Practical, useful, and proven approach for couples
Filed under: Dating, EFT, Engaged, Marriage, Relationship Patterns
Dr. Sue Johnson really “gets” couples. That’s why we’ve adopted her approach to couple therapy at Orange County Christian Counseling.
Although Hold Me Tight is not written from a Christian perspective, it’s principles are based on sound scientific research and applicable to us all. The insights Dr. Johson shares about intimate relationships have been extremely helpful for our clients.
This book is a “must have” for everyone, but don’t take our word for it. The following is a Customer Review from Amazon.com:
Touching, helpful, heart-warming and practical, Dr. Johnson has at last put words to the latest research into happy marriages for the average person. Reading it is not intellectual: each time I pick up this book I feel like I could not only understand my spouse’s behavior in a deeper way, but also my own.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I read the first few chapters, bought three more copies (one for my spouse), and gave the other two to friends who were in stressful moments with their own spouses. One couple now reads from the book to one another each night, and (like I did) recommended it to two other couples before they got through the first 3 chapters. The other couple bought a 2nd copy so that they could each have it available to them every day, and are now each avidly reading on their morning commutes.
In short, readers seem to find Dr. Johnson’s book incredibly helpful, almost immediately. Dr. Johnson’s clear, from-the-heart style seems immediately comprehensible to anyone who has ever been in love, or wanted to be. And rest of the book was even better than the beginning.
You know you’ve got a winner when you give a book to two friends, who each immediately give it to their two friends, and so on. Don’t suffer needlessly: give this one a try for under $20!
If you’ve been trying to figure out your own romantic relationship, order your copy of Hold Me Tight today!
Weekend of Oneness
Weekend of Oneness Marriage and Relationship Conference
Fri, June 20, 7-9:30p
& Sat, June 21, 8:30a-12:45p
Mariners Church Worship Center
Experience a Weekend of Oneness and discover how you can build or prepare for a loving, more intimate marriage – the way God designed it.
Dr. Larry Crabb will help couples from every point on the marriage spectrum explore obstacles that can get in the way of intimacy and teach us how a growing, completely honest relationship with Christ can bring us closer to our spouse.
We encourage you to consider this Weekend of Oneness, wherever you are on your marriage journey:
- Singles thinking about marriage
- Engaged couples
- Newlyweds wanting to build a firm foundation
- Married couples seeking to enrich their marriage
- Couples seeking healing in their marriage whether together, separated or divorced
Register online
$25pp by June 3, then $35
Limited childcare for infants through 5-years-old available for $30/child
by June 3
Infoline, 949.854.7030 x572
Contact: Bruce for questions
San Juan Capistranto: Ocean Hills Church
Ocean Hills Church Couples Ministry @ San Juan Capistrano
God created the institution of marriage in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:20-25) and Paul tells us that the marriage relationship speaks to the intimate union between a believer and Jesus Christ (Eph 5:25-33). Unfortunately today, marriage is under attack more than ever, especially with the current culture questioning the definition of marriage. Solid marriages built on God’s Word create stable families and those families form the bedrock of a healthy church body.
Whether newlyweds or seasoned in years of marriage, we all need to learn more about what God has to say to us regarding marriage and we need support and encouragement in our marriage relationship.
This ministry is a great way to get involved and to get to know other couples within the church body. To learn more about how you and your spouse can get involved with this vital and exciting ministry, call Dan and Connie Mueller at 949-496-7411 or email info@oceanhillschurch.com
The Princess & the Pea
Because sometimes we simply need a little chuckle and some good, clean fun . . .
The Princess & the Pea (Video Clip)
Ugly princes, fibbing fairy godmothers, and knights who prefer clown suits to suits of armor–these clearly aren’t your ordinary fairy tales. They are, in fact, Jay Ward’s infamous Fractured Fairy Tales, originally introduced within Ward’s brilliant Rocky & Bullwinkle Show in the 1960s. From princesses who take destiny into their own capable hands, to inept witches with broomstick envy, to beauties who happily discover their inner beasts, these tales contain surprisingly modern messages of female empowerment. Likely to thumb their noses at tradition and find their own versions of happily ever after, these quirky characters bring fresh and irreverent humor to sixteen twisted tales filled with silly, witty fun.
Marriage Ministries in Fullerton
First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton:
The mission of the Marriage Ministries of the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton is to help:
…engaged couples prepare for marriage
…enrich and strengthen marriage relationships
…restore struggling marriages
…recover from broken marriages
For additional information, please contact Marriage Ministries 714-529-5544. (Senior Pastor Dale & Becky Burke, pictured)
When We’re Not Getting Along
Filed under: Communication, Conflict, EFT, Quizzes, Relationship Patterns
Many couples struggle with painful arguments that circle around a few key triggers and issues. Before they realize what’s happened to them, they develop a Negative Cycle of interactions.
If this sounds like your relationship, the following items can help you identify and describe your own Negative Cycle when you’re not getting along:
What I Do:
- I attack
- I avoid conflict
- I become cold or aloof
- I blame
- I clam up
- I criticize
- I defend
- I get quiet
- I leave
- I withdraw
How We Interact During Conflict:
- During an argument, I become silent, withdrawn, and don’t want to discuss things.
- I often get angry and critical to get my partner to talk.
- I often want to avoid talking about our relationship.
- I often want to push my partner to talk about our relationship.
- My partner often pushes an issue and won’t let it drop.
- My partner withdraws a lot and won’t face an issue when I want to talk.
If any of this sounds familiar, you need not despair. Thanks to several decades of research, new hope is available to help you break free of the Negative Cycle. Read more.
Young Couples: The Window
The Window @ Mariners Church in Irvine
That window of time between the wedding and the babies is a unique one. Our aim is to help you make the most of it as a young couple. Join us for Sunday morning Bible studies where we look at God’s Word and learn how it applies to life and marriage. We also get together for things like softball games, beach days and game nights.
If you are an engaged or seriously dating couple, we offer a class just for you. Relationship Foundations is a six-week course designed to prepare you spiritually and relationally for marriage.
We also realize that serving together can draw you closer as a couple and closer to other couples. Come with us as we show God’s love to those in need throughout OC and beyond our borders.
~ Pastor Jeff Pries
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