Welcome to Marriage in God's Hands. 00:00:30.64\00:00:33.53 I'm Willie Lee, your host for this program, 00:00:33.83\00:00:37.49 and my co-host, of course, is my partner... 00:00:37.69\00:00:41.36 and that's Wilma Lee. 00:00:41.46\00:00:43.56 Welcome! Today we're going to talk about intimacy... 00:00:43.87\00:00:47.88 a re-definition. 00:00:47.98\00:00:49.62 Before we begin, let's just offer a word of prayer. 00:00:49.82\00:00:53.35 Dear Lord, it's so good to have you in our lives. 00:00:54.85\00:00:58.68 We don't know what we would do without you. 00:00:58.88\00:01:02.19 But since we don't have to, we'll rejoice and celebrate 00:01:02.39\00:01:05.52 your presence even as we talk today about how we can stay 00:01:05.62\00:01:10.46 in Your hands and follow Your plan for our marriage. 00:01:10.56\00:01:13.82 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:01:14.02\00:01:17.32 Now that we have established 00:01:18.21\00:01:20.27 that God has a plan, and that 00:01:20.57\00:01:23.30 plan can help us rejoice 00:01:23.40\00:01:26.18 along the way... can help us 00:01:26.28\00:01:27.84 celebrate. We want you to also understand that there are some 00:01:27.94\00:01:32.99 components to marriage in God's hands that will make it 00:01:33.09\00:01:38.50 very special. It's not a component that we are 00:01:38.60\00:01:42.65 unaware of. It's just that this particular component has been 00:01:42.75\00:01:47.24 profaned by the world and it has become something 00:01:47.34\00:01:50.30 other than what God planned. 00:01:50.51\00:01:52.05 Yes, well, marriage totally 00:01:52.90\00:01:54.91 has become other than what 00:01:55.01\00:01:56.45 God has planned. 00:01:56.55\00:01:57.82 And it's our joy and delight 00:01:58.02\00:02:00.40 when we talk about marriage in God's hands to talk about 00:02:00.50\00:02:04.15 restoring the whole image of marriage. 00:02:04.25\00:02:06.92 And so we have to talk about restoring the image of God in 00:02:07.12\00:02:10.94 marriage because, you know, it's fascinating to me to find out 00:02:11.04\00:02:16.60 what marriages cost now days. No, I should back that up 00:02:16.70\00:02:21.80 and say what weddings cost... - there you go, all right - 00:02:21.90\00:02:25.14 now days... because people only plan for a wedding, 00:02:25.24\00:02:28.92 they do not plan for a marriage. 00:02:29.02\00:02:31.05 Well, what we are talking about today really doesn't cost 00:02:31.25\00:02:35.13 because we know that after that special day that is supposed 00:02:35.23\00:02:40.25 to be in the world the epitome and the peak of marriage... 00:02:40.35\00:02:44.48 it's the zenith of marriage... 00:02:44.68\00:02:46.19 and it usually goes downhill from there. 00:02:46.39\00:02:48.74 God's plan has it just the opposite. 00:02:48.94\00:02:51.76 A wedding is just the commencement, just the beginning 00:02:51.96\00:02:55.13 and then it takes off and forever goes up. 00:02:55.23\00:02:57.94 But we must have what God started in the beginning with 00:02:58.14\00:03:01.80 Adam and Eve. Yes. Because we found out that 00:03:01.90\00:03:04.61 even after sin, we read in Genesis the 3rd chapter and 00:03:04.71\00:03:08.71 verse 8, that God came walking in the garden like He usually 00:03:08.81\00:03:11.98 does, looking Adam and Eve and couldn't find them. 00:03:12.08\00:03:16.94 So, there was an intimate relationship that they had 00:03:17.15\00:03:20.56 together AND with God. 00:03:20.66\00:03:23.55 So that intimacy is what we're going to talk about today 00:03:23.76\00:03:26.80 because we need to re-define it back in the image of God. 00:03:26.90\00:03:32.11 And so, first and foremost, that means that intimacy does 00:03:32.31\00:03:36.47 not just mean sex. 00:03:36.57\00:03:38.77 Oh, my, she said the word, didn't she? 00:03:38.97\00:03:41.94 But yet isn't that where the world, isn't that what you have 00:03:42.14\00:03:44.75 found out: that intimacy must be defined according to whoever 00:03:44.85\00:03:50.59 wants to promote a special something you wear or something 00:03:50.69\00:03:55.13 you put on or an activity that you do? 00:03:55.23\00:03:58.11 That if it doesn't reach that that the world has ascribed 00:03:58.32\00:04:03.02 that it's erotic... that there is not intimacy 00:04:03.12\00:04:07.32 unless you do that? The world has sort of put us in a mold. 00:04:07.42\00:04:10.80 We want to break that mold today a little bit, 00:04:11.00\00:04:13.36 and go back to God's plan for intimacy. 