Shows
Married By DesignReasons for Lack of ChangeWe have started our series entitled, Handling Life's Issues. The purpose of this series is not only to help you handle the issues of life but also for you to be able to help others. In this episode, we address the reasons that a person does not change. It is important to evaluate why change in not taking place in your life or one that you are helping. If the counselee can see the reasons and you can address them biblically, you can help them move forward in their life.You can reach us at marri...
2022-10-2424 minMarried By DesignOvercoming Resistance to ChangeWe have started our series entitled, Handling Life's Issues. The purpose of this series is not only to help you handle the issues of life but also for you to be able to help others. In this episode, we address the resistance that we can often have to change. What is it that can move us from accepting compromise and mediocrity in our lives to having a desire and an eagerness to change? What will help us to persevere in living out the changes that God wants in our lives?You can reach us with commen...
2022-10-2027 minMarried By DesignChange in High Gear!We have started our series entitled, Handling Life's Issues. The purpose of this series is not only to help you handle the issues of life but also for you to be able to help others. In this episode, we look at the how to get change into high gear. We look further at the truths from the Bible that should encourage us and should be the catalyst to move the change into a higher gear. Change is exciting, and God really does want you to live a better, more fulfilled life that honors Him. That's why these realit...
2022-10-1218 minMarried By DesignThe Foundation of Real ChangeWe have started our series entitled, Handling Life's Issues. The purpose of this series is not only to help you handle the issues of life but also to be able to help others. In this episode, we look at the foundation for change. For change to really occur, there has to be a change of heart. For change to be lasting, a person should be motivated and empowered by the Lord through a relationship with Christ. God not only wants to change the areas you struggle with, but wants to forgive you and restore your relationship with Him. ...
2022-10-0520 min
Married By DesignYou Can Change!We have started our series entitled, Handling Life's Issues. The purpose is not only to help you handle the issues of life but also to be able to help others. In this episode, we are starting to look at change. You can change! God gives you the ability and all the resources to change any area of your life that He desires to you to work on!You can reach us at marriedbydesign01@gmail.com
2022-09-2921 minMarried By DesignHandling Life's IssuesWelcome back to Married By Design! We have had a great summer and are excited about this new series entitled, "Handling Life's Issues." It's all about helping others and making the most of the time. There are so many people around us, inside and outside the church, that need encouragement and counsel. This series will equip you to help others by providing counsel to them and helping them to know Christ and walk with Him. We'll look at how to make lasting change and cover a number of areas including marriage issues, depression, anger, and fear. So stay with us and l...
2022-09-0719 minMarried By DesignA Summer SiestaTaking a siesta. What a great blessing that God gives us rest. There are great things He’s done through this podcast so far. That’s what we’ll be looking out of this episode of Married By Design.And as we get into the summer, Jan and I have decided that we’re going to take a siesta. A siesta is a little break in the middle of the day. Wee feel like this is probably a good time for us to take some time to regroup and pray about the topics and direction of this podca...
2022-06-1605 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - Living "All In"Having a fantastic second half of life. That’s what we’ve been looking at in this series. What are the principles that we need to keep in mind as we plan to live out that great adventure. That will be looking at this time on Married By Design.In this last episode, we’re looking at how you push through the hesitancy to that take those steps that will give you a memorable life of great impact on those around you. To go for broke in your faith. This life is meant to be lived to the...
2022-06-0815 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - Deciding Who You AreDo you believe the best is yet to be? How do you view yourself and how will you view yourself as you move in the second half of your life? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We wanted to take this week to talk about your identity. How we view ourselves and our identity as children of God is so important!Your identity has a significant impact on your attitudes and your expectations. This is true in all of life. And I thin...
2022-06-0215 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - The Greatest Joy!The best is yet to be. Are you looking with excitement to the future and living life that is truly thrilling and satisfying? That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.Well, this week we’re going to look at another way that we can make the second half of life fantastic. We truly do believe that the best is yet to be. We have a sure and solid hope in eternity. Because Jesus Christ Christ died for our sins, we have a full confidence that he will receive us and...
2022-05-2613 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - Leaving a Rich Inheritance Have you considered the incredible impact that you can have on your family and friends in the second part of your life? What are the ripples that you can start now that will have an effect on people's eternity? That’s what I’ll be looking at in this episode of Married By Design.This week on our podcast, we’re going to move from the marriage relationship and strengthening it to encouraging you to strengthen the relationships that you have with your children and extended family. We want you to begin to think abo...
2022-05-1914 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - The Fantastic Gray Marriage How is marriage going? What are you doing to prepare for the second half of your life in regards to your marriage? That’s what we will be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.As we consider the second half of our lives, it’s important to make sure that your marriage is strong. It’s important to work at making your marriage healthy and keeping your intimacy growing with your spouse. It’s obvious, as we said before, that there are more people that are abandoning their marriage in the secon...
2022-05-1215 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - The Midlife Crisis Living your best life in the second part of your life. Avoiding the midlife crisis. How do you work through the challenges and struggles that you may face? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. Whether you have had or will have a midlife crisis or just struggle through some of these issues in the middle of your life, I think it’s important to address the central theme of expectations that can creep into our minds during this time of life. Our minds can get a little wonky and we...
