Connecting the Generations

When I was a young man, there was a popular American R&B group called Earth, Wind and Fire. My friends and I used to call this group “the Elements,” because, according to our science teacher, the four elements were earth, air, fire, and water. In 1997, a science fiction action movie was released called “The Fifth Element.” In this movie, a taxicab driver tries to save the world from destruction by evil. His weapon consisted of four stones that contained the energies of the four classical elements (earth, air, fire, and water), and a human-like being that contained a fifth element. In order for the weapon to be effective, the power of the first four elements had to be combined with the fifth element. Once they were combined, the weapon became a divine light that destroys evil. What was this fifth element? Love. And love is divine! The greatest of all the natural elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and the greatest of all the supernatural elements (faith, hope and charity...

On November 19, 2016, I had the privilege of delivering the charge at the marriage of my nephew, Felix Beneby, to Aneka Rolle at St. Agnes Anglican Church in Nassau, The Bahamas. I want to share that charge with those of you who are thinking of marriage in this month of love and those of you who are already married. Felix and Aneka, the marriage you have entered into today is not just for yourself and it is not just for your physical enjoyment. Your marriage is for the glory of God, the strengthening of your community, and the continuation of God’s new society. Marriage for the Glory of God Marriage is God’s image on earth of Christ’s love for His church; His love for the new human race of which Jesus is the head. So whether you want it to be or not, your marriage will be a picture to the world of how Jesus Christ loves and cares for His people. This is a serious responsibility. Paul tells us just how serious it is in Ephesians 5:25-33:   Husbands, love your wives,...

February is the month when everybody is thinking and talking about love. Love is on everybody’s mind: not the “ordinary” love, but the kind of love that causes people to say things they don’t mean. A young man was talking to the love of his life on the telephone: “Honey, I love you so much! I’d climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest seas just to be with you.” “Aww,” she cooed, “I love you too! Why don’t you come over?” “I would love to,” he replied, “but it’s raining.” Before you say something or commit to someone in the name of love this month, I want you to do a little test to make sure that what you are going after or trying to keep is truly love. Whether we are talking about feelings between a mother and child (storge), husband and wife (eros), church members (philia), or neighbors (agape), I believe there is one standard for love. Love is patient Love is kind Love does not envy Love does not boast Love is not proud    Love does not dishonor others...