Reflections from the Marriage Table

In the midst of hectic and fast paced families, one stable element that can bring grace, love, and joy is the table. Biblically, the table was a place of mercy, unity, and hospitality. Marriage also is a uniting of male and female, to complement and partner, to create a new family, ministry, and community. When the marriage table becomes a central element, sacred and safe spaces are created for individuals, couples, and families to thrive and mature as God intended. Ron and Lori Clark share their experiences as a couple in ministry, working with family violence, and creating safe spaces for their marriage and children to mature and develop healthy self-esteem. This book, with discussion questions, is designed to help couples find partnership, peace, and grow together in relationship and love, whether in ministry or simply seeking to be who God called them to be. ""Ron and Lori bring joy, insight, depth and wisdom for our hopes for healthy marriage. In sharing their marriage experiences, family stories, and metaphor of table, they revive a splendid tradition of communication and understanding so often missing in today's marriages. I love reading their insights about relationships, life, and love. What a fun, encouraging way to learn about strengthening marriage and family!"" --Ed Gray, Professor of Counseling, Harding School of Theology; Author of Marriage Mentoring: 12 Conversations ""Reflections from the Marriage Table is a beautiful testament to the Holy Spirit in marriage. Through the vulnerable sharing of their story, Ron and Lori invite us to be an active participant in God's purpose to grow and become all God wants us to be by respecting each other's differences, and creating a safe and sacred space. A must-read for couples who want to live out God's design for marriage."" --Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD ""Sit down, pull up a chair, and prepare to feast on authenticity, insight, and years of wisdom. In a world full of chaos and struggle, Reflections from the Marriage Table offers readers a still and sacred space to both stabilize and stimulate couples and families toward the development of relational depth over breadth. Ron and Lori transparently remind us that there is always room at God's table for one more."" --Clint and Penny A. Bragg, Authors of Marriage on the Mend--Healing Your Relationship After Crisis, Separation, or Divorce Ron and Lori Clark have been married and in ministry since 1987. They planted the Agape Church of Christ in downtown Portland in March 2007 and continue to serve Portland in ministry, domestic violence education, and working with various marginalized communities. They have three sons and love living together in Oregon.