Category Archives: counsel

Marriage Advice

Posted on June 3, 2016 by familyencouragement

Several years ago one of our pastors who teaches a Bible study for married couples asked me speak to them about some things I had learned in my marriage to Paula. (In June, 2016 we will be married for 37 … Continue reading →

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Decision-Making and Personal Desires

Posted on May 26, 2016 by familyencouragement

My son-in-law and I were having lunch several years ago about God’s will for his life.   He had attended four years of Bible college and had planned on serving in local church ministry, but there was a restlessness in his … Continue reading →

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Wise Choices and New Opportunities

Posted on May 3, 2016 by familyencouragement

Years ago I was traveling to a meeting and had to fly because of the distance.   I took some reading material with me, including some correspondence.    Since I had already ferreted through the junk mail pile only a handful of … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Bible, Change, character growth, counsel, Decision-making, Decisions, familiy issues, family, guidance, Happiness, Opportunities, Parenting, Personal Growth, perspective, problems, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Most Neglected Advisers

Posted on April 20, 2016 by familyencouragement

When I wanted to ask Paula to marry me, I didn’t do so spontaneously.   There was something that I had to do first.   While I knew she was God’s choice for me I needed to get the approval of … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Change, Children, church, counsel, Decision-making, Decisions, familiy issues, family, Father, Friends, guidance, Influence, mentor, Mother, Parenting, Personal Growth, problems, Success, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Essential Qualities for Advisers

Posted on March 28, 2016 by familyencouragement

I attended a Christian college and we had chapel services during the week.   Those were great hours when some of America’s greatest preachers and Bible teachers came to speak to us.   Also, announcements were made that pertained to the student … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Change, counsel, Decision-making, Decisions, familiy issues, family, Friends, friendship, guidance, Influence, mentor, mentoring, Personal Growth, perspective, problems, Rebuke, Success, Teaching, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Key Question that Brings Wisdom

Posted on February 26, 2016 by familyencouragement

The call came late one night from a friend and without explanation he asked to meet me at my office.    I knew by the tone of his voice something was terribly wrong. As we walked down the hallway he was … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Bible, Change, character growth, counsel, Decision-making, Decisions, familiy issues, family, guidance, Marriage, Obedience, Parenting, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Filters for Making Wise Choices

Posted on February 11, 2016 by familyencouragement

A farmer hired a man to work for him. He told him his first task would be to paint the barn and said it should take him about three days to complete. But the hired man was finished in one … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, attitude, Bible, counsel, Decisions, familiy issues, family, Legacy, Marriage, Men, mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Personal Growth, surrender, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Four Key Decisions

Posted on January 14, 2016 by familyencouragement

As a pastor I counsel hundreds of people every year.   Sometimes it is to help someone out of a mess and other times it is to give guidance.    All decisions do not carry equal weight; some have greater consequences than … Continue reading →

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The Importance of Making Good Decisions

Posted on December 15, 2015 by familyencouragement

I was sitting in the stands behind the backstop watching my sons at baseball practice one Saturday morning and couldn’t help but notice a sad scene play out before me. There wasn’t much practice going on because the coach was … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Bible, Children, counsel, Decisions, Discipline, Discouragement, familiy issues, family, Legacy, Marriage, pain, Parenting, problems, Selfishness, Strategy, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Depressed Leaders

Posted on July 3, 2015 by familyencouragement

About fifteen years ago I was riding with a well-known Christian leader.    It was a long trip and we had an opportunity to talk about a lot of subjects.   My friend was fifteen years older than me and had more … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, advice, Affirmation, burnout, Children, counsel, depression, Discouragement, Encouragement, Family Issues, friendship, Leadership, music, self pity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment