Secret #90 Ooo-La-La Principle--Part 2

In workshop settings I ask people to list their most important priorities. I often get something like this:
1. God
2. Family
3. Work

As sincere and thoughtful as this list is, it violates the Ooo-La-La Principle: Besides God, there is nothing more important than your spouse.

So what's wrong with the above list? It puts your kids on an even level of importance with your spouse. Don't get me wrong... I'm reallly found of my kids... all six of them. However, if you list family as second priority, your spouse will lose out nearly everytime--because when it comes to giving time and energy--the kids win. But it's a mistake to have a kid-centric marriage. Why?

1. Because they're gonna be leaving... and that's NORMAL... but you will still want a marriage after the kids are gone. (You'd better not wait until after the kids are gone to invest time and energy in the marriage.)

2. In this age of high divorce rates, kids draw much of their personal security--not from how much you love them--but from how much you love your spouse... no joke! (Assignment for tonight: Make out with your spouse on the couch until the kids yell "GROSS!" Sure they'll act like you've damaged them for life, but they will KNOW that you love each other... and that's good for the kids.)

3. Kids should learn early that they are precious and important to you, but that the world does NOT revolve around them! (We're dealing with way too many adults right now who have never gotten the message that life is not about them. Let's not make any more.)

Therefore, I say, long live the Ooo-La-La Principle! Long live the spouse-centric marriage! Long live the Song of Solomon!

Are you ready to apply the Ooo-La-La Principle? Then click here to download the six message series from Tommy Nelson on the Song of Solomon.

Or, if you have iTunes and would rather download these as a podcast, type the words "Denton Bible Church" and click "Love Song" to get the entire Song of Solomon sermon series for FREE.

Secret #89 Ooo-La-La Principle--Part 1

Even if you're a casual reader of this blog, you know that this blog is NOT your ordinary how-to-squeeze-more-into-your-already-overloaded-life time management blog.

This blog is about the adventure of figuring out what is most important in life--then focusing our energies on living for that which is TRULY most important. I encourage you to smile and wave in defiance at all the lesser things screaming for your attention (even it if makes people unhappy--including church people and relatives)--and do that which is most important. (It feels good too.)

That brings me to the Ooo-La-La Principle. This principle begins with understanding that besides God, there is nothing more important than your spouse. We know this. We say this. But we obviously aren't living it. Christian marriages are falling apart at about the same pathetic rate as non-Christian marriages. Many of us who remain married aren't exactly good advertisement for the God-ordained institution of marriage (I'm speaking directly to myself here too).

But the Ooo-La-La Principle doesn't stop at acknowledging the importance of prioritizing our spouse. (Anyone can give lip service.) Instead, the Ooo-La-La Principle proactively plans for time and connection together as a couple. Yep, make no mistake about it. The Ooo-La-La Principle is all about stoking the fires of romance in your relationship--you know what I'm talking about--that whole lovey dovey thing that leaves most marriages about the time of the wedding.

And make no mistake about it--this is a time management issue! (Gasps of shock!)

Contrary to intiution, the Ooo-La-La Principle will REQUIRE two very important proactive action steps on your part: 1) time, and 2) work. Yep--it takes time and work to be a Lance Romance. (Not what you thought... is it?)

For those who dare to proactively prioritize their spouse--and give the time and work necessary, the Ooo-La-La Principle promises great benefits. And to help you step into those benefits, I want to pass along a FREE resource to help you get started on the Ooo-La-La journey with your spouse.

It's Free!
I first heard about Tommy Nelson's excellent sermon series on The Song of Solomon by listening to Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program a few years ago. I was immediately intrigued and loved the message I heard. We'll I recently searched for the complete series of six messages--and discovered they ALL can be downloaded for FREE! (Thank you God and Tommy Nelson.) So I invite you to use the links below to download the six messages and listen to them yourself. Then listen to them with your spouse--and TALK about how they might apply to your marriage (such a radical idea). Yes--it's a virtual marriage retreat... only better... because the topic is The Song of Solomon... and it's only you and your spouse! {Note to any single folks: I think a listen to these messages would be VERY helpful to you as well--as the the first two messages are "The Art of Attraction" and the "Art of Dating."}

So--are you ready to apply the Ooo-La-La Principle? Then click here to download the six message series from Tommy Nelson on the Song of Solomon.

Or, if you have iTunes and would rather download these as a podcast, type the words "Denton Bible Church" and click "Love Song" to get the entire Song of Solomon sermon series for FREE.

Secret #72 Live a Well-Planned Life

Two women met for the first time since graduating from high school. One asked the other, "You were always so organized in school. Did you manage to live a well-planned life? "

"Yes," said her friend. "My first marriage was to a millionaire; my second marriage was to an actor; my third marriage was to a preacher; and now I'm married to an undertaker."

Her friend asked, "What do those marriages have to do with a well-planned life?"

"One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go."