post.
Give at least 5 reasons why you love your hubby. List more if you want.
Tag 5 people (or more) to play along and link to their blogs in your post.
Then visit those women’s blogs and leave them a comment on any of their posts.

Now that I have shared the rules, it’s my time to share my reasons:

5 Reasons I Love My Hubby

1.) He is genuine. What you see is what you get... and he loves me, for who I am. He has never asked me to change. (okay, that is kind of 2...)
2.) He is a true partner in our marriage in EVERY way! He cooks, cleans, cares for the girls, and works, just like me... he jumps in wherever and whenever needed... because we are equal partners in running our home.
3.) He loves God... and it is so obvious. I often wake up or fall asleep hearing him praying for me, our family, the girls and our future...
4.) He is my best friend.
5.) He is my biggest fan (and I am his)...
6.) He is my Prince Charming... whether he is wooing me with sweet words or slaying dragons on my behalf... he brings our personal fairy tale to life every day!
7.) He gives me foot massages almost every night (I am NOT kidding about this!)...
8.) His crazy faith partnered with mine results in a life that is anything BUT boring!

Okay, I listed more than five... and I could have gone on... I DO love that man! But I'll stop and do my tagging...


Now I am supposed to tag 5 people to play along, so here they are..

Deanna @ Lifetime Intimate Portrait: Deanna Shrodes
Shelisa @ The Winner's Church
Leanna@ Musings 'n Stuff
Deborah @ Between Dollas
Sherri @ My Thoughts

A Tribute to Wives...

My husband Craig posted a really special blogpost today... I thought I would share it here...

"Putting Power in Your Prayers"

I have been studying about "Honor" for several weeks. This week God showed me something, I would like to share with you.

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, likewise dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel.

Here are several thoughts, that I received out of this scripture.

* Weaker vessel doesn't mean your wife is below you, it only means she can't bench press 300 pounds. The amplified says physically weaker to all you chauvinistic men out there. She may be weaker (physically) than you are , but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life.

* We are equal partners, joint heirs... She receives the same grace, anointing, and potential as I do.

* Peter goes on to say that when we do not properly honor our wives, our prayer will not be answered (ouch!). If you honor your wife, you can have confidence in your prayers to God.

* Let me speak to some husbands, including me, do you treat your wife as valuable? D you listen to her words, or do you shun her? I have learned the hard way that most wives are far more discerning than we are, and more often than not, if we fail to listen to them, we will experience pain

* In the Kingdom of God there is neither male nor female... (Gal. 3:28). If you take the masculine and the feminine and put the two together and you'll find the complete reflection of God's image, Genesis tells us that He created him, male and female He created them (Genesis 1:27). God created him in His own image, but "him" is spelled out "male and female". It takes the male and female to give us the full representation of God. For that reason Paul states, "Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord" (1 Cor. 11:11).

* We honor our wives in two ways: first as the weaker vessel (means we treat them like ladies) by protecting them, opening doors for her, pulling out the chair in the restaurant, protecting her from rude people (always protect), it also means we should prefer our wives, for example if you only have enough money to buy one outfit for a special occasion, buy it for her instead of buying one for yourself.

To lead in the Kingdom is not dominating but serving, always prefer her desires to yours unless it is a major decision and you have clear direction from God.

Secondly, by honoring them as joints heirs. This means she has equal standing in the eyes of God. This is contrary to most denominational mindsets. Women are not inferior, you don't have an advantage over them because you are a man. God's favor is held from Churches that believe the women are inferior. In fact you will find oppression, heaviness, and bondage in these places.

We must ask ourselves some questions, in some Churches why are women not included in the leadership teams? Why are females not given the same privilege to minister as the men? Why are women not included on the pastoral teams of some Churches? Why do we hear the Fathers voice and not the mother's voice? The body of Christ has been crippled due to the dishonor shown to women.

* Joel prophesied of the full restoration of women in ministry in the final days of the Church (Acts 2:17-18).

Psalms 68:11 says in the amplified, "the Lord gives the word (of power); the women who bear and publish (the news) are a great host (company).

* The first evangelist was Mary Magdalene, Jesus himself commissioned her to go tell the disciples, He had risen (John 20:17-18), and in Luke's gospel she was the lead speaker in proclaiming the Lord's Resurrection (Luke 24:10). The first person to speak to others of the Messiahs arrival was Anna (Luke 2:38). Philip had four daughters who spoke the word of the Lord (Acts 21:9) (I have 5 young evangelist). How can we fulfill the great commission if over half of the body of Christ is not honored to fulfill their calling?

