Just below is a brief quiz I ran across that I like to give at couples retreats and conferences.  I think it is best for the Husband and Wife to sit down and each give an answer to to the questions one at a time.  I have often administered it to a group where the Husband and Wife both fill out their form.  Then I like to give them time to talk over the areas where they agree that they fall short and then to honestly and with a good spirit talk about the areas where their evaluation differs.  The goal is to honestly communicate with each other and discover areas where they were oblivious to their spouse’s difference of opinion.  Then they can discuss how to come together and improve their understanding of the other’s needs and incorporate some things that will strengthen their marriage.

Perhaps this will be a help to some couples that read this blog and to some pastors who are counseling couples.  May the dear Lord strengthen our homes with solid marriages.  I believe where there is life there is hope.

For Christ and for Souls,

Lonnie Mattingly – John 15:8

“ Is Your Marriage What You, Your Mate, And The Lord Want It To Be ? “

           Love,   Something everybody talks about.   Something everybody wants to be in on.  The majority of couples fail to find fulfillment in their marriage.  It is predicted that Two-Thirds of all marriages will end in divorce.  About Two million parents each year learn that their unmarried daughter is pregnant.  To cover this up One and One-half million babies are aborted.  One reason for this tragedy is that parents fail to give their children a healthy marriage role model.

In the following quiz you should be able to answer “yes” to all the questions.  If you cannot, there will be a need to give attention to the areas of failure.

1. IS YOUR MATE YOUR BEST FRIEND ?                                          YES____ NO____

2. ARE YOU AND YOUR MATE GOOD CONVERSATIONALISTS ? YES ____NO ____

3. DO YOU AVOID CITICIZING YOUR MATE ?                                    YES____ NO____

 4. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DIE FOR YOUR MATE?                YES____ NO____

5. DO YOU ATTEND CHURCH WITH YOUR MATE?                           YES____NO____

6. DO YOU HAVE THE SAME PURPOSE IN LIFE ?                             YES____NO____

7. ARE YOU GROWING  SPIRITUALLY ?                                              YES____NO____

8. DO  YOU AGREE ON EARNING, SAVING, INVESTMENT,                           SPENDING AND GIVING MONEY?                                                       YES____NO____

9. DO YOU HAVE THE SAME CIRCLE OF FRIENDS ?                        YES____NO____

10. DO YOU ALWAYS STAND UP FOR YOUR  MATE ?                       YES____NO____           

11. ARE  YOU IN SEXUAL HARMONY ?                                                YES____NO____

12. ARE YOU IN HARMONY IN RAISING YOUR KIDS ?                      YES____NO____

13. DO YOU RESPECT EACH OTHER’S INDIVIDUALITY ?                YES____NO____

14. DO YOU SHOW YOUR MATE ENOUGH AFFECTION ?                YES____NO____

15. DO YOU AND YOUR MATE HAVE DEVOTIONS TOGETHER?    YES____NO____

16. DO YOU GO ON DATES ?                                                                 YES____NO____

 17. DO YOU PLAN VACATIONS BOTH WILL ENJOY ?                       YES____NO____

18. DOES YOUR MATE POSSESS ALL OF YOU ?                               YES____NO____

19. IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP GROWING                                              YES____NO____

20. DO YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT YOUR MATE ?                            YES____NO____