15 Minute Marriage

Ronda Lizzette Cormier

Description

As relaxed views about marriage evolve the question, "Is marriage designed to last forever?" begs to be answered. Marriage can last a lifetime or be nothing more than a 15 minute plight.

A living breathing organism, marriage must be nurtured. But an enemy has come to kill marriage. It is divorce. A living death, divorce destroys marriage.

Regardless of the pain and heartache, that comes with divorce, more and more couples are contemplating it or opting out of marriage altogether. But is this God's plan?"

An insightful discussion of God's perspective on love, marriage, divorce and relationships is shared through the practical precepts in "15 Minute Marriage". This simplistic guide will help those seeking marriage and relationship to:

* Identify "the one" God has created for them to marry
* Embrace God's ideal solution when preparing for marriage
* Understand the attributes needed to maintain healthy marriages and relationships
* Overcome the setbacks that lead to stumbling blocks in marriage
* Identify and avoid attacks that come against marriage relationships
* Cultivate and nurture marriage relationships

Sound, creative and informative "15 Minute Marriage" is based on testimonials and triumphs of those who have survived the impact of divorce and the difficulties of relationships. Sincere and honest "15 Minute Marriage" provides a message that inspires readers to overcome the challenges, fight the battles and achieve the victory in their marriages and relationships.

Sujets

• Vie de famille
• Relations familiales
• Philosophie et théologie
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 27 septembre 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9780983815914
• Langue: English

Extrait

15 MINUTE MARRIAGE
Copyright © 2012 by Ronda Lizzette Cormier
All rights reserved
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references in this book are from the King James Version (KJV).
Other Scripture references are from the following sources:
Amplified Bible (AMP), Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1964, 1965, 1987. Used by permission of The Lockman Foundation.
The Message (MSG), Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
New International Version (NIV). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984. International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
New Living Translation (NLT). Copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
The New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or storing information in a retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
The stories and characters in this book are fictional and not related to any specific event or individual.
Published by:
R.I.S.E. Publications
Post Office Box 38
Stafford, Texas 77497
Email: [e-mail]
Converted to eBook format by eBookIt.com
http://www.eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-0-9838-1591-4
 


 
 
This book is dedicated to
God
The author and finisher of our faith…
 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ronda Lizzette Cormier is a writer, actress, litigator, speaker, teacher and certified Christian counselor. Ms. Cormier graduated Cum Laude from Xavier University of Louisiana, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Pre-Law and History. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After graduation, Ms. Cormier maintained a private practice focused on family, personal injury and estate law. She currently serves the federal government as a civil rights attorney.
 
Foreword
By
Scott Davenport, Ph.D.
Marriage & Family Therapist
Marriage is a covenant relationship entered into between one man and one woman for the purpose of the two becoming one flesh. This oneness enables them to rule according to their created design. God created male and female and gave them the right to rule in the earth. As each person commits to the welfare and wellbeing of the other, each spouse learns the value of selfless living.
If this is true, why is it then that half of all marriages end in divorce and an even larger percentage of the population are opting to cohabitate or remain single? What is the problem? For most, it is the marriage commitment. They fear it will bring loss of personal freedom.
In God’s original design for marriage, divorce was not an option. The husband and wife were to live in this vital union until death separated them. However, in today’s society, with the motto being “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” more and more people are opting to remain single or cohabitate to ensure personal security.
The Bible says it is not good for man to be alone. We are created to be social beings and it is through the marriage union that mankind is to procreate, fill the earth and rule over it. In order to rule over others, men and women must first learn to rule over themselves and this should take place prior to the union called marriage. For it is the ability to control one’s self that enables them to rule the world.
 



Married for over thirty-five years and serving as a Marriage & Family Therapist, I share with couples that the key to a healthy marriage is to always remember that at the core of the relationship is self-less giving. In other words, we should go into the relationship with a heart to give before we seek to receive. A believer’s interest must shift from selfish desires to the needs of their spouse. Marriage is a relationship of commitment. Its primary purpose is not personal happiness but fulfilling God’s purpose, learning to control self and giving to the other person.
In 15 Minute Marriage, Ronda tackles age old dilemmas and destroys the mythical ideas regarding marriage while defining the context of its original purpose. I applaud her simplistic, but insightful view on marriages and relationships.
As believers read her work, I pray that they will allow it to shape or reshape preconceived notions about marriage and embrace the truth of this divine institution and the positive value it brings to our society and the world. Also, I pray they will understand the purpose of marriage, how to choose a mate and how to navigate through some of the difficulties that married couples encounter so that they can sustain their marriages for a lifetime while learning to walk in dominion, authority and power. For this is the “true” heritage of the saints.
 
