Embracing an Outreaching Lifestyle
  • Unexpected Opportunity
  • Resources
  • Blog

Necessity of Nurturing Love in Marriage (Insights in Psalms)

11/28/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
"There aren't any easy answers to the questions being raised today, and it may be too easy for me to remember Jesus saying, "Greater love has no man than to give up his life for his friend." Or wife, or children. Isn't staying with your family sometimes a real equivalent of giving up your own life? Cannot it sometimes be a blessing, especially if it is given with graciousness, not rigid rectitude? I believe that it can, because I know of families where this is what has happened. Sacrifice is no longer popular, but I think that sometimes it can lead to true joy. Even the simplest of unions does not come free. There is always sacrifice" (Madeleine L'Engle).

Love must be nurtured before it can be maintained in a marriage. It can easily lose vibrancy and contentment. 

Friends asked where the lovers went. He browsed in the gardens. I am my lover's and my lover is mine. You are beautiful, my darling. Your hair is like a flock of goats and teeth like a flock of sheep. My dove, my perfect one, is unique. Maidens called her blessed and queens praised her. Who appeared like the dawn and majestic as the stars? Friends asked if they could gaze on her (Songs 6:1-13). Praise your wife to build a unified marriage.

Your graceful legs were like jewels, breasts like two fawns, neck like an ivory tower and head crowned you like Mount Carmel. How beautiful and pleasing are you with your delights. Your stature was like a palm and breasts like clusters of fruit .  I will climb the palm tree and take hold of its fruit. Your breasts were like clusters of the vine and mouth like the best wine. I belong to my lover and his desire is for me. Let us go to the countryside, spend the night in the villages and go to the vineyards to give you love (Songs 7:1-13). Create a positive atmosphere to nurture lovemaking.

His left arm was under my head and his right arm embraced me. Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desired. Place me like a seal over your heart for love was as strong as death and its jealousy burned like a mighty flame. Many waters could not quench or wash away love (Songs 8:1-7). Nurture love so it is not quenched in your marriage. 

A young sister was not yet grown. If she was a wall, they build towers of silver on her. If she was a door, they enclosed her with panels of cedar (Songs 8:8-9). Maintain purity of young women until they are ready for marriage. 

She was a wall and her breasts were like towers. She became in his eyes like one bringing contentment. Solomon's vineyard brought for its fruit 1000 shekels of silver. She gave her vineyard to Solomon for 1000 shekels and 200 for those who tended its fruit. Come away, my lover, like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains (Songs 8:10-14). 
Satisfy your spouse to ensure vibrancy and contentment in your marriage. 

How are you nurturing love in your marriage? Where do you need repentance to get back on track so you maintain vibrancy in your marriage? 





0 Comments

How to Create a Loving and Intimate Marriage (Insights in Psalms)

11/21/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
"The loving and much loved wife is satisfied with the love of her husband; his smile is her joy, she cares little for any other. So, if you have come to Christ, thy Maker is thine husband - His free love to you is all you need, and all you can care for - there is no cloud between you and God - there is no veil between you and the Father; you have access to Him who is the fountain of happiness - what have you to do any more with idols? Oh! if your heart swims in the rays of God's love, like a little mote swimming in the sunbeam, you will have no room in your heart for idols" (Robert Murray M'Cheyne).

Marriage was designed by God as a visual picture of how Christ as husband loves the church, His bride. Christ's love motivates each of us to spend time with Him and our spouses. Two people come into a marriage as imperfect people with deep wounds from childhood. It takes prayer and loving communication initiated by the husband for both of them to leave their mother and father emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically to cleave to each other. Our loving and intimate marriage provide natural opportunities to share the gospel of Christ. Then we can follow Peter's exhortation to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Pet. 3:15).  

For his love was more delightful than wine and his name like perfume poured out. Let us hurry so you can take me away. The king has brought me into his chambers. We rejoice, delight in you and praise your love more than wine. Do not stare at me because I am dark. My mother's sons were angry with me so I had to care for vineyards. I neglected my own vineyard (Songs 1:1-7). Exalt in God's love so couples are motivated to spend time together. 

Graze your young goats by the tents of the shepherds. I liken my darling to a mare harnessed to Pharaoh's chariot. Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings and neck with strings of jewels. My perfume spread its fragrance at the king's table. My lover is like a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts and a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi. How beautiful you are, my darling. Your eyes are doves. How handsome and charming you are, my lover (Songs 1:8-17). Listen to God's love to find your wife beautiful. 

