Prospering Relationships

Growing Prosperity Christian resources to encourage and improve your relationships.

Reclaim Your Relationship – How 3 Simple Words Can Change Everything!

Reclaim Your Relationship – How 3 Simple Words Can Change Everything!

A Workbook of Exercises and Techniques to Help You Reconnect with Your Partner

The three simple words “I Love You” can change everything!

I heard an interview on the radio a few days ago with Ronald T. Potter-Efron, author of “Reclaim Your Relationship.”

And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner…

I thought it appropriate subject to share my notes on the interview and book.

Below are some key notes:

  • Any real relationship goes through periods of rocky down time and makes you wonder why you are with the person in the first place. But hang in there because things turn around – and you can become closer than ever before.
  • There are simply times and stages in relationships when you’ll find yourself looking at your partner asking “what is wrong with them?”
  • Learn to say “I Love You” even when you are unhappy or frustrated with your partner.
  • It is not just about the words. “I Love You” should also be said with actions backing it up. It should come from the heart.
  • Saying these 3 words is not always so easy for some people.
  • Does it matter if your parents said it in your home growing up? Yes. It is easier for those that heard it and saw it in action growing up.
  • “I Love You” needs to be followed by unselfish actions.
  • Never follow “I Love You” with critical, fault finding about your partner.
  • Self-centeredness puts a wall up in relationships by keeping things about “me, me, me” instead of about “us.”
  • The cost of loving someone is the pain and heartache of losing them some day.
  • Challenge the old, cold thoughts that keep you from saying “I Love You.” Sometimes it is from being hurt in past relationships.
  • Love is demonstrated by loving behavior. A couple’s diary/journal can be a way to keep an ongoing communication for love and dealing with conflict.

Chapter 25 – Give Your Partner the Gift He or She Really Wants

It is worth the effort to learn your partners likes and dislikes. This shows your love by taking the time to discover their needs and not giving gifts based on what you think they want. Sometimes a hug is a better and more desired gift than an expensive present.

Chapter 33 – The 5 Steps that Let You Take in Love

Many people have a hard time taking in love and receiving it. They are able to give, but not receive. This can be caused by many reasons such as: not believing you’re loveable, trying to be humble by not receiving, or simply not knowing how to receive love.

These 5 steps were recommended to help you take in love:

1. Let yourself know the steps to receive love first.
2. Prepare to receive love and let yourself know it is good to receive.
3. When you are told “I Love You”, take a deep breath – stop – and repeat what they said.
4. Acknowledge the statement and feeling of being loved.
5. Accept that you are loved and loveable!

***

From the BACK COVER of “Reclaim Your Relationship” by Ronald & Patricia Potter-Efron (also the authors of “Letting Go of Anger”) :

Say—and mean—the three little words that will save your relationship

“I love you” is probably the most important sentence in the English language: it can enrich your marriage on a good day and heal the worst wounds in bad times. But for many couples, saying and meaning it has fallen not only out of their vocabulary but also out of their marriage. Now, Ron and Pat Potter-Efron, marriage therapists who have been happily married for thirty-seven years, combine their real-life and clinical experience to help you improve your relationship.

“Reclaim Your Relationship” presents forty-six engaging, hands-on exercises to help you say “I love you” with ease and confidence while reaping the benefits of loving and being loved. Addressing the three types of people who have difficulty expressing their love—people who can’t get the words out, people who can’t show their love, and people who can’t receive love—this interactive workbook shows you how to:

  • Practice saying, showing, and accepting love
  • Re-energize your relationship with your partner
  • Address the special needs of the person in your life
  • Love and express love even if you lacked demonstrative affection as a child
  • Overcome the hurt of a bad relationship and reclaim your faith in real love
  • Save a relationship that has drifted

Add depth, richness, wonder, and beauty to the most important relationship in your life with the help of “Reclaim Your Relationship.”

***

May you continue to have growing prosperity in your marriages!

Soar higher,
Brenda

P.S. If you’ve had a chance to read “Reclaim Your Relationship” (available on amazon), please feel free to share your comments – thanks!

