Six Ideas to Breathe Life into Your Marriage

Does the name “Francine Rivers” mean anything to you? If you’re a female, there’s a higher likelihood you would recognize the name. If you’re a guy, Sports Center has probably kept you at a safe distance from knowing anything about Francine.

Mrs. Rivers lives with her husband in Northern California and writes books for a living. She writes lots of books. Thick books. These are books with covers not enticing to the macho male mind.

For years, Sherry read Francine Rivers books. They take up a lot of territory on our bookshelves because, as I mentioned, they’re thick books. Thick paperback books. The worst kind. They stare at you—mocking your intellect.

I finally read a Francine Rivers book. Although I did have to turn in my man card, I did like the book, and then Sherry went with me to a Braves game. Hmmm.

I took Sherry to see a Nicholas Sparks movie. My man card was forever revoked. I liked the movie, and then Sherry went with me to Burger 21. Hmmm.

What’s happening here? Sherry sucked me into “This Is Us.” I liked the show. I now have her loving sports movies.

Mutual submission can be a pretty cool thing. It’s also Biblical, and it works.

Have you ever thought, “If I could get my spouse to watch this, or hear that, or read whatever?” That’s exactly what you should think as we gear up for Sunday. We’ve got an exclusive Sunday where the wives will want the husbands to be in church, and the husbands will most definitely want their wives there as well.

By the way, if you’re not married but know married people or hope to be married someday—we’ll be unpacking some terrific stuff. For example, our text from 1 Peter 3:1-17 gives us three tips for women:
1. Do beautiful things, but watch your words.
2. Decide what your strategy will not be.
3. Let your identity in Christ be your best strategy.

And for the men:
1. Study your wives.
2. Treat women like a Ferrari.
3. Uphold your wives as precious daughters of the living God.

Incorporating these six steps will most definitely breathe some new life into your marriage. BUT… there is one key to the whole deal. We’ll give you that one on Sunday.

Hope to see you at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. God’s Spirit has been moving powerfully through our “It’s a Hard-Knock Faith” series in 1 Peter. And along with our practical advice for men and women on Sunday, wait until you see what God does with a little white box.

I can’t wait to teach!
Blessings and Love,

Alan

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