Prepare for the Storm

Couples always come to see me for counseling because they are in crisis.  Now you are reading that and probably thinking “Ah, well, yea!”  I know – nothing profound about that.  I sometimes think it would be nice if a potential client called and said something along the lines of, “Hi, my wife and I…

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When Your Spouse Seems Angry

We have all experienced those times when we have walked into the room and our spouse has “that look.”  I have heard it called the “evil eye,” or the “stink eye”, but regardless of what you call it – we all know the look.  We used to get it from our parents.  We didn’t like…

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K.R.M.F.

It was recently brought to my attention that there is a disease that most of us have experienced, if we are parents.  It is one that we have rarely named, but we know when it is happening.  One author calls it Kid-Related Marital Friction.  Even as I write that term, there are probably a variety…

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Love Me Like the Dog

During this past week, I sat in my office with a couple that was definitely experiencing some disconnection issues.  As the husband expressed his frustration regarding how his wife was treating him, he said, “I just wish you would treat me as good as you do the dog.  I would be happy if you would…

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5 to 1

I have a question for you today.  What kind of comments do you make to your spouse?  Are they positive, encouraging, supportive, and uplifting or do they tend to lean more towards the negative, critical, and belittling side? Marriage researcher John Gottman, Ph.D., reveals that couples who are most happy and stable offer five positive…

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Complete

A story is told of a discussion at a linguistic conference in London, England.  This was supposedly attended by some of the best linguists in the world.  They were competing to find the best definitions and explain the differences between the words “complete” and “finished.”  Samsundar Balgobin was named the winner when he was posed…

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What I Learned in Kindergarten

Today’s children learn to read in pre-school and do advanced algebra in kindergarten.  Well, maybe it just seems that way.  But back in the Stone Age when I was in kindergarten, we learned more of the basics – like how to nap, play nice, and not eat the paste. I was reminded of those basic…

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Intention vs. Consequence

I recently sat with a couple in my office as they described a conflict they encountered.  It seems that the husband and wife had agreed to meet at a restaurant for dinner one evening.  The husband was held up at a meeting that ran long and arrived about a half hour late.  This was not…

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Protect Your Heart

I recently read a letter from a women name Michelle, as related by authors Gary and Barbara Roseberg.  It was such a clear reminder of how vulnerable we are.  When that is combined with carelessness, the results can be devastating.  I want to share that letter here today.   “I helped lead a Bible study…

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