The Purpose of Marriage: Happiness or Holiness?

In today's episode, Laura Story Elvington interviews Senior Pastor Jeff Norris and his wife Rachel to explore questions from you about the complexities of marriage. They discuss the purpose of marriage, emphasizing holiness over happiness, and share personal stories about their journeys through early marriage and infertility. Together, the Norrises highlight the importance of commitment, self-denial, and the pursuit of God in marriage, offering insights and encouragement for couples at various stages of their relationships.

In this episode, Senior Pastor Jeff Norris and Laura Story Elvington welcome Will and Cathy Chang, members of Perimeter Church. They talk about the vital role of counseling and community in strengthening marriages. Together, they share honest insights on why seeking help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness, and how God uses His church to bring healing, growth, and lasting connection within marriage. Scripture References: Proverbs 11:14, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 4:2–3. Related Resources: Explore Perimeter Counseling for Christ-centered, clinically informed counseling (perimetercounseling.org).

In this episode, Senior Pastor Jeff Norris and Laura Story Elvington welcome authors Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn. They dive into the heart of marriage—unpacking how money, intimacy, and communication often reveal deeper emotional currents. They share how financial tension can mask unspoken hurt, how intimacy is more than physical connection, and how open conversation begins the healing process. With genuine transparency and gospel-rooted insight, they also explore how hidden trauma impacts relationships and how seeking support through counseling and community can lead couples into greater freedom and wholeness together. Related Resources: Learn more about Jeff and Shaunti's ministry, books, and courses at shaunti.com. Visit SecretsOfSexAndMarriage.com for referral resources to find trained Christian sex therapists (including telehealth options). Explore Perimeter Counseling (perimetercounseling.org) for Christ-centered, clinically informed counseling.

Senior Pastor Jeff Norris and Laura Story Elvington engage with Dave and Ann Wilson, renowned hosts of Family Life Today. The Wilsons share their journey of more than 45 years of marriage, including struggles, realizations, and the importance of faith. They discuss how to speak life into your spouse, the power of words, and the significance of a vertical relationship with God. We pray this conversation shares hope and encouragement for those facing challenges in their marriage. Additional Resources: Learn more about Ann and Dave’s ministry at FamilyLife (familylife.com). Do you need to reconnect with your spouse? Discover a Weekend to Remember and check out 2026 retreat dates across the US at familylife.com/weekend-to-remember.

Brad and Marilyn Rhoads join Jeff Norris and Laura Story Elvington to share how God’s grace transformed their marriage—from early struggles to renewed joy and intentionality. They talk about parenting, the shift to empty nesting, and how extending grace in everyday moments can bring healing and hope to your marriage and family. Learn more about Brad and Marilyn’s ministry, The Grace Marriage, at gracemarriage.com.

In this week’s episode, Jeff Norris and Laura Story Elvington sit down with Ron and Nan Deal to talk about The Mindful Marriage and what it means to understand “me” for the sake of “us.” With honesty and wisdom, the Deals share how emotional baggage, self-reflection, and personal growth shape the health of a marriage. Together, they unpack the coping patterns that can disrupt relationships and offer transformative steps toward healing and connection—reminding us that the gospel brings renewal to both the individual and the marriage. Find full shownotes and resources on the episode page at perimeter.org/DiggingDeeper.

In this episode, Jeff and Laura engage with best-selling author Gary Thomas to uncover the deeper meaning of marriage—why holiness matters more than happiness. They discuss scriptural foundations, the role of accountability, and the refining power of marriage as a reflection of Christ’s union with the Church. With practical steps for navigating challenges and fostering growth, this conversation frames marriage as a sacred journey toward spiritual maturity. Related Resources: - Learn more about Gary Thomas’ writings and ministry at garythomas.com. - Check out Gary’s best-selling book, Sacred Marriage.

In this bonus episode of Digging Deeper, Jeff and Laura are joined by Andy Bannister, Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity, to explore how evangelism can thrive in today’s complex cultural landscape. Together, they tackle common fears and misconceptions surrounding sharing the gospel. Andy offers practical strategies for overcoming barriers along with ways to spark meaningful spiritual conversations rooted in genuine curiosity. Whether you're new to evangelism or looking to grow in confidence, this episode offers actionable steps to help you share your faith with clarity and compassion. Additional Resources: - Learn more about the Solas Centre for Public Christianity. - Check out the C.S. Lewis Institute for a variety of training resources. - Read Andy’s book, How to talk about Jesus Without Looking Like an Idiot. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes.

In this bonus episode of Digging Deeper, Jeff and Laura are joined by Andy Bannister, Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity, to explore how evangelism can thrive in today’s complex cultural landscape. Together, they tackle common fears and misconceptions surrounding sharing the gospel. Andy offers practical strategies for overcoming barriers along with ways to spark meaningful spiritual conversations rooted in genuine curiosity. Whether you're new to evangelism or looking to grow in confidence, this episode offers actionable steps to help you share your faith with clarity and compassion. Whether you're new to evangelism or looking to grow in confidence, this episode offers actionable steps to help you share your faith with clarity and compassion.

In this bonus episode of Digging Deeper, Jeff and Laura are joined by Andy Bannister, Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity, to explore how evangelism can thrive in today’s complex cultural landscape. Together, they tackle common fears and misconceptions surrounding sharing the gospel. Andy offers practical strategies for overcoming barriers along with ways to spark meaningful spiritual conversations rooted in genuine curiosity. Whether you're new to evangelism or looking to grow in confidence, this episode offers actionable steps to help you share your faith with clarity and compassion. Whether you're new to evangelism or looking to grow in confidence, this episode offers actionable steps to help you share your faith with clarity and compassion.