As a teacher, I quickly learned a little trick to keep my students quiet. If we were waiting in the hall, I picked someone to be “it.” This student was given the job of picking the quietest student. The quiet game went on and on and worked wonders to keep a group of lively elementary [...]
Our family, especially our parents, can wound us deeper than anyone else. I used to get so agitated when I spoke to my mother that afterward I would rant to anyone who would listen. Oddly enough, when asked, I would say I had forgiven her for the disappointments and hurts I experienced over the years. [...]
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) A few years ago, my family took a road trip to Baltimore to visit my grandparents. We never visit the city without making a trip to the Inner Harbor. It’s [...]
Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” I like this quote because it makes me think about the important people in my life and how much time I spend with them. Encouraged by Rohn's statement, I took an inventory today of who I spend the [...]
Most couples fight. And, many spouses wish they could take back something they said that caused the argument to spin out of control. If this sounds familiar, what if you and your mate could develop a habit that would keep arguments from becoming destructive? The following exercise may not seem fun, but I promise it [...]
A few months ago, I was running late one morning (not unusual) and needed to swap cars with Trish before I could head to my meeting. Trish called me and said, “Your car needed gas, so I am filling it up for you. Why don’t you meet me at Kroger and you can leave from [...]
God created marriage as the highest, most honored, and most intimate of all human relationships. When He said in Genesis 2:24, “They shall become one flesh,” He wasn’t just talking about the physical. In fact, in Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus affirmed marital oneness when he said, “. . . At the beginning the Creator made them [...]
Conflict is inevitable. People are flawed and the world is broken, so we shouldn’t be surprised when we face struggles in all areas of our lives, relationships and endeavors. We can’t avoid all conflict, but we can try to endure it and learn from it. Conflict isn’t about the obstacles; it’s about the opportunities. Conflict [...]
Here's my best relational advice: It's better to eat broccoli together than to eat Twinkies alone. God has created us for relationships. He has designed us to connect with one another. Scripture has a lot to say about the importance of connecting with others. In fact, there are 54 “one another” verses in the New [...]
Author Susan Mathis is back today with some practical tips for busy couples to help them stay connected and keep love alive." We hear it from couples over and over again. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how long you’ve been married, if you have kids at home, or grandkids near or far. Life [...]
