From: MarriageVine Ministries [mailto:rick@marriagevine.ccsend.com] On Behalf Of MarriageVine Ministries
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 11:30 PM
To: billandpatcoffin@verizon.net
Subject: Grandparenting and Marriage
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Grandparenting and Marriage by Dr. Gary Chapman
If you have children and you live long enough, you're likely to become a grandparent. What does becoming a grandparent have to do with marriage? It creates another whole set of dynamics - things about which you and your spouse may agree or disagree. In short, it may create more conflict. The very thought of becoming a grandparent sends some people into a tailspin. Some grandparents take the attitude, "I raised my kids, they can raise theirs." Others say, "Don't call me Grandma - I'm not that old!"
Research indicates that many children do not have a close relationship with their grandparents.On the other hand, those grandparents who take their grandchildren seriously, usually have a strong influence on the children. If you don't yet have grandchildren, now's the time to talk about it. If the two of you get on the same page before the grandchildren are born, you're less likely to have conflicts after they arrive. If you already have grandchildren and they're coming for a visit, share your concerns with each other before the grandchildren get there. Don't argue in front of them.
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The Purpose of Your Marriage by C.J. Mahaney
Paul reveals to us in Ephesians 5 the divine intention for marriage. It's to be an echo or reflection of the relationship that exists between Christ and the Church - always a very imperfect reflection, but a reflection nonetheless. Please don't think of this as merely a helpful illustration or an interesting perspective. It's much more than that. This is the essence of marriage. This is the divine purpose for your marriage. This means that your marriage is meant to be, by the grace of God, the best echo, the most faithful reflection, of that relationship that you can possibly be. It's not about impressing people or drawing attention to ourselves. It's about being genuinely united in a strong, godly, intimate relationship that echoes the one between Christ and the Church.
Has your marriage primarily been centered on you? On your wife? On your kids? On your responsibilities? On your goals? On your comforts? On your stuff? If so, you've been trying to live in a way you were never intended to.
The biblical purpose for marriage, you see, is not man-centered or needs-centered. It's God-centered. It's profoundly mysterious and profoundly significant. Your marriage is meant to point to the truth of the crucified and risen Savior who will return for His Bride.
Unless we grasp this - unless there's a conviction that marriage is ultimately meant to bring glory to God by echoing the relationship between Christ and the Church - any benefit you get from this book will be superficial and temporary.
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