Thrive

  Relational Drift and Reconciliation . . . You can't reconcile what you don't see as broken. : Her story, His story, & God's story   Every Marriage Tells a Story . . . God's story for marriage is far better than our culture's   The way in which you reconcile broken relationships on earth is by following what God has done in reconciling us to Himself through Christ.   Grace—Jesus gives grace even though I am undeserving. "For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9 I am willing to give grace even though I don't feel you deserve Why? Because the gospel of grace reconciles what is broken.   Humility—Jesus put my needs before His own. "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."  Philippians 2:5-8   I am willing to put your needs before my "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Philippians 2:3-4   I am willing to admit my faults and my flaws. Why? Because the gospel of grace always leads me to Christ-like humility.   Forgiveness—Jesus has not held my offense against me. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  Luke 23:34   I choose to forgive those who have offended (Matthew 18:21-35) " . . . bearing with one another and, if one of you has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."  Colossians 3:13   "Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you."  (The Message)   Why? Because the gospel of grace does not keep a ledger of offense. : Hosea   Honest Evaluation . . . What is the real story that my marriage is telling? What is God really saying to me about me? Who will I talk to, who is trustworthy and spiritually mature, in order to gain a truer perspective of me and my marriage?