Too many attractive distractions?

October 9, 2021 Michele Anastasi

Family, Making positive change, Marriage

One of the topics we’re discussing in our Sacred Marriage class this session is “marriage disciplines” or “marriage priorities” that will help strengthen and grow your relationship. One of those priorities is having a regular date night.

I’m sure you’ve heard many times that date nights are important and valuable in marriage. Yet, you probably still don’t have one, right? We asked the couples in our class “Why?” Many said they were just “too busy to fit one more thing in” their schedule. When delving a little deeper, we saw that the couples were prioritizing their jobs, their children, church activities and just about everything else above their marriage!

When a couple is over-committed and under-connected, they begin to live their marriage in stress mode.

Schedule your priorities

Are you living with too many “attractive distractions” and “confused priorities”? The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule—but to schedule your priorities. When a couple is over-committed and under-connected, they begin to live their marriage in stress mode. This is not what God had in mind when he created marriage. So we gave the couples in Sacred Marriage an exercise to do. Why not try it yourself?

Let Breaking Free Counseling help you get your marriage back on track! Call 239.244.3912 or visit our website.

First, list in order the 5 top priorities in your life, things that take up most of your time.
Now re-order your list in a way that would honor your commitment to God in your marriage. Just a little hint: God should be number one, and your spouse should be number two.

Make a meaningful connection

The benefits you’ll receive from spending “couple time” together will far outweigh the benefits you receive from your over-scheduled calendar and taking each other for granted. Statistics show that couples who don’t have at least one mutually meaningful connection a week are at greater risk for divorce.

The benefits you’ll receive from spending “couple time” together will far outweigh those from your over-scheduled calendar…

Having a regular date night helps build communication. It gives you the opportunity to stay current with each other’s lives and continue to grow together. It’s the perfect chance to relax and take a break from the everyday daily grind. A time to draw closer together and remember why you fell in love in the first place.

Here’s an advantage you may not have thought of. Going on dates is a great role model for your kids! It teaches them that the husband-and-wife relationship is important and separate from them. It was there before they were born and will be there long after they leave home to start their own lives. What an amazing gift to give your children!

It’s not the what but the why

Planning a date night doesn’t have to be a big deal. It’s spending the time together that counts. And these mate dates don’t necessarily have to involve going out. We know that couples raising young children don’t always have a reliable sitter or finances. So get creative. One idea may be to put the children to bed and get your favorite take-out delivered. Light some candles, put on romantic music and simply enjoy each other’s company.

If you’re able to go out, make a list of fun activities you’d both enjoy. Maybe a picnic at the park, a concert, a flea market, browsing a bookstore, taking a day trip… (It’s important that you both contribute to the list). Now this is the fun part: Each of you, take turns choosing from the list and plan the date to surprise your partner.

So give it a try. Set up some weekly date nights with your spouse, get creative and most importantly: Enjoy!

We love to hear from you! Won’t you take a moment to comment below?…

Family First

January 25, 2020 Gaspar Anastasi

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Family, Uncategorized

Family First (what I also call “Fighting for the Family”) was a conference we recently held here in the church. I believe that this topic is so important. It is vital to recognize that the very fiber of the structure of America and even civilization itself is based upon the family unit. Since the beginning of time, mankind has built society and every culture on the principles of one husband, one wife and the children. In other words…. The family.

Matthew 18:19&20, “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

As you can see from these verses, the Christian family fits the description of the “two or three.” That means that they have a built-in ability to have the power of God flowing in their midst. God manifests Himself in the midst of the family. God is pro-family!

Unfortunately, throughout history and especially in this hour, we see the family constantly attacked and decimated. We need to understand that Satan’s number one target is the family. He starts with the wife and the husband by trying to create division between them. If he can keep the parents fighting, the children are put in a vulnerable position. And if he can take out one or both of the parents, the children are left with an “orphan spirit.”

We have a lot of adults today that deal with an orphan spirit because their mother and father were never really in their life fulfilling their parent role. They didn’t get the nurture, love, discipline and acceptance that they needed.

Let’s fight for the family today; not just only for our own. Let’s fight for the families that are within the sphere of our influence. How do we do that?

Number one: We need to truly recognize in our heart that families are important to God.

Number two: We should always look for opportunities to encourage husbands and wives to stay in their covenant relationships. If they are struggling with physical, emotional or spiritual issues, let’s offer help to ease their burdens. We need to pray for them.

Number 3- We must reach out to children, the forgotten generation. Remember that Jesus always had children always around Him.

Mark 10:13-16, “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. He said “suffer not the little children come to me for such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Mark 9:24, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”

I think these verses say it all! Jesus wants us to care for, love and reach out to children. It is against God’s heart to say things like “children should be seen and not heard.” Our attitude has to change, our way of life has to change and the way we do church has to change. Children and families need to be the center of our attention and our focus.

Let’s fight for the family today. Let’s put it first in our hearts. Let’s put it first in our Christian life. Let’s put it first in our warfare. Let’s take back America by once again taking our families back for Jesus.…