The Your Marriage Covenant Podcast

In this week’s episode hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie discuss a subject everyone deals with – selfish pride.  Following up on their latest blog post, 7 Steps to Dealing with Pride, Gene and Jon look at a few of the consequences of pride for believers and nonbelievers, and provide helpful ways to deal with this sinful attitude.  Pride is one of Satan’s favorite weapons.  The best way to defend it is to surrender your life to Christ.

 

Time Stamped Show Notes

[0:45] Host introductions and explanation of topic.

[4:30] Gene mentions the latest YMC blog post, 7 Steps to Dealing with Pride.

[5:40] Gene and Jon discuss the consequences of pride for both believers and nonbelievers.

[16:20] Gene and Jon discuss ways to deal with pride.

[25:14] Jon reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, Galatians 6:14.

[25:30] Gene issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Prayerfully ask God to reveal selfish, sinful, prideful behavior in your life, then ask for forgiveness and work on removing it from your life.

[26:00] Jon leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[27:06] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

YMC011:  Motives Matter.

In this week’s episode hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie discuss the heart behind our motives. As the most recent YMC blog post Motives Matter explains, our motives matter to God because they expose whether we are working for God or for ourselves. Eventually, selfish and sinful motives produce selfish and sinful behavior. Gene and Jon suggest how to practically assess whether or not your motives are pure, and provide several helpful scripture references.

Time Stamped Show Notes

[0:45] Intro.

[3:30] Gene talks about what was covered during his church service.

[6:18] Jon talks about what was covered during his church service.

[8:20] Jon introduces the topic for this episode – What are our motives, and do they matter?

[16:10] Jon mentions the latest YMC blog post, Motives Matter.

[18:43] Gene and Jon discuss how to practically assess whether or not your motives are pure.

Scripture references:

[16:45, 28:57] Proverbs 21:2

[21:30, 29:14] Matthew 6:1, 3-4

[28:44] 1 Chronicles 29:17

[29:07] Proverbs 21:27

[29:39] Proverbs 20:27

[29:45] Proverbs 16:2

[31:28] Gene reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, Matthew 6:1.

[31:42] Jon issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Meditate on the scripture references provided and apply them to your life. Be conscious of the fact that God knows your heart and He knows your motives.

[32.18] Gene leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[33.49] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

YMC 010:  An Interview with Brandon and Macey McCoy

Hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie interview Brandon and Macey McCoy and discuss finding balance in marriage, work, and parenting!  Brandon and Macey are an amazing couple that have been married for a little over 3 years and have a 6 month old baby.  The couple discusses setting boundaries, learning to balance chaotic schedules, and growing in their relationship together and with the Lord on this week’s episode.

Time Stamped Show Notes

[0:45] Jon welcomes this week’s guests, Brandon and Macey McCoy.

[1:05] Macey provides a brief testimony of her life prior to meeting Brandon.

[3:23] Brandon provides a brief testimony of her life prior to meeting Macey.

[30:18] Brandon shares his current business venture, MetroJack – imametrojack.com –  a beard care product line.

[32:40] Gene kicks off the “Pressure Cooker Round” questions with Brandon and Macey.

[37:40] Brandon reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, Romans 8:28.

[37:53] Brandon issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – bathe a current situation you are in with prayer.

[38:40] Brandon leads the YMC Community in a closing prayer.

[40:05] Jon thanks Brandon and Macey for coming on the YMC Podcast.

[40:24] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

YMC 009:  Praying with Your Spouse.

This week’s episode focuses on the topic of praying with your spouse.  Hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie discuss an email they received from a listener on the topic of starting and maintaining consistent Bible time and prayer in marriage.  Gene and Jon discuss different strategies and tips to help couples begin and grow together in their journey to greater spiritual intimacy!

Time Stamped Show Notes

[0:26] Gene introduces this week’s episode, Praying with Your Spouse.

[1:30] Gene reads through the email we received from a YMC listener.

[13:41] Jon references  Matthew 18:19-20.

[23:10] Jon references the book When Couples Pray Together: Creating Intimacy and Spiritual Wholeness by David and Jan Stoop

[37:15] Jon reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, James 5:16.

[37:32] Gene issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Talk with your spouse about starting to pray out loud together. Schedule a time for each night this week to pray together with your spouse.  Use the suggestions we mentioned in this episode to help you get started and let us know how things go!

[37:55] Jon leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[39:06] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

 

YMC008:  The Problem with Compromise.

This week’s episode is built around the latest blog post on the YMC website entitled The Problem with Compromise.  The focus is not on compromising in terms of give and take in a relationship, but on those moments of confusion and weakness when we make decisions that conform to worldly standards and lead us away from God.  Hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie discuss some of the reasons people compromise on the things they know are right, and provide helpful advice on how to stay strong in difficult situations.  

