Page 20 - Contact Winter 2015

Marriage is great, but it’s not forever. It’s until death do us part. Then come eternal rewards or regrets depending on how we spent our lives. In his latest book, Francis Chan joins together with his wife Lisa to address the question many couples wonder at the altar: “How do I have a healthy marriage?” Setting aside typical topics on marriage, Francis and Lisa dive into Scripture to understand what it means to have a relationship that satisfes the deepest parts of our souls. ‘You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity’ will MARRIAGE life, in the light of our relationship with Jesus. The way to have a great radically shift the way we see one of the most important relationships in our marriage is not by focusing just on marriage, but on Jesus. Whether you are single, dating, engaged or married, ‘You and Me Forever’ will help you discover the adventure that you were made for and learn how to thrive in it. This book is also available as a free app and within the app you can read and listen to the book. As a church, it is our desire that our married couples experience strong, supportive, vibrant This is a short and enjoyable read which will challenge us as parents and married couples. and loving marriages, which in turn are powerful examples and witnesses to the world, showing the diference Jesus makes to our lives together. Tim Keller says in his book ‘The Meaning of Marriage’: ‘Let’s Stick Together’ introduces simple, practical skills that really work within a relationship. “As a pastor I have spoken to thousands of couples, some working on marriage-seeking, some working on marriage-sustaining and some working The book looks at three areas; on marriage-saving. I’ve heard them say over and over, “Love shouldn’t be this hard; it should come naturally.” In response, I always say something Bad habits; the negative attitudes that can afect every relationship. like, “Why believe that? Would someone who wants to play professional baseball say, ‘It shouldn’t be so hard to hit a fastball?’ Would someone who Good habits; there are fve main ‘love languages’ and by learning to recognise wants to write the greatest American novel of her generation say, ‘ these, couples are better able to communicate love within their relationships. It shouldn’t be hard to create believable characters and compelling narrative?’” Keep dad involved; for many couples the natural option can be for mum to take over most or all of the parenting role and for dad to drift into the As a church, we frmly believe in the beauty of God’s gift of marriage and also of our need to background. The message here is ‘work as a team’. work hard at our marriages. One way we can do this is to learn from good resources. Three excellent books, which are both helpful and challenging are, ‘The Meaning of Marriage’, ‘You and Me Forever’ and ‘Let’s Stick Together’. As a church we ofer the ‘Let’s Stick Together’ course which is a one hour session that ofers positive and practical ideas on how to handle those inevitable diferences. Importantly, within this book, the Kellers deal with the theology of marriage. Tim turns his attention to that most complex of matters: our need for love and its expression in marriage. Nikki has completed this course with several couples in the congregation and if you are interested in this Beginning with the biblical narrative and its pictures of marriage, that span the original ideal worthwhile course, please speak to Nikki. to the broken, to the redemptive, he looks at themes of friendship and commitment; the completion of men and women in each other; singleness, sex and divorce; and ministry and We hope to run a Marriage Celebration and Enrichment event in the spring term but, in the meantime, discipleship within the context of marriage. This is a profound and engaging work that will we hope you fnd these books helpful and enjoy reading them. challenge and inspire people in all stages of life - single, newlywed and married. Stephen Orr