Peanut Butter and Marriage



	My youngest son Joshua is getting married next 
Saturday. He will be the first of my three children 
to wed. April, the young lady to which he is engaged, 
is a bright, thoughtful and beautiful person. The two 
of them are well suited for each other and with God's 
help, will enjoy a lifetime together. As most engaged 
couples do, they have talked about a wide variety of 
topics that pertain to marriage. How many children do 
we want? Where do we want to live? These and other 
questions will have to be answered before and during 
their marriage. My wife and I have great respect and 
love for all of our children and we certainly intend 
to include April in our love. As a father and future 
father-in-law there just a few things that I would like
to share with April and Josh that concern marriage. 
These things would apply to every married couple that
 desires to please God and have a home in heaven one day. 
	First, remember that God is the creator of marriage. 
Genesis 2:21-23 reveals how our Father created the first 
woman and that He gave her to the man he had previously 
made. The result was that God stated that "Therefore shall
a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave 
unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).
Never think for one moment that your marriage can exist 
properly without God being a part of it. Thank God for each
other and for His wisdom in giving you each other.
	Second, remember that in creating marriage God made the
man and woman "one flesh". While you each certainly have
your own personalities, nothing that affects both of you 
should be done without first consulting each other about it.
You are forever bound together until death separates you
 and therefore should never act with selfishness.
	Third, know that the Creator has set an order to the 
authority in the home. "Wives, be in subjection unto your 
own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head
of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being

himself the saviour of the body" (Ephesians 5:22-23). This 
does not make the husband superior only the leader. Sooner 
or later conflicts will arise that will not lend themselves
to compromise. Someone has to have ultimate authority in 
the home to ensure things continue to function without 
turmoil. However, the husband's responsibility to lead 
comes with a price.
	Fourth, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself up for it" (Ephesians 5:25).
Christ so loved us that He gave His own life that we might 
live. He protects and guides the church in righteousness. He
served those who would become part of the church doing tasks
(such as washing feet) that most others would not do. He lives
for us even now speaking to the Father on our behalf. Husbands
are to be the leaders in the home but it should be leadership by example.
	And lastly, no matter how tough your lives may get, no 
matter how angry you may get with each other, whatever problems 
arise know that handling them together is the only option you have.
Once you are married it is God's desire that you stay married.
Divorce should never be an option. It should not even be a part 
of your vocabulary. Concerning a man and his wife, Jesus said
".that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore 
God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:6).
Also in 1 Corinthians 7:39 the apostle Paul wrote that "A wife 
is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the 
husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; 
only in the Lord." God's intention is for a man and woman to 
get married and stay married "for as long as you both shall live". 
	My wife Cindy and I fully anticipate a long and happy marriage
for Joshua and April. We are thrilled that they both look to us 
for guidance and support in their life. We know that they talk
about life issues with each other and strive to work through
their differences in a calm and loving manner. God has indeed
joined these two together as He has every man and woman in 
marriage. Rejoice with me and my family over this precious
union that will soon take place. As to what peanut butter has to 
do with this; well you will just have to ask April that question when you meet her. 




	



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