How old is your child going to have to be until you think you can let them go out into the world? Here are some rules for letting your children go.

The institution of marriage has fallen on hard times—divorce rates are soaring, men and women are testing the marriage waters by living together first, to say nothing about society’s attempts to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples. But marriage is a divinely designed institution, and if marriage is to thrive in an increasingly hostile culture then we must first consult the architect of marriage…God.

Damage to a marriage can begin even before the vows. Among the greatest threats to a new union are the young bride and groom’s thoughts about what life with a new spouse will be like. Expectations often lead to broken dreams, as invariably, young couples fall into the trap of looking forward to a non-existent reality. However, there is no ideal marriage this side of sin. Instead, marriage promises a lifetime of two people striving together for maturity.

The air today is filled with the shrill cry of “my rights.” And in the centre ring of this loud arena is the home—more specifically, the marriage bond. Mate-swapping, group marriages, and living together without official marriage commitments are realities no longer carried out under the hush-hush blanket of shame and disgrace. Is monogamy an outdated concept?

We must recognize the Lord's original plan for marriage, take responsibility for how we've blown it in the past, and begin taking steps to get back on target.

Even the Creator of the universe took time for leisure. God made rest a priority and gave us a pattern to follow. How about you, are you taking time to rest?

Once the foundation of the marriage is firmly laid, six pillars should be built, which will give any family resilience to withstand the erosion caused by the influence of culture.

Think hard about this question for just a moment: what in your life will endure the test of time; what will withstand the ups and downs of the future?

Think hard about this question for just a moment: what in your life will endure the test of time; what will withstand the ups and downs of the future?