Couples want practical solutions to deal with potential trouble spots in marriage. Often these trouble spots center around differing views of romance and the expectation one or the other brings into marriage related to romance. At times problem areas are minimal but, over time, little foxes spoil the vine. Partners also want to know how to implement what they ought to be doing to improve the quality of marriage. Dr. Meadors addresses many of these issues in a humorous but forthright manner in this nine-chapter book. ~ RECOMMENDATION: Differential Views of Romance is filled with life applications and pithy quips that would make it worth the cost of the book for anyone dealing with relationships. The author has blended the practical, emotional and the academic aspects of marriage with humor that will cause a chuckle to anyone reading or using it as a study guide. The quotes are documented from a plethora of well-known authors. The amalgamation of the different authors, as well as Dr. Ray’s and Carol’s personal history, blends the professional with their personal walk through the difficulties associated with romantic relationships. Chapters are defined and speak to the subject which could make the book a great resource for any professional. The assessments in the appendix are relevant to working through the challenges of men and women understanding the differences and creating a positive future of love and respect. Charles F. Hefton, My Lifebuilders Ministries, charles@mylifebuilders.com. More Info »

CHAPTER ONE ‘ONCE UPON A TIME A MAN AND A WOMAN MET’ Courtship, Engagement, and Marriage ~  Read about the unusual sequence of events that could only happen at Christmas. It happened in the twinkling of an eye and the More Info »

There are natural differences between men and women: physical, psychological, and developmental. Men and women are different in development stages from the cradle-to-the-grave. Gross oversimplification and stereotyping when comparing and contrasting genders is a potential pit-fall. Frequently authors’ talk about differential behavioral patterns men and women exhibit—patterns that require understanding and acceptance in order to have successful relationships. However, people have behavioral patterns—people being male and female inclusive. These patterns are individually unique, although some patterns are more common in men or women. Writings, such as this current volume, are useful if they facilitate better understanding and instill appreciation for the uniqueness and individuality of the other person. They are destructive if leading to believe “all men and women are like that.” This author knows no woman who does not have some semblance of male characteristics, or any man devoid of female characteristics. Men, at times, need to share feelings; likewise, women have an occasional need to hide in their cave! The bottom line is simple. Don’t view spouses’ through lens colored by gender stereotypes. Look at and listen to your spouse—not as a representative of a gender group but as a person. After all, you are not looking at a stereotype, you are looking at an extension of self, the person you love. More Info »

What about anger? How can we effectively handle this unwanted companion that seems always to badger, taunt, and accost us? Anger is perhaps the most misunderstood of all human emotion, yet it is a completely normal and healthy human emotion. The problem that arises is not the management of anger, but the mismanagement of anger. It can make you feel as though you're at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion. Anger is the source of many relational problems and when out of control, it can turn destructive and create irreversible damage to a relationship, while ruining one’s overall quality of life Anger is emotional agitation of no specified intensity, aroused by great displeasure—it varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense fury and rage. Like other emotions, it is accompanied by physiological and biological changes. When you get angry, heart rate and blood pressure elevate, as do the levels of energy hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. Anger can be caused by both external and internal events. One can be angry at a specific person (e.g., husband or wife) or event (e.g., traffic congestion, late-arriving airline), or anger could be caused by worrying about personal problems. Memories of traumatic events can also trigger angry feelings, as well as worrying about personal problems. Research has found that "letting it rip" escalates anger and aggression and does nothing to resolve the situation for you or the person, place, or thing toward which the anger is directed. It's best to find out what triggers your anger and then develop strategies to keep triggers from pushing you over the edge. Learning to express anger appropriately is a major step in improving relationships. Becoming comfortable in expressing feelings, positive or negative, is important. Anger: Leaving the ‘Black-Out Zone’ takes a close look at this phenomenon and different approaches (biblical and secular) are presented as models for processing anger effectively in one’s life. More Info »

According to a survey by researchers at the University of Chicago, women cheat almost as much as men do, with 23 percent of men and 19 percent of women admitting to unfaithfulness. Yet, the reasons women and men cheat are often different, with women being more emotionally driven. The noted author Shirley Glass' research suggests it is probably closer to 25 percent of women and 40 to 50 percent of men! An affair can forever change a relationship. Sometimes the dominos are lined up ready to fall, while at other times there is no clue until met with a tearful confession or discovery of some incontrovertible evidence (e.g., earring that is not hers, changes in grooming habits, abrupt change in sexual relationship, cell phone usage, different cologne or perfume, etc.). Couples want practical solutions to deal with potential trouble spots in marriage. Affairs are an acute trouble spot that require insightful and timely intervention—else the relationship is likely to teeter and unravel at the seams. Guidelines to facilitate recovery once trust has been shattered in a relationship are inclusive with each chapter of the book. The book concludes with an EPILOGUE that provokes thinking about possible alternatives to allowing an affair to dissolve the marriage. More Info »

Raymond E. Meadors, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist ~ How many would agree there is something you could do specifically to make your marriage worse?  You feel there is something you could honestly do that would jeopardize your marriage—or make it worse? More Info »

Dr. Meadors’ teaching on Clifton and Rath’s #1 New York Times and #1 Business Week best seller, “How Full is Your Bucket?”  Each of us has an invisible bucket.  It is constantly emptied or filled, depending on what others say More Info »

Adjusting to the pain accompanying an aging parent is a gut-wrenching and an agonizing process.   The prolonged use of Prednisone for medical reasons induced an early onset of a condition similar to Dementia-Alzheimer Type. Short-term memory was affected first. Simple More Info »