Here is what we get men if we honor our wives.

1) Fulfilled women who are free to give full expression to what God's called them to do. The opposite is they will be depressed, unfulfilled, and limited.

2) Double the fruitfulness and maximum potential. You can produce and accomplish more together than you can by yourself.

3) Fulfilled Love life. If we honor our wives, they will honor us (yea baby!) Some men are still wondering why they never get sex from their wives, it is because if you treat them like they are nothing, you will get nothing!

4) Your children will serve the Lord. It is much easier for your children to serve the Lord if they can see the fullness in God than if they see division in the home. Who wants to serve a God that treats women like that. Let's be real men at home and not just at Church.

5) Answered prayer and open doors.

6) The Lord's blessing and favor on your finances, family, and faith. I believe one of the number one reasons marriages struggle with finances is because we don't honor our wives.

Let me finish by clarifying, I'm not a expert, I have not been perfected in this, but I can tell you I will strive to honor my wife in every way possible. From 1999 to 2004 I was on the road preaching. All I remember is getting on airplanes and getting off. Tara never complained, she was behind me and beside me 100%. I know someday, I will have the privilege and honor of carrying her bags and holding the fort as she travels all over the world preaching the gospel, I always tell people, she is a much better communicator than me, and I also know she will write many best selling books.

Here's to you babe, I will do my best to honor you for the rest of our lives. God, forgive me when I haven't.

You can read more from Craig at Positioned for Greatness..

Love & Blessings,

Your Challenge Should You Choose to Accept It...

Ever hear the saying, “Great minds think alike?” Well, today is a prime example of the statement. Last night I was surfing some church sites and came across “Relevant Church” and their 30 Day Sex Challenge Campaign.

The challenge for those who choose to accept it? Married couples are challenged to have sex every day for 30 days while those who are single are challenged to abstain. Before I get bludgeoned to death… No, I do not advocate sex outside of marriage. With that said, let’s be honest… there is some hanky panky going on inside the church folks… it happens. So, what better way to recommit one’s self to abstain until marriage by accepting this challenge! ? Statistics say that practicing something for 30 days will create a new habit. This could be quite the new habit for all us married folks, huh!? Can I get a big Amen?

I understand that this “challenge” is causing quite an uproar among Christians (why? Don’t they have sex anymore!???) and also has stirred the media. In my opinion with 53% of US marriages ending up in divorce I doubt 30 days of sex will hurt any married couple!!!

Sex should never be something that anyone takes for granted. If you are married, it is a wonderful benefit for both the husband and wife and should never be used as a bargaining chip or something earned or denied. Let me share a somewhat humorous story with you…

There was a couple attending our church in the south. They were having some marital issues. Neither party was innocent but to honest the wife had some serious issues. One of the problems they had was she was withholding sex from her husband. She was very ugly about it too and very vocal as well. Craig and I advised them and prayed with them however, this was one area she refused to let up in. She made remarks that “if he was good then he would be allowed to have sex with her once a year, on his birthday.”

A month later she fell into my arms a huge mess. I asked her what was wrong and she said that that she was pregnant and it was all her husband’s fault! Well, that was partly true anyway! It seems her husband had a birthday and he’d gotten a gift. J Guess what it was?

Now, I am not saying the baby was a punishment, no, not at all. But this couple was such a mess she then blamed him for the unplanned pregnancy too. Most of their issues could have been worked out, however, she had defiled the marriage bed with her attitude and bitter spirit. Sadly this couple did split up shortly after the birth of their baby.

This couple had issues, oh yes… major ones. However, the intimacy sex brings between a married couple also brings other things as well. It is the “connection” with one another, finding time for one another, making a decision to celebrate one another.

On the other side, single folks take sex for granted when they partake in an act meant to be shared only by married couples. Let’s be honest, is there really any glory in “hooking up” within hours of meeting? Single gals, is there any value felt in a one night stand? Sex, making love, was meant to be an intimate time shared between a man and woman who have devoted their hearts and lives to one another through marriage, in that place only will sex fail to be taken for granted.

If you are interested in the “challenge” go to http://www.relevantchurch.com/images/blog/30dayg.pdf for the complete guide for married couples and the guide for singles. Relevant Church, www.relevantchurch.com is pastored by Pastor Paul Wirth and his wife Susie. They are located in Ybor City, Florida, right outside of Tampa.

