Category Archives: Choosing a mate

Hurt by a broken relationship

Posted on November 12, 2012 by

If you’ve been hurt by a past relationship, I encourage you to learn from your experience. Take inventory with the help of a wise friend or counselor who can offer godly perspective. Make changes in your life that will help you … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Confrontation, Counseling, Dating, Difficult people, Discernment, Discouragement, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Emotions, Enabling, Forgiveness, Loss, Love, Marital Separation, Marriage, Pain, Single's ministry, Singles, Suffering, Trials, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Breaking the Cycle of Divorce

Posted on November 12, 2012 by

  Marriage has fallen on hard times. The number of marriages in crisis is overwhelming. Yet we can’t afford to give up on marriage.  In his book, “The Four Seasons of Marriage” Dr. Gary Chapman observes that “…marriage between a … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Counseling, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Family life, Fathers, Marital Separation, Marriage, Pain, Parenting, Reconciliation, Relationships | Leave a comment

Sex and Marriage

Posted on October 29, 2012 by

When couples are preparing for marriage, we help them by looking at the well-known sources of marital conflict. One of them is sex. I explain to engaged couples that the reason for conflict over sex is the very thing that … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Counseling, Dating, Marital Separation, Marriage, Pornography, Sex, Sexual temptations, Sexuality, Should I get married?, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Can you love without getting hurt?

Posted on October 7, 2012 by

A Scottish rock band from the 70’s connected with a lot of people with these words: “Love hurts, love scars, Love wounds, and marks, Any heart, not tough, Or strong, enough To take a lot of pain, Take a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Communication, Dating, Discernment, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, God, God's Heart, Loss, Love, Marital Separation, Marriage, Selfishness, Single's ministry, Singles | 1 Comment

God’s prescription for great relationships

Posted on September 26, 2012 by

“Do everything in love” (I Corinthians 16:14). Everything!  These three remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (I Corinthians 13:13). Love is the most excellent way (I Corinthians 12:31). Where love is absent, all other gifts and … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Dating, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Marital Separation, Marriage, Relationships | Leave a comment

To love and to cherish — according to God’s standards

Posted on August 6, 2012 by

I typically use the traditional vows in wedding ceremonies. Some couples, however, ask to write their own vows.  When they do this, I always ask to review their vows to make sure they align with the substance of the traditional … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Counseling, Dating, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Engagement, Love, Marital Separation, Marriage, Should I get married?, Wedding, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Focus on marriage

Posted on August 2, 2012 by

Other resources for focus on marriage here  

Posted in Choosing a mate, Counseling, Dating, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Gay Marriage?, Love, Marriage, Tim Keller | 1 Comment

Is there a catch-22 in love?

Posted on July 12, 2012 by

Many singles feel like they’re in a kind of catch 22. If they attend Church, they’re likely surrounded by a culture of marriage and family. This has its own set of challenges but singles also battle other issues. They often feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Counseling, Dating, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Encouragement, Loss, Love, Love Wins, Marital Separation, Marriage, Pain, Relationships, Single's ministry, Singles, Wisdom | 1 Comment

6 Links worth seeing

Posted on June 14, 2012 by

Polygamy in the Bible: A sordid tale Something similar happens when it comes to the Bible and polygamy. Sure, the narrators never pause to say, “Oh by the way, please, don’t be a polygamist.” But why should they? The stories … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing a mate, Dating, Family life, Homosexual lifestyle, Homosexuality, Links to see, Marriage, Mothers, Parenting, Parenting teens, Same-sex, Single's ministry, Singles, Teenagers, Wisdom | Leave a comment

When Two Become One

Posted on June 7, 2012 by

Audio message here: When Two Become One If you hope to do well in the relationship of marriage, you’ll need a shared vision of the nature and meaning of marriage. Most people who get married do not tend to think very … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Relationships, Choosing a mate, Counseling, Divorce, Divorce and Remarriage, Equality, Family life, Gay Marriage?, Homosexuality, Marriage, Wisdom | 5 Comments