Steve Sikes Blog  

“Where can I go from Thy Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Thy presence?  If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there…For Thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb.  I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.  Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.”  (Psalm 139:7-8, 13-16, NASV)

The Psalmist infers the following truths about God the Creator and Sue:

1. The womb is God’s creation room.

2. God rolled out Sue’s individual blueprint in the womb.

3. God sculpted Sue with marvelous material both physical and eternal; body and soul.

4. God knew and knows Sue inside and out no matter life’s stage or location.  “Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!” (Psalm 139:18, the MESSAGE)

5. God is breath-giving and breathtaking and worthy to be praised! 

Sue Schneider was first a lover and follower of God and second a faithful wife to Jay and mother to Bethany.  Sue and Jay made up an amazing ministry team of two – Bible studies, Parke Place, mission trips, neighborhood outreach, etc.  Sue and Bethany were more than mother and daughter, more than friends…so much more.  As Sue’s spiritual family, we were not privileged to see Sue’s blueprint, but we witnessed God’s finished work, and He is worthy to be praised! 

GOD, YOU ARE SO GOOD! 

We love and miss you, Sue!  See you soon!  Mr. Steve

There is always something new I learn when I re-read the Bible.  This past week I learned how to select mates for my daughters that is better than eHarmony.com!  Of course, one daughter doesn’t want a mate and the other is not ready to tie the knot, but when she’s ready…

Here’s Caleb’s one-item compatibility test for his future son-in-law: “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.”  (Joshua 15:16; Judges 1:12)

Wow!  How do you get a son-in-law who already has the characteristics of being a leader of men, courageous in battle and willing and ready to fight for his future bride?  You tell him to go out and conquer an entire city and then come back and pick up his new wife! 

Notice what Caleb didn’t say: “Find a handsome lad who is popular and bring him home; find a wealthy young man who can support you in the way you are accustomed; or, find a young man who is a scholar or an athlete.”  No!  Caleb said, “I want a courageous warrior for my daughter!” 

In Caleb’s day, possessing ‘courage under fire’ stood for someone who was faithful to God’s commands and lived a life dependent on Him.  Now that’s the kind of man I want in the family! 

But the story doesn’t end there!  Othniel, Caleb’s new son-in-law, not only took the city, he became the first of 15 judges in leading God’s people!

All right, is there any young man out there ready to take on an entire city for God?  Whoops!  I almost forgot.  If I want an “Othniel” in the family, I’ll need to become more like a “Caleb”!  God is good.  Mr. Steve

Did you hear about the CRAZY CYCLE couple on their 10th wedding anniversary?  Dr. Eggerichs shared this story in his book LOVE & RESPECT.

The wife was wondering if her husband would remember this very important date because he had forgotten their anniversary more times than not.  However, without any hints from her, he went to Hallmark, purchased a colorful card with just the right words and excitedly brought it home.  When he arrived at the house he went into another room, signed the card and even added a couple of tiny hearts over her name! 

Proudly he handed his wife her card.  She’s happy!  He’s happy!  However, that all ended when the wife read her card.

“What’s wrong?”  He asked.

“Nothing.”

“There is, too.  What’s wrong?”

“Well, it’s not bad… for a BIRTHDAY CARD!”

“You’re kidding!” said the husband.  “Unbelievable!”

“No,” she responded, “YOU’RE unbelievable!”

The husband blinked in the face of his wife’s very real anger and said, “Well, honey, I made an honest mistake.  Give me a break.  Good grief!”

She snapped, “Give you a break?  You don’t care about me!  I’d rather you hadn’t bought me any card at all!”

“You know what?” he quipped.  “The way you’re talking I’m glad I got you a birthday card for your anniversary!”  And with that parting shot, the husband stormed out of the room.

SHE DOESN’T FEEL LOVED; HE DOESN’T FEEL RESPECTED.  Now what?

“What causes fights and quarrels among you?”  James 4:1

If you are looking for some excellent marriage enrichment and helps in getting out of the CRAZY CYCLE – you are encouraged to take part in our LOVE & RESPECT class beginning Wednesday night, March 17. 

God is good all the time.  Mr. Steve

You know how it goes… without love she reacts without respect and without respect he reacts without love and without love she reacts without respect…!  Dr. Emerson Eggerichs calls this the “CRAZY CYCLE” because it’s CRAZY!!  Have you experienced it?  Most of us (who are engaged or married) have at one time or another.

But Emerson, in his book LOVE & RESPECT, doesn’t leave us hanging!  He goes on to discuss two other possible relationship/marriage cycles:

• ENERGIZING CYCLE: his love motivates her respect and her respect motivates his love!

• REWARDED CYCLE: his love regardless of her respect and her respect regardless of his love!

If you were able to just pick one of the above cycles, which one would you select?  I don’t think there is a sane person anywhere who would willingly choose to live in the CRAZY CYCLE – yet many do!  Why?  We are basically selfish.  We want what we want when and how we want it.

What does God (through Paul) have to say about LOVE & RESPECT?  “Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”  Ephesians 5:33

In other words, God says, “JUST DO IT!”  LOVE HER even when you don’t “feel like” loving her; RESPECT HIM even when you don’t “feel like” respecting him!

If you are looking for some excellent marriage enrichment, or wanting to be a “cycle breaker” or considering marriage in the future – you are encouraged to take part in our LOVE & RESPECT class beginning Wednesday night, March 17.  God is good all the time.  Mr. Steve