2022-05-0514 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - An Eager Excitement (Part 2) Are you excited about the future? Do you believe that the best is yet to be? We’re going to be looking at how to live a life full of hope on this episode of Married By Design. In this week's episode, we’re going look at the reasons to have hope. What future events should fill us with a great hope and excitement? These events and experiences that will come should flavor the present. We should be like kids waiting for Christmas. Do you remember when you were a child and you looked forward...
2022-04-2915 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - An Eager Excitement (Part 1)Are you excited about the future? Do you believe that the best is yet to be? We’re going to be looking at how to live a life full of hope on this episode of Married By Design.Today on our podcast we’re going to be looking at the idea of hope. Hope is anticipating a future that is better than the present. Having hope means that you can live a life of excitement and anticipation of the things that are in the store in the future. Even if things are hard right now, ...
2022-04-2118 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - A Carefree Optimism Is the best yet to be? How can we have an attitude and perspective that will give us an expectation and joy about the future as we continue to mature? To have a carefree optimism? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.The first aspect we’re going to look at this week is the concept of faith. Next week we will look at hope. These two ideas are central to the Christian life and are repeatedly presented throughout the Bible. Both in the Old Testament or New Testa...
2022-04-1415 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To Be - Finishing WellFinishing well. What does it look like in life and how do we arrive there? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.In this episode we will look at some individuals in the Bible that live to ripe old ages but also lived the second half of their life with vigor and effectiveness. The question is, “What does it look like to finish well?” Last week, we looked at examples of how to finish poorly. This week we'll look at some examples that should encourage and motivate us....
2022-04-0715 min
Married By DesignThe Best Is Yet To BeAre you excited about the future? Do you look forward to the second part of your life with eager expectation and anticipation? That’s what we’ll be looking out on this episode of Married By Design.This week we’re beginning an exciting new series entitled, “The Best Is Yet To Be.” We will be considering a book by Bruce Peppin by that title and our series will look at the concept that we need to live life well and finish life well. That the second part of our life is not one in which we...
2022-03-3115 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - The Joy of Impacting OthersWho have you been impacting? Whose lives have you made a difference in? And what does that have to do with overcoming depression? That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. This week, we’re going to be looking at the directions the Lord gives Elijah as far as what he was to focus on. If he’s going to take his eyes off himself and the dangers from Jezebel, he needs to decide where he’s going to put his focus. And the same thing is true with u...
2022-03-2414 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - The Danger of Self-FocusIf you struggle with depression, where is your focus? Is it only on your own struggles and the things you’re facing, or do you have a broader view of life and the things that God is doing around you? That’s what we’ll be looking at in this episode of Married By Design.This week on our podcast, we want to look at another aspect of depression-the tendency that we all have to be focused on ourselves and what we’re going through to the exclusion of all else that’s happening around us...
2022-03-1716 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - The Trap of the MindEver find yourself confused, discouraged and your mind cluttered as you struggle with depression? How do you clarify those thoughts and straighten out your mind? That’s what we'll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.This week on our podcast episode, we’re going to be looking at our thinking. When we face difficulties and trials and discouragement, part of the problem that we have is that our thinking becomes all skewed and twisted. That can send us into depression and can cause the downward spiral to accelerate. Your...
2022-03-1014 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - The Despair of Sin How have you been doing it managing and working on your depression? Have you been able to encourage somebody else who is struggling with depression? What part do your own choices and sin have in depression? That’s what we’ll be looking that up at on this episode of Married By Design.This week we’re going to look at another aspect of a relationship with the Lord. We’re going to be looking at the way that our choices to sin can affect our relationship with Him. When we walk in darkness, it will naturally...
2022-03-0315 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - Seeking GodAre you looking at the waves? Have the challenges or failures of life got you down in the dumps? Where is God in all of this? That’s what we’ll be looking out of this episode of Married By Design.This week we’re going to see how Elijah reconnected with his God. Certainly because he was in fear and turmoil, there was some spiritual distance from his Lord. He took his eyes off his Master and put them on the woman Jezebel that had threatened him. That sent him into a tailspin. And part of the s...
2022-02-2413 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - Self CareAre you discouraged or depressed? Do you know somebody who is struggling with depression? What are the ways that you can help yourself or help them? That’s what I’ll be looking out on this episode of Married By Design.Today on our podcast we’re going to be looking at another aspect of dealing with depression. We would encourage you to read through the passage of 1 Kings 19 so that you’re familiar with it. But what we want to focus on today is self care. It is so important if you’re dealing w...
2022-02-1713 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - The Danger of IsolationAre you struggling with depression? Do you have a tendency to isolate yourself or know somebody who’s struggling that is isolating themselves? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.This week in our episode, we’re going back to first kings chapter 19 and the struggle that Elijah had with depression. We saw the event that triggered his depression in the threats of Jezebel. This week, we’re going to look at his reaction to those threats. How does Elijah respond to the threats of Jezebel? He...
2022-02-1017 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - Looking at the Waves (Part 2) Are you struggling with depression due to the things that you’ve experienced in the past or that you’re facing right now? How can you handle those things biblically in order to move through the issues without the discouragement? That’s what will be looking on this episode of Married By Design.Last week, we began to look at the passage in Matthew 14. We began looking at the story of the disciples in a storm. They faced the difficulty and there are a lot of principles that we can learn from that passage.This week we...
