We are Joshua and April Bohlin. For those that don’t know us, we are blessed to be the grandchildren of Ras and Bev Robinson and the children of Jonas and Robin Bohlin. Quite the heritage, right?
We have two amazing teenagers named Jaxon and Heidi. Jaxon loves football and being a stunt partner for cheerleaders, but his true passion is guitar and playing on worship teams. Heidi is 100% all in as a cheerleader and lives and breathes all that it entails. We call her Gigi’s “mini me” because they have a love of cheerleading, rocks, Christmas and so much more!
We live on a farm with goats, chickens, ducks, and a donkey named Karen who takes her job of policing the pastures very seriously. We do our best to model our family after the way that we believe God intended the family unit to be and strive daily to be better than we were the day before.
Now that you know a little about us, here is the short version of how we began:
In 2004, Joshua’s best friend, Aaron, was dating my sister, Ashley, and they thought to introduce us. We began a dating relationship that ended up resulting in marriages for both of us! This was pretty special for best friend/brothers to marry sisters. Now both of our families have been married for two decades and have beautiful, loving families. Joshua once made -what he thought- was a brilliant suggestion - that our kids could marry one day. That was until he realized that they were biological cousins!
We have two amazing teenagers named Jaxon and Heidi. Jaxon loves football and being a stunt partner for cheerleaders, but his true passion is guitar and playing on worship teams. Heidi is 100% all in as a cheerleader and lives and breathes all that it entails. We call her Gigi’s “mini me” because they have a love of cheerleading, rocks, Christmas and so much more!
We live on a farm with goats, chickens, ducks, and a donkey named Karen who takes her job of policing the pastures very seriously. We do our best to model our family after the way that we believe God intended the family unit to be and strive daily to be better than we were the day before.
Now that you know a little about us, here is the short version of how we began:
In 2004, Joshua’s best friend, Aaron, was dating my sister, Ashley, and they thought to introduce us. We began a dating relationship that ended up resulting in marriages for both of us! This was pretty special for best friend/brothers to marry sisters. Now both of our families have been married for two decades and have beautiful, loving families. Joshua once made -what he thought- was a brilliant suggestion - that our kids could marry one day. That was until he realized that they were biological cousins!
We dated for three years, for multiple reasons, before deciding to get married. One reason being that we needed to grow up and mature before creating a family, but also so that we could see each other at our worst and at our best.
Our relationship was built upon a foundation of friendship. This is largely due to the fact that the relationship began as “pen pals” while Joshua was stationed in New York in the Army. We had no idea that we would fall in love through these letters sent back and forth from states across America, oftentimes accompanied by printed photos from wind-up cameras. This distance and time allowed us to discuss (for hours on end) our beliefs, how we thought children should be raised, and things like how we squeeze the toothpaste. By the way, we are completely opposite of each other on the toothpaste issue! We also discovered that I was destined to be a forever “passenger princess” because Joshua loves to drive while I despise it. However, that doesn’t stop me from giving unsolicited driving tips during each trip…sound familiar?
When we were asked to write this article on covenant relationships, we joked and said that this could be briefly summarized as, “The key to a good marriage is to not be a jerk.” To a certain extent, it really can be that simple. However, we know that the trials and tribulations that real life can throw our way often make it more complicated than that. We believe that “The Golden Rule” should be an integral part of a successful marriage but is often one of the most overlooked and forgotten principles. The Golden Rule comes from Luke 6 which basically says, treat others the way you want to be treated.
Proverbs 18:21 says,
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
In our 20 years together, we truly have abided by this teaching. Of course, we don’t always see eye-to-eye on every problem that arises, but we never say things that we can’t take back. This advice, passed down from our parents and grandparents, has been an invaluable tool in building a loving home full of peace.
