http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38882416/ns/business-careers

Seriously, this one will only take you a few minutes to read; but it’s got some powerfully helpful stuff on…

*how an affair begins

*how we succumb to an affair

*symptoms leading to an affair

*combating the temptation of an affair

When I send you to articles, I usually say “enjoy”. This time I will simply tell you to read, be informed, and hopefully be motivated to guard your heart for the betterment of your marriage – and ultimately to glorify God in your marital relationship.

Never gonna happen to you? Then just read it as preventive maintenance.

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/divorce_and_infidelity/guarding-your-heart-in-marriage/an-affair-the-beginning-of-the-end.aspx

Later this week … Real Marriage info is here. September 25 and 26 is coming!

Enjoy,

http://journeywiththeclarks.blogspot.com/2010/07/mo-mo.html?spref=fb

Memorable tips plus other articles available on spiritually growing together as a couple.

Enjoy,

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/strengthening_your_marriage/spiritual_intimacy/blending_two_spiritual_lives.aspx

Enjoy!

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/golf-videos/golfs-amazing-videos-natalie-gulbis-oops-14256/?ref=26000

She doesn’t seem to respect the institution at all. Perhaps it is intimidating to her.

Some of the responses to her views are quite interesting. Some people support her of course, saying that marriage is an outdated idea. Others are pointed, like the guy who said her opinion is a defense mechanism in that she cannot keep a long-term relationship and has been dumped several times. Still others state that that is all we need, more marital advice from Hollywood.

Here is my take:

First, Cameron Diaz has a right to her opinion. But, please, let’s just receive it as that – an opinion. Also, I am curious where her statement is coming from when she asks, “Who wants to be married to the same person for 80 years?”.  (Cameron, can you not see my raised hand???)

Mostly I feel sorry for someone who goes on record as stating that love cannot last a lifetime. My wife and I – and hundreds of couples here at LifePoint Church – are in the process of proving her wrong. Sometimes it doesn’t last, I understand, but to adopt the philosophy that lifelong love is impossible appears to be down right defeatist.

Taking her thoughts on how love should be approached – the five-years-at-a-time-and-then-on-to-someone-else formula – could be devastating, especially in one’s latter years. Let’s imagine Cameron Diaz at 80 years old and she has stuck to her philosophy of “serial monogamy” all her life. In retrospect she reflects, not on a love that has gone with her through thick and thin; rather, a series of ten to twelve 5-year arrangements, that have all faded when the new wore off. No substance. No time to experience the challenges of life that forge the character of a relationship. No life journey together. No tasting of the institution created by her Creator.

I am not saying everyone needs to be married. Paul even states that in the New Testament. However, one should not attack the institution of marriage so boldly if they’ve never been there. Admittedly it is tough at times. It is frequently hard work, yet what isn’t that is worth anything?

There is no quick fix here. Love takes time.

To build trust over time through learning to handle conflict; or

to grow together in a sexual relationship through the years; or

to labor as a marriage team through the curves life throws at us; or

to dream long-term dreams side by side; or

to walk closer to the Lord, year after year after year … together.

Those are some of the qualities developed in a life time of love and marriage, not a series of short term partnerships.

Miss Diaz, you may keep your opinion. As stated above, you are entitled to it. Yet will I keep my image of marriage as well as it is being wonderfully played out as I write this. I pray that you change your mind, however, and hope when you are 80, that you are able to look back on a long love (ideally with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in the mix). It will be an infinitely richer perspective I assure you.

And it is possible.

As Christ Himself told us: “The things that impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27

Read this brief article. He wouldn’t remember it but I met Scott Stanley years ago at a marriage summit in D.C. and he knows his stuff.

http://mentalhealthnews.org/living-together-before-marriage-may-lead-to-divorce/841566/

Enjoy:

An elderly couple was celebrating their sixtieth anniversary. The couple had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighborhood after they retired. Holding hands, they walked back to their old school. It was not locked, so they entered, and found the old desk they’d shared, where Andy had carved I love you, Sally .

On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armored car, practically landing at their feet. Sally quickly picked it up and, not sure what to do with it, they took it home. There, she counted the money-fifty thousand dollars! Andy said, We’ve got to give it back. Sally said, Finders keepers. She put the money back in the bag and hid it in their attic.

The next day, two police officers were canvassing the neighborhood looking for the money, and knocked on their door. Pardon me, did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armored car yesterday? Sally said, No. Andy said, She’s lying. She hid it up in the attic. Sally said, Don’t believe him, he’s getting senile!

The agents turned to Andy and began to question him. One said: Tell us the story from the beginning.Andy said, Well, when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday ….The first police officer turned to his partner and said, We’re outta here!

First ladies, a word about Selma. My wife has a way of making the least little thing I do for her gi-normous! She always seems to be finding ways to boast in front of others about what I do for her. I encourage you to do the same for your husband. It will build his confidence and encourage him to try more things for you.

So when I tell you that we celebrated by simply going to a hotel in downtown Nashville and eating at a fancy restaurant, she would tell you that the most amazing thing happened this weekend. She would tell you every little detail (okay not every detail) elaborating on the smallest things. She makes the whole experience seem like it was the best thing that ever happened to our 34 year-old marriage.  As she told the girls when we returned there was so much energy is how she spoke. I love to hear her tell her version of any celebration we have.

We went to the Hermitage Hotel for one night. It is a block from the capitol building and is 100 years old this September. Rally cool place. We also got the romantic package at the Melting Pot – the picture, the flowers, etc. It seemed to take forever, which was a good thing. It gave us time to look back on our marriage moments. We always seem to remember more when we get away.

Back on our 25th, we also went to the Melting Pot. Then, we took the whole evening and remembered something from each year of our marriage. I advise you to do that at some marker anniversary. It’s a great relationship builder. This year we picked up from the 25th until now. Wow – a lot has happened in the last 9-10 years!

We then strolled around Second Avenue and back to the hotel, carrying flowers and a picture frame. A little older than most of the Second Avenue crowd. Perhaps happier than many of them, too.

That’s the headlines. For the complete story, talk to Selma. I promise you she’ll have a lot more to say.

That doesn’t mean you automatically decide not to move. Just be aware of the effect your move will have on all family members.

Here is a brief Focus on the Family article on how you can make your transition easier for your kids. It contains some practical tips on how to begin the assimilation process for them as you enter your new community. Brief, yet practical help:

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/articles/kids-and-moving.aspx