This month’s theme is “Pierce my heart for marriage” and our key scripture is Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage is to be held in honor among all…” The Bible is clear on what love is, and how we are to treat our spouses (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19). But, notice the first verse again. It does not say, “Marriage is to be held in honor among married people” or “Marriage is to be held in honor among those who think they want to get married someday,” but, instead, “Marriage is to be held in honor among all” (emphasis mine).
So, what does it mean to honor marriage? Dictionary.com defines honor as “high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank.” Do you have high respect for the married couples you know, and for your future marriage?
Honor married couples
It can be easy to forsake the command of honoring marriage without even realizing it. Married couples are to make their decisions together, jointly, and as a team. If one of our parents says no to something, and we go to the other parent to try to get what we want, we are asking them to become divided as a couple, and we are not honoring that marriage.
If we treat married couples with kindness and gentleness even when we don’t fully understand the decisions they make, then chances are we respect and honor them. If we gossip about them, are rude to one or both of the spouses, judge their decisions, secretly want the husband to notice us, or do anything else that is potentially harmful to their relationship, then we are not honoring their marriage, which is, in turn, sinning against God.
Honor your future marriage
We need to be careful to not only honor the marriages of those around us, but to also honor our future marriage by having godly relationships now, and by keeping ourselves pure for our future husbands (1 Corinthians 7:1-4), praying that they will also remain pure for us.
Apply it
This month, as we’re concentrating on having our hearts pierced for marriage, check the condition of your heart. Are you honoring the marriages of those around you? If not, pray for forgiveness, go to the couple you’ve been dishonoring to ask the forgiveness of both spouses, and strive to do better in the future. Marriage is a gift from God (Genesis 2:22-24), so make sure that you’re honoring all marriages – yours or not.
By Davonne Parks
The 
Today is the last day to submit photos of your sand creations for use in our 
Since I’m not married, I asked several older ladies who have been married to Christian husbands what some of the benefits are to being married to a sincere Christian husband, and I’m going to share some of their answers with you, along with advice they offered for how to have a happy marriage.
5) Your life goals are more likely to match up, both for marriage and raising children.
Whether you’re a bride, a bridesmaid, or someone who’d like to help the wedding party with your talents, knowing how to give someone (or yourself) a formal hairstyle can come in handy.
With half of all marriages ending in divorce, most of you have either been directly or indirectly affected by it. In my group of friends in school, I was the only one whose parents were not divorced. I will admit, when my friends bragged about having two birthdays (and two of every holiday), I would get a little jealous. However, I didn’t realize the pain that having two of everything can cause in other aspects of their lives.
As Christians, we all sin. So, as children, it is important to realize that our parents may make mistakes. They may have problems in their marriage. Those problems are no reflection on the children. And, although many children find it difficult to accept the thought of their parents living separately, it is something that needs to be worked out between the parents. It will be hard at times to not get caught in the middle, going back and forth between the two. But, remember that although they may not like or love each other anymore, what they say about each other does not have to control how you feel about them. They are still your parents 
I do not want anyone to feel like I think I am perfect. I am not. I am aware of my weaknesses. I also know my strengths. Frank and I were just unequally yoked 
Many couples come to the point where they feel unappreciated and even rejected by their partners. After a certain point in a relationship couples tend to stop doing what they did when they first started dating, such as surprising each other with presents; it could even be a simple thing like not saying as often how much they care about each other. Keeping a relationship strong is very important to us. Hoping isn’t going to help unless both people are willing to put forth effort. It’s important to put God first, and each-other second. It means you have to sacrifice some things, but in the end you’ll find that it’s worth everything you put into it. The love and companionship of a godly spouse could be all the reward you need.
As a couple, you need to take time to look back together and talk about your shared memories. The sharing of memories will create the feeling of warmth, affection, and love between each other. The sharing of memories can be done verbally, such as saying, “Remember that one time when we were playing football together and I blind-sided you and took you out.” Shared memories can also be visual, like looking through old picture albums at the treasured memories that are captured in the pictures or watching recorded videos you’ve made together—these can bring you closer together.
Whether you are a newlywed or have moved out on your own for the first time, you will need to prepare meals for yourself, your new husband, and any visitors you may have. Some of us have been fortunate enough to have our mothers or grandmothers take us into the kitchen as little girls and show us how to make many different things. Others may not have had anyone to teach them. Some people love to cook, and some people have no desire at all. Even if you had many experiences with cooking, your new husband may have grown up with very different recipes or ways to prepare them. Cooking and sharing a meal together is a great way to unwind and talk about your day, and it is very rewarding to feel like you are a blessing to your husband, family, or visitors. “She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household and a portion for her maidservants” (Proverbs 31:15, NKJV). While some of our most memorable times are around the dinner table, preparing meals can become stressful, and having some basic tips can help to alleviate that stress.
As with the kitchen supplies, there are always certain ingredients you should keep on hand. Butter, eggs, milk, flour, sugar, salt, pepper, broths, cooking oil/spray, vegetables, fruits, and frozen meats are some common items that are used in recipes. Once you have an idea of what kinds of meals you will be preparing, create a list of all of the meals you know how to make and that you like. Always keep the basic ingredients stocked in your kitchen, as well as items needed to prepare the meals on your “master list.” Once you have your list of meals, you can even sit down and plan out your meals for each day of the week using that master list. Making 
You may find yourself entertaining more often, and the more you entertain, the better you will become. When deciding what to prepare, keep in mind who is coming, whether it is to be a casual affair or a special celebration, where and when it will take place, and what your budget is. Always plan your main dish first, and remember to complement with side dishes. Make sure the flavors go together. A strongly flavored main dish needs a more mild side dish. If the meal is on the heavy side, try a lighter dessert. People will expect lighter dishes for breakfast and lunch and more hearty dinners. Consider hot foods and rich desserts in fall and winter and fresh, cool dishes in the summer. If there are multiple dishes that need to go into the oven at different temperatures, reconsider some of your options to include dishes that can be served cold, ones that can be served at room temperature, and ones that need to be served hot. Remember to stay organized and relaxed. People are coming over to spend time with you and have a good time. You do not need to impress them with exotic feasts, but serve good food that you enjoy, and your guests are sure to enjoy their time with you. “And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you…”(Genesis 27:4, NKJV).
We all grew up in different houses, and so, we all have different concepts of what cleaning is. Some may think even a smidgen of dust is dirty, while others don’t even notice if there’s a layer on every surface. Whatever your preference––or ability to tolerate––it’s nice to have 
Indoor broom
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