Saturday, June 9, 2007

RECIPE FOR A GREAT MARRIAGE

Listen more, talk less,
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19

Season your words with grace.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Deal righteously with your anger.
"In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26-27

Don't keep score.
"love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." I Corinthians 13:5

Help each other out.
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Be a good husband. (The man, of course!)
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word." Ephesians 5:25-26

Be a good wife. (The woman, of course!)
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies...She is clothed with strength and dignity." Proverts 31:10,25

Give each other time to grow.
"It was he who gave...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become Mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."" Ephesians 4:11-13


Do not neglect to keep the fire burning towards each other.
"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.: Song of Solomon 8:6


Stay committed. Do not entertain thoughts of separation.
"So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let men not separate." Matthew 19:6

Adapted from an article in Focus on the Family, written by Tom Neven and inspired by John Gaus

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Susan, I love this! I am so thankful for the man God has given me. We have weathered 28 years together and pray that the Lord gives us many more years to enjoy as best friends. I know you have been blessed to have Mickey by your side.
We give God all the glory!

Annie said...

I have to say Susan, God has really been the glue holding our marriage together. We will celebrate our 18th anniversary next week. The hard times we have faced together have been the easiest ones as a married couple. We rely on each other, become strong for each other. It's the easier times when life is going smooth that we are less attentive to each other, but we love each other very much and are thankful God brought us together.

Thanks for sharing these thoughts, I will read them again (and maybe again).

Peculiar Blogs said...

What a great, succint, recipe for a great marriage. I love it. I am going to print it and keep it nearby. :-)

inspired said...

Xlent susan :)
p.s
the 2 BoyZ are now age 4yrs and 2yrs
the photo i've posted to day is an older one and not recent ;o}

Susie said...

Wonderful thoughts for a long and happy marriage...
xo

Sherry said...

Susan, In your post about "give each other time to grow". I told my Hubby about it, and he always tells me he's still waiting for me to grow. LOL I'm short in stature. Only 5'3

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

Susan, this was great! Thanks for sharing it with us!

CaraqueƱa said...

Yes, marriage is a many wondrous thing...good points! They actually work in any relationship!

Unknown said...

Those are some good words - from you and from God! We've been married 26 years. People tell me how "lucky" we are that we haved this kind of marriage in this day and age. I tell them there is absolutely no luck involved. It is all about committment, unselfishness, forgiveness, respect, and just plain consideration. You quoted some wonderful verses. Thanks for this.

Pen of Jen said...

Well beautiful if I can say so!
I have taken to heart the vows we made and work daily at making our marriage that God intended.

Thank you for this adaptation Susan, I will copy this and begin including it in wedding cards. I love it:)

I am so happy for my blog friends, come over to Penofjen and see my tribute to you, and all bloggers!
Love Jennifer

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful, Susan!! I have been hoping you would post your ideas for a successful marriage!!! I hadn't met you yet when finally I broke down and posted the saga of my own troubled one, and I got so much good advice at that time. This is great, too. Definitely going to copy this and put it with the rest of my "keepers"!!!!

Momma Roar said...

Terrific post Susan! Having just spent 3 days away from my hubby, I was ready to come home! :)

Linds said...

Wise words indeed, Susan. I think I am going to send it to my son and daughter-in-law.

Ruth said...

Excellent, excellent!! That is one great list. The points are so true and important for a great relationship. Thank you for posting this!

Susan said...

Amen and AMEN!! This is a great list, Susan. I think it's one of the things that has helped us to be able to make it through 20 years.

:-) Susan

Kelli said...

What a wonderful post, Susan!! Phillip and I are celebrating 13 years together later this month. :0)

Kelli

Myrna said...

Very good thoughts.

We are coming up on 38 years! The vows we spoke on that evening so many years ago gain meaning and relevance with each passing year.

Thank you for sharing.

Portrait of Peter said...

Susan,

This posting perhaps is more poignant - as I reflect upon my own misdeeds of recent.

You capture the moment beautifully - as always.

Blessings on this wonderful Sunday.

Melanie said...

I have a special prayer request over at my blog. I would appreciate it if you would stop by and let me know that you will be helping me pray.

Jill said...

These are all just great, Susan! I so enjoy reading and learning from your writing. You are a great example of many of these....

Pen of Jen said...

Susan you must go to my home school blog...as the penofjen has been unmasked!

Kristie said...

So very true thank you for the wonderful post!!!

Susie said...

This is so great! Thank you for sharing.

Irene said...

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I am amazed that you applied scripture to everyday life in such direct way.