Secrets of a Song

This past Saturday the couples of my church hosted a marriage conference with Dr. David E. Clarke. He is a Christian psychologist, popular speaker, and successful author and through his Bible-based teaching and therapy he guides people toward healthy lives, marriages, and families. It was such a blessing to have him speak at this event, I know that everyone who there was empowered, motivated and determined to maintain their marriage as healthy and strong as possible.
Living in a society where marriage is not valued and quite frankly; where couples are not willing to fight for their union, makes it that much tougher to go against the current and not become another statistic.  That is why, I am thankful for our Young Couple & Marriage pastors: Ramon and Yudy Nina for constantly bringing great resources to the church that will strengthen relationships of marriages and couples.  We are Pro-Marriage and believe the sanctity of it and value the importance of Family.

The title of the conference was Secrets of a Song and Dr. David Clarke based his teaching on the book of Songs of Solomon. I encourage you to read this book from the Bible, its the greatest love story ever told.  Dr. Clarke was speaking about how to maintain the passion in your marriage forever.  It is often said that after being married for years, having kids, busy schedules, its hard to keep the passion in a relationship.  Why is that?  Because you're so focused on the kids, your work, household chores and a million other things, that your partner is put on the backburner and this becomes a routine that must be broken.

I want to share with you what Dr. Clarke shared with us, which is: Three practical ways to maintain passion in your marriage forever. 

Passion Principles:

1. MEN: Listen to you woman! We all know women love to talk, right?  Well, men it is important that you listen to your wife, even if you're not interested.  If it is important to her, it should be important to you too.  [Songs of Solomon 2:14] Solomon took time to listen to his lady.  Fellas, take time to listen to your lady.  Dr. Clarke recommends to take private time for your wife, take four days a week for atleast 30 minutes.  No kids, no pets, no tv, no phone And I'll add, No Facebook or Twitter!  Just you and her.  Take advantage of that alone time to talk and to listen to what she wants to say.  She will appreciate it.

2.  WOMEN: Compliment your husband frequently, all the time, always.
[Songs of Solomon 5:10] Solomon's wife complimens him all the time, he feels loved, respected and passion for his wife.  She compliments him physically and also his character. 
Women, compliment your husbands.  It is important for a man to believe that he is special and impressive.

3.  Pray Together:  The secret to a never-ending passion is in Songs of Solomon 8:6,7
The source is the Lord! It's by putting and maintaining God in the center of the marriage.  Pray together as a couple on a regular basis, it will strengthen your bond together as a couple.

We were so blessed to hear this word and although I've been married for less than two years, I know these principles will be helpful to me as it will be to those who are married for 3 months or 30 years.  There is always something to be learned.  Obviously, Dr. Clarke spoke about a lot of other things, I cannot cram two hours worth of information into a blog but I do recommend you to purchase his books.  He is the author of nine books, I purchased three books: Parenting Isn't for Superheroes (for when I have kids), A Marriage After God's Own Heart (it is important to keep God in the marriage), and Kiss Me Like You Mean It (which is the book he was promoting for this conference).  Check out his website for much more information about his work, www.DavidClarkeSeminars.com

I hope this information has blessed and encouraged you to keep the fire burning and the passion in your marriage.  It's never too late to take a step forward in your relationship, as long as both of you are willing to work at it and God is in the mix, all things are possible.

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥

 

It is Finished!

As we prepare to celebrate and commemorate such a sacred act of love meshed with pain and agony that ultimately led to death on a cross; I can't help but to think of His unselfishness.  An act of Agape Love, which is unconditional love toward all humanity. Yes, Jesus endured much agony, for what? For who?  For all of us, so that we can have a second chance at life.  You see, our sentence was death; yet, He paid the price. He died so that we can live.

He pronounced SEVEN words that have been the cornerstone of this weekend in all of Christianity, in all churches, in all believers but I want to focus on one word that put end to the pain and misery.  IT IS FINISHED!  The sixth word that Jesus pronounced was "It is finished!" [John 19:30]

What does this mean?  It means that Jesus' purpose here on earth was finished, He finished the job for what He was called for; shortly after that, He died.  His death brought a semi-colon [ ; ] to the project He endured, a period [ . ] because that specific task was completed and a colon [ , ] because there was still one more thing to be fulfilled before His job was completely fulfilled.  After His death, the bible says, He rose on the third day.  Yes! He rose, He woke up! Death did not defeat Him, for He chose to lay himself unto death, it was His decision, not death's. 

I want to tell you that the same spirit that had the power to raise Jesus from the dead is the same spirit that dwells in your heart, the Holy Spirit!  He has power to help you overcome any situation in life. It is finished because Jesus endured all of your pain and suffering.  It is finished!!!!

Can you believe that word today? It is finished because Jesus said it is finished! He does not promise us a perfect life but He does promise to never leave us nor forsake us.  We have the one and only who endured all of sin, temptations, pain, sufferings... etc..you name it. He bore it all on the cross and He was able to withstand it! He is by our side all day, everyday to help us overcome life's obstacles. 

Next time you find yourself in a crossroad where you don't know what to do, remember Jesus' words on the cross:  It is Finished! and because He lives in you, you too can say: It is Finished.

Be Blessed, Be Encouraged!

Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