39% of Americans say Marriage is Becoming Obsolete

A new Pew Research stat says 4 in 10 Americans say marriage is becoming obsolete and the U. S. census data says marriages hit an all-time low of 52% for adults 18 and over.

Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse: "Without some basic structure... it becomes every person out for himself. The main [issue] is the deinstitutionalization of marriage. By making it so we're free of attachments and obligations and responsibilities, we don't have ... the structure that allows us to invest together over a long period of time." (interviewed by Marvin Olasky in World magazine).

Vow of Grace

I took your hand to love you
-a woman worthy to be loved-
With a zeal drawn from the
Jealous heart of God Himself.

The LORD had put it in my heart
To honor and to love
To cherish and protect
To encourage and promote you
To be upright and faithful
No matter what the cost
'Til death do us part.

I took your hand, ready to give until
By love I was undone.

But the tenderness of your hand
Rewards my covenant with grace
And the energy of my zeal
Becomes the gratitude of my tears.

"Fireproof" the Marriages of Your Church

The makers of "Flywheel" and "Facing the Giants" will release their newest movie on September 26th: "Fireproof." The double meaning in the subtitle says it all: "Never leave your partner behind."

This movie shows what it takes to protect your marriage in our culture or to move back from the brink of divorce. Learning to rebuild broken trust is a difficult thing and the movie offers some good insights. Companion pieces, slated to be released later, will offer more direction and help to troubled couples.

While retaining the humorous banter seen in earlier movies between coaches or used car salesmen, this movie has a darker edge. In the earlier movies, you can point to the exact place where the plot turns in favor of the protagonist. When the protagonist gets right with God, the circumstances change. In this movie, and I think in real life, the decision to follow is met with more obstacles before the plot begins to resolve.

The volunteer cast does an excellent job with some very emotional scenes. Kirk Cameron was the only paid actor in the movie and he donated the money to charity. He was paid only to keep his card with the Screen Actors Guild. Watch for a boat, a bat, salt and pepper shakers, and a red dress.

I look forward to recommending the movie to my church and promoting it in the community. It may just provide the emotional motivation for couples on the brink of divorce to reconsider. At least I'm praying to that end.