Divorce & Remarriage
Essays
Blended Families and Holidays
11/19/12With 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 us, it can be helpful to make a plan. Growing up in a family affected by divorce, I have seen this play out in a variety of ways. Because our…
When is Divorce OK?
5/3/12
Nobody enters marriage expecting to divorce. Divorce was not in God's initial plan either. When the Pharisees came to Jesus to try to get him to pick a side in the when-is-it-okay-to-divorce debate, Jesus redirects them back to the beginning. In Matthew 19, he quotes…
Why Do We Fight?
6/26/11
Have you ever had a big argument over a small matter? An explosion over a late dinner or another empty toilet-paper roll? We argue about trivial things because they represent bigger, more emotional issues. Too often we argue about the details and never quite get…
Blended Families: Establishing Discipline
5/20/11Blended families come together with unique challenges. The success rate for blended families is very poor with a failure rate of 60-75%. Although much of this is related to unfinished business in previous relationships, some of this is undoubtedly related to the stress of blending…
Devotions
Don’t Run: Honoring God in Conflict
5/18/11 Read Scripture Verse: John 16:33
Life is so unfair. We hear this complaint all the time. Our culture will tell us that if we are in conflict then our spouse is not our soul mate and we ought to start looking for someone else. The Bible has a very different…
Forgive and Forget?
5/18/11 Read Scripture Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
This is a text that shows up at weddings all the time. It is a beautiful poetic picture of how love ought to look. It strikes us as so idyllic that it is unattainable. In our own strength it is outside of our grasp. We…
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"
