Welcome to a Blog for Blended Families !

Blended Families often seek Encouragement, Hope, Motivation and Insight. Join us here each week for practical & powerful ways to rise up & defeat those challenges that can weaken, damage or destroy your family.
.................... God has a plan for victory for YOU! ....................

Thursday, October 23, 2008

God Can Refresh Blended Families!

Rain Refreshed the Morning Sky.
GOD CAN Refresh Your Blended Family!


This morning as I was driving, I noticed the crispness of the air, the sparkle of the morning as the sun was rising. The clouds were parting. The sun was shining brightly through. It was a 'Wow' type moment. The previous night's heavy rain had cleansed the atmosphere. It reminded me of the promise that God's mercies are new every morning. That HE can shine brightly through the step-family struggles of life. If we trust Him and seek Him.

Just then the song 'Who Am I' by Casting Crowns came on. The video is below. There I was, smiling, singing, basking in the new morning sun and the song. I was pumped up. God was giving me a special encouragement treat that moment.

Be still for one moment. Focus on the words of this song.
BE BIGTIME ENCOURAGED !


WHO AM I? That God would care to help me through my struggles. Catch ME when I'm falling. Know my hurts and troubles. Care. Want to be there for me?

At The Bonded Family we work with families all over the country to set forth HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT through growing in one's faith and trust in God. Given the current economic challenges, the struggles are heightened. Now, more than ever, there needs to be a Rock to stand on.

God is the best way to take a step-family...from Broken to Blended to Bonded. If we BOND to God, lift up our issues to Him, it is easier to see the 'new morning sun' and understand it. No, all the trials, challenges, hurts, struggles and pain won't just go away. We understand that. Rebecca and I still feel weekly the fallout and the consequences of family life apart from how God had originally planned for it. What you can be assured in, is that His plan for us, for you and your family, is a good one if we ask Him to help us in our new circumstances. This I can tell you. I am weak. HE is strong. If the worldly solutions were the better answer, why would the divorce rate in step-families hover at 70%, while the divorce rate of husbands and wives that pray TOGETHER daily be less than 10%. Do the math. :-) Trust the Lord.

God is the God of second chances. We can focus on the trouble, or Him. It's like as a child playing tag, and there is a base to run to where you are 'safe'. God is that 'base', He is the Rock. His Word is true. His promises real. His strength and protection are there if you call upon Him. He is in the fresh start business. The miracle business. We have seen it. We have lived it. YOU CAN TOO.

BELIEVE AGAIN ! Visit us at www.thebondedfamily.com

If you have friends or family in step-family situations in NW Arkansas... call them and tell them about Nov 14 and 15th. See next blogpost about the National Center for Fathering Championship Fathering Conference.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Dads in Blended Families - NW Arkansas

Blended Family / Step-Family Dads Need Encouragement.
NW Arkansas Championship Fathering Partnership.




The National Center for Fathering is hosting a CHAMPIONSHIP FATHERING event in Northwest Arkansas on November 14th and 15th at Christian Life Cathedral in Fayetteville Arkansas.

I am blessed to speak frequently to groups about blended family dynamics on a national level and the impact it is having on families in our country. God is opening doors to allow Rebecca and I, through The Bonded Family to continue to offer resources, encouragement and hope that we can see is impacting lives in our nation.
The recent 'economic crisis' only places more stress upon families. Blended Families then can be sometimes doubly impacted because their lives are touched by multiple homes and financial stress situations. God's strength, courage, patience and understanding only becomes a greater need in times like this. Through our efforts in partnership with the American Blended Family Association we are raising the level of awareness. God is also providing a path to serve through that, that may have not been available.

Another great group we partner with is the National Center for Fathering. Carey Casey is the CEO there and is doing mighty work across the nation. Through their CHAMPIONSHIP FATHERING Experience and conferences Dads lives - their families too - are being changed. I am blessed to be Carey's friend and a partner in seeking to serve Dads and families as the National Center for Fathering provides super resources for Dads, Single Dads and Step-Dads.

For blended family life and fatherhood, the combination of NCF efforts and our own efforts seeks to provide encouragement to Dads. 'Dads in Challenging Situations' (Divorced Dads, Single Dads, Step-Dads,etc) is an excellent session during the special Championship Fathering event. It is exciting to see God move in these Dads hearts. If you are in a 'challenging situation', you will come away blessed and feeling more able to face those dynamics and challenges unique to you. God has allowed me to 'take a mess and turn it into His message' of hope and encouragement.

FOR THE MRS....'The Power of the Parenting Team' session is Friday night and we encourage Wives and Moms to join the men for this fun and educational 'Date Night'.

TO SIGN UP FOR THE FAYETTEVILLE EVENT OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.fathers.com