But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Mark 10:6 – 9
As a consumer, we have power where there are many sellers: if they don’t satisfy us, we don’t buy from them.
Alas, many people approach marriage as consumer: as if our own satisfaction is the goal of marriage, and if our spouse disappoints us, we want to leave them for another.
We stay if they meet our desires – at not too high of a price.
Marriage as consumer is not what God intended.
God intended marriage to focus on the needs of the other, in sacrifice of our own needs.
– “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” / May 10 & 11, 2014 / Brad Powell
Good Day!
Here we are, once again on the brink of another weekend – but with the notable distinction that Monday, June 8, is our FINAL OFFICIAL MEETING for the Spring MarriageBuilders Study!
We will start Monday off with a final look at Money Personalities (“MP“).
Knowing your Primary Money Personalities –
What are some of the Disadvantages that you could imagine for YOUR Primary MP?
Comparing your Primary Money Personality to that of your spouse:
What areas of Conflict (Disagreement) might you expect to see?
How does this compare with your actual experience?
What are some of the Advantages that you could imagine for your SPOUSE’S Primary MP?
What steps could you (and your spouse) take to Enhance each of your Money “Strengths”?
(Or, at least, to Mitigate your respective Weaknesses?)
How might the principle of “Not Wrong, Just Different…” apply to Money Personalities?
For those who already have a “Money Personality Comparisons” booklet:
Did you find any Surprises / Insights from the material?
How accurate (true-to-life) did “The Real-Life Story seem?
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18
God commands us to Love: you cannot command a feeling – but you can command an action.
We cannot control our feelings – neither can our spouse.
Feelings change. But we can control our actions.
Acting loving can change our feelings; but acting on our feelings can end our marriage….
– “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” / May 10 & 11, 2014 / Brad Powell
………………………..
The balance of our evening will be spent looking at Marital Intimacy. (See The Third Option, Topic 14: Trust)
Our main focus will be on Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual, and Physical Intimacy.
What do these look like? (How do you know when you have – or don’t have – any of these?)
Are there differences in Relative Importance between these? How? / Why?
Does “Intimacy” imply “Being The Same” – ? (or “Equal” – ?) Explain…..
Looking back at our study, how might Our Perception of “Intimacy” (in any or all of these areas), be impacted by:
(Typical) Gender Differences?
Family of Origin?
Other Past Experiences?
Personality Traits?
Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott identify some additional areas of Marital Intimacy that they find important in determining the level of Teamwork within a marriage:
Aesthetic; Creative; Recreational; Work; Crisis; and Conflict Intimacy.
Do any of these strike you as being Particularly Important? Which One(s)? Why?
………………………………………….
Have a wonderful weekend! (Hopefully we will see some of you before / after the 2nd Service at NorthRidge (Plymouth) this Sunday!)
Reid & Marilyn, and Doug & Michelle
Love promotes intimacy:
We should reach out to our spouse in grace and understanding,
accepting them for who they are and assuring them that their secrets are safe with us.
Determine to guard your mate’s secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them.
Talk with your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues.
Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you.
Make them feel safe.
– The Love Dare Bible Study, Day 17…..
He who covers over an offense promotes love. But whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
– Proverbs 17: 9