Men in the Arena - Christian Men's Podcast

Marriage Connection Secrets from Genesis 2 (Guardrail #3) - Message at the MAG EP 932

Nov 14, 2025

Explore the importance of emotional connection in marriage and the dangers of drifting apart. Discover the Hebrew word 'Dabaq'—what it truly means to cleave to your wife. Learn practical steps to avoid emotional entanglements and why it's essential to establish boundaries at work. Jim shares insights from Genesis 2, emphasizing the roles of husband and wife as equal partners. Reflect on your connections and the necessary pursuit of your spouse, ensuring that your marriage remains strong and bonded.

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ANECDOTE

Greener Grass Over The Septic Tank

Jim Ramos remembers a greener rectangle of grass over a septic tank and uses it as a marriage metaphor.
He warns the grass looks greener over the crap, so don't be tempted by outside allure.

ADVICE

Purge Digital And Emotional Risks

Purge exes and potential emotional risks from social media and texts to protect your marriage.
Avoid female friendships that cross emotional boundaries and keep communications business-only with women.

INSIGHT

Cleave Is The Hebrew Dabak

Ramos dug into Hebrew and found cleave is dabak, which reframes marital connection.
Understanding dabak changed how he views pursuing, clinging, and abiding with his wife.

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Is the grass really greener on the other side? Or is it time to water the lawn God's already given you?

In this weeks message from Jim Ramos, discover Guardrail #3 from his upcoming book, Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage — how to stay emotionally connected to your bride and avoid the subtle drift that destroys marriages. Jim unpacks biblical truth from Genesis 2, explains the Hebrew word Dabaq ("to cleave"), and shows what it really means to pursue, protect, and stay bonded to your wife.

You'll walk away knowing the difference between connection and attachment — and why it matters AND simple ways to guard your heart from emotional entanglement with others.

This message is from The MAG, The McMinnville Area Gathering for men in McMinnville, Oregon.

This episode is sponsored by Compassion International. Our goal is for the Men in the Arena tribe to sponsor 1,000 boys over the coming year! Help us reach that goal and make a difference in a child's life today. When you sponsor a child using our link, you'll receive a free copy of Jim's book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God!

We are also sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. This app, combined with diet, has helped Jim get in the best shape of his life! Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com.

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Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)