Marriage
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…
A Brand New Year for Families: How Will You Be Changed?
12/31/12
The trappings of Christmas are falling away. Trees droop. Needles fall. It is time to pack up our ornaments and wrap up our garland and set our living rooms right for the year ahead. As we clear the clutter of this season away, what else…
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…
Preparing for the Holidays
11/8/12
As I wandered through the aisles of holiday decorations, I imagined a vision of our finely decorated home. I walked past harvest pumpkins and strings of lights, turkey statues and decorated tablecloths. It was easy to believe that getting ready had much to do with…
Devotions
MEMBERS OF ONE BODY
4/3/13 Read Scripture Verse: Ephesians 4:17-25
Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus that they are no longer who they were. They are new creatures, renewed in Christ! They used to find it acceptable to be selfish and greedy, but now they are different. They used to find it acceptable to tell…
HELP TO STAND
4/2/13 Read Scripture Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Returning from a week-long cycling trip, Steven badly wrenched his ankle on our own front steps while unpacking the car. What a welcome home! In a moment he went from feeling athletic to hobbled. How quickly things change! Yet he was well cared for as…
AVOIDING ADVANTAGE
4/1/13 Read Scripture Verse: Leviticus 25:14-19
Buying a house or a car can be scary. The financial stakes are high, and we want to be sure the seller is not hiding something or shading the truth. In Leviticus 25, God is talking about business. Through Moses, God instructs his people on…
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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Marriage is a gift
http://glendora.patch.com/articles/your-marriage-is-a-gift Advice for weathering the storms of marriage from the Glendora Patch
"More importantly, if it is so difficult, why bother trying to make marriage work? For starters, it is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. Research consistently shows that children tend to fare better in married, two-parent households. The investment you make in your marriage not only rewards you and your spouse, the dividends spill over to your children as well"