2022-02-0313 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - Looking at the Waves (Part 1)Are you struggling with depression due to the things that you’ve experienced in the past or that you’re facing right now? How can you handle those things biblically in order to move through the issues without the discouragement? That’s what will be looking on this episode of Married By Design.This week we thought it was so important to look at this issue of our experiences in the trials of life that we wanted to look at another situation in the New Testament. The disciples found themselves in a very trying and fright...
2022-01-2714 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - Devastating LossWhat are the things that can pull you down into discouragement and depression? Devastating loss can spiral you into a deep depression and we need to know how to handle that loss. That’s what we'll be looking out of this episode of Married By Design.We want to take some time in a parallel passage related to depression because Job, like Elijah, was devastated and struggled with depression. Job lost all his worldly possessions, all his children and his health. He struggled deeply through the book and, in the end, did not have answers. But with...
2022-01-2016 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression - The Ups and DownsThe ups and downs of life. The challenges and heartaches that throw us off and how to avoid the waves. That’s all be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.There’s so many verses that talk about this issue with depression. What we decided to do was to focus on one passage. What we’re going to do in the series is walk through the passage slowly and look at the different aspects of how depression arises and how we can combat it. Along the way, will bring in a lot of other cr...
2022-01-1315 min
Married By DesignSpiritual Depression Are you dealing with depression or discouragement? Are you struggling to get through each day? Do you know somebody who is struggling with depression? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. In this first session, we’re going to be examining the struggle of depression. We’re not going to give you simplistic answers or even easy answers. What we are going to do is look over a series of weeks at this issue biblically and address the area of spiritual depression. What should the response of the Christian be...
2022-01-0617 minMarried By DesignResolutions are Biblical!What are the things that God wants you to change in your life? What are you doing to move in that direction to change? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.In between our series', we’ve decided to take a little bit of time to look at some issues that we felt were important to address. This week we’re going to look at the area of resolutions. It’s a brand new year next week. Have you decided to make any New Year’s resolutions...
2021-12-3018 minMarried By DesignNot Losing Heart (Part 2)Welcome to Married By Design. In the midst of all that you’ve been facing, you probably need some encouragement to stay the course and to not lose heart. That’s what I’ll be looking out on this episode of Married By Design. Welcome back to our podcast. We are in between series and we want to present a number of issues to encourage you in your faith and your marriage. We started last week presenting a sermon that I had a chance to preach recently at our home church. In our counseling and general...
2021-12-2327 minMarried By DesignNot Losing Heart (Part 1) In the midst of all that you’ve been facing, you probably need some encouragement to stay the course and to not lose heart. That’s what we’ll be looking out on this episode of Married By Design. Welcome back to our podcast. We are in-between series and we want to present a number of issues to encourage you in your faith and your marriage. This week and next week, we’re going to be sharing with you a sermon that Joe had a chance to preach recently at our home church. In our counseling...
2021-12-1625 minMarried By DesignA Great MarriageEffectiveness in later years, rising up with courage, challenging others to be committed to the Lord, and preserving others. This makes a great marriage between two great people. This is what we will be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. In this last episode, we want to look at an obscure couple and see the incredible impact they had. They were living in a very difficult time but they rose to the challenges. They both had a part, as husband and wife, in standing for what was right and making a diff...
2021-12-0915 minMarried By DesignThe Mixed Marriage - Good and BadThe foolish and the godly married to each other. What do you do? Thats what we will be looking at in this episode of Married By Design.Today we will look at an example of a bad marriage. Bad, not because both people were making foolish choices, but because one was so godless and foolish that it affected his wife and the entire household. Today we are looking at Nabal and Abigail, seen in 1 Samuel 25. The contrast between the two is pointed out in verse 3: It says the woman was discerning, intelligent, or sensible and...
2021-12-0212 minMarried By DesignThe Good - Living Out Faith with Grace and MercyFinding your adequacy in Christ, practicing your faith, and extending grace and mercy. These are all qualities that a husband or wife can exhibit in order to have a great marriage. That’s what we will be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.This week we’re going to be looking at a good marriage. It’s a story of a young man and woman that were faced with a very difficult situation and yet decided to shine in it and honor the Lord. That’s often what life is really about. We...
2021-11-2513 minMarried By DesignThe Ugly - Unbridled Anger, Bitterness and ResentmentBitterness and resentment, unbridled anger or lust, and a faulty foundation in the relationship. Those are the ingredients we will look at this week that build into an ugly marriage. That’s what we’ll be looking at on Married By Design.This week we are looking at the relationships David had with his wives. Again, it seems very strange to talk about a husband and his wives. The original marriage was between one man and one woman. But the Israelites were so influenced by the cultures around them that they had marriages that were quite con...
2021-11-1814 minMarried By DesignThe Bad - Unchecked Cravings and Lack of CommitmentUnchecked cravings, and unwillingness to listen to wise counsel, or a lack of real commitment to the relationship. These things lead to a bad marriage. That's what we'll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.The couple that we’re going look at this week is Samson and Delilah. Actually, we’re going look at Sampson's life and his relationship with two women. First his wife and then Delilah. We’re going to pick up the story starting in judges chapter 13.Your mission, should you choose to accept it...