00:04:13.46\00:04:16.23 And God's plan was that there would be a man and a woman 00:04:16.53\00:04:22.39 and Him. And so that first defines intimacy: 00:04:22.49\00:04:28.09 that there must be God in the middle and a man and a woman 00:04:28.30\00:04:33.56 who are walking and talking with God. 00:04:33.66\00:04:36.73 So, communication is in the center of that, but... 00:04:36.93\00:04:39.82 it's more than just talking, it's more than just walking... 00:04:39.92\00:04:44.62 even though today there are a lot of activities that I'm sure 00:04:44.82\00:04:48.29 you enjoy that are good physical activities: walking, talking, 00:04:48.39\00:04:51.92 running and talking. I guess if I was running 00:04:52.02\00:04:54.75 I wouldn't be doing a lot of talking! 00:04:54.85\00:04:56.07 I don't think so. I don't think those two go together. 00:04:56.17\00:04:59.56 I know they wouldn't for me! 00:04:59.66\00:05:01.07 So it has to be a walk that's a little bit more in line 00:05:01.27\00:05:05.14 with one other in order to promote more than just the 00:05:05.24\00:05:08.78 physical exercise... it promotes a heart to heart. 00:05:08.88\00:05:12.20 And so there are some ideals that God has placed there. 00:05:12.40\00:05:16.37 First of all, I think you mentioned the fact that it's 00:05:16.67\00:05:18.85 with God, and that must be promoted. 00:05:18.95\00:05:21.26 There ought to be a spiritual intimacy that each mate has 00:05:21.47\00:05:24.73 with God. Do you have time with your Bible? 00:05:24.83\00:05:28.34 Do you as an individual, as a spouse, go off to yourself 00:05:28.54\00:05:33.62 and read your Bible and pray about you and God 00:05:33.72\00:05:36.91 and then come back and have moments of devotion or 00:05:37.12\00:05:40.87 moments of time discussing and sharing what you have grown 00:05:40.97\00:05:45.01 into in your talk with God? 00:05:45.11\00:05:47.42 There must be an intimate relationship with God first 00:05:47.63\00:05:50.28 as an individual and then with each other. 00:05:50.38\00:05:53.40 I think there's a law of physics - you're right - the closer two 00:05:53.60\00:05:57.81 bodies are to a third body the closer they are to each other. 00:05:57.91\00:06:01.93 Yes, and God operates within His laws in all areas of life... 00:06:02.13\00:06:07.38 be it natural law or the relational laws. 00:06:07.59\00:06:11.77 So, it's amazing to us and a surprise sometimes 00:06:11.97\00:06:16.24 when God does exactly the same thing that 00:06:16.44\00:06:21.12 we see in nature. 00:06:21.22\00:06:23.64 But, God hasn't messed up with nature; 00:06:23.84\00:06:26.16 it's man that messes up with nature. 00:06:26.26\00:06:28.06 So we need to stop messing with "Mother Nature, " don't we? 00:06:28.26\00:06:32.77 And do it God's way. Yes! 00:06:32.97\00:06:35.39 So, you have four components that you share. 00:06:35.59\00:06:40.08 Where will you start with your sharing of that today? 00:06:40.28\00:06:42.70 Well, before we get there I'd like to talk about 00:06:42.80\00:06:46.04 the fruits of the Spirit. OK, let's do that. 00:06:46.14\00:06:48.39 But it comes from the message because in an intimate marriage 00:06:48.49\00:06:53.59 where we are re-defining, we have to talk about commitment. 00:06:53.69\00:06:57.43 OK. Because we can't use the throw-away method 00:06:57.63\00:07:03.49 for an intimate marriage. 00:07:03.59\00:07:06.06 OK. So you are saying that commitment is one of those 00:07:06.27\00:07:10.73 values that helps to make for an intimate... How so? 00:07:10.83\00:07:14.87 Because, you know, again, we have to go back to where we are 00:07:15.07\00:07:19.82 in today's society. Unfortunately, I've had the 00:07:19.93\00:07:24.97 displeasure of watching some of these programs like 00:07:25.07\00:07:29.49 Bridezilla. And it's amazing to me that, 00:07:29.59\00:07:35.30 first of all, anybody would allow themselves to be filmed 00:07:35.40\00:07:39.01 and secondly... and to be titled... Bridezilla. 