Status Updates From A Happy Marriage: Covenant ...

This chapter on community has been the best so far. I think the points made here are really what makes the marriage of believers so unique in the sense of a knitting together of their union with an entire church community.
The Church has such a significant role to play in the health & well being of Christian marriages & this chaper lays it out quite beautifully.

This chapter includes strange statements.
"Sanctification for husband & wife is the inevitable result of a peaceful relationship."
Sanctification is more likely to happen when peace is lacking.
"Peace is freedom from conflict & oppression that results in fruitfulness."
Such a weird statement.
Paul speaks of fruitfulness/peace in the midst of great suffering/trials.

Some good areas listed a couple can thrive in.

The Chapter on Safety & it makes a lot of sense. I did notice there seemed more emphasis on physical safety & how men would be the primary threat to that. Women have become a lot more violent in recent years & antagonistic to husbands body physically & verbally provoking them.

Also with the mention of gossip there was room here to discuss in more detail how women tear down their husbands robbing him of safety.

The chapter on accountability was interesting. I do agree with the rightness of its place in marriage but I think there's some interesting crossover here with what was mentioned by the author in the earlier chapter on personhood.

Some people don't feel they want to open up fully so accountability will have some limitations as it relates to how much of one's personhood they wish to reveal.

The chapter was on children & how they affect marriage, changing the household dynamics.
Several good points made about the behavior of children being a reflection of their parents as well as how the church body participates in the raising & nurturing of the children.

The chapter on Personhood was good.
The particular points made that stood out to me were how the culture defines 'soulmate' & how it's skewed & unbiblical.

There cannot be a complete bearing of the soul, 100% access in all things.
This can only exist between man & God & those trying to achieve this will fail miserably.

"Personhood is made for intimacy but no omniscience."

Chapter two was focused on 'Oneness'

What it means & how to better cultivate it through honest open communication & personal transparency & sacrifice.

A willingness to be vulnerable being essential otherwise experiencing isolation will be inevitable.

First chapter is on the topic of 'Exclusivity'
Some interesting observations & focus on how this concept isn't of the world but from God.