Marriage

Reflections on Couples Retreat

Posted on March 1, 2015March 2, 2015 by josiahkagin

I always enjoy spending time with my wife. She is my best friend, cheerleader and soulmate. This was our second annual couples retreat at Grace Baptist Church. I would like to share several blessings of having and attending couples retreat.

Growing Together—Couples retreat is an awesome opportunity for God to work on a couple together. My wife and I hear the same Bible truth together and are given opportunity to respond to that truth together. It seems that God gives a focused openness to each other and an excitement about putting into practice what has been received.
Gaining Wisdom—We do well to listen and accept the advice of those who have walked with God for many years. We were privileged to have Dr. Bob Taylor and his wife Joan as our speakers. God used the wisdom they have gained from fifty plus years of marriage to give Biblical insight. I appreciated men in the older generation being willing to share all that God has taught them over the years.
Encouraging Others—It is exciting to see God’s people edified. In a day when Biblical marriage is under attack, what a blessing it is when marriages are strengthened! I praise God for the work He did in mine and what I heard testified that He was doing in other’s.

In addition to these blessings, I want to give a two fold encouragement.

If you have not yet attended a couples retreat, plan to attend one! You will be blessed. Begin now to plan and save to be able to attend.
If you are a pastor and do not have an annual couples retreat, prayerfully consider beginning one. Strong families make up strong churches. Time investing in the marriages in your church will never be wasted time.

Technology and Christian Homes

Posted on February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 by josiahkagin

It is very clear that technology is not going to go away. Children and teenagers growing up now need parents to both protect and direct them in the Godly use of technology. The fact is they will be using technology daily as adults and the principles that they learn now will help them live Godly while using technology. Here are a few suggestions.

Use a family policy.
Every family with teens should have a carefully thought through and written set of guidelines regarding the use of technology. As with any guidelines, what is not inspected should not be expected. Be sure that you establish adequate accountability such as parents should have open access to all devices and accounts. By the way, open accountability ought be modeled by mom and dad. Teens ought to see that their parents are practicing what they preach.
Use your computer’s existing features.
Both Apple and Windows come with parental controls as a feature. You can set up allowed apps, sites people and time limits. Here are instructions for Mac and Windows. If you have Android devices, you can use an app called Kids Place. Apple devices have a built-in feature called restrictions.
Use an internet filter.
While parental controls limit access, filters filter content. There are two that I have discovered to be great options— Covenant Eyes and Safe Eyes. Each are full service filters. Each come with a monthly cost (which are cheaper than lifetime scars). I would encourage you to take the time and research a filter that is best for you and your family’s devices.
Develop the heart.
One man said in relation to the internet, “The best filter is the heart.” While parental controls and filters will make it harder to stumble on or intentionally view junk on the internet, the heart is what determines to do right or wrong. If a man, woman or teen has a heart for God and righteous living, they will not seek out the dark side of the internet. No filter is completely fail proof, but coupling a right heart and a good filter will insure internet safety.

Proverbs 4:20-27 My son, attend to my words;
Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them,
And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence;
For out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth,
And perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on,
And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet,
And let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:
Remove thy foot from evil.

6 Benefits of Couples Retreat

Posted on February 8, 2015February 8, 2015 by josiahkagin

In just a few weeks Grace Baptist Church will host its second annual Couples Retreat. This year we are privileged to have Pastor Chuck and Linda Phelps from Indianapolis, Indiana. As I think about the benefits of a Couples Retreat, some thoughts come to mind.

It gives time to focus on your spouse.
With our fast paced culture, what does not get planned does not get done. If we are not careful, building our marriages can become a last priority.
It gives God an opportunity to speak to you.
Sometimes it takes a change of pace, surroundings and a different voice for us to hear what God is trying to say to us. You can be sure if you set aside time to hear from God, He will speak to you through His word. Remember, God’s Word has the answers for having a vibrant, successful marriage.
It will encourage teamwork.
As you and your spouse hear from God’s Word lessons geared toward your relationship, God will work in both of your hearts at the same time. He will show areas that need work. It is out of these times there comes a renewed desire to work on your marriage together.
It is an opportunity to be encouraged by other couples.
It is always a blessing to see and hear how God is working in the lives of others. It encourages us to keep at it. Perhaps you will get a tip or idea from another couple that will inspire you in your marriage.
It will say that you are interested in deepening your relationship.
What we take time for indicates our interests. Setting aside time to focus on your marriage will speak volumes to your spouse.
It will help you follow God’s plan.
God’s plan for every marriage is for it to be a lifetime love relationship. The statistics tell us that about half of marriages end in divorce. A strong marriage in the future depends on the decisions made in the present. Take advantage of present opportunities to strength the most your wonderful, awesome earthly relationship.