00:07:39.21\00:07:43.43 And secondly, that people would spend an awful amount of money 00:07:43.63\00:07:48.99 for a day and they have no clue what they are going to do 00:07:49.09\00:07:54.25 after this day. But if some of these fellows 00:07:54.35\00:07:58.54 are really going to marry these women after this behavior, 00:07:58.64\00:08:01.93 I'm afraid, I'm very afraid. But commitment is not anything 00:08:02.13\00:08:07.90 that's ever discussed in all of these programs. 00:08:08.00\00:08:11.31 So it seems to me it's like: Well OK if this doesn't work out 00:08:11.51\00:08:15.09 Hmmmm. OK, so you are speaking of commitment 00:08:15.29\00:08:18.40 to the concept of marriage as a 00:08:18.50\00:08:23.34 method of staying together, and building and growing 00:08:23.44\00:08:26.73 forever marriages? YES! YES! Oh, it's not just for the 00:08:26.93\00:08:30.42 wedding time? NO! But it's so much fun having weddings. 00:08:30.52\00:08:34.45 NO! It's not just for the wedding, it's for a life... 00:08:34.65\00:08:37.84 it's for a life-long relationship. 00:08:38.04\00:08:40.82 There is something about wedding vows for better, for worse... 00:08:40.92\00:08:45.73 If we didn't even go to the 00:08:45.93\00:08:47.94 richer, poorer, sickness, health 00:08:48.04\00:08:49.60 just for better, worse... 00:08:49.70\00:08:51.07 And you make it through all of those in your marriage, too. 00:08:51.17\00:08:54.49 You DO get through all of those. That's right. 00:08:54.69\00:08:57.59 So you need to have a sense of commitment to the marriage 00:08:57.89\00:09:02.45 as well as to the person. 00:09:02.65\00:09:04.57 Because you have to have a concept that "I'm in this, 00:09:04.77\00:09:08.48 and I plan to be in this. " 00:09:08.68\00:09:11.01 So, a wedding vow that is taken 00:09:11.21\00:09:14.23 is not just a set of words 00:09:14.33\00:09:16.20 you say during a certain time. 00:09:16.30\00:09:17.91 It's actually a form of a covenant with God. 00:09:18.01\00:09:22.18 Did you make a covenant with God in your marriage? 00:09:22.38\00:09:25.81 Did you start with the idea that this is forever 00:09:26.02\00:09:31.60 with God and with my spouse? 00:09:31.70\00:09:34.30 And that's where you're starting... Yes. 00:09:34.50\00:09:37.17 And I'd like for you to listen to Galatians 5:22-23 00:09:37.28\00:09:41.46 as The Message Paraphrase puts it: 00:09:41.56\00:09:44.20 "For what happens when we live God's way? 00:09:44.40\00:09:47.30 He brings gifts into our lives much the same way that fruit 00:09:47.50\00:09:52.11 appears in an orchard. Things like affection for others, 00:09:52.21\00:09:55.86 exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness 00:09:55.96\00:10:01.66 to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, 00:10:01.76\00:10:06.31 and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things 00:10:06.41\00:10:11.24 and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitment, 00:10:11.34\00:10:16.46 not needing to force our way in life, and able to marshal 00:10:16.56\00:10:21.14 and direct our energies wisely. " 00:10:21.25\00:10:23.79 Wow, that's a mouthful, isn't it? Yes! 00:10:23.99\00:10:26.03 And it's a whole lot to talk about because that's a level 00:10:26.23\00:10:30.26 of commitment that sounds very much like 00:10:30.36\00:10:35.58 God planned for this thing to be for eternity. 00:10:35.68\00:10:39.29 Yes, He did. But there are enough things in there 00:10:39.49\00:10:42.22 to make it fun. OK. So you're saying it's enjoyable. 00:10:42.32\00:10:45.83 It's not stick in it for better or worse, and if it gets worse 00:10:45.93\00:10:50.28 just stay there anyway because, you know, there's a way of 00:10:50.38\00:10:53.40 thinking in the world today, and part of the way that... 00:10:53.50\00:10:55.81 I don't know if you've heard this or experienced this: 00:10:55.91\00:10:58.63 that people are saying that if your marriage is not bad, 00:10:58.73\00:11:02.24 it's bad to stay in a bad marriage with your children 00:11:02.34\00:11:06.98 experiencing everything that's going on in your marriage. 