Category Archives: Forgiveness

