THE MARRIAGE COVENANT                   

Proverbs 3:1-35                

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."


As 2nd year students in Marriage, we make it our mission to pass each year with a distinction and hopefully one day we will be graduates in this God given blessing / field.  So earlier this year we attended a marriage seminar at  Maidstone village in Tongaat, the guest speakers were our spiritual mom and dad, Drs Basil and Anne Tyron. It was very insightful to learn from the elders without any censorship.  Why did we drive all the way to Tongaat?  Because I believe we should not wait for the cracks to show in our homes to attend these events. 

These were the lessons:

Dr. Basil Tryon

1.  Focus on  the dynamic part of your marriage.  Pay attention and work on it because anything left to  itself moves to decay. Read the article on happy marriages by clicking on link below.
http://bridal-lifestyle.com/the-secrets-of-a-happy-marriage/

2.  No other human being must be closer to your spouse and vice versa. Running to mom, dad or friends will not resolve issues and its more likely that everything will turn for the worse. (I believe this is true, 3rd parties specialise in spreading your worries, that's all).

3.  Sacrifice - giving up on something of value for something of greater value. Women want time.  Protect your marriage by spending quality time with your wife.  Work and children are not priority.

4.  First your spouse then your children.  Children are your temporary assignment, they will grow up and lead their lives so your priority should be each other.

5.  Date nights are a must. Pursuit your spouse, it is the reason you fell in love.  When you stop pursuit, you will fall out of love so courting your spouse is a lifetime event. (Watch the movie, Date Night with Steve Carell and Tina Fey...... Hilarious).

6.  Misconception -If your emotions have dropped it does not mean that you have married the wrong person.  You just need to work on your marriage.

7.  Head of a woman is a man and the head of a man is God. A woman wants a leader, lead your wife, children into success.  Be romantic with your family. 

8.  Man's needs - Honour, achievement ,sex, fun, friendship and a homemaker.

9.  Woman's needs - Security, nourishment (cherish her, keep her warm inside), touch, open communication and leader.

10.  Love is a quick commodity like money, earn it and accumulate it.  God gave us marriage to kill you and be resurrected in power.

Dr. Anne Tryon

1.  Healthy marriage makes a healthy home and a healthy home makes a healthy church.

2.  Grow together in maturity.  Be sound, Be close together and Be happy. ( soooo true :) ).

3.  Marriage is a gift.  An opportunity to love.  A journey.  It is a call to share in happiness and sadness.

4.  Submit yourself to your husband - Humble yourself. 

5.  Play the same symphony to enjoy the marriage. Hit the same musical notes.

6.  CRY TO GOD- Pray, pray and pray in times of hardship and misunderstanding .  Do not run to anyone(mom, dad or friend). Confront him in love and leave him there for God.

7.  Friends and your marriage.  Having a married friend does not mean that you will be in the same page in terms of situations and experiences.  Do not compare their experiences to your own.  Single friends are even worse, different chapter or sometimes even book.

8.  Fruit of the spirit.
     Run to the safest place at the feet of Jesus and take your spouse with you.

9. Joint possession equals to access to bodies, to thoughts, emotions and spiritual life.

10.  WALK TOGETHER TO VICTORY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     :)



Dr Basil(65) and Anne (67) Tryon have been married 44 years with 4 children.  Three of them are pastors (Cape town and Canada) and one is a psychologist in UK.  I choose to converse and learn from the best because this life ain't easy, we need mentors to be perfect spouses and to raise God conscious and successful children.

As for me and my family we shall be learn everyday and achieve more one step at a time.

Official hashtag: #IamBlessedInTheseShoes