Some time ago, an acquaintance made a comment that intrigued me in the moment and has stayed with me since. We were sharing salient points regarding our life stories. After telling me about her early adult life, she stated, “I’ve never been touched by evil. It’s always been only good.”

Like I said, I find this testimonial quite interesting. I’ve gotten to know this person a little better subsequent to this day. Gaining more insight into her life has only served to create more curiosity about the original assertion. I do think about it often.

Yesterday in my lesson I mentioned that one of the best things Lea and I have done in our marriage is read together. Our marriage is healthier today due to the "marriage" books we've picked out and then read.


After we both agree on a book, I'll read a chapter or two, and then when she gets time, she'll do the same. Then we talk about and discuss what we read before moving on in the book. It's been great for strengthening our marriage, and as promised yesterday, I want to recommend some books we've read or are planning to read together. May I suggest you ask your spouse if they'd read a book with you? Or better yet, pick one out and give it to your spouse as a gift with the request, "Would you read this with me?"


Just for fun today, Lea & I would love to give one of you a free book, just by leaving a comment. More on this in a minute.


Here are some books we've read together and highly recommend ...

Some time ago, while I was conversing with an acquaintance, she made a comment that intrigued me in the moment and has stayed with me since. We were sharing salient points regarding our life stories. After telling me about her early adult life, she stated, “I’ve never been touched by evil. It’s always been only good.”

Like I said, I find this testimonial quite interesting. I’ve gotten to know this person a little better subsequent to this day. Gaining more insight into her life has only served to create more curiosity about the original assertion. I do think about it often.

A few words spoken by Jesus have been on my mind lately. They are recorded in Matthew 5:38-48. (Click this link and you can read them in the three versions: TNIV, NIV and KJV.)

As I’ve reflected on these verses, Eugene Peterson’s rendering has proven to be most helpful:

^38-42“Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

FOCUS ON ASIA

SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE

SINGAPORE

Newsletter of Charles and Tamara Cook

Pasir Panjang Church of Christ

347 Pasir Panjang Rd.

Singapore 118688

Sunset International Bible Institute Pte. Ltd… Singapore!

 

Last night Lea and I went to Amarillo with four other couples to catch a nice dinner and a play. We ate at Logan's Steakhouse, and I thought I'd eat healthy, so I ordered the grilled fish. Lea ordered the grilled meatloaf.

A wife came back into the bedroom only to find her husband STILL in bed on a Sunday morning. "Honey," she said, "You've got to get up. You're going to be late for church."