To say Jim and Shanna Ramos struggled in their first year of marriage is to minimize the word “struggle.” Jim says he married an angel and woke up with the devil. Shanna says she married her dream and woke up to a nightmare.
Jim believed his marriage was a mistake but didn’t believe in divorce. The turning point came at a Promise Keepers event where he heard a message about being a man who out-loves and out-serves his wife. Jim committed to the idea even though he didn’t believe it would work. To his surprise, Shanna came to life, a result that softened Jim’s heart toward Shanna and helped him become a man.
Maleness is natural. Manhood is a choice.
If you’re a husband, you can choose to honor and serve your wife in big or in small ways. Open the car door for her. Hold her hand in public. Give your best to her instead of to your hobbies or your friends.
If you’re a wife, affirm your husband’s efforts and allow him to serve you. You are capable of taking care of yourself, of course, but making room for your husband to step up on your behalf will strengthen your marriage.
Jim and Shanna Ramos are joining me on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly to help guys become men in their homes and to encourage wives to allow them to do so.
Jim is a pastor, a best-selling author, and the founder of Men in the Arena, a non-profit Christian ministry that equips men to honor God in the leadership of their family, church, and community.Shanna served as CFO for Men in the Arena and is now a flight attendant with Alaska Airlines.
Jim and Shanna share how to strengthen your marriage by understanding:
• Relational doubts for women.
• Relational doubts for men.
• Three ways people handle conflict:
o As a peacefaker.
o As a peacebreaker.
o As a peacemaker.
• Masculinity in marriage.
• Communicating in marriage.
• Pursuing your wife.
• A man’s role in the household.
• Spiritual leadership in marriage.
Hear my full conversation with Jim and Shanna on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, or on our free phone app.
If your marriage is struggling, and you’d like to speak with a counselor, call Focus on the Family for a free consultation. Leave your name and number, and they’ll get back with you as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Jim and Shanna Ramos’ book Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God is available for a gift of any amount. Click here for more information.
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