Last week, Ashlee and I had the privilege to attend the Vision Baptist Marriage Retreat. We had a wonderful time and was greatly challenged and encouraged to continue growing in our marriage to one another.

I am grateful for the mentors God has given me, to remind me that my most important relationship after Christ is my wife! Not only is she my most important relationship after Jesus, but my family is the most important ministry God has given me!

Below are some of the great lessons gleaned from the different sessions. I hope they will be a help to you as well!

Introduction: (Pastor Austin Gardner)
“Marriage requires maintenance. We need God to work in our marriages.”
“Just enjoy living life with your best friend!”

Fair Fighting: (Mark Tolson, China)
“The opposite of fighting is GRACE!”
“Experience grace, extend grace.”
– Grace is unmerited by the receiver.
– Grace is costly to the giver.
“Extending grace begins with growing in your relationship with Jesus!”

Raising Children: (Pastor Jimmy Soncco)
“Right now, your kids do not have an option. They do what you tell them.”
“When they are grown, and on their own, will they remember that you faithfully served God?”
“Motivate and allow them to use their talents to serve God!”
“Let them have fun. Serving God is fun!”
“Serve God with love. They are watching and will do what you do.”

Passion in Marriage: (Bro Jim Roberts III)
“Communicate!”
“Share your life with her! If you are right with God, you won’t have a problem opening up to your spouse.”
“Good speaking doesn’t always make for good listening. But good listening always makes for good speaking.”
“It is who we are that determines what we do.”
“You are responsible for your own character and your spouse’s needs.”
“The best way to change your situation is to change you.”
“Just be real!”

Mutual Respect: (Jason Holt, Chile)
“Be controlled by the Spirit, not by your flesh, emotions, thoughts, or circumstances.”
“Submit to one another. Your spouse is the most important person in your life.”
“As we submit ourselves to God, then we can submit ourselves to each other.”
“Liberty is given to us to serve one another.”

Adversity: (Pastor Robert Canfield)
“Because we live in a fallen world, we will face heartache.”
“Not only will you face problems, but you will be trying to help people with problems.”

1. Dealing with adversity requires a walk with God!
– You cannot deal with adversity without guidance, wisdom, and comfort from the Holy Spirit in your life.

2. Best treated daily.
– Deal with today’s problems and don’t worry about tomorrow’s.
– Tomorrow will bring its own problems, so focus on today.

“Our picture of the future is often way worse than what actually happens.”

3. Be joyful!

Adversity has two things in common for the believer:
1. They are but for a moment.
2. They make us more like Jesus!