Relationships

Romantic Date Ideas in South Florida

Keisha McDonnough Virtue
30 Jan 2015
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As Valentine’s Day approaches, the age-old question about what to do or where to go pops up again. But let’s face it, the standard of a (crowded) dinner at a good restaurant can feel unoriginal — not to mention the hassle of waiting for a table can strip the pleasure from the evening. And is it really romantic to have to shout over the crowds of other couples trying to do the same thing you are? There has to be something else. Fortunately, there is. Here are seven ideas that break the mold for before, during and after Valentine’s Day. […]

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Wives: Are You a Gift or a Burden?

Patricia Hartman
30 Dec 2014
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Marriage is not a word. It’s a life sentence. Is this how your husband feels about your marriage? Are you unknowingly destroying your husband and killing your marriage? According to an article by Katelyn Carmen on FamilyShare.com, there are five ways to do exactly that. As you take this inventory, consider how these relate to God’s command for wives to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33) and how they relate to God’s design for men as protectors and providers. Further, don’t get distracted with “what about me” feelings. It will be the husband’s turn next month. This month is about your […]

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Enjoy a Healthy Life Balance

Steve Davis
6 Dec 2014
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We usually associate the Christmas season with words like joy and peace, giving and receiving, happy and merry. Other choice words could be stressful and tiring, packed and rushed, expensive and…perhaps…Aaaaahhhhh! What are the best practices to enjoy a healthy life balance? Actually, our lives are an outward expression of inward living. Jesus’ career assignment was to provide us with a new “power-full” way of inner living that brings amazing order and peace, free from anxiety and chaos. In our Adult Development courses at Trinity International University, we illustrate a healthy life balance with a picture of a tree and […]

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The In-laws Who Stole Christmas

Patricia Hartman
5 Dec 2014
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‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all thro’ the house Not a couple was merry, not even one spouse.   The stockings hand quilted by Grandma with care, Were replaced by Dad’s mom with new store-bought pairs.   The children played video games all snug in the den, In hopes that Mom and Dad would get it together again.   I, in the kitchen, with Sammy the cat, Begged for more scraps while Mom and Dad spat.   When out in the family room there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my dog bed to see what was the […]

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What’s Lurking Under the Hood?

Patricia Hartman
1 Nov 2014
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under the hood

On a scale of 1 — 10, with 10 being the highest, how would you rate the condition of your marriage?   Husband 9.5 – Wife 2.0 Before founding Live the Life, Richard Albertson attended a marriage class with his wife. When asked to rate their marriage, he pridefully proclaimed a 9.5. In shock, Elizabeth showed him her 2. She was mortified he was unaware of her misery. He was sure she was the one who needed straightening out. The oil had slowly leaked from their marital engine. Both had a lot to learn.   I don’t love him. I’m […]

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HOPE Weekends Save Broken Marriages

Shelly Pond
14 Oct 2014
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Couples who are struggling in a broken marriage can gain the tools they need for restoration during an upcoming Hope Weekend October 10 – 12 at First Baptist Church Fort Lauderdale, 301 E Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale. Presented by Live the Life, these restorative weekends provide struggling couples with the skills they need to salvage broken marriages, restore intimacy and extend forgiveness, empowering them to achieve healthy marriages. History of HOPE Weekend For more than a decade 80 percent of couples participating in the program decided to stick together. According to Lisa May, vice president of development and the South […]

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Does Marriage Matter?

Patricia Hartman
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Standing at the altar with her groom by her side and three “possible” dads behind her, Sophie halts her wedding ceremony, saying, “Now I know what I really want. Sky, let’s just not get married yet.” Sky: “What?” Sophie: “You never wanted this anyway. I know that. Let’s just get off this island and see the world. All right?” Sky: “I love you.” That’s the climax of the wedding movie, “Mama Mia.” To a Boomer, this makes no sense. It’s a millennial thing. Many just don’t see the need for marriage. The numbers are in From a report earlier this […]

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Resolving Conflict in Your Daily Life

Terry Morrow
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Conflict is inevitable. We experience it in our workplaces, our families and even (gasp) in our churches. When two or more gather together, conflict will surely emerge. Thankfully, the Bible says in Matthew 18:20, “When two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them” (NLT). God knows we will experience conflict and He is with us. What is conflict? The definition of conflict is: a. to come into collision or disagreement; be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash: to fight or contend; do battle.(verb) b. discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, […]

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Vows: Will You Love Me in The Rain?

Patricia Hartman
9 Sep 2014
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“I, Patricia, do take you, Patrick, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony; to love, honor, respect, trust, cherish, encourage and support you according to God’s holy ordinance forsaking all others and keeping myself only unto you, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, in joy and in sorrow, in failure and in triumph, from this day forward until death do us part. Do you really mean for better or worse? Who remembers Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham and […]

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Unmasking: Overcoming Disappointment, Depression and Discouragement

Brody Howell
1 Sep 2014
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It was a typical Sunday afternoon on February 23rd when I was notified to pray for the Colford family on the unexpected death of Kirk Colford. In disbelief, I discovered it was an apparent suicide. Like so many, the shock and disbelief flooded my heart with overwhelming grief and confusion. I considered Kirk a wonderful friend for many years. This was my friend who had offered me a temporary office in his State Farm building and who went to great lengths to find me a reliable car when our family van had met its demise. This was the friend who […]

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