2021-11-1117 minMarried By DesignThe Good - Doing the Hard Work, Full of Faith and Caring Walking with God, caring for your spouse and being teachable. These are all qualities of a great marriage. That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.This week we’re looking in the book of Ruth. It’s the Old Testament story of the courtship and marriage of Ruth and Boaz. If you want to see an inspirational example of two people walking with God and their union and marriage, Ruth and Boaz would be the one to study. As we have, we want to break down some of the...
2021-11-0417 minMarried By DesignThe Ugly - Doubting God and Blame-shiftingDoubting God, relying on your own reasoning, blame shifting. These are all practices that lead to a very ugly marriage. That's what we will be looking at on this episode of married by design. This week we're going to look at an ugly marriage. We actually spent some time discussing whether this couple falls under the ugly or bad marriage category. Certainly the effect of their choices were bad and evil. We are living with the consequences of their sin. We’re going to be looking at Adam and Eve.Your homework, should...
2021-10-2814 minMarried By DesignThe Bad - Selfishness, Pretense and DeceptionSelfishness, pretense and deception. These are all traits of a bad marriage that ends badly. That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.This week, we’re looking at a bad marriage. Actually for this couple, we don’t have a lot of information about their whole life. We just see this one situation. But it tells us a lot about their choices in their marriage. It’s the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. I think we would do well to take some time to look at this passage...
2021-10-2114 minMarried By DesignThe Good - Lifelong Intimacy and Helping Others Lifelong intimacy and closeness with your spouse. To really be one and all that God intended you to enjoy through that. That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We’re going to be looking at the wonderful example of Aquila and Priscilla. There’s actually not a lot written about them in the Bible. They are mentioning a number of places and we will develop some principles from the places that they are mentioned.Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to look a...
2021-10-1416 minMarried By DesignThe Ugly - Deception and Multiple LovesDeception, multiples loves and the passive husband. These are a recipe for an ugly marriage. That's what we'll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.In this weeks episode, we’re going to look at an ugly marriage. Again, this couple generally was following the Lord and God was going to use them greatly. But they also made some foolish choices that led to a very ugly marriage relationship. It’s a story of Jacob and Rachel. Well, I guess I should say not just the story of Jacob and Rachel, but the story...
2021-10-0714 minMarried By DesignThe Bad - Unchecked Desires and RebellionHow devastating can unchecked desires, refusal to follow God‘s ways in choosing other gods be on a marriage? That's what we are looking at on this episode of Married By Design. This week, in keeping with the title of that movie, we’re going to look at a bad marriage. These bad marriages again are ones in which the husband and/or the wife are evil and make choices that are quite contrary to God‘s intention and his Word.Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to pick out one...
2021-09-3016 minMarried By DesignThe Good - Deep Affection and ServanthoodWhat good encouraging examples do you know of that challenge you to have a great marriage? Purity, servanthood, and deep affection will make for a great marriage. That's what we'll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. The first couple we’re going to look at is one that’s a good example. This couple is inspiring in the way that they went through the process of getting married and from what we see they had a great marriage. We’re going to be looking at the relationship of Isaac and Rebekah...
2021-09-2313 minMarried By DesignThe Good, the Bad, and the UglyDo you learn from your mistakes? Do you learn from the mistakes of others and the good examples they set? That’s what we’ll be looking at this week on Married By Design.We want to observe individuals in the Bible and learn from their mistakes. Learn from the choices they make. See the consequences of the choices they make. One of the great treasures of the Bible is that we are able to see peoples lives put on display and learn from them. We can learn from the good, the bad, and the ugly i...
2021-09-1613 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - Addressing the IssuesIf you are in a marriage in which you were together but alone, when and how should you try to address issues in the relationship? That’s what I’ll be looking out on this episode of Married By Design.As we have gone through the series, we suggested that you should be the influencer rather than being influenced. We have examined the way that you treat your spouse. We have suggested how to cope with issues like loneliness and discontentment. Now, as we close out the series, we want to look at the way in which...
2021-09-0915 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - Discontentment (Part 2)How do you handle not having everything that you desire? Would you describe yourself as content in your circumstances or grumbling and always wanting something more? That’s what we’ll be looking at in this episode of Married By Design.This week we’re going to look at how to overcome discontentment. Last week we saw an example of discontentment. This week we’re going to be looking at a number of Scriptures that will move us away from that discontent heart to a heart of trust and thankfulness. That’s the only place to be if...
2021-09-0214 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - Discontentment (Part 1)How do you handle not having everything that you desire? Would you describe yourself as content in your circumstances or grumbling and always wanting something more? That’s what we will be looking at in this episode of Married By Design.We’re going to be looking today at how you deal with the disappointment. How you can, when things don’t work out the way that you hoped, still move forward and be encouraged. And be content.Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to read through the pass...
