"strengthening marriages and binding broken hearts"
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Mini Marriage Minder - Quote-of-the-Day
"Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century." ~ Mark Twain
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday Marriage Minder - "Happy" Series - Part 8 - "Hand-In-Hand"
“God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matt 5:10 NLT
Of all the stops during this journey, this week’s stop has been on my mind for the entire trip thus far. Sure, I have enjoyed discovering the truths and practices at each stop with you; however, once we continued on in the journey, my mind would immediately be thinking ahead to this stop.
It’s a difficult place, this place called persecution. The very name engenders thoughts that ask me, “What do you know about persecution?”, “How are you being persecuted?” and, “How are you ever going to relate this part of the passage to marriage while still capturing the true heart of this verse?” Good questions, for sure. I'll make a prayerful attempt at answering these questions.
Happiness within the context of a marriage is found close to the heart of God. As each of us draws closer to the heart of God, the more Christ-like become. Subsequently, the more Christ-like we become, the more different we seem to some of the people watching our lives.
This process, while positive, rewarding and necessary, is not free from problems arising from the clash of our beliefs, convictions and lifestyle with those of a differing worldview.
The Apostle Peter, said it best when he wrote:
“Of course, your former friends are very surprised when you no longer join them in the wicked things they do, and they say evil things about you.” 1 Peter 4:4 NLT
Our very lives, as a husbands and wives, will become a testimony to the power of Christ. This testimony, however, will not always be quickly accepted and praised by everyone. Therein lays part of the persecution. Alienation, abandonment and outright accusations may become part of the process.
So what do we do? Do we stop associating with the couples that poke fun at our “religion”? No! It is that same testimony lived in full view of the people within our sphere of influence that will not only lead others to Christ, but lead to our happiness.
Another form of persecution will come in the form of today’s media. Last night, after watching the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, I watched a new show called “The Marriage Ref”. I have been hearing about this show for weeks and the title, naturally, intrigued me. I was skeptical about the shows pretext. In an attempt to be humorous, the show demonstrated how little value is placed on the covenant of marriage with the host claiming that “anyone who is contemplating marriage, has been married, is married, or is just getting out of a marriage is an expert on marriage.” I winced at that statement.
Can happiness in marriage be found in one spouse being declared the winner while the other – the loser? Sadly, this is where we are as a society. Counseling schedules, courtroom dockets and many forms of media are full of couples who are individually more concerned about winning than they are about their marriage.
All persecution for the Christian, is ultimately directed at Christ. When we stand hand-in-hand as Christian couples, the world will notice and many will be offended because of what our union represents. But, oh the promise that awaits us – the Kingdom of Heaven!
Can I encourage you as couples to, even tonight, reaffirm your covenant with your spouse and declare again that you will continue to stand hand in hand together regardless of what comes your way?
Keep doing that and happiness will be waiting ahead.
The Journey continues…
For Marriages and Families,
Dave
Of all the stops during this journey, this week’s stop has been on my mind for the entire trip thus far. Sure, I have enjoyed discovering the truths and practices at each stop with you; however, once we continued on in the journey, my mind would immediately be thinking ahead to this stop.
It’s a difficult place, this place called persecution. The very name engenders thoughts that ask me, “What do you know about persecution?”, “How are you being persecuted?” and, “How are you ever going to relate this part of the passage to marriage while still capturing the true heart of this verse?” Good questions, for sure. I'll make a prayerful attempt at answering these questions.
Happiness within the context of a marriage is found close to the heart of God. As each of us draws closer to the heart of God, the more Christ-like become. Subsequently, the more Christ-like we become, the more different we seem to some of the people watching our lives.
This process, while positive, rewarding and necessary, is not free from problems arising from the clash of our beliefs, convictions and lifestyle with those of a differing worldview.
The Apostle Peter, said it best when he wrote:
“Of course, your former friends are very surprised when you no longer join them in the wicked things they do, and they say evil things about you.” 1 Peter 4:4 NLT
Our very lives, as a husbands and wives, will become a testimony to the power of Christ. This testimony, however, will not always be quickly accepted and praised by everyone. Therein lays part of the persecution. Alienation, abandonment and outright accusations may become part of the process.
So what do we do? Do we stop associating with the couples that poke fun at our “religion”? No! It is that same testimony lived in full view of the people within our sphere of influence that will not only lead others to Christ, but lead to our happiness.
Another form of persecution will come in the form of today’s media. Last night, after watching the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, I watched a new show called “The Marriage Ref”. I have been hearing about this show for weeks and the title, naturally, intrigued me. I was skeptical about the shows pretext. In an attempt to be humorous, the show demonstrated how little value is placed on the covenant of marriage with the host claiming that “anyone who is contemplating marriage, has been married, is married, or is just getting out of a marriage is an expert on marriage.” I winced at that statement.
Can happiness in marriage be found in one spouse being declared the winner while the other – the loser? Sadly, this is where we are as a society. Counseling schedules, courtroom dockets and many forms of media are full of couples who are individually more concerned about winning than they are about their marriage.
All persecution for the Christian, is ultimately directed at Christ. When we stand hand-in-hand as Christian couples, the world will notice and many will be offended because of what our union represents. But, oh the promise that awaits us – the Kingdom of Heaven!
Can I encourage you as couples to, even tonight, reaffirm your covenant with your spouse and declare again that you will continue to stand hand in hand together regardless of what comes your way?
Keep doing that and happiness will be waiting ahead.
The Journey continues…
For Marriages and Families,
Dave
Friday, February 26, 2010
Mini-Marriage Minder - Quote of-the-Day
" Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry." - Tom Mullen
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Mini Marriage Minder - Quote-of the Day
"Marriage is not a noun; it's a verb. It isn't something you get. It's something you do. It's the way you love your partner every day." - Barbara De Angelis
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Words of Wisdom
"Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming - 1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it. 2. Whenever you're right, shut up." - Patrick Murra
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Never Too Early
On Sunday and Monday of this week, I had the pleasure of spending some time with some 5th and 6th graders at a winter retreat. On Monday, at a break-out session for just the guys (yes, the girls had one of there own), we discussed what is expected of a godly man - specifically a godly husband and father.
At one time, the speaker posed this question to the 75+ boys in the group.
Do you dream of becoming a husband and father?
I was amazed as over 3/4 of the group indicated that they did! During the session, I was standing in the back of the room hardly being able to contain my excitement - saying YES! This is what we need to be teaching now.
It is never too early to start teaching what it means to be a godly husband/father or a godly wife/mother to our kids. If this teaching is taking place in the home - great! However, imagine if we start teaching this in our churches and communities. We could see a relationship revolution!
Teach well!
At one time, the speaker posed this question to the 75+ boys in the group.
Do you dream of becoming a husband and father?
I was amazed as over 3/4 of the group indicated that they did! During the session, I was standing in the back of the room hardly being able to contain my excitement - saying YES! This is what we need to be teaching now.
It is never too early to start teaching what it means to be a godly husband/father or a godly wife/mother to our kids. If this teaching is taking place in the home - great! However, imagine if we start teaching this in our churches and communities. We could see a relationship revolution!
Teach well!
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