00:11:07.08\00:11:10.28 God has another plan, folks, from what I'm hearing. 00:11:10.48\00:11:13.31 That it doesn't have to be bad; it never HAS TO BE bad. 00:11:13.51\00:11:17.59 You go through bad times and difficult 00:11:17.79\00:11:20.52 and challenging periods of time, 00:11:20.55\00:11:22.33 but God has a plan for it to be a commitment 00:11:22.47\00:11:26.11 for a great marriage for a long time. 00:11:26.21\00:11:29.46 He says "exuberance about life. " That doesn't sound 00:11:29.66\00:11:33.06 like drudgery to me... or a stick in the mud, huh? NO! 00:11:33.16\00:11:36.09 So, when we talk about marriage commitment, first of all 00:11:36.29\00:11:41.06 we have to understand that God is committed to marriage. 00:11:41.17\00:11:44.78 He will uphold a marriage, and He will bring happiness and joy 00:11:44.98\00:11:49.70 to a marriage. So if He has a commitment, we ought to have 00:11:49.80\00:11:52.34 a commitment with His commitment and we ought to have a 00:11:52.45\00:11:56.14 commitment to each other to do our part in making sure 00:11:56.25\00:12:00.25 that the marriage stays exciting and viable. 00:12:00.39\00:12:05.38 When I say viable, that means that it's something 00:12:05.58\00:12:08.26 that is worth staying in. 00:12:08.36\00:12:10.50 That it's something that's good for both of us. 00:12:10.70\00:12:13.06 And of course, this talks about we develop a willingness 00:12:13.26\00:12:17.24 to stick with things. So, we're not in this because we 00:12:17.34\00:12:21.39 have to be, it's because we want to be. 00:12:21.49\00:12:24.13 So, when we look at Galatians 5:22 and 23 00:12:24.33\00:12:27.50 the fruit of the Spirit now is applied to what we bring 00:12:27.60\00:12:32.88 to the marriage itself. That if we bring those values 00:12:32.98\00:12:36.55 that are in Galatians 5:22-23, the Spirit provides us with them 00:12:36.65\00:12:41.78 that it will make the marriage a great marriage. 00:12:41.89\00:12:44.82 And two people will bring these fruits... not just one. 00:12:45.02\00:12:48.07 Oh, you mean, I thought maybe the wife does everything, right? 00:12:48.27\00:12:52.85 Oh, no. You're confused. And the man just goes out and 00:12:53.05\00:12:55.57 hunts and brings home the bread. No, no, no, you're confused. 00:12:55.71\00:12:58.47 Remember the two bodies close to the third body? 00:12:58.67\00:13:02.39 Oh, so our staying together with God in this... 00:13:02.59\00:13:06.45 This is a contract, a covenant with God and a commitment 00:13:06.66\00:13:11.48 with God - yes - for the marriage to be great 00:13:11.58\00:13:13.66 that two people make. OK. 00:13:13.77\00:13:15.49 Then we're ready to move on and we will move on 00:13:15.62\00:13:17.99 and discover some of the very special, practical ways 00:13:18.09\00:13:21.78 that we can discover that make our marriage not only 00:13:21.88\00:13:25.96 just a committed marriage but a marriage that's exciting 00:13:26.06\00:13:29.05 and fun and intimate. 00:13:29.15\00:13:30.83 There are many how-to books available, but there's one 00:13:39.29\00:13:42.16 that's free and perfect for every couple: 00:13:42.26\00:13:44.64 How You Can Build a Better Marriage. 00:13:44.84\00:13:47.00 Bible-based matrimonial advice is given in a light-hearted, 00:13:47.21\00:13:50.91 easy-to-read manner for those contemplating marriage, 00:13:51.01\00:13:53.76 newlyweds, couples in their golden years, 00:13:53.86\00:13:56.58 and everyone in between. 00:13:56.68\00:13:58.34 Simply call or write for your 00:13:58.54\00:14:00.16 free copy of this amazing 00:14:00.30\00:14:01.32 little booklet. 00:14:01.42\00:14:02.47 A handy little tool 00:14:02.57\00:14:03.63 to help build a better marriage. 00:14:03.73\00:14:05.58 Welcome back to Marriage in God's Hands. 00:14:17.36\00:14:20.75 I'm your host. I'm Willie Lee 00:14:20.95\00:14:23.54 with our co-host, Wilma Lee. 00:14:23.64\00:14:26.40 And we're here to continue our discussion about intimacy. 