Oh, and about the “great minds thinking alike” statement… my friend Pastor Deanna (https://lifetimeintimateportraitds.blogspot.com ) just blogged on the same topic…

Valentine's Day at LWoods

Craig and I celebrated Valentines Day early, last Saturday night to be exact. We have to attend a dinner at the church on the 15^th and the 14^th was too crazy so we opted for an early celebration! We went to dinner at a fantastic, popular place called L Woods in Lincolnwood, IL. I was smart and made reservations because the average “walk in” wait is up to 2 hours! We went right in and enjoyed a great meal! We started with a homemade bread and delicious raspberry lemonades from the bar. Our server was wonderful and comp’d us appetizers since it was our first vivist to L Woods. He brought us a marvelous flatbread with grilled mushrooms (which I love), rosemary, garlic and fresh parmesan cheese. It was so yummy! We then had Caesar salad which is made to share. We ordered our main course, I had Prime Rib and Craig opted for a rack of Baby Back ribs with the chef’s special sauce. We both had HUGE twice baked potatoes that melted in our mouths. We ordered dessert when we ordered our meal because the chocolate molten lava cake takes 40 minutes to prepare and bake. It came with a homemade whipped cream. It was heavenly!!! We took home so much food! The place was romantic and rustic. It was decorated like a pine lodge and was complete with antler laden chandeliers. It was dimly lit and had some of the nicest servers we’ve had in Chicago!

We headed home and watched a “chick flick” together (thanks Babe!) and had an overall great night together!

Craig also surprised me with a brand new digital camera, one much nicer than the one I had before! He got a shopping spree at Borders…. One of his favorite things. So, although early, we had a very special Valentines Day together!!!

On Valentine’s morning I gave each of the girls a V-Day t-shirt, Target had some very cute shirts. They also got a little candy. Isabella managed to get her cylinder of candy coated mini-kisses and hid between my bed and the wall where she managed to tilt her little head back and empty the entire contents into her month. Her little cheeks were all puffed out and she was just chewing her little heart out happy as a clam! Happy as a clam…? Where did they come from anyway!

Anyway, we all had a very special V-Day and I hope you did as well!

2008 Goal Setting: Reach for the Stars!

Here are the goals I promised…. Well, the ones I want to share. They are some others that are not for public viewing right now… I am really excited about the 2008 chapter of my life… here is a sneak preview…

2007 in Review

In a word, rollercoaster! 2007 was a rollercoaster. It was full of ups and downs. Personally, it was painful at times and at other times made me so angry. I felt as if every fiber of my being was challenged at some point. Ever hear the saying, “It’s like trying to force a square peg in a round hole?” That was the theme of 2007 for me.

On the flipside I have to say that I have become stronger in spite of the pain and drama 2007 brought. I know more than ever who I am and who I am called to be. There is no doubt in my mind that I have an extraordinary destiny in Christ to fulfill.

With 2007 behind me I am now more determined than ever that 2008 will be the BEST year of my family’s life thus far! The number 8 represents resurrection and new beginnings… I am ready for both!

2007 brought…

Challenges

· Realizing the sacrifices made

· Reprioritizing

· Paying Off Past Debt

· Cultural differences

· Being Held Back

Upside

· Found new strength

· Creating abilities increased

· Building Family Relationship

· Meeting Great People

· Realization of What is Possible

2008 – Focus & Passion:

MAD Goals, Not Resolutions… MAD Goals? Goals that are measureable, achievable and have a deadline. Resolutions are not much more than “good intentions” in my book… but goals… they are things I MUST achieve in order to accomplish something greater. I will be listing a majority of my GOALS here, however, for every goal you see here there is also a plan attached that leads to the fulfillment of a bigger purpose.

That being said, allow me to borrow a quote from another blogger… “I am making a demarcation between 2007 and 2008 – and using it as a marker for instituting some significant changes.” Some of these “significant changes” I will share here, others will remain under the knowledge, prayer, advisement and guidance of me and Craig’s inner circle and those we are accountable to. Still, we will make strides to the accomplishment of each goal with the MAD process.

Artistically

· Enhance blog site.

· Complete “Confessions of a Destiny Driven Diva” book

· Write three booklets/manuals

· Write/submit at least 12 articles for publication

Attitude

· Refuse to allow small minded people affect present or future

· Pick and choose battles

· Do not take things too personally

· Criticize by creating

Ministry/Career

· Go back into area of expertise and calling.

