A few years ago one of the funniest and exciting comedies was released entitled “The Princess Bride”. Westley, a poor stable boy, searches for TRUE LOVE. Blonde haired Buttercup was kidnapped and taken by evil Prince Humperdinck to be his Princess Bride. But through many perilous hardships Westley finds and save his true love.

The world hungers for true love. An old song says, “Love makes the world go around”. It certainly does. But what is TRUE LOVE? The common Greek word for love is “Eros”. It is not found in the New Testament. It refers to a sexual, selfish, appetitive love. “Philos” is another Greek word for love. It refers to esteem and affection. We are familiar with Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. The Apostle Paul used a word for God’s love – Agape. Agape is a self-giving love. It involves concerned commitment.

Too many have traversed the minefield of trial marriages. Multitudes of couples have been deceived and scarred by the experience. Scores have shed bitter tears resulting from trial marriages.

In a program called, “True Love Waits,” thousands of teens have signed public pledges that they will practice sexual abstinence until marriage.

Rush Limbaugh sent a cameraman out on the streets to report the public’s response to the program. People were asked, “Do you think teens should practice sexual abstinence?”

Valentine’s Day, February 14th, gives us another opportunity to express the very heart of ministry. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind . . . and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). When we consider Christ’s love for the church, God’s Word gives us this illustration of love. “Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Marriage is to be an illustration of God’s love.

Families and marriages are in terrible turmoil. Is there hope for the institution of marriage? Yes, for the One who instituted marriage in the beginning not only gives hope, but also gives us the greatest marriage manual in the world – the Bible. Your marriage can make it. This article is for those who want their marriage to work and succeed. It is not for those who are unwilling to work at it or those who are unwilling to change and grow.

You can have a solid rock marriage. All marriages face various storms in life. Jesus told the parable of a wise man and a foolish man who both built a house. The storm came to both, but the man who built on the rock withstood the assault – so can you. (See Matthew 7:24.)

Having a farm background, I know how important it is to mend fences. It is sometimes a tedious and tiring job, but to neglect it can result in tragedy and loss. When we lived in South Dakota, a rancher friend had several sheep. When a sheep would find a hole in the fence and go through it, the whole flock would usually follow. Occasionally one would get stuck and die struggling to get out. It is imperative to be ever vigilant in mending fences.

Multitudes of marriages and human relationships have been damaged and destroyed because of the neglect of mending fences. We must constantly work at mending relationship fences in marriage, family, church, and the work place. Let us consider seven steps to healing of marriage and human relationships.

If the devil can derail or damage our marriage, he has put a damper on our ministry. Your marriage is your ministry! On Labor Day we celebrate the blessings and the necessity of work. I realize that a good marriage must be constantly worked at, tended to, and nurtured. It must be a ministry priority.

The great comedian and American icon Bob Hope lived to be over 100 years old. No doubt he took his own medicine – “A merry heart doeth good like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). The amazing thing to many people was that he was married to his wife Dolores for over 69 years.

The headlines on the front page of the Centralia Sentinel shocked me and made me sick in the pit of my stomach. “Divorce Rate In Marion County Is Exceeding High, Says Judge.” It quoted circuit court Judge Sauer, who issued a release of the number of divorces in Marion County that showed an 83% divorce rate. The national rate is appalling enough at 50%. The article also touched on some possible contributing factors.

Families and marriages are in terrible turmoil. Is there hope for the institution of marriage? Yes, for the One who instituted marriage in the beginning not only gives hope, but also gives us the greatest marriage manual in the world – the Bible. Your marriage can make it. This article is for those who want their marriage to work and succeed. It is not for those who are unwilling to work at it or those who are unwilling to change and grow.

Has your heart been pierced by cupids arrow? You’ve vowed to “love and to cherish until death do us part”, but now you find your love diminishing? Many work to woo and win their love but then leave their marriage to chance. Whatever we don’t work at or pray about in our life, we leave up to chance. That’s not good enough when it comes to marriage. The problem with chance in a marriage is chances are there will be some difficulties. Chances are there will be disagreements, misunderstandings, and hurts. That’s because we are all human. If we leave the outcome of marriage to chance, chances are it will fail.

Little did the little town realize the fame that Cana’s wedding would bring. Not because of the rich and famous who attended the wedding, but because of the lowly carpenter who graced it. Most of the town came to celebrate the week long festivities. Throughout history I’m sure there have been more elaborate and extravagant weddings. But Cana’s wedding had no equal in its distinguished guest or so notable a gift or such exhilarating glee.

In over 35 years of ministry, I can truthfully say that I have never seen an ugly bride. A bride radiates a certain glow about her face. The groom, though perhaps nervous, awaits his bride with joyful anticipation as she is escorted to the altar. Some weddings could be shown on “America’s Funniest Home Videos”.

“Say it with flowers,” is the florist’s motto. There is just something about giving and getting flowers from that special someone that releases a romantic connection. Roses, for some reason, seem to be an elegant and sometimes extravagant expression of love and appreciation, especially on St. Valentines Day. But there is something better than roses that express what is on our heart. It is the open and loving communication whereby we make connection and our spirits touch. If that connection breaks down, it is only a matter of time before the whole relationship wilts and withers away.

It is intriguing that Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding in Cana. The Son of God reaffirmed his blessing on marriage. After all, marriage is God's idea, not mans. "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh." (See Genesis 2:22-25) Jesus and his mother Mary were both invited to this wedding in Cana. It was a festive and joyous occasion. Jesus celebrated with the young couple. God celebrates the love and commitment found between husband and wife in marriage.

For Ron McMann (not his real name) this particular day would go down as a “Red Letter Day”. Sales and stock for his company had never been higher. His employees were productive and prospering. He had peace and hope for the first time in months – perhaps years. But this red-letter day was not due to his business or financial success. But it was due to the fact that for the first time in months, or actually years, he looked forward to getting home to be with his wife.

There is an insidious assault on marriage. The devil hates holy matrimony because God instituted marriage. God created and brought Adam and Eve together. In the beginning of His creation, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him’” (Genesis 2:18). There was no companion in all the animal kingdom that was suitable for Adam. “So the Lord God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He took one of Adam’s ribs . . . then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam” (Genesis 2:15-22 NLT).

We all need to celebrate the significant milestones in our lives. On August 28th my wife and I will celebrate 35 years of marriage. Some asked me what the key to a lasting and loving marriage is. I don’t want to give the impression that our marriage is perfect or that we have arrived after 35 years – on the contrary. It’s not always been smooth sailing. There have been many trials and struggles. Even roses have thorns to contend with. Pure gold must go through the refiner’s fire.

Will Hardiman has experienced first hand the spiritual and emotional wounds that divorce creates. His parents separated when he was a child and his first marriage ended in divorce. Now as mayor of Kentwood, a suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Hardiman helps spare others from experiencing similar wounds. Four years ago while working with other community leaders, Hardiman announced an ambitious goal – provide engaged couples with time honored wisdom empowering them to establish lifelong marriages, raise the standard to two parent families, and get community leaders to back the marriage policy.