Category: From Messes to Messages Linkup

• 6 Strategies for Connecting with God Daily

  With all the knowledge I’ve gleaned and used over the years as a marriage counselor and life coach, none of that really made as big of a difference in my marriage as connecting daily with God. But the biggest challenge for most people seems to be establishing that sacred habit. So today I will be…

  BethSteffaniak

  March 7, 2017

  About Me, Accountability, Bible Study Tools, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Commitment, Connection, Encouragement, Faith in God, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Love of God, Marriage, Peace, Positive Focus, Prayer, Priorities, Proactive, Slow Know and Grow Series, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices

  Bible Study, Encouragement, Love of God, Prayer, Quiet Time, Sacred Habit, Spiritual Growth

• How I Failed and Succeeded to Pray for My Sons – Plus Linkup

  

  Prayer is very important to me as a mom, not to mention as a Christ-follower. But I haven’t always done parts of it perfectly or even well. I’ve been very consistent in how much I pray for my children—both then and now. But I failed in how little I prayed WITH my kids. So today…

  BethSteffaniak

  January 24, 2017

  About Me, Bible Study Tools, Christ-Centered, Commitment, Encouragement, Faith in God, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Marriage, Messy Mom’s and Dad’s, Motherhood, Parenthood, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Priorities, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Leadership, Spiritual Practices

  Children, Motherhood, Parenthood, Prayer, Spiritual Encouragement

• One Key Way Prayer Journaling Uncovers Denial And Linkup

  

  I never dreamed many years ago that prayer journaling could or would open up a whole new world of insight for me. A world like I’d never experienced before in my prayer life. I must preface that by saying God opened up new insights as I combined my prayer journaling with my Bible studies and…

  BethSteffaniak

  December 20, 2016

  Attitude, Bible Study Tools, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Denial, Encouragement, Faith in God, False Beliefs, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Marriage, Perspective, Prayer, Responsibility, Self-awareness, Self-deception, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Truth

  Denial, Perspective, Prayer, Prayer Journal, Prayer journaling, Reflection, Responsibility

• 5 Differences between Journaling and Prayer Journaling Plus Linkup

  

  Last week I began a mini-series on prayer journaling that naturally sparked some conversation about journaling in the comments. Even though journaling and prayer journaling are synonyms, I wanted to write a post about the differences I see between these two helpful practices. So I hope you’ll indulge me for a bit of a “rabbit…

  BethSteffaniak

  December 13, 2016

  About Me, Anger, Attitude, Christ-Centered, Comfort, Control, Emotions, Encouragement, Faith in God, Fear, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Love of God, Marriage, Openness, Peace, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Self-awareness, Self-deception, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Truth

  Comfort, Confession, Emotions, Faith in God, Journaling, Peace, Perspective, Prayer, Prayer Journal

• How Prayer Journaling Improved My Marriage And Linkup

  

  One of the main blessings I’ve experienced with the many prayers I’ve written out over the years is how it always brings such comfort when I’ve felt hurt in my marriage. Back in my very messy marriage years, I expected my hubby to be the main person who would comfort me—even and especially when he…

  BethSteffaniak

  December 6, 2016

  About Me, Anger, Authenticity, Choices, Christ-Centered, Comfort, Confession, Emotions, Encouragement, Faith in God, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Grief, Love of God, Marriage, Openness, Positive Focus, Prayer, Security, Self-awareness, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Surrender

  Comfort, Emotions, Love of God, Peace, Perspective, Prayer, Prayer journaling

• Victim Love Style in Marriage And FMTM Linkup

  

  Here at Messy Marriage, I’ve talked about a “Victim Mentality” a lot over the years, but this isn’t necessarily what I’m talking about today. A victim mentality can develop in any person’s life regardless of their love style. A victim mentality is a fixation on a real or supposed victimizer in one’s life, feeling helpless…

  BethSteffaniak

  November 29, 2016

  Abuse, Accountability, Addictions, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Codependency, Conflict, Emotions, Fear, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Openness, Pain, Parenthood, Prayer, Self-deception, Self-Protection, Toxic Baggage, Victim, Victim Mentality, Vulnerability, Withdrawal, Wounds

  Abuse, Addictions, Anxiety, Avoidance, Compliant, Detached, Fears, Prayer, Prayer journaling, Secrets, Victim, Vulnerability

• The Controller Love Style And FMTM Linkup

  

  With Thanksgiving in the U.S. a day away, it seems appropriate to discuss the many shades of a Controller “love style!” We wouldn’t be able to get through a true Thanksgiving meal or celebration without the “Control Freak” in somebody rising to the surface like a tasty batch of homemade rolls  . . . minus…

  BethSteffaniak

  November 22, 2016

  Abuse, Alienation, Anger, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Conflict, Control, Counseling, Emotions, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Pain, Parenthood, Prayer, Safety, Self-Protection, Stress, Support, Toxic Baggage, Trauma, Wounds

  Abuse, Anger, Conflict, Control, Counseling, Support, Wounds

• Vacillator ‘Love Style’ in Marriage Plus FMTM Linkup

  

  Should I post on the Vacillator today, or not? Um, sure . . . I think I will! No, wait a minute . . . definitely not! Well . . . maybe I should! Just a little sarcasm to get this “love style” train chugging down or perhaps backing up along the proverbial track! My…

  BethSteffaniak

  November 15, 2016

  Acceptance, Alienation, Anger, Balance, Change, Choices, Conflict, Control, Emotions, Expectations, Fear, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Perfectionism, Realistic Expectations, Self-Protection, Self-Reflection, Toxic Baggage, Wounds

  Anger, Conflict, Control, Emotions, Fear of Abandonment, Rejection, Vacillate

• Discussing Sticky Issues with Your Mate Without Getting Stuck

  

  If you’re like me, you’ve often let your mouth fly wide open to reveal the manipulative and prideful intentions behind an effort “to discuss” a sticky issue. Ugh! You’re thinking that your words will bring clarity and understanding for your mate (cue the sound of angels singing from heaven). But all you really offered your…

  BethSteffaniak

  September 13, 2016

  Anger, Attitude, Boundaries, Change, Choices, Communication, Conflict, Emotions, False Beliefs, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Humility, Lessons Learned in Marriage, Listening Skills, Negative Self-Talk, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Pride, Responsibility, Spiritual Practices, Vulnerability

  Arguing, Communication, Conflict, Discuss, Humility, Listening, Prayer

• From Messes to Messages Linkup

  Even though I’m taking a short one-week vacation in the Wisconsin Dells and Chicagoland, I wanted to still offer the linkup while I’m away. I hope that any Christian bloggers will linkup below and I’ll be back to host next week for “From Messes to Messages” linkup. I also wanted to invite you to a…

  BethSteffaniak

  August 16, 2016

  Dates with Mates, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Marriage