> Practical Family Living

Clarity of Thought in Relationships

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

There are various fears and concerns that feed behaviors not helpful in our relationships with one another. Specific guidelines are available to aid us in our n eed for clarity of thought and behavior as we seek to experience and provide healthy styles of interacting.

Abraham, Fear and Choice

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Abraham's life, among others, exhibits the impact of fear on our choices. The reward outlined by the Lord for those who persevere is His increased presence in our lives.

Worshipping Comfort

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Comfort is natural and necessary in our developmental processes. The lack of comfort may set off a cycle of thinking and doing that feeds an inappropriate focus for comfort.

Strength For All Things

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

We set ourselves up for discouragement and irritation depending on how we talk ourselves through the beginning of each day.

Marital Transitions: Parting the Fearful Waters

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Three steps to finding marital stability in the midst of change

A Christmas Sabbath

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Describes how behaviors and a mindset of peace and rest can bring us closer to God in the Christmas season

Christmas Inspirations

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

What do the Bethlehem manger and a brother dying of AIDS have in common? Article depicts how life-giving responses in difficult circumstances can bring hope and encouragement.

Daring to Laugh: When Celebration and Sadness Join Hands

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Pain and joy often occur together in life. Learn how God's faithfulness, sovereignty, and hope can be found in the midst of brokenness, failure, or other difficult circumstances.

Traumatic Loss and Uncommon Grace

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Utilizes truths gleaned from the story of the Good Samaritan to help families cope with traumatic loss.

Families and Transition

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Illustrates how Jesus can help families survive and thrive in times of change and transition.

Simplicity in a Complex World

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Money, possessions, and success can inhibit our desire to prioritize loving God and one another. Article addresses managing earthly things with eternal treasures.

Transitions and Change: A Tribute to Mr. Fred Rogers

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Changes in life can bring grief, stress, and a longing for the past. Article uses lessons learned from The Mister Rogers Show to show ways to lessen the trauma around transition.

Emotional Healing for Adults Through the Inner Child

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Christ's example of love and attention to children can be a model for adults to reconnect with childhood experiences to restore simple joys, spontaneity, and hope.

Trusting God in Trials and Sorrow

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article depicts, through a teenager's story, how Christ will not delay his provision, safety, strength, and love when we endure trials and suffering.

Easter Clothes: Throwing Off Cloaks of Unforgiveness

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Forgiveness brings emotional and spiritual healing. Using Biblical references to Palm Sunday and Easter, and a story from Corrie Ten Boom, this article shows how the old "clothes" or habits around unforgiveness hamper our freedom and joy.

Family Systems and Generational Bondage

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article describes how past generational patterns can influence current family functioning, and how God can equip us in healthy family functioning.

Grief and Changes

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Change within a family life cycle can bring feelings of grief and loss. Article lists six ways to weather the storms of family changes.

Teamwork in Tasks and Ministry

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article describes seven principles to decrease stress through teamwork and delegation in ministry, family, or work-related tasks.

Marching On

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article shows how God can encourage and strengthen us when facing fatigue and discouragement in challenging situations.

Lord Emmanuel

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Article describes in poetic form how God will dwell with us ande not forsake us in uncertain or tragic times.

Bread of Bethlehem

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Family and the sharing of communion is the backdrop of this article, which explores how to receive life-giving and healing attributes of God during the Christmas season.

God's Forgiveness

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

God's forgiveness is complete. He moves us from shame and guilt to being set free.

Family Roles: Assigned and Assumed

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

The powerful impact of family role assignments and assumptions

How to Stop Bullying

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Helpful suggestions and step by step plan to end bullying

For Shame, For Shame: How to End Shaming When Disciplining

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

The power and influence of parents is great; keeping the parent-child relationship in its proper place

Overcoming the Role of Family Hero

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

A vignette portraying common characteristics of the family hero

God's Peace in the Midst of a Crisis

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Moving account of a young woman who experiences the peace of God in the midst of a personal crisis

Addictions: Many Forms But Never Satisfying

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Addictions cannot satisfy our needs but only serve to destroy joy and peace. God desires more for us!

Perfectionism: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Perfectionism is harsh and demanding. However,the Lord does not require it.

Acute Stress

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Acute stress is the initial concentrated exposure to a traumatic event or events. Acute stressors might be a war, being robbed, experiencing excessive cruelty, a natural disaster, viewing human mutilation, etc. What happens to our bodies in acute stress is that the unexpected events put the body in a type of strain. After being exposed to trauma, the sense of feeling safe is hard to regain.

Check List: How Am I Doing?

