Healthy + Thriving Relationships

SERIES: Healthy + Thriving Dating Ancient Wisdom in a Modern Context. It's time!  Your relationship has officially entered the "serious stage."  Gordon and I are big believers in preparing for marriage sooner rather than later.   Marriage is the most underprepared for major life event, can you believe that!?  Once you think you have found someone worth spending the rest of your...

SERIES: Healthy + Thriving Dating Ancient Wisdom in a Modern Context. OH breakups.  They're the worst aren't they?!  I've seen too many people I love extend their relationship to "try and make it work" with someone they just aren't compatible with.  They spend so much time and energy in making something work when in the end, it will only lead to further heartbreak and frustration.&n...

SERIES: Healthy + Thriving Dating Ancient Wisdom in a Modern Context. This episode is one of our favorites because it's vastly different from what most of us believe - especially when it comes to our families.  You know us, we loooove to go about things in an "off the beaten path" sort of way, because well, isn't that how Jesus did it?  We believe that when it comes to dating, culture is...

SERIES: Healthy + Thriving Dating Ancient Wisdom in a Modern Context. We think it’s important to note that while this statement (dating doesn’t work today) is certainly true, there are exceptions to the rule. So yes, common dating tactics do work for some people, but the majority would maybe say otherwise. We have countless single friends who are fed up with online dating. Rather than feeling hope...

The AWESOME Benefits of Being Single. Dispelling the Stigma of Singleness and Embracing it as an Incredible Gift. Do you ever long for the day when you’ll find yourself no longer single?  Or maybe you struggle with just not knowing how to be single?  Oy, I think we've all been there.  In this episode we want to encourage those of you who find yourself single, to know that it’s OK.&n...

SERIES: How to Hear God’s Voice. Building a relationship with God is paramount to being able to discern His voice from others.  But we don't treat our relationship with Him the same as we do our other relationships.  My best friend is a great example.  We have been friends for over 30 years.  I could pick her voice out of a crowd,  know it's her by the way she walks or kno...

SERIES: How to Hear God’s Voice. Erwin Mcmanus once said, true maturity is shown by the time it takes us to respond in obedience to the voice of God.  Are we waiting around forever.... or are we taking action? This episode is a fun one because it helps show us some practical steps we can take to be able to discern God's voice.  Spoiler: It includes taking obedient action when we think He...

SERIES: How to Hear God’s Voice. Have you ever asked the question "How do I knoooow it's God speaking to me?"   Friend, you are not in this alone!  We usually ask this question when trying to find confirmation or direction in our lives.   Gordon and I have practiced the habit of seeking God for most things but there are still times of doubt, confusion, and sometimes anxiety.  A...

SERIES: How to Hear God’s Voice. I remember really struggling for a long time about hearing God's voice.  When I would reach out and ask Him questions or seek guidance I felt unsure if I was hearing Him.  Is that you God?  Or is that just me?  I know I'm not alone in this.  I still struggle with this today, but not as I once did.  Nowadays His voice is a little more c...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. First, a shoutout to researcher Shaunti Feldhahn! We absolutely love Shaunti's books (which are all researched based), and actually based today's myth off of her wonderful book "the good news about marriage." Because don't we need good news in the area of relationships? If the 50% divorce rate is accurate, then...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. A.K.A.  getting married will fix our relationship problems, fix my problems, fix my loneliness, give me purpose, make me happy, etc.   Have you ever thought these things?  Maybe subconsciously?  I get it, we've been there!  It's easy to put people in our life (even imaginary ones) up on...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. Compromise. It's THE thing that most of us hear is the most important aspect to a healthy relationship and more importantly a healthy marriage, right?  But maybe compromise has lead us to something more damaging below the surface? Keeping score.  So if "compromise is key," how do we do this in a way th...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. "Everyday should be Valentines Day!" C'mon, friends. I get where the idea is coming from, but it's seriously setting a bar that no one can reach.  Do I tell my husband "I love you," everyday? I sure hope so.  Do I go out of my way to make Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies everyday?  No I don't.  Why...

Gordon is the king of celebrations and making a girl feel special.  Ever since we began dating all those years ago he has done something to make the day special.  Does it always have to be a BIG event? No. Should he just do nothing? Well, no ;)  It's just about doing something - ya man's gotta put in some work! Ok, Ladies too...sometimes ;) Maybe you want to do something you just ha...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. The idea of L.O.V.E as we know it today is all about feelings.  And the message of today is, if I feel it then it must be true - or - feelings are a legitimate reason for making foolish choices (only fools rush in, right? #Elvis).  But what happens when those feelings ultimately change?  When the...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. This myth isn't as obvious because most of us probably don't even realize we're thinking this way.  However, if this mindset is carried into your future marriage it could be lead to feelings of bitterness and resentment for your spouse.  So what do we mean exactly?  Culture has told some of us tha...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. The beautiful thing about a marriage partnership - if it truly is a partnership - is that your spouse knows everything about you.  The in's and out's of who you are, including your past, present, and future dreams goals, and aspirations.  When you have a spouse that accepts you with love and has demons...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. It seems that the older a person is, or the longer they've been at that job, or in that marriage, means they're the people we want to seek advice from.  It sounds logical, right?  Yes, and no. There are people who have been married 20+ years and are thriving in their marriages, yes listen to them.&nbsp...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. It's common to hear people talk about "completing each other."  It sounds beautiful and cohesive and lovely, but if we really pull back the layers of what that means it might not be as beautiful as it sounds. For someone to complete me I'd have to be not whole. And half-a-person + half-a-person doesn't equa...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. Culture has told us some of us that life starts at the wedding and others that life ends , but we've got another perspective.  So click play and let's re-engage with reality!  See MORE resources @ TarahandGordon.com See MORE resources @ TarahandGordon.com

Healthy Holiday Boundaries How to Find More Love, Joy, and Meaning This Christmas Season. Between family visiting from out of town, buying gifts for everyone, holiday parties, and all the other festivities that tag along with these celebrations, it can be CRAZY!  What if we told you there was a way to skip the crazy this year? Check out today's episode where we discuss how to find more love,...

Holidays...During a season that's supposed to be filled with joy, love, and laughter, oftentimes we are faced with overwhelm, anxiety, and discontentment. This episode is all about how to let go of our stress to receive God's best for us during this season. See MORE resources @ TarahandGordon.com See MORE resources @ TarahandGordon.com

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. The way we go about dating today is tough.  What was once more of a success for a smaller pool of people has now become the primary way we meet  - online.  Remember the days when that seemed "creepy." Oh, how times have changed  (and not necessarily for the better)! Online dating culture has...

SERIES:  Dating + Marriage Myths Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. Do You believe you can prepare for marriage? Relationship expert Ed Wheat says, " As a family physician for almost four decades, I have observed that marriage with its tremendous significance often turns out to be the least prepared for event of life. " Marriage is a covenant relationship with one another...

SERIES: Dating + Marriage Myths: Rethinking Cultures Ideas and Reengaging With Reality. We just wrapped up a series all about "How to Find the One," so it's pretty ironic that we are launching  a new series about Dating + Marriage myths and we are kicking it off with -*surprise* -  the myth of "The One."   We promise it's not as counterintuitive as it looks.   Ok, so what do we...