Monthly Archives: August 2013

Love will not Retaliate

Posted on August 31, 2013 by familyencouragement

I know a pastor that had to make a difficult decision concerning a staff member  to let him go.   The individual became enraged and rather than leaving quietly began a campaign to destroy the pastor.   Somehow he got a mailing … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends, Kindness, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Revenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Doesn’t Repeat the Faults and Sins of Others

Posted on August 28, 2013 by familyencouragement

One of the times in my life when I feel the best is after I leave a conversation where I almost criticized someone, but held my tongue.   At the moment I wanted to do so, but refrained and was so … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Family Issues, Friends, Love, Loyalty, Speech | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love isn’t Happy When Others Have Problems

Posted on August 27, 2013 by familyencouragement

When I was a Youth Pastor many years ago I had a family in our youth ministry that didn’t like Paula or myself.   The father and mother opposed most of what we were trying to accomplish with the young people.   … Continue reading →

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Love Rejoices in the Good

Posted on August 23, 2013 by familyencouragement

Recently I was talking to a friend and he was sharing with me that he wanted to have a pure heart and didn’t like the things he found himself thinking at times.    He asked me if I understood where he … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Criticism, Family Issues, Friends, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Serving Difficult People

Posted on August 22, 2013 by familyencouragement

One Sunday Paula and I were arriving home from church and not only was I tired, but my mind was full of the events that had happened during the day.    We pulled up in the driveway  and I grabbed my … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends, Giving, Humility, Joy, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Parenting, Pride, Selfishness, Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Focusing on Intentions

Posted on August 19, 2013 by familyencouragement

One of the ways I know that I genuinely love someone is the way I think about them.   The Bible states that love “thinketh no evil” (I Corinthians 13:5).   This means that I do not keep track of wrongs or … Continue reading →

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Focusing on My Indebtedness

Posted on August 17, 2013 by familyencouragement

Those at our church have often heard me speak highly of my father.   My dad was my hero.   He is the best man I have ever known.   When I was married I asked him to be my best man.   When … Continue reading →

Posted in Bitterness, Family Issues, Giving, Gratitude, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Selfishness, Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Focusing on My Needs Rather than Your Wrongs

Posted on August 14, 2013 by familyencouragement

A self-righteous person is not a loving person.   Yet, that is the normal attitude in all of our hearts apart from a work of God’s grace in us.    The place where we condemn others and excuse ourselves is in our … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Family Issues, Father, Friends, Humility, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Mother, Parenting, Pride, Repentence, Speech | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Negative Thinking about People You Love

Posted on August 12, 2013 by familyencouragement

A person is bitter or happy depending upon what they think about.  Bitter people rehearse resentments; happy people rehearse blessings.    The same is true about love.    The reality and depth of your love is related to your thought life.   The … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Criticism, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Pride, Satan, Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Love Involves Thinking

Posted on August 9, 2013 by familyencouragement

I have always felt deeply and loved deeply.    Loving is the greatest joy and the greatest sorrow, both at the same time.   Those that love deeply hurt deeply when those whom they care about are going through sorrow and pain.   … Continue reading →

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