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Showing posts from September, 2010

Dear Daddy- Don't Get a Divorce

Dear Daddy, God just really had it on my heart tonight to write you this letter. I recently heard this song on the radio, and I really felt like I was supposed to tell you what it meant to me. The song is called “Lead Me,” by Sanctus Real. It’s a song about a man looking at his life, and realizing it’s not everything that other people think it is, and even not what he thinks it to be. He realizes that he needs to be there to lead his whole family, and that they need him to love them, fight for them, and never leave. At the end, though, he realizes that what he needs most is to pray earnestly for God to help him…he realizes he can’t do this alone. “I look around and see my wonderful life Almost perfect from the outside In picture frames I see my beautiful wife Always smiling But on the inside, I can hear her saying... “Lead me with strong hands Stand up when I can't Don't leave me hungry for love Chasing dreams, what about us? Show me you're willing to fight That I'm s

Dear Ann Landers

I found after 19 years of marriage that my husband was having an affair. I demanded that he leave but he refused to get out and begged forgiveness. Instead of hiring a lawyer, I asked myself some hard questions: 1. Would the children benefit emotionally and financially from a divorce? No. Their lives would be disrupted. They would miss their father a great deal. 2. Would my career benefit from a divorce? No. My job requires total concentration, 40-50 hours a week. 3. Would my husband’s family (elderly parents, close siblings) benefit from a divorce? No. It would kill his mother. She believes him to be the perfect son, husband and father. 4. Do I want to change my lifestyle? No. 5. What is the bottom line regarding my feelings? Wounded pride because he preferred her to me. 6. Can I live with and recover from wounded pride? Yes. My husband and I talked at length. We agreed on two things: 1. I would never mention his affair or the woman again. 2. He would end the affair and never

A Standers Affirmation

Author Unknown I AM STANDING FOR THE HEALING OF MY MARRIAGE!...I will not give up, give in, give out or give over ‘til that healing takes place. I made a vow, I said the words, I gave the pledge, I gave a ring, I gave myself, I trusted GOD, and said the words, and meant the words…in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in good times and in bad…so I am standing NOW, and will not sit down, let down, slow down, calm down, fall down, look down or be down ‘til the breakdown is torn down! I refuse to put my eyes on outward circumstances, or listen to prophets of doom, or buy into what is trendy, worldly, popular, convenient, easy, quick, thrifty, or advantageous…nor will I settle for a cheap imitation of God’s real thing, now will I seek to lower God’s standard, twist God’s will, rewrite God’s word, violate God’s covenant, or accept what God hates, namely divorce! In a world of filth, I will stay pure; surrounded by lies I will spea

Equipping With a Cure

by John C. Maxwell It began as headache, and quickly overtook her with fever. She was confined to bed-too weak to speak and barely able to lift a finger. Then red bumps popped up on her mouth and tongue: telltale signs of the deadly disease sweeping the continent. She despaired for her life as the bumps swelled into sores and then blistered open, leaking pus into her mouth and down her throat. With alarming speed, a rash flared up on her face, crept down her arms, and covered her body in pimples. When awake, the minutes dragged by slowly, and she wondered if each hour was her last. At night, her fitful sleep was tormented by nightmares. Anytime her caretakers dared to come near her, they murmured amongst themselves in hushed, worried tones. About a week-and-a-half after appearing, the boils on her skin crusted over with blood-red scabs, and the fever subsided. She was well enough to talk with her physician who assured her the worst of the sickness had passed. While grateful that death

Reaping a Multiple Reward

By Jim Rohn, Master Coach For every disciplined effort, there are multiple rewards. That's one of life's great arrangements. In fact, it's an extension of the biblical law that says that if you sow well, you will reap well. Here's a unique part of the Law of Sowing and Reaping. Not only does it suggest that we'll all reap what we've sown, it also suggests that we'll reap much more. Life is full of laws that both govern and explain behaviors, but this may well be the major law we need to understand: For every disciplined effort, there are multiple rewards. What a concept! If you render unique service, your reward will be multiplied. If you're fair and honest and patient with others, your reward will be multiplied. If you give more than you expect to receive, your reward is more than you expect. But remember: the key word here, as you might well imagine, is discipline. Everything of value requires care, attention, and discipline. Our thoughts require disc

Strength in Weakness

by Dr Tim Clinton God is not wasting the pain in your life. He never wastes a wound. As you go through the dark, deep valleys in your life, remember that the great Apostle Paul was even pounded by the evil one. All hell seemed to be against him. In his moment of darkness he begs God to get rid of this thorn in his flesh, this messenger of satan that was harassing him. (II Corinthians 12:8) What messenger of satan has come your way? Does it feel like there is a thorn deep in your flesh, and you can find no relief? Have you pleaded with God to just take it away? Paul did. He cried out to God not just once, but three times. And still God chose not to remove his thorn. In all of this Paul learned something special. God simply spoke to him and said, “I have provided grace for you. Sufficient grace. Grace to remind you and reassure you that through this weakness, I will show My Power.” Paul got the message. He declared that he would be, not just “ok” with this, but that he would be most glad

"Conversations With Those Who Care"

A 6-part video series with helpful ideas for home-bound Alzheimer's caregivers hosted by family counselor & author Dwight Bain Part 1 - So What Now? Warning Signs/Diagnosis Part 2 - Being a Caregiver Part 3 - How Safe is Safe? Part 4 - Everyday Events: Bathing, Dressing and Mealtimes Part 5 - Behavior Is Communication Part 6 - Comfort Care in the Later Stages View all 6 sessions at no cost by visiting this direct link at AlzOnline http://alzonline.phhp.ufl.edu/en/classes/cwtwc/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida Elder Helpline: 1-800-963-5337 National Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 "Conversations With Those Who Care" is sponsored by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the Administration on Aging, and Share the Care, Inc. and is managed by the Center for Telehealth and Healthcare Communications at the University of Florida

Caregiver Stress- The Dangers of Being a Good Samaritan

By Dwight Bain Nationally Certified Counselor & Certified Life Coach CBN.com – “Don’t take life so seriously, you’ll never get out of it alive,” was the simple advice I saw on a greeting card once and it makes sense, especially when thinking about the incredible pressures placed on those in the important role of caregiver for a loved one. You’ve got to lighten up the load to prevent major burnout. Many times it’s easy to overlook just how tired, frustrated, or angry someone feels when they are buried in the dozens of day-to-day tasks required of a primary caregiver. This special report is designed to help you spot the warning signs when you’ve done too much for too long and don’t have enough energy left in the tank to help anyone, including yourself. There was a popular song many years ago that had the lyric, “he ain’t heavy- he’s my brother” which isn’t exactly accurate. If you are piggy-back riding your brother, sister, child, or any other family member, their actual weight is st