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Building Godly Relationships
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Talk It Out Before You Say, “I Do”
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By Julie Ferwerda
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 You're thinking about spending the rest of your life with that special person. But do you really know them as well as you think? Are there areas you need to know about (or they need to know about you) that you haven't discussed? The best time to get down to the nitty-gritty with each other is before you say, "I do."
You need to know what to expect after the wedding day, and to decide if you really want to spend the rest of your life with this person the way they are now. Chances are they (and you) won't change that much, so if you really want to know who you are agreeing to love, work through these questions together. There's no hurry-take all the time you need. But there's one rule. You must be completely, gut-wrenchingly honest! If you misrepresent yourself...they will remember.
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The Bridesmaid’s Survival Guide
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By Jennifer E. Jones, CBN.com Producer
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CBN.com - "Will you be my bridesmaid?"
It's the five words that can hang on the hinge of an entire relationship. Whether she's your best friend or a co-worker you barely know, she's asking you with sincerity in her eyes, and she's expecting an answer... soon.
I know you're tired of being the co-star in yet another friend's wedding. Believe you me. I'm growing my own collection of dyed satin shoes and awkwardly plain formal gowns I'll never wear again. But even I know that weddings are important celebrations, and the role of a bridesmaid should not be taken lightly.
You can do this, and I'm going to coach you through.
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By Michael Smalley, M.A.
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 Love ... What a powerful experience to know you are with the one person you believe to be the only person right for you! There's a magical moment when you realize you can't imagine ever spending another day without this person next to you. Every thought is consumed with fantasies and incredible expectations for the future! Sound familiar?
You might be experiencing these very feelings this moment. Excitement, Anticipation, and Confidence. Amy and I (Michael) were in this mode just two weeks after we started dating! We actually discussed marriage on the second day! There was no doubt for either of us that we were meant to be together. I felt like nothing or no one could ever prevent our being together "till death do us part". That is, till I made a visit to Conroe, Texas just two weeks after we started dating.
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Three Components of Relational Balance
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By Smalley Relationship Center
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 Are you spread thin relationally? Too many people pulling you in too many directions?
There are three main components to maintaining a relational balance in your life. Neglect or overlook any of the three, and you'll soon be heading for trouble.
Receiving. To stay healthy, you have to receive from others. You need the help and assistance of others. To practice good self-care, you must learn to let the love of others penetrate.
Attending. Good self-care means that you must learn to attend to your own legitimate needs. That means that you have to understand what your emotions are telling you about your circumstances. Remember, your feelings provide information essential for effective self-care.
All of these sources-signals from the body, mind, and heart-provide helpful information that can guide and direct your self-care process. |
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Love—As Easy As One, Two, Rooftop!
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By Smalley Relationship Center
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 It's 8:40 a.m. Sunday morning and I'm on top the roof of our new house wondering exactly how I'm going to get down!
Sound familiar? Anyone who has ADHD or lives with someone who has it knows this story. A few of the characteristics of ADHD are impulsiveness and a desire for risky behavior. I displayed both of these traits in only 2.5 minutes that early Sunday morning.
As we were driving off for church, Amy realized we'd forgotten something. Typical to ADHD I can't even remember what it was, all I remember is what happened. She went to go back inside of our new home we'd just recently moved into and realized she had locked the door and we didn't have a key.
Suddenly two adults had an opportunity to problem solve a situation and figure out the best way to get inside the house. Amy's first thought was to go around the parameter of our home and check to see if any windows looked open. My first idea was, "Oooh, I could climb the scaffolding in the back and get up on the roof!"
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