The Ring of Power

Three Rings for marriage foundations under the sky,
Seven for principles of marriage carved in stone,
Nine for the Holy Spirit fruit that marriage underlie,
One for the marriage vows on the wedding throne
In the Land of Marriage where blissfulness lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to guide them,
One Ring to bring them all and in matrimony bind them.

In the Land of Marriage where blissfulness lie.

with apologies to

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

--- J.R.R. Tolkien's epigraph to The Lord of The Rings.

The Marriage Vows

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Sex and the Married Man

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and movie star (the Terminator)’s infidelity hit the headlines.

Meanwhile Michael Hyatt shares some thoughts about protecting his marriage.

Here are three actions I take in order to protect my marriage:

1. I invest in my relationship with Gail [Michael Hyatt's wife]. It is amazing to me that so many men are willing to invest such enormous spiritual, emotional, and financial resources in relationships other than the one they have. This doesn’t make economic sense. If you want your marriage to grow and flourish, you must invest in it. This means investing time—dreaming, laughing, listening, and crying together.
2. I set specific boundaries. This may sound old-fashioned, perhaps even legalistic. So be it. I think our world could use a little old-fashioned common sense. Therefore:
   • I will not go out to eat alone with someone of the opposite sex.
   • I will not travel alone with someone of the opposite sex.
   • I will not flirt with someone of the opposite sex.
   • I will speak often and lovingly of my wife. (This is the best adultery repellant known to man.)
3. I consider what is at stake. What story do I want my grandchildren to tell? This puts it all in perspective for me. Do I want them to be proud of my life’s story or embarrassed? Do I want to be remembered as a person who was loves his wife and is faithful to her? Or do I want to be the one who squandered his legacy in a moment of indiscretion?

What do you think?

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State of Marriage: Married, Separated, Divorce

Christianity Today, June (Web-only), 2010

Speaking Out

Learning from the Gores about the Grace of Separation

Why separating can be pro-family.

Glenn T. Stanton, Director of Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family | posted 6/04/2010 10:40AM Christianity Today online

There are inconvenient truths.

Earlier this week, Al and Tipper Gore announced to a small circle of close friends via e-mail—and thus to the world—that they are separating after 40 years of a seemingly very happy and successful marriage.

Far too often we are surprised by news that a couple is divorcing when we all thought things were fine. But seldom do we hear, as we did with Al and Tipper, that a couple is separating. Was this carefully crafted PR language to avoid the "d word"—or is this truly descriptive of their situation? Few know. Regardless, it provides an opportunity to discuss marital separation and what it can mean for marriage.

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It is interesting to note about the "grace of separation." Are Christians now called to accept three categories of marriage: (1) married, (2) separated and (3) divorce ?

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