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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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Signs of the Times Australia / NZ edition — lifestyle, health, relationships, culture, spirituality, people — published since 1886 |
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“There is nothing more noble or
more admirable than when two
people who see eye-to-eye keep
house as man and wife, confounding
their enemies and delighting their
friends,” wrote Homer in The Odyssey.
It’s somewhat amazing to realise that those words from
Homer, which I found at an Australian website promoting the family,
were written 2800 years ago! It’s just as thought provoking to realise that
some people—perhaps too many—have fallen short of such a Homeric ideal.
The fact of the matter is that, today, many people who are married aren’t
happy, certainly not as happy as they can be.
Last year in this space, I explored some ways to go online and find a special friend and perhaps end up with a marriage partner. This year, in February, the month in which love is noted on Valentine’s Day, let’s take a look at some online resources to keep the freshness sealed in your relationship.
Focus on the Family, an American Christian organisation, has an Australian branch website. You can find plenty of print and audio resources there deal with family issues, including marriage.
The site also links to another US-based site also from Focus on the Family, that offers specific advice on marriagerelated and other family problems.
Although some will frown on Focus on
the Family because it takes what some say
are controversial political positions in the
United States, their advice on family issues
is excellent, when viewed from a Christian
perspective. Make no mistake: these
people are evangelical Christians and they
stand firmly on the Bible’s doctrines for
the family. You’re not going to find much
support for immoral behaviours here, but
you will find advice on dealing with such
actions if you wish to change.
The Australian Family Association, or AFA, on whose website I found the Homer quote, seems chiefly concerned with legislative and political action aimed at strengthening family relationships, and
that is perhaps important. But their website is also filled with articles and papers on marriage issues that families can appreciate. Obviously, neither this writer nor Signs are here to proffer political views, but I can support the AFA’s overall goal of strengthening families.
The Christian world, whose faith cherishes the family as a basic unit of society,
if not of the kingdom of God, offers
many resources to strengthen families
and make life better. The Seventh-day
Adventist Church, which publishes this
magazine, offers a web page of marriage
and family resources that include
links to articles and other texts, as well
as information on seminars sponsored
by the church. These are not the only
seminars, and the Seventh-day Adventist
Church is not the only Christian
organisation that offers such help.
However, it is a good place to start.
In terms of teaching materials, I
personally favour the preaching and
teaching style of Dr Charles Swindoll,
an American minister whose “Insight for
Living” radio program is quite popular.
And while I don’t subscribe to all of his
theology, Swindoll knows what he’s
talking about in terms of marriage, since
he’s been happily wed to the same
spouse for more than half a century. His Marriage—From Surviving
to Thriving” is a useful
resource that begins with
examples of biblical couples,
good and bad.
Finally, I remind readers of
a resource I mentioned in this column
a year ago called eHarmony.com. This
online dating firm is using its technology
to help married couples with
communications and other issues. Go
to learn about their program and how it
might be able to help you.
Perhaps the most important thing to know is that in the middle of any problem—even serious marriage issues—there’s hope to be found through faith in Jesus Christ. Some situations, such as physical or sexual abuse, might be unfixable, but others—even things as tragic as an affair—can be redeemed when a situation is submitted to God’s care. God loves you—and so do your Christian neighbours. Use web resources, but allow other people to reach out and help you in your hour of need.
Mark Kellner, a veteran technology journalist, has
been happily married for 23 years to Jean. Both are
followers of Jesus.
Extract from Signs of the Times, January/February 2007.
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