Marriage is not only a personal commitment but a powerful witness that shapes families, workplaces, and communities. In this episode, Jim and Martha welcome Julia Dezelski of National `Marriage Week to talk about why marriage is under attack, why it still matters deeply, and how couples can intentionally build marriages that reflect God’s design. From practical daily habits to the bigger cultural impact of strong families, this conversation reminds us that healthy marriages aren’t just good for home – they’re essential for the flourishing of society and the workplace. 

What You’ll Hear 

• Why marriage is a covenant, not just a contract, and how it shapes identity and purpose 

• The theme of National Marriage Week: Together with Purpose and what that looks like in real life 

• How healthy marriages impact leadership, productivity, and emotional health at work 

• Practical ways couples can become a visible witness to others through their marriage 

Julia’s 3 Simple Practices for a Strong Marriage 

Julia shares three habits she and her husband intentionally practice: 

1. Pray together daily – even if it’s just one short prayer. 

1. Check in during the day – ask how your spouse is doing and how you can pray for them. 

1. Schedule a date night – keep dating, even in busy seasons with kids. 

Why This Episode Matters 

Our marriages don’t exist in isolation. They influence our faith, our children, our work, and our witness. As Julia explains, when couples pursue God together and live with shared purpose, the ripple effects reach far beyond the home. 

Make 2026 a year where your marriage is strengthened – starting with National Marriage Week! Mark your calendar for February 7-14th and check out the resources below.  

National Marriage Week Resources 

National Marriage Week takes place each year in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day and offers tools for couples, churches, and communities, including: 

• Marriage enrichment events across the U.S. 

• Social media resources to promote marriage 

• A downloadable at-home couple retreat with daily prayers and reflections 

You can find all of these resources, including the in-home retreat on the National Marriage Week site. 

Resources Mentioned in This Episode 

Books recommended for strengthening your marriage: 

• Love & Respect – Emerson & Sarah Eggerichs (check out the iWork4Him interview) 

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families – Stephen Covey 

• The Exceptional 7% – Dr. Greg Popcak 

• The 5 Love Languages – Gary Chapman 

• Marriage Mentor – Rhonda & Steve Stoppe (check out the iWork4Him interview) 

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The new year is a great time to make Kingdom impact through the everyday services you use and to get registered for some life-changing 2026 events: 

•  Protect your devices from the ever-multiplying cyber schemes that want to steal your money, your information, and your joy. Get SaferNet – a VPN with antivirus, Internet controls, and web filters: https://www.safernet.com  

• Make the switch to Patriot Mobile, America’s only Christian conservative cell phone service provider. Get a free month of service when you sign up with code IWORK4HIM: https://www.patriotmobile.com/iwork4him 

• For all your payment processing needs, turn to a company that you can trust to use their profits for Kingdom purposes. Check out all that ePaymints offers in the fintech world: https://www.epaymints.com  

• Get connected to the US Christian Chamber (https://www.uschristianchamber.com) by joining or starting your local chamber.  

And for national (even global) networking and an incredible marketplace missions experience, come to SWC 2026, April 22-24 in Orlando (code IWORK4HIM gets you 20% off): https://www.swc2026.com 

 Featuring: Julia Dezelski

Ministry/ Workplace: National Marriage Week

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