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Choosing To Grow Through Marriage - Interview with Meagan Frank - Part 1

8/2/2011

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Author Meagan Frank
Few topics are more important today than marriage. This loving, honorable relationship between a man and a woman was designed by God himself and is the foundation of society. Unfortunately, marriage has been downgraded by the world into a disposable partnership rather than a life-long commitment. "Till death do us part" really means "Till things get tough" to many. Weddings are easy; marriage is not.

I caught up with Meagan to talk about her new book Choosing To Grow Through Marriage. I hope you'll enjoy this 2-part interview, both in text and in video and be sure to check out the special offer to ChristianHomeChurch.com (CHC) visitors!


Who Is Meagan Frank? Explaining who I am has to start with where I am. I am a married mother of three children ages 11, 9 and 5. We live in Minnesota most of the year, but for the summers we come back to my home state of Colorado. I am a newly retired college soccer coach who has been a writer since I was seven. I have been an English teacher and a newspaper reporter as well as staying home full time with our children. I have only recently decided that I want to do who I’ve always been, and I am in the process of creating a business as a writer

Why should someone listen to you? T
hat’s a good question. I admit I am hardly a formal expert in marriage. I majored in English and minored in Education in college so what I know about marriage has all been learned outside of a classroom.  Were there even any college classes about marriage anyway? As part of my study in the Education department at Colorado College, I did study some psychology, but it was not a major emphasis.  The unique nature of our college made me innately curious. It also taught me how to ask the deeper questions, and then how to analyze the answers.
 
Maybe that’s why you should listen to me. I know I don’t know everything there is to know about marriage, but I do know some of the best places to go for answers. With the help of people smarter than me, more experienced than me and who have offered up ideas about what works and what doesn’t, I researched my way to expertise.  I read 25 titles, I interviewed 70 women ranging in age from 25-85 and I collected objective data for 170 women. I am still learning and growing through what life throws at me but the book is a great starting point.


Why This Book?  The idea for this book was a response to an on-my-knees conversation with God. I had hit a low and desperate spot in my life, and in my marriage. I pleaded with God for some help to get through it.  The motivation to research for this book was the very next thought in my head. I have felt divinely inspired all along. I feel called to make our marriage and, marriage in general, a vehicle to know God’s love and to improve on the relationships around us.
 
                         Click Here For A Special Offer from Meagan for CHC Visitors!

Why Now?  Even the publishing story of this book feels as though God’s hand has been in the mix. Until now, I wasn’t ready, and the book wasn’t ready either.  Eight years have passed since my night of prayer, but I knew all along that it was going to happen on a timeline that was not mine. I had all but given up on the book after a series of rejections and not much momentum.  TreasureLine publishing seemingly came out of nowhere, and before I knew it I was contracted to finish the book.  That was a year ago, and here I am with a physical offering to make to the world.

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Who will get the most out of this book? That has turned into a pretty funny question. I initially thought my target audience was married people (maybe most specifically women) ages 25-55. I still think that is a good age range, but maybe it is best to talk about phase of life rather than an age.  I think this book will be good for people who are truly invested in preparation for marriage…not just the wedding, but the marriage. Newlyweds who are coming down from the high of the honeymoon would likely benefit. New parents will find some great information in there about the intrusion of children, and well, I guess anyone who is interested in growing through all stages of marriage. There have been a number of men and women in their seventies (thanks to the women who were part of my research groups) who have read and enjoyed the book.  There is more than research in this book, there are analogies and anecdotal stories.  If marriage is a topic of interest, you’ll find something in this book for you.

Click Here To Go To Part 2 of this Interview

Click Here for a Special Offer To ChristianHomeChurch (CHC) Visitors and visit MeaganFrank.com for more about this fascinating author. Please leave a comment below and share this article with others!

Are you a believer who's considering marriage to an unbeliever? This article might be of interest.
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Marriage and the Bible – Be Not Unequally Yoked

3/3/2011

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What does the Bible say about marriage, you ask? It says a lot! Like many of God's plans for us, marriage is simple to understand, but not necessarily easy to live out. However, since God created the marriage relationship, and this important decision will forever impact our lives for better or worse, doing things his way is still the best. 

Here's a portion of what Jesus had to say to the Pharisees about marriage and divorce...

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Mark 10:6-9)

One man, one woman. Man cleaves to his wife. They become one flesh. That's a pretty simple plan to follow. But now we need to add an eternal perspective. Some people serve God and some don't. That's not a little thing especially since many important decisions we'll make will be based on what we believe. God knew that and commanded his people to not marry unbelievers.

What happened to Solomon thousands of years ago happens all too frequently to Christians today...

But king Solomon loved many strange women...Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.... and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
(1 Kings 11:1-4)

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Those are some haunting words.  “for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” If you're in a relationship with an unbeliever now, have you already made compromises in your walk with God? If you have, it's only the tip of the iceberg.

I remember talking with a young couple who were planning to get married. They were both brought up with very different beliefs, but at the time, neither was living their faith. I asked them point blank about that. They really didn't have a well thought out answer. I strongly cautioned them to talk that out because eventually that would become important. 

They got married and guess what? The lenses of real life have replaced the rosy glasses  and faith is a major issue. Several months have passed now, and they're expecting their first child. How much more important will faith become in raising children? Off the charts is about right.

Marriage is wonderful! It's also wonderfully difficult even under the best of circumstances. Two people heading in opposite directions spiritually is asking for trouble, arguments, and many tears. What's even worse – much worse – is that some believers will compromise their faith to appease their mate and eventually lose their soul. They'll put their spouse above the Lord.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 
(2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

Some lovely Christian women will spend more time picking out their gown then they will examining the depth of their fiancee's commitment to Christ. Ladies, the man you marry will become your head and spiritual authority that God will expect you to submit to. Have you thought that through? I write this not only to the twenty-somethings, but to you mature women of God too. Loneliness is difficult for sure, but being disobedient isn't the cure. Guard your witness and your ministry. Don't leave your first love. I know of a woman who, despite warnings from others, married the wrong man. She realized it almost immediately after the short honeymoon was over. Then, just a few months later, the right man appeared. Ouch.

Men, sex is great, but it's not everything. Underneath the curvy figure of your bride to be, are you confident there's a heart devoted to Jesus? Would you bet eternity on it? Or will prayer and Bible reading interfere with more worldly things to do? Be wise and don't set yourself up for failure. Unequally yoked marriages are more costly than you can possibly imagine especially when children become part of the picture.

I'm writing a novel that not only involves a unique approach to church fellowship, but also the interesting perils of an unequally yoked marriage. See more about that here.

Marriage and the Bible go together like a hand in glove. God's Word is full of advice and promises for a fulfilling and peaceful relationship to those who read and obey. That helpful advice actually begins before you get married. 

Choose wisely.


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    The easiest way to create a website for your church. Create your website at Weebly.com!


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