The official newsletter of Marriage Partnership magazine
Thursday, April 19, 2007
"You repainted!"
I'd stopped by my friend's house to share some dessert, catch up on the past few weeks, and, of course, discuss the divorce that had recently shattered her family.
"Yes," she explained, "to complement the new couches and the redecorated master bedroom." I toured her home quietly, startled that they'd erased every reminder of the now absent husband and father.
Perhaps letting go of such memories makes separation a little easier. But discarding mementos of a failed marriage proved impossible for Clint and Penny Bragg. Find out why God urged them to keep the wedding rings after their painful divorce as you read the encouraging story of his reconciling love.
- Then, for encouragement in reconciling variable income with constant expenses, find tips for fear-free finances.
- But if your relationships with friends and family aren't exactly free of fear, you won't want to miss the latest questions and answers in the Couple Counsel column.
There are other helpful columns at MarriagePartnership.com, where you'll get great ideas for creating lasting memories—whether it's sharing a simple dessert, or painting your home together!
Thanks for reading,
Andrea Bianchi
Newsletter Editor
The Marriage Connection
To reply to this newsletter: marriage@christianitytoday.com
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 HELP & HEALING/EMOTIONS /PORTRAIT OF A MARRIAGE
Second Chances
Clint and Penny Bragg learned even the most broken marriage can be healed by God's reconciling love.
By Dawn Zemke
Newlyweds and new Christians Clint and Penny Bragg were the darlings of their small church. She was on the worship team and the deacon board of missions. He led discipleship training. They taught Sunday school classes together and separately, helped organize the singles' group, and directed vacation Bible school. All while Clint juggled a job as area manager for a glass business and Penny completed her bachelor's degree and teaching credentials.
"We didn't know how to say no," Clint admits.
More …
MONEY
Fear-Free Finances
Creating stability on a variable income.
By LeAnne Benfield Martin
COUPLE COUNSEL
A Friend's Unwanted Attention
Also: "He Doesn't Like My Sister"; "I Feel Manipulated."
By Gary and Carrie Oliver
 Surprised by Remarriage: A Guide to the Happily-Even-After, by Ginger Kolbaba
Successfully combining lives in a second marriage can be challenging. From unresolved hurts and unshared histories to resentful stepkids and bitter exes, there can be obstacles to happiness the second time around. But you can have a happy and lasting relationship despite divorce in your past. With candor and uplifting stories, Ginger Kolbaba, herself a second wife, offers practical guidance for those seeking a joyful remarriage.
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 The Five Love Languages
Gary Chapman identifies the five primary love languages and teaches us how to use these languages to express our love in all of our relationships. |
 The Marriage Course, 3-DVD Set
Nicky and Sila Lee offer engaged or married couples the tools needed to strengthen or mend your relationships so you can build a healthy marriage that lasts a lifetime. |
 Join a Community of Christian Women
As a leader, do you need a place to converse about the issues you face? You'll find encouragement and healthy dialogue at the new GiftedforLeadership.com blog.
|
 The Gift of the Blessing
The Gift of the Blessing is a powerful book no family should be without. Within its pages, you will find solid, practical advice on how to be a blessing as well as how to insure that your parents, spouse, and children all feel the security of family approval. |
7 Communication Connections
These seven tips can improve the way you and your mate communicate. But be aware—most but not all men and women will share these characteristics. Switch up if you need to—that's normal, too!
- Women are inclined to want "feeling" conversations, while men lean toward problem solving. Label the kind of conversation you expect to have.
- Women give and want to hear lots of details; men go for the bottom line.
- Women talk more about people, feelings, and personal issues. Men discuss topics such as sports, politics, and movies.
- When a woman says, "Nothing's wrong," something usually is. Husbands—offer to be a sympathetic listener when she's ready to talk.
- A husband wants to be part of the solution to a problem, not viewed as the problem.
- Men tend to dislike unsolicited advice—they presume their mate believes they can't handle things on their own.
- When a woman is upset and emotional, just listen. Attempting to offer an explanation will frequently be taken as invalidation.
Adapted from One Good Year by Dr. David and Janet Congo (Cook Communications)
Marriage Connection
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Have you ever seriously considered divorce?
- Yes, I've been through a divorce.
- Yes, but we worked through it.
- No, that's simply not an option.
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
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Have you ever lived with chronic pain?
- Yes, I have: 41%
- No, neither my spouse nor I: 25%
- No, but my spouse has: 19%
- Both my spouse and I have: 14%
Total votes: 256
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