2021-08-2617 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - Loneliness (Part 3)Are you in a marriage in which you were together but alone? Are you struggling with loneliness in a strained relationship? That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of married by design.Marriage can be a very lonely place. Because of that disconnect spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and even physically, you can feel separated and isolated. And so we began to look the last two weeks at this idea of loneliness and how to address it biblically. We have suggested that though there will be some loneliness in that relationship that can’t b...
2021-08-1915 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - Loneliness (Part 2)Are you in a marriage in which you are together but alone? Are you struggling with loneliness in a strained relationship? That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We’ve been looking in the Bible for the answers to deal with loneliness. Last week we began to look at the ways that God connects with man. God is never lonely in the Trinity, but His desire for connection and fellowship with us is a pattern for us to follow. We have a lot to learn from the Lord...
2021-08-1212 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - Loneliness (Part 1)Are you married but lonely? How can someone overcome loneliness? That’s what we'll be looking at on this episode of married by design.How are someone in such a marriage to cope with the disappointment and the loneliness that they may experience in a marriage that is not all that God would have it to be. That’s what we want to look at in this episode. Loneliness. We’re going to look at biblically how to combat loneliness. How is it that somebody who is isolated can move toward a place of connectio...
2021-08-0513 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - Roadblocks and Pitfalls If you’re in a marriage in which you are together but alone, are you stuck and struggling in a particular area? If you’re trying to encourage somebody in such a marriage, are you aware of the traps and pitfalls that they may face? That’s what we looking at on this episode of Married By Design.Today we want to deal with some common roadblocks and pitfalls one may encounter when trying to walk this lonely road in a way that pleases the Lord. It can be a real challenge to navigate through su...
2021-07-2814 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - Influencer or Influenced?Together but alone in a marriage relationship - who is the influencer and who is the influenced? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.Paul wrote in Romans 12:2 that believers should not be, “conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” To show what is good and acceptable and perfect by not conforming but by being transformed. Not allowing the environment to force you into a...
2021-07-2213 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - How To Treat Your SpouseAre you in a marriage where you are together but alone? How are you treating your spouse that is struggling? Your choices of how you respond to them can either help them move to a better place or drive them away. That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. This week on our podcast, we’re going to look at how to treat the spouse that is distant and checked out. How do you treat someone who is sabotaging the relationship or has pulled back and has no interest in working t...
2021-07-1513 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone - The HeartacheAre you together but alone in your marriage relationship? How have you been coping with that? Do you feel like you’re able to live your life or is it weighing you down so much that you’re barely able to function. That is what will be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.This week, we want to give you some suggestions if you’re facing that marriage struggle. We said last week that there are no quick fixes or easy answers. We wish that we could wave a wand over your...
2021-07-0816 minMarried By DesignTogether But Alone How is your connection with your spouse? Do you feel like the two of you are on the same page and work towards the same goals? Or do you feel like you are together and yet you’re alone. Or do you know somebody who is in that situation? That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By DesignWe’re starting a new series this week and entitled “Together But Alone.” We felt like it would be important to address the situation that some can find themselves in where they are married but...
2021-07-0115 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant Life - A Compelling PurposeWhat is the purpose of your life? Is there some focus and motivation for you to live each day that propels you forward and gives you an excitement and light in life? That’s what we’ll be looking at in this episode of Married By DesignGod created you for a purpose— to fulfill His desires and His mission here on earth. That starts with that relationship with Jesus Christ and believing that he died for your sins. God wants to give you a new heart and a new life and a new purpos...
2021-06-2415 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant Life - The Grumpier DaysAre you living a radiant life and shining God‘s light? Do you have off days and times which honestly you are not shining God‘s light? That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.There are going to be some days where we just to have a bad day. Some days we don’t even understand why, but we just feel a little bit off, a little bit grumpy, a little bit dim - our light does not shine maybe the way that it should or it could. We w...
2021-06-1714 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant Life - The Spark of Connection Are you living a life that is radiant? Are you making choices that are helping you to lead a life of light for gods glory? How does your involvement with other people either make you light or darkness? That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of married by design We want to look today at the importance of fellowship. Especially because of Covid, so many people have gotten detached from each other and from fellowship. If you have gotten detached from other believers and from your church family, you probably have no prob...
2021-06-1015 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant Life - The DimmingAre you living a life of radiance? Are you allowing things in your life and your heart that will dim that light the Christ wants to shine through you? That’s what I’ll be looking at in this episode of Married By Design.Nothing will rob us quicker of our light and radiance than allowing sin in our life. That’s why Paul deals with that right before he talks about being filled with the spirit. We’re going to be looking at the earlier passage in Ephesians chapter 5 and the challenge to think about wheth...
2021-06-0314 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant Life - The Energizing SpiritAre you living life as a couple for God's glory and impacting others? Are you stirring each other up to live empowered by God’s Spirit that naturally and effortlessly is a life that is radiant? That’s what we will be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We are all going to be controlled by something. It could be by wine, lust, by anger, any other thing that we can choose to follow. Or we can be controlled by God Spirit. That word controlled in Ephesians 5 has to do with being...
2021-05-2711 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant Life - The Lightening of PrayerAre you living a life of light and radiance? Are you a child of prayer and see the powerful result of prayer in your heart and attitudes? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We’ve been looking at how we can live the radiant life. It involves time and devotion as you saw in the life of Moses. It involves getting into the word and having a renewed perspective on the power of God‘s word to give us and excitement and radiance. In this episod...
