GR8 Relationships

God designed man and woman for the perfect complimentary relationship. He designed them in His image, which becomes even more interesting when you look at the Hebrew words for man and woman in Genesis.

In the previous episode, you heard about truth and love, separate and belonging, and powerful and relational. Each of those combinations of words are an excellent way to think about the Image of God. When you review scriptures, both Old and New Testament, you will find the context typically supports those combination of words. And, this same concept is seen throughout life - in movies, in religions, in personality tests, and, obviously in the design of men and women.

Based on some great research by Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann, there are 5 conflict styles that people use. Based on your development, you will learn to use some more than others. Generally, people will overuse some and under use others. Here is the most important news - all of the styles are good. All of them have problems and benefits, so you need to learn to use each one for the right situation.

Based on some great research by Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann, there are 5 conflict styles that people use. Based on your development, you will learn to use some more than others. Generally, people will overuse some and under use others. Here is the most important news - all of the styles are good. All of them have problems and benefits, so you need to learn to use each one for the right situation.

What do you think about when you hear the word "conflict?" Most people would list words like fight, anger, war, bad feelings, strife, etc. Conflict is most often thought of as something negative, but it doesn't need to be that way. In fact, conflict can be constructive and beneficial if you have the right thinking.

The best way to start resolving a conflict is to get your thinking changed. While we do not provide you the entire Conflict RESOLVED workshop, we do provide you the first step - remember 3+3+2. Remember 3 Critical Principles, 3 Cardinal Rules and 2 Essential Skills.

Yes, your emotions are real and your emotions are often out of touch with reality and the facts. If that's true, then getting others to acknowledge and validate your emotions is misplaced, unproductive, and potentially dangerous.

Dr. Marlin Howe used submarines and destroyers as a great way to explain dominant and manipulative behavior. Submarines are difficult to detect, stealthy, under the surface. Destroyers are easy to see, on the surface and when fighting, fire depth charges into the ocean trying to sink the submarine. The submarine takes evasive action, sometimes becomes silent, but will unleash some powerful and destructive torpedoes without warning and often after a conflict is over.

You know the PROBLEM - making everything about ME, and the SOLUTION - pursuing the best for others; patiently, kindly, sacrificially and unconditionally. Now here is a simple way to remember 4 critical tools that solve 4 relationship crippling mistakes. Remember T F F C.

How do you deal with those past sins, mistakes, blunders, or even embarrassing moments? It is amazing how powerful those past situations can be when they are resurrected in your mind.

Tolerance and Love aren't the same thing, but people act like they are. In fact, the political correctness crowd uses tolerance as a weapon against truth, standards and boundaries. There is a blatant effort to use tolerance to move or erase the boundary between good and bad. Consequently, the sledgehammer of tolerance tries to expand the limits for bad behavior. But, worst of all, people talk as if tolerance and love are the same thing. Regardless of the revisionist thinking, those two words are very different.

If you want some extremely valuable and practical information for new blended families, this is it. It will help you develop the family that you want.

There is nothing simple about blended families or the effort needed to make them work well. Yet, too many couples start into this new family structure with bad thinking, myths and no goals or plans. Hopefully, you will be different.

Deborah got back into church and began growing in the Lord. She learned about godly marriages and relationships. So, it is no surprise that she thought about whether another marriage should or could be part of her future. Now she wondered, "What about remarriage? Is that acceptable to God?"

When your relationships are painful, your thoughts easily become "I want out of the pain!" Too often that means no interest in God's desire and His complete PERFECTION in your current situation! Getting out of relationship pain is understandable, but most often leads to bad choices. One such choice is divorce, which most often leads to the greater pain of broken families.

After her third divorce, Deborah was mad at life and men for at least 4 years. But, she did not realize how failure can lead to success. Utlimately, she decided to listen to God, who led her to the Hope for the Family seminar. Created by Dr. Marlin Howe, that seminar changed her life and blossomed into GR8 Relationships. So, God used her failure to lead her to His success for her.

By the time Deborah was 28, she went through 3 divorces. But, being divorced 3 times is only part of the story. Deborah's complete story is a great example of God's healing and restoration. In fact, she is open and vulnerable about her former life. Now she ministers to others praising God for what He allowed into her life.

God does not like the proverb about sour grapes. "As I live," says the Lord GOD, "you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel." (Ezekiel 18:3) What is it about that proverb that God does not like?

Which is more important - self-governance or self-esteem? The emphasis of our education system and society is primarily on self-esteem. Subsequently, the population continues to increase its Narcissistic mindset. And, the investment is creating huge societal problems. It is time to reconsider the investment and look for something better like self-governance or self-control.