So let's be honest, life moves at the speed of light. Blink and you miss it. And with a household full of busy schedules,  sometimes things get overlooked, even holidays.

If you have a busy family, you know that life can get in the way of, well...life. Last Tuesday was Valentine's Day. In the Higham house, Valentine's Day was just another day. We did our best to celebrate. Jay made heart shaped pancakes for breakfast and a chicken and shrimp alfredo for dinner.  But the reality is, it was just another day, especially since the next day was Jay's vasectomy. So it was decided that we would celebrate Valentine's Day at a later date. 

So with the month quickly coming to a close, the question now is, "What can we still do before the end of February?"

Well, here are 10, last minute things you can do for and with your spouse before the end of February.
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The month is running out. It will soon be March. February will soon be over. But let's not miss out on a last minute chance to spend some time with your spouse. 10 fun things to do with your spouse before the end of the month!

Have fun!

​- the higham family

As we think about encouraging the family, we recognize the importance of the marriage. It is so easy for a husband and wife to get lost as they busy themselves being mom and dad. Don't get lost! Take the time to strengthen your marriage! Today, we're talking about your marriage!

Amy and I totally believe that as a husband and a wife, we need to make sure we give our marriage the necessary time and attention so it stays strong and healthy, and ready for when the busyness is over. To accomplish this, we have participated in a couple marriage conferences/seminars that have helped us to deepen the intimacy and longevity of our marriage.

Today we want to share a couple of those conferences/seminars with you. And we're doing it early, because these events are coming up later this fall!

The Weekend to Remember really is a weekend which allows you to step away from the busyness of life and step into a place where you are a way and able to reconnect, emotionally, physically and spiritually. The materials and the speakers are tailored to quickly connect couples with the principles and tools that produce stronger, healthier marriages.

This fall, the Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway is coming to a city near you. click on the link below, to see how close a Weekend to Remember weekend will be to you. Here in Western, PA, there will be 2 weekends; November 11-13, 2016 and December 03-04, 2016. Both weekends will take place in Cranberry, PA, just minutes from Pittsburgh and it's surrounding areas.

The cost for the weekend is only $150.00 (per-person) for the conference, plus your hotel stay. (And unless you can send the kids away for the weekend, I would suggest you find a way to stay at the hotel.)

Click on the link and register for the next Weekend to Remember!

As a student pastor/church leader, this conference is one that I am interested. I know I see blended families on a regular bases. I want to be sure that we are working to meet the unique needs of the blended family. If you're in the same boat, may I suggest you consider The Summit!

Click on the link below to learn more.

The Art of Marriage is a small group resource that takes a group of couples back into God's Word to look and understand his initial design and purpose for marriage. This video based material includes real stories from real couples, incredible teaching from some of the most respected and trusted bible teachers and discussion questions that will truly get you and your spouse talking.

I am looking to host The Art of Marriage sometime during the next school year (2016-2017). So be sure to watch the blog for an announcement with details. If you would like to host a The Art of Marriage event, or you would like to know where and when an event is happening near you, visit the website for details. 

Welcome back as we continue our 8 day challenge to intimacy. Last week we looked at the first half of our challenge, this week we want to wrap up the second half with the last 4 days.

Today, our scripture readings take us to one of my (Jay) most favorite scriptures in the bible, Philippians 2:1-11. The first time I was really introduced to these words was my first mission trip as a student. We we're told to memories these verses, and to remember them as we prepared for and entered the mission field. We we're told that as we think about what it looks like to love and minister to others, these words are powerful reminders of how Jesus came to love and serve.

These verses have stayed with me ever since. We often quote parts of these verses as we remind our kids how they are to, "consider others better then themselves..." As you read these verses with your spouse today, think about how love and ministry impacts not just your marriage but your family.

Gracious and loving Father, who spared not your son, but gave him willingly to make grace possible for us, we pray and ask that you would help us live the way that Jesus lived, as humble servants, laying aside our own ambitions, and picking up the cares of those around. Help us to love each other, finding joy in the shared heart and mind that comes from Christ, through his Spirit. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen

Something incredible happens when we step outside of our self to put someone else interest and needs before our own. This week, as you finish the 8 day challenge, be on the look out for specific ways that you can deepen the intimacy of your relationship by taking on the mindset of Jesus Christ, and becoming a humble servant.

Half way point! Day Four!

​We hope and pray that you and your spouse are finding new ways to reach deeper intimacy.

Marriage. It's a covenantal bond, created by God to bring a man and a woman together in holy intimacy. Since the Garden, marriage has been under attack. The evil one is clever, conniving, and unrelenting. In our readings today, we're going to look at something the Apostle Paul wrote about how we are to live as believers. We often read these verses in light of our individuality. That is, as a believer, Paul suggests that I live in this manner. But what if we were to look at these verses in the context of our marriage? How would we respond to his words as "one flesh"? Intimacy isn't always about being physical. Intimacy is a place where as husband and wife we can be completely honest and open about what's in our hearts and on our minds. As you read through Paul's words to the church, think about what it would take to be totally honest and open with your spouse with the struggles you face. What might change if you started praying for each others struggles? What would it look like to be living with the peace of Christ, ruling in your hearts?

Heavenly Father, You have rescued us, raised us up with Christ, help us to set our heart on things that are above, where Christ is seated. Give us a passion to chase after You, our minds set on You and not here on Earth. Through Christ, help us to be freed from the temptations of our earthly nature and to walk in your ways. Help us to live as Your chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothed in Your love and grace. And allow that love and grace to be the love and grace that we show to each other as we learn how to live in loving submission before. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Being completely open and honest with our spouse is a powerful way to live. Without secrets, we live free; free to love and be loved. In some ways, it's like living in grace. When we know God's gift of grace, we find ourselves not condemned, but redeemed. Instead of God's wrath, we experience God's love. You see, when we know we are loved, we want to come to God for His forgiveness, because He promises to forgive us. It makes His grace endless. This can also be said of our marriages. When we live in grace with our spouses, it draws us together and makes us stronger. What does that look like? Well, it comes in knowing that when we make a mistake or offend our spouse, there's grace and forgiveness at the end of our apologies. That makes it easier to bring what we've kept in the dark into the light. When everything is in the light, there's nothing to hide. And when there's nothing to hide, freedom is found. And where we find freedom, well, intimacy is deeper and richer! Embrace the light. And enjoy the freedoms that come with your love for each other!