I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind, and straining to what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13 Comment How often do we go back over things that have...

“And Adam knew his wife and she conceived……..” Genesis 4 (older versions)  There’s a lot involved in knowing each other. Here the phrase seems to be a colloquial form for sexual intercourse and the phrase is beautifully expressive of the intimacy explicit in loving sex. Comment Perhaps we have been married a few years and feel we know each other...

Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Ephesians 5:21 MSG Comment Sometimes in a marriage, the balance of power gets skewed. One person grabs the controls while the other locks down into victim mode. Or one person becomes passive and their spouse thinks, ‘I’d better take charge or nothing will ever happen.’ It often occurs slowly...

Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (MSG) Comment Most of us fall in love – it’s like falling into a swimming bath’s deep end. One is often in danger of drowning in love at first. Then it’s the norm for most people to find sensitivity...

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a...

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.  Philippians 2 v 1-2 Comment Just because we married a fellow Christian doesn’t...

‘Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.’ Romans 15:7 NLT Comment Marriage is a lifelong process of learning to live together. We do this by accepting one another. I find it easy to accept some aspects of my partner’s character and behavior – the ‘good’ bits …. However, I must...

No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money.  Matthew 6:24 Comment Money is a tool designed for the purpose of enabling activities and transactions.  Problems come when we put money before God, when...

Your beauty, within and without, is absolute, dear lover, close companion.  You are tall and subtle, like the palm tree, and your full breasts are like sweet clusters of dates.  I say, ‘I’m going to climb that palm tree! I’m going to caress it’s fruit!’  Oh yes!  Your breasts will be clusters of sweet fruit to me, Your great clean and...

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable...