Marriage Tip Monday

Love your spouse with the sense of hearing!  Never underestimate the power of allowing your spouse to hear you speak words of affirmation and affection in public and in private.  Even if you need to have a difficult conversation, speaking in a loving, non-threatening manner invites your spouse to listen.  When your speech is seasoned with love and respect, walls come down, trust is built in your relationship, and intimacy deepens. Scripture says the tongue holds the power of life and death, so set a guard over your tongue and speak LIFE.


From Union 28

Marriage Tip Monday

Love your spouse with the sense of touch!  Whether offering a hug, stealing a kiss, squeezing his shoulder, or stroking her hair, let your spouse know that he/she is safe with you and that your touch can be trusted and desired as a means of encouragement, affection, and love...and allow your children to see these interactions - it will reassure them of your love for each other and boost their confidence in your love for them.  



From Union 28

Marriage Tip Monday

Love your spouse with the sense of smell!  This doesn't have to require high maintenance or expensive perfume; besides, you know what your spouse likes - a certain after-shave, a particular scent of lotion...or what about giving the gift of fresh-baked cookies, a flower, lighting a scented candle or offering an apology for a stinky attitude...the gift of a pleasing aroma in your home and in your heart can relieve stress and communicate love.


From Union 28

Marriage Tip Monday

Love your spouse with all 5 senses - today we're talking about taste!  What food does your spouse crave or consider a treat?  Go on a surprise date to her favorite restaurant, pick up his favorite game-time snack at the grocery store, or invite your spouse home from a hard day's work with a freshly baked goodie, right out of the oven!  Grab a quick mix or try this amazing homemade brownie recipe!  


From Union 28 

Planning Your Marriage

image courtesy of Rachel Ledbetter Photography

Last week Brett opened us with a great lesson on our calling, our gifting, and our burdens. He assigned us some homework, and challenged us to sit down with our spouses and uncover what gifts and talents we each have been given. We were to list all the gifts & talents we bring to our marriage and discuss the complete list of what God has brought together between the two of us.


This week, Brad added in finding what is the biggest burden God has placed on our hearts in our marriage. For example, Brad & Rachel's burden is marriage. They have seen so many broken marriages lately, they feel God is putting that burden on their heart to minister to married people. That is how they will focus in on using their gifts and talents.


This week, Brad brought in creating a 50 year vision for your family. By analyzing our gifts, talents, and burdens that each spouse brings to the table, there are many clues as to what God may be calling us to in the future.


We should be praying through very specific details, both in how we want to be spending our time and money in 50 years.


With your spouse, think & pray through these questions this week:

1. Based on the gifts, talents, and burdens, what might the Lord be calling us to for our marriage and family in the future?

2. How do we want to be spending our time & money in retirement? What does retirement look like for us?

3. Do we feel called to leave any money or resources to our family? To a charity? To a ministry?

4. Develop a mission statement for your marriage.