exploring how to and not to

do relationships

by ken e. read

1|one

2|family

3|love

4|risk

5|different

6|peace

7|loyalty

8|submit

9|power

10|grace

11|discipline

12|gifts

13|blessing

acknowledgements

No book is written—for that matter, no insight is discovered—without a long trail of debt to others. First, I would like to acknowledge the wisdom and patience of my first and primary mentor, Kent Shelley, who lived out these principles and taught them in a clear and reasonable fashion. Kent and his wife Debbie modeled a lifestyle for Ellen and me that we have daily tried to emulate. In more recent years, Dr. Gary Gregory has served as a model for professionalism and support. It is a joy to call him friend and colleague.

My wife Ellen is the one who should write a book. I say words. She lives them out. If you want to know how relationships work, watch her. Ellen, you are beautiful.

Thanks to Daniel Staifer for many hours of helpful editing and many helpful suggestions. And to the saints of Community Christian Church in Northern Kentucky and Christ's Community in Price Hill for being among the first I have known to clearly begin to live by these principles.