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While I’m Waiting by John Waller – Fireproof Movie Music Video

While I’m Waiting by John Waller – Fireproof Movie Music Video

Wait on the Lord, even when times are painful. While you’re waiting, takes steps of obedience and continue to serve and worship the Lord.

Wait on the Lord and move ahead with boldness and confidence.

Marriage is not always easy and it takes a lot of work from both partners… And a successful marriage requires keeping God in the center of it!

God’s love has been shed abroad in my heart (Romans 5:5) therefore…

  • I endure long, and I’m patient and kind; I’m never envious nor do I boil over with jealousy. I’m not boastful or vainglorious, and I do not display myself haughtily.
  • I’m not conceited, arrogant or inflated with pride. I’m not rude or unmannerly, and I don’t act unbecomingly. I don’t insist on my own rights or my own way; I’m not self-seeking. I’m not touchy, fretful or resentful. I take no account of the evil done to me; I pay no attention to a suffered wrong.
  • I don’t rejoice at injustice or unrighteousness, but I rejoice when right and truth prevail.
  • I bear up under anything and everything that comes along. I’m ever ready to believe the best of every person. My hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and I endure everything without weakening.
  • My love never fails or fades out. My love never becomes obsolete. My love never come to an end.

— 1 Corinthians 13 4-8

May God strengthen and prosper your marriage like never before!

God bless you,
Brenda

P.S. “Fireproof” Movie and “While I’m Waiting” Song  by John Waller on amazon

fireproof     whileimwaiting

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Sara Groves – “It’s Me” – Music Video

Sara Groves – “It’s Me” – New Music Video

Yes, Marriage Takes Work – But It Is Worth It!

Sara Groves’ new release “It’s Me” and commented about it on Tangle:

“Sometimes when Troy, my husband, and I are in the midst of a disagreement, one of us will say something that’s really sarcastic or just so overt. And being on the receiving end of that, it’s is like, “Honey, it’s me … Sara.” Or vice versa. We just forget who we’re talking to and the value of that person. For whatever reason, you cross that line where sensitivity and tenderness are discarded. You’d never talk to anyone else like that or treat someone else like that. Troy and I are working on that…” — Sara Groves

Healthy and satisfying marriages are what God intends and they are possible
but they do take ongoing work along the way from each partner and –
require God’s help.

As someone who has been married and unfortunately divorced, I’ve been able to see marriage from different perspectives. Now as a single person, looking forward to marriage again, I realize the importance of each person not only going into the marriage committed – but staying committed.

A great marriage resource book I’ve been reading is “Love & Respect” by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. It has a simple but really powerful message about the ‘LOVE She Most Desires’ and the ‘RESPECT He Desperately Needs’.

The message in the book is also followed up with specific things each partner can do and say. Actually, this message of Love & Respect goes beyond marriage relationships, but is guaranteed to help your marriage. I highly recommend it!

Taking the time to personally develop some new skills goes a long way in living a more satisfying life!

God bless you – and may He strengthen all marriages, and heal all those that have been hurt from divorce –

“God is my strength and power: and He makes my way perfect.”
— 2 Samuel 22:33

With God nothing is impossible!

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. “Love & Respect” is available on Amazon and I see they also have “The Language of Love & Respect Workbook” by the same author.

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Now What? After Your Child Graduates and Starts a New Season of Life

Now What? After Your Child Graduates and Starts a New Season of Life

My Little Girl Is Growing Up

Within the last few months I celebrated my oldest daughter’s 18th birthday and her high school graduation. graduation

She is very smart, talented, and beautiful. I’ve always been proud of her in many ways. Especially her ability to stand for what is right and make smart decisions.

Within the last six months or so, though – I’ve seen her decision making waver.

My heart has always gone out to other parents who have a child or children that stray from what they know is right and get wrapped up in the dark things of the world. I can now relate to what those parents are going through in a much deeper way. My daughter this year got hooked up with a bad group of friends and overnight turned into someone I hardly recognize. It broke my heart.

