In the fifth episode of this series of Marriage Matters, Andy B and Jo take a look at making decisions as a couple. This is not always easy and can cause arguments and be a source of difficulty - like the song says, ‘This indecision’s bugging me!’

Andy and Jo as usual share their own experiences and bring some light-hearted humour involving ham sandwiches and movie reviews to what is a serious subject with responsibility.

This week, Andy B steers us through this subject of decision making together, by focusing our thoughts on the wisdom and guidance found in James, including:

• James 4:13-17  

The Take Away

Andy

Andy notes that there are times when we can’t always make decisions to give – day to day or for seasons for many different reasons including illness, but that once that season, situation has changed we need to go back to decision making together with God,

Jo

Jo noted how the scripture from James 4: 13-17 was headed Warning against self-confidence and could see that if we were not careful we could be so determined in our decision making that we could become selfish and not think about others in our family.

Andy and Jo remind us of the importance of seeking God’ guidance in decision making.

Andy B and Jo

In the fourth episode of this series of Marriage Matters, Andy B and Jo take a look at praying together as a couple. This seems to be the right thing to do but where does it say to pray together in the bible?

Andy and Jo as usual share their own experiences and note advice given to them by Grandparents who shared that couples who do things together, stay together and Jo concluded this to include prayer!

This week, Andy B steers us through this subject of praying together, by focusing our thoughts on the wisdom and guidance found in:

- Philippians 4: 6-9

The Take Away

Andy

Andy noted that if we focus on God and we pray we are less likely to fall out and we will find peace – who doesn’t want that!

Jo

Jo was convinced by the end of this week’s discussion on praying together that it was something the bible encouraged because we are told to pray without ceasing.

Andy B and Jo

In the third episode of this series of Marriage Matters, Andy B and Jo take a look at the subject of things that might cause disagreement in our relationships. Let’s face it we can’t always agree on everything and that could mean arguments, heated discussions, or challenging communications.

At times in our marriages, we need to manage our differences in opinions and deal with our different approaches to life. There is probably no end to what we might disagree on and nay include subjects like politics, money, parenting and food choices to name but a few!

This week, Andy B reads finds wisdom to tackle divisive issues and reads:

• Proverbs 20:3
• 2 Timothy 2: 23-24
• James 4:4:1-3
• Ephesians 4:26

The Take Away

Andy

Andy noted the importance of taking time out to be with God for a finite period of time when arguments are not being resolved or are escalating.

Jo

Jo was struck but how much wisdom and guidance can be found in the bible to assist us in dealing with conflict and issues in relationships.

Andy B and Jo

Andy B and Jo continue in this new series of Marriage Matters improving the format further – just a few tweaks! In this second episode, Andy B and Jo take a look at when life gets hectic, when there might be too much going on and it might be difficult to find time for your spouse.

Times of busyness can cause problems and you may feel distant from each other in marriage, or it can bring you together as you do life together through the ups and downs and hectic happenings.

This week, Andy B reads from the book of Mathew, perhaps some familiar verses calling us to go to Jesus and find rest in Him.

• Mathew 11:28-30

The Take Away

Andy

Andy gives us a handy tip to ‘front load’ which means get things done ahead of time so when stuff comes in, we can handle it!

Jo

Jo highlights the importance of prayer in helping us through the busy times and staying strong together as a couple. And Jo notes we can cause our own busyness and to be careful of that.

Andy and Jo

Andy B and Jo are back for another brand new and improved format of Marriage Matters. In this first episode in this series of Marriage Matters, Andy B and Jo take a look at free time within our marriages – noting the importance of investing time with our spouses.

Andy highlights the importance of quality not quantity when it comes to time we have with each other. 

This week, Andy B reads from Ecclesiastes, which talks about there being a time for everything:

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

The Take Away

Andy

Our children will thank us when we invest time into our marriages as a priority and above time with families.

Jo

We need to prayer and think seriously about the time we have and how to spend it and not let life just happen or let precious time pass us by.

Andy and Jo

Andy B and Jo are back for more Marriage Matters. They said they would be back and here they are - back with more matters about marriage that matter because marriage matters, as Andy B so succinctly manages to say each week (or not)!

As usual Andy and Jo share their thoughts and personal experiences as they consider why Marriage is the way to go and seek to dispel the myths about marriage that make you think of marriage in a negative way. Andy B and Jo do their best to extol the virtues of marriage which wasn’t as difficult as it sounds as the research seems to back them up!

Andy and Jo have chosen three short verses from scripture to aid us in discovering what the bible says about marriage:

• Genesis 2:24
• Ephesians 5:25 
• Proverbs 31:10

Tips and Resources

• Read Song of Songs in the bible – a celebration of marriage
• Read about the marriages in the bible, for example Abraham and Sarah or Joseph and Mary and learn from them.
• Take matters in marriage to God in prayer not into your hands like Abraham and Sarah did
• Be flexible, marriage like life does not always go the way you want.

The Take Away

Jo sees the importance of marriage and how it has been designed by God and is good. Jo also sees the benefits of staying with the same partner in marriage, getting to know each other, learning about each other, and finding comfort, safety and peace in this.

Andy reflects how God made marriage for a reason, and the marriage He designed in Genesis, as He was creating the world – and people! - was REALLY good, and really good for society as a whole.

Andy and Jo 

Or we could call this one "2 + 1 =5"

Andy and Jo are thinking about how 2 become one, 2 halves make a whole, 2 become one flesh, 1 + 1 = 1, or is it 2 + 1 = 5? You will just have to join Andy and Jo to find out what this maths is all about!

To put it more simply, when making a marriage commitment, you go from being just you and from this Day Forward, as they say, you are a couple, a pair, married persons.

What does this mean for us as individuals? 

How will are faith, prayer life, Christian walk be affected?

What happens to me, I, Moi….? 

Jo and Andy open up about some of the challenges they faced and what worked.

Andy and Jo

Andy and Jo kick off this brand-new series of Marriage Matters, looking at how we keep going and they go there – they talk openly about the D word – Divorce!

No way, I hear you cry - and the unmentionable on the first episode as well! 

How can Andy and Jo talk about a lasting marriage, and Divorce, in the same episode, in the same sentence – this all sounds like Marriage Madness, not Marriage Matters. Or is it?

Join Andy and Jo to see what we can do to go the distance – ‘til death do us part’. Tune in to see for yourself what Andy and Jo do with the D Word. 

What would you do? 

How do you keep going? 

What’s your plan?

Do you have a Plan B, if so, does it detract from Plan A?

Andy and Jo