sharpy auditorium: The Reality of Relationships ? EmpowerMoments

16 Feb 2012

by EmpowerMoments - Take a MOMENT daily to EMPOWER you in Love, Love, Love Series, Marriage, Relationships, Sex Tags: God, Jesus, Marriage, Marriage Myths, Relationships, Spiritual Growth

?Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.? Mark 10:9 MSG

Relationships bring out the root of our character. Whether it?s spiritual, marital, familial, or friendship, our character is often what determines the depth to these relationships. This past weekend my husband and I went to a marriage conference entitled, ?Weekend to Remember.? We witnessed so many couples, even ourselves, having breakthroughs and becoming free because they understood what a true relationship with their spouse or future spouse should entail. Unfortunately, society, secular culture, media, and our imaginations have tainted the true meaning of the love shared between a husband and wife. When I was dating, I had so many misconceptions and unrealistic expectations about marriage. It caused a lot of frustration during my dating years and rifts when I married. Today I want to EMPOWER you to step outside of what you ?think? is healthy for the marriage you have or the one you are preparing for, and look to God as the source of abundance and joy in your relationship.

Common Myths that Skew Singles and Murder Marriages:

Difficulties mean we have a bad marriage: It?s not the difficulty that rates your marriage, but the way you respond to difficulties. ?But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.??(1 Corinthians 7:28 NIV) Work as a team to face ALL troubles.
I have to make my point: When you respond to your mate, do you use honey or vinegar? The Bible tells us to speak in a way that encourages: ?Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.? (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)?I?ve learned over the years that my husband does not respond to nagging (the equivalent of being nibbled to death by a duck). But he responds to TIMELY conversations that encourage him.
Children first, then our marriage: God designed the marriage relationship as the priority relationship of the family. Our marriages should mirror God?s image of love. The speaker at our conference gave some astounding advice. He said children don?t necessarily ?need? quality or quantity time the most. They need mom and dad to have it together! This is so true because it breeds security in the home. Children are sensitive and can pick up on tension in the home.
Love has to be earned: The anchor to your love for your spouse or future spouse should not be based on how well he cooks, acts, works, dresses, or interacts with other people. That?s what makes you ?like? him. Love is based on the principle of agape love. It?s?patience (not forcing him to change or slapping resume` builders in his face), kindness (saying ?good morning? or sending a text message that says ?I love you?), void of envy (you are not his competitor), non-boasting (refrain from ?I cook, clean, AND work! What do you do??), honor?(opposed to punking him in public or acting like his mom), selflessness (opposed to manipulating the finances in secret), self-control (opposed to being quick to get angry), and it?s based on forgiveness?(instead of keeping a record, tally, score sheet, note-book, or spreadsheet of his wrongdoings in your brain and heart or reminding him of them.)
Marriage should be blissful: Did you know that some things are not solvable? You cannot change your spouse and he cannot change you. Some disagreements have to end in compromise.
I can fix him: Your husband is not your project! Pick another hobby! Your man has attributes that are indicative of him. God can make the situation work, but when you make it your business to ?fix it? on your own, that becomes day one of destruction. Trying to change him means that I do not accept the masterpiece God designed for me.
Sex is not necessary:?Did you know that both of you should be ?satisfied? during sex in your marriage? I just learned of a story of a woman of 12 children that never experienced an orgasm. She began to pray over her marriage bed and soon, her husband prayed with her. He took on the responsibility of trying to make sex enjoyable for her as well. God filled them with ways of intimacy to encourage oneness in their marriage. Healthy sex encourages oneness.
I don?t need a man to complete me: You should definitely be complete in your decision for Christ before you marry. However, a marriage is a companionship. When there is not a ?need? for a companion, your husband cannot see where he fits in. Men have a ?need? to complete and fix. If he can?t complete your desire for companionship, he doesn?t see where he?s needed.
Conferences, counseling, and marriage books are only for broken marriages:?My husband said something astounding the other day. He said we study for our degrees so we can ?know? our fields, but we don?t ?study? our marriage. I was blown away because he was right. I know his personality, but I don?t know what it means to be ?married? unless I look at two other people that are NOT he and I. Whether it?s your Bible, talks with your mate about your marriage, retreats, books, etc, your marriage needs to be an ?intended? focus, not just another feather in your hat.

Dear Daddy,

Thank You for bringing some things to the fore front. Father, please help us not to taint our minds and imaginations with selfish ideas and worldly expectations of marriage. Lord, I pray that every wife reading this message is able to demonstrate oneness. Lord, I pray that she sees to it that she prays for her husband on a consistent basis, whether he is a believer or not. Lord, I ask that the Holy Spirit guide our prayers so that they are not selfish. Lord, I pray for every Lady in Waiting and every Wife, that You encourage her to realize that the?focus before and during marriage should be You because You give her provisions, joy, happiness, and fulfillment, regardless of circumstance. In Jesus? Name, Amen!

Ladies, I EMPOWER you today to love your man with Godly love. Relationships are wonderful, but we can?t encourage worldly expectations if we want a Godly relationship. I listed the myths above to help free you to lavish in the abundance of love. Your husband is neither your enemy nor your competitor. There is nothing worse for a man to fail outside the home and then come home to someone that reaffirms it. God designed us as helpers. The term helper?means to assist someone that is not adequate to handle it by themselves; it does not mean slave! Love on him in God?s way and He will move like never before.

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? We continue our?celebration of Whitney with her hit, ?All The Man That I Need?:

As a professional, Mrs. Khalilah?Burton is College Biology Instructor. She is also currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Higher Ed and Community College Leadership. Khalilah?is passionate about her faith journey and uses this key scripture as her inspiration: ?But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.? (Isaiah 40:31 KJV) She teaches Young Adult Bible Study and Sunday School and also serves as a guest speaker and panelist for various events for women and Christian empowerment. Khalilah resides in Millbrook, Alabama with her wonderful husband Donald Burton, Jr. and their energetic three-year old daughter. They attend Vaughn Forest Church in Montgomery, Alabama.?Check out Khalilah?s Christian weight loss blog?here