Words of Hope: Proof is in the Pudding

When we ask forgiveness without change, we commit further harm. Teresa was an angry parent. Despite her best intentions, she often yelled at her kids, pushed them into their chairs, grabbed their faces in anger, and said mean things....

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Words of Hope: An Elegant Question

Dad taught our family that we cheat the forgiveness asking process when we fail to resolve our conflicts or disagreements using language that does not address adequate resolution. Words such as “I’m sorry” are nice but not enough. When...

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Words of Hope: Forgiveness Overload

Dad believed we nullify forgiveness and cause pain rather than healing when we ask the other to forgive too much at one time.   “I cheated on you for the last twenty years. Would you forgive me?”   “I was never there as...

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Words of Hope: Great People Talk About Ideas

Our family likes meaningful conversation. Years ago, we heard the quote, great people talk about ideas, mediocre people talk about things, and small people talk about others. Wow! What a great model for daily family conversation. What are the...

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Words of Hope: Learning to Forgive

Dad and I often talked about bitterness and the drive to live in fracture with others. It’s incredible how generational resentment perpetuates—mother cut off from daughter, father from son. Forgiveness is a challenging and noble task. It brings health...

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Words of Hope: Flooding

Dad and I loved to talk about relationships. Especially how they can be improved. He loved John Gottman and even met with him personally. Gottman and his team of researchers found when relational peace became jeopardized by disagreement, anxiety,...

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Words of Hope: Celebration of Life

Thank you so much for coming to the celebration of life! For those unable to attend the Fred Crowell Celebration of Life, here is the video of the event: Fred Crowell Celebration of Life OpeningWelcome and prayer from Real Life Pastor: 1:15Testimonials Part...

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Words of Hope: Can You Feel the Peace?

At the celebration of life, we had a video of my Dad talking about peace and the importance of pursuing peace. He asked us, “Can you feel the peace?” Research studies reveal that those with higher levels of inner...

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Words of Hope: Power Tool

Forgiveness requires discernment and wisdom for it to bring healing. Forgiveness can happen through the power of the written word, a glance, a touch, a look. Dad believed the more significant the trauma and offense, the more work, the...

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Words of Hope: Daily Relational Clean-up

Dad had the gift of reading the Bible and making the words immediately practical and healing. He believed Christianity should make us more like Christ--more loving, forgiving, generous, and full of joy. But it is hard to be a...

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