· Speak at at least three major conferences

· Preach/speak at at least a dozen times for various churches/ministries

· **Personal goal** (cannot be shared right now)

· Planning and strategizing

· **Personal Goal (cannot be shared right now)

· Tag team preach/speak with Craig at three conferences

· Expand Encounters… brand and market

· Support and assist Kaitlyn/Kelsea in dance ministry ventures

· Support and assist Haley’s interest in a music ministry

Education

· Consider a few correspondence programs to further degree. (Gather information)

· Take a class for extracurricular knowledge (cooking; language, etc.)

· Plan and Contribute more to girls’ college educations

· Make arrangements for girls to participate in additional extracurricular educational activities (music, dance, gym, sports, etc.)

Home/Family

· Spend quality time as a family weekly (Family nights)

· Go on family outings once a month

· Spend one on one time with each of the girls

· Devotional times at least three times per week

· Eat dinner together at the table at least four times per week

· Become more organized with schedules, chores and home

· Make a list of necessities for the home/family

· Communicate more regularly with extended family and friends

· Take a family photo at least twice, take photos more often

· Plan and finance Kaitlyn’s 16^th b-day party

Financial

· Increase incoming finances

· Access ways to accumulate additional cash flow

· Decrease debt whenever possible (even if it is minimal)

· Pay off specific debt by end of year

· Purchase items on necessity list as possible

· New vehicle

· Save at least $3000 in a new account by end of year

Physical

· Continue on quest for health by attending and following Weight Watcher program

· Increase exercise routine

· Make life style changes

· Make adjustments to meals/grocery purchases

· Vitamins

· Physician Check Ups (Physical/Dental/Vision/Orthodontist) to start year out

Pleasure

· Read a new fiction series

· Take a class for fun (kick boxing; flower arranging, etc.)

· See a Broadway show

· Start a candy wrapper business

Spiritual

· Read whole Bible

· Memorize at least one scripture per month

· Increase devotional time

· Increase personal time with God

· Share Christ with at least 500 people individually

Marriage

· Spend more time talking every day

· **Personal Goal ** (cannot share right now)

· Date Nights at least twice a month

· Pray together more

· Dream together more

2008 Declaration!

Craig and I have been praying and seeking the Lord as we prepare to enter the new year. In spite of every attack that we (you) may have endured and because of every blessing (can one receive too many?) in 2007, we are declaring 2008 to be a year of new beginnings in all things! Below is a declaration that the Sloan household will be speaking forth all year. It is packed with the Word and our prayer is that this declaration be fulfilled in your lives as well!

Here is what Craig and I are declaring over 2008…

We are declaring 2008 to be the Year of New Beginnings.

· New Grace

· New Wisdom

· New Blessings

· New Opportunities

· New Peace

· New Provision

· New Territory

· New Strategies

· New Vision

· New Revelation

· New Anointing

· New Levels

· New Manifestations

· New Harvest

· New Church

· New Influence

· New Beginnings!

· New chapters in our Journal of Faith!

God is faithful. He called us, He will also do it. He who started a good work in us will complete it! The end of a thing is greater than the beginning. He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. He is a sun and a shield; He will give grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from us because we are walking uprightly!

Problems are not too hard! Challenges are not too hard! Money is not too hard! Changes are not too hard! Relationships are not too hard! Healing is not too hard! Ministry is not too hard! The promises He made to us are not too hard! "There is nothing too hard for the Lord!" "Nothing is impossible with God"

His grace is greater than our weakness! His healing is greater than our sickness! His purpose is more powerful than persecution. His power is greater than Satan's devices.

His promises are greater than our problems. His love is greater than all the things of this life that try to separate us from it.

God will turn our mourning into dancing. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning! His wrath is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime. All things will work together for our good because we love Him and we are called according to His purpose. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God! Even if we walk through the valley of the shadow He will be with us and comfort us! Goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life! Nothing is impossible for us.

Our God will fight for us. The battle is not ours but God's. We are more than conquerors! He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. The God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath our feet. He will arise and scatter our enemies! They will come against us one way, but they will flee seven different directions! No weapon formed against us will prosper! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. After we have suffered awhile, the God of all grace will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. His grace is sufficient for us. Even when we are weak we are strong, for then the power of Christ rests upon us.

