August 2008 Archives
Most of the time when we think of people not being able to hear us, we think one of two things. Either they are talking on a cell phone or they have become "auditorally challenged". Since moving back to Alabama, we have experienced great frustration with our cell coverage. Is anything more frustrating than a dropped call or only hearing every fourth word in a conversation? Maybe the only thing more frustrating might be having a face to face conversation with someone, especially someone we love, and STILL not being heard, or at least understood. We need learn to talk so others will hear us. Being heard and understood is a very important part of life. We feel important and...
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It's rare to find someone who says their life is in perfect balance with God, family, work, chores, and personal needs all being equally and adequately cared for. We all want that kind of life - a life that doesn't have you constantly trying to cram another activity into a heavy day; a life that doesn't require explaining to the children, again, why you can't play right now; a life with time for God, family, and friends. But to most people, that kind of life seems like something out of a 1950's TV show [Father Knows Best, Leave it to Beaver]. Because the life we're familiar with is one in which every aspect of our existence demands more of us...
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A Friend sent me "The Stranger" story this week... I have no idea who the author is, but thought it was interesting enough to post and give us something to think about. What do you think? A few months before I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to our small Tennessee town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me into the world a few months later. As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mom...
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One of the central parts of the new movie, Fireproof (in theaters September 26, 2008) is the Love Dare book that Caleb's father presents him when Caleb's marriage is falling apart. B & H Publishing Group (a division of LifeWay) decided to publish The Love Dare and LifeWay Church Resources is publishing a small group curriculum in early 2009 that will be out the same time the Fireproof DVD will release. The Love Dare is a 40-day guided devotional experience that will lead your heart back to truly loving your spouse while learning more about the design, nature, and source of true love. Each reading includes Scripture, a statement of principle, the day's 'dare,' and a journaling area and check...
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FIRMLY FOCUS Have you ever begun a project, only to get distracted by a million different things? One morning I decided to clean the garage. While cleaning the garage, I decided the grass needed mowing so I left the garage and began mowing. While mowing the grass, I noticed that a tree limb was down so I grabbed the chain saw and began cutting. Three hours went by and Deb came home, only to say, "I thought you were going to clean the garage." This is a great visual of how we start our day off with good intentions of accomplishing something, only to let people, circumstances and distractions get us off task. Let's talk about 5 distractions that we...
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Say it Pleasantly - Proverbs 16:21 "The wise heart will be called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." Communication experts tell us that only 7% of communication is content and 38% is tone of voice. Just because someone loves you, like your spouse, doesn't mean an abrasive tone in your voice is appealing. No one likes to be patronized, spoken to rudely or sharply, and no one likes to constantly be spoken to in a coarse tone. It is important that if we want others to hear us and to listen when we speak, we must scrutinize our communication habits and maintain a pleasant tone. Unfortunately, many married couples are living in a cycle of abrasiveness. Couples speak to...
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This week I took a phone call from a lady that is considering Festivals of Marriage at Ridgecrest this fall. I could tell immediately the concern she had for her husband and his work. She said "my husband is under a lot of stress at work-facing deadlines and personality issues. He comes home all the time grouchy and it gets worse as the evening progresses. I want to be sympathetic, but at the same time I want to tell him to calm down. How can I gently do that?" Wow! Talk about pressure. It's your move Mark and she is waiting... I kept thinking about the times I've gone home guilty of the same thing and now I'm giving counsel...
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