Hey, it's Mark,  To see our inspiring DJJ Testimony of the Month and August Prayer
Calendar, click the buttons at the bottom of today's message!  I was asked to speak on how to make a marriage last. The invitation said: “You guys obviously have a lot of street cred in this area.” I’m choosing to take that statement as a compliment (instead of an inference to my age) since this Sunday is Carolyn's and my 45th wedding anniversary! Of course, it’s hard to believe that many years have gone by, but I guess we do have a track record — and maybe some authority — to speak on the subject.  Without further ado, here are our five keys to staying happily married: Â
#1: Never Use the “D” word or the “S” Word  Like every married couple, Carolyn and I have lived through some major
difficulties. Still we have always kept our commitment to never consider or threaten each other with the “D” word, divorce, or even the “S” word, separate. I recognize that in some marriages, these are inescapable. Yet, if more couples were determined to avoid these two words and not even consider them, there would be fewer divorces and separations. Our commitment has always been to work things out, rather than even consider a bailout. Â
#2: Laugh at Your Differences  When we see things differently, we have choices to make: Will we be obstinate in
preferring our own way? Will we become irritated at what we think is our spouse’s “irrational” thinking? Will we argue about which way is best? As much as possible, Carolyn and I will laugh at our differences. When I share that it would be fun to go to a museum, we chuckle about how I can spend endless hours in a museum reading all the exhibits and Carolyn can breeze through in a brisk walk. When Carolyn says we need to go shopping and I need to go with her, we laugh about finding a chair in the
clothing section where I can sit, work on my iPhone or even take a nap. After we smile at our differences, we quickly negotiate a win/win compromise and move on. Â
#3: Avoid Marriage Busters  These are behaviors that might be legal but tend to break marriages. Here are some
examples: flirting, pornography, overspending, Facebook friendships with old flames, lunches alone with coworkers of the opposite sex, sharing intimately with friends of the opposite sex. Call us legalistic if you will. We prefer to think of ourselves as careful with one of our most precious possessions: our marriage. Â
#4: Refuse Anger, Sarcasm, Biting Words and Hurtful Jokes  Many use angry, sarcastic biting words with their
spouse that they would never use with a stranger. Their spouse becomes the butt of their jokes. How bizarre that we treat those we love worse than a perfect stranger. While I stated this key negatively, our goal should really be just the opposite. I once heard of a husband whose goal was to give his spouse a different affirmation every day of their marriage! Â
#5: Have Fun Together  Perhaps you immediately think, “But we can’t afford to do fun things.” I’m not
necessarily talking about expensive hobbies or fancy meals out. If you love each other, fun can be inexpensive or even free: - We love to take walks together in the evening after work.
- We enjoy cleaning the house together.
- We have fun going to the warehouse store together.
 Special Note:  If you found this encouraging, forward it to a friend! Whether your friend wants to get married, is getting married, or wants to stay
married, I'm confident that those who read this will gain some helpful insight. Â
 Yep, that's us 45 years ago!  Â
Testimony of the Month & Prayer Calendar Â
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Discipleship Journeys with Jesus. Â
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