Navigating the Passages of Marriage

By David Johnson

Every marriage hits rough spots and even the best of marriages has room for improvement. “Navigating the Passages of Marriage” provides practical tips that will assist couples in getting safely through those times when the waters are choppy. There are suggestions that will enhance even the most harmonious relationships.
Complicated issues like infidelity, communication, pornography, pride, gender differences, a critical tongue, making amends, having a servant attitude, and forgiveness are presented in a spirit of hopefulness with tips that can quickly and easily be put into practice.
The language is straight forward and easy to understand. It is sprinkled with humor as well.
Real life examples are given, in the form of vignettes and personal experiences that will resonate with readers. Biblical references and examples are shared when appropriate.
David Johnson has a Master's Degree in Social Work. He is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Master Social Worker. He served as the Clinical Director at the Christian Counseling Center of Western Kentucky, Treatment Director at Spirit Lake Recovery and presently is a counselor at the McKenzie Medical Center.
He has conducted numerous marriage retreats and workshops. And has done interviews for both radio and television.
David has been married for thirty nine years and has two daughters and six grandchildren.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Johnson
• Release date: Jul 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452416069

David Johnson

David Johnson was born and raised in small town in central Arkansas. His early life experiences revolved around church, family, hunting, fishing and water sports. As a young man he married and began a career with the local utility company. As computers became prevalent in the workplace, David discovered a gift for understanding computers and in particular writing computer programs. For the past 21 years he has been employed in the computer field, writing computer programs and developing Internet based application and web sites. During this time he has worked with the latest in programming and Internet technologies.David Johnson is a Christian and enjoys reading various texts on the Bible. He is an ordained Southern Baptist Deacon who is actively involved in his local church. Other areas in which he has served his local church include, Sunday School coordinator, steering committee member, nominating committee chairperson, Sunday School teacher, trustee and choir member.David's wife currently works in the corporate travel industry. Her career has afforded them travel experiences in other countries, some of which included Mexico, the Caribbean and various countries throughout Europe.For the past 13 years David and his family have resided north of Houston, Texas. Previously they lived in their home state of Arkansas.Currently, David and his wife enjoy frequent trips via motorcycle, to various locations in the southern United States when they are not attending church or playing with their grandkids.

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What others have said about Navigating the Passages of Marriage

Wow! Just wow – beautifully written

You are an artist in the therapy room

You helped me see things from a perspective that I've never thought about before.

Navigating

the

Passages of Marriage

by

DAVID JOHNSON, LMFT, LMSW

Published by David Johnson at Smashwords

Copyright 2012

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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A Note of Thanks

This book would have never come into being if not for the hundreds of couples that have come to me for counseling in the past twenty years. To all of you I say, Thanks. You were always the teacher and I was the student. You taught me much. Thank you for having enough confidence in me to share a part of your life with you.

And a special thank you to my wife of thirty nine years, Brenda. Thanks for being with me in the journey and being a dependable shipmate as we sailed through many of these difficult passages of marriage.

Table of Contents

Chapter One - Be Happy They Are Different

Chapter Two - Life Is Difficult Enough As It Is

Chapter Three - You Might Be Right (but it doesn’t matter)

Chapter Four - Don’t Let Your Rights Destroy Your Marriage

Chapter Five - Finding Peace

Chapter Six - Anyone Can Be A Critic

Chapter Seven - Be Sure Your Radar Is Working

Chapter Eight - Everything I Know about Marriage I Learned on a Teeter-Totter

Chapter Nine - Don’t Look for the Easy Way Out

Chapter Ten - Nine Words That Can Change Your Life

Chapter Eleven - It’s Not Always About You

Chapter Twelve - Reasons Marriages Crumble

Chapter Thirteen - Grace and Mercy in Marriage

About the Author

Additional Publications

Chapter One

Be happy they are different

Welcome your spouse with open arms when they don’t see things the way you do.

Carl and Nartasha settle themselves onto the loveseat in my office. His six foot eight inch frame overwhelms the piece of furniture while she has to perch her petite frame on the edge in order for her feet to touch the floor.

Carl pulls at his sleeves and Natarsha tugs at her dress while they scan the room with wide eyes.

There’s a bead of sweat above her upper lip. She unconsciously clutches her necklace locket.

Carl’s shirt is sticking to his back and chest. He repeatedly turns his ring on his finger.

It’s their first time to see a counselor.

Natarsha is wearing a purple dress. Her high heels and nail polish match the hues of her dress. She has three earrings in each ear, three rings on one hand and four on the other.

Carl’s jeans are ragged on the hem and have faint grass stains on the knees. His tennis shoes have scuff marks and the soles are smooth. His Atlanta Braves t-shirt has stains of an indistinct origin on the front and a small hole on one shoulder.

It appears Carl spent less than two minutes fixing his hair, while Natarsha clearly visits a salon regularly.

They sit as far from each other as the small loveseat will allow. The set of his jaw and the fire in her eyes let me know they are engaged in a bitter war.

I take in all this nonverbal information in a manner of seconds and realize that my first task of making this couple feel at ease will not be an easy one.

Before I can begin, Natarsha fires the first salvo. You have got to do something about Carl! He is making me crazy! Just look at him! Here we’ve come to a professional’s office and he looks like he just came in from the playground.

Her fiery gaze pins Carl to the love seat.

Carl slowly closes his eyes. Though he doesn’t say a word, the muscles in his jaw flex repeatedly.

Extending her voice a notch higher and a couple of notches louder, Natarsha’s words come like a juggernaut.