January 18: Copper: Protection: DNA of Relationships

Today's talk focused on relationships and highlighted information from one chapter of Gary Smalley's book, The DNA of Relationships.  The main focus of the talk was on creating a safe environment within our relationships.  We learned that there are 5 steps to safety in relationships:

1) Respect the Wall - Sometimes a person that we are in relationship with may put up a wall in order to protect him/herself and to feel safe in the relationship.  You need to let the person know that you are aware of the wall and respect its presence and that you don't require him/her to break down the wall until he/she feels safe doing so. 

2) Honor Others - We need to see others the way God sees them.  First, think of the person you are in a relationship with as personally autographed by God.  Try keeping a list of the good qualities of that person (ex: Gary Smalley keeps an "honor journal").  Finally, try playing the "bombardment" game where you choose one person and "bombard" him/her with compliments for 60 seconds!

3) Suspend Judgment - Judgment tends to close people up and shut them down; it results in people putting up walls..  Instead of judging the person you are with, try asking questions that show interest and compassion. 

4) Value Differences - Realize that differences can be a blessing.  How can you make the differences work for your relationship?  Food for thought: you might find something another person does irritating because it highlights something about yourself that you don't like. 

5) Be Trustworthy - Treat others in a way that shows you recognize their value and vulnerability.  Dr. Smalley says that we need to be trustworthy with others and with our self.  Yes, it's important to be treat others well, but don't forget how valuable you are!!  You need to act in ways that express YOUR OWN value and vulnerability.  Sometimes that may mean building a wall of protection in a relationship.

January 4: Aluminum Foil: No Leftovers Here

As we returned from the holiday break with eating right and fresh starts on our minds, what better time to have a speaker give a cooking presentation!  Susan Anderson shared with us her love of food, cooking, and making wholesome meals for her family.  We had the pleasure of watching her prepare a few of her favorites recipes, which she provided as takeaways for the group.  She reminded us that fresh does not necessarily mean expensive, time-intensive, complicated, or fancy.  With a little bit of planning and stocking the pantry, we can make fresh, wholesome foods and still have time to spend with our families!
Aside from the great cooking tips, Susan also shared with us some of her own spiritual journey.  While most people make resolutions this time of year to eat right, exercise more, or just become healthier, how many of us make resolutions regarding our spiritual health?  Just as we can easily let artificial ingredients overrun our food choices, we can also fall into the easy trap of letting artificial "ingredients" overrun our spiritual life.  These artificial ingredients in our food may be toxic and cancerous to our bodies; likewise, artificial spiritual "ingredients" are cancerous to our spiritual health and relationship with God.
Through Susan's commitment to read the Bible in a year, God impressed upon her some eye-opening truths.

1. God loves us personally and has a specific plan for our lives.  If we follow His agenda, we can trust in the good plans He has for us.
2. Religious myths can become theological "truths" in our lives.  Make sure the object of your faith is worthy!
3. There is a difference between head knowledge about God and heart knowledge about God.

What a great reminder to us all that we need to take care of our physical needs (and those of our family) by eating right and exercising, but we especially need to take care of our spritual needs by nourishing our relationship with God with wholesome "food".