00:14:26.60\00:14:31.21 A re-definition of intimacy. 00:14:31.41\00:14:34.70 So, now that we've established some ground rules... 00:14:34.90\00:14:39.23 First of all, the spiritual connections. 00:14:39.33\00:14:41.24 Because even after there was Cain and Abel 00:14:41.44\00:14:46.99 there was an altar experience, there was a giving to God. 00:14:47.09\00:14:51.74 And, of course, when you give to God, God imbues you with 00:14:51.94\00:14:56.40 the Holy Spirit's fruits, and you have talked about that. 00:14:56.50\00:15:01.09 Are there some practical ways that that comes out in the 00:15:01.29\00:15:05.62 communication that you can share with us? 00:15:05.72\00:15:08.00 Or how we related to each other as husband and wife 00:15:08.10\00:15:11.15 in practical ways. Share some of those steps of intimacy 00:15:11.25\00:15:16.77 or elements of intimacy that will make it special 00:15:16.87\00:15:20.35 that's not just sexual. It might be some sexuality ultimately 00:15:20.55\00:15:25.42 but... before that... Well, I think that there are 00:15:25.52\00:15:28.62 4 basic components of intimacy 00:15:28.72\00:15:31.43 that you have to have 00:15:31.53\00:15:33.04 in building an intimate relationship. 00:15:33.14\00:15:35.59 And the first one I think of is 00:15:35.82\00:15:37.42 time because you can't build an intimate relationship in haste. 00:15:37.65\00:15:43.24 OK. You have to have time. 00:15:43.44\00:15:46.45 Well, I'll give you five minutes of quality time. 00:15:46.65\00:15:50.14 Um, um... you're confused because if you have to define it 00:15:50.34\00:15:55.13 as quality time then first of all we're already in trouble. 00:15:55.23\00:15:59.50 So, time means that kind of time that you give that you're not 00:15:59.70\00:16:05.22 checking your watch. You don't have your PDA set. 00:16:05.32\00:16:09.79 You don't have your beeper on, 00:16:09.89\00:16:12.38 and your cell phone isn't going to ring. 00:16:12.48\00:16:14.74 You know it's the time that, back in the day when we were 00:16:14.84\00:16:18.11 kids, it was you walked me to the corner, 00:16:18.21\00:16:21.11 then I walked you back. And then when you got home, 00:16:21.21\00:16:24.13 you called me on the phone and we talked. 00:16:24.23\00:16:27.98 And then the parents said: "Well, didn't you just see them? 00:16:28.08\00:16:30.68 Can't you hang up the phone? " It's that kind of time. 00:16:30.78\00:16:34.62 Oh, you're talking about after marriage time is like it was 00:16:34.82\00:16:38.75 before marriage? YES! Oh, OK. 00:16:38.85\00:16:42.56 So, that's one of those elements of intimacy: that time is given 00:16:42.66\00:16:47.92 by both of them to each other? YES! 00:16:48.02\00:16:52.00 OK. And what happens when that time... what does that time do? 00:16:52.20\00:16:55.51 Is it just that we get bored with each other, or what? 00:16:55.71\00:16:58.93 No. You defined it. It's the before marriage time that you 00:16:59.13\00:17:04.38 have after you get married but you're still married. 00:17:04.52\00:17:07.72 OK. So, you're talking about maybe time for dates. 00:17:07.92\00:17:10.27 When's the last time you've been on a date with your spouse? 00:17:10.37\00:17:13.65 Intentional dates. When you get around to it, 00:17:13.85\00:17:17.40 is that what you're saying? That instead of that, then you 00:17:17.50\00:17:19.39 have to have planned - yes - time together. 00:17:19.50\00:17:22.50 Yes. Now, that's when you pull out your PDA and you mark down 00:17:22.70\00:17:26.44 this time is for... and it cannot be scratched over. 00:17:26.54\00:17:30.52 OK. Or, you pull out your cell phone - because it has an 00:17:30.72\00:17:33.43 organizer in it - and you can have an alarm that goes off 00:17:33.53\00:17:36.51 and says "This time belongs to... MY HONEY, 00:17:36.61\00:17:39.72 MY SWEETIE, whatever that pet name is. " 00:17:39.82\00:17:43.62 OK. So, that's the kind of time that doesn't allow the 00:17:43.82\00:17:47.90 interruptions and on that time period, or within that time 00:17:48.00\00:17:53.19 period, do we make sure also that there is no problem 00:17:53.29\00:17:58.03 with interruptions from others? 