Fred Lowery - Covenant Marriage: Staying Together for Life

Staying Together for Life

DR. FRED LOWERY

Dr. Fred Lowery, senior pastor of the 7,000-plus-member First Baptist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana, is the author of three books and the featured speaker on the highly rated television program The First Word. He has performed approximately 300 covenant marriages, and he was point man in bringing the covenant marriage concept to the attention of the Southern Baptist Pastors Conference.

Covenant Marriage

Our purpose at Howard Books is to:

• Increase faith in the hearts of growing Christians
• Inspire holiness in the lives of believers
• Instill hope in the hearts of struggling people everywhere

Because Hes coming again!

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Covenant Marriage 2002 by Fred Lowery

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ISBN: 978-1-582-29393-6

eISBN-13: 978-1-439-12279-2

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Edited by Michele Buckingham

Interior design by Stephanie Denney

Cover design by LinDee Loveland

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Other Scriptures are quoted from the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version (RSV), 1952 by Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America; the Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV), 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.; the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation; The Living Bible (TLB), copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189; the Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version (KJV), 1961 by the National Publishing Co.; the Message (MSG), 1994 by Eugene H. Peterson, NavPress, all rights reserved.

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To Leigh, my one and only, to whom my heart criesI want you, I need you, I love you
She has stood by me, loved me, prayed with me and played with me, laughed with me and cried with me, parented with me and grandparented with me, ministered with me and sought Gods will with me. Her personality has put the celebration in our marriage; her faith has made it sacred and solid. I cant imagine life without her.
It is with a grateful heart and personal joy that I dedicate this book to my covenant bride, my precious wife, Leigh Lowery.
Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.

Proverbs 31:29 RSV

The Covenant Marriage movement is a collaborative effort to further strengthen the institution of marriage. Participating in this movement are leading national organizations that are already impacting marriages, such as Focus on the Family, Moody Bible Institute, Promise Keepers, and Lifeway Christian Resources.

The stated mission of Covenant Marriage is to restore churches and society to an understanding and practice of marriage as covenant by applying timeless principles of Gods Word.

The challenge is for every couple in America to examine their definition of marriage with the understanding that it must be more than a contract or even a commitment; it must be a covenant.

To learn more about this movement, see their website at www.covenantmarriage.com.

How wonderful to have an entire book that helps you understand marriage from the aspect of covenant! Nothing is more transforming than knowing what it means to be in a covenant relationship with God and with your mate. If you understand the covenant aspect of marriage, your relationship cannot help but take on a whole new, wonderful depth of commitment. And isnt that what we all long fora true, unshakable commitment with a lifelong mate?

Theres nothing stronger than a covenant commitment. Covenant is the anchor that holds you and your marriage through any stormand this book will help you drop anchor. The precepts and principles of covenant laid out in these pages will radically transform your commitment to your spouse. When youve finished reading, youll have a fresh understanding of the gravity and the blessing of saying I do.

My heartfelt thanks to the following people who contributed so much to the writing of this book:

Above all, my wife, Leigh Lowery, and our daughters, Christy Faciane and Shelby Koch. Each day you give me a thousand reasons why working on my marriage should be a sacred and never-ending journey. I love each one of you so very much. And girls, thank you so much for marrying wonderful, God-desiring guys and for choosing covenant marriage. No dad could feel more blessed. And of course, to Laura Leigh: Thanks for bringing so much joy into our lives.

My wonderful sons-in-law, Ky Faciane and Jon Koch. Wow, you guys are the best! Thanks for walking with God and for loving and cherishing my daughters. Thanks for choosing covenant marriage.

My parents, Fred and Esther Lowery. Before my father died in 1993, I thanked him for being faithful to Mom and to us kids and for finishing well. His example, spirit, and humor are with me forever. Thank you, Mom, for loving me unconditionally and for praying for me without ceasing. I owe you so much. I can never thank you and Dad enough for staying married.

Terri Williams, my secretary, a woman of many talents, one who has worked tirelessly on this project, and one who always goes the second mile. Terri, you are always there when I need you, and I could not have done this book without you. Your support and computer skills are priceless to me.

My secretary, Terry Perdue. Thanks for protecting me in my fight for time to do this book. Thanks for encouraging me and making me smile when I needed to.

My friends at Howard Publishing. It has been a true pleasure working with you. Your spirit and Christian witness have blessed me.

Michele Buckingham, my editor at Howard. It was a joy to work with you. Without a doubt, you made it a better book.

Denny Boultinghouse, without whom there would be no book. Thanks for believing in me.

Philis Boultinghouse, whose encouragement, suggestions, and help along the way were invaluable. Thank you!

Dennis Swanberg, my friend. Thanks for telling me about Howard Publishing and encouraging me to go forward with this book.