My darling is like a lily among thorns among the maidens. My lover is like an apple tree among the trees of the forest among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall and his banner over me is love. Strengthen and refresh me for I am faint with love. She charged the daughters of Jerusalem to not arouse love until it so desires. My lover said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me." Show me your lovely face and let me hear you sweet voice. Catch the little foxes that ruin the blooming vineyards. My lover is mine and I am his (Songs 2:1-17). Allow God's love to strengthen and refresh your relationship with Him and in marriage.

I looked for the one my heart loves all night long on my bed. I searched for him through the city streets and squares even asking the watchmen if they had seen him. I found and held him without letting him go until I brought him to my mother's house. Do not awaken love until it so desires. Look at Solomon's carriage escorted by 60 warriors wearing the sword experienced in battle and prepared for the terrors of the night. King Solomon made the carriage of wood from Lebanon, posts of silver, base of gold, seat upholstered with purple and interior lovingly inlaid by the daughters of Jerusalem. Come out you daughters of Zion and look at King Solomon wearing the crown that his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding (Songs 3:1-11). Pray together  to receive healing of childhood issues to you can cleave to one other in love, unity and intimacy.

How beautiful you are my darling as there is no flaw in you. Your veiled eyes are doves, hair like a flock of goats, teeth like a flock of sheep just shorn, lips like a scarlet ribbon, mouth is lovely, temples like the halves of a pomegranate, neck like the tower of David built with a 1,000 shields of warriors hanging on it and two breasts like two fawns browsing among the lilies. I will go to the mountain of myrrh and hill of incense. Come with me from Lebanon, lions's dens and mountain haunts of the leopards, my bride. You stole my heart with one glance of your eyes and one jewel of your necklace. Your love is more pleasing than wine and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice. Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb with milk and honey under your tongue. Your are a garden locked up, spring enclosed and sealed fountain. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, myrrh and all the finest spices. You are a garden fountain and well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon. Blow on my garden that its fragrance may spread abroad. Let my lover come into his garden and taste its choice fruits (Songs 4:1-16). Communicate to your wife in visual language that she is beautiful without flaws so she can respond freely without reservations. 

I came into my garden and gathered myrrh with spice, my sister and bride. Eat, O friends, and drink your fill, O lovers. I slept but my heart was awake listening for the knocking of my lover saying, "Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one." My lover thrust his hand through the latch-opening. I arose to open it with my hands dripped with myrrh, but he was gone. As I looked for him, the watchmen of the walls beat and bruised me and took my cloak. She charged the daughters of Jerusalem to find and tell her lover that she is faint with love  (Songs 5:1-8). Seek God and tell others that you love Him because He protects you from danger.
 
They asked how her beloved was better than others, She responded that her lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among 10,000. His head is purest gold with wavy, black hair, eyes like doves by the water streams washed in milk mounted like jewels. His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume, lips like lilies dripping with myrrh, arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite, body like polished ivory decorated with sapphires, legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold, his appearance like Lebanon choice as its cedars and his mouth is sweetness and altogether lovely. This is my lover and friend, daughters of Jerusalem (Songs 5:9-16). Explain articulately and specifically why you love God when others ask about your hope.

Consider the following process in creating a loving and intimate marriage: 
1. Couples exalt in God's love to motivate them to spend time together
2. Husbands listen to God's love so He finds his wife beautiful
3. Couples allow God's love to strengthen and refresh both their relationship with Him and marriage
4. Husbands lead in prayer so the couple receives healing from childhood issues and cleave to one other in love, unity and intimacy5. Husbands communicate in visual language to their wife that she is beautiful without flaws so she can respond freely without reservations
6. Seek God and tell others that you love Him because He protects you from danger
7. When others ask about your hope, explain articulately and specifically why you love God


0 Comments
    Picture
    Mark Pomeroy

    RSS Feed


    My goal is to ignite the hearts of people by explaining God's word in the Law, Prophets, Psalms and New Testament consecutively, much like the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32,44). I have been a missionary in Lincoln, NE, for 13 years with Christ For the City Int. and Sync with God.
     

    Sync with God is a highly versatile web app that hosts on-demand, virtual small groups. Sync is designed to connect young seekers in the faith and scripturally-trained mentors, even globally. It offers a safe, engaging interface for Millennials/Gen. Z and is readily adaptable to technical advances well into the future.

