marriage_relationship

Are Arrows Flying in Your Marriage?

Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words.
Psalm 64:3 (NKJV)

Picture this. Carrying a bow and some arrows, you walk into a room full of people. You then start shooting arrows all over the room. Some of those arrows hit the wall. Some hit the furniture. But some hit the other people. You look over to see one of those arrows sticking out of the chest of your spouse. You cry out that you didn’t mean to. You were just shooting around and weren’t planning on hitting anyone. But you did. And now they’re badly hurt. That arrow is out there and you can’t bring it back.

Your words can be like those arrows in that they can be devastating. People are hurt by words that are thoughtlessly spoken as much as words that are said with the intent to harm. And like those arrows, you can’t take them back. They’re already out there. Those wounds can take a long time to heal. Many people are still hurting from words that were said years earlier.

Wedding Day Promises

Today we went to a wedding for a couple from our church. It’s been a long time since we’ve been to a wedding and it was the first wedding that our kids have been to. Having recently celebrated our 15th anniversary, most of our friends have long since been married.

The wedding we went to today was very nice. Everyone could tell how much the bride and groom truly adored each other. And the ceremony itself was very deliberately focused on God being a part of the union and that with Him at the lead, the marriage would be strong.

While sitting in the church, watching the couple exchange vows, a few things came to mind.

Your Marriage Can Be Resurrected

It’s Easter…when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

But before He was resurrected on Sunday, Jesus had to go through Friday of pain and suffering and Saturday of death.

Many husbands and wives are sitting in the middle of their Friday or Saturday when it comes to marriage. There is a lot of pain and suffering or the relationship seems dead.

The Dream Marriage 3: Keeping It

Previously, we’ve talked about renewing your desire to have a great marriage and how to work at doing what God’s asked you to do to move closer to that dream marriage.

Now it’s time to realize that having the dream marriage is not a destination, but a journey. There is never going to come a day where you wake up and say “wow, I’ve arrived at a great marriage, I’m done.”

You’re not done. The great marriage relationship is a journey. It’s a process that needs maintenance to keep from slipping back down into mediocrity.

Is Your Marriage on Your New Year’s Resolutions List?

It’s the time of year when we all start thinking about the goals we’d like to accomplish in the new year. Maybe some of those goals are to lose weight, quit smoking, start exercising, get promoted, or make more money.

Unfortunately, many times, having better relationships doesn’t even cross our minds. We think something like marriage is just going to take care of itself, without making a conscious effort to really work at it.

Marriage Bible Verse of the Week – Receive & Give the Gift of Patience

It’s that wonderful time of the year…or is it?

Christmas is great. It’s that time where we celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

It’s the time when families come together and get to spend quality time with one another. Uh-oh, that’s also when, for many people, that “wonderful time of the year” turns into “I can’t wait until Christmas is over.”

Are you looking forward to Christmas with a small (or large) sense of dread in seeing various family members and in-laws?

Marriage Bible Verse of the Week – Peace, Be Still

Find yourself feeling anxious or uptight? Maybe confused or too hectic?

Sometimes in our lives, there are just too many things going on or challenges facing us. Whether it’s from our marriage, job, finances, or other parts of our lives, we can allow things to bring a sense of turmoil.

Marriage Bible Verse of the Week – Getting

Looking to get something specific out of your marriage or from your spouse?

Usually in marriage, there is something we expect or want to get in the relationship. Love, affection, compliments…those are a few of the many things we would like to receive from our husbands or wives.

The Bible tells of how to get what you want in your marriage. It’s a little strange sounding because it’s the complete opposite of what we naturally think we should do.