Time Stamped Show Notes

[0:42] Jon introduces this week’s episode, The Problem with Compromise.

[5:47] Gene mentions the resource for this week’s episode, a blog Jon wrote on the YMC website entitled The Problem with Compromise.

[6:15] John references the story of David and Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11

[15:13] Ephesians 4:22

[15:21] Colossians 3:10

[16:15] Reasons people compromise:

[16:28] Peer pressure

[19:20] Need for acceptance

 

* [19:46] Doubts and fear

 

[20:07] Weak and discouraged spiritually

[27:20] Blinded by pride

[25:02] Ways to avoid compromising:

[25:14] Know what you believe.

 

* [25:38] Accept God’s word as absolute truth. 2 Timothy 3:16

 

[26:22] Be fully obedient to what God’s word says. John 14:15, 1 John 5:3

 

* [27:05] Don’t compromise God’s word for anyone or anything.  Deuteronomy 17:11, Revelation 3:15-16

 

[28:28] Gene reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, 2 Timothy 3:16.

[28:45] Jon issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Identify areas in your life where you struggle with compromising, and then think about how you fight the pull to compromise and stick to what you know is right to do.

[29:25] Jon leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[30:45] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

YMC007:  Date Night

Following up on last week’s first ever YMC couple interview with Eli and Julie Byrd, hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie focus on the “date weekly” portion of Eli’s “Dialogue Daily, Date Weekly, and Depart Monthly” challenge issued to the YMC community.  The resource used in this episode is an article from Focus on the Family entitled “The Heart and Soul of Date Night” by Greg Smalley, which identifies four characteristics necessary to maximize the value of your date night: regularity, variety, adventure, and fun.  

Time Stamped Show Notes

[3:45] Jon introduces this week’s resource, an article he found on FocusOnTheFamily.com entitled The Heart and Soul of Date Night, which identifies four characteristics necessary to maximize the value of your date night:

Regularity [12:33]

Variety [17:03]

Adventure [19:02]

Fun [21:20]

[23:10] “Remember, always act like you’re trying to get a second date!”

[36:35] Jon reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, Proverbs 31:10-12.

[36:47] Gene issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Plan a date night, and schedule them regularly.

[37:34] Gene leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[38:38] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

 

YMC006:  A Conversation with Eli and Julie Byrd.

This episode contains the first ever YMC couple interview!  Join hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie as they have a casual conversation with Jon’s long time friends Eli and Julie Byrd.  Eli and Julie share their backgrounds, reveal some of the challenges they have faced, discuss what it’s like going through seminary, and explain what they think God is revealing to them at this point in their marriage.  Also included in this episode is the first ever “Pressure Cooker Round” – a mixture of serious and lighthearted rapid-fire questions to close out the interview.  

Time Stamped Show Notes

[1:05] Gene and Jon introduce the first ever YMC Podcast interviewees – Eli and Julie Byrd!

[1:52] Interview officially begins.

[2:15] Julie and Eli share their backgrounds and their versions of how they became a couple.

[15:36] Eli and Julie reveal the hardest thing they’ve had to go through as a married couple.

[18:08] Eli and Julie explain how they “get back on the same page” when life gets too crazy.

[21:23] Eli and Julie share how they set aside time for each other with their busy schedules.

[25:10] Eli and Julie discuss what it’s like going through seminary while juggling all of life’s other demands.

[28:30] Julie and Eli share the main thing they think God is revealing to them at this point in their marriage.   

[31:48] Pressure Cooker Round:

Peanut butter – creamy or crunchy? [32:32]

How do you feel about bowties? [32:43]

Toilet paper – over or under? [32:47]

What is your favorite thing about each other? [33:00]

Who handles the finances in your marriage? [35:22]

Do you have regular date nights & what was your favorite? [36:48]

Who sucks the most at house chores? [38:06]

Who is the better dancer? [39:24]

Who takes up the majority of the real estate in the bed? [40:32]

[41:47] Gene reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, Micah 6:8.

[42:02] Eli issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Dialogue daily, date weekly, and depart monthly.

[43:08] Eli leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[45:47] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

YMC005:  Gaining Control of Your Finances Part 2 – Getting Out of Debt.

Expanding on the topic of gaining control of your finances, this episode shifts the focus to getting out of debt. Once you and your spouse have gotten on the same page about handling your money and started creating a budget, it’s time to begin tackling your debt.  Getting yourselves in the right mindset is key to making this happen.  Join hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie as they discuss seven simple steps that will help you prepare yourselves mentally for the challenge ahead, and help you maintain your focus so you can finish the job and celebrate your victory!

Time Stamped Show Notes

[4:40] Jon introduces an article he found on DailyWorth.com entitled 7 Simple Steps to Paying Off Debt (link no longer available).

