In This Issue
Strong Relationships
Relate or Debate?
Finding it hard to relate? Is it possible that things can change? There is always hope! 
Building Strong Relationships

Greetings! 

 

I try to work out at least 3 times a week. When I was at the gym and I had a conversation with one of the managers. I asked him what was the best way to obtain lasting results. He told me that doing cardio plus weight training will give me the strong and healthy body that I want. He also reminded me that it takes time to establish a routine that works. Just like building a strong body, building strong relationships takes time to gain strength in learning better communication skills, embracing financial freedom and recognizing the unhealthy emotional ties that bind you to negative thinking.

Communication Skills
 According to H. Norman Wright, the 20 most important words in a marriage are:

 senior couple walking

I am sorry
I forgive you
Please forgive me
You were right
I was wrong 
I love you
Thank you
 
Are these words in your relationship vocabulary? If they are not ask yourself "what is it like to be in a relationship with me?" In using temperament assessments with the Arno Profile System (APS), we find that there are those who have a hard time with these 20 words because of hurt, bitterness or negative thinking. To break the negative barrier, listening skills as well as learning how to communicate one's thoughts and emotions in a safe and healthy way needs to be taught. Criticism inhibits growth and harmony in an individual as well as in their relationships. If you would like to be able to learn how to use these words to build a stronger relationship, call 908.864.0573 or email [email protected] to make an appointment to have your assessment made.
Financial Freedom

financial freedomFinancial freedom begins with a plan. Maybe you didn't need a plan because you had no money problems. There's a good chance you had no money problems because you had no money. If you are considering  marriage, consider that there is no longer "his" and "hers" when it somes to debt. Now it becomes "our" debt. So what do you do? Do you have a plan?

According to Gary Chapman in his book "Things I Wish I'd Known Before We Go Married" suggests:

  • Look at how you spend your money.
  • Begin to do individually what you plan to do as a couple.
  • Agree on a percentage of income that you will save, give away, and spend.
  • Decide who will keep the books so that the bills will get paid and there will be a record of where the money is going.

These are the first steps of a gaining freedom from the pressures of finances in marriage. Because of the emotions that are involved and a society that says "buy now and pay later", debt is breaking down relationships with shame, anger and frustration. We are reminded in Matt. 19:26  when Jesus said "With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible". With a trained counselor you can begin your journey to your financial freedom with a phone call or email to Heart to Heart Counseling Center.

emotional ties that bind  Emotional Ties That Bind

  

The Bible clearly states that we are to rely on the Word of God for our identity, how we are to think and act by "guarding our hearts with all diligence" (Prov.4:23),"renew our minds everyday" (Rom.12:2) and to "be forgiving" (Col.3:13). When we do these 3 things we acknowledge our need not to rely on our own understanding but to rely upon the Lord to break any emotional ties we might have to walk in our freedom.

 

Let today be the day that you are no longer defined by what you cannot do but by what you are able to do with Christ. We no longer need to be emotional tied to our past. We are not the mistakes we have made. Call or email to make an appointment for you to begin to untie the emotional strongholds so that you can walk in the freedom that Christ alone can bring through Godly counsel at Heart to Heart Counseling Center. We are passionate about our clients stepping into their unique destiny given by loving God through joy.

 

The first 5 people who call for a complimentary introduction session will receive a new NIV Bible as a gift. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Deborah Skomba 
 
Deborah Skomba
Heart To Heart Counseling Center
Let today be the day to begin your journey to receive your joy back.