These are two short videos that I did, with host Angie McGregor, for a TV segment called Joy In Our Town. The first video is about how to improve depression. The second segment is how to help adult children transition.
| Appearance: | Interviews with Angie McGregor, host of Joy In Our Town. |
|---|---|
| Outlet: | TBN |
| Location: | Chattanooga, TN |
| Format: | Television |
Marriage is so much more than a license or a ceremony. It is a journey together. It is a life spent walking with each other growing with God. The problem is that discouragement, challenges and life get in the way of enjoying the journey. I have found that we need to step back sometimes and re-examine hope. Hope is a confident expectation for something, but hope still has to have a foundation. The foundation of belief can create the soil to grow hope. Here are three things that can strengthen the foundation of your hope in a rich journey with your mate.
Most couples are looking for the big things that will create change and enjoyment, but it is usually the small things that build and create connection. A small, sweet gesture can go a long way toward making your spouse feel loved. When we feel loved it makes us happy and creates a desire to reciprocate kindness toward our spouse. Here are five small things that you can do daily that will help you grow toward each other.
Each day look for the small things that you can do each day to show attention, affection and approval.
If you are renewed by grace, and were to meet your old self, I am sure you would be very anxious to get out of his company
None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves
These are two quotes by Charles Spurgeon made about 100 years ago. What is interesting that these truths are relevant today.
“‘Don’t try to fix it. I just need you to listen!’ I think every man has heard these words. This is a great little video clip Jason Headley has created about the communication challenges in marriage. Women want to connect in the moment with empathy. Men are looking to solve things and move to the next step. Learn to listen with empathy – remember you don’t have to agree but you do have to understand.
I don’t know anyone that is not busy or stressed. I am no different because the last several months for me have been very hectic and stressful. Not for bad reasons but new and exciting opportunities on top of the dark dreary winter. Is it possible to increase our capacity for life, relationships and joy in the midst of busy productive lives? I think it is. The solution is counter intuitive though. We add capacity by letting go rather than just trying harder.
When life is hard and stressful I want to step back, regroup and feel safe. I move into control mode. I want to keep people out or manage them with kindness. The goal is to make life work, I want a safe soft place to land. I try to grab hold of life and control it. The interesting thing is that I have found that this does not work.
The lifestyle of risk and vulnerability is where enjoyment is found. The risk is letting people in and creating relationship rather than closing off and managing people and life. I have found that a lifestyle that regularly includes gratitude and forgiveness brings joy and freedom. Two things open life back up:
Quick tip – you don’t need to agree with your spouse in order to understand them or to validate their feelings.
You may not always agree, but you have to try understand the intended meaning of their words and heart. Take the time to understand what they are feeling and thinking. This means time spent talking and asking questions before you defend your view. The journey of understanding your mate is vital to staying connected to each other. Take the time and effort to grasp what is important in their heart. If it means enough for them to argue or disagree with you, then it should mean enough for you to try to understand them. You may not agree but you can emphatically understand.
The way to do a great deal is to keep on doing a little. The way to do nothing at all is to be continually resolving that you will do everything – Charles H Spurgeon
Validation
Validation is – “to give official sanction, confirmation, or approval to”.
I have been pondering God’s validation for most of my life. Over the years my understanding has grown. I have come to understand that validation comes from understanding who I am in Christ and understanding who God is. Validation comes when we understand who we are. Knowing yourself and knowing God are intricately connected together. You can’t truly know yourself or God’s validation of you without living in relationship with Him. We usually get caught up trying to get validation for what we do rather than who we are.
The metaphors that scripture uses to describe your relationship with God is a good start and guide.
Letter From A Loving Father
Many of us struggle with connecting to a loving father. You may have had a wonderful father and are able to recognize the impact of his love and consistency in their life. But sadly many become angry because of all the wounds that a father represents. They have wounds from their father because of what he did or did not do. These wounds prevent them from knowing their real Father – the one that knit them together in their mother’s womb because of His passionate love and desire for them. You are wanted and enjoyed by your Heavenly Father. Below is a list of scripture in the form a letter to you. Read and meditate on them.