HI, MY name is Janet Wilson-McKenzie (Thompson). My husband's name is Noel Wilson-McKenzie and we have three children.

I have read your article and decided that I will put my pen to paper and send you my response. Christian men do make good husbands. Mine does! He is the best, but although teeth and tongue do meet, we do bite occassionally.

There is none I can think of to compare to mine because I know my husband, what to expect and what he expects of me. Obviously, God would not appoint men to lead and then fail to give the potential qualities necessary for leadership.

Committed Christian husbands are supportive, they appreciate their mate. Christian husbands do have the attributes that reflect the love of God. When Christian husbands have good wives they function more effectively. They need someone with whom they can share their ideas of how things ought to be.

Positive self-image

Good Christian husbands accept their responsibilities of fatherhood and they do supply their children with a nurturing love and positive self image. They love to talk about problems that are important. They do help to discipline, train, guide, entertain and educate the children. They are supportive in family policies, division of tasks, decision making etc.

Good Christian husbands are protective of their wives especially from spiritual attacks. When Christian wives live under the protection of their husbands they can move with great freedom in spiritual things as well as in all other matters. God intended that the man stands between his wife and he assaults of the world to absorb many of the pressures that might strike her. Even though it is not necessary to carry their protection too far.

Not by chance

Good Christian husbands know that a successful marriage does not come spontaneously or by chance. Instead, a happy marriage, the successful marriage involves two people working out small difficulties as well as big ones. It has been said, "The cure for all the ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrow and the crimes of humanity, all are in one word, LOVE." It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life. You ask, do Christian men make good husbands? You can bet they do. Mine does and I thank God for this gift he has set aside for me and has delivered it to me specially.

- Janet Wilson-McKenzie

THE DIFFERENCE between a saint (Christian) and a sinner (non-Christian) is that, according to a popular gospel song, "A saint is just a sinner who falls down and gets up." In other words, a Christian has the Lord Jesus Christ from whom he seeks forgiveness for sins committed while in contrast the sinner does not have this option.

With that said, hypothetically speaking with the application of doctrinal principles derived from the Holy Word, such as 'the fruits of the Spirit' detailed in Galatians 5 and 'husbands loving their wives as how they love themselves' Ephesians 5 and many other similar yet clear guidelines as to the type of husbands Christian men should be ­ Yes Christian men are supposed to make good husbands.

However, the harsh reality of the matter is that many Christian men do not make good husbands. They are cheaters, liars, thieves, abusive in both word and action towards not only their wives, but their children as well, setting negative examples for their sons and daughters to learn from (as would be expected from a non-Christian). The most difficult aspect of this whole situation is that the worst behaved at home tend to be the men who have highly esteemed positions of leadership in the church, commanding respect (e.g. pastors, peer and marriage counsellors). It is almost as if they have a split personality as their whole attitude at church and church functions is like a well-worn mask.

INFLUENCE OF THE FOREFATHERS

We, as a society, tend to want to blame this faulty behavioural pattern on our forefathers. We go back into the days of slavery and come right down the line, stating what our forefathers went through, what was expected of them and the example that was set for them. We duly point out that we follow in our fathers footsteps.

While there may be some merit to this line of reasoning, another angle can and should be explored. Our foreparents were certainly at a disadvantage because of their poor educational background (most of them), yet they saw it fit to break this pattern by ensuring that their children had the opportunity to get schooling/education. They had some not-so-pleasant experiences because their parents never took the time to teach them valuable lessons, (so) they took the initiative to teach their children these things as they progressed in life.

A Christian man has the advantage of the Holy Spirit who guides his every move, if he allows it. He has the principles and guidelines set for him in the Holy Scriptures.

- Sherrilee Brown

Just thought I would share my opinion on this subject. I am not married but hope to be one day and would like it to be a Christian. The sad fact is I cannot find one who grabs me. They are boring or too overly zealous and every other word that comes out of their mouth is about God. They can't seem to balance the two and they believe that anything sensual is not of God. I look forward to reading the discussion.