Stepping Up - Volume 2, Number 2

There are three things that will endure, faith, hope and love— and the greatest of these is love. (I Corinthians 13: 13 (NLT))

Welcome. Each month we feature practical information that you can use in your life and family. Please feel free to contact us with feedback, questions or comments via phone at: 1-888-5IBSTEP or email: info@Instepministries.com.

About InStep Ministries

We are a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources, support, counsel and encouragement to singles, single-parents and stepfamilies and to those who minister to them. Our passion is equipping people for life. Our mission is to provide resources and services that are practical, Biblical, relevant and affordable. To learn more about InStep, visit our website: www.instepministries.com

Love

Valentines Day is our culture’s traditional “love” day. It is the second busiest day for restaurants (next to Mother’s Day). I’m pretty sure flower shops and jewelry stores do well too. For you who are parents, is there anything sweeter than a card from your children? I also know it can be a tough day for some folks, especially those with broken relationships or those who are currently not (but want very much to be) in a relationship. To you who have a partner, take some time to appreciate them for who they are—a precious companion. Enjoy the day. Love your partner with “their” love language, not your own.

If you do not have a partner, seize this day with gusto. Do something incredible for yourself. Do something that is personally nourishing and nurturing. Life is not just for those in relationships. When Paul wrote the inspired words of I Corinthians 13, the famous love chapter, he was not referring to marriage—but to life. Love others—family, friends, yourself—from a place of deep worth and gratitude. Love out of your fullness in Christ. Love for God, self and others endures—all else pretty much crumbles. Well, it is clear that God’s love is for all of us. Let His love fill you and then love yourself and others out of that fullness.

Just so this isn’t just pious platitude… If you are stuck, start by forgiving yourself or someone else and letting go of the past. You are not your past. Your past is not your future. This is the life God has gifted you with—start living it. Make changes, make connections, get involved, let go of some self-defeating habits. Get that God loves you and values you, even on your worst day. Happy love day!

Stepfamily Moments…

made perfect through suffering. Hebrews 2:10

I have never heard anyone say they remarried so God could build their character! People remarry for love and companionship, right? When couples say, “I do,” they rarely think about the stress or suffering they may endure in the early years of stepfamily development.

Quite often, stepfamily life can make us feel stressed out and overwhelmed, or exactly the opposite of what we hope for. Whether you struggle with stepchildren or are adjusting to a new spouse, stepfamily life presents many challenges. Often it is easier to focus on the problem or another’s behavior, and we become so consumed with finding answers that we forget to look at the big picture—His view. Every stepfamily challenge is just another one of God’s marvelous methods to bring us to our knees so that we might examine our hearts.

Corland Myers writes, “Someday God is going to reveal this fact to every Christian: the very things they now rebel against are the instruments He has used to perfect their character and to mold them into perfection, so they may be later used as polished stones in His heaven yet to come.”

Suffering makes us raise our heads toward heaven for help, it sends us to our knees in prayer, and ultimately, it is used by God to perfect our character. The next time you are ‘suffering’ with a stepfamily issue, ask God to show you what character trait He is working to instill in your life and follow His lead. And remember, the great objective of this life is character, for it is the only thing we can carry with us into eternity. (Austin Phelps) Grow and be blessed, Judi

Healthy Relationships

In April, Dr. Parziale will be continuing his series, Developing Healthy Relationships. This series is sponsored by Equally Yoked Christian Singles and is open to the public.

TUCSON: Saturday April 9th 10 AM to 2 PM; Address: 5515 E Grant #210-AZ 85712

PHOENIX: Saturday April 23rd 10 AM to 2 PM; Address: 5125 N. 16th #C 85016 Call EY at 520-882-9778 or InStep at 520-721-0800 for more details.

Three NEW Resources!

  1. 1. How to Start and Lead a Stepfamily Support Group: A “how to” manual for developing a stepfamily support group.
  2. 2.How to Succeed as a Stepfamily— A 10-week program for existing stepfamilies that includes a comprehensive leader’s guide and a couple’s workbook.
  3. 3.Second Chances— A 10-week program for couples considering remarriage that includes a comprehensive leader’s guide and a couple’s workbook.

Remarriage-Stepfamily Coaching

Stepfamilies contact us from all parts of the country. To increase our availability, we now provide coaching by phone. Call our office 1-888-5INSTEP and arrange for a 30 or 60 minute coaching call.

Relationship Coaching

Singles can get coaching on a variety of subjects, including changing relationship patterns, dealing with emotional and spiritual wounds and developing a healthier lifestyle. Call our office to arrange for a 30 or 60 minute coaching call.

Get Involved!

  • Join the Association of Marriage and Family Ministries (AMFM) and attend their conference in Scottsdale this August. Website: www.amfmconference.com
  • Tucson: Single Moms program, beginning March 3rd, 6PM at Pantano Christian Church. Dinner available: adults $3, kids free. Class to follow. Childcare will include a program for children.
  • Tucson: Stepcouples Support Group; 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 7 PM. Contact InStep for meeting location.

Upcoming Events

  • April 2nd, Successful Stepparenting Seminar, Pantano Christian Church, 9-11 AM
  • April 14-15, Oklahoma City, Pastors Conference
  • May 2005, NACC Conference, Corona, Calif. InStep exhibit.
  • August 2005, AMFM Conference, Scottsdale, AZ; InStep presentations and exhibit.

Call 520-721-0800 for details and other InStep activities.
Call 1-888-5INSTEP for coaching information or to order resources

If you enjoy this newsletter, please tell a friend. If you would like to start a support group or stepfamily ministry in your area, please contact us—we can help.

InStep is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit ministry. Donations are tax-deductible and always welcome.

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Instep Ministries is a 501(c)(3) non-profit orgainization dedicated to serving the Christian community by providing practical, Biblical resources, support and counsel to single divorced and remairried individuals, their families and the churches who minister to them.