On our wedding day, we stand radiantly before a preacher in our most beautiful clothes and we are usually told to repeat some version of the following sentence: "Will you promise to love him/her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" As we look into that beautiful/handsome face before us, we think, "Of course! I adore him/her! I would walk 500 miles for my beloved! " While we have the best of intentions, it is much easier to make such a commitment on an exciting day surrounded by droves of family and friends while holding … [Read more...]
Vacation Planning
Don't we all have vacation memories? Whether it was a week at the beach covering a relative in the sand, hiking up mountains, soaking up the sun on a cruise, or discovering new facts at museums, we all remember our family trips. Perhaps your family didn't like to travel, but chances are your family did have various activities they enjoyed together. What were they? What vacation memories bring a smile to your face? Which vacation memories make you twitch uncomfortably to this day? You will learn a ton about a person when you go on vacation with them. We all have people in our lives that we … [Read more...]
Inevitable Change
There are several popular quotes about change. The Serenity Prayer states: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Benjamin Franklin said, "When you're finished changing, you're finished." John F. Kennedy said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." These are all amazing quotes about the necessity and power of change, but perhaps my favorite quote regarding change came from Walt Disney: "Change is inevitable. Growth is … [Read more...]
The Importance of Money Management
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." (I Timothy 6:10, ESV). This is very true; however, the lack of money is a root of much marital discord. When a person loves money, the pursuit of money consumes them and it causes them to stop at nothing to acquire more wealth. We hear so much about how miserable rich people are that we almost find it noble to avoid acquiring money. This is a misunderstanding of what was meant when the Bible called the "love" of money a root of all kinds of evil. Money is necessary to survive in our culture, and Scripture is full of verses telling us to … [Read more...]
Is It Important that We Enjoy the Same Recreational Activities?
While it is not realistic to have every hobby in common, it is vital that husbands and wives share several similar, recreational interests. Life is full of exhausting "to do" lists, and if not careful, husbands and wives can fall into a dangerous rut. Having fun together breaks the mold of the ordinary and opens up communication naturally. When a couple can look forward to a hike, a movie, or a nice dinner out after five days of exhausting work, they can get through the day to day, mundane tasks. It's when work takes over and there is no end in sight that despair and desperation sets into a … [Read more...]