    ​Overview
    ​Sync pilot lesson 1
    Sync YouTube

    ​
    ​

    Follow syncwithgod on Twitter
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    November 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010

    Categories

    All
    1 Chronicles
    1 Corinthians
    1 John
    1 Kings
    1 Peter
    1 Samuel
    1 Thessalonians
    1 Timothy
    2 Chronicles
    2 Corinthians
    2 John
    2 Kings
    2 Peter
    2 Samuel
    2 Thessalonians
    2 Timothy
    3 John
    Abide
    Abortion
    Abundance
    Abundant Life
    Acceptance
    Accomplishment
    Accountability
    Accuracy
    Accusations
    Acts
    Addiction
    Adultery
    Adventure
    Affiction
    Affirmation
    Affliction
    Alcoholism
    Alive
    Ambassador
    Amos
    Antichrist
    Anxiety
    Apathy
    Apostasy
    Apostolic Gifts
    Appearance
    Application
    Armor Of God
    Artistic
    Asleep Spiritually
    Assignment
    Assurance
    Attacks
    Authentic
    Authorities
    Authority
    Awesome
    Balance
    Bargain
    Beauty
    Believe
    Benefits
    Betrayal
    Bible
    Biblical Illiteracy
    Biblical Worldview
    Blameless
    Bless
    Blessing
    Blessings
    Blind
    Blood
    Blood Of The Lamb
    Boast
    Bold
    Bondage
    Broken And Contrite Spirit
    Broken Heart
    Burdens
    Business
    Business Plan
    Busyness
    Calling
    Careers
    Cares
    Change
    Change Agent
    Character
    Children
    Choice
    Choices
    Chosen Instrument
    Christ
    Church
    Church Growth Strategies
    City Ministry
    City Transformation
    Clarity
    Clear Conscience
    Coach
    Colossians
    Comfort
    Comfort Zone
    Command
    Communication
    Communities
    Community
    Community Ministry
    Compassion
    Compensation
    Competence
    Complacency
    Complexity
    Complications
    Compromise
    Condemnation
    Confess
    Confession
    Confess Sin
    Confidence
    Confident
    Conflicts
    Conformity
    Confront Sins
    Confusion
    Connect
    Consequences
    Conspiracy
    Consumerism
    Contend Earnestly For Faith
    Contentment
    Control
    Convergence
    Convict
    Convictions
    Coronavirus
    Corrupted
    Cost
    Counsel
    Courageous
    Covenant
    Covet
    Craftsmanship
    Creative Media
    Creator
    Credentials
    Crime
    Crisis
    Critical Speech
    Cross
    Cross Denominational Lines
    Crown Of Glory
    Cultivating Spiritual Life
    Cultural Christianity
    Cultural Insiders
    Culturally Sensitive
    Culture
    Curses
    Cursing
    Daniel
    Deacons
    Deadness
    Death
    Debt
    Deceit
    Deception
    Decision
    Decisions
    Defraud
    Delegation
    Deliverance
    Deliverer
    Dependence
    Depression
    Descendants
    Desire
    Desolation
    Destiny
    Deuteronomy
    Development
    Dialogue
    Diligence
    Discernment
    Disciple
    Disciplemaking
    Disciples
    Discipleship
    Discipline
    Discussion
    Disease
    Disenfranchised
    Disgrace
    Disobedience
    Dissension
    Distractions
    Divisions
    Divorce
    Double-minded
    Doubt
    Dread
    Drift
    Drudgery
    Dry
    Ecclesiastes
    Economic Depression
    Edify
    Effectiveness
    Elders
    Emotions
    Empower
    Emptiness
    Encourage
    Endurance
    Enemy
    Entanglement
    Entrap
    Environment
    Ephesians
    Equip
    Esther
    Eternal Impact
    Eternal Life
    Eternal Punishment
    Eternal Reward
    Evangelism
    Evangelism And Discipleship Team
    Evangelismi
    Evil
    Exalt
    Exaltation
    Excessive Profits
    Excessive Study
    Exodus
    External
    Ezekiel
    Ezra
    Faith
    Faithful
    Faithfulness
    False Gods
    False Security
    False Self
    False Teachers
    False Teaching
    False Way
    Families
    Family Relationships
    Famine
    Fasting
    Fathers
    Father's Blessing
    Favor
    Fear
    Fear Of God
    Feedback
    Feel-good Religion
    Fellowship
    Finances
    First Love
    Fisherman
    Flesh
    Flourish
    Fool
    Forgiveness
