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Monday, May 16, 2011

Keys to Communication!

For more tips, come to:

Keys to Family Communication



Wednesday, May 25



7 p.m. to 8 p.m.



Faith Baptist Church

Effective communication is key to healthy family relationships, yet today’s family spends precious little time talking.

TV, computer and electronic games have replaced conversation. Talking is a lost skill, but an important one.

The Faith Family Resource Center will feature a program Wednesday which will highlight secrets to great communication – How to tell people anything you want and have them respond with understanding.

Emotional Word Pictures allow us to present our point of view by using visual images or stories. This method of communication causes the listener to use both sides of the brain to comprehend your point.

For example is, if a child is involved in sports, try using sports themes to explain concepts. The key is to lock into things that are important to your spouse or children.

Emotional Word Pictures help the listener focus in on the story. Using stories causes communication to come alive.

Dealing with a teen? Tell them a story. Use an illustration that is important to them.

Let’s say someone is being critical. Help them by illustrating how their criticism makes other feel:

“You’re getting ready run a marathon. You are in great shape and you have great shoes, great energy, great mental state.

“Just as you are about to start the marathon, someone comes to the starting line and makes you put a backpack filled with bricks on your back. You struggle the rest of the way. That is what criticism does to a person.”

Another way to provide input is to “Sandwich.” Start with a true compliment. After the compliment – add a bit of instruction. Complete the communication with another compliment.

There are more tips provided by Dr. Gary Smalley Wednesday, May 25 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Children’s programs will be held the same time. Call 401-0846 if you need babysitting.

The Power of Thoughts

Special thanks to Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Gayla Fields for these powerful thoughts! Contact Faith Family Resource Center, 539-3434, for more information





“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”- Philippians 4:8



God gives us plenty of hints about the power of thoughts throughout the Bible. He directs us to think about good things, things that are true and bring us joy. If we focus on fears and worries, we feel anxious and/or depressed.



“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”



Thought processes can be a choice. God guides us to make the good choice by focusing on blessings rather than burdens.



“Then you will know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free.” – John 8:32



The Bible says Jesus is the TRUTH. Reality is: Jesus loves you and stands at your door waiting for you to let Him in.



When He’s in your life, you can rest in His love, His forgiveness and His guidance. Thoughts should focus on the reality of Christ’s love.



“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” –2Corin 10:5



God also tells us to take every thought captive. In other words, we need to be the gatekeeper of thoughts, monitoring them and only allowing the good and Godly to stay.



Because we’re human, we’ll have negative thoughts, but we can choose not to focus on them.



“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7



If we focus on how the world is not fair and bad things happen, then we notice more bad things and feel more helpless and frustrated.



Scientific research estimates we think 50,000 thoughts per day. Each thought affects us emotionally and physically. Medical research has shown the body responds to thoughts.



Studies also show negative thinking can contribute to poor immune functioning. Just as research shows prayer and faith affect healing, it also shows that changing negative thoughts to positive ones can help the body.



To improve mental, emotional, or physical health, take charge of your thoughts, as God encouraged us to do. Think things that help and not hinder.



As we align thoughts with our goals and God’s Word, we’ll experience more satisfaction and joy.