Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas  Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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"An Opportunity for Marriage Enrichment"
by Tom Goodman
August 22, 2007

Hollywood gets it more than you realize.  Your marriage relationship will be better if you get it, too.

I'm talking about the profound differences between what men and women fundamentally need in a relationship.  The romances in popular films aren't just "love stories" -- they're "respect stories," too!  In Aladdin, the boy hero asks Jasmine, "Do you trust me?"  She says "Yes," takes his hand, and thus begins their magic carpet ride.  In Titanic, Jack stands at the bow of the ship, offers his hand to Rose, and asks, "Do you trust me?"  She says yes, and their romance begins at the ship's prow, flying over the waves.  It's even in National Treasure, where Ben shouts to Abigail on the collapsing platform, "Do you trust me?"  And that question forms the closing line of Blade Runner as Rick and Rachael run away together.

You need to discover in your marriage what Hollywood has figured out: the best romances are formed where you see the combination of a man's love for his wife and a woman's respect for her husband.

That's what Ephesians 5:33 teaches us:  "Each of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."  Starting September 9, Diane and I will host a seminar designed to teach this fundamental truth about marriage.

The DVD conference is called Love and Respect, by Emerson Eggerichs.  His skillful use of straight talk and humor will drive home the biblical insights that can enrich your marriage.  You'll learn how to "stop the Crazy Cycle of conflict," initiate "the Energizing Cycle of change," and enjoy "the Rewarded Cycle of new passion."

We'll meet every Sunday from 5:30 to 7:00pm starting September 9 to discover that unconditional respect is as powerful for a husband as unconditional love is for a wife.  Forward this edition of Winning Ways to your friends and invite them to the first night of the "Love and Respect" seminar.  This class is for married couples as well as couples who are thinking about getting married.

The "Love and Respect" seminar is one of several classes in our Hillcrest Institute.  This Fall our church is also hosting classes on spiritual warfare, money management, healthy weight management, and other topics.  You can learn more about these classes and register online by clicking here.

One more word about healthy home relationships:  Spread the news about this Sunday's special event!  We're holding one combined worship service at 10:30 to experience the musical presentation, Love Will Be Our Home.  See you then!

--Tom


One Combined Service This Sunday, August 26.  Enjoy breakfast together at 9:30am followed by the musical presentation, "Love Will Be Our Home" at 10:30am.

"Adventures with Tom: Destination #2."  Hosted by the 18-35 age range.  Learn more here.

Holy Land Trip.  We're going to the Holy Land March 2008.  More information here.  Deadline for first deposit is in September!  For more information, write me.

Links to Your World (From my weblog, "Get Anchored")

A medieval cross that was hidden from the Nazis and ended up in the trash could be worth more than a half-million dollars, police said Thursday.  A woman looking for old crockery in a trash container stumbled upon the piece in 2004.  Hmmm...  A priceless cross found while digging through trash.  Now, there's a sermon illustration here somewhere.

"An interesting thing happens during "The Simpsons Movie," wrote Ted Baehr and Tom Snyder.  "Ned Flanders, often mocked in the television series for his Christian beliefs and strict moral standards, plays the most important role in the story."

Austin Gas Prices.  Find the cheapest.

Five tips to make the big decisions.

John Mark Reynolds on growing old.

Brilliant Corners ArtFarm:  The commercial web page of Elgin artists Jim and Melissa Janknegt.

Yes, I listened to Yes in high school and college.  No, I didn't know about Rick Wakeman's later Christian projects.

In "Cyber Divide Widens," a study shows kids are online twice as much as parents think they are, while 23% admit to encountering strangers online and 7% admit to meeting them offline.

Howard Dayton of Crown Financial Ministries answers the question, "How Much House Can You Afford?"

According to this author, if you're going to start your "apology" with "I'm sorry if...," don't bother finishing.  She's right.

See more informative and quirky links at my weblog, "Get Anchored" (click here).


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