Our relationship was built upon a foundation of friendship. This is largely due to the fact that the relationship began as “pen pals” while Joshua was stationed in New York in the Army. We had no idea that we would fall in love through these letters sent back and forth from states across America, oftentimes accompanied by printed photos from wind-up cameras. This distance and time allowed us to discuss (for hours on end) our beliefs, how we thought children should be raised, and things like how we squeeze the toothpaste. By the way, we are completely opposite of each other on the toothpaste issue! We also discovered that I was destined to be a forever “passenger princess” because Joshua loves to drive while I despise it. However, that doesn’t stop me from giving unsolicited driving tips during each trip…sound familiar?
When we were asked to write this article on covenant relationships, we joked and said that this could be briefly summarized as, “The key to a good marriage is to not be a jerk.” To a certain extent, it really can be that simple. However, we know that the trials and tribulations that real life can throw our way often make it more complicated than that. We believe that “The Golden Rule” should be an integral part of a successful marriage but is often one of the most overlooked and forgotten principles. The Golden Rule comes from Luke 6 which basically says, treat others the way you want to be treated.
Proverbs 18:21 says,
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
In our 20 years together, we truly have abided by this teaching. Of course, we don’t always see eye-to-eye on every problem that arises, but we never say things that we can’t take back. This advice, passed down from our parents and grandparents, has been an invaluable tool in building a loving home full of peace.
We teach our children in the same way. We have raised our son to always treat his sister the way he would want her husband to treat her one day, and vice versa. Our kids learn how to love and be loved under our roof, so we consider it our duty to not only tell them the way, but to live it out daily as well.
We are not the “do as I say, not as I do” type of parents. We are far from perfect, but our goal is to walk the walk. However, when we fail, we apologize… yes, even to our children. They are always watching, always learning, and will implement our ways into their own families one day. This is a responsibility that we do not take lightly.
The family unit, established through marriage, is often considered the fundamental building block of society. Strong marriages lead to strong families, which are essential for raising well-adjusted, responsible future adults. In turn, they will contribute to a healthy and functioning society. When marriage is viewed as a covenant, it reinforces the commitment of both partners to the long-term success of the family, promoting stability and continuity.
When Joshua’s mother, Robin describes our marriage, she says that we truly seem to try to out serve each other. We believe that when you are living in a covenant relationship with the spouse that God has for you, this should come naturally.
In Matthew 19:6 Jesus says,
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
We are not the “do as I say, not as I do” type of parents. We are far from perfect, but our goal is to walk the walk. However, when we fail, we apologize… yes, even to our children. They are always watching, always learning, and will implement our ways into their own families one day. This is a responsibility that we do not take lightly.
The family unit, established through marriage, is often considered the fundamental building block of society. Strong marriages lead to strong families, which are essential for raising well-adjusted, responsible future adults. In turn, they will contribute to a healthy and functioning society. When marriage is viewed as a covenant, it reinforces the commitment of both partners to the long-term success of the family, promoting stability and continuity.
When Joshua’s mother, Robin describes our marriage, she says that we truly seem to try to out serve each other. We believe that when you are living in a covenant relationship with the spouse that God has for you, this should come naturally.
In Matthew 19:6 Jesus says,
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Marriage is not merely a human contract but a divine covenant that should not be dissolved lightly. Some people may take this as an opportunity to marry whomever and assume that God will do the rest. We disagree and believe that you have to seek God FIRST to find the one that He has for you. Otherwise, it is YOUR will, not His.
Marriage is more than just a commitment on paper. It’s a mutual promise to love each other through the good, the bad and the ugly…for life. At its core, marriage is not just a social contract but a sacred covenant relationship. This covenant is a divine promise that binds a man and a woman together in a lifelong partnership.
The Bible offers a clear depiction of marriage as a covenant. This concept is rooted in the creation narrative, where God institutes marriage between Adam and Eve as a divinely ordained union.
Genesis 2:24 states,
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Marriage should be a reflection of God’s relationship with humanity. Just as God is faithful to His covenant with His people, marriage is intended to be a faithful, lifelong commitment. Marriage throughout the Bible is described as a holy bond that should not be broken. The marital covenant provides emotional security for both partners. Knowing that the marriage is built on a sacred promise helps to cultivate trust and intimacy. The covenant promise also encourages couples to work through difficulties rather than give up when faced with challenges, leading to a deeper and more fulfilling relationship.
