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LoveNote 2
Couples' Newsletter
Oct/Nov/Dec 2015
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What was supposed to be quarterly, has dwindled down to bi-annually...our apologies. Life happened. We plan to be more diligent in 2016...to maintain our commitment to this ministry and to maintain your interest. On October 9, 2016, we celebrated 16 years of marriage and we are still celebrating! November, the month of Thanksgiving.....we were focused on giving thanks for all of our many, many blessings. We waited until the day after Thanksgiving to take our anniversary trip to Washington, DC and we truly enjoyed being in the nation's capital. And, finally, we've just celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ and want to touch base with our family and friends to say, "We love you and we hope you have enjoyed a Very, Merry Christmas"!
Christmas is the time of year when we focus a lot of our time, energy, and resources on others, especially those who are less fortunate. We collect toys for tots, we feed the hungry, and we get our last minute donations out to our favorite charities. But, truth be told....we are supposed to focus on others everyday. I have family members and friends who often say, "You'd better take care of yourself." I laugh to myself, because my mental response is, "Where does it say that in the Bible?" It doesn't. We live in a world where we are constantly told by family, friends, and the media to look out for #1, take care of yourself, and make sure make yourself happy. This is contrary to the Word of God and sometimes impedes a couples' ability to enjoy a happy marriage. I'll support what I'm saying with scripture...please see Philippians 2: 3-5, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus" (NIV).
Practicing selflessness is good for your marriage. But, it's hard. We are selfish by nature. And, we often spend lots of time focused on whether or not our spouse is being selfish, rather than trying to focus on and change ourselves. I encourage you to start first...be the model. On Judgment Day, "he didn't/she didn't" will not be an acceptable excuse for our not growing in Christ. We are going to have to answer for ourselves. And, we don't want to miss our blessings on this side or the other side. 1 Peter 3: 8-9 (NIV), says, "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to do this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing".
In 2016, let's put our spouses' needs and interests above our own. Let's commit to unblocking our blessings by practicing selflessness and being kind and loving, at a level that reflects our maturity in Christ.
Love, Peace, and Happiness,
Sherman and Paula Newman
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Love
Song Favorites (Suggestions for you to download and enjoy as a couple):
- We Got Love by Babyface
- 'Til The End of Time by Timothy featuring V Bloom
- Piece It Together by Zhane featuring Will Downing & Najee
- You Are My Starship by Timothy featuring V Bloom
- Alone Together by Daley
- Forever, For Always, For Love by Lalah Hathaway
- When You Touch Me by Maysa
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Couples Talk: Overcoming Selfishness
- Philippians 2: 3-5, tells us how to defeat and overcome selfishness. Talk about concrete things you can do (changes you can make) as individuals and as a couple to overcome selfishness?
- Share with your spouse a couple of ways he/she can help you deal with your selfishness.
- Talk about what can you do for your spouse or give up for your spouse during the next two weeks?
- 1 Peter 3: 8-12, tells us what to do when we believe our spouse is being selfish. Take a moment together and write this scripture down on an index card and carry it around with you as a reminder; or put it in your OneNote, Notes app on our phone, etc. as a reminder.
- Pray together once a day or at least once a week with a focus on putting the other's needs above anything else.
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Things to Do on New Years' Eve!
- Watch Night Worship Celebration at Union Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Kenneth Ray Hammond at 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., Durham, NC
- Watch Night Service at Wake Chapel Church at 10:00 p.m., Raleigh, NC
- Disco Donnie Presents Nightmoves New Years' Eve Featuring Brillz at the Ritz, Raleigh, NC
- New Years' Eve with Dom Irrera at Charlie Goodnights, Raleigh, NC
- First Night Raleigh ($10/pp)- Downtown Raleigh
- New Years' Eve with Tony DeSare and the North Carolina Symphony at Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh, NC ($52-82)
- Watch Night Worship Celebration at Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Harry White, Jr. at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Raleigh, NC
- Solas 2015 New Years' Eve Party, Raleigh, NC ($20)
- New Years' Eve at Kings North Hills, Raleigh, NC ($-Varies)
- Bahama Breeze's New Years' Eve Celebration, Raleigh, NC ($45/pp)
- World Overcomers Presents Watch Night with Pastor Andy Thompson at 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., Durham, NC
- Victorious Praise New Years' Eve Celebration and Concert with Pastor Wil and Dr. Grace Nichols at 7:30 p.m., Durham, NC
(Google the venue's website for more information.)
Spotlight Couples' Event
10th Annual Couples' Gala: Amour, Enchanted Weekend hosted by Burning Flame Fellowship,
Friday and Saturday, February 19-20, 2016 at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley, 4500 Marriott Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612. The weekend will include laughter, dancing, live entertainment, marriage empowerment and much more for married and engaged couples. The Saturday night Gala is a Black and White Affair and everyone is asked to wear a masquerade costume and/or mask. A prize will be given to the best mask and costume, but costumes are not required. If you choose to wear a masquerade ball costume, it must be appropriate for a formal event. Register by visiting http://www.burningflamefellowship.com .
- Formal Black and White Masquerade Ball = $180 per couple until January 5th (includes dinner, entertainment, and dancing)
- Amour, Restoring and Rekindling the Flame = $65 per couple includes the Saturday morning workshop(s), only
- Enrichment Session A1: Crucial Conversations "For Better or For Worse" with Pastor Kenneth and First Lady Beverly Porter
- Enrichment Session A2: Happily Married: Communication is Key with Dr. Schubert and Dr. Chavonne Perotte
- Enrichment Session B1: A New Year: Shift Your Marriage with Lamar and Ronnie Tyler
- Enrichment Session B2: Close Encounters of the Love Kind with Sherman and Dr. Paula Newman
- Amour, Live, Laugh and Love = $60 per person for Friday evening, only (includes buffet dinner and entrance to three venues: comedy room, Jazz/Blues room, and the Man Cave). Special entertainment includes comedians, live band, Wine and Design, games, and more.
- Friday Night Live, Laugh, and Love = $100 per couple for Friday evening, only (includes buffet dinner and entrance to three venues: comedy room, Jazz/Blues room, and the Man Cave). Special entertainment includes comedians, live band, Wine and Design, games, and more.
- Enchanted Package = $330.00 per couple. Package includes entry to all three weekend events (Friday night buffet and entertainment, Saturday morning enrichment sessions/workshops, Saturday night dinner and Masquerade Ball, name submitted for drawing, and listing as a patron in the souvenir booklet)
- Inseparable Package = $380.00 per couple. Package includes VIP seating at the Masquerade Ball, entrance to all three weekend events (Friday night entertainment, Saturday morning enrichment sessions/workshops, and Saturday night dinner and Masquerade Ball, six meals, Wedding Vow Renewal, gift bag, photo, and an opportunity to win a weekend getaway.
We look forward to seeing you at this highly acclaimed event where there will be surprise guests whom you won't want to miss!
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