Vertical Marriage- Part 2

GAME- Luke 9:24 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”

DANIEL——————————————————————

Last week, we began discussing the fact that marriage was never intended to solve all of our problems and that we are not called to look to each other to meet one another’s needs. Rather, we are to go vertical together.

But, in order to do that, you have to be willing to die.

MARIE——————————————————————

I. You Have to be Willing to Die

DIE TO EXPECTATIONS

DIE TO AMBITIONS/#GOALS

CONTROL

THE IDEA THAT I CAN CHANGE MY SPOUSE

DANIEL——————————————————————

II. Out of Alignment

So, I’ve never abused alcohol, or drugs, or such things, but I was addicted to something else.

I would like to say that in my life I had everything in the right order:

GOD— FAMILY— JOB….. but I had it all backwards

JOB— FAMILY— GOD….and I was in the ministry!

So, one day, I was doing some inventory on my life, and we were having one of those super intentional conversations. Marie was working through her healing and I had just started mine. Whereas other people addicted themselves to drinking, I addicted myself to stress.

I was always in a hurry…always anxious…always searching for meaning in the next ministry opportunity…next visit…next great thing to satisfy my life.

ILL. My schedule

Starting a church

preaching sunday am. sunday pm, thursday night

nationally-syndicated radio program

writing every other week for a national Christian magazine

teaching every Tuesday at a Bible college

My career, so to speak, was over the top! But my soul was starving to death. I’m talking a lot about God…working for God…serving God…building up the people of God…but…to be honest…not right with God.

And, so, I say to Marie, “How long have I been like this?” And she says, “As long as I’ve known you!” And I say, “What didn’t you tell me?” Because you wouldn’t listen!

So, have you ever been so out of shape that you don’t know where to start?

Day 1- embracing where you are and beginning your journey— going to the gym and committing yourself to getting into better health!

Day 2- Your want to gets challenged!

Day 3- How to move forward more intelligently.

MARIE——————————————————————

III. Vertical Alignment

Divert Daily

a. devotion

b. meditation

Withdraw Weekly

Sabbath

rhythms of grace

cessation from other labors

soulcare

Abandon Annually

with your spouse only

with your family