As inspired by my experience with the book, and some of the same factors which caused me to write it in the fist place, I continue to do marriage mentorship and guidance with a couple planning to be married this year. I also actively look for more brothers and sisters in Christ who would like similar guidance regarding marriage. Much of what they hear from the churches will be vacant of biblical truth, so I feel responsible to present the Word of God regarding this lifelong union as best I can. Loosely speaking the guidance program is based on the template of my book, but there are times of open conversation and question and answer as well.
So far, I find the sessions are going very well. I have worked with the woman since the past fall, and the man should be joining us in a coming session. It sounds like the woman has a mostly traditional and biblical view of marriage, so there are not many points of dispute. The things I teach which make secularists or worldly Christians bristle and grow angry, are accepted as normal by her. She is very familiar with marriage roles of headship and submission, and fully embraces her own submissive role. She also appears to recognize the wife's role in the home. While I am the teacher in the sessions, my wife has spoken with her personally on a few matters, which is a part of my plans and the program itself. Ideally it would be good to all meet together at home, but since they are over an hour away we are having sessions on video, which works fine. If there is anything I have offered which is very new to her, it may be the real lifelong nature of marriage. Granted, she and her fiance are committed to being together for life, but like most, accept at least one exception on a doctrinal level for divorce and remarriage, so I have already shared the biblical teaching that marriage is breakable only by death. Later we will do an entire section on marriage as a lifelong unity. I also think my teachings regarding modesty and plainness are a bit stronger than she has usually heard. She is a woman who would nod in agreement with the need for living modestly, and dressing modestly, but my somewhat Mennonite standard would cause her to ask questions, and would definitely be beyond her own practice. Ultimately though, it is the husband who sets the exact standards of these things in the home, so I hope to discuss this and other matters of leadership with her fiance soon. It is good to see a young couple committed to godliness in marriage. They sincerely care to live as God desires we live, and are working out some of the practical application already. I definitely see Christian virtue and spirit in her, and look forward to meeting the fiance soon. These two know that marriage is a ministry, and they have to be faithful. Praise God.
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This is the interview I did back in the Fall with Jerry Newcombe: http://www.jerrynewcombe.com/vocal-point-thomas-ackerman/
Unfortunately I forgot to post it earlier, although I did put it up on my facebook pages. It was a pleasure to do an interview with a journalist and writer whose work I know and admire. I think this interview was very strong. It also made me a new friend in the permanence of marriage movement, as he heard the interview and then wanted to come and meet me, driving over two hours to my home for fellowship. It was a true honor. I spent a good amount of time at the beginning discussing my inspiration for the book, as well as the problems in the Church which make this book and my work in general necessary. I also got quickly to the epidemic sin of divorce and remarriage in the Church, and why this is wrong. I had notes in front of me, so I could be sure to say what I needed to say, and provide some details (at least more then my memory alone would provide). Jerry Newcombe was an excellent host, and had some interesting additions to the subject to provide. He clearly cares about his work from the heart. I am also moving forward with a project inspired my experience writing the book: I am offering marriage guidance and mentorship to young couples or prospective spouses. This is a guidance that will include going over the biblical elements of marriage as the book does, and also offering general advice, personal experience, and prayer. I open my home for young couples to experience the Spirit-filled family first hand.