Acknowledge the Debt You Have [7:21]

Accept the Debt You Have and Forgive Yourself [9:10]

Focus on the Present [16:38]

Create a Game Plan [19:05]

Make Additional Payments [23:00]

Remember it’s Temporary [28:46]

Celebrate Mini Milestones [31:38]

[35:12] Jon reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, Proverbs 22:7.

[35:25] Gene issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Go to www.yourmarriagecovenant.com, and leave a comment on this episode sharing what your plans are for attacking your debt!

[36:55] Jon leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[37:25] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

Stitcher: www.yourmarriagecovenant.com/stitcher

Google Play: www.yourmarriagecovenant.com/googleplay

Description

Your Marriage Covenant is a Christian based approach to creating and maintaining an amazing marriage. Brothers Gene and Jon Abercrombie openly and transparently discuss the challenges of married life, and provide a Biblical perspective on specific topics such as handling conflict, infidelity, finances, parenting, and pornography, just to name a few. Listeners can expect personal insights, relevant scripture and other valuable resources, as well as guest interviews from real people with genuine experiences of tragedy and triumph. Having a successful marriage that is pleasing to God takes work, but it is doable!

YMC004:  Gaining Control of Your Finances.

Finances is one of, if not the most, common causes of tension and conflict in marriages and relationships.  How couples spend their money can either bring them closer together or drive them farther apart.  In this episode, hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie share their personal financial struggles and how they’ve been able to overcome several hurdles by getting on the same page with their wives, committing to tithing, and realizing the importance of creating and following a budget.  Listen as they provide suggestions and resources to help you gain control of your finances so you can start telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went!

Show Notes

[1:10] Jon kicks off the topic of money management by explaining the different ways men and women view money and finances.

[44:36] Jon reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, Romans 13:8.

[44:49] Gene issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Initiate a conversation with your spouse about managing your money, and create a financial budget as the first step towards gaining control of your finances.  Email us at [email protected] for help!

[45:48] Gene leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[46:50] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov

Stitcher: www.yourmarriagecovenant.com/stitcher

Google Play: www.yourmarriagecovenant.com/googleplay

YMC003:  Handling Conflict In Marriage.

After hearing from several listeners seeking help with handling conflict in their marriages, hosts Gene and Jon Abercrombie dive right into this hot topic on this week’s episode.  Conflict is inevitable when human emotions are involved, but it doesn’t always have to end badly.  Get ready to explore the reasons for conflict among couples, “good” and “bad” ways to fight, the different ways husbands and wives respond to conflict, and strategies for conflict resolution.

Time Stamped Show Notes

[00:33] Jon goes straight into ‭‭James‬ ‭4:1-3, a great scripture passage that sums up why we experience conflict in marriage, and in life in general.

[1:57] Gene references the fall in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:11-13) as the birthplace for conflict among couples.

[3:27] Gene and Jon agree that every couple that cares about their marriage fight at some point in their relationship.

[6:16] Unrealistic or unmet expectations often trigger conflict in marriages.

[7:46] The first 5-10 minutes of a couple’s time together sets the tone.  Make it count!

[11:37] Gene and Jon begin discussing “good” and “bad” ways to fight.

[14:53] Gene and Jon discuss common ways husbands and wives, and men and women in general, respond to conflict. (“Strategies for Effective Conflict Resolution” from www.focusonthefamily.com)

[25:12] Jon revisits “good” and “bad” fighting, and explains building walls vs. building bridges.

[26:50] 8 Strategies for Approaching Conflict Resolution (“Strategies for Effective Conflict Resolution” from www.focusonthefamily.com)

Stick to the problem at hand.

Get on the same side of the fence.

Try to identify the core issue.

Don’t be a mind reader.

Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Avoid character assassination.

Never forget that your relationship with your spouse is far more important than “winning” an argument or “being right”.

Remember that love keeps no record of wrongs.

[44:04] Jon provides a great quote to encourage struggling couples, “You fight with your spouse, but you fight for your marriage. You don’t fight for anything else.”

[45:37] Jon issues the Marriage Challenge of the Week to the YMC Community – Initiate a conversation with your spouse to discuss how each of you handle conflict.  Don’t forget to pray together at the end!

[47:16] Gene reads this week’s YMC Scripture Spotlight, Ephesians 4:26-27.

[47:31] Jon leads the YMC Community in prayer.

[48:46] Gene and Jon share the YMC website address, social media outlets, and invite the YMC Community to subscribe to and leave a review about the YMC Podcast on iTunes.

YMC Website and Social Media Outlets

Website www.yourmarriagecovenant.com

Facebook: @yourmarriagecovenant

Instagram: @yourmarriagecovenant

Twitter: @yourmarriagecov