Spring seems to be just around the corner. Last weekend, here in Colorado Springs we were in the '60s and the birds were singing their songs to announce that Winter's hold is coming to an end and the new birth of Spring is nearly upon us. Alas, in Colorado Springs that is only partly true. Here, we [...]
Last month we talked about developing and maintaining healthy communication as you parent your kids. The skills you learn to communicate in respectful, honoring ways will come in handy when you need to resolve your conflicts. Healthy communication and conflict resolution are really two sides of the same coin. They work together to create a marriage of love, trust, [...]
This month we wrap up our discussion of Milan & Kay Yerkovich's book titled, "How We Love". It shows how crucial our early childhood experiences are and how they impact how we give and receive love even today as adults. Last month we looked at two of the four love styles that impair how we love others, especially our [...]
Milan & Kay Yerkovich, in their book titled, "How We Love", have identified four love styles that impair how we love others, especially our spouse. They are: The Avoider Style, The Pleaser Style, The Vacillator Style, and The Chaotic (Controller & Victim) Style. Last month we examined how crucial our early childhood experiences are and how they impact how [...]
Last month we started sharing excerpts and principles from Milan & Kay Yerkovich's book titled, "How We Love", which examines the connection between our childhood experiences and how we give and receive love as adults. We talked about why every marriage gets stuck sometimes and asked a pivotal question—"Can you recall being comforted as a child after a time [...]
Every marriage has nagging problems calling for our attention. Some of us may come to the conclusion that our difficulties are because we married the wrong person. Those who decide to divorce and marry someone else soon find that the same issues keep popping up no matter who they are with. We seem to have the same chronic irritations [...]
This month we begin looking at Commitment 3: We will work together to build a sturdy bond of trust. What is this thing called trust that is so essential to any good, sturdy, and healthy relationship? We are going to examine what trust is, what it looks like in a relationship, and—through some questions—reflect on our own relationship to see [...]
This month we continue to look at Commitment 1: We will give ourselves to a regular lifestyle of confession and forgiveness. Last month we talked about confession. This month we will focus on forgiveness. There is perhaps no other ingredient as essential to a healthy marriage than forgiveness. Yet forgiveness is not always attractive. Forgiveness is difficult and costly. It [...]
By Jason Helopoulos Marriage is hard work and can be painful. And being a Christian couple does not somehow make it easy or take away the prospect of hurt. Whether we are atheists or Christians, we are still sinners living under the same roof and that can make for tight quarters. It is a reality that those we love the [...]
Last month we discussed the importance of maintaining a clean slate in your relationships, especially your marriage relationship. Without the expression of forgiveness and grace on a regular basis we develop resentment, bitterness and negative attitudes toward each other. This month we are looking at one of the culprits that sabotage our efforts at keeping a clean slate. Anger. But [...]
