Marriages struggle. Ok – not a profound statement in a world where marriages are falling apart all around us. But it is still a true statement. Whether I am at a Men’s Bible Study or running into friends at the store, a common question that I get asked is, “How can I make my marriage…
DetailsI once read about a women’s conference where the speaker asked the women, “How many of you love your husband?” Every one raised their hands. Then she asked, “When the last time was that they had told your husband that they loved him?” Some responded, “this morning,” others – “last week,” and still others –…
Details“We used to hide and sneak up on each other and say ‘Boo.” “I’ll never forget the time she accidently got me wet with the hose out in the backyard. I went and grabbed the super-soaker – and the battle was on.” “I loved it when he would call me each day at lunchtime and…
DetailsIn the beginning of our marriage, we probably said, as a part of our wedding vows, “For better for worse.” Very simply, we declare these words to our spouse because we will have “better” times and we will certainly have “worse” times as well. But when the more difficult times come, how do we respond?…
DetailsWhat are your anchors? Huh? What are your anchors? Now you may be thinking, “Hmm, what weighs me down? Well there are certainly the bills, the job, holiday dinners at the in-laws, and those annoying parent-teacher conferences at the kid’s school.” But I am not talking about heavy things from which you feel there is…
DetailsAmerican poet Jimmy Santiago Baca once wrote, “Being human without forgiveness is like being a guitarist without fingers.” Most of us think of forgiveness as optional – if I feel like it or if the other person has groveled enough to earn it. But if Baca is correct, then forgiveness is anything but optional –…
Details“Violation” is not a word that we use frequently (unless we spend lots of time in traffic court for speeding), but it is one we feel often. Someone ignores or disrespects us, they take something of ours that doesn’t belong to them, they disregard our feelings, and the list goes on and on. When these…
DetailsShe came into my office loaded for bear. The previous weekend she and her husband had gone to his company Christmas party. While there, one of her husband’s co-workers began to talk with him. She giggled as they recounted “inside” jokes and stories regarding customers. In the course of the conversation, she even touched his…
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For so many people the evenings seem to be a time to collapse. You give your best energies at work, then you transport kids to various practices, try to get some dinner in everybody, and then – you get to the couch read to veg out. You don’t want to be bothered with bills, or…
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