Communication Skills
Essays
Intimacy
9/13/10Intimacy is not the same as sex. We often use intimacy as a sexual euphamism, but it is much richer. Intimacy is indeed about the closeness and vulnerablility we offer one another, a kind of nakedness so to speak, but also includes spiritual, intellectual, and emotional aspects. Physical intimacy is all forms of touching, from a handshake or hug to a kiss or intercourse. Physical intimacy is essential to a healthy marriage. Without physical intimacy…
Marriage Lesson from the Tandem: Developing Trust
9/7/10
Taking corners at 27mph can be an exhilarating and frightening proposition. My husband has topped out our tandem speed at 55 mph. That is a scary speed on the back of the bike when you cannot see what lies ahead. Our tandem does not normally…
Can You Hear Me Now?
9/2/10
But I TOLD you all about it, I explained it in detail! How can you not remember? Have you ever said this? You recall spelling out all the details, but somehow the message never made it through. We all have stories of misunderstandings. Sometimes they're…
Rules for Fair Fighting: Rule #8
3/20/07
Can you freely offer apologies, or will you apologize only if you were proven completely, utterly wrong? Rule #8 Say I’m Sorry It can be very difficult to admit our contribution to a conflict. If we are honest, we will admit that we too have…
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…
What is Beauty?
5/23/11 Read Scripture Verse: Proverbs 31:30
We live in a culture that idolizes physical beauty. Health is discarded as we try to achieve a figure that our society considers attractive. Eating disorders are common as women struggle to maintain unrealistic body proportions. We are confronted everyday with advertisements trying to sell…
Resources
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Rekindling the Romance: Loving the Love of Your Life
The Raineys once again offer solid advice on stoking the Spirit's flame in your marriage. This book is designed to help you rediscover why you still love your spouse!
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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!
