The following are Web Site Links and recommended resources for those of you who are looking for communication tools. We pray these particular communication tools will helpful to your marital relationship:
Communication Tools Web Site Links:
• Focusonthefamily.com This is the web site for the great ministry of Focus on the Family. One of the many features of this web site can be found when you place your cursor over the top bar that says, “Relationship and Marriage.” A drop-down box will show up. You can then select a topic which will give you a number of articles to read. You can also select “Communication/Conflict.”
• Feeling Words Are you experiencing an emotion that you want to describe to your spouse but you don’t know the right word to describe it? This link provides a long list of words to help you do just that. They are composed by Steve Hein. Plus there is a list of “Common Negative Feelings“ that you can read through, to help you to better express yourself.
• Lesandleslie.com This is the web site for Dr Les and Dr Leslie Parrott. They are a husband-and-wife team who have the same passion for helping others build healthy relationships. Their web site has free videos that you can view on many different subjects you will deal with in your married lives together. They include “Communication” and also “Conflict Resolution” as well as a drop down box on the top bar of their home page which has “Assessments” that you can use with their resources. We highly advise that you visit their web site to see what they can offer you.
Additional Communication Tools Links:
• Retrouvaille.org (meaning “rediscovery” and rhymes with pie) This is a program for couples with serious problems who are disillusioned, separated and/or on the brink of divorce. You’ll be helped by volunteer couples who have also “been to the brink.” They have personally experienced serious problems including affairs, alcoholism, gambling, violence, etc. or who have simply fallen out of love— but who have worked their way back. They’ll teach you how to fall back in love again. Plus they will help you to heal your own marriage and make it stronger than ever before. This successful program (85% when both partners work at it) teaches simple techniques of communication. It also includes exercises to work on forgiveness, healing, and restoration of trust.
The program begins with a weekend and includes 12 follow-up meetings over 3 months. These are not spiritual retreats, sensitivity groups, seminars or social gatherings. There are no counselors involved. And you don’t have to say anything in front of anyone else. Couples discuss the topics and practice the skills in private. It has a blank envelope donation system and is open to couples of all faiths and to the non-religious. They also have an international division, which gives sessions in different countries such as Canada and South Africa, etc.
COMMUNICATION TOOLS RESOURCE DESCRIPTIONS:
• 201 Great Questions is compiled by Jerry Jones, published by NavPress. Whether you’re traveling with family, eating lunch with a friend, or getting together with a small group this book is one you’ll want. You’ll have the time of your life learning more about people you thought you knew—particularly your spouse.
• Awkward Silence provides new and interesting conversation starters weekly to subscribers. They make it easier to have better conversations. This company has subscribers on every inhabited continent. Awkward Silence is passionate about bringing back the art of conversation in other mediums too. As a result they are looking to innovate or assist in bigger projects to get people talking.
• Cracking the Communication Code Workbook: The Secret to Speaking Your Mate’s Language is written by Emerson Eggerichs, published by Thomas Nelson Publishing. Dr. Eggerichs’ best-selling book, Love and Respect, launched a revolution in how couples relate to each other based on Ephesians 5:33: “The husband must love his wife . . . and the wife must respect her husband.” In Cracking the Communication Code he shows couples how to speak each other’s distinctly different language-respect for him, love for her. The result is mutual understanding and a successful, godly marriage.
• The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts – written by Dr Gary Chapman, published by Northfield Publishing. This outstanding book will help you to express your love to your spouse in a way that he/she understands. In this new edition, you’ll also find a couple’s guide to help you work as a team. You’ll find that before you know it, you’ll learn to speak and understand the unique languages of love and effectively express your love as well as feel truly loved in return.
More Communication Tools Resources:
• Foolproofing Your Life: How to Deal Effectively with the Impossible People in Your Life -written by Jan Silvious, published by WaterBrook. This is a book to help you deal with difficult people. “In dealing with such people, we often try a number of coping strategies. Unfortunately, our best attempts at making peace often fail. This is because the difficult people in our lives are often what the Bible calls ‘fools.’ And dealing with fools requires a special kind of biblical wisdom. You’ve tried everything –from confrontation to passivity. You’ve found out what doesn’t work; now discover what does. Gain the tools you need to get along with others and conduct your relationships in a manner that honors God and preserves your sanity!
• How to Get Your Husband to Talk to You -written by Nancy Cobb and Connie Grigsby, published by Multnomah. This book is about what a wife “can do and say and think and change that will create an inviting climate for warm conversation.” It “is fun and practical —an easy-to-read primer of sorts. It will help you resolve the age-old mystery of communication between the sexes. You can open this book to any section and pick up a tip or two that can encourage your husband to talk to you. So whether you have lots of time to read or just a few minutes a week, you’ll find this book helpful.
Additionally:
• Love & Respect –written by Dr Emerson Eggerichs, a Focus on the Family Book, published by Integrity Publishers. This is a marriage book that makes a difference! It delivers a revolutionary message. People are saying about this book: “I’ve been married 35 years and have not heard this taught.” — “This is the key that I have been missing.” — “It caused a light bulb moment for me.” — “You connected all the dots for me.” — “As a counselor, I’ve never been so excited about any material.” — “You’re on to something huge here.”
Based on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs and his wife, Sarah, have already taken the “Love and Respect” message across America and are changing the way couples talk to, think about, and treat each other. What do you want for your marriage? Do you want some peace? Want to feel close? Want to feel valued? And do you want to experience marriage the way God intended? Then why not try some “Love and Respect.”
• Love List
There’s More:
• Love Talk: Speak Each Other’s Language Like You Never Have Before
• Love Talk Starters: 275 Questions to Get Your Conversations Going
• Love Talk Workbook for Men -written by Dr Les and Dr Leslie Parrott, published by Zondervan. This is the perfect companion resource to work through issues that are explained in the book “Love Talk.” Love Talk is a deep yet simple plan full of new insights on communication. This workbook for men is full of lively exercises and enlightening self-tests. It will help you apply what you are learning about communication directly to your relationship.
• Love Talk Workbook for Women – written by Dr Les and Dr Leslie Parrott, published by Zondervan. This is the perfect companion resource to work through issues that are explained in the book “Love Talk.”Love Talk is a deep yet simple plan full of new insights that will revolutionize communication in love relationships. This workbook for women is full of lively exercises and enlightening self-tests that help you apply what you are learning about communication directly to your relationship.
More Communication Tools:
• When Sorry Isn’t Enough: Making Things Right with Those You Love
• Chat Pack: Fun Questions to Spark Conversations Chat Packs contains 156 cards, with each one featuring a question that sparks great conversations for couples, families, and friends. Just pull out a card, read it, and let the conversations begin! There are a variety of different sets you can choose from. Just go to this link and see which set you’d like to get for your times when you’d enjoy fun conversations.
Additional Communication Tools:
• Tabletalk Conversation Cards This fun deck of cards presents fascinating facts and intriguing questions. It’s a fun way to get conversations rolling in whatever setting you find yourself. There are no right or wrong answers. Just pick a card and start talking!
• Pocket Ungame Families Version This is a family version of the Ungame where the cards include specific questions about family members. They include who do you look up to most in your family or who do you confide in most in your family.
• TABLETOPICS Original – 10th Anniversary Edition: Questions to Start Great Conversations TableTopics is the #1 best-selling conversation starter. It consists of 135 thought-provoking questions that come in a clear box that sets on the table. These cards inspire conversation at family gatherings, or any time you want to break the ice. They’re great for couples to use for casual conversation times. There are a variety of different Table Topic sets for you to choose to purchase and use.