It’s been a while since I made a genuine “mixed tape” for Cheryl. I frequently make CD’s for her to listen to in her car, but it’s mostly with the latest Christian music. I’m thinking she needs another true “mixed tape”. You know…the mushy kind…with all the romantic love songs.

What songs should I include?

Honestly, I’m asking more because we both like songs about love, commitment, marriage…Whether country, Christian, slow rock or jazz…there are some times we just love the romantic tunes…(Please don’t tell the guys I work with!)

So, seriously, whether I make a mixed tape or not, what is your favorite love song?

If YOU were making a mixed tape, (have you ever made one?) what songs would be on it?

Do you and your special one have a “song”? What is it?

In this marriage message, I address the high standard Christ sets for marriage:

Winners of Money & Marriage book:

@JoeyfromSC
@mclesceri
@jerburroughs
@lyounginer
@waters_edger

Congratulations!

I want to give you a book…Money & Marriage…

Financial expert Matt Bell wants to help newlywed and engaged couples make the most of each other’s financial strengths, teaching them how to work together to build a solid financial future. Through a ten-step action plan, Bell teaches how to prioritize goals, get out of debt, build savings, invest wisely, buy a house, and much more—all in a way that minimizes stress and maximizes unity. With this essential guide, couples avoid the pitfalls and place themselves on the path to financial success.

Do you need or do you know a couple who needs a book like this?

This weekend I’m giving away five (5) copies of Matt Bell’s Money & Marriage.

All you need to do is:

• Retweet this post or share it on Facebook…
• Comment with your name and/or Twitter name on this post…

I’ll give away five (5) copies Monday by random selection.

I’d also love to hear from you:

What is one principle you have learned about money and marriage?

This is the second in a three part series on marriage at Grace Community Church. The first part was “The Purpose of Marriage”.

Do you need to renew the commitment you made to your marriage?

In our series called Modern Family, I opened with a message on the purpose of marriage. I’m not certain most couples fully understand why God created marriage…and I’m especially not sure we often live according to those purposes.

Watch the message here and feel free to dialogue with me after the message:

Is it common in your marriage for one spouse to be strong when the other is weak?

Or is that just in my marriage?

Cheryl and I have noticed that it goes in seasons for us, and sometimes even day-to-day.

When Cheryl is having a bad day…week…month…I seem to be having a better period of time.

Cheryl often appears to be stronger during my weaker moments…

I often appear stronger during her weaker moments…

We have found it to be true emotionally, physically, and sometimes even spiritually.

When she’s weak, I can strengthen her…

When I’m weak, she can strengthen me…

That “imbalance” in our marriage has proven to be quite strengthening for our marriage…

This imbalance actually helps to keep our marriage balanced and strong…

I wonder if God might even be the designer of this imbalance at times…

Have you noticed this healthy “imbalance” in your marriage?

For more of my thoughts on marriage, click HERE.

This Sunday we launch a four week series on the family, called Modern Family. (Cute name, don’t you think?) We know that much of the tension in lives, but also much of the joy in life, comes from those closest to us…even those we love the most. Learning how to do life according to God’s standards makes our family life more enjoyable and gives God great glory! This series will include three weeks on the marriage and one week on parenting.  I honestly believe this series will be helpful for families regardless of whether the marriage is working well or barely holding together.

Join us at Grace Community Church at one of our two campuses for this series. We love visitors, so, if you don’t have a church you are plugged into now, this may be the series to check us out for the first time. If you aren’t in the area, we’ll post these messages online.

To help my thoughts with this series, answer this question:

What’s the biggest difference between you and your spouse…the one that perhaps causes the most tension?

What’s the purpose of marriage?

We are doing a series called Family Ties at Grace Community Church next month and I’m speaking three times on marriage. It begins with a look at the purpose of marriage. I’m not convinced we all know…or perhaps even agree…with what the purpose of marriage. Of course, we will look at what the Bible says about marriage, but I’m curious…

As I prepare, dialogue with me on this post. I want your opinion. I believe the Bible should shape our thoughts, not a person’s opinion, but I also believe understanding what people believe will help me prepare to address this from a Biblical perspective. Also, while I believe the Bible gives some clear purposes for marriage, I realize some of that is subject to interpretation of Scripture.

So, will you help me? Consider these questions to fuel your thoughts.

• What do you believe is/are the purpose/s of marriage?
• Is it better for some people not to marry?
• Do you think some people marry for the wrong reasons?
• Is the Bible clear on “all” the purposes of marriage?

Share your thoughts…dialogue…help me out…

For some of my most popular posts on marriage, click HERE.

I’m away for a few days relaxing with Cheryl and another couple.  We are at a beach, eating well, and doing basically nothing.  I will spend some time reading, running, and writing…because that’s relaxing to me.

I thought I’d use this as an opportunity to ask the question:

What do you do to relax?

What’s a normal relaxation experience like…the kind you do often (hopefully)?

What is a dream relaxation experience (the kind you plan and budget for)?

Go!  Share!

Winners of “What It’s Like to be Married to Me”

@jgiesbrecht

@karensdavis

@aysomom

@dannywahlquist

Congratulations!

I’m consistently looking for resources to help marriages.  Recently I was introduced to the book:

What’s It Like to Be Married to Me?: And Other Dangerous Questions by Linda Dillow

I like the concept enough to want you to enjoy this book.

The Amazon Description reads like this:

Dillow understands that most women want more from their marriage–but don’t know how to get it. In her biblical and entertaining style, Dillow shares the best and worst things she ever did in her fifty-year marriage. She also shares responses from her survey for five hundred wives about choices they’ve made in their relationships. With a reflective study guide included, this is not a book about marriage; it is a book about how to live out marriage, day-by-day and year by year. Readers will come away with hope that they can be the wives they want to be, in a marriage filled with passion, intimacy and joy.

Does that sound like something you could use? I’m giving away four (4) copies this weekend.  Here’s all you need to do to enter:

• Retweet this post/or share it on Facebook
• Comment on this blog post with your name and/or Twitter name (A Facebook comment alone will not qualify, I need to see it on this post for the random system to work.)

I’ll give you through the weekend to enter.

What marriage books would you recommend to my readers?