Broken Beautiful

The other day there was an issue that came up and for some reason I remembered this famous mother goose poem. 

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;

All the king's horses and all the king's men

Couldn't put Humpty together again.

As men we bear the responsibility to make our wives feel that we are their security. Security and trust in a relationship are the glue that holds everything together. 

What happens when we fail and fall? 

As men, we try not to hurt our spouses by saying little lies that we believe will have no consequences, but that is so far from the truth.  Our words have repercussion and just like the little rhyme says they couldn’t put humpty back together again. I know what you’re thinking, it’s a little extreme, but understand that once that trust is shattered you might put it back together but it will never be the same as before. 

So, I challenge you to be mindful when tempted to speak a little white lie. A simple lie can steal the security of your wife.   Many long marriages have cracks but they continue in perfect imperfection because there is a belief that together they can handle what ever the issue is.  It’s in the cracks that we can look back and admire the marriages that have weathered the storms. 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, renew your mind every day and cherish what God has given to you, especially your spouse. 

Humpty couldn’t be put back together by all the king’s men, but we know it’s the King of Kings that we serve, and no matter how broken we are, HE can put it back together for his purpose again. 

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:22-23 NIV

To Hell With This

When you are sharing your life with another person, it can be easy to face situations where you feel like you want to throw in the towel and even assume an attitude of " Who cares what other people think and say "To hell with this".  Yes, "to hell with this" we often say when something as simple as you getting fed up or easily irritated with some of your spouse's habits that early on you found adorable, but while sharing your life with them now makes you want to pull your hair out.  It can be more serious than adultery, lies, emotional abuse, drug abuse, or physical abuse.  A lot of you have said "to hell with this" at one time or another because that is just the answer that fills that hunger quicker in your marriage at the time versus taking it to God!

  

Imagine if we approached each argument and said, Toto, God, I go with this?  To God I go with this lustful thought, I go with this pornography, to God I go with this filthy mouth, I go with this affair, to God I go with my finances, to God I go with this anxiety, to God I go with this generational curse, to God I go with this business, to God I go with my children, to God I go with my spouse.

We are all sinners; there is no doubt about that.  Marriage doesn't come with lifetime guarantees; the enemy knows that.   The enemy also knows that God's plan for marriage is to display God's glory to all of creation.  In Ephesians 5:25, we get a glimpse of what a husband's love should look like, and it's none other than a reflection of Christ. Love your wife as Christ loved the church.  There aren't enough words to describe how great that love is!  In Ephesians 5:24, it calls for wives to submit to their husbands in everything., This is perfect if your husband is submitted to living a Godly life, but what if he is not? Therefore, it leaves you with the option of   "to hell with this" as an easier way out than going to God for answers.  

The Bible is clear in God's design for marriage and we learn as Christians that we need to be fully equipped to fight the battles that we are faced with. The enemy is  prowling around waiting for the perfect opportunity to come steal and destroy. Your job is to put the armor on every day. Ephesians 6:11.

Be encouraged to equip yourselves with scripture, prayer and worship daily, anticipate that the enemy wants to  use your shortcomings to divide you. He is the real  enemy you need to fight together and send him back to the hell he belongs to,  choose to take it to God over and over again.  That is how you win in marriage!

Are you really trusting him?

Are you really trusting him with your marriage, children, finances, and other relationships? Do you see God as something out there somewhere in heaven, or do you truly see him as the God of provision with whom you may develop a real relationship?

The reality is that most people will die, and God will have always been a stranger - even for people raised up in the church or to those who convinced themselves they believed in Him but never took the next step.  When we are open to creating an intimate relationship with God, our life continues to change in this pursuit.  A true relationship with him means confiding in him even when it comes to even what appears as nothing worth discussing. These talks range from every decision you make, like a simple purchase, job offer, friend in your life, business deal, or even raising children. You are God's child and friend. Nothing you could ever do will separate you from His love due to His grace.  Regardless of how many times we think our sins and behaviors push us away from Him, His love for us will never end; it is unconditional. He is there to walk with us through our valleys and storms. He is our strength when we are weak and our provider in times of need. When allowed, He will be there to listen patiently and reveal His desires for our lives, all in due time. 

God asks of us one thing- to take a step of faith. All He wants is for us to give Him a chance. God is perfect and there is not a single thing about you that he doesn't already know and accept. He loves you, all of you and just wants to accompany you in fulfilling every single need in your life. All He asks is that you allow him be console you during your heartbreak, pain or struggle. 

When you get a taste of the love God has for you, it is only then that you accept nothing less. You will reach a point of understanding that no one can ever love you in such a way- not your spouse, your children or your parents. Put Him first and you will see the dynamic of all your relationships shift due to His perfect plan.

