The Art of Marriage Keeps on Trucking!
It was only in February 2011 that the Art of Marriage opened with a bang but it has continued to keep growing and gaining steam. A few stats, some news and then some great stories:
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The Two Year Marriage License?
Is this a preview of battles to come in the USA? Mexico City is considering a new limited-term marriage license that must be renewed if the couple is getting along and wants to continue.
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2011/10/03/mexico-city-considers-two-year-marriages/
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Pat Robertson Says Divorce Okay if Spouse has Alzheimers
Recently, Pat Robertson stated on the 700 Club that the it would be OK to divorce a spouse who has Alzheimers and remarry as long as they saw to the care of the spouse. While I understand the compassion for the spouse of one who suffers from this terrible disease, Mr. Robertson here has shown a total disregard lack of understanding of the true meaning of the marriage covenant. Can you imagine Jesus divorcing his Bride, the church, because of any condition she may find herself in? It is absurd! Yet marriage is designed by God to illustrate His love for his people. Mr. Robertson sends exactly the wrong message.
Pat Robertson Says Divorce Okay if Spouse has Alzheimers | Liveblog | Christianity Today.
By contrast, a number of years ago FamilyLife created the McQuilken Award to honor covenant keeping love. It was named in honor of its first recipient, Robertson McQuilken, who demonstrated that by caring for his wife Muriel after she was diagnosed with Alzheimers, eventually resigning from his post as President of Columbia International University. You can watch a short video of his speech announcing his resignation below or read his book about it called A Promise Kept.
Here are two videos to provide contrast. What do you think about Pat Robertson’s statement?
Robertson McQuilken’s Statement
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Report on The Art of Marriage Premiere
Facts & Figures on the Worldwide Premiere:
- Over 600 events held February 11-13; Over 30,000 people
- Events held in 47 states and in Australia, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Canada, Korea, Marianas Islands, Mexico, New Zealand, & Nigeria.
- 97% of attendees surveyed would be either “Extremely Likely” or “Very Likely” to recommend The Art of Marriage to someone else.
Host Stories and Responses:
- It was amazing. We had over 80 people. A husband in the 50+ age group committed his life to Jesus! There were numerous comments about husbands and wife’s marriages and attitudes being changed. One mom of many children said she and her husband are talking again. Everything loved the entertaining format. I was surprised that there was not a speaker at a podium in the whole conference! It was so fast paced and engaging that we joked that it was ADHD-proof!
- The videos and conference were AMAZING. 90 couples attended, and 9 individuals indicated that they had received Christ. Praise the Lord!
- It was very well received and God obviously worked through it. Of the 54 couples in attendance, we know of 3 that were separated or on the brink of divorce that were reconciled and 4 that were saved, 3 of whom asked the church for follow up.
- Our senior pastor and our Elders were overwhelmed with the turnout, and how the event was put on. We are guessing that approximately 2/3 of attendees were from our church, and the rest from other churches, (or no church at all). I challenged those couples to put on this event in their own churches.
Guest Stories and Responses:
- My wife and I enjoyed every moment of it. We have been married for 25 years, have two fantastic sons that are grown now and are working desperately to reconnect. Just a few months ago we were separated due to our unhappiness together. We were already back together before coming to the conference but have still been struggling. We plan to go back thru the workbook and continue to work on our relationship.
- I’m thrilled to come to this. It was a great refresher for seeking to have a Christ-centered marriage.
- This was the best $50 we’ve ever spent!
- This was the best marriage enhancer we’ve been to.
- FamilyLife accomplished much more than just putting together a Biblically-based, deep, hard-hitting, humorous, instructive, artistic, technically flawless marriage conference. You introduced people to the Savior. You have impacted and furthered the Kingdom of God to the praise and honor of Him whom sits on the throne. Thank you once again!
- Many couples feel that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There is not any reason why the happiest couple to the one in the most trouble should not attend….this was a Do or Die weekend for my marriage – I have been truly blessed!!
- This was the best marriage enhancer we’ve been to.
- This has made a difference in my life and it probably saved our marriage. I’m so very thankful for that. I will fight for her and our family. THANK YOU!!
- This was affordable and not a huge time commitment for those with families. It started with the nuts and bolts and made an excellent presentation of the Gospel. It was so good for anyone at any place in their marriage.
- Overall, this was hope-renewing. I learned that the power of the resurrection applies to strained marriages.
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Government drops defense of anti-gay-marriage law – Yahoo! News
President Obama yesterday announced he would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act against constitutional challenges because the President finds the act unconstitutional. Whatever you may think of the decision, it highlights the argument over “gay marriage.”
According to my understanding of Scripture, this is an issue that really is not even up to man to decide. God created marriage and he defines it. In fact, it is God who joins man and wife together in marriage, not the preacher or the justice of the peace (Matt 19:6). So until God starts marrying men and men or women and women, they are not, in fact, married, regardless of what the courts, legislature or President say.
Government drops defense of anti-gay-marriage law – Yahoo! News.
Fox News: http://video.foxnews.com/v/4553761/obama-claims-defense-of-marriage-act-is-unconstitutional
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Foundry report on the Economic Benefits of Marriage
Certainly not the main thing about marriage, but it is an interesting side effect of stability and faithfulness to a covenant.
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