Eighteen years ago David planned and thought how he would hold me in his arms to 
kiss me for the first time on our wedding day. His plan was to cup my cheeks in his hands and lovingly plant a kiss on my lips. We just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary on October 4, 2015. The Lord (as always) never ceases to amaze us with His awesome provision. David and I were going to 
Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA to pick up 
school books for the children and David suggested we make that trip in the car with just baby Sofia. He
researched and got a beautiful room with a balcony right on the ocean at Virginia Beach. It was so romantic and we had a wonderful 2 night stay!!
I can’t help but wonder what has happened to our society today. We have lost and been untrue to the “worse” part of making the vow to be faithful in every way – for better OR for WORSE!! Not just in marriage – but in almost every aspect of life. We have a “hand – me – life – on – a – silver – platter” culture. One that screams, “Treat me fair – OR ELSE!!” Now, I am all for treating people in love (as Jesus teaches), but sometimes life hands us a lemon and we refuse to make lemonade out of it, but rather pucker in sour distaste and throw our heads back and howl at how our life is…….well……..unfair!
When David and I first married, David was from a completely different background than me. We loved each other, but I can honestly say the first year was tough. Then, when we started having children, it became even tougher! But, we took our marriage vows seriously and stuck it out through the worse part of “for better or for worse”. We learned together, grew together, and fell more and more in love day by day. Also, my sister & brother in law – Kevin & Amy
Kevin & Amy
Foster- have gone through the roughest times of their marriage in the last months and they have chosen to stay together. Their trials have drawn them closer and I see them actually falling more in love – despite Amy’s broken, physical condition. I have sat back and sadly watched couples “throw in the towel” on marriage for – quite frankly- silly reasons. I know there are legitimate reasons for divorce, but I would like encourage others today to contemplate the sacredness of marriage. Mt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Where has the philosophy gone in being faithful to our Lord also………even in the better 
times and the worse times? Again, my sister Amy Foster has gone through the toughest times of her life since the accident. Lying in a bed, unable to move can sometimes cause sheer panic. But, instead of becoming bitter at her Lord (whom she has always been faithful to) she runs to Him and learns and applies more and more of His Word to her life. This kind of stamina, in this day and age, is becoming nearly extinct. David and I (since going into full-time ministry 5 years ago) have gone 
through many disappointments and testings of our faith. Jesus NEVER lets us down and we never go hungry, but always have enough! Then, we look around and see how God has blessed us and we can’t help but allow our cheeks to burst forth into a big smile………for we can feel that our God is REAL!! Where are the Christians with back-bone? The ones that will stand tall and say, “Let us fight the fight for the cause of Christ!!!” 2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Far to often, I see and sadly watch as Christians fall wounded on the battlefield, NEVER to rise again. Believe me, there have been many times that David and I have 
been severely wounded on the battlefield, but we have chosen to rise again to – stay our course! Many times, unfortunately, the arrows and bullets of attack have come (strategically planned by Satan to confuse us) from our fellow Christians. In the heat of the battle, sometimes fellow Christians get confused and think we (their allies) are their enemies. They seem intent on shooting us down………..only to lessen their very own defensive army. May we as Christians learn to love and forgive and aim our weapons on where they should be – at sin and the TRUE enemy. I love many people and want to shower my love and forgiveness on them for wrong-doing, but they unfortunately push you away – confused that you are the enemy out to hurt them. We need to get back to the old-fashioned philosophy of loving our friends for better or for worse. Yes, when people fall into sin and begin to drag us down, it is time to cut strings with them………….but never stop praying for them or loving them. However, far to often, there is a spirit of hatred and distaste that I believe brings our Saviour great sorrow. Lu 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. Lu 6:27 ¶ But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
WOW! Those Scriptures sure do convict me!
Where has the parenting gone that says – I will train and teach my children wrong from 
right no matter how much it goes against societies teachings!? De 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Even when I am exhausted, I won’t give up! I’ll take “pretend” pornography, cigarettes, gambling, drugs, alcohol and many other wicked items and trample them on the ground. All the while with passion and with tears streaming down my cheeks – telling my children those things will RUIN their lives! Where has the passionate parenting gone? We have 4 teens in our home right now. Soon, we will have
My 4 precious teens!!
6 teens in our house. I can honestly say, they are a joy to me. They are transparent and obedient. I don’t say this lightly and never want to boast myself of tomorrow – but as of right now – it is true! Where has the philosophy gone that teens should be conducting themselves as young adults rather than “cool” nin-com-poops. Where has the passion for righteousness gone in our young people? It makes me fear for the future of our Nation! The Christian teens of today are far worse in character than the unsaved teens of old were! Mothers, don’t give up on parenting………….even during the tough times – remember? for better or for worse?!
The list could on and on……………
~ I want to be true to others ~ for better or for worse.
~I want to stand on righteousness and godly standards ~ for better or for worse.
~I want to love my husband and children ~ for better or for worse.
~I want to love and respect my parents ~ for better or for worse.
WE NEED A NATION OF CHRISTIANS THAT WILL RISE UP IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT AND FIGHT FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST – FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE!!
All Because of Jesus, Jill Rodrigues
(The articles written by Jill Rodrigues (my wife) are never intended to instruct men. They are only to encourage her fellow sisters in Christ and if -per~chance- others read it and are encouraged, Amen. ~Dave Rodrigues)