Archive - Marriage RSS Feed

Tha Art of Marriage

January 7, 2013 in Marriage, Tampa Church with Comments Off

marriage banner

One of the best parts of being a pastor is doing weddings.  I enjoy watching the expression on the faces of the groom and bride as they pronounce their vows, the look on the faces of moms and dads and the celebration of love that permeates the day.  I often tell the couple – “Marriage is the most wonderful/awful relationship in life.  When times are good, nothing is more invigorating and when times are difficult, nothing is more challenging.   When a couple marries at Church at the Bay we require pre-marital counseling because we want them to begin on the right foot.  I remind the couple to go back to that counselor for help maximizing their relationship during the first year.

The Art of Marriage brings a fresh approach to a video event by weaving together a variety of elements that help the principles come to life through engaging stories, real-life testimonies, humorous vignettes, and more. The accompanying manual you will receive is full of articles, useful tips, and powerful projects to help you live what you learn.

This event is designed to help you grow as a couple and strengthen the foundation of your marriage through six dynamic sessions:

 

art of M schedule

 

 Sandy and I are attending we hope you will join us:

February 8th and 9th

The Church Office

Friday 7-9pm and Saturday 9am-4:30pm

Registration Fee includes:  Workbooks, Friday Light Dinner, & Saturday snacks.

Lunch will be at your expense on Saturday

 

 

So how do you sign up?  Glad you asked- you can pay:

Marriage Retreat- sign up

March 13, 2011 in Marriage with 1 Comment

Church at the Bay will host a marriage retreat led by marriage counselors David and Karen Speicher… here are the basics:
What

  • A retreat to help you take your marriage to the next level

Who

  • Married Couples that attend Church at the Bay

When

  • May 20-21
  • Begins at 6:30 PM Friday and concludes at noon on Saturday
  • Take off early from work- catch an early dinner
  • You can check in at 3pm

Where

  • Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel (International mall Tampa)
  • Pictures
  • Directions

How can I sign up (cost $150)

  • We have 30 rooms reserved (once sold out we will attempt to get more- but no guarantees)
  • 1st to pay will be guaranteed a spot (see payment options here, on the right side)
  • You must be married to attend
  • If you are attending retreat you must sign up through CATB- we have special rates
  • Price includes Hotel room for 2, materials and conference fee. (breakfast on your own on Saturday morning)
  • Begins at 6:30 pm Friday May 20th (take off work early and eat before you arrive)
  • We will conclude at noon on Saturday

Questions? Please email Neal@churchatthebay.com

Marriage 3-D: The Power of 3!

March 7, 2011 in Marriage with Comments Off

We all know the stats- marriages are struggling as never before, more and more couples are divorcing after the kids leave home, and  many  who those who say “I do” are saying “I don’t” at a nearly 50% rate.  So how do we change those numbers- because no one gets married and make the plan for divorce.  How can we make a plan for staying in love and staying married?

There is an Old Testament passage that says this:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12-     9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Did verse 12 jump out at you? Think of your marriage for a moment.  Remember when you said “I do” before God?  I think we all know term “tie the knot”, what about adding a third braid?  The truth is, marriage will cause your rope to fray.  Sometimes it’s the good,  sometimes the bad and sometimes a surprise…

  • Get a job or lose a job
  • Have a child or a child moves out
  • Buy a house or lose a house in foreclosure
  • Start your career or retire

… all of these cause for wear and tear.  So you are saying, “Hal, you made your point- now how do we strengthen our marriage with a third strand (GOD)?”  I am so glad you finally asked ;-) .  That is where we are headed this Sunday- Marriage 3-D: The Power of 3!  This could change your marriage- be there and bring a friend.



Parenting… Art, Science or Luck?

February 28, 2011 in Marriage, Parenting with 2 Comments

When Sandy and I were first married we wanted kids!  So after two years of life on our own we got pregnant (when I say we-I mean she).  17 months after our son was born (Hal4) we had a daughter (Ashley) and the complexity of marriage and parenting grew exponentially.  You see, we had both grown up under different parenting styles and we had to come up with our own.  We needed to develop a style that worked for us.  This was a challenge because we both KNEW our way was best.  Fortunately, Christian parenting books were on the rise and we read several and decided what we thought good parenting looked like.  The problem was we thought once we decided it would stay the same.  As our kids grew and attended elementary school we had to change some approaches and then again for high school.  We discovered parenting is an art not a science and it must evolve with the maturity of our kids.

One of the things that surprised me was how many parents had the science down and wanted to show us what worked every time.  They were so smart- they gave us “proven techniques” on such issues as:

  • Potty training
  • Talking back
  • Putting your kids to bed
  • Dating
  • And on and own.

One of the things I noticed was most of the parents with all the answers had not been at it very long.  We have all discovered what happens with kids- in time you will be humbled by your overstatements like, “I would never” or “We have found this always works”.  A pastor mentor of mine said this-“Hal, listen to everyone but, listen closely to the parents whose children have grown up and you like how they turned out”.  He was brilliant because as we all have discovered- getting young kids to comply can be accomplished in many ways!  But, what do they look like later.  How do they treat people, develop a work ethic and move out on their own,etc.

So Sandy and I began the journey of parenting with two big principles in are tool box (we got more later):

  • We would always display a united front (we wouldn’t let the little guys divide and conquer us)
  • Our goal was to raise Godly, 35 year old parents (not merely gain compliance for the moment)

So this next weekend our topic is: When Kid’s Attack!  We will look at some Biblical principles for parenting and try to give you a new tool or two for your parenting toolbox.

This past weekend we talked about Great Sex.  I promised a video of a couple who started out living together and then discovered God’s plan.  You can watch their story here.
Page 1 of212»