Questions to ask yourself to find out how you are doing

Is My Husband in Male Menopause?

Daniel Lange, M.S.W., LCSW

Male menopause is similar to menopause in women

Replenishing on Busy Days

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

All of us lose track of doing the basics things we need to do in order to stay "in a good place" physically, emotionally and spiritually. Holiday times and special occasions are times we feel especially stressed. Listed in this article are ways in which we can replenish our spirits as well as our bodies.

When Parents Fight

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Children develop their sense of belonging and sense of security from their relationships with their parents. When there is on-going animosity between the parents, it is difficult for children to feel safe and to attach to both parents.

My Child Won't Go To School

Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC

School phobia, a severe stress response toward school is a very perplexing condition. Suddenly a child simply will not go to school and becomes unusually forceful in their not wanting to go into the school routine. Unusual crying, sitting down, not moving, screaming, running away from the parent, refusal to leave the car to go into the school, are some of the symptoms in this condition. This article gives a thorough overview of the condition and ideas of what to do with school phobia.

Prayers for God's Protection

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Fearful situations can leave us feeling vulnerable. Article outlines a specific format of prayers to use when we need God's protection.

Happy Kids, Peaceful Parents

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

Nature is filled with the very nature of God Himself. Article explains how God can use His creation for uniting families through opening up communication, and simple enjoyment of one another.

When A Father Dies - Preparing For The Holidays

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

The death of a family member creates a kind of stress that one does not understand until they experience the loss themselves. Add the holidays to this and the multiple levels of grief increase. There are a few basic truths that become real in the face of such a loss around the holidays. This article, written to encourage as well as remind us of these truths, utilizes the author's own personal experience to bring the reality of what it means to celebrate living in the face of grief.

Christmas Shocking

Christmas this year may not happen as you picture it. When things do not go as planned, you may experience Christmas culture shock.

Facing the Holidays Together

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Each year numerous couples and families struggle to keep pace with the expectations placed upon them from various sources. Keeping extended family, friends, and each other happy requires great skill around negotiation, self-awareness, and the provision of flexibility. This article outlines several guidelines to be aware of as the festivities are rushing in to eat up your time and energy.

On-Line Gaming: How Much is too Much?

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

Article explores the explosion of the online gaming industry and the tough decisions parents have to make about hours spent gaming. In it is a set of signs that identify if there is a problem or even an addiction present.

Working Hard To Be Liked

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

People pleasers work very hard to be liked and crave love and acceptance from others at the cost of their own identity. The real person can become lost in the daze of perceived expectations. But there is good news.

Trails of Trouble - Children and School Performance

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article addresses the many feelings parents and children face as a result of school challenges.

My First Christmas Alone

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Holidays are unique in that they tend to awaken emotions many would rather avoid. Facing your first holidays without a loved one means the development of a new awareness of ourselves along with the loss of our loved one. Brenda candidly shares her experience of her first Christmas without her parents and the reality of our Heavenly Father's understanding.

Suicide Prevention: Making the Connection

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Suicide is a very complex subject and is usually not about death at all but rather about wanting to stop the pain. The vast majority of the time, those who are thinking about suicide do give verbal and/ or behavioral warning signs particularly in the last week before the attempt. By knowing the warning signs, loved ones can intervene and provide support. This article lists many verbal and behavioral warning signs of suicide and provides questions to ask if you suspect a loved one may be suicidal.

Fear and Anxiety: Steps to Restoring Courage and Stability

Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT

The new millenium brings added stressors to our lives including ever-present technology, limited family communication and bonding, overwork, and addictions. This article will explore causes and treatment for fear and anxiety to restore a Godly sense of courageious well-being for ourselves and our families.

Powerful Dads and Pretty Daughters

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Dads have a tremendous amount of influence in the lives of their daughters. This article outlines the ways in which Dads make a powerful impact both positively and negatively.

Moms' To Do List

Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW

Moms are good at taking care of their loved ones but often do not take time for themselves. This article offers encouragement to moms to care for their needs and discusses ways moms can be proactive by nurturing their minds, bodies and spirits.

Adolescent Girls Battling Eating Disorders

Suzan Myhre, M.S.S.W., LICSW, LPC

This article explores the effects of adolescent female eating disorders on the individual and the family. It also gives options for getting help.

Coming Along Side the 20 Somethings

Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC

Young adults look so adult yet, as we all know, looks can be deceiving. This special group of people need more support than we can imagine. The energy and enthusiasm can mask the fears and challenges they face. Author and therapist, Brenda Spina takes a few moments to outline the challenges they face as well as some practical ways in which all of us can support these precious young men and women.