00:17:58.13\00:18:01.70 It's date time. What do you do on dates? DATE! 00:18:01.80\00:18:06.25 OK. So, we're talking about a time that we give to each other 00:18:06.45\00:18:11.21 exclusive of anyone else. 00:18:11.31\00:18:14.18 Exactly. All right, so that's an important part of building 00:18:14.38\00:18:19.21 intimacy. YES. You can't have it... 00:18:19.31\00:18:21.99 Unless it's bleeding profusely - um hmm - or on fire, 00:18:22.09\00:18:25.20 it's not an emergency. OK. 00:18:25.30\00:18:27.35 Well, you've heard that. Have you had some time recently 00:18:27.55\00:18:30.70 and have you planned some time intentionally to spend 00:18:30.80\00:18:36.02 with your spouse? It doesn't have to be a lot of money 00:18:36.12\00:18:39.76 exchanged... even though it's nice to do something 00:18:39.96\00:18:42.43 that costs a little bit, that you invest in. 00:18:42.54\00:18:44.83 Because I can think of no better investment than to invest 00:18:44.94\00:18:48.37 in the one you love. 00:18:48.47\00:18:50.13 Hmmm. I like that! 00:18:50.33\00:18:51.57 But anyway, moving on to the next component... 00:18:51.77\00:18:54.52 and then there's that word again: commitment. 00:18:54.72\00:18:57.70 You have to be in it for the long haul. 00:18:57.90\00:19:01.13 It can't be "Baby, baby, I love you but I'll be over 00:19:01.33\00:19:04.95 tonight if it doesn't rain. " 00:19:05.05\00:19:06.78 That doesn't sound like much commitment to me! 00:19:06.98\00:19:09.91 In some of these times right now, you wouldn't be over 00:19:10.11\00:19:13.60 for very much, would you? Not at all. 00:19:13.71\00:19:16.15 In other words, rainy days should not allow you 00:19:16.35\00:19:21.06 to have a... no time available for you. 00:19:21.16\00:19:27.10 Because there are rainy days in our lives. 00:19:27.30\00:19:29.56 I know you have rainy days. 00:19:29.76\00:19:30.98 There are rainy days in our lives when things just happen 00:19:31.18\00:19:34.49 that we hadn't planned for, and it makes it very difficult 00:19:34.59\00:19:37.75 to manage the job or manage the children 00:19:37.85\00:19:40.52 or manage some things that are going on in our lives. 00:19:40.62\00:19:43.05 So, there's got to be a commitment for me toward you 00:19:43.15\00:19:48.50 that is above and beyond the rainy days. 00:19:48.60\00:19:51.49 When the rainy days are over, then we have to make up for it. 00:19:51.69\00:19:54.39 And there are definitely rainy days in marriages. 00:19:54.59\00:19:58.20 So, if there isn't that commitment through the 00:19:58.40\00:20:01.31 rainy days to hold me, to put up the umbrella, 00:20:01.41\00:20:05.48 to bring out the rain coat, we're in trouble. 00:20:05.58\00:20:08.00 OK. So, it's not only time, we are talking about a commitment 00:20:08.20\00:20:13.70 to be there... BE THERE... 00:20:13.80\00:20:16.98 Don't be somewhere else when you need to be there. 00:20:17.18\00:20:21.04 Or don't run when you see the tough times coming. Wow! 00:20:21.24\00:20:24.11 Yeah, I guess we can create some moments, can't we? 00:20:24.21\00:20:28.14 Things can come up all of a sudden that I need to do 00:20:28.34\00:20:31.02 because I'm uncomfortable. There's going to come a time 00:20:31.12\00:20:34.65 in a marriage, and we'll talk about that along the way, 00:20:34.75\00:20:38.68 when there are no more children to occupy your time 00:20:38.78\00:20:42.58 or when there's retirement or a job. 00:20:42.69\00:20:45.15 What's going to happen then if you haven't made a commitment 00:20:45.35\00:20:48.65 now - exactly - to love the person you're with 00:20:48.75\00:20:51.99 and that you are in love with and creating those special 00:20:52.02\00:20:57.03 moments for? Better yet, in like with. 00:20:57.14\00:20:59.43 In like with as well as in love - yes - with. 00:20:59.63\00:21:01.91 OK. Well, that takes care of that. What's next? 00:21:02.11\00:21:04.29 Humor! Ahhh, I can understand that! 00:21:04.49\00:21:08.89 Can you now? Oh, yeah! Laughter makes the heart 00:21:09.10\00:21:12.29 grow merrier. Yes, and life is serious. 