    Foundation
    Freedom
    Free Gift
    Fresh Relationship
    Friends
    Friendship
    Fruit
    Fruitfulness
    Galatians
    Generational Sin
    Generosity
    Generous Giving
    Genesis
    Giving
    Glory
    Goal
    God-confidence
    Godliness
    Godly Foundations
    Godly Offspring
    Godly Sorrow
    God Rules
    God's Agenda
    God's Leadership
    God's Rule
    Good Friends
    Good Life
    Goodness
    Good News
    Good Works
    Gospel
    Gospel Of The Kingdom
    Gospel Workers
    Grace
    Gracious
    Gratefulness
    Gratitude
    Greater Works
    Greatness
    Great Society
    Grief
    Grieve
    Growth
    Grumble
    Guidance
    Guide
    Guilt
    Habakkuk
    Haggai
    Happiness
    Hardships
    Harmony
    Hate
    Hate Sin
    Healing
    Health
    Health-giving Service
    Heart
    Heart Test
    Hebrews
    Heir
    Hell
    High Priest
    His Design
    Holiness
    Holistic
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Spirit Power
    Homosexuality
    Honor
    Hope
    Hopeless Situation
    Hosea
    Hospitality
    House
    Human Resources
    Humble
    Humility
    Hunger
    Hurt
    Husband
    Hygiene
    Hypocrisy
    Identification
    Identity
    Identity In Christ
    Idol
    Idolatry
    Idols
    Image
    Immigration
    Immorality
    Implosion
    Impossible Situation
    Independence
    Individualistic
    Influence
    Infrastructure
    Initiative
    Injustice
    Insight
    Inspire
    Instruction
    Insubordination
    Insults
    Integrity
    Integrity Tests
    Intellectual Faith
    Intercession
    Internal
    Interpersonal
    Intimacy
    Intimidation
    Invest
    Isaiah
    Isolation
    James
    Jealousy
    Jeremiah
    Jesus
    Job
    Joel
    John
    Jonah
    Joshua
    Joy
    Jude
    Judges
    Judgment
    Judgment Seat Of Christ
    Judicial System
    Justice
    Kindness
    King
    Kingdom
    Kingdom Dominion
    Kingdom Impact
    Kingdom Ministry
    Kingdom Mission
    Kingdom Of God
    Kingdom Opportunities
    Kingdom Strategies
    Kingdom Work
    Kingship
    Knowledge
    Know Your Heart
    Lack Of Love
    Lamentations
    Law
    Leadership
    Leadership Crisis
    Least Of These
    Legacy
    Legalism
    Leviticus
    Lies
    Life
    Lifestyle
    Listen
    Living Faith
    Living Water
    Longterm Impact
    Longterm Success
    Lord's Table
    Lose Life
    Loss
    Lost
    Love
    Loved
    Love Of Money
    Lovingkindness
    Luke
    Lukewarm
    Lust
    Majestic
    Make Disciples
    Making Decisions
    Malachi
    Margin
    Mark
    Marketplace
    Marriage
    Martyr
    Mask
    Materialism
    Matthew
    Meaninglessness
    Meditate
    Men Of Peace
    Mental Capacity
    Mentoring
    Mentors
    Mercy
    Micah
    Micromanage
    Mighty Deeds
    Mindset
    Ministry
    Ministry Plan
    Miracles
    Mission
    Mistreatment
    Mocking
    Model Cities
    Money
    Moral Purity
    Moral Relativism
    Motives
    Mourning
    Multiply Disciples
    Music
    Nahum
    Name
    Narrow Way
    Need
    Neediness
    Nehemiah
    Neighbor
    Neighborhood Ministry
    Network
    New Covenant
    New Hands
    New Heart
    New Heaven And New Earth
    New Mind
    New Testament
    New Wine
    Nt
    Numbers
    Nurture
    Obadiah
    Obedience
    Obey
    Object Lesson
    Obstacles
    Offend
    Offense
    Ogd
    Older Men And Women
    Opportunities
    Oppressed
    Organize
    Othercenteredness
    Outcomes
    Overcomer
    Over-confidence
    Pain
    Parenting
    Parents
    Participate
    Partner
    Partnership
    Passion
    Pathway
    Patience
    Peace
    Peacemaker
    Perceptiveness
    Performance
    Persecution
    Perseverance
    Persevere
    Persistent
    Personal Identity
    Perspective
    Persuasiveness
    Petition
    Phiippians
    Philemon
    Philippians
    Physical Needs
    Plagues
    Plans
    Pleasure
    Political Tyranny
    Poor
    Pornography
    Possessions
    Possess Territory
    Post
    Power
    Powerlessness
