Beyond the obvious area of faith here are some other practical areas to discuss in regard to building on one foundation. 

Often it is not a question of “either – or”.  But it is more realistic to view these areas as a “first things first” decision.

To use a construction example.  A house has cement and windows; first you pour the cement and then you build windows on top of the cement foundation.  You can have both – but it is good to agree together on the order in which you add those things.

Ever been at a small town rodeo?  Let me give a quick snapshot of what you get.

Lots and lots of pick-up trucks, twice as many pairs of wranglers, every size of cowboy boot, a loud, crackly PA system with a not-so-witty announcer and mud or dust or something else depending on where you are walking.  There are the normal rodeo events, barrel racing, bronco riding, and bull riding.  But the highlight is most definitely the not so normal events- like the wild goat milking contest, and my two personal favourites, mutton busting and greased pig chase.  All three of those have abstract analogies to marriage.

Some people’s marriage is like the wild goat milking – the goat and the milker each want something different and there is a lot of kicking and biting and hair pulling.
Other people, the mutton busters, get all hitched up in the chute (I mean church) and when the door opens they hang on for dear life hoping to make it to 8 sec (i.e.80 year) mark.
And then there is the greased pig marriage – a lot of pursuit and a lot of running away, a lot of breathlessness with no satisfaction.

by Pastor Jonathan Krenz

The Gospel of John says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us –that is, he moved in beside us.”

This is what is so exciting and awe-inspiring about Christmas. 

This is what the world passes to consider for even a few moments.  The almighty, all-powerful, transcendent living God has arrived in a form that is familiar – not only familiar but acceptable to us.  A baby.  We can see him, hear him, smell him and hold him.  He is in our hands and then in our hearts.  John continues in his gospel, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.”