Forever Marriage Podcast

In Season 3 Episode 15, we continue talking about how those who want to FINISH WELL establish sustainable habits. In our previous episode we talked about spiritual habits and in this episode we talk about relational and vocational habits.
In our relationships we must seek to 1) be intentional about connections and conversations, 2) give each other the benefit of the doubt, 3) make every effort to make your wrongs right, and 4) keep short accounts.
In our vocations we must seek to 1) leave work at work and try not to bring work home, 2) be careful of getting all your emotional love needs met through work, and 3) don't let people's praise or criticism define you.
Mentioned in this episode:

• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Are You Getting the Results You Desire? blogpost
• Love & Respect Experience by Emerson Eggerichs
• Who I Am in Christ by Neal Anderson
• Scripture: Proverbs 11:27, Matthew 5:23-24, 1 Corinthians 13:5, Colossians 3:24-25

As we kick off Season 3 of the Forever Marriage Podcast, Scott & Dawn discuss what it means to FINISH WELL.
How we start in life is important. Athletic races are often won and lost at the starting blocks. But, even more important than a good start is a great finish. The older we get, the less impressed we are with the “shooting stars” of today who have a great start. It’s common nowadays for “shooting stars” to become “flashes in the pan” who either finish poorly or don’t finish the race at all. We are truly inspired by those who exhibit steadfast faithfulness over the course of a lifetime - often 7-9 decades in length. They are the real stars. Afterall, real life is more of a marathon than it is a sprint, isn’t it? The ones who have trained and prepared to run a marathon often know what it takes to “finish with endurance the race that is set before (them)” - Hebrews 12:1.
In our next episodes, we'll discuss these 10 characteristics that seem to be common threads of those who FINISH WELL:
F - ix your eyes on Jesus
I - nvite others into your life
N - urture the habits of grace (spiritual disciplines) in your personal life
I - nvest in others
S - et up hedges of protection
H - ave a focused life
W - alk in a manner worthy of the Lord
E - stablish sustainable habits
L - earn for all of life
L - ive with the end in mind
Mentioned in this episode:

• Jean Fleming's Pursue the Intentional Life
• Word to ponder - Prepare
• Psalm 90:12

Forever Marriage at Lakewood exists to strengthen families by helping couples discover God's design for marriage.Season 2: Six Keys to Better Sex in Marriage
Episode 10: Is She a Red Solo Cup or a Crystal Goblet?

In this episode the Smiths continue discussing Key 3 - Regard Each Other's Needs as More Important than Your Own. We compare a red solo cup and a crystal goblet. We describe the two and explain how this is a helpful visual comparison for husbands and how they consider their wives. We also take a look at 1 Peter 3:7 and see what God's word says about how husbands are to think about their wives.

In Season 4 Episode 2, we continuing discussing what it looks like to accept one another. In marriage though, it doesn't take long to figure out the many differences you may have with your spouse. If differences aren't handled wisely, they can divide you. Differences are intended by God to create bridges between you, not barriers. They can actually be used by God to strengthen your marriage, not weaken it.
Mentioned in this episode:

• Scripture: Romans 15:7, Romans 5:5, Ephesians 5:25, Galatians 6:1-2, Romans 14:13, 1 John 1:8-10, Luke 7:47
• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

• Spiritual Gifts Inventory
• Scripture References: 1 Peter 4:10, Rom. 12:4-8, 1 Cor. 12:1-11, 27-31, Eph. 4:11-13, 1 Peter 4:9-11, Prov. 27:19, 2 Cor. 1:3-4, Ex. 31