In part 1 of this discussion last week I talked about the difficulties we face if we allow our lives to become stuck with old wounds and offenses. We may have encountered harsh jealousy and selfish behavior from a sibling, feelings of betrayal that we felt over a cheating spouse, or the loss of a…
DetailsI sat with a single mother the other day as she expressed her anger and frustration regarding her ex-husband and a looming custody fight. As she recounted various woundings, I listened with understanding and empathy. I was about to ask how many months they had been apart when she gave an indication that they had…
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You may be thinking, “I certainly hope not.” But far too many people are. As a recent study pointed out, “That little screen is always nearby – in our pocket or backpack, on the nightstand or under the pillow – beckoning us.” The average person touches their phone 2,617 times per day. That is nearly…
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I just finished a session with a couple today where this question loomed large. This husband and wife have been married for 15 years and have a couple of kids. While they both have talked about reconciliation, the reality is that he wants to save the marriage and she just wants to escape. Why? Because…
DetailsAs you read that question, your first thought is probably more along the lines of, “Wait, shouldn’t I not be resting so that I can get more done?” My approach may sound like an upside down plan. But I would ask you to consider a story told by author Steven Covey. There were two men…
DetailsI recently read an incredible story about a man named Robert Owens. Robert’s journey has taken him from the U.S. Air Force Pararescue special operations team, to counseling troubled students at the University of Nevada, to pastoring a church in Reno. While he has participated in marathons and Ironman competitions, probably his most physically daunting…
DetailsI recently came across the following quote, “Marriage is your last best chance to grow up.” Now, before I go any further, I really want you to let that sink in. So (with Jeopardy music playing in the background), ponder for a moment those words. Ok – “I’ll take growing up for $400.” Many of…
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When the worst tsunami in generations hit Southeast Asia the day after Christmas in 2004, “60 Minutes” discovered a group of people that had amazingly survived the catastrophe. The Moken people live off the coast of Thailand and they survived because, as “60 Minutes” reported, “they knew it was coming.” “It was their intimacy with…
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“Well, that depends – what’s the challenge?” Oh, no need to worry. It’s not eating something disgusting like eating a dish of bugs or scaling the face of Half-Dome in Yosemite. This should actually be pretty doable. “Ok. Well what is it?” you may ask. It is being kind to your spouse. While some may…
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Recently, in my Tuesday morning Men’s group, we viewed a video by author Tim Keller. He was talking about the journey of the Israelites to the promised land and pointed out that there were two distinct groups of people. The first group of people were those who left the slavery of Egypt. They saw the…
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