Category: Marriage

Marriage Made Simple

~ Rene & Gloria ~ 3 Comments

IMG_1906A successful marriage is all about unity. Peace is about unity. Love is about unity. Unity more often than not leads to fruitfulness and success in the corporate world, politics, sports, and marriage. It’s not unity at all costs but seek unity with others as best you can.

The Super Bowl is today and the team that works together, in all phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams – will most likely win. The Patriots are probably the best example of a team united for a single purpose – winning. I am writing this just before the big game so I don’t know the outcome but I’m not going to bet against the Patriots.

There are three areas of unity in a marriage that give a couple a chance at longterm success.

  1. Unity of vision and purpose. This is sharing core values, and as Christians, having Jesus and his glory front and center in your marriage. This also speaks to moving in the same direction in spousal roles, parenting, finances, and careers.
  2. Emotional unity and maturity. Maturity is key but it takes some time to get there! In the meantime, practice giving thanks in all things, praying without ceasing, and forgiving one another quickly and thoroughly that you may grow together in love.
  3. Physical unity. Sex is the antidote to failure in the first two areas of unity; that is, when we aren’t on the same page and when our anger and disappointment get the better of us, then it smooths out the rough areas with physical unity. Sex is like hitting the reset button on your computer. It clears the cache and memory and then all the processes have room to flourish.

Marriage is simple but not easy.

The evil one hates unity and will undermine unity in a marriage every chance he gets. Conflict is the currency of darkness and unity is the currency of the Kingdom. Fight for unity in your marriage because you will have opposition. Fight the good fight of faith for you marriage. Stay united in all areas.

Blessings, René and Gloria

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“Amen!”
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Mr & Mrs Generous

Blest Be the Tie that Binds

~ Rene & Gloria

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love (From classic hymn)

We believe that Jesus is preparing his church for the coming trials. The next trial could be the Big One or there could be a series of warmup trials. One of the things he is doing today is strengthening marriages.

It makes sense. Only healthy marriages survive in times of real trouble and the church desperately needs healthy marriages. (We can hear all the pastors sighing, “Amen”.)

What are we going to need the most in the coming trials? We need support, encouragement, and love. Who is going to love and encourage us? Our spouse first and foremost.

The time is right to strengthen our marriages. Jesus is for strong marriages (“What God has joined together, let no man…”) and he seems to be focusing his spotlight on marriage in these Days.

The best way to strengthen your marriage is to increase intimacy through commitment, conversation, and physical intimacy or, in other words, a biblical “one flesh” marriage.

If we’re going to overcome trials that will surely come, including the The Big One, we will have to strengthen the ties that bind us. Marriage binds us like nothing else. Two cords intertwined are stronger than one left dangling alone.

Let’s start building more intimacy in our marriages and strengthen the tie that binds.

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“Amen!”
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”Amen!”

~ Rene & Gloria ~ 5 Comments

img_20190102_142632752_burst001-011142328414.jpeg“Amen!” is a traditional gospel song made popular by the 1963 movie Lilies of the Field starring Sidney Poitier. It is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head much to your regret after a while. The song was recorded by many through the years including The Impressions, Elvis Presley, and Otis Redding. We have The Staple Singers version on vinyl (great album by the way).

“Amen” is a Hebrew word transliterated throughout the Bible generally meaning “So be it” or “I agree with you.” The New Testament often translates the word “truly” as when Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3:3 “Truly, truly I say to you unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (ESV). The King James translates it as “Verily, verily” but it could be translated “Amen, amen I say to you …” The double emphasis by Jesus tells the hearer to listen up because what he is about to tell you is extremely important.

So Be It!

These days we use the word as a customary closing to a prayer like “… in Jesus’ name. Amen.” Originally, the word is tied to truth which is why the word is translated “Truly”. For example, when you hear truth like “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12 ESV) and the Holy Spirit quickens your spirit with this truth and your heart gets strangely warmed then the natural, or supernatural, reaction is to declare “So be it to me!” Or “Amen!”

The Holy Spirit, in effect, is asking you the question, “Do you want this truth in your life?” Your response “Amen!” seals the truth in your heart and glorifies the One who is able to fulfill the truth. “Amen” then is really a declaration of faith in the One who is faithful and an affirmation of truth as opposed to the lies that surround us. So the next time the preacher declares a truth that resonates in your heart shout “Amen!” and agree with God that his Word is Truth declaring “I agree with you, God! So be it in my life!”

Agree with God

This also happens when you are reading a book and the author reveals a truth that warms your heart. We encourage you to say “Amen” and agree with God. We get many testimonials from readers excited about the truth we are sharing in our books and blog. They read the truth and they know in their hearts that this is God’s truth about marital intimacy. In effect, they are saying “Amen!” with their testimonials.

Jesus said to his followers, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31b,32) Say “Amen” to God’s truth and agree with God. Freedom is something to shout about.

Remember “Amen” is more than an add-on at the end of a prayer.

Happy New Year!

Blessings – Rene and Gloria