So far I have had one lady meet for a guidance session – which we did online – and she plans to continue, along with her fiancé. She is very much in line with the Bible’s teachings, it sounds, so that could make the experience more fruitful and pleasant. She and her fiancé are both believers, and I was sure to ask her at the beginning if either one of them had been married before, as I respect the lifelong unbreakable nature of marriage. The person you marry is the person you grow old with. I look forward to experiencing more with this couple. Here is an hour-long talk I had with Chuck Crismier at Save America Ministries, who very much supports the message of my book: Could Marriage Save America? | Save America Ministries with Chuck Crismier
We talked about Get Married and Save the World, the vital importance of marriage in Church and society, and the life-giving nature of God’s law. Chuck is passionate about the very same things I have been working on for years, and has done shows and written books on these topics. It was great to discover him and his work. He and I also discussed gender roles, ways that a man can express his leadership in heading the home, as well as my time in China and my own marriage and family. Chuck was actually a trial lawyer for many years, and has seen the destruction of the family among Christians, and has seen the compromise, corruption, and cowardice in all kinds of ministries. He knows what the situation is. I was greatly blessed to have this opportunity to talk about my restoration ministry and my book. I only wish to reach my brothers and sisters in Christ. He told me after the show that, even though he reaches a national audience, I should not expect to sell many books because of the show. I told him I am aware of that, and my most important goal is simply to give my message to the brethren. That’s it. Selling books is a purely secondary goal. I was very moved as well as encouraged by his strong, positive view of the book, and to know that others care about the holiness of the Bride as we do. It will take faithfulness and obedience but Christ returns for a pure and holy Bride. Ways the Man Can Use His Leadership in the Home
1. Develop and lead household liturgy – prayer, Bible study, confession, home worship, hymns, service in church or the community 2. Set standards of modesty – simply, plain, spiritual 3. Set standards of holiness, separation from the world – set restrictions on things like tv, radio, sports, dance 4. Protect his wife from spiritual harm, false teaching, occult 5. Lead in ethical choices – some examples which I did -- using homeschool, supporting ethical businesses, choosing Christian health care and credit unions, rejecting contraception 6. Assure his wife does her role – as a homemaker, and in church, never permit her to take the male role in church 7. Oversee her work and projects 8. Set spiritual goals for his home and children – serving the Lord, not slave to higher education, career, nice home, retirement 9. Understand that the responsibility is his, he is the leader, there is no other I did an interview with WPGM radio in Danville, Pennsylvania a few weeks ago. You can find it at this link, under July 6 Marriage Book Author:
https://wpgmfm.org/news-focus/ It was a short interview, but makes a nice promotion for the book and its overall message. We were not able to talk much about the doctrines of marriage unfortunately, but I went over the reasons I wrote the book, and gave some of my own background. This radio station is also close to Sunbury, Pennsylvania, where the local Bible Depot now carries my book. Matt, who did the interview, said he drives past it every day. It took awhile to come out, but for those who prefer e-books, and like the nicer price, it is available in electronic format at Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Married-Save-World-Christian-ebook/dp/B07RT6ZKCL/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1559264977&sr=8-1
Barnes and Noble also has it in e-book. Unfortunately, the Xulon Press website does NOT put it out electronically, something I would prefer, since I like to promote Christian businesses, and share their links. One friend specifically asked about e-format, so I am glad it's finally out. We were visiting a lovely couple who run a farm down the road from us. I told the man I'd written a book on marriage, and he asked me -- So tell me, do you have a perfect marriage?
I thought for a second and said -- Yes, in the Lord we do have a perfect marriage. He makes it perfect. He brings us everything we need. I couldn't even imagine a better wife. She is perfect for me, thanks to God. Here is the interview I did with WIHS radio in Connecticut about my marriage book. Just scroll down to 4/22/2019 and it's under Get Married and Save the World:
http://www.wihsradio.org/inhouse_journal.php The 20-minute interview gets cut down to a 10-minute format, but there is still much good discussion in there. We talk about the purpose of writing this book, as well as the connection between the Trinity and the marriage relationship. I am very blessed to have this opportunity to share the vision of my book with Christian listeners. I hope it is helpful and inspires you. Thanks to God I was recently able to write an article for the Christian Examiner. It is entitled "Major Elements of the Christian Marriage Union."
https://www.christianexaminer.com/article/major-elements-of-the-christian-marriage-union-and-how-to-avoid-shipwreck/52752.htm The article approaches the shipwreck of modern marriage, reviews each of the major biblical elements of marriage from my book, and then offers encouragement to the brethren to live according to God's way in the home. Christian marriage in not something beyond us. It is not unattainable. It is part of who we are, and God gives us grace in the Holy Spirit to achieve it. |
AuthorI am Ordinary Brother, Author of Get Married and Save the World. I hope you are enriched by this blog about my book and a little of my life. Archives
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