"Our latter will be greater!" "We haven't seen anything yet" "Our best days and our blessed days are ahead!" "Our problems don't equal our promises" "The devil's 'no' cannot compete with God's 'yes'!" "The best is yet to come!"

We see many wonderful things for the Church in 2008.

We see a fresh and new anointing of authority and revelation on the preaching of the Word. Prodigal children will be coming back to the Lord. A spirit of conviction and the fear of the Lord will come upon people. New converts will flood our altars. Leaders will step up to bear burdens- mentoring and coaching with new levels of grace for leadership.

Prophecies will come to pass and promises will be fulfilled. New intimacy and unity will thrive in marriages. Peace and harmony will come to homes and families. Our children will rise to their full potential in everything they put their hands to, their walk with God, education, gifts, talents, character and influence. Prayers will be answered. Businesses will prosper in the midst of economic downturn. Creative revelation will come to those who wait upon the Lord. Promotion and favor will come to those who seek Him.

God will open supernatural doors for the Gospel. Our times of intercession will be accompanied by surprising demonstrations of the glory of God. New wineskins will be filled with new wine. There will be outbreaks of healing in our church. And we will see amazing manifestations of the presence of the Lord in our worship.

We see the Lord restoring many things that were stolen. We declare seven fold restoration! We declare a year of great reaping. We might have gone out weeping, but we will return with joy bringing our sheaves with us!

As we approach this year — this new season, this new beginning — we will not let the pessimistic, doubt-filled, hell-spawned, negative perspective of the world, the media or the unbelieving critic get to us.

We won't listen to it. We will not embrace it. We do not believe it! Faith comes from whatever you are hearing and we will declare and meditate in His law day and night (every morning and every evening) and everything we do will prosper and succeed.

We will not believe the evil reports or discouraging statements that may come from many sources this year of those around us. We believe and declare the report of the Lord!

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday was mine and Craig's 16th wedding anniversary! We had to "share" our celebration with our staff holiday gathering that was taking place on the same evening. So, in short we had a wonderful dinner at the Rosewood in Rosemont, IL followed by seeing "The Great Debaters" at one of Chicago's nicest theaters. It was a very nice evening and Craig and I both enjoyed ourselves. We still plan to go out alone later this month for our own belated celebration.

16 years, hmm, makes me smile. There were some who doubted we'd make it five! We've showed them babe- still together, still g0ing strong!!!

I love you hon!

Divorce in the Pulpit: What Went Wrong?

My heart was saddened as I learned of yet another couple in ministry deciding to divorce. At first I was going to link the story here, but I opted not to. This couple has enough media attention right now. I have admired this couple and have received from them in a ministry capacity on more than one occasion. They were a powerteam... WERE.... what went wrong?

To top it off I then learned of another former "power couple," this time in the throes of a stormy separation and assault charges. What went wrong?

There will probably be numerous comments from every viewpoint and that's okay. As Americans we are all entitled, however as Christians we are also commanded to love one another. I love these brothers and sisters in the faith and I know God does too. He has not abandoned them and though He hates divorce I believe He will grant them all peace that passes all understanding.

Still, I am left with the probing question of, "what went wrong?"

If I ask some people I will get the whole rundown of "mega preachers and how they have gone wrong" and then I'll ask others and they'll have accusations of infidelity and opinions on women in the pulpit. However, when it all comes down to it, they are human and they make mistakes no matter how anointed they are. And having the pressure and success they have doesn't necessarily make it better or easier, sometimes it makes things surreal.

In my own marriage, Craig and I have gone through our share of issues. We don't always agree and we shouldn't. We are two individuals with different ideas, feelings, and identities. I can't live my life through or for him and he can't live his through or for me. We are in one in Christ and we have vowed to love and honor one another till death do us part. Divorce, for us, will never be an option. And I don't say that lightly, as a matter of fact as I typed that sentence I felt a slight fear run through me. I'm sure those power couples promised the same things. And I won't judge them because, "but for the grace of God, there go I."

I still haven't answered the question, "What went wrong," because frankly, I don't know. These couples were in love, best friends and they dreamed together. They also cried, felt brokenness, felt lonely, and experienced loss together- and alone. They also experienced success together and alone. And I am 100% positive that given another chance they would do many things differently. Wouldn't we all?

