T HE A LTERNATIVE T O DIVORCE

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE “I Plan To Take Marriage Vows Seriously”  Her life was shattered by parents’ divorce  Brutal, long-lasting effects to children of divorce  Couples whose parents divorced are twice as likely to get divorced  She is committed to keep her vows Kara Adkins, DMN “Voices”

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE Letter To Editor “Her poignant account of her feelings when her parents announced their divorce is a powerful message to millions of couples in crisis. However, although statistics are available on the ill effects divorce and broken families have on innocent children, there are, I’m sure, an equal number of statistics showing that in many situations of strained marriages, everyone, including the children, is better off when the marriage comes to an end and the children no longer have to witness fighting and strife in the home. ”

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE Letter To Editor “Enduring a bad marriage can put tremendous stress and strain on parents who are trying to hold it together just for the sake of the kids, which often leads to serious health concerns and less effective parenting. Finally, a message to Kara: Everyone hopes that their marriage will be the perfect love story and plans to make their vows last. But no one can comprehend the challenges of marriage and all that goes along with it until they are in the midst of it themselves.” Dallas Morning News

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE Letter To Editor Alternatives:  Continue to live in a loveless, hopeless, joyless marriage  Divorce There Is Another Alternative!

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE The Bible’s Five Marriage Rules  Husbands and wives are to love one another Eph. 5:25-28; Titus 2:4; 1 Cor. 13:4-7  Wives are to submit to their husbands, and husbands are to honor their wives Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Pet. 3:7

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE The Bible’s Five Marriage Rules  Husbands and wives are to work together to provide for each other’s physical needs and desires 1 Cor. 7:2-5

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE The Bible’s Five Marriage Rules  Under no circumstances is either mate allowed to go outside their marriage for affection that God has placed exclusively in their marriage relationship Heb. 13:4; Mat. 19:9

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE The Bible’s Five Marriage Rules  Marriage is a lifetime commitment, and divorce for any reason other than sexual immorality is forbidden Mat. 19:6

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE God’s Rules Work!  Love brings joy  Selflessness brings joy  Fidelity brings joy If One Or Both Are Not Committed To God’s Rules? PROBLEMS!

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE A Miserable Marriage? Answer is not:  Divorce  Keep the miserable marriage going for the sake of the kids Answer is:  Love your partner, fulfill your role, give yourself completely to your mate

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE “But what if my mate refuses to abide by God’s rules?” The 1 Pet. 2:18-24 Principle: It is not about what THEY do, it is about what YOU do.

THEALTERNATIVETODIVORCE “But what if my mate refuses to abide by God’s rules?” The 1 Pet. 4:12-13 Principle: Be willing to suffer for a little while now, and you will be glad with exceeding joy for eternity.