Faith
Marriage Decline Raises Concern for Families
Faith Facts
- The Marriage Foundation highlights a 9% drop in heterosexual weddings in England and Wales during 2023.
- Many couples have not rescheduled ceremonies postponed by Covid-19 lockdowns.
- Recent data shows fewer than half of adults are married, and nearly half of UK teenagers do not live with both biological parents.
The Marriage Foundation is raising alarm as marriage rates continue to decline, a troubling sign for the future of family and faith in Britain. New data reveal wedding numbers remain far below levels needed to recover from lockdown losses.
Research Director Harry Benson notes tens of thousands of couples disrupted by pandemic restrictions still have not held their weddings.
While there has been some recovery since 2019, the rise in ceremonies is far less than the gap left by the sweeping closures of 2020.
“That so many couples appear to have abandoned their wedding plans is incredibly sad for them, their friends and families. But it may also have a serious knock-on effect on commitment.”
The foundation stresses the importance of marriage as a public covenant, affirming stability and support for couples and children. Marriage remains a powerful institution upholding God’s design for family and society.
Some couples have prioritized other goals, such as starting families or buying homes, but the foundation warns this may weaken generational ties and Christian values if formal marriage is forsaken.
Divorce rates are at their lowest since 1970, but genuine family stability remains elusive, with almost half of teens lacking both biological parents at home.
“This has knock-on effects on child poverty, crime, education and mental health. Until our national policies encourage couples to make the formal commitment of marriage, this situation will get worse.”
The Marriage Foundation calls for policies supporting the financial feasibility of marriage, reminding us that strong families are the cornerstone of a righteous and free nation. Let us pray and act to restore marriage as God intended.
Faith
Estranged Children and Biblical Family Ties
Faith Facts
- The Bible commands children to honor their father and mother (Exodus 20:12).
- Scripture warns against bitterness and urges reconciliation within families (Ephesians 4:31-32).
- God places high value on generational relationships and the passing down of faith (Psalm 78:4-7).
At a recent breakfast three friends shared the same heartbreak: grown children who had cut off all contact even with grandchildren. It is a growing trend and one the Bible speaks to directly.
Many counselors and social media voices frame cutting off parents as healthy boundaries or necessary self-care. The practice has gained traction especially among younger adults influenced by therapeutic language that often places personal feelings above family duty.
Yet Scripture consistently elevates the lifelong responsibility children have toward their parents. The fifth commandment does not expire when a person turns eighteen and the call to honor remains even when relationships are imperfect.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Christian counselors note that estrangement often stems from unresolved conflicts that could be addressed through repentance forgiveness and godly counsel rather than permanent separation. The pattern of total cutoff also deprives grandchildren of the generational wisdom and love Scripture expects families to pass on.
“Fathers shall not be put to death for their children nor shall children be put to death for their fathers. Each one shall die for his own sin.”
The trend reflects a broader cultural shift that elevates individual autonomy over covenantal family bonds. While abuse must never be minimized or excused the biblical model still calls believers to pursue peace and reconciliation wherever possible.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith
JRR Tolkien Honored Beside CS Lewis In Westminster Abbey Poets Corner
Faith Facts
- J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Catholic whose faith shaped his storytelling in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
- C.S. Lewis, a close friend of Tolkien, was a prominent Christian writer whose works also reflect deep faith.
- Both authors are celebrated for weaving Christian values into their literary masterpieces.
J.R.R. Tolkien, the devout Catholic author whose Christian beliefs helped shape The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, will be honored with a memorial in Westminster Abbey’s Poets’ Corner alongside his close friend and fellow Christian writer C.S. Lewis.
The decision to place Tolkien’s memorial in Poets’ Corner marks a fitting tribute to a man whose faith and imagination have touched millions of readers across generations.
“It is a joy to see Tolkien’s legacy recognized in such a historic and sacred place,”
“His stories continue to inspire readers with themes of courage, sacrifice, and redemption that echo the Gospel.”
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith
Ordinary Believers Yield Extraordinary Fruit When Surrendered to God
Faith Facts
- Robin Rempel describes herself as an average person yet has witnessed God produce extraordinary fruit through her surrendered life.
- Scripture consistently shows the Lord using ordinary individuals to accomplish His purposes, as seen in the lives of Gideon, Esther, and the early disciples.
- Christian teaching affirms that genuine effectiveness flows not from personal strength but from humble dependence upon the Lord.
Often we think we must be extraordinary people for God to use us, but that is not true. Robin Rempel exemplifies this. She sees herself as quite an average person, yet with God’s help she has been part of an extraordinarily fruitful ministry.
This is her story.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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