Dear MarriageWorks readers

What fascinating days we live in! So much is happening so quickly that we can easily get lost in the clouds of confused information getting pitched at us.  How much we need to take a deep breath and settle down, remembering there is a Great, Almighty God in ultimate charge, although sometimes we may wonder why He doesn’t put a stop to the messes, and step in to run it right!  Well, one day He will.

In the meantime we need all the godly advice and common sense available to us. In this issue we’ve tried to gather some of that again.

Number one issue for many right now is the housing market. Should we buy now? Rent awhile longer? Live with parents? Buy a tent??? There are some very practical guidelines in Phil McGilvray’s continuing financial counsel.

Have we lost track of the True Guidelines for living – the ones from God’s Word, the Bible?  We’ve tried to de-fuzz some fuzzy thinking about family responsibility, and the McBurneys have sensibly addressed another issue, pornography.  Why is it such a trap for some, and what can be done to sort out the hurt and damage of addiction?

One of our favourite older, classic marriage counsellors used to urge us to each become ‘students of your spouse’. Jack and Carol Mayhall echo that call, reminding us that it takes time to build an understanding relationship. Talking deeply and honestly about our inner selves is a great way to lessen tension and misunderstanding. Don’t forget to listen at least 50% of the time!!

Linda Munoz-Scott is having a wonderful time learning about being a first-time mum, and shares some of the good and the hard. Who ever said raising a family was a constant whiff of beautiful smelling baby powder?  Rene picks up on that – admitting that sometimes it’s really tough. But there are tiny nuggets in every bucket of muck when you are panning for gold. Precious moments and memories amongst all the mundane and difficult in family life.

Well, once again – Happy Reading!

Jim and Grace Vine
Editors