2021-05-2011 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant Life - The Refreshing WordDavid writes in Psalm 34 that "those who look to him are radiant." Are you living a radiant life? Are you allowing God’s Word into your heart and mind and which will make you radiant? That’s what will be looking at on this episode of married by design In this episode, we’re going to look at the power of God’s word to enable us to live a radiant life. We would suggest to you that the reading, study, and meditation of God’s word will lead you to live a radiant life. In Jeremi...
2021-05-1317 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant Life - Looking to Him Do you have a life that is radiant? Do you have an excitement and exuberance about life that is evident to those around you? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. We want to look at some other verses that point to this idea that the more that we have our eyes fixed on Jesus, the better off we will be and the more radiant our lives will be. And then we’re going to look at how to keep our eyes fixed on Him.
2021-05-0614 minMarried By DesignThe Radiant LifeAre you living a radiant life? Are you living in such a way that you are enjoying God‘s goodness in your life and having an impact on others? That’s all be looking out in this episode of Married By Design.We’ve entitled the series, “The Radiant Life." It’s all about understanding biblically what it means to live in God‘s presence and, as a result have a life that radiates His glory. That’s the best and only place to be as a Christian. In the midst of all the problems and struggle...
2021-04-2913 minMarried By DesignFalling Back in Love - CherishingHusbands, how are you doing at cherishing your wife? You are called to be an example and a blessing to your wife. This is probably one of the most significant ways that you can enhance the romance and affection in your marriage. This is what will be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.I know, I know, we said that this series on "Falling Back In Love" was completed. But this past week, we were talking about the series and discussing whether we had covered everything that we wanted to. In that discussion, Janet...
2021-04-2216 minMarried By DesignFalling Back In Love - Physical AffectionWould you say that romance is alive and well in your relationship? Do you find that you are affectionate with your spouse? That’s what I’ll be looking out on this episode of Married By DesignIn this last episode in the series, we want to look at the physical affection and love that a husband and wife should have for each other. This is part and parcel of the marriage relationship. What we’re referring to is not just the sexual union between the husband and the wife, but all the little things t...
2021-04-1511 minMarried By DesignFalling Back In Love - Roadblocks (Part 4)How are you doing at loving your spouse? Have you set up roadblocks in the way that you respond to your spouse that are strangling the love and romance in the relationship? That’s what we’re looking at in this episode of Married By Design. This week, we’re going to be looking in 1 Corinthians 13:8. Let me read that for you. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”Your homework, should you choose to accept it, is to take one of these areas and examine your own heart. Ma...
2021-04-0812 minMarried By DesignFalling Back In Love - Roadblocks (Part 3)Has your love and affection for your spouse been growing over time? Or have there been roadblocks that you have set up in the relationship that are deadening your romance? That’s what I’ll be looking at in this episode of Married By Design.We have begun to look at the roadblocks to romance in the marriage relationship. And we’ve been looking in 1 Corinthians 13 at Paul’s description of love. If you fail to act in love towards your spouse, you will set up frustration and will kill any romance that could be develop...
2021-04-0114 minMarried By DesignFalling Back in Love - Roadblocks (Part 2)Have you begun to see an improvement in your romance in marriage? Have you hit some roadblocks in developing your affection for your spouse? That’s what I’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We began to look at Paul‘s description of love and all that we should be doing in our marriage. If we fail to follow Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 13, we will not be loving our spouse in our actions and will not feel the resulting affection for them. This is what we called the road blocks to romanc...
2021-03-2412 minMarried By DesignFalling Back in Love - Roadblocks (Part 1)How’s your love life? Are the things that you’re doing and not doing that are throwing cold water on your relationship with your spouse? That’s what we'll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. We’re going to begin to walk through this passage in first Corinthians 13. We will be focusing primarily on verses four through eight. That section of scripture is a wonderful passage to commit to memory. If you desire to see your marriage relationship grow and blossom, it would be very helpful to set your mind on the truth of...
2021-03-1813 minMarried By DesignFalling Back In Love - Romantic WordsSo how do you talk to your spouse? Does the way that you talk to your spouse enhance your love relationship with them or does it detract? We have an incredible opportunity to love our spouse through the words that we say to them. That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We want to lay out some foundational principles of our speech. We can find so often that we forget these basic principles that, if we practice them, will build into our marriage and strengthen our love...
2021-03-1112 minMarried By DesignFalling Back in Love - Foxes in the VineyardDo you feel like your love is growing for your spouse? Are there distractions and interests that take you away from the love and affection you should have? That’s what we’re going to be looking out on this episode of married by design. In this episode, we’re going to look at the distractions to love. This is the other half of the coin of building into the marriage relationship. On the one hand, you need to have focused time for each other to set your heart on your spouse. This week, we’re going to l...
2021-03-0414 minMarried By DesignFalling Back In Love - 1-3 TimeSo, how is the romance going in your marriage? Would you say that you are more in love with your spouse than you were last year? How do you cultivate that affection and love? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.One of the verses that we looked at last week in song of Solomon was in chapter 2, verse 13 and 14. We want to look at that again, especially at the idea of how important it is to spend time zeroing in on your relationship to cultivate that...
