Our 49-Year-Old Communication Covenant

Van Gogh The Immersive Experience descended upon our city, and eagerly we made reservations to attend. For a brief hour, the visitor absorbed a vivid array of color in dynamic expression from the world’s renowned artist. Time, effort, and painstaking detail merged to depict a stunning display.

The cultural experience gave me an opportunity to consider marriage.

The artistic masterpiece of marriage also takes time, effort, and attention to painstaking detail. And marriage remains a work in progress over the course of a lifetime. Though the portrait will never be perfect, it can still be perfectly beautiful. Smudges, color variations, and contrasts of light all contribute to the overall richness of the couple’s treasured piece of art.

But hear this: The enemy of our souls relentlessly shoots paintballs at the image, determined to mar the canvas of the Creator. One covenant, in particular, has made a difference for Larry and me in maintaining vigilance against this challenge.

Our communication covenant, a small treasure, has served as a proven asset for more than 49 years. I offer these life-giving statements with encouragement for you to incorporate them as a commitment to your spouse.

Trust me; I will not belittle you to our children.

Trust me; I will not talk about you negatively to my friends.

Trust me; I will not embarrass you in public.

Living with Eternal Intentionality®

“He has also set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

“Glorify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3).

Why is trust essential for ongoing growth in marriage?

What can be done when trust has been broken?

How does a communication covenant serve to build trust?

The World’s Six Best Doctors

Credit for this article goes to Patrick Guan.

The World’s Six Best Doctors

by Steve Jobs

“I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In some others’ eyes, my life is the epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, my wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on my bed and recalling my life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in have paled and become meaningless in the face of my death.

You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone bear your sickness for you. Material things lost can be found or replaced. But there is one thing that can never be found when it’s lost – Life. Whichever stage in life you are in right now, with time, you will face the day when the curtain comes down.

Treasure love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends. Treat yourself well and cherish others. As we grow older, and hopefully wiser, we realize that a $300 or a $30 watch both tell the same time. You will realize that your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world. Whether you fly first class or economy, if the plane goes down – you go down with it.

Therefore, I hope you realize, when you have mates, buddies and old friends, brothers and sisters, who you chat with, laugh with, talk with, have sing songs with, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth, that is true happiness! Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. So when they grow up they will know the value of things and not the price. Eat your food as your medicine, otherwise, you have to eat medicine as your food.

The One who loves you will never leave you for another because, even if there are 100 reasons to give up, he or she will find a reason to hold on. There is a big difference between a human being and being human. Only a few really understand it. You are loved when you are born. You will be loved when you die. In between, you have to manage.

“The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence and friends.”

— Steve Jobs

The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence, and friends.

Maintain them in all stages and enjoy a healthy life.”

Steve Jobs (1955-2011): His final Essay: “The World’s Six Best Doctors”

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“He has also set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

At age 56, Steve Jobs died a billionaire. What can we learn from one who reached, by the world’s standard, the pinnacle of success?

How can you improve your lifestyle by incorporating his six best doctors?

My Favorite Poem by Ruth Graham

Ruth Graham’s ministry as a writer began to flourish in the 1980s. She would author several books filled with spiritual insight and poetry. The poem below captures her perspective on life as life dances with time. More than one reading is needed to fully grasp the depth of her feeling.

Oh, time! be slow!

it was a dawn ago

I was a child Dreaming of being grown;

A noon ago

I was

With children of my own;

And now

It’s afternoon

And late,

And they are grown

And gone.

Time, wait!

– Ruth Bell Graham, 1974

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

"He has also put eternity in the human heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

What about this poem speaks to you?

How do you explain the feeling and perspective conveyed through the pen of its poet?