The marriage vows. You’ve heard them. “Do you take…..for better, or for worse, for richer, or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do you part?”
On August 23, 1968. Norma Jean and I said, “I do” to those vows. (Yes, we were mere children when we got married!) We knew intellectually the meaning of that pledge. We both had been taught the Truth about marriage: one man for one woman for life. We believed it. Now, 44 years later we know what it means emotionally, spiritually and experientially. It is one thing to know something because you read it or observed it, it is quite another to know it because you have dealt with it, lived it and experienced it.
Laban said regarding the goodness of God, “I have learned by experience” (Gen 30:27). In the past 44 years we have learned something about marriage, because we have lived it.
(1) We have learned that neither of us is perfect. It’s quite a shock to young lovers to learn of some shortcoming or flaw in their beloved. We know the Bible says, “all have sinned.” But not my Sweetie! Well, we have! We fall short. Make mistakes. And sin. Some enter into marriage with unrealistic expectations. Neither of you are perfect. Accept it.
(2) We have learned the need for confession and forgiveness. When we make our mistakes we need to admit them, ask forgiveness and pray. And the spouse must offer forgiveness. James wrote, “Confess your sins one to another, and pray for one another” (5:16). This is not a “church command” it’s an individual command. To make it 44 years it must be practiced. Several times!
(3) We have learned that there is an ebb and flow to romantic love, but God’s true spiritual love never fails. There is such a misunderstanding of what real love is today, that it’s no wonder marriages fail. Too often love is equated with sex. Or a tingling emotion. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Love expresses itself in positive attitudes and godly actions.
Love is patient. Kind. Constructive. Love is not jealous, boastful or proud. Love has good manners. Love is not easily angered, nor does it keep either a written or mental record of wrongs. Love is not selfish, irritable or resentful. Love doesn’t gloat over sins of another, but rejoices when Truth is practiced. Love always protects. Hopes. Trusts. Endures. Love can outlast anything!
You see love is an act of the will. Of the mind. Of the heart. A marriage won’t last 44 years if love is perverted or profaned.. We need to get back to love God’s way.
(4) We have learned that you need a strong faith to make it through the difficulties of life. Every family has trials of some sort. Sickness. Death. Financial setbacks. No marriage is exempt from life’s troubles. It’s faith that provides the substance of our love and hope. Faith offers direction. Encouragement. Steadiness. Faith navigates you through the storm when you can’t see how to make it.
(5) We have learned you need a sense of humor. Things happen that sometimes you can only laugh it. Yes, “a merry heart does good like a medicine.”
(6) We have learned the meaning of commitment. No marriage will withstand a lack of commitment. Commitment to God. To each other. Commitment to our vows. Commitment to marriage God’s way. (Eph. 5:22-32)
Today we celebrate a 44 wonderful years together–years of health, hope and happiness. We wish the same for our son Kenny and his wife April; and for our daughter Rachél and her husband Jared. We wish the same for the young couples in our fellowship. And we wish the same for you. May you come to really know and experience the joys of God’s plan for you. Your life. Your home. Your marriage.
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Congratulations and best wishes! Good & needed post.
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Happy Anniversary Ken and Norma! Congratulations on living a successful marriage exemplified in God’s Word! Thanks for the wonderful post!
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Thanks Jeanne.
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Thanks for sharing of yourselves so others can be encouraged. Happy Anniversary to both of you!
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Thanks Aleta!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Happy Anniversary to both of you!!!
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Happy anniversary – and good stuff today!
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Thanks Mark!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Happy Anniversary Ken & Norma!! We should all pattern our marriages according to God’s word. Good blog!
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Happy Anniversary young loves! We feel so blessed to have you two fellowshipping with us. Have a wonderful time in Branson! I like the line above that says,”Faith offers direction”. This stood out to me because I have truly seen and lived to see this is true.
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Congratulations and thank for lifting us up everyday!
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Happy Anniversary!
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Happy Anniversary Ken and Norma!!!
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Happy anniversary Ken and Norma. Thank you for the encouragement and sharing your faith and love for our God in Heaven.love you both Sara
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Happy Anniversary Ken and Norma Jean! Your commitment to each other is a great example for us all!!!
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MR. KEN AND MRS. NORMA JEAN!!! Reading your blog today has truly inspired me to strive for the kind of marriage and love you guys share with each other and apply the word of God and what you two exemplify to my marriage. My husband isn’t a Christian but a pray that one day soon that will change and that we will have what God intended for us to have…a scriptural marriage!! Wishing you both a BEAUTIFUL DAY for a BEAUTIFUL COUPLE!!!
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ALL YOU SAY IS SO TRUE AND RIGHT-ON. WE HAVE YOU BEAT AS I HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO THIS OLD MANN FOR 50 YEARS. OF COURSE HE MARRIED THIS YOUNGER MANN.(play on words for those that don’t know us – last name MANN. CONGRATS AND ENJOY ONE OF OUR FUN PLACES.
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I loved your post and the picture of the two of you. Happy 44th Anniversary! Love you both!!!
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Ken Happy Anniversary and I am sure the Lord is happy also that you have committed to do his will in marriage.
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Ken,
Congratulations to you and Norma! I am so glad I had the opportunity to know you!! Best wishes for many future years…Carl and I are right in there with you.
Jeanette Yates
Broker/Owner
WEICHERT, REALTORS ® -Yates & Associates
jyates@weichertyates.com
813-933-1761
Yates Assoc logo MINI
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Congratulations! Hadn’t realized that you were married when Gary was just 3 weeks old. He would have been 44 July 30th. We will be celebrating our 50th in a couple of weeks. You’ll be there before you know it. Love you two.
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Congratulations Ken and Norma, may you have many many more happy anniversaries in the years to come. John and I will celebrate our 58th in a few weeks. Life is good!!!!
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Happy Anniversary! I hope to one day experience the same if it is the Lord’s will! 🙂
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Happy Anniversary! May God continue to bless a beautiful couple.
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Thanks to all you who expessed anniversary wishes to us. We appreciate it. And Thank You Very Much! Ken & Norma Jean
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Hope you had a happy anniversary. Excellent article. Betty and I just celebrated our 60th. We agree that all you comments were very appropriate.
We moved from Little Rock to Haughton, LA, to be closer to some of our children. Hated to leave LR, but have adjusted and enjoy it here. If you are ever in this area, come by to see us. J.B. & Betty Williams
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Thanks for reading my blog and for your kind words. Good to hear from you. If you’re ever in KCMO, come and see us.
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net/ blog: http://www.thepreachersword.com/ Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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