Forever Marriage

New on the FM Blog by Scott Smith - God's Love "This is love. Undeserved. Unearned. Unmerited. Unconditional. This is God’s love for us. We don’t deserve it. We didn’t earn it. We could do nothing to merit it. It has been given to us while we were still sinners..." Continue reading at https://www.forevermarriage.org/gods-love

Check out Part 1 of this three part series Scott and Dawn are doing on the Forever Marriage Podcast! In Episode 24, they talk about how in life there are three types of relationships: convenient relationships, contractual relationships, and covenant relationships. They discuss the reality that marriage is a covenant relationship where the husband and wife promise to fulfill their word regardless of the other person. https://www.forevermarriage.org/news/fm-podcast/

There is something supernaturally different about the word of God. It will cut you. It will pierce you. It will most likely create some form of discomfort for you. It will challenge you. It will expose the deepest parts of you. It may even change you... Read the rest at https://www.forevermarriage.org/transforming-power-of-gods-

Hey couples, just a reminder that Scott and Dawn's new Wednesday night series starts THIS WEDNESDAY February 10th...It's not too late to sign up! Join the Smiths on Wednesday at 6:30 in The Chapel Choir Room for a 6-week study of the One Anothers of Scripture. Space is limited. Register today at https://lakewoodlife.ccbchurch.com//forms/524/responses/new

Join Scott and Dawn Smith starting Wednesday, February 10 at 6:30 in The Chapel Choir Room for a 6-week study of the One Anothers of Scripture. Your spouse is the first person you wake up to each day with the choice of whether or not you'll be like Jesus to them. How do you do that? Through the One Anothers of Scripture. The One Another passages we find in the Bible give us an excellent framework for interacting with "one another" in marriage. As we live out these passages... with "one another," we demonstrate Christ's work for us and the Holy Spirit's work in us. Space is limited. Register today! https://lakewoodlife.ccbchurch.com//forms/524/responses/new

Good morning couples! Scott and Dawn Smith will lead a new series on marriage through the book of Ephesians. This study will take place on Wednesday nights starting October 21 through November 18 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM at Lakewood. Register today at https://lakewoodlife.ccbchurch.com//forms/488/responses/new

Check out Episode 20 of the FM Podcast where Scott & Dawn Smith unpack how to resolve conflict in marriage according to Ephesians 4. https://www.forevermarriage.org/news/fm-podcast/

At Lakewood we are doing a church wide study called "The Wisdom of Community" where we are reading through the book of Ephesians together as one body. For the next 6 weeks, in all of our Sunday morning groups, community groups, the sermons on Sunday mornings... the book of Ephesians is where we will focus our attention. So for the next few episodes on the FM Podcast, we will also take a closer look at this magnificent epistle written by the Apostle Paul. In Episode 19, Scott... and Dawn Smith discuss Ephesians 1. They draw our attention to key prepositional phrases found in Paul's letter and unpack the importance of relating to your spouse in the reality of these phrases like "in Christ," "through Christ," and "before him," etc. Consider how living in light of these key prepositional phrases might affect your marriage? https://www.forevermarriage.org/news/fm-podcast/

Dawn Smith and I have partnered with our friends Dale and Jena Forehand to encourage couples in their covenant vows to one another. In this video, we flesh out what it means to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. This concept is counter cultural, but when applied in the context of biblical marriage is transformative. ... Check it out...

Check out this helpful podcast from Desiring God where Pastor John answers this question, "How Can I Disagree with My Husband and Still Submit?" https://www.desiringgod.org//how-can-i-disagree-with-my-hu

Find some time to chat this week to find out the answer to this fun question

Wife, how are you welcoming your husband home from work? With excitement and a kiss? Is he walking into a peaceful and welcoming environment? Will you and the kids stop what you're doing to run to the door to welcome daddy back? Husband, how are you serving your wife? Do you communicate your love and appreciation for her? Do you let her know her work in the home is valued and a great blessing to your family? How can you help to lighten her load when you come home from work?

Hey couples with children, check out this helpful article from Desiring God on how to raise your children to walk confidently in who God made them to be, as either male or female. Author Marty Machowski explains that displaying the glory of men and women begins with celebrating such distinctions in the home with our children. He then provides four ways to help parents celebrate God’s gift of male and female in the home. Read more at https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/boys-should-be-boys

Mark your calendars for another Lakewood on the Lawn on June 28 at 7:00PM. You don't want to miss it! Just like before, you will be able to come out on the lawn or participate from your vehicle. For all the details go here: https://www.lakewoodlife.org/events/lakewood-on-the-lawn/

Set aside some time this week to answer this question together! Then, pull out your calendars and schedule in some date nights. Get creative and take turns planning your date nights. Whoever's turn it is to plan the date night gets to decide where to go, what to do, hire the sitter, etc. To add an element of surprise, don't let your spouse know the plans!

Consider what great a gift God's word is to us! Not only does he lovingly reveal who he is, what he has done, and what he's going to do in his word... we can also learn who we are in him and how he intends for us to live by walking in his ways - for his glory and our joy! What have you read today in God's word that you need to put action to?

Consider asking yourself these three questions. Truthfully answering these questions about yourself will help you to see how you can love your spouse better and strengthen your marriage. https://www.desiringgod.org//what-makes-any-marriage-diffi

We were able to host FMC Online back in March and couples were encouraged to watch 4 pre-recorded sessions on our website over the course of the weekend. We are excited now to provide the audio recordings of these sessions through our podcast! We hope you enjoy! https://www.forevermarriage.org/news/fm-podcast/