The BULLETIN INSERT for July encourages couples to seek and give forgiveness as well as listing several marriage nurturing opportunities.
|
The CLASS LIST for Julyoffers many opportunities for couples desiring to encourage their relationship. Will you be offering classes/seminars that should be included here? We would like to add them.
|
| Your prayers and financial help to strengthen marriage
are greatly appreciated |
Alyson and Rick Salz, Vice President and Directors of Every Marriage Matters. Rick and Aly are owners of Righteous Clothing, Clackamas, OR. |
Every Marriage Matters
1005 Woodlawn Ave
Oregon City, Oregon 97045
|
|
|
 The mission: To use dating as a platform for improving relationships between people and their most valued relationships. August's the month, dating's the game. Let's join in having fun having fun. The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association has taken note of our Date Night Challenge; there should be special opportunities for great fun and food. If you've already requested a resource packet it will be shipped the 2nd week in July. If you haven't yet asked for your resources, there are still some available.* (They include free Couple Checkups for your congregation as well as DVD programs for Art of Marriage and Love and Respect, and more.) Couple Checkups will also be available to those men and women who protect our families and our homes; our police and firefighters. Plans are being made for special weekly date events. The last one, on August 25 will be free admission to "Fight Night" with Les and Leslie Parrott. To be held 7pm at City Bible Church Rocky Butte. |
A first response workshop for pastors and lay leaders Marriage 911 is a quick and affordable tool to help couples in crisis, even with an unwilling spouse. Joe and Michelle Williams, creators of Marriage 911 (previously Reconciling God's Way) will provide guidance in helping couples and individuals build reconciliation using biblical principles. Info at Marriage 911 Save the date Tuesday Evening, September 2 Oregon City A love offering will be taken.
|
RESEARCH FINDINGS
25 Marriage Tweeps You Should Follow If you're on Twitter, these are the people and institutions who discuss marriage that you need to start following. Here is our list (in alphabetical order) of must-follow marriage tweeps. (By Steve Cooper, Hitched Magazine)
The Vows Column at 20 Understanding poverty in America requires looking behind these numbers at the actual living conditions of the individuals the government deems to be poor. (By Robert Rector and Rachel Sheffield, Heritage Foundation) |
| COHABITATION
Cohabitation and Marriage: Living Together vs. A Life Together Living together before marriage, especially with no ring in sight, still leads to higher rates of marital dissatisfaction and divorce. People have a standard for a spouse that is different from that for a cohabiting partner, the finding also gives me hope. Maybe more people than not, on some level, still know that marriage is a sacred joining of two lives and a union that is meant to last till death do you part. (By Elizabeth Hovde, The Oregonian) Marriage and Cohabitation in the United States: A Statistical Portrait A focus on current and past marital experience, characteristics of marital and cohabiting partners, and the stability of marriages and cohabitations.
(By Paula Y. Goodwin, et al, Centers for Disease Control, US HHS)
|
| AFFAIRS
Fifty Shades of Caution I hate to see women falling into the same trap that has claimed so many men. My hope and prayer is that Christian women, when faced with the temptation of a book like Fifty Shades of Grey, will "be watchful" and "stand firm in the faith." Don't fall into the same trap as men do with pornography. (By Dave Boehi, FamilyLife)
|
| DISTRESS AND RESTORATION Does a Good God Want Me in a Bad Marriage? Pursue all avenues of reconciliation before divorce. It may not seem like a good marriage at this time, but wait and see what God has in store for you ... I'm willing to bet you'll be glad you did. (by Sabrina Beasley, FamilyLife) Divorce: The Second-Hand Smoke of Climate Change? How you can offset the divorce footprint... stay married and plant a tree. (by Rachel Clark, Psychology Today) How to Break Destructive Relationship Patterns The good news is that your close relationships don't have to be painful. If you're willing to change destructive relationship patterns in your life, God will help you break free from them and enjoy healthy relationships. (By Whitney Hopler, CrossWalk.com) |
RESOURCES TO PASS ALONG I Need a Teammate, Not a Cell Mate I know that in order for our marriage to be a success, we need to work at it together. But it's hard to feel like your teammate when there are times you make me feel more like a cell mate. (By Steve and Annie Chapman, CrossWalk.com) How to Grow Closer to Your Spouse Despite Your Differences God has made you and your spouse two completely different people, and the many differences between you can prove frustrating when you're struggling to understand each other. But if you accept the differences between you and learn how to work with them effectively, you can build the close marriage God wants you and your spouse to enjoy. (By Whitney Hopler, CrossWalk.com) Return to Top
|
HEALTHY MARRIAGE What Couples Want to Know But Are Too Shy to Ask You have to be open to talking about what you value and your vulnerability. No one teaches us how to do that. (By Elizabeth Bernstein, Wall Street Journal)
15 Things Wives Should Stop Doing What do your words and actions say to your husband about your love for him? (by Mary May Larmoyeux, FamilyLife)
|
PARENTING / YOUTH MINISTRY
Wedding Dress Bonds Seven Women Across Three Generations One wedding dress, seven brides, a legacy of love:Rita Zgorski and her daughters and granddaughter, who have all worn the wedding dress. (By Ellen McCarthy, Washington Post)
"How Far Is Too Far?" Is the Wrong Question Four convictions parents must develop as they teach their kids about sexual purity. The first step to take in determining your convictions is to make an honest appraisal of your own history (including your mistakes and regrets) and learn how this has affected your views. (by Dennis and Barbara Rainey, FamilyLife) |
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
12 Traits of an Abusive Relationship After 20 years of ministry I frequently hear this cry from men and women who are in a bad relationship. In an attempt to help singles avoid a destructive relationship or a painful marriage I offer insight on how to detect a toxic, abusive person. (Laura Petherbridge, Crosswalk.com)
4 Skills You Need Before Getting Married People must learn how to do the high-skills activity that partnership requires. Otherwise, couples are at risk for intense fighting, and launching a marriage that's at risk from the outset. (By Dr. Susan Heitler, YourTango.com) |
| PARTING WORDS If a healthy relationship is vitally important to our couples, to our children, to our church, to our community, and to our nation, why is it that on most church websites (and in church budgets) do we find ministry for our children, for our youth, for our women, sometimes for our men, but very seldom for our marriages? |
|
|
