Conflict Resolution
Essays
Making the most of living with extended family
1/8/13In current times, more and more people are pooling their resources together and living with extended family members. Some of the reasons include financial assistance, childcare, and providing care for elderly or sickly family members. Whatever the reason, living with one’s family can be a great experience if approached with the right mindset. However, if expectations, financial agreements, and general house rules are not laid out beforehand, the lack of communication can lead to disagreements…
Blended Families and Holidays
11/19/12
With the beginning of the holiday season comes many complications for those of us who come from blended families. The painful memories and uncertain expectations can turn what might be a joyous occasion into a time of tumult and hurt. Before these days are upon…
Accepting Adult Kids, Being Adult Kids
6/18/12
Everyone desires to be loved unconditionally. We are insecure beings and long to be affirmed. We desire to feel loved, regardless of our shortcomings. Children especially—even adult children making poor choices--want to know that they are loved and accepted by their parents. How do we…
Is Anger a Sin?
4/11/12
I grew up with the idea that anger was a bad thing. I understood that it was sinful to be angry with God. But the Bible never tells us that anger is bad. As an adult reading the psalms, I came to understand the healthiness…
Devotions
Jonah: Attitude Check
12/18/12 Read Scripture Verse: Jonah 1-4
With whom do you connect in the story of Jonah? Maybe you feel like the sailors who don’t seem to recognize God until they are desperate for help and their troubles are looking like they might swallow them up. Maybe you feel like the people…
Jonah: A Lesson in Patience
12/12/12 Read Scripture Verse: Jonah 1-4
Reading the story of Jonah, I am struck again by God’s patience. God persists with Jonah through his running, his time in the fish, and even while Jonah sits and waits for the destruction of the city. God could force Jonah’s obedience, but he patiently…
Your Most Dangerous Weapon
5/23/11 Read Scripture Verse: James3:9-10
Our tongues are a dangerous weapon. What power there is in something so small! The tongue is a difficult thing to tame. We know the pain of having been called names or labeled in a less that kind way. Those things impact us deeply and…
Resources
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Successful Step Families
Step families come with a variety of challenges to weather from the moment they say “I do.” Ron Deal addresses specific challenges and offers biblical insight as well as clinical experience as a marriage and family therapist to help equip couples for the journey ahead. He offers hope and encouragement for helping families navigate establishing working relationships within the new family as well as with the extended family.
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A Lasting Promise: A Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage
Scott Stanley in known for identifying the underlying issues we fight over. It's not the money, or the dishes, it's things like respect and security. Based on clinical research on why we fight, this guide helps us fight for stronger marriages!