00:21:12.39\00:21:16.97 Um-hmm. But we sometimes take ourselves far too 00:21:17.17\00:21:19.80 seriously, and so consequently 00:21:19.90\00:21:23.20 there's not a lot of laughter 00:21:23.30\00:21:25.34 and humor in our relationships. 00:21:25.44\00:21:28.01 And sometimes Christians are very, very poor at humor. 00:21:28.21\00:21:33.24 Oh, really? Yes! 00:21:33.44\00:21:35.57 Because I think they don't think God has a sense of humor. 00:21:35.77\00:21:38.77 Well, I think that is too bad because I love to laugh. 00:21:39.07\00:21:43.97 I love to have a merry heart 00:21:44.07\00:21:47.20 and to have an enjoyable time. 00:21:47.40\00:21:49.61 I guess I see too many 00:21:49.71\00:21:51.93 Christians who don't look very happy to begin with. 00:21:52.03\00:21:56.19 I think you're right. But, you know, I know that 00:21:56.39\00:21:58.42 God has a sense of humor 00:21:58.52\00:22:00.06 because I look at myself every morning in the mirror. 00:22:00.16\00:22:02.74 And you laugh? Oh, definitely! 00:22:02.94\00:22:04.86 And I know God must too! You think He laughs with you? 00:22:05.06\00:22:07.21 Oh, yes. And relationships that don't have a sense of humor 00:22:07.31\00:22:12.31 are in trouble. OK. Now, there are a lot of things that are 00:22:12.41\00:22:16.18 to be said about that because they are beginning to discover 00:22:16.38\00:22:18.99 even among physical science, MD's, 00:22:19.19\00:22:23.97 as well as those who are in the social sciences, 00:22:24.17\00:22:28.40 that there are things that are emitted in our system 00:22:28.50\00:22:34.29 when our brain is happy. 00:22:34.39\00:22:37.49 You mean endorphins? 00:22:37.89\00:22:40.76 Endorphins, yes. Yeah! 00:22:40.96\00:22:42.85 Things that we work hard trying to get so we feel good. 00:22:43.05\00:22:45.89 You can have them for free... just laugh! 00:22:46.09\00:22:48.42 That's right! They are also a healing potion. Yes. 00:22:48.52\00:22:53.00 I have seen situations that have been very difficult, 00:22:53.13\00:22:55.35 and when a couple has at least one of them in there who is 00:22:55.45\00:22:59.01 willing to make light of themselves - 00:22:59.11\00:23:01.13 never make light of the other person - 00:23:01.23\00:23:02.85 exactly - you make light of yourself - then you are able to 00:23:02.95\00:23:07.34 recover quite well, quite gracefully, 00:23:07.44\00:23:11.19 when you are handling something very sensitive 00:23:11.29\00:23:13.92 and very difficult. And to laugh together is the beginning of 00:23:14.02\00:23:19.35 that relationship all over again. It creates something 00:23:19.45\00:23:21.54 brand new that's very special. That's right. 00:23:21.64\00:23:23.69 And the fourth component is one that I think we very often 00:23:23.89\00:23:29.41 forget, and that's flexibility. 00:23:29.51\00:23:31.74 Because it means no one gets everything they want 00:23:31.94\00:23:35.63 all of the time. Now I lived in a house 00:23:35.73\00:23:39.00 with two sisters. I know that. 00:23:39.10\00:23:42.31 I couldn't have made it out if I tried to get my way 00:23:42.51\00:23:45.46 all the time. Well, I think that when we first got married 00:23:45.56\00:23:49.94 I had a few things to learn... being kind of the only... 00:23:50.04\00:23:54.84 And... One of the only children. 00:23:55.05\00:23:59.02 Yes. My parents raised two only children. They were kind of 00:23:59.12\00:24:01.62 confused, and being kind of strong-willed with someone 00:24:01.72\00:24:05.88 else who was quietly... Are you strong-willed? 00:24:05.98\00:24:08.48 Oh, yes. Oh, my. And you, too! 00:24:08.58\00:24:10.79 Oh, am I? Just quietly so! Oh, OK. 00:24:10.89\00:24:13.52 It was kind of a tug-of-war for us there for a while. 00:24:13.73\00:24:17.25 Um-hmm. But I learned that if we were going to be in this 00:24:17.45\00:24:20.83 marriage for more than 5 minutes nobody was going to get 00:24:20.93\00:24:24.96 everything they wanted all of the time. 00:24:25.06\00:24:27.25 Well, let's count the cost. That 5 minutes has turned into 00:24:27.45\00:24:30.90 40 years, and I think I've gotten enough of what I needed 00:24:31.00\00:24:36.57 because, of course, I've gotten you... and that was a bonus! 