I've written a lot about"power couples" in this post. And ya know, I know some dynamic power couples who are still married and I am rooting for them. Personally, I consider Craig and I a "power couple" because we balance each other out with our anointing, strengths, weaknesses, desires, and taste. I am my best when working, walking and ministering beside Craig. Even when we have to be apart we are still flowing in the "same vein." And we love each other.

In closing, please join me in praying for these men and women of God for restoration in their lives and relationships. If God still called David a man after His own heart even when he messed up in his relationships I know there is hope for us all in our own times of weakness.

Locating the Balance

Today was Monday, my last day as a Project Support Manager. Beginning tomorrow I will start training as Payroll Administrator. I'm up for it but to be honest I'm a little agitated. I can do this job, but it is NOT what I want to do! My heart is just not in this! I'll be honest, I'm doing it for the money. That's it. I dont have a bad attitude, I just see where I want to go and I am bucking every obstacle that threatens to get in my way. HOWEVER, as I said in my previous post, I know God is working on my behalf. I know that His plan is being worked out for my good. Oh Lord, please help me suck it up and listen to you!

I've been working on several projects that MUST be completed in the next two weeks. One of those is "Confessions..." I've got bits and pieces of it everywhere and I am pulling it all together. I'm also putting together my new promotional packet for my speaking ministry. I am excited about this but there are SO many components to it! AND I have to finish the LIFE Groups Resource Manual and meet with 50 different group leaders before the end of the month not to mention the other things I have to do before the fall kick off! I honestly have no idea how I will accomplish it all! And my "To Do" list is growing by the minute!

How do you all manage to balance work, home, family, projects, ministry, etc.? I'd love some feedback and suggestions- and LOTS of prayer!

Am I overcommiting? Am I crazy or do I just need the help of some driven women who can help get me on track?

Come on gals- I'm listening!

"You're in BIG Trouble Mister!"

My husband was in BIG trouble last night. He attended a funeral where he was on hand for his part in officiating. I was unable to go because of getting home late. Anyway, he left at 7 pm because the funeral would begin at 7:30 pm. He said he wouldn’t be home late but I really didn’t expect him before 10 pm.

The girls and I went about our night. We had dinner and watched a little television. I read a little of my “It Ain’t All About the Cookin,’” Paula Deen’s new memoir. (I just love her and she inspires me!) I feel asleep sometime around 10 pm. AT 11:30 I woke up- no Craig. I tried his cell- no answer. I tried the church- no answer. I thought maybe he’d gone to get a bite to eat with one of the other pastors.

At midnight I was a little perturbed. I called his cell again- no answer again. By this time, Kaitlyn, my oldest daughter had realized that Dad wasn’t home and she was a little worried. At 12:30- still no Craig and no answer on his phone. 12:45- no Craig and no answer. I was getting concerned.

Just as I was about to call some of the other staff, Craig called- it was 1 am! I was upset but more relieved than anything. He apologized over and over. Evidently, he and one of the other pastors had been talking and they lost track of time. The funeral had ended at 9 pm!

When he came in I looked at him and said, “You’re in BIG trouble mister!” He kind of grinned and said, “It makes me feel good to know you were worried about me!” That man! (**grin**)

Marriage is Serious Business

Excuse me for a moment; I’m climbing back up on my soapbox! I can’t help it, I have to say something! Our media, here in our swanky city of Chicago has given a great amount of publicity to a law firm for its’ newest tactic for attracting business.

The law firm in question placed a huge billboard in the affluent Chicago area known as “Gold Coast,” or “Viagra Triangle” due to the number of upscale singles’ bars on the block. The billboard portrayed the torso section of a woman in lingerie and the bare torso of a muscled man. The message splashed in between the two read, “Life is Short, Get a Divorce.”

The law firm responsible for this portrayal of bad taste has been on every news channel, radio show, and newspaper in Chicago. They stand by their billboard and its message, despite its negativity. Too bad it came down yesterday.

I spoke my peace regarding this topic whenever I’d hear anyone trying to “down play” the effects of such a message. In a society where it is already so easy to break a commitment in marriage, I sincerely believe that campaigns such as this one only add fuel to a wild fire that needs desperate control. Marriage vows are serious business and should not be treated so flippantly.

The lawyers responsible for the ad threw out all kinds of comments like, “Lawyers don’t cause divorces, people do.” True, true, this is true, however, I’d believe that that their intentions were as pure as they claim when I see them advertising a “Strengthen Your Marriage” course!

Maybe I’ll put up my own billboard… hmmm, I’m going to have to think on that!