The Difficult Realities of Marriage: Part 3
Marriage is the most beautiful thing God has given us. It is just really really hard work. There are difficult realities that every marriage faces. Yes, EVERY marriage faces. It is vital that you anticipate things and recognize that you have the tools to walk through these things when they show up. And they will show up. This article will look at how a married couple can facilitate communication about expectations together in a healthy way.
The Difficult Realities of Marriage: Part 2
Marriage is the most beautiful thing God has given us. It is just really really hard work. There are difficult realities that every marriage faces. Yes, EVERY marriage faces. It is vital that you anticipate things and recognize that you have the tools to walk through these things when they show up. And they will show up. The current focus will be communication and expectations. These two really do belong together. Maybe even like peas and carrots.
Welcome to the Family
Welcoming a new member to the family can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. You were once a new member too. Think about how you can make that transition easier. Be open to new things, ideas, and traditions. Above all, open your heart to the new member of the family. You aren’t losing a child. You’re gaining a family.
The Difficult Realities of Marriage: Part 1
Every marriage encounters disagreements, miscommunications, arguments, setbacks, stress and friction. It is a part of the life being built together. You are not weird, wrong, or headed the opposite direction of good if these things happen. What matters is how you prepare for these things and how you handle them when they do occur.
Essential Accountability
Accountability is vital to the long term success of a leader and a system of accountability can help missteps from being taken and wise decisions to be made. You should willingly submit to some form of accountability, whether that is a small group of church leadership, or an individual or two that you can trust fully.
Feeling Well
Emotional intelligence will help you lead your team better and even lead yourself better, which is huge for any great leader. Here are some ways to add EQ to your IQ and better develop your toolbelt.
Give Thanks
Thankfulness is often a counterintuitive process. Why would we be thankful for losses, for failures, or for mess ups? But life is a journey of ups and downs. It will not be all ups. It just won’t. Failure teaches us new things. Mistakes help us recognize what should happen. The ugly makes the beauty so much more sweet.
Dare to Be Stupid
Every person has moments of stupidity. Poor choices are made. How you respond in the midst of the poor decisions, bad communication, and mistakes will tell you whether you are learning or closed minded. No one has to stay stupid. Growth and maturity are possible. Make the choice to be better.
Walking with Rabbi Jesus
It is perhaps a great tragedy to read the Scriptures without acknowledging or having a basic understanding of the Jewish culture in which Jesus was born, lived, died, and rose again. Take time to learn what the world surrounding Jesus was like and what these statements would mean to the people. It will deepen your time and enrich your life.
When Ministry is Difficult
Ministry has difficult seasons. There is always an ebb and flow related to leading and dealing with people. Take time now to consider what kind of leader you will be when you enter the dry season. Prepare now for those times. Don’t wait for them to catch you all off guard. When those times do come you will be able to lead the team through them easily.
100 Years of Monkey Business
It is fascinating that so many people do not know the longstanding impact of the Scopes Trial in 1925 in the town of Dayton, TN. This month marks the centennial anniversary of one of the most impactful trials to have occurred in the history of the United States. Ultimately, the trial had its genesis as a publicity stunt but would end with a schism that has not managed to heal a century later.
Without Love
Love doesn’t show up the way we tend to think it should, or always does. True biblical love might require a different way of acting, or thinking.
I AM
The four Gospels in the New Testament give accounts of Jesus’ earthly ministry and teachings. They are internally consistent though much different in focus, audience, and end goals. Three, known as Synoptics, look to be more chronological accounts. And then there is John’s gospel. In a sense, John’s gospel stands alone from the other three.
Creating Healthy Conflict
Tension and disagreement are inevitable in the workplace. And there's a difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict. Healthy conflict is vital towards a team’s maturity and growth. The team is better when the members can engage in healthy conflict that allows them to voice their honest thoughts, disagreements, and helps everyone move forward together. Here are ways to encourage productive healthy conflict on your team.
Making the Most of Communication in Marriage
Previously we discussed four types of communication that belong in a healthy and growing marriage. You can’t leave any of them out. Time and again couples focus on the first two or three and stand by while things slowly dry up and distance becomes the norm. As you approach any of these types of communication there are some simple thoughts to help make the most of any conversation. Take a look below.
Becoming a Better Leader
Leadership is a developable skill. It is not static and if left ignored it will erode away. It will atrophy. Good leaders are able to see the big picture, model desired behaviors, and challenge others to be the best version of themselves. Great leaders understand that they can continue to improve these skill sets.
Coaching Your Team Through Conflict
No team avoids all conflict. A bit like the married couple who “never fights”, a team without conflict is likely an unhealthy team. Good teams deal with conflict. Great teams engage in healthy conflict to better the team as a whole. As the leader, if your team is not dealing with conflict you have a serious problem, and might just very well be you. It should be noted that this conflict is not aggressive, or mean-spirited.
Hearing God
Life is an adventure. It is an extremely difficult adventure without a guide. Hearing God in the moments of decision, both large and small, is vital to experiencing the depth of God’s peace in your life.
Habemus Papam
We have a pope! Well, maybe not we. I am admittedly not Catholic. Having spent the majority of my ministry journey in the Southern Baptist realm I did not have the seat of Peter in leadership structure. However, there were plenty of individuals that wanted, and tried, to be a sort of Baptist pope. But I digress. For the first time ever there is United States born pope.
The Hidden Powder Keg of Insecurity
Simmering under the service of many people is a steadily building pressure of insecurity. Every person deals with a level of uncertainty, or self-doubt. Those are pretty normal parts of life. Will this new recipe taste good? Will my meeting with this potential new client turn into a sale? Insecurity goes well beyond these sorts