00:24:36.60\00:24:39.97 Hmmm. I wasn't born with you. I was given that as a gift, 00:24:40.17\00:24:42.98 remember? Yes. So we have something special 00:24:43.08\00:24:46.54 to give to each other if we will allow that... 00:24:46.64\00:24:49.59 You are saying if we would allow the other person to 00:24:49.79\00:24:52.49 get their way, we create a joy and a satisfaction 00:24:52.59\00:24:56.02 in seeing the other person joyful and happy and receiving 00:24:56.12\00:25:00.74 for a change. It's better to give than to receive. 00:25:01.04\00:25:06.96 It sounds like a spiritual principle... yes... 00:25:07.07\00:25:09.12 that fits right in here. And those kinds of moments 00:25:09.22\00:25:12.17 create intimacy. Isn't that right? 00:25:12.27\00:25:14.51 They definitely do. 00:25:14.61\00:25:16.03 And you certainly can't have humor if you don't have 00:25:16.13\00:25:18.65 flexibility. Well, you know, with the humor, 00:25:18.75\00:25:23.46 with the flexibility - sometimes getting your way, 00:25:23.56\00:25:26.72 sometimes the other person getting their way - it sounds 00:25:26.82\00:25:30.52 like we are giving gifts to each other on a regular basis. 00:25:30.65\00:25:33.49 Something good and very special 00:25:33.59\00:25:35.34 that creates an intimate setting. 00:25:35.44\00:25:38.54 Now, we haven't talked a lot about sex, but I can imagine 00:25:38.74\00:25:42.40 that with all of those four elements and a real commitment 00:25:42.50\00:25:45.81 to marriage going, that it wouldn't take too much, 00:25:45.91\00:25:49.16 would it, for the sexuality to be increased? 00:25:49.27\00:25:52.09 Sex is a natural gift out of those four components. Ahhh. 00:25:52.29\00:25:56.08 Because a relationship that is built on true intimacy 00:25:56.28\00:26:00.66 then sex is a natural gift. 00:26:00.76\00:26:03.39 So, the sexuality rises out of those elements of intimacy 00:26:03.59\00:26:08.77 and because sexual intimacy that is par excellence; 00:26:08.87\00:26:13.65 It is on a level above and beyond most. 00:26:13.85\00:26:16.90 Yes. All right. Well, that's something worth working toward, 00:26:17.10\00:26:19.50 don't you think? I think so! 00:26:19.70\00:26:20.85 We can work on it together. 00:26:20.95\00:26:21.95 Let's pray together and ask God for help in developing 00:26:22.05\00:26:26.07 an intimacy that God would approve of. 00:26:26.18\00:26:29.55 Loving Father in Heaven: Thank you so much 00:26:29.75\00:26:32.26 for our being able to share with one another and 00:26:32.36\00:26:35.25 give to one another and exercise these elements of intimacy 00:26:35.35\00:26:39.62 because we want most of all to be intimate with you 00:26:39.82\00:26:43.82 but we also want to share that with one another 00:26:43.92\00:26:46.40 and create a wonderful marriage. 00:26:46.50\00:26:49.31 Thank you so much for your love, 00:26:49.51\00:26:51.10 In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. 00:26:51.30\00:26:55.01 We hope that you have been able to sit next to that person 00:26:56.33\00:27:01.72 that you are in a relationship with while we have been 00:27:01.82\00:27:04.70 talking about some of these things... some of them 00:27:04.80\00:27:07.41 happening in our lives... but we are sure that some of them 00:27:07.51\00:27:10.39 have happened in yours. It's good to go back and talk 00:27:10.49\00:27:13.34 about some of those moments because you have had them. 00:27:13.44\00:27:16.41 But putting them together intentionally in order to create 00:27:16.52\00:27:20.33 an intimate environment will help to re-create your marriage. 00:27:20.43\00:27:25.65 So, let's re-define intimacy. 00:27:25.85\00:27:28.26 Let's take it away from Hollywood. 00:27:28.36\00:27:29.79 Let's give it to Christ and make Him the center of our joy. 00:27:29.89\00:27:34.20 And then His joy will become our joy. 00:27:34.30\00:27:37.84 We are hoping for the joyful reunion of your marriage 00:27:38.04\00:27:42.81 with Christ. 00:27:42.91\00:27:45.49