BMWK writer Tiya Cunningham-Sumter is live blogging from the Moody Bible Institute’s Marriage Conference in Chicago on October 23rd 2010. Check back for updates throughout the day! Newest content is on the top.

About The Conference:

Let’s Stay Together

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence. Psalm 71:5

Let’s Stay Together, a Moody marriage conference,  will help you find answers to some of the tough questions couples face like, “How can we stay together and make this marriage work?” and “What is a Christ-centered, healthy marriage?”

We hope that your relationship with Christ will be strengthened to help you face the seasons of marital unrest and family struggles that we all encounter from time-to-time. This conference will give you insight and practical tools to help you, your spouse and children overcome differences to stay committed for the long haul.

Please join us as we delve into God’s Word and discuss transforming techniques to guide your family to deeper relationships, joy and laughter.

3:00 pm The Let’s Stay Together Marriage and Family Conference was absolutely amazing. I was amazed and pleased to hear that there were over 300 people registered for this event and we filled the auditorium. It was a blessing to experience and I am walking away with so much useful information that I know will transform my household. The speakers encouraged audience participation in terms of having couples speak certain words directly to one another and by showing affection. It touched my hearts (as I sat in the balcony, due to internet connection issues) to watch over everyone and watch all the couples hug and speak words of love and encouragement to one another. I have decided whether I am live blogging or not, this conference is a must for me and my husband next year and I encourage other couples to find one in your area attend. I cannot put  into words effectively what this will do for your marriage.

2:30 pm Pastor James Ford closes the conference by further  discussing togetherness in marriage. He discussed the  4 rings of marriage: 1.  engagement ring,   2. wedding ring, 3. suffering, 4. prospering.    Pastor Ford recommends the book Men Are  Like Waffles Women are Like Spaghetti by Bill and Pam Farrel. Ford also discusses the principles important to marriage: The pattern of the Trinity. Apartnership in God. The perfecting reason. The pleasure reason. The reason for purity. A picture of Christ & his church.

1:30 pm William Powell discusses manhood: Strengthening Black Manhood. Real men seek to understand their wives. Real men love their wives as Christ loved the church. Real men are economically responsible. Real men demonstrate courage under fire. Real men love the Lord their God. Real men teach their families God’s Word. Real men are examples to their children.

1:00 pm Yolanda Powell’s presentation discussed:  Taking Spiritual Inventory: Opening blind eyes to see! The Barrenness of Busyness. “Is Christ Lord of our Home?”      The 5-5 Family Plan:    1. Designate Jesus Christ as the Family Leader.    2. Make Devotions a Daily Family Meal.   3. Exalt the Word as the Family Counselor & Consultant.    4. Implement a Weekly Family Praise Break!  5. Don’t Forget the Nightly Family Prayer.

12:50 pm Yolanda brought us back from break by encouragingwives. There is something powerful in your words ladies.   Talking in technicolor:   We must have the right stuff in our mouths when communicating with our spouses. She suggests creating love dreams; defined as  two married people share their innermost thoughts and dreams lovingly. William and Yolanda Powell have an upcoming   seminar: Let’s Stay Together & Nourish this Awesome Thing Called Family! A marriage and family seminar.

12:15 pm As we are returning from a lunch break I have to share what I enjoyed the most. Unfortunately my hubby was unable to attend this event, so I had lunch solo. During my lunch I was able to listen to other couples   discuss the conference thus far. All of the feedback was positive. Couples are really gaining a lot of knowledge about what GOD wants for our marriage. I’ve heard several already say how much fun they are having. It is an awesome conference and we still have half to go, so I’m looking forward to part 2.

11:00 amYolanda Powell discusses wives encouraging and pushing the husband and the importance of togetherness. The Three-Fold cord Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are Better than One. Good reward for their labor. A three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

10:50 am The Powells presented the following: Power of MANHOOD in Marriage: Mutual submission, Clarity of Roles and Righteous Leadership. The Family Servant-Leader: Leading by Example, Loving & self-sacrificing and Sometimes … a “Lonely” place.

10:35 am   The Powells shared that love and conquer hugs done in the midst of disagreements can start  the healing.   Even when you are upset and not interested, just hug through it. The Sin Barriers that block intimacy are    spiritual, psychologial (personality differences), gender   and historical (Past issues…Baggage)

10:20 am Looks like a full house. Yolanda and William Powell who work in Dominion International Ministries are the next speakers. They have been married for 26 years. They co-authored Soul Food and Living Water: Spiritual Nourishment and Practical Help for the African American Family. God’s original Intent! Genesis 2:24 “Therefore, shall A MAN leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become ONE flesh” Focusing on the word join/cleaved.

10:00 am Pastor Ford demonstrates submission. Submission  (mentioned in scripture is voluntary) A man who demands submission doesn’t deserve it. In a marriage the couple should stay face to face. If she submits to her husband (live example used of wife bowing to husband) and the husband puts her on a pedestal (live example used with woman stepping on a higher step) then they are face to face.  Ford mentions the 10 principles for a clean fight (the  main principle is it’s not about you).  Attack the problem and not ourselves. A Partnership in God Recognizes a Spiritual Role.

9:50 Best quote so far of the morning: “It’s not who you  married, Ait’s who  you are in the marriage.” Pastor James Ford

9:45 am James Ford, Pastor of Christ Bible Church and President of Impact Ministries is the first speaker. Pastor Ford has a radio program called Wisdom from the Word on Moody Radio. He is the author of Seven Reasons Why God Created Marriage. He and his wife Leslie have been married for 39 years. Looking at how GOD laid the foundation for our marriage relationships. The Bible is our manual and when we apply the principles, the marriage works.   The two most important decisions you’ll ever make in your life are: 1. Who you’re going to serve and 2. who you’re going to marry. Marriage goes through phases: 1. Relapse stage (when Christ is no longer the center of our marriage)  Pastor Ford demonstrates this with a couple in the audience. They are face to face and pretending to  argue, which pushes them further and further apart. Pastor Ford teaches that instead of looking at one another as they disagree/argue they should look to  St 2. Honeymoon Stage 3. Reality Stage (when you realize that they are not who you thought they were) 4. Resentment Stage (the I do’s become the I don’ts) 5. Retaliation Phase (Trying to get back at one another) 6. Rejection Stage (fighting against it). 7. Spiritual Stage (applying God’s principles to your marriage).

9:17 am Charles and Donna Butler (Charles is  Pastor with Moody Church, Shepherding and Mens Ministries) are leading praise and worship. The Butlers,    married for 29 years  celebrate their anniversary every month (I love that). So they have been married for 29 years and 5 months.

9:10 am Thanking GOD for that awesome prayer over our marriages.

9:00 am The conference has begun. Quite a few couples are present and there is such  a positive energy in this place.  Roy, one of the hosts from Moody Radio  is opening with some heartfelt stories and jokes on marriage.    We are going into worship.