 

Remember, your life is a reflection of God's love, He want to bless your marriage but you have to give him access first. God is not invasive. God is not that person that will invalidate your feelings or criticize you for making certain decisions as if you should have known better. God is just that friend that picks up the call at 2pm or 2am and listens.

A Transparent Marriage

www.atransparentmarriage.com

Relationship goals

Wow, wow, wow!  Relationship Goals  by Michael Todd, this book embodies everything a transparent marriage is.  The book went on sale April 28, 2020, and immediately an instant best seller, reaching millions around the world.

For those who have no idea who Michael Todd is, you are just missing out.  Pastor Todd of Transformation Church in Oklahoma is by far one of the most real of our time. His ministry continues to reach millions around the world every Sunday with his message to represent God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ.  In 2019, his relationship goals message went viral on YouTube, and God continues to speak through him and his wife with this new book, ok which is just the beginning. What if you do nothing else this year for spiritual growth and personal growth least be encouraged to follow pastor Todd and Transformation Church, as God is using them to bless millions.

So Relationship Goals, what does that mean?  It sure means more than the cute selfies and posts we see across social media going viral and single ladies using the hashtag #relationshipgoals, which by the way, at the time of this article, has over fifteen million searches on Google.  That is actually 15 million people seeking something for their relationship, and rest assured, it is more than a cute picture to post.

Our friend Webster defines relationships as a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings and defines ga oal as the end toward which effort is directed. Simply put, it's safe to say a relationship goal for a couple is being with someone and working together toward a set of goals. Those goals, to name a few, can be work toward marriage, family and wealth.  The problem is that to win in these areas requires work, it requires being in one accord, and most of all, a lot of God along the way.  

When it comes to marriage, a book like Relationship Goals is perfect because it goes into a raw look at how to win in dating, marriage, and sex.  You can read thousand of books on the subject but it won't mean a thing to you becauseforr us to be encouraged on a personal level we need to hear from those that have walked through the valley and come out victorious and it is only by sharing their struggle and vulnerable transparency that we can learn from their mistakes and learn how Gods grace is sufficient for all of us to survive the storms of marriage. 

Remember free people free people, when you share your struggles giving God the glory He continues to give you the wisdom to win in relationship and that is the ultimate goal.

A Transparent Marriage
www.atransparentmarriage.com

How do you choose to walk today?

You can either walk through life with God frantic or you can walk through life with God peaceful knowing that He is working in your favor because He is faithful and has promised to take care of YOU!

Let the Lord fight your battles. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3

Keep God first, and watch how blessings overflow your life.

A Transparent Marriage

www.atransparentmarriage.com

Holding hands through the storms

We always find it beautiful when we come across an image of an elderly couple holding hands. Why is that? How is that sweet image able to soften our hearts? Can it be because we recognize that they made it, that they are victorious? Because they were able to achieve something we only dream about, but for one reason or another, life happens, and we don’t think we will get there. What a blessing to grow old with the person you love!

Now do me a favor, Can you close your eyes and picture yourself at eighty years old sitting on a park bench holding hands with your spouse? Hold that image for a few seconds, take a few deep breaths as your seal it in your memory. Let the image give you peace, feel love and appreciation, let that image sink deep Inside your soul and save it there.

Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” He reminds us in Mark‬ ‭10:9‬ For when the storms of life seem overwhelming,thinkk of the peace you felt when you recorded the image deep inside your soul. The enemy will sway you left and right, over and over again through the years, he will try to make you think you are sinking ,but if you are grounded on the word of God, No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper says Isaiah‬ ‭54:17‬


According to Peter we are to be “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‬ You must make Jesus number one in your life and remember that image of the two of you holding hands after a lifetime of memories.

You may think, How will that image sustain me? When you make God your anchor, you are sustained by declaring Jesus is your Lord and Savior, because he says in Romans 8:2,8 “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
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Continue to hold hands through the storms of life, declare the blood of Jesus over your lives with God always at the center, seek Him every day, and in the end, you will bring that beautiful image to life.

A Transparent Marriage
www.atransparentmarriage.com

The right now life

Can you say, "I have maximized every moment with the people I love?" The definition of maximize is to increase as much as possible. Let that sink in!

The right now life doesn't mean changing everything you are doing by quitting your job and moving to Europe and starting your dream life. What it means is, take every moment as a life experience and apply that as the foundation for the voyage of your dreams while never forgetting that the most important moments come from your family. 

Right now life is about changing little things that establish your future walk in life. What can you do right now to maximize your opportunities in love, family, and business? 

Reflection: Big waves start as little ripples and have the power to turn into a Tsunami with the right environment.

A Transparent Marriage

www.atransparentmarriage.com