The Life in the Clouds Podcast had their first live event last weekend. We spoke to Renovate Life Church, our home church, closing out the series on marraige. You can see the livestream above.
If you want to hear us preparing for the event you can listen to the latest episode of the podcast below.
Finally here are our notes.
Carlton- Our family statistics- we live in the whirlwind; it doesn’t just happen to us; we actually make our home there.
Example: Graduation-marriage-ministry-princess mighty-MD….princess mini....ordination…..the little prince…..now it’s 20 years later.
Personality stats- Carlton likes to cook with all the pots and pans, on all the burners. I like 1 pot/pan wonders in the oven- set it and forget it and minimize the mess. Our personalities and ways look diametrically opposed, but the beauty of it is that God brought us together to become one.
Scripture
'So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. ' - Matthew 1:17
God has a multigenerational vision and as his creation we need to have a similar eye.
What are you doing that will live beyond you? Children? Business? Legacy
Our lives are not our own
Contrary to what the world is telling us
Different people will enter our lives
Our lives before marriage matter - Singleness
Our lives during our marriage matter
Our lives after our marriage matter - Till Death Do Us Part
During our pre-marital counseling we were asked to create a vision - we want our marriage to be both impacted by and impactful to the people around us. This means that we need to be connected to the right people. Our marriage will not survive in a vacuum
As singles we had family, mentors and friends pouring into our lives.
As marrieds we have other families praying for us and around us.
As parents we have other parents praying for us and around us.
Lesson #1 - Heed the Lessons and the Warnings Around You
Wisdom and Folly call out to us in the street. Proverbs is a good illustration.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” - Proverbs 1:7 ESV
Lessons I have learned (Carlton)
- Marriage is permanent; far from casual
- Marriage is difficult; effort and hard work is required
- Marriage is fun
- Marriage is rewarding
Lesson #2 - What You have Learned is not Just for You
The value of marriage is when it is shared. Acts is a good illustration.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” - Acts 2:42-45 ESV
The Gospel spread house to house; Family to family.
Share Your Story/Life - Shared lives - This is why we enjoy counseling and recommend it to every couple we meet. Marital and pre-marital. I know there is a stigma about counseling after marriage. Don’t wait until you have an issue to seek out a 3rd party.
What works for us/Principles we have learned and teach
- Focus and develop a relationship with God
- Your Spouse Is Not Your Enemy
- Only One Can be Crazy at Any One Time
- Have a Budget; review and change it
- Fight Fair; no slander
- Plan for Fun