The ABCs of Relationships

We are involved in relationships from the time of our conception to the time of our death. When they function as God intended they bring us unlimited joy and fulfilment but when they fail and become dysfunctional they cause unbelievable heartache and pain. Every moment of our lives are affected and even ruled by different relationships. They influence us more than almost anything else in our lives. Yet it is amazing how limited and even non-existent the training and help we receive is on how to run them effectively.

In September 2006 Marion started her second ABC’s series namely: ‘The ABC’s of Relationships’. Once again running through every letter of the alphabet, she covered 9 different aspects of relationships in the first year (06/07):

Altering Attitudes
Building Better Boundaries
Communication that Counts
Dare to Disconnect
Evaluating Expectations
Fabulous Friendships
Given to Games
Heavenly Humour
Introducing Interdependence

The Bible tells us that the greatest commandment is “To love the Lord our God with all our heart and mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves”. In this scripture we see that we have three different kinds of relationships: a vertical one with our Heavenly Father, a horizontal one with others and thirdly one with ourselves. ‘The ABC’s of Relationships’ covers all these 3 different kinds of relationships. Again in 1 Peter 3:11, God instructs us to pursue peace within all these three different kinds of relationships – Himself, others and yourself: “Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relationships with God and your fellowmen and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]”

The second year of the series (07/08) saw Marion expound another 9 different aspects of our relationships, all the while undergirding every principle with the Word of God:

Just Jealous
Keys to Kindness
Looking for Love
Moody or Mature
Never say Never
Over-the-top
Prioritising Prayer
Quality Questions
Room for Romance

Success and happiness in life depend largely on our ability to relate and connect to people effectively. Marion taught in ‘The ABC’s of Emotions’ that we are not to allow our lives to lead us but instead we are to lead our lives. In relationships the same principle applies. You determine whether you are going to spend your whole life being a victim to others, allowing them to set the pace of your life or whether you lead and determine your ‘connections’. In other words you need to become a reactor rather than an initiator. Playing blame-games and excusing yourself will certainly not make you the catalyst for change that you need to be if you want to have improved and healthier relationships.

The qualities and skills needed for these happy and fulfilling relationships are not complicated or difficult. The Bible promises us the ‘fat of the land’-the good and lovely and wonderful if we will be ‘willing and obedient’. You can learn them if you are willing to change and press through the pain that growth brings and be obedient to His Word.
The third year and final year (08/09) saw the remaining 8 letters of the alphabet being completed with challenging teachings:

Sex, Sex, Sex
Twelve Top Tips
Undercover
Viewed as Valuable
Wholeness Wins
Xplain not Xcuse
Yes to Youthfulness
Zero Zest

All the above titles are available on CD @ £4 each. As with ‘The ABC’s of Relationships’, the series will be published in book form which is due to be released on 1 July 2010 @ Touch.