    Practice
    Pragmatism
    Praise
    Prayer
    Prayer Partners
    Prayer Walking
    Preach Gospel
    Preparation
    Presence
    Presence Of God
    Pressure
    Pride
    Priest
    Priorities
    Proclaim
    Prodigal
    Productivity
    Professionalism
    Profit
    Profiteering
    Promise
    Promise Land
    Promotion
    Prophecy
    Prophesy
    Prophets
    Prosperity
    Protection
    Proverbs
    Provision
    Psalm
    Psalms
    Purity
    Purpose
    Quarrel
    Questions
    Rationalism
    Rationalization
    Reality
    Real Living
    Rebellion
    Rebuild
    Reconcile
    Reconciliation
    Redemption
    Refresh Others
    Refuge
    Reign
    Rejection
    Rejoice
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relief
    Religious System
    Repent
    Repentance
    Rescue
    Research
    Resources
    Responsibility
    Responsible
    Rest
    Restitution
    Restoration
    Restore
    Restoring Relationships
    Resurrection
    Revelation
    Revenge
    Revenue Stream
    Revival
    Revive
    Reward
    Riches
    Right
    Righteous
    Righteousness
    Right Living
    Ritual
    Romans
    Rule
    Ruth
    Sabbath
    Sacred Assembly
    Sacrificial
    Sacrificial Death
    Safety
    Salvation
    Sanctify
    Satan
    Satisfaction
    Satisfied
    Scroll Of Remembrance
    Second Coming
    Secular
    Security
    Self Confidence
    Selfishness
    Self-made Religion
    Self-righteousness
    Self Sufficient
    Self-sufficient
    Sent
    Servant Attitude
    Serve
    Service
    Sex
    Sexual Sin
    Shame
    Share Gospel
    Shepherd
    Significance
    Signs
    Simplicity
    Sin
    Sinfulness
    Single Minded
    Single-minded
    Skillful
    Skillful Workman
    Small Groups
    Social Justice
    Song Of Solomon
    Sound Doctrine
    Sovereignty
    Sow
    Sowing
    Sowing The Word
    Speak Tenderly
    Speak Truth
    Speech
    Sphere Of Influence
    Spiritual
    Spiritual Battle
    Spiritual Defenses
    Spiritual Discipline
    Spiritual Dryness
    Spiritual Enemies
    Spiritual Fruit
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spiritual Growth
    Spiritual Harvest
    Spiritual Influence
    Spiritual Intimacy
    Spiritual Leadership
    Spiritual Leadership
    Spiritual Nourishment
    Spiritual Warfare
    Spiritual Warriors
    Spiritual Weapons
    Stability
    Stand In The Gap
    Status Quo
    Steal
    Stewardship
    Straightjacket
    Strategic Partnerships
    Strength
    Stress
    Strong
    Strongholds
    Structural Connections
    Struggles
    Study
    Submission
    Submit
    Success
    Suffering
    Supernatural
    Supernatural Transformation
    Supervision
    Surrender
    Sweet Spot
    Sync With God
    Take Up Cross
    Talents
    Teach
    Teachable
    Teaching
    Team
    Teamwork
    Technology
    Temptation
    Temptations
    Testimony
    Test Spirits
    Thanksgiving
    Theology
    Thinking
    Thirst
    Thirsty
    Throne
    Timing
    Titus
    Tongue
    Training
    Transform
    Transition
    Transparency
    Tree Of Life
    Trial
    Trials
    Tribulation
    True Justice
    True Self
    Trust
    Truth
    Unashamed
    Unbelief
    Unconditional Relationship
    Underdog
    Unforgiveness
    United Prayer
    Unity
    Vanity
    Victory
    Vindicator
    Vocation
    Volunteer Recruitment
    Volunteers
    Vows
    Wait
    Wait Patiently
    Walk
    Warfare
    Warning
    Wasted Life
    Water Of Life
    Weakness
    Wealth
    Well Being
    Well-being
    Wife
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Wonderful Counselor
    Word Of God
    Word Of Testimony
    Work
    Workaholic
    Work Environment
    Work Life Balance
    Workmen Of The Word
    Works
    World-changing Ministry
    Worldliness
    Worldly Advice
    Worldly Thinking
    World's Scorn
    Worship
    Worthless
    Wounds
    Wrath
    Young People
    Zeal
    Zechariah
    Zephaniah

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from blumenbiene, Kirt Edblom, f2 photografia