Although there has been a cultural shift on how society defines marriage, religious leaders and communities have a responsibility to teach and preach about the covenant nature of marriage. By providing clear and consistent teachings on the biblical foundations of marriage, the church can help believers understand the sacred significance of their marital vows and encourage them to honor their commitments. We, as Believers, play a vital role in upholding the traditional view of marriage as a covenant relationship.
The church also provides support and accountability for married couples, helping them to navigate the challenges of married life. This support can take the form of mentorship, small groups, or marriage retreats, which offer couples the opportunity to strengthen their relationship and reaffirm their commitment to God and to each other.
God’s covenant with us as believers is based on grace. The phrase “everlasting covenant” appears in the Bible 17 times. It refers to a promise made by God to humans in grace and is a sacred agreement between God and us. The covenant is everlasting because it never changes. We try to operate under the notion that God gives us, as sinners, grace on a daily basis, because we all fall short. With this in mind, we should grant our spouses the same grace.
So, whether you started your marriage on the right foot or the wrong foot, the Bible has provided a blueprint for how to build a winning marriage through His covenant with us. His love never fails and the bond between us and our Father in Heaven is eternal. When God is the head of your household, everything else will fall in line accordingly. Get in the Word, get in Church, and be the beginning or the continuation of your family’s legacy. God bless!
The “Junior” Bohlins
Marriage is more than just a commitment on paper. It’s a mutual promise to love each other through the good, the bad and the ugly…for life. At its core, marriage is not just a social contract but a sacred covenant relationship. This covenant is a divine promise that binds a man and a woman together in a lifelong partnership.
The Bible offers a clear depiction of marriage as a covenant. This concept is rooted in the creation narrative, where God institutes marriage between Adam and Eve as a divinely ordained union.
Genesis 2:24 states,
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Marriage should be a reflection of God’s relationship with humanity. Just as God is faithful to His covenant with His people, marriage is intended to be a faithful, lifelong commitment. Marriage throughout the Bible is described as a holy bond that should not be broken. The marital covenant provides emotional security for both partners. Knowing that the marriage is built on a sacred promise helps to cultivate trust and intimacy. The covenant promise also encourages couples to work through difficulties rather than give up when faced with challenges, leading to a deeper and more fulfilling relationship.
Although there has been a cultural shift on how society defines marriage, religious leaders and communities have a responsibility to teach and preach about the covenant nature of marriage. By providing clear and consistent teachings on the biblical foundations of marriage, the church can help believers understand the sacred significance of their marital vows and encourage them to honor their commitments. We, as Believers, play a vital role in upholding the traditional view of marriage as a covenant relationship.
The church also provides support and accountability for married couples, helping them to navigate the challenges of married life. This support can take the form of mentorship, small groups, or marriage retreats, which offer couples the opportunity to strengthen their relationship and reaffirm their commitment to God and to each other.
God’s covenant with us as believers is based on grace. The phrase “everlasting covenant” appears in the Bible 17 times. It refers to a promise made by God to humans in grace and is a sacred agreement between God and us. The covenant is everlasting because it never changes. We try to operate under the notion that God gives us, as sinners, grace on a daily basis, because we all fall short. With this in mind, we should grant our spouses the same grace.
So, whether you started your marriage on the right foot or the wrong foot, the Bible has provided a blueprint for how to build a winning marriage through His covenant with us. His love never fails and the bond between us and our Father in Heaven is eternal. When God is the head of your household, everything else will fall in line accordingly. Get in the Word, get in Church, and be the beginning or the continuation of your family’s legacy. God bless!
The “Junior” Bohlins
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Joshua is a Sergeant with the Fort Worth Police Department and has been with the force for almost 18 years. April loves to take care of our family and her top priority is creating a happy, healthy, and peaceful home. We are both real estate agents serving the state of Texas and we love what we do!
