Marriage Matters with Ken and Shar

Continuing to look at marriage through the eyes of Eph. 4:1-3, Ken and Shar explore God's great desire for unity within a family and the attributes necessary for us to guard that unity.

In this episode Ken and Shar take a dive into Eph. 4:1-3 and apply these beautiful and challenging verses to the building of marriages that glorify God and lead to our highest good.

In this episode Ken and Shar explore the meaning of another verse directly speaking to marriage and sex; Heb. 14:4, "Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled."

In Part 4 of this series Ken and Shar wrap up the four ways that "Two Are Better Than One".  Together, we can withstand any challenge!

This episode is Part 3 of a series Ken and Shar recorded early on in the podcast. From the series titled "Two Are Better Than One", Ken and Shar explore how we can help warm one another during the "cold and wintery" seasons of life.

One of Ken and Shar's favorite series is one titled "Two is Better Than One", taken from Ecc. 4:7-12. As they are taking a bit of time away from the mic this summer, please enjoy a little "Best Of"; Part 2 of "Two is better Than One".

Well, it's summertime and Ken and Shar plan on taking a few weeks off from new podcast episodes. In the meantime we hope you enjoy listening to a couple "Best Of" episodes from a previous series titled "Two is Better Than One" which was recorded nearly two years ago.

In this episode Ken and Shar take a good look at one of scripture's most direct passages on sex and marriage, 1 Cor. 7:1-5. When it comes to sex and marriage these verses deal with big topics like duty and responsibility, power and authority and even frequency. What a loaded text, one that every Christian couple should be familiar with!

In this episode Ken finishes up his uplifting interview with Josh Shirly. Listen in to see how the Lord powerfully redeemed Josh's marriage after years of a hidden sexual sin. The power of God's love and grace was wonderfully put on display as Josh and Hailey relied wholeheartedly upon Jesus to rescue their marriage.

In this episode Ken interviews Josh Shirley. Josh battled a deep, sexual brokenness due to years of an addiction to pornography. Listen in and see how the Lord set Josh free, blessed his marriage and family and is now using him to influence hundreds of men to abide triumphantly in Christ.

In this episode Ken and Shar continue to explore what a "right theology for sex" looks like. They will take a brief look at Rom. 1 and other passages that reveal God's heart for human sexuality.

This is the first episode in a brand new series devoted to gaining a "right theology for sex" or a "biblical view of sex". It appears sometimes that sex and the pursuit of self-gratification has become the religion of our day. As wonderful as sex is, it was designed by God to "point to" Him, never as a "substitute for" Him!

Forty nine years ago Ken and Shar were married. Married with them in a "double wedding" were Shar's sister Jonnie and Ken's best friend, J. B. In this episode Ken interviews J. B. and the two of them share some of the things they have learned after nearly 100 years of marriage between them.

In this final episode of this series Ken and Shar, while looking at the life of Joseph, explore the issue of "Forgiveness" and it's importance in keeping the unity in any marriage relationship.

In this episode, while looking at Jacob and his chaotic family, Ken and Shar expose the common inclination that many men and women have to follow in the footsteps of their mothers, fathers and previous generations. Sometimes that tendency can lead to patterns and behaviors that can destroy a marriage and keep it from all that God has planned for a couple.

In this episode Ken and Shar examine the marriage between Isaac and Rebekah, a marriage marred by disrespect, deceit and parental favoritism. This episode reveals three challenges that every marriage must overcome, even yours!

In this episode Ken and Shar take a look at the marriage between Isaac and beautiful Rebekah. Though they went through all the stresses and hardships that all of us do today, they remained each others "helper"! Listen in and explore how you can be your spouse's helper as well!

In this episode Ken and Shar take a second look at the marriage between Abraham and Sarah. They take the time to examine Abraham and Sarah's unique marriage through the lens of one of their favorite verses, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Pr. 3:5-6). Oh, what a mess they create when they fail to do exactly this!

As Ken and Shar look back in time to the marriages recorded for us in the Book of Genesis, this episode comes to Abraham and his wife, Sarah. It's so amazing what insight and wisdom we can glean from this couple, who just like us, didn't do everything right!

This Christmas episode wraps up another year of the Marriage Matters Podcast.   In it, Ken and Shar remind every Christian couple how desperately we all need the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit in our marriages.  It's not just about tools, knowledge or good advice.  Without hearts yielded to the convicting, guiding work of the Spirit, not much will ever change, advance or mature!  

In this episode Ken and Shar explore the fall of man in Genesis 3, and how that fall has wrecked havoc on marriage and family since that day. Many of the struggles we experience in our marriages today find their genesis right here in these verses.

