***NEWS RELEASE***
For Immediate Release
July 10, 2017
CONTACT:
Beth Harrison, Hamilton Strategies, 610.584.1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, or Deborah Hamilton, 610.584.1096, ext. 102
Marriage—A Perfect Journey for Imperfect Couples
Paul and Terrie Chappell Write in New Book, ‘Are We There Yet?’
That Marriage Is More of a Long Journey Than an Immediate Destination
LOS ANGELES—Most people get married with the assumption that marriage itself is a destination. But along the way, couples discover that, as wonderful as marriage may be, it is more of a journey than it is a destination.
Rather than marriage being this perfect island of unending bliss, Dr. Paul Chappell, author of the soon-to-be-released book Are We There Yet? Marriage—a Perfect Journey for Imperfect Couples, says that marriage can be like a long road trip—the kind of road trip where you are excited for the destination, love the memories along the way and sometimes get annoyed with aspects of the journey.
Are We There Yet? was written by Dr. Chappell, senior pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church, and his wife of 36 years, Terrie. Dr. Chappell is the author of well over 25 additional books that span an inspiring pastoral career, and Terrie has also written It’s a Wonderful Life: Serving God Joyfully in Marriage and Ministry and The Choice is Yours: Life Happens, Walking with God Is a Decision.
“My wife and I tend to travel a little differently,” Dr. Chappell says. “I have a tendency to push to a destination and not always enjoy the journey. The Bible, on the other hand, teaches us to walk in Christ’s steps, not to frantically conquer destinations. Our Heavenly Father is interested in every step of the journey, and we believe that, for a married couple, His desire is that we enjoy companionship along the way.” Explaining the theming of the book, he writes, “The best part of travel for both of us is simply being together. Thus, as we prepared to write this book, we decided to make it travel themed. After all, if marriage is anything, it is a journey.”
In Are We There Yet? the Chappells candidly share biblical principles and personal, transparent illustrations that will equip couples to travel down the road of marriage further together. Whether newlyweds or married for decades, husbands and wives will find truth in Are We There Yet? to help them clarify their destination, communicate their needs, grow as a couple and even shed some luggage along the way.
With chapter titles such as “It Looked Different in the Picture,” “Paying with Foreign Currency,” “It’s a Two-Lane Highway,” “Roadblocks,” “Traveling Light” and “Booking a Room,” Are We There Yet? explores topics from expectations, needs and communication to conflict, forgiveness and intimacy.
“When it comes to the journey of marriage, growth is what matters most,” Dr. Chappell writes in Are We There Yet? “I think most of us begin marriage with the idea that marriage itself is a destination. Although we don’t actually express it, we approach our wedding with the subconscious expectation that once we pull away in our rental car with cans clanging off the bumper, we are finally ‘there.’ From here on out, we assume, we’ll be free to enjoy the incredible destination of ‘marriage’ with our new spouse.
“But along the way,” he continues, “perhaps even on our honeymoon, we discover that as wonderful as marriage may be, it’s more of a journey than it is a destination. After 36 years of marriage, however, I can tell you that while marriage is a long journey, it is the kind of journey that actually gets better the longer you’re on it.”
Paul and Terrie Chappell live in Lancaster, Calif., where he is senior pastor of Lancaster Baptist Church and the president of West Coast Baptist College. His biblical vision has led the church to become one of the most dynamic Baptist churches in the nation. Dr. Chappell’s preaching is heard on “Daily in the Word,” a radio broadcast heard across America, and he is the author of more than 25 additional books, including Disciple: Daily Truths from the Gospel of Luke for Followers of Jesus, Take it Personally: A Practical Guide to Owning and Obeying the Great Commission, When a Nation Turns Its Back to God: Living as a Bible-Believing Minority in the United States of America and Making Home Work: Biblical Principles for Raising Children and Building Families, among many others.
Terrie Chappell leads the ladies’ ministry at the church and is also a conference speaker. The Chappells have four married children, who all serve in full-time Christian ministry, and nine grandchildren.
Pre-orders for Are We There Yet? are beginning now online at www.AreWeThereYetBook.com, with an official release in October.
For more information on Dr. Paul Chappell and Lancaster Baptist Church, visit paulchappell.com or www.lancasterbaptist.org, or connect with him via social media on Facebook, Twitter or the church’s YouTube or Vimeo.
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For information about interviewing Dr. Paul Chappell on Are We There Yet? or to request a review copy, contact Beth Harrison at 610-584-1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, or Deborah Hamilton, 610-584-1096, ext. 102.