Learning, Always Learning

I have been away for quite some time. Many things going on in my life right now, many of which are experiential lessons.
 
     I am trying to grow as a husband to my dear wife. In this, so far it has proven to be a very difficult thing. Not because I do not love her or cherish her. That is always the best part of a marriage. It is those things of which are contained in the old vow, "for better, for worse". The hard times, the times we get on each others nerves, the times that one of us does not live up to what we expect of each other. In this, speaking from my side in particular, I have been deeply humbled by Scripture in that "loving your wife as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her", ultimatley starts with being a servant to her. I am praying that I become better at this, as the flesh does not like it. Same thing in my role as a father. I am constantly (not perfectly), looking to Christ and His servanthood authority (what a paradox to the worldy mind!) to guide me in the ways I should act in the home. Taking up the other roles a redeemed head of the house should do has become a part of my practice as well.

   Another issue that I have been humbled in is my stand for Gospel truth. Not that is bad to do so, it is actually biblical to stand for what is clearly taught in Scripture and defend it against those who seek to deviate and lead others to falsity. Yet, I am young and have much to learn, and must learn when to speak and when to not, what is rightful for me to teach and what may not be. In Scripture, one who teaches, whether from a pulpit or in the home or even on the internet, is held to a higher responsibility in the sight of God. If any of you have spent time in the Old Testament, specifically the Prophets; or have meditated upon Jesus' own blunt condemnation of teachers not teaching rightly, or the Pastoral Epistles of Paul, then you can see where my concern is coming from. I do have desire to teach and instruct, to rebuke false doctrine and make sure the children of God can know Biblical orthodoxy... but there are just some things I need to understand more before doing so, and also things of which I am not in a position to teach at this time of my life. One of my last blog posts, from a good while ago, was to be the beginning of a lesson on what a true Pastor is supposed to be like according to the Scripture and why the Church is in so much disarray due to false teachers. I soon lost the desire to post more, not because I am scared to do so because of man, but because I am fearful of God and felt in my consience that I was not in the position to teach these things at this point of time. So forgive me, for anyone who does read my thoughts here, for not going on with it.

   I am praying as to what to do with this blog right now. Please pray with me.
Grace and Peace,
tony bradley