This episode launches a fun, new series tracking the marriages of the Book of Genesis. After the fall of humankind, God's design for marriage became more and more broken as sin continued to dominate the human landscape. You'll be amazed at what we can learn from the fumbles and failures of our forefathers!

For many couples, making big decisions for the marriage and the family can be perilous! They can't seem to get on the same page without someone feeling "steamrolled" or unheard. What can follow is a breach in the unity and closeness of the marriage. In this episode Ken and Shar encourage couples how they can make big decisions and preserve the precious unity that truly puts Jesus on display!

"Grace"...what is it and how does it operate between husbands and wives? In this episode Ken and Shar reveal how critical it is that "grace" exists as the fountainhead of any Jesus-glorifying marriage union. If God is the God of all grace, how can we possibly put Him on display for the world to see if we fail to operate in grace toward our spouse? Impossible!

In this follow-up to our last episode on "The Power of Sacrifice", Ken and Shar interview another couple in whom they see a marriage of mutual, loving sacrifice for one another. Meet Jesse and Micah Kobayashi. Micah is Ken and Shar's daughter and Jesse their beloved son-in-law. What an encouraging interaction between these two powerful couples!

There's nothing more counter intuitive to mankind's fallen nature than to sacrifice for another. We're just not good at sacrificial love! The power of sacrificial love between husband and wife is this; it puts Jesus on full display for the world to see! At its core, the love of Jesus is sacrificial; so then should our love be for husband and wife.

Continuing their series on "Becoming a Power Couple" in this episode Ken and Shar intimately discuss the beautiful attribute of a "Thankful and Grateful Heart". Listen in and you'll agree, being a grateful person goes a long way in any marriage!

In this episode Ken and Shar talk about the necessary virtue of "Humility" in a marriage. "Pride always ends with disunity and brokenness, humility brings unity and peace"! Marriage itself demands humility from both the husband and the wife; she humbles herself under his headship and he humbles himself through sacrificial love, putting her highest good above his own. Apart from humility a couple will never have a marriage that truly puts Jesus on display for the world.

In this episode Ken and Shar Interview their very good friends, Ron and Sheryl, to talk about the simple virtue of "Kindness". Listen in and be encouraged to offer a kind heart to your spouse every day. That's what makes a true "Power Couple".

You wouldn't think that scripture would need to remind us to simply be kind to one another, but it does! Kindness, or "doing good to another", is not only an attribute of God, it's also a fruit of His Spirit being formed in the life of the true believer. In this episode Ken and Shar not only remind us to be kind to our spouse, but also give great practical application revealing what kindness can actually look like.

In this episode Ken and Shar remind couples of the power of "Commitment". In the end, they share, Commitment and Confusion can't settle into the same heart. If you're committed to loving your spouse then you're not confused. If your confused about loving your spouse, then the answer is to revisit your commitment. What a simple but profound reminder!

As Ken and Shar explore "The Power of Vision" in your marriage, they took some time to interview some close friends, Jay and Erica. This couple has faced many ups and downs in life, but have never wandered off course or lost the vision the Lord has given them for a powerful marriage.

In this first episode of a new series titled "Becoming a Power Couple" Ken and Shar explain exactly what attributes and characteristics make up a "power couple".  It all starts out with "vison"!  Come and learn how important vision is to your marriage; without it, people wander far away from God's wonderful design.

In this episode Shar takes the lead, sharing from Prov. 14:1 "The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands". What, exactly, can a woman do to build up her household? And just as importantly, what do women commonly do that can actually tear their own house down?

In this episode Ken and Shar take a brief break from their last series to encourage all husbands. From 1 Pet. 3:7 , they encourage men to "live with them with understanding...giving them honor". Join them as they unwrap this important exhortation with practical insight and application.

In this episode Ken and Shar wrap up a series called "Fighting Fair". This episode encourages couples to "Be of One Mind" and walks us slowly through 1 Pet. 3:8-12 where we are told never to return evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but simply "do good" to one another! Great reminder for us all, right?

The bible is amazing clear about what makes a man or a woman a "fool", and believe it or not, it has much to do with how we communicate with people... including our spouse! This episode is sure to be challenging, revealing and enlightening. A great tool for your marriage tool-bag!

In this episode Ken and Shat continue their discussion through Eph. 4:26-27. This episode gives us the solution to the kind of anger that tears couples apart., Here it is..."Don't let the sun go down on your wrath and don't give place to the devil".

In this episode Ken and Shar continue equipping marriages with the tools we all need to quickly and fruitfully resolve conflict. Is "anger" an issue within your marriage? Then this episode is for you!

Every couple must learn to resolve conflict and fight fair. In this episode Shar and Ken explore these simple words from Eph. 4:15, "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ". When it comes to enjoying unity and living together in peace and joy, this is a skill every couple must have; "Speak the truth in love"!