2021-02-2513 minMarried By DesignFalling Back In LoveIs your love and passion for your spouse growing and maturing over time or do you feel like the romance has faded away? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to discuss with your spouse the state of your marriage. Do you love each other? How is that expressed? Do you have a passionate love for each other as we saw in Song of Solomon? Why or why not? And here’s a bonus assignment. I think it...
2021-02-1812 min
Married By DesignThe Clear, Essential VoiceDo you want that one thing that will begin to set all other parts of your life in order? Sound like a bold promise? That's what we'll be looking at this week on Married by Design. I wanted to talk about this week is the power of creation and what impact it should have on every human being alive. If we have a clearer and more complete understanding of who God is and that he’s there, it will impact the way that we handle things such as the challenges that we’ve gone through. It will have an impa...
2021-02-1122 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2021 - How to Get Connected It has been a real struggle during coronavirus to be connected. Do you feel lonely and isolated? Do you feel like you’re well beyond all that we’ve gone through and want to get back to real life? That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.In this last episode we’re going to look at the issue of isolation and how important it is that we be connected. Isolation has been one of the central struggles of people during the last year. Not just parents and adults, but children...
2021-02-0412 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2021 - Pressing On In Your Life!Do you feel like you’re growing as an individual? Do you feel like there are areas of your life that you are improving in and are you in a process of developing every area of your life? Have you thought about why you should even do that? That’s what I’m going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We want to encourage you to move on in your life to grow and develop as an individual despite the challenges that you face. This is actually a perfect time to focus o...
2021-01-2716 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2021 - The Most Important Love How are you doing at loving others? Do you find yourself struggling in your love not only for others but also for the Lord? Has this time of coronavirus and all the challenges left you a little bit listless and cold in your relationship with God? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your with all your heart all your soul all your mind and all your strength. So our question for you is, how are you doing in yo...
2021-01-2117 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2021 - Overcoming Self-Focus (Part 2)Do you find yourself consumed with things that you’re going through and the challenges that you’re facing? Do you see this as a time to try to maintain and protect rather than thrive and impact others? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of married by design.Impact in other peoples lives. That’s what we began to look at in last week's episode on love. Love in a biblical sense of sacrifice and care for others that are in need. Your homework, your mission...
2021-01-1316 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2021 - Overcoming Self-Focus (Part 1)Do you find yourself consumed with things that you’re going through and the challenges that you’re facing? Do you see this as a time to try to maintain and protect rather than thrive and impact others? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. In this episode, we will look at the idea of love as the antidote to self-focus in the midst of all that we’re going through.Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to discuss with your spouse this concept of l...
2021-01-0717 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - Overcoming Discouragement (Part 2)Welcome to Married By Design. With everything going on in 2020, do you find yourself struggling with discouragement or depression? Isolation, losses that we have experienced, and the fact that it looks like it will go on for sometime can really affect the way that we feel. That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.In this episode we’re going to be looking at the specific areas that we should have hope in. Fixing our minds on these areas will help us to move up above our...
2020-12-3122 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - Overcoming Discouragement (Part 1)With everything going on in 2020, do you find yourself struggling with discouragement or depression? Isolation, losses that we have experienced, and the fact it looks like it will go on for sometime can really affect the way that we feel. That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.From the news, to struggles at work, relationship issues and even our own minds, these things can have a profound effect on the way that we think and the way that we feel. We can find ourselve...
2020-12-2316 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - Overcoming Fear (Part 2)Do you live in fear and anxiety because of the challenges of 2020? Do you find your mind troubled by a feeling that things are out of control? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.In The last episode, we began to look at the idea of building our faith to overcome fear. This is significant right now because so many people are captivated by fear and worry about present dangers around us and the future of our country and our own lives. Today we are looking at all...
2020-12-1719 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - Overcoming Fear (Part 1)Do you live in fear and anxiety because of the challenges of 2020? Do you find your mind troubled by a feeling that things are out of control? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. We have been looking at the challenges that we’ve been facing in this year of 2020. We’ve entitled the series us versus 2020 because we’re looking at the ways that us, the husband and wife, can help each other to thrive during this very challenging time in our lives. This week and next week...
2020-12-1016 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - Your Thinking Matters! (Part 2)Have you ever thought about how influenced and affected you are by the things that you set your mind on? We can often allow things to capture our attention without thinking about the impact that it has on the way that we live and our attitudes during this year of 2020. That’s what we’re going be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. In today’s episode we’re going to look at the other side of the coin. We looked in the last episode at the negative, detrimental things that we take into our minds t...
2020-12-0214 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - Your Thinking Matters! (Part 1)Welcome to Married By Design. How are you doing through 2020? What are the things you’ve been thinking about and focusing on and what has been the effect of that focus on your heart and in your attitudes? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. We have to begin to practice things differently in our lives if we expect to navigate through the challenges of this year and look to 2021. We need to think about what we think about. Our mind is a powerful thing and God has given us...
