Guard Your Heart (Malachi 2:16)
August 11, 2017
00:00
Want to affair-proof your marriage? Then guard your heart.
“Guard yourselves in your spirit,” says Malachi 2:16 in the Bible, “and do not be faithless to the wife of your youth.” The men of Judah had been trading in their wives for younger women and God was calling them into repentance. “The way you keep yourself from sin, is to guard your spirit.". As married people we should guard our thoughts against thinking negatively about our spouse. Guard our eyes from whatever distracts us. And guard our boundaries so an inappropriate relationship doesn’t form.
References:
Malachi 2:16
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Being a part-time parent is challenging.
Stepparents, when kids are in your home part-time bonding can feel like it’s one step forward and two steps back. And, biological parents can wrestle with balancing time to connect with expecting the child to contribute around the home. So here’s the deal. All you can do is all you can do. If circumstances limit your time together, make the most of it as best you can, but realize you can’t overcome every barrier. Hey, even chores can be opportunities for conversation, training, and big hugs.
August 10, 2017
Are you interested in stronger relationships? Here’s a tip: Gently, say what you need.
We all have needs in relationships. A spouse will barrage their mate with an avalanche of words, but never simply say, “I need more time with you.” A teenager will break a few rules and be obstinate instead of saying, “I don’t like who I am; I need more encouragement from you.” Or a stepparent who feels rejected by a stepchild might withdraw instead of admitting they feel awkward. Being direct and transparent can be clumsy but getting to the point makes connection far more likely.
August 9, 2017
Throwing burning coals on someone’s head? That doesn’t sound very nice.
Why would Proverbs 25 in the Bible tell us to do this? Well, it’s an expression. If your enemy is hungry or thirsty, give him something to eat or drink, for in so doing you “heap burning coals on his head.” Just as hard metals are melted by putting hot coals on them, a hard heart can be softened by kindness. Try to serve a person who annoys you; show compassion on someone who has hurt you, be respectful toward someone who is difficult to be around. A little kindness might soften their heart.
August 8, 2017
What do kids remember most when they become adults?
As a child Rachel had two distinct examples of how to treat a husband. Her mom, who divorced her father and held him in contempt and her stepmom who treated her dad with honor, respect, and warmth. The contrast was clear and left a huge impression on Rachel. She said, “I learned to be a good wife from my stepmom.” This world and our own less-than-perfect family will leave many impressions on our children. But the ones that shine through and really stick to the soul are those that flow from love.
August 7, 2017
It’s funny, when a pendulum swings to one extreme, it always swings back.
Some liberal researchers and writers on marriage who have said for years that heterosexual marriage doesn’t matter but that same sex marriage does, are beginning to recognize that what we’ve done to the family isn’t working. It’s creating generational poverty and unhealthy parenting environments for children. In other words, the wheels are falling off the family bus. Why don't we just stick to God’s generous blueprints for the family and trust them instead of creating our own?
August 4, 2017
Have the blueprints for your apartment or home changed since you’ve been living there?
Well, no they haven’t unless you’ve remodeled. Have you noticed though that culture tries to remodel the family? Marriage used to be the gateway to family life; now it's the capstone. We used to encourage couples to stay together for the sake of their children; now we encourage couples to get married for the sake of their children. God is the architect of the home and it's wise not to remodel what he has already set in place. Study the Bible. Learn about the blueprints. You’ll be glad you did.
August 3, 2017
Parenting in a complex family is like riding a roller coaster.
You’ve heard me say to foster parents and stepparents that developing a role where the child might progress from babysitter to uncle or aunt to being a bonus parent. I need to apologize for oversimplifying that, bonding is not linear. In reality, it’s more like one step forward and two steps back. And just when you’re getting somewhere the roller coaster turns you upside down. It’s confusing. Roller coasters can disorient but as long as you don’t jump off, they have their rewards, too.
August 2, 2017
If you could go back and give yourself some advice, before you married, what would you say?
I’d give myself a t-shirt that would say, “Keep Calm, Fear Not, Serve Anyway.” Learning to manage yourself in conflict is vital to any marriage. Most of us slip into fight, flight, or freeze but keeping calm better allows us to put on the mind of Christ, even in a tough situation. Fear Not, Serve Anyway: When you’re fearful things aren’t going well, you tend to do things that make things worse and you stop serving because you’re looking out for yourself.
August 1, 2017
“Don’t worry, be happy” is not always the best song to sing.
When someone we love hurts a “get-happy” pep talk does not help. Proverbs 25 says, “Singing songs to someone who is sad is like taking away his coat on a cold day or pouring vinegar on his wounds.” Don’t offer simple platitudes or theological sermons. Sit with them and show them they’re not alone. In stepfamilies, kids need a hug when they’re missing a parent; and parents or stepparents when they feel worried about a child or left out. On a cold day, don’t take away someone’s coat. Give a hug.
July 31, 2017
There are parents who are manipulating their children for their own gain and it’s wrong.
Fracturing relationships of any kind through manipulation is a serious offense to God. There are an increasing number of divorced parents, many who claim to be Christians, who are systematically alienating their children from the other parent. They lie and manipulate the children to control them and keep them close. This is wrong and we need to speak up. If you’re a child who hasn’t seen your other parent in a long time and all you have is one side of the story, start asking some new questions.
July 28, 2017
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Blended & Blessed®
Blended & Blessed® is the only one-day live event and livestream just for stepfamily couples, dating couples with kids, and those who care about blended families. Join sites around the globe on April 27th, 2024 as we unpack strategies that are crucial to building unity in your stepfamily. With some of today’s most trusted and respected experts, Blended & Blessed will challenge, inspire, and encourage you.