PERSONAL NOTE: At 14 years into our marriage,
Carol & I separated. Carol took our
daughter and went back to live with her mom & dad. During that time, she
had an initial
consultation with a divorce lawyer. Only through the grace of God and some
close friends
who helped us talk through our issues, were we able to resolve and reconcile our
differences.
We loved each other and were committed to making our marriage work,
but we lacked the
tools we needed to make it happen. Unknown to us at the time, we needed
communication
tools and conflict resolution tools and to understand each other's personality
traits or
temperament. Resources like the ones listed below provide those tools.
We now have been married for 36 years. If hardheads like
Carol & I can succeed, we are
convinced that you can succeed, too.
Christian Life Center Marriage Builders
Ministry Mentor Program (Dayton, OH).
Married mentor couples are available to meet with troubled
married couples. During six
to ten sessions, the couples learn about each other's personality traits.
They are taught
communication and conflict resolution techniques and use them with the mentor
couple
acting as a facilitator. Issues such as drug or alcohol abuse or physical
abuse or an active
affair are referred to professional counseling centers in the Dayton area.
But if your troubles
involve communication, conflict, children or step-children, finances, sex,
in-laws, roles &
expectations, forgiveness & rebuilding trust, mentor couples are available to
help you.
For more information, call Dick & Carol Cronk, 937-890-7078 or leave a voice
mail message
at 937-898-8811, ext 382 or email at
rcronk@woh.rr.com
Marriage Works! Ohio
provides free relationship support and classes for couples at any stage in
their relationship throughout the Miami Valley. Website:
http://www.trustmarriage.com/
Email address
trustmarriage@elizabethnewlife.org
2008 Retrouvaille Weekends and Follow-up Program
Retrouvaille weekends are scheduled in the following Ohio locations:
Cincinnati September 12-14, 2008; January 9-11,
2009
Cleveland September 5-7, 2008
Columbus August 1-3, 2008
Toledo August
15-17; Oct 17-19, 2008
Youngstown October 24-26,2008
For more information on the Retrouvaille program, click on
http://www.retrouvaille.org/
For detailed information on weekend dates, contacts and online registration, click on
http://www.retrouvaille.org/dates.php
Click here to learn about Christian Multi-Denominational Retrouvaille weekends in Ohio.
by Michele Weiner-Davis
follow to revitalize even the most damaged marriage. Weiner Davis will be your relationship coach,
offering down-to-earth, psychobabble-free guidance and encouragement every step of the way. She
teaches you how to identify specific marriage-saving goals, move beyond ineffective, hurtful ways of
interacting, and become an expert on "doing what works". Inspirational anecdotes and in-depth case
studies show how couples have used these techniques to save their marriages, and how you can use
these same techniques to rescue yours.
Published by Simon & Schuster, ISBN 0-684-87354-0,
To order from Amazon.com, click on
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0684873540/redirect-home/ohiomarriager-20
Here is a sample of some of the things available on her web site:
Read some of Michele's articles. If you are in a troubled marriage, these are MUST READS! And, they're free! (Isn't the internet wonderful?) Sample titles include "The walkaway wife
syndrome", "Healing from infidelity", "Choosing a Marital Therapist" and "Should couples stay
together for the sake of the kids?".
An opportunity to sample Michele's books. Excerpts from several of Weiner Davis' books are
available online, including the first chapter of the book referenced above, "The Divorce Remedy"
(highly recommended);
Recent success stories - true life reports of people who have recently restored their marriages;The Message Board - You're not alone! See what others are going through; watch as fellow
journeyors offer their advice. Ask for advice yourself, if you want.
Schedule a telephone consultation with a "Divorce Busting relationship coach" (there is a fee
for this service).
who is the author of the best-seller "His Needs, Her Needs" and whose ideas have saved literally
thousands of marriages. There is a ton of information on this site, so wade in slowly. First step -
take the "Site Tour" to get an overview of what is available on the site. After that, click on "Basic
Concepts" to get an understanding of the underlying concepts of Dr. Harley's approach.
The course is designed to be conducted in either a group setting (typically at a church) or individually.
In an individual setting, the Participant locates a same-sex committed-Christian Support Partner
who will meet with the Participant once a week for one hour, reviewing the Participant's progress on
the assignments and holding him/her accountable. Both the Participant and the Support Partner
have their own workbook which they work through. While both spouses are encouraged to participate
in the program (separately, each having their own Support Partner), the program can also be effective
when only one of the parties participates. The cost of the Reconciling God's Way Workbook set
(which includes one each of the Participant Workbook and the Support Partner Workbook) is $22 plus
$5 shipping. The material can be ordered by calling (209) 578-4357 or on the internet at
www.ReconcilingGodsWay.org.
the emotional intensity of a marriage crisis drive your decision. Before deciding whether to divorce
or stay together, you need information—LOTS of information.
objective view of how divorce (if you select that path) will affect your life in several different areas:
EmotionalPhysicalFinancialLegalChildren and familySpiritualpackaged in an attractive library case. Each video session is produced in an interesting television
magazine format. The sessions include interviews with top experts and real-life stories of people
who have experienced divorce. The Before You Divorce workbook includes a section for taking
notes as you view each video, a daily devotional and a journal section. The total cost for the
entire kit is only $60, a small investment to make before making such a life-changing decision.
You are still married but having major problems. You and your spouse may have already
talked about separation or divorce.
You are still living together but have separated emotionally.You have separated physically but are still married. You or your spouse may be involved in
a relationship with another person.
You have divorced but have not remarried. Again, you or your spouse may have already
become involved in a romantic and/or sexual relationship with another person.