Acknowledgements
I am a truly blessed woman. Throughout my life God has favored me. For this I am eternally grateful. Humbled by God’s choice to use me as His vessel, I thank Him for revealing to me my purpose in life and giving me the grace to pursue it. It is His grace that has equipped me to do this work. I am grateful for the people He sent to support and encourage me with words of affirmation that spoke the truth in love and pushed me through to the finish. These people are more than friends, they are family.
I am especially thankful to many members of my intimate circle who prayed and believed. Thank you for intriguing me with challenging questions, offering suggestions, brainstorming ideas, sharing testimonials and listening to my endless complaints. There are no words to express the depth of my appreciation for the invisible hand that pressed and encouraged me to completion without ceasing.
Many inspired me to complete the work of God, but I am especially beholden to Mrs. Hester W. White, Dr. Ra’Quel Shavers, Ms. Jacqueline Terrell and Ms. Audrey Krishell Sam. I thank them for their consistent prayer, positive reinforcement and listening ears.
I would be without excuse if I forgot to thank my pastor, Remus E. Wright. Pastor Wright’s insightful outlook enabled me to focus on the issues that believers struggle with from day-to-day. His ability to envision the concept, as it applied to the needs of believers, helped to smooth out the rough patches and greatly enhance this material. I thank God for the commitment to service in ministry displayed by Pastor Wright and his heavenly helpmate, Mia K. Wright and I pray that God will continue to bless their endeavors.
Confirmation comes to believers in many forms. There are no words to express my abounding gratitude to Dr. Scott Davenport. I am grateful that God choose to us Scott to affirm the words I heard deep in the recesses of my soul. His input enabled me to organize the principles of this book and develop the ideas and concepts into a completed work. I pray that God will continue to use Scott and his helpmate, Dr. Barbara Davenport as role models of "true" covenant marriage in our community.
Some people come into our lives and speak a word in passing that has a profound impact. The power of their words remained with me and inspired me to move forward. I am especially indebted to John “Richie” Chiles, IV for being the first to affirm me as a writer. Thanks, John for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I am obliged to remember Jennifer Basye Sander for taking time to push me, with words of encouragement that rang out, “Publish something, anything, just publish something.” Thanks, Gin for letting me know that my work was worth publishing.
Countless friends have listened to the premise of this book for years waiting anxiously for its birth. Specifically, I thank those close confidants and friends who weathered the storms with me, loved me in spite of me, believed in me and encouraged me along the way. I love you.
A constant supporter throughout my life has been my family. I acknowledge my entire family whose praying spirits kept my concerns before the throne of grace and mercy. I love each for their individual and collective expressions of hope, love and encouragement toward me. Thank you for being a testament of what God can do through a family that prays and supports one another. God is using all of us in mighty and miraculous ways. I am grateful to be a part of our clan. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for being one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me.
 
Introduction
Cable News Network (CNN) recently reported on the story of Wok Kundor, a Malaysian woman seeking to marry her twenty-third husband. More than one hundred years of age, Ms. Kundor was currently married to a thirty-seven year-old man, whom she feared had abandoned her. The story went on to say that although she was not yet divorced from husband number twenty-two, she already had her eyes set on the man she hoped would be her next conquest. It was revealed that some of her former spouses were deceased, and others she had divorced. Although the article did not reveal Ms. Kundor’s religious beliefs or her faith, the message behind this story of her journey was astounding.
As an attorney, I have represented clients, watched families and loved ones work through difficult marriages, and endured a 15 Minute Marriage of my own. After the dissolution of my marriage, I began to wonder: if believers are called to follow God’s ideals and perspectives about marriage, why are so many believers succumbing to 15 Minute Marriages ?
I wondered why marriages are lasting as few as eighteen days and no longer than ten to fifteen years. The question for me was not “Where is the love?” but rather, “Where is the staying power?” or “How do we make it last?” Finally, I wanted to know, “Why are so few marriages surviving?”
Prior to the 1960’s, most Americans considered divorce an unacceptable option. Advocates for marriage considered divorce a threat to the family dynamic. Th