“I have no idea what I am supposed to do.” That statement came from a very gifted and intelligent young man who was about to be married. I appreciated his honesty. He had never seen a marriage up close before. His parents divorced when he was very young. He deeply loved his mom and dad.… Continue reading Marriage, Sex, and Parenting (Four Ways to Grow)
Tag: Family
What is Your Prayer for Your Children?
If you as a parent are not praying for your children, then who is? This occurred to me a few years ago as I thought about my prayer life and my own children. If I am not praying for my own children, then who is? Perhaps one of the greatest gifts that I can give… Continue reading What is Your Prayer for Your Children?
21 Ways to Upgrade Your Relationships (Part 1)
I was once in a conversation with a man who was very critical and derogatory toward another man. I gathered he had experienced something very negative with this man and now he resented the guy. Sometime later, I saw these two men together. The man who had made these cutting remarks was now smiling and… Continue reading 21 Ways to Upgrade Your Relationships (Part 1)
I Have Heard So Many Secrets
Through the years, as a minister, I have sat with person after person and listened to sad, difficult stories. I have heard so many secrets. The alcoholic father who told me of his affair with his high school daughter’s friend. The foster children who told me of a cruel woman who isolated them in a… Continue reading I Have Heard So Many Secrets
Beauty in a Housing Project
(The following post was written by my younger daughter, Jamie, who is a social worker. She recently witnessed a beautiful marriage–in a setting you might not expect.) My job as a home-based social worker allows me the opportunity to see very unusual or difficult situations on a daily basis. Once, for example, I walked into… Continue reading Beauty in a Housing Project
Don’t Ignore the Obvious
I really don’t want to ignore the obvious, and yet I do at times. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in business. I recall taking a variety of classes including some in business management, accounting, business law, finance, statistics, etc. Yet, in spite of these courses, I ignored the obvious.… Continue reading Don’t Ignore the Obvious
13 Ways to Hurt Your Marriage
The following are some reflections on behaviors which I have seen dampen, harm, and even destroy a marriage. Charlotte and I both have had a front row seat in watching many marriages through the years. We also know what it is to live together for many years as two human beings who need one another’s… Continue reading 13 Ways to Hurt Your Marriage
Uncovering Those Self-Imposed Rules
Lately, I’ve been thinking about families who get swallowed up by the performance trap. They seem to strive for the impossible. They are very busy people and their young children often look exhausted. You wonder when they ever enjoy just being with one another and enjoying one anothers presence. Yet, quite often the children are… Continue reading Uncovering Those Self-Imposed Rules
So What Do Our Families Value?
Some families seem to value comfort and ease as top priorities. One almost gets the impression that they live by mandates such as: Life should be pain-free and low stress. Something is wrong if there is pain or stress in our lives. My children should not be hurt, frustrated, or denied. Consequently, as a parent,… Continue reading So What Do Our Families Value?
Will You Let Go of this Myth about Families?
One of the greatest myths about family is that somehow it is possible to experience a perfect family. Some Christians believe that because they follow Christ that it is possible to be the perfect family. Now some may know this and yet many of us spend much energy trying to project to one another that… Continue reading Will You Let Go of this Myth about Families?