I like to use the above picture in our newsletter and on Facebook. Playing games with children of all ages is an excellent way to spend time together.  Spending time together is one of the six traits that build strong, healthy families. Our daughter and her family love to play games together. Dana Herbst told us that playing games helped her family grow into a loving blended family during a radio program we did with her last year. Did you know there are six traits that research has documented can build strong, healthy families? We have a six-part series on this topic on our website. Check it out: Family Ministry - Family Shield Ministries.

What are the Six Traits that Build Strong, Heathy Families?  

1. Commitment to each other’s welfare and happiness.
2. Appreciation and Affection. Show appreciation and affection for each other. (Gen. 2:23-24; Ps. 127:3-4).
3. Positive Communication. Have good communication skills and spend large amounts of time talking with each other (Eph. 6:1-4).
4. Spending Time Together. Strong families spend time-quality time to generous quality time with each other (Deut. 6:7; Prov. 22:6).
5. Spiritual Well-being. Strong families believe in God. That belief in the Lord gives them strength and purpose (Acts 2:38-39; Deut. 11:18-21; Eph. 6:4).
6. The Ability to Cope with Stress and Crises. Members of strong families are able to view stress or crises as opportunities to grow (Eph. 6:4; 1 Thess. 2:11).

Think about your family. Which one of these traits do you need to work on or improve? I think everyone needs help with stress. I'd like to recommend Rev. Christopehr M. Kennedy's new book Grace under Pressure: Responding Faithfully to Stress to help you learn how to handle stress more effectively. I'll be interviewing him soon about his newest book. Watch for it!