25/05/2014
Laurie and I are going to do this next week. A vision retreat. This is great stuff. Here's what a vision retreat is...
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One of the most profound things that has impacted our marriage is the idea of taking a vision retreat every year. It's a time when Karen and I get away together for several days to talk, pray, and just enjoy each others' company.
During this time, we communicate about children, finances, schedule, s*x, everything. We focus on God's purpose for our marriage. A vision retreat helps us rediscover and recommit to this every year. Here are five virtues of vision:
1. Clarity: How can you be successful if you don't know what you're trying to accomplish? God never creates anything to operate in confusion, so He will speak to you and show you His purpose for both of you if you'll let Him.
2. Energy: Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Then the Lord answered me and said, write the vision and make it plain on tablets that he may run who reads it." It's hard to get excited about something that's poorly defined. When you give definition to a vision, it creates passion, energy, and excitement.
3. Purity: Without vision, people cast off restraint (Proverbs 29:18). They live in sin. When you don't have a vision, you let negative thoughts guide you because you don't know what you're supposed to do.
Before I had a vision for my life, I was just trying not to mess up or fail in my marriage. My focus was on what I shouldn't do rather than on what I should be doing. Now I know what I need to do: to serve Karen, to love her, to meet her needs, to trust God, to make a difference in other people's lives. I have a purity of purpose.
4. Unity: The word division means "two visions." In marriage, we fight because we don't see eye to eye. One of us looks in one direction and one is looking in another direction. Our heads are turned opposite ways. Only if we have a single vision will we be looking and walking together.
In Luke 11:17, Jesus said "A house divided against itself will fall." You cannot succeed when you have division in marriage.
5. Victory: Again, Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction." Blessing, success, and victory arrive when we have vision, or revelation, for our lives and marriage. We must understand that God's purpose for us is relationship.
All of these things—clarity, energy, purity, unity, and victory—can result from a marriage vision retreat. This annual practice will transform your marriage.
Here are the rules: Once every year, get away for three to five days without the kids. Go camping. Go to a resort. Go anywhere you won't be distracted.
Spend half of each day praying and talking, and half of each day having fun together. Discuss the big issues between you. Be open about the things you each need to improve on, but also be sure to praise each other, too.
Most importantly, spend the time surrendering your marriage to God. On any issue, it's not about winning, but about surrendering.
Do this every year, and your marriage cannot help but grow stronger. Rediscover and recommit to God's vision for you. You'll become two people with a single focus, walking together in agreement.
Blessings,
Jimmy Evans
For more about this topic, watch this week's show!
(http://marriagetoday.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5f31d973b4be22dc134484a78&id=02e014da03&e=69de54af63)
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