We assert that agape love—God’s unconditional, action‑oriented love—is the essential foundation for a healthy, Christ‑centered marriage. We explain that agape must be combined with six complementary forms of love—phileo (friendship), eros (romance), storge (family affection), ahavah (commitment), epithumia (desire), and related expressions—to produce a smooth, functioning union. We emphasize forgiveness as indispensable because unforgiveness hardens the heart and can destroy a marriage. We urge couples to choose love daily, to speak the language of love with gentle words and tone, to give grace, and to remain committed through trials. We offer practical actions such as reading a love confession, practicing brief daily hugs and a ten‑second kiss, avoiding lists of past offenses, and seeking help when necessary, so that we may be married and love it on purpose.

Takeaways:

• We emphasize that agape love is a deliberate, sacrificial choice and not merely an emotion.
• We urge you to practice forgiveness promptly to prevent bitterness and long term damage in marriage.
• We advise couples to put all six types of love into regular practice for a smooth marriage.
• We recommend speaking words that build up your spouse while avoiding harsh speech, wrong tone, and judgment.
• We encourage committed teamwork during trials, remembering vows and resisting the temptation to abandon or withdraw.
• We encourage daily simple actions, such as a 10-second kiss and affectionate touch, to restore intimacy.
• We advise persistent patience and grace, giving each other time to change while actively becoming more lovable partners.

Episodes referred to: 69, 70, 76-80

www.marriedandloveit.com/69

Scriptures referred to: Ecclesiastes 9:9; Colossians 3:14; I Corinthians 13:4-7

Go to this link to sign up for our newsletter:

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/LFxOu11

Website: www.marriedandloveit.com

E-mail address is marriedandloveit1977@gmail.com

• phone 984-270-6062

“Love Confession”

I Corinthians 13:4-8

God is Love

And the Love of God is in me.

Therefore:

I endure long and am patient and kind;

I’m never envious or jealous;

I’m not boastful or proud;

I’m never haughty, selfish or rude;

I am never irritable or touchy;

I’m never resentful and I don’t hold grudges;

I hardly even notice when others may do wrong;

I expect and believe in the best of every person

And will defend them no matter what anyone else may say;

The love of God in me never fails, therefore, I never fail.

Love is my greatest aim.

We outline practical steps to live agape love. We name concrete actions and habits. We teach ten ways to show agape, including focusing on your spouse, taking initiative, serving without expectation, forgiving first, and meeting needs. We give short, real examples from our life. We describe a hotel weekend where choosing to listen turned potential conflict into connection. We describe small daily acts, like clearing pine needles from a windshield, that communicate care. We list a simple pattern: look, listen, ask, and take action. We offer immediate practices couples can try. We recommend the ten-second kiss each morning. We advise thinking ahead to fix small needs before they become complaints. We warn against serving with a negative tone. We encourage spouses to be one another's biggest fan. We end with a call to prayer, an offer to connect, and a reminder that small, steady choices produce deep and lasting love.

Takeaways:

• We teach that agape love is a daily deliberate choice to seek our spouse's good.
• We remind couples to put on love each morning and start each day with a clean slate.
• We model serving without expectation and taking initiative to meet needs without seeking immediate return.
• We encourage listening, asking, and taking action so we notice small needs and think ahead to serve.
• We explain that love is unconditional and not performance based, so we love even when spouses act poorly.
• We suggest practical habits like the ten second morning kiss to renew connection and bless each other.
• We urge motivating and encouraging our spouse toward goals, helping them reach full potential through sacrificial service.
• We base our counsel on scripture and long marriage experience, urging humility, self-giving, and concern for our partner's welfare.

Book referred to: The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Episodes referred to: 69, 70, 76-79

www.marriedandloveit.com/69

Scriptures referred to: Ecclesiastes 9:9; Colossians 3:14: Philippians 2:3-4

Go to this link to sign up for our newsletter:

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/LFxOu11

Website: www.marriedandloveit.com

E-mail address is marriedandloveit1977@gmail.com

• phone 984-270-6062

This episode provides a deep exploration of the multifaceted nature of love, particularly in the context of marriage, as the hosts Greg and Linda Smith articulate six distinctive ways of loving one's spouse. Among these, desire—referred to as 'Epithymia'—is presented as a crucial component that fuels both emotional and physical intimacy. The hosts reflect on their own nearly five decades of marriage, sharing personal anecdotes that show how desire, when nurtured, can lead to a more fulfilling relationship. They emphasize the importance of being intentional about cultivating desire, suggesting that couples should create opportunities for connection and affection, rather than allowing life’s distractions to foster a roommate dynamic. By invoking scriptural references that underscore the beauty of marital love, the discussion encourages couples to engage actively in their relationships, fostering an environment where both partners feel cherished and desired. The episode serves as a reminder that love is not merely a passive experience but requires ongoing effort and commitment to thrive amidst the challenges of everyday life.

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of genuine love in marriage, detailing various types of love, including friendship, romance, and commitment, which should all be present for a thriving relationship.
• Listeners are encouraged to prioritize their relationship by actively demonstrating desire towards their spouse, using practical actions to maintain intimacy and connection over time.
• The hosts discuss how external pressures and personal challenges can hinder marital desire, urging couples to engage in self-examination and seek God's guidance to restore emotional closeness.
• The concept of 'Epithymia,' or strong desire, is highlighted as essential for a fulfilling marital experience, reinforcing the idea that desire must be nurtured through intentional actions and communication.
• The speakers advocate for regular acts of affection, such as the 'ten second kiss,' to cultivate a sense of longing and desire, thereby counteracting the roommate phenomenon in long-term marriages.
• The overarching message of the episode stresses the necessity of mutual desire and commitment to enhance the marital bond, encouraging couples to actively work on their relationship and avoid complacency.

Episodes referred to: 69, 70, 76-78

Scriptures referred to: Ecclesiastes 9:9; Colossians 3:8; verses 12-14; Song of Solomon 4:9; Song of Solomon 5:16; Song of Solomon 7: 10-11; I Corinthians 7:33-34

Go to this link to sign up for our newsletter:

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/LFxOu11

Website: www.marriedandloveit.com

E-mail address is marriedandloveit1977@gmail.com

• phone 984-270-6062