WOW. Eugene and I just attended the CCEF National Conference on Marriage. For those of you who are not familiar with CCEF (Christian Counseling and Education Foundation), I would highly reccommend checking out their website and the resources they have available which include:
Who do you go to when you have a problem? Typically, people would go to the pastor. But wouldn't it be wonderful if the people who knew us best were equipped to counsel us too? CCEF seeks to equip you and I for the work of counseling and to help us apply the bible to all of life. The fact is, life is messy and all too often we have been confronted by situations that we feel inadequate to respond to: Fear and anxiety, eating disorders, broken marriages, depression, suicides, abuse, etc. Christians tend to swing from being legalistic pharisees who misunderstand the bible's teaching, to secular/pop psychologist who deny that the bible has anything at all to say. But surely, the living word of God has many things to teach us about the many challenges of life.
We were indebted to wonderful friends who looked after Zachary so that Eugene and I could go. We were enriched as we spent the weekend thinking through God's design for marriage and the many challenges that we encounter. I have listed the list of topics and electives here just so you get flavor of the richness of the weekend.
Mike Emlet “Subtle Intimacy Killers”
Even initially good marriages can go bad if husbands and wives do not strive to build intimacy over time. This session explores ways to combat the slow erosion of marital intimacy that can occur in the context of busyness, parenting, spiritual apathy, and more.
Ed Welch "What's there to talk about?"
You know the basic facts about your spouse. You have heard the old stories. You have already talked about the day - it took about twenty seconds. Now what? This elective will provide direction for when your conversations get stuck in the mundane and perpetually shallow.
Aaron Sironi "Forgiveness--the Divine Insanity"
How forgiveness restores sanity to struggling marriages - Faith-engendered confession and forgiveness is of foremost concern to the Christian marriage counselor. In this seminar, we will unpack that which IS possible in Christ--helping couples nurture genuine contrition and mercy when faced with the realities of marital sin, injustice, & betrayal.
Julie Lowe “Thriving in a Failure-to-Thrive Marriage”
Is a spouse’s personal growth and satisfaction contingent upon the condition of the marriage? We will take a look at how a spouse can personally thrive, love and live in a godly manner, despite a marriage that is under duress.
FRIDAY 4PM
Winston Smith "Step Families"
Step families involve both peculiar challenges and great possibilities. On the one hand, the losses of the past can make the nuts and bolts of day to day family life maddening. On the other hand, when the gospel of Christ is applied wisely these losses can become living portraits of second chances, healing, and new life.
Tim Lane "Adultery: Can There Be a Day After the Worst Day Ever?"
The shock, sense of hurt and betrayal that come from infidelity is devastating. How can you help a couple through this trauma encouraging reconciliation and the rebuilding of trust?
Cecelia Bernhardt "Me, Myself and I"
More and more people are living as singles in our culture today. How can we keep a vibrant relationship with the Lord and intimate relationships with people around us as we live our busy and fragmented lives? How can singleness be something that brings us closer to God and others, rather than something that isolates us?
Monica Kim "Fighting for your Marriage: Building a Bond Instead of Walls"
Conflict in marriage is unavoidable. However, "good conflict" can be used to build a strong marriage. How can you run to the One who promises to fight our battles for us and walk out "fighting wisely?" This workshop explores ways you can "fight" to build a godly marriage.
Saturday 4pm
Mike Emlet “Too Broken to Fix?
The model for marriage is God’s own faithful commitment to His people. But are some marriages too broken to fix? Are there exceptions to “till death do us part”? This session will explore a biblical paradigm for approaching divorce, and will highlight the wisdom necessary to discern if such a decision may be warranted in certain cases.
Ed Welch "I've Got a Secret"
Secrets in marriage can gradually separate us; openness about every nasty thought can abruptly separate us. Some couples have talked about what is important to share and what is not. Most, however, gloss over this critical topic. This elective will consider what God says about secrets, privacy, and wise openness in marriage.
Bob Lepine "How Your Marriage Adorns the Gospel"
A gospel-centered marriage powerfully communicates to those around us a message about the God who created and ordains marriage. We will explore how the image of God is put on display in the covenant of marriage, and how critical it is for couples to see their marriage as a way to live out Psalm 34:3 "Oh Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"
Julie Lowe & David Powlison "When Will the New Day Dawn? Loving a Spouse who was Victimized in the Past"
The evils of physical violence, sexual violation and verbal assault leave scars. Your husband or wife may deal with strong temptations to react with suspiciousness, fear, hopelessness, bitterness or escapism. Your spouse may misread your intentions, and have a hard time trusting you. How can you love well when your partner struggles?
Next year's CCEF Conference will be on Psychiatric Disorders. Maybe some of you will sign up to come with us??!
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