BLOG TOUR DRAWING
* At the end of the week, One Winner (Randomly chosen from all blogs – see schedule at http://bit.ly/Marriage101) will receive a $30 DATE NIGHT certificate to the restaurant of their choice (Applebees, Chili’s, Ruby Tuesday or Red Lobster) and a gift pack of books (includes Marriage 101, I Don’t Want a Divorce, and Have a New Husband by Friday.)
You must answer the question posted by me in the comment section to be entered to win!
In July of 1992, Jewell met her Prince Charming at a Roy Rogers restaurant. 
When the couple decided to marry four years later, both were aware of the latest marriage statistics and the legacy of divorce that lay between them. Her parents divorced when she was four, after moving the family to Maryland, leaving her to be raised by a single mother. To circumvent the odds, they went through pre-marital counseling, attended church regularly and felt a strong love for one another. They believed they were ready for marriage.
While desiring to have a happily ever after, Jewell found life after marriage anything but a fairy tale. In 2001, she and her husband, Lewis, had been married for five years but were growing apart, after experiencing problems with infertility, sleeping in separate bedrooms and Lewis’s increasing disinterest in going to church. As she searched for answers to her marital troubles, Jewell found herself on a journey, seeking answers to save her marriage.
Despite a shaky beginning, the Powells now have a relationship with a strong foundation. After successfully resolving their marital problems, they started the Happily Ever After Marriage Ministry to help others do the same. Her new book, Marriage 101: Building a Life Together by Faith (Revell Books February 2009, ISBN 978-0-8007-3332-2, $13.99), offers hope and guidance to help transform broken relationships through the use of biblical wisdom in a simple workbook format.
Jewell serves as co-owner of Antiok Holdings, an emerging full-service management consulting firm, which she owns with her husband. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Maryland and is pursuing a Master of Divinity. The Powells reside in southern Maryland with their two daughters.
Jewell, what are some of the unrealistic expectations couples have today about marriage? How can these do more harm than good?
1) Marriages don’t have problems and if so, you’ve married the wrong person
2) Your spouse is perfect
3) What is betrayed in Hollywood tv, books and movies regarding relationships are real
4) That marriage doesn’t require work
It causes you to want to give up and divorce because you think something is not right with your relationship.
What is one of the greatest errors couples make when they get married?
Know what you are getting into is not base on what you think. Listening to others and understanding that marriage is work. It can’t be that I can’t live without them but ask yourself, if they never change, can I live with them for the rest of my life. Therefore, the greatest error is that their spouse is going to change after they get married. When in reality, you both will have to change when you get married.
What are the eight biblical insights you found that can transform any marriage?
Act Biblically – is a person who does what is right even when others are not. Regardless of how your spouse or anyone else is treating you, you are responsible for doing the word. We can no longer point the finger or blame our spouses as to why we are not doing God’s word.
Love Biblically – is a person who can love like God. To love people, especially our spouses unconditionally without expecting anything in return.
Talk Biblically – is to say what God word says. The word says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” We can say what scriptures say because God is faithful to His word
Repent Biblically – is a person who changes his or her attitude and behavior ” The scripture tells us to Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” You cannot continue to say I am sorry to the Lord or others while still doing the same things. True repentance results in a changed life with new or different behavior/thinking and is visible to others.
Unite Biblically – is to become ‘one’. Agreement is the key to becoming one. God says, “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose” (Philippians 2:2 NLT) Two people cannot walk hand in hand yet go in separate directions – one mind, one purpose.
Identify Biblically – is a person who allows the Holy Spirit to guide them and teach them who they should be in Christ Jesus. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. I am what the word says I am, I can do what the word says I can do
Submit Biblically – is a person who can surrender their will to others and to God. We honor God when we submit to others. “Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, … Biblical submission is to voluntarily yield in love and a willingness to consider another person’s need more important than our own. I’ve learned that we can honor God (Whom we have not seen) by honoring our brethren (especially our spouses), whom we have seen.
Minister Biblically – is to allow God to use you to minister to the people in your sphere of influence – basically win souls for the Kingdom “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This letter is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts” (2 Cor 3:3) Jesus wants us to be his living epistle. To minister biblically is not in what we say but in how we live our lives as Christians.
How did you apply these eight elements to your own relationship with your husband?
For example, Act biblically. We argue a lot about dinner. I hate to cook and Lewis wants a fresh cook meal every day. No microwave, no can, no frozen dinners. One morning we had a big argument and he told me I better have dinner for him tonight. The first thought that came to my mind was call and apologize and ask Lewis what he wanted for dinner. My flesh was screaming no way “I will have bread and water waiting for him when he got home”. After a few minutes, I called and apologize and asked him what he wanted for dinner. Acting biblically is doing what is right. It is doing what God tells you to do even when you don’t want to.
Another example, Repent Biblically. I was a wife who nagged, was mouthy and judgmental and would slice and dice him with my tongue. When I learned the true meaning of repentance, I understood that I just couldn’t say I am sorry and continue doing the same thing. My repentance became real and visible because I no longer nagged, judged or use my tongue as a weapon.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Your marriage can be strong, healthy, happy, and blessed. Marriage coach Jewell Powell shows you how in this 8-week plan for marital success. She reveals how God’s truths can transform two individuals into the union he desires. Laying a spiritual foundation is crucial to your marriage. In Marriage 101: Building a Life Together by Faith, you will discover God’s purpose for marriage, how to develop godly character, how to communicate effectively, and much more. With biblical examples, study questions, and Scripture meditations perfect for individuals or couples, you will be challenged to examine areas in your life that may need change so that your marriage can thrive.
Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/Marriage101.
For more information about, visit Jewell at http://www.marriage101.us/.
About Renee Williams
Thank you, Renee, for hosting Jewell Powell on All the Buzz Reviews. You get a bit of a break until 2010 now. LOL! I appreciate you.
It has truly been my pleasure Ty! I’m looking forward to more great tours next year!
Jewell, it is a pleasure to host you today as part of your blog tour! I am definitely looking forward to reading Marriage 101. In fact, it’s a book I really need to read. I do have a question for you, though. Well maybe two questions. LOL First, do you believe that any marriage can be saved? What about if one of the spouses doesn’t make any effort to resolve issues and believe that just being there at home is working on saving the marriage?
Yes, I believe any marriage can be saved as long as both people want it. However, it may take one person, as in my case, to do most of the work. Eventually, he came around when he started seeing the changes I was making. For example, I stopped nagging him about going to church, stopped cursing him out, and continued to show him love even when he didn’t deserve it. Since he is still there, that is a great start for you. God Bless
But what if both people don’t want it? Do you force the issue? And if one person does most of the work, doesn’t resent set in, and how can you stop it?
If both people don’t want it, then what can you do but divorce. We want divorces because of the hardness of our heart. My heart was hard and I wanted out but I prayed to the Father and said not my will but Your will be done. God told me to stay and work it out. I had to change my thoughts first and ask God to help me to see things differently and He did. Resentment, anger, etc. can come in if you allow it. Ask God to change your heart. Cry out as David did, Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me. He will.
Another great addition to your tour Renee..
Jewell.. congrats on the book and much success.
Thanks Cilia
Thanks Cilla! Glad you enjoyed it and I really, really appreciate you supporting this tour!
1. Yes, I believe that any marriage can be saved.
2. I think through faith any marriage can be saved if one is willing to sometimes ‘carry’ the other. Marriage is full of cycles and sometimes either partner has to do the work of two. As someone who has been married over thirty years I know tht to be true.
angelia
Angelia
I believe that as well.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts Angelia. It is hard to do the work of two, ALL THE TIME, and it seem like it is all for naught. When it gets to that point, it’s time to cut your losses, right?
Great interview~
I have enjoyed reading a short synopsis of Jewell’s book. I actually have the book and can’t wait to begin reading it. Jewell’s testimony is a wonderful way of “how the story ends”. It ends in purpose, overtaking the enemy and victory!!
Being that I am still a “newlywed” we will certainly add Marriage 101 to our arsenal of weaponry to keep the enemy at bay and surround our marriage and our home with that God kind of love!
Blessings!
Cheryl
Thanks Cheryl
I look forward to your blog tour for Victorious Living for Women and working with you in the near future. God Bless
Cheryl, thanks so much for stopping by! I’m looking forward to reading the book also.
How wonderful it is that you are hosting Jewell as part of her blog tour. I met Jewell for the
first time over the week-end and found her to be a pleasant, down-to-earth, no-nonsense lady who
has “over-board” passion for her topic.
Kudos!
Deana Murphy
Author: Designing for the King
Thanks Deana
It was a pleasure meeting you and thanks for the kudos. It’s funny how you were able to pick up that I am a no-nonsense person in that short time.
God Bless
Thanks Deana! It is an honor to host Jewell!
Loved the interview. The book sounds like a must read for any couple thinking about marriage, and for all couples experiencing the not so happily ever after after saying their vows. Thanks for sharing. Continued blessings.
Hi Vanessa
Thanks. If you know anyone that is married or getting married, please direct them to the website http://www.marriage101.us for free newsletters and articles. Thanks again
Thanks for stopping by Vanessa!
Congratulations! Just reading the insight that you have provided lets me know that this is definitely a “weapon to come against wedding warfare.” Thank you for your impartation into the lives of women & men who choose to embrace marriage, while the enemy looks for a way to erase it!
Brenda Dennis
Co-author Victorious Living For Women
Thank you my victorious sister. Marriage can be great if we go to the Creator and ask Him to direct our paths. Remember, His Way is Perfect! God Bless
Amen! Brenda, thank you for stopping by and supporting the tour and sharing your thoughts!
This is wonderful advice to consider. Thank you Jewell. I am no where near the marriage stage but this information is always good to have in the back of your mind. Congratulations and I wish much success for you and your husband in the future.
Hey Erica! Thank you coming by and supporting the tour. I agree, this is wonderful advice, for the single people and the married couples.
Congratulations!!! This is a much needed guide for Believers and Non-Believers alike to get a more realistic view of what marriage is and what it is not. I believe if I would have had this book 15 years ago my marriage would have had a better chance of reconciling or at the very least end on more amicable terms. I will not only get this for myself but I will recommend it to others who are thinking about getting married, entering into marriage or who have been there and did that, because we are all forever learning on this journey called Life. Seeing your success and sending you blessings!
VWL-CoAuthor Johnese S. Stewart
I haven’t read the book, but just based on the principles in the interview alone, I will recommend this book to others as well.
Thanks for stopping by Johnese!
Thanks Johnese, I appreciate your support.
Jewell!
Thank you for sharing your insight on how to have a blessed marriage! Much success!!
The insight and introspection Jewell used is to be commended. Blessings to you my VLW sister!
This book sounds like a real blessing to married couples and hoping to be marrieds! The TRUE picture of a Godly marriage is necessary for ANY marriage to survive.
I am divorced and hoping to be married again and the Godly advice offered by Jewell will surely help me not to make the same mistakes twice!
Jewell, I’ll be praying that your book touches many marriages – both the ones to come and the ones in need of healing.