New Website - connectedtogether.org

We have developed a new website Connected Together.  Our goal is to create more content and interaction helping to create  Connected Marriages, Connected Families, Connected to God.  Please look at the site and give us your feedback.  My only desire is to help people have a richer and fuller life this side of heaven.  

Exciting News - Connected Together Marriage Conference

Register for the Connected Together Marriage Conference!

Anything that you love requires you to care for it and nurture it.  You put energy, time and money into what you love.  Marriage is no different.  We live in a world that weakens the marital bond and connection.  We are too busy, too stressed and too tired.  Connected Together Marriage Conference is designed with these things in mind.  I don't want to just give you another thing to do.  I think we have created an experience that will give you helpful and practical information.  I don't want to give you just another meeting, but I do want to help you to develop skills that will impact your marriage.

In October we will be doing a marriage conference at City Church of Chattanooga.  This event is designed to increase your skills and enjoyment in marriage.  The ideas and topics will help you with what I think are the two main components of marriage: compromise and connection.  This conference will be fun, interactive and informative helping you and your partner to develop abilities and attitudes that will increase your connection.  That’s why I am calling it Connected Together.  Here is the specific information.  

Connected Together Marriage Conference

Where City Church of Chattanooga
When    October 17th 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm; October 18th 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Cost $65 a couple; $35 for individual

We are really excited about helping your marriage in October.  Please make plans to attend.  We will continue to post more information as we get closer.

Register for the Connected Together Marriage Conference!

We need to tell a bigger story.

"We need to tell a bigger story with our life than the story of ourselves. Your story is too small if it only tells your story." - Leonard Sweet

We become so wrapped up in the smaller story or our pain and problems that we forgot the larger story or God's love and provision. Stop and wonder about God's unfailing love.

He will:

Never leave you - Hebrews 13:5

Never stop loving you - Romans 8:37-39

Never give you more than you can handle - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Always be with you - Isiah 58:11

Focus on His larger story of love when you feel lost.  He will always find you and guide you.  

10 Things That Will Improve Your Marriage NOW

Often I get questions like “what can I do now that will help to improve my marriage?”  Most real changes take time. To find happiness with your spouse you need to be willing to put in effort. The challenges that every relationship has will help you to develop character.  

Here is a quick list of some fun easy things you can do that will impact your marriage.  

1. Pray with Your Spouse - Prayer will increase connection with your spouse.  You will understand their heart and needs more when you go to God together.

2. Laugh More - Laughter is the best medicine for any relationship.  Play together and laugh often.  

3. Schedule Sex - I know this seems very unromantic.  The only thing less romantic is no sex.  Many people have good intentions but when they lay down at night they are too tired. They don't have anything left at the end of the day. Make it a priority and schedule it.  

4. Hold Hands - Non-sexual touch is vital.  It is how you express affection and concern.  

5. Greet Each Other with Excitement - Your goal is to do better than your dog when your spouse comes home.  Just don't pee on the floor.   

6. Always Thank the Other Person - You have to focus on the positive in the relationship.  Saying "Thank You" often will help you to look for the positive in your spouse.  

7. Say "I Love You Often" - You need to say "I love you" with your actions and words often.  You can't say this too many times.  

8. Encourage Your Spouse - You need to know that they believe in you.  

9. Kiss Them Often and Well - I am not talking about a make out session or foreplay.  Just add another 10 seconds to your goodbye and hello kiss.  Or even add some kissing during commercials. Kissing for the purpose of affection not trying to create a sexual experience.   

10. Talk - Spend time each day talking about your life.  Don't spend all of your time talking about problems.  

11. Apologize and Forgive Freely - To stay connected together you must forgive often.  When a fight happens and you are both wrong, don't wait for the other.  Let the more mature ask and give forgiveness first.  

Marriage is a beautiful gift from God.  Stay positive and move toward your spouse with kindness and understanding and you will see the results.  

Exciting News

I also want to give some exciting news.  In October we will be doing a marriage conference at City Church of Chattanooga.  This event is designed to increase your skills and enjoyment in marriage.  The ideas and topics will help you with what I think are the two main components of marriage: compromise and connection.  This conference will be fun, interactive and informative helping you and your partner to develop abilities and attitudes that will increase your connection.  That’s why I am calling it Connected Together.  Here is the specific information.  

Connected Together Marriage Conference

Where City Church of Chattanooga

When    October 17th 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM; October 18th 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Cost $65 a couple; $35 for individual

We are really excited about helping your marriage in October.  Please make plans to attend.  We will continue to post more information as we get closer.

Together - Marriage Tip # 3

"Coming Together is the beginning.  Keeping Together is progress.  Working Together is success." - Henry Ford.

Together is a wonderful thing.  It should be the goal, we should settle for nothing less. We were NOT meant to be alone.  Life will pull you apart. Busyness will create separate goals.  You have to work at creating connected relationships that celebrate and enjoy being together.  Here are five simple ways to Connect Together.  

• Eat Together - You have to eat, make it a shared experience.  

• Try To Go To Bed Together - The shared experience of sleeping together is one of the experiences you should only have with your spouse. Learn to enjoying "spooning" together if only for a few minutes each night.  Non-sexual touch is vital for the health of the relationship.    

• Date Night - Create time together for a date night in the house, like movies and popcorn sitting together on the sofa, or even better, plan a date out.  

• Work On Projects Together - The common goal of working and accomplishing something together is important.  

• Commit To Trying New Things - Try new food, places and music.  Be flexible and try new things.  We encourage our children to do this. Why do we stop?  The joy of something new can help you feel connected together.  

Connecting together takes work and effort. It should be enjoyable work.  The effort has to be intentional, consistent and fun. What things would you add to the list?