Category Archives: close family

Friends Give Gifts to Each Other

Posted on August 29, 2020 by familyencouragement

A healthy marriage is one where the two are friends.  When a husband and wife lose the elements of friendship, the relationship struggles and becomes dutiful.  This is a dangerous place to be.  The benefit of having a Christian home … Continue reading →

Posted in Building a family, close family, Family Issues, Friends, friendship, Generosity, Giving, Gratitude, Married and Friends | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends Express Their Feelings to Each Other

Posted on September 17, 2019 by familyencouragement

A close friend had been sick and in the hospital and was rapidly declining.  My wife and I went to visit him.   We didn’t know it would be the last time we would ever see him when we walked into … Continue reading →

Posted in Affirmation, Attention, close family, communication, emotions, Encouragement, Family Issues, friendship, Gratitude, Growing marriage, Happy marriage, Kindness, Married and Friends, Speech, Time | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends are Transparent with Each Other

Posted on July 24, 2019 by familyencouragement

Recently I shared with my wife that I was emotionally fatigued and discouraged.  A part of me wanted to keep that to myself and “be strong”, but I needed someone to talk with about it.  And she is my best … Continue reading →

Posted in bearing burdens, close family, comfort, communication, conversation, Discouragement, Encouragement, Family Issues, Friends, friendship, Growing marriage, Happy marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends Serve One Another

Posted on May 16, 2019 by familyencouragement

One of my fondest memories of friendship came out of a time when Paula and I were hurting the most.   We were at home, both of us recovering from physical setbacks. I had been in the hospital with pneumonia two … Continue reading →

Posted in Building a family, Christ-centered marriage, close family, Family Issues, friendship, Giving, Growing marriage, Marriage, Married and Friends, regrets, Selfishness, serving | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mid-Life Relationships between Parents and Children: Friendship

Posted on January 30, 2019 by familyencouragement

In recent months I wrote two birthday cards to my children within a month of each other.   I didn’t realize it until I had finished signing the second card and reading it again that I had included a similar thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging parents, Bitterness, close family, familiy issues, Family Issues, Mid-life issues, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Relating to Your Parents at Mid-life

Posted on November 9, 2018 by familyencouragement

Years ago I taught a small group of married couples that were in the mid-life stage.   It was one of the most fruitful seasons of my ministry.   I brought a series of lessons that dealt with issues unique to that … Continue reading →

Posted in close family, communication, conflict, disagreements, expectation, familiy issues, Family Issues, Father, Mid-life issues, Mother, Parenting, problems, Senior adult issues, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Building Your Husband

Posted on July 10, 2018 by familyencouragement

After Paula and I were engaged one of our frequent conversations was the kind of home we wanted to have.    We both were believers and that meant God’s Word was the guide to our roles and responsibilities.    Both of us … Continue reading →

Posted in Admiration, Affirmation, attitude, close family, Encouragement, Family Issues, Growing marriage, Happy marriage, Husband, Marriage, Roles in Marriage, Strong Marriage, Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Key Ingredient in Building a Strong Home

Posted on January 15, 2018 by familyencouragement

Several years ago we put new locks on the doors of our church and we issued keys to those that needed them.   A few days later when I came to work I put the key in the door it wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in broken home, broken marriage, Children, close family, Decision-making, Family Issues, foolish family, Growing marriage, Happy marriage, Legacy, Marriage, Parenting, Principle-centered, rebellion, sorrow, wisdom, wise family | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Empty Nest and Your Marriage

Posted on October 25, 2017 by familyencouragement

This past Sunday evening I was listening to the choir sing at church and watched my youngest child and daughter, Aubrey, singing.   I was struck by the fact that I had less then forty Sundays to enjoy her ministering in … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, close family, Empty nest, familiy issues, family, Family Issues, Growing marriage, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Release Your Children Gradually

Posted on September 14, 2017 by familyencouragement

In a way I’m not fully qualified to write this as I still have a child at home.   On the other hand my wife and I have experienced six of our kids leaving.   My baby girl will be leaving … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, close family, Empty nest, familiy issues, family, Family Issues, Happiness, Hope, Humility, Legacy, Marriage, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment