I wanted to express something that made a huge impact on my life. When I made my vows to my wife on December 19, 1992, I made them for my entire natural life. Those vows were during sickness and in health, richer or poorer and forsaking all others. It is the forsaking all others that I want to focus in with this post.
I came out of a lifestyle that included some very promiscuous thinking and actions. This all changed when I gave my life to Jesus, but the pictures and memories of my past seem burned into my mind. That is why I am daily renewing my mind in Christ. However, as I make decisions on shows to see and movies to venture into, I make certain that I guard my mind as I venture into those areas. For me, forsaking all others, is more than crossing the line and abandoning my marriage vows. It means that I strive not to allow my mind or eyes to wander from my wife. I do this for three reasons.
First, my Lord is precious and dear to me. I have covenanted with Him that He has complete control of my life. It is not that I live for Him, but that He lives through me. I understand that this vessel can stray, but it will not stray as long as I allow Him complete control.
Second, my family is precious and dear to me. I have covenanted with Gail that she is the only woman that I will ever desire. I have covenanted with Rebekah that I will not do anything that will remove the stability of this family. I know that I am not the nicest person, or the best provider financially, but I will make certain that she understands stability because her daddy is not going anywhere. Gail, knows and depends on the fact that I am not going to place myself in any position that will cause others to question my commitment to her.
Third, has to do with the following pictures. The first picture was taken in December, 2000. I know that this is not the best picture, but I am standing on the top row, second from the end on the left. If you will look at the front row, first person on the left, you will note that my friend and fellow blogger Brother C.B. Scott is standing there. He is there because he thought he could graduate without marching. However, Dr. Bush desire overruled Brother C.B.’s desire.
It has been charged by some here, here, & here that Dr. Patterson has been soft on dealing with sexual predators in the pastorate. These unfounded charges are nothing more than political fodder for attacks on someone from another direction. What many who make these charges not realize, or fail to truthfully represent, is the many messages that Dr. Patterson has preached on pastors disqualifying themselves from the pastoral ministry. Not only does Dr. Patterson preach this Scriptural truth, but he also advocates it in his lifestyle. Also, those that try to insinuate that Dr. Patterson is soft on sexual predators in the pulpit, have never sat in his pre-graduation address to the graduates. In that meeting he addresses a number of issues. One that I will never forget is the time that he told the above graduating class;
If you chose to violate your marriage vows you will have to stand before the Lord and give an account. But, before you do that, if I am still living, I will hunt you down and you will have to give an account to me.
Below you see that moment the I walked across the stage at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to receive my Masters of Divinity degree. It was a great moment in my life and every time I look at my degree I see the signature of Dr. Paige Patterson. I am honored to have experienced that time.
Every time that I have a thought cross my mind, that shouldn’t, I first think about my Lord and the covenant that I made with Him. I then think about my beautiful wife and loving daughter and the vows I made with her along with the trusting look I see in Rebekah’s eyes. Then I see this image of Dr. Patterson standing over me shaking his head and telling me I have destroyed the ministry that God called me to and that results in me leaving the pastoral ministry. Also, he is there to help me to the door.
It gives me chills as I think about it.
