The Power of Your Marriage

Sweet friends, I hope your Tuesday is full of sunscreen, bug spray, a lounge chair and a good book.

As the summer is winding down, we find ourselves grasping for those last few moments with our kids.  We long to hold onto slow mornings and sleeping in.  We cringe thinking about the chaos that will ensue once school starts.

Sisters… I get it.  And so I encourage you to find new and fresh ways to enjoy your family between now and then.

You know what?  We’ve had such a great summer.

• Sam’s heart has been healing and the effects of the bullying are slowly melting away. (thank you Lord)
• Sara’s schedule has settled down considerably which has given us more time with her.
• We’ve been intentional about spending sweet family time together as often as possible.

Wayne and I decided to use this summer to heal our son and connect deeper as a family so our kids were better set up for a great school year.

It’s paid off.

Well today at CWAHM, I’m talking about something you can do – as a married couple – to not only impact your kids now… but also help set them up for success later in life.

Click here to head on over.

For those of you who are not married, I encourage you to come on over and read what I have to say.  I am especially tender to the road you walk as a single parent.  You are courageous and brave and I bless you in that.  Even though I am writing more directly to husbands and wives, I do have some sweet encouragement for you, too.

The bottom line is that we have to work with what we’ve got, right?  And I believe with all my heart… God faithfully honors that.

Click here to come see me today.  As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, strategies, suggestions and comments.

©2011 careyscotttalks.com

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Why Is Marriage Declining?

In the Denver Post yesterday, there was a headline that read, “More In U.S. See Nuptials As Obsolete.”

Statistics like this break my heart, because I know it also breaks the heart of God.

The article goes on to state that 39% of Americans believe marriage is becoming a thing of the past.  According to their research, this percentage is continuing to rise at a steady rate.  Does that surprise you?  Probably not.  We know the Enemy tries to tear down anything God builds. 

So, I guess my question really should be… does it bother anyone but me?

Yes, I think we’d all agree that marriage is difficult.  It saddens me, however, that the corporate “we” not only thinks it’s becoming obsolete because of its challenges… but seems to be okay with it.

Look, I’m not sitting in a judgment seat.  I have been divorced, remarried and almost lost this marriage, too.  I know it is hard.  But, sometimes I struggle with the broadening views and acceptance of marriage and family.

There is a link between declining families and a declining society.  You can see it change with every passing year.  When the family breaks down… society follows.

Why is the desire for marriage diminishing?

• Did we see a horrible situation with our parent’s marriage and decided it’s not for us?
• Is it too hard to fight for it?
• Do we find life easier when all we have to worry about is ourselves?
• Have we been burned one too many times?
• Is it because we are now enlightened?
• Is it “just a silly piece of paper?”
• Are we commitment-phobic?
• Do we adopt society’s view on it?
• Are we gun-shy because we just got out of a bad one?

Whatever the reason, I hope we figure it out.

It’s interesting how marriage means different things to different people.  I know people who are divorced and still have a positive and hopeful outlook on marriage.  On the flip side, I know some that are married and hate every minute of it.  No two people would say the same thing.

Well, God authored marriage.  Have you ever wondered what He thinks about it?

This weekend, why not spend time finding out?  He has some very strong opinions on what it is… and what it is not.

Ok… below are some scriptures about marriage.  This list is not complete, so if you have some to add… comment to this post so others can read them, too.

• 1 Corinthians 7:1-5
• 2 Corinthians 6:14
• Genesis 2:18, 21-24
• 1 Peter 2:25-3:2, 3:7
• Genesis 1:26-28
• Proverbs 18:22
• Ephesians 5:22-33
• Colossians 3:18-19
• Hebrews 13:4

I’d love to hear how God spoke to you through this scripture dig.  If you’re bold enough, let me know.

Look, it’s not important if you are married or not or where life’s circumstances have left you.  What is important is that you keep the idea of a Godly marriage alive!

Our kids need to know it’s possible.  Our families need to know it’s valuable.  Our friends need to know it’s fixable.

©2010 careyscotttalks.com

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He’ll Strengthen Your Borders

I’m a visual learner.

Because of that, when I get a mental “picture” in my head I’m able to learn something easier… and it usually sticks with me longer.  I wonder if you’re the same way.  Yes?  Cool.  I have quite a visual to share with you then.

As Wayne and I were struggling early in our marriage, a counselor gave me this image that has never left my mind.  He said, “Understand that Satan’s objective is to destroy you and all you stand for, so realize that he is continually walking the perimeter of your marriage looking for a way to get in.“

Wow.  That creeps me out even now.

But as I chewed on that comment for a while, it resonated.  I could see, in my mind’s eye, Satan literally walking around the borders of my marriage, trying to find its weak points and breaking through… with the explicit goal of destroying it.   At that point in our marriage, there were so many “weak” points he hardly had to walk far to find one.

Later, I ran across this verse and it added to that mental picture.  Psalm 94:22 reads “But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.”

This scripture convinced me that since I was a Christ-follower, God was now my fortress.  Because I had accepted His gift of salvation, I had access to His protective, rock-hard walls in every area of my life.   And believe me… there is nothing stronger than God as your fortress and rock.

You see, He strengthens our flimsy, ineffective, human attempts at creating our own safety perimeters by reinforcing them… with Him.  He is our divine protection.

Friends, where do you need Him to be your fortress today?

1. In your marriage where there is so much pain and heartbreak?
2. In your parenting skills because you are always at the end of your rope?
3. In some other significant relationship where tension is running high?
4. In your attitude which is poisoning your entire life?
5. With some addiction that you can’t seem to overcome?
6. In staying with that resolution that is getting harder and hard to keep?

Stop right now pray.

Express your need for God to become your strong fortress.  Confess you can’t do it yourself any longer.  Ask Him to protect those situations and relationships that are failing under your own strength.  Share your desire to take refuge in Him… and submit to His authority and protection.

Then… rest in Him and let Him strengthen your borders.

I encourage you to allow God to be the fortress in your life, so when the Evil One walks up and sees your divine protection… he runs away with his pitchfork tucked between his legs.

©2010 careyscotttalks.com

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