2020-11-2517 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - The Power of Us (Part 2) How are the two of you doing in the midst of all the things that have been going on this year with the coronavirus, with the riots, with the conflict and politics? We’ve begun a new series entitled us versus 2020 - looking at the issues that we are facing this year and seeing how significant it is that we are in a marriage relationship that can help us not only survive this time but actually thrive. We'll be looking again at Ecclesiastes 4 and the practical insights into how to enjoy the power of us. That’s what we’ll b...
2020-11-1915 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - The Power of Us (Part 1)How are the two of you doing in the midst of all the things that have been going on this year with the coronavirus, the riots, the conflict, isolation and politics? We’re beginning a new series entitled us versus 2020 - looking at the issues that we are facing this year and seeing how significant it is that we are in a marriage relationship that can help us not only survive this time but actually thrive. That’s what we’ll be looking at on this episode of Married By Design. Your homework, should...
2020-11-1117 minMarried By DesignUs vs. 2020 - An Incredible Opportunity!We are excited to start a new series in our podcast entitled "Us vs. 2020." With all the challenges of Coronavirus, the riots, politics and isolation, we thought it would be helpful to address some of the issues that many are facing and provide some encouragement. "Us" - the husband and wife relationship, is the key factor is providing a way not only to survive this year but also thrive as we go into 2021. In this first session, we share a message that Joe preached recently at Grace Baptist Church in Lemoore. Make no mistake, thriving in this crisi...
2020-11-0449 minMarried By DesignResolving Conflict - Working Toward AgreementDo you find as a couple that you are able to resolve issues and actually come to a plan together so that you can work on improving your relationship and not face the same issues over and over. Or do you argue about things and never really see any significant long-term changes? That’s what will be looking at on this weeks episode of Married By Design We’ve been looking for some weeks at the method of resolving conflict. Each of these steps is very important to develop unity as a couple and re...
2020-10-2818 minMarried By DesignResolving Conflict - Communicating ClearlyHow are you at communicating clearly to your spouse? Do they really understand what you think? Do you find your spouse receptive to the things that you’re saying or is there confusion and a disconnect? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By DesignWe’ve been looking at the way to resolve conflict in a marriage relationship. This involves actually dealing with the damage of the argument and clearing the air so that you’re able to really communicate in a productive way. With the emotions...
2020-10-2112 minMarried By DesignResolving Conflict - ListeningDo you feel like your spouse really listens and understands what you’re trying to say? Do you feel like if they would listen to you that you would finally see progress in your relationship? Let me turn it around: how are you at listening? How would your relationship change if you really listened? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By DesignWe have been looking at ways to resolve conflict. We have been studying God’s method of resolving issues in the marriage relationship so that yo...
2020-10-1514 minMarried By DesignResolving Conflict - Real Change . . . Really!!Do you see your relationship improving over time? Do you feel like you are making the necessary changes to create a sweeter intimacy or do you feel hopelessly locked in the same reoccurring bad habits that leave you disappointed and frustrated. That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By DesignWe’ve been looking at the practice of resolving conflict. So many times in marriage, there are repeated arguments and frustrations that begin to characterize the whole relationship. It’s important to learn how to biblically work throu...
2020-10-0814 minMarried By DesignResolving Conflict - ForgivenessDo you struggle with letting go of past offenses and the things that your spouse has said and done? Do you tend to stew over those things and see that it affects your relationship? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.We’ve been looking at how to resolve conflict in your marriage. We’ve discussed the need to cool down, look at your own faults, and confess your logs. This week we are looking at the area of forgiveness. Forgiveness is essential in any relati...
2020-10-0113 minMarried By DesignResolving Conflict - Admitting FaultEver notice how much energy you spend in an argument with your spouse pointing out their faults? Let me ask you a question: how much time do you spend looking at your own sins. How much time do you spend working on yourself by first admitting your faults as a process of the change that you need? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.Your mission this week is to take the logs list you created and confess these sins to God and then to your spouse...
2020-09-2413 minMarried By DesignResolving Conflict - Getting to the CausesEver notice how much energy you spend in an argument with your spouse pointing out their faults? And have you noticed how it doesn’t resolve anything but just adds fuel to the fire. That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.Once we settle down we need to look at ourselves. Even in that cooling down time you can begin to evaluate your errors and missteps. The problem is that it goes against our natural inclination to look at ourselves. In this episode we look in detail at t...
2020-09-1713 minMarried By DesignResolving Conflict - Cooling DownDo you ever find yourself stuck in an argument with your spouse with apparently no way of escape? Do you feel like there’s an underlying unresolved resentment and frustration in your relationship? That’s what we’re going to be looking at on this episode of Married By Design.In this episode, we are looking at the first step in resolving conflict - cooling down. That’s the hardest thing because we get pulled into the emotions of the moment. It’s not hard to imagine something setting us off - something said or done that...
2020-09-1016 min
Married By DesignMarried By DesignWelcome to the pilot episode of Married By Design . Have you ever thought to yourself, "why is being married so hard and frustrating and disappointing at times? This is what we will be discussing this week on Married By Design.We have seen some amazing changes take place in couples marriages as they sought out God's design for marriage and put in the practice His truths. When God designed marriage, He did so with specific purposes in mind and He also gave us the practices that we should follow to achieve a great marriage. The...
2020-09-0115 min