Thanks to a praying pastor, friends, and family, she is coming back around and I believe she will prosper in the good plans God has prepared for her.

Earlier this year I had a friend remind me that as much as I love my daughter  – she is also a child of God and He loves her and cares for her way more than I do.  I don’t know how to even explain how much that comforted me, but it still does  . . .

I picture God watching over her and holding her at all times. Something I can’t do. So I continue to pray and trust God to take care of her.

Some Powerful, Encouraging Scripture Confessions to Pray Over Your Child in Accordance With The Word of God:

I pray that in all things my child is more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves her.
Romans 8:37

I pray, God, that You have put a new song in my child’s mouth – praise to her God.
Psalm 40:3

I pray that my child has the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16

I pray that my child is confident that You, God, who have begun a good work in her, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6

I pray that, Lord, Your faithfulness will establish my child and guard her from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3

I pray, God, that You have sent Your word and healed my child and delivered her from destruction.
Psalm 107:20

I pray that my child will be strong in You, Lord, and in the power of Your might.  I pray that she will put on Your whole armor, that she may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For she does not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12

I pray that my child realizes that You, Lord, know how to deliver her out of temptations.
2 Peter 2:9

I pray that You, God, will heal my child’s broken heart and bind up her wounds.
Psalm 147:3

I pray that my child loves You, God, because You first loved her.
1 John 4:19

Go ahead and personalize these with your child’s name.

In good times or bad, we need to continue praying God’s will for our children. Then we’ll see growth take place in their lives to become all that God intends them to be!

God bless you & your children,
Brenda

P.S. Is there a verse not listed above that has helped you? Please feel free to share . . . Thanks!

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Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!

To the best mom in the whole world. Here’s Celebrating You Today!! :0)

Here is a fun video that all moms are sure to enjoy. They showed it at church today and I wanted to share it…

I Love You Mom,
Brenda

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Stop the Enemy from Attacking the Prosperity of Your Teenager

Stop the Enemy from Attacking the Prosperity of Your Teenager

How to Get Your Teenager Back on the Path to Prosperity

When you are on the path to a prosperous life, you quickly discover there is resistance. Attacks of all sorts pop up along the way to prevent your success. This is common to everyone seeking prosperity. It also seems that the closer you get to your desired result the greater the challenges.

Often times, we find ourselves successful and prospering is several areas. Our diligence and determination begins to produce results. However, the enemy likes to play dirty and if he can’t get to us personally he will go for our children.

Teenagers already experience a great set of challenges of their own. New changes are constantly happening in their lives. They experience physical changes in their bodies, they get jobs, learn how to drive, begin new classes and activities at school, struggle with peer pressures of all sorts, have to make decisions for the future, and begin acquiring new responsibilities, just to name a few.

As parents we want the best for our children and to see them prosper. We invest in them to the best of our ability regardless of how demanding it can be at times. Anyone that has raised a teenager knows that many a time your mental, emotional, and physical reserves will be zapped. Yet, we continue to get up each day and give them the unconditional love they need.

Yet, what do you do after you’ve taught and instructed them in the way that will prosper them and then the enemy takes over? Through temptations, addictions, and rebellion they are on a path to destruction. This is a great turmoil in life to see a child that you love go through. It creates an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness and helplessness in a parent.

There is hope, however, regardless of your situation. Our children are a blessing from God. And God has power over the enemy and we need to stand on His Word to activate this power.

Meditate, confess, and stand on the following verses from God’s Word in faith daily:

“Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping;
Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears;
for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.”
Jeremiah 31:15-17

Stop your weeping. Keep serving the Lord. Refuse to let the enemy have your children. Don’t give up. Put your trust in God and His Word. If He says there is hope, then believe there is hope and that your children will come back from the land of the enemy. God’s plan is for you and your children to prosper.

May you and your children experience growing prosperity as you serve the Lord!

God bless you with hope & encouragement,
Brenda

P.S. If you have a personal testimony of getting your child back out of the hands of the enemy or any advise in this area … please comment and share. I’d love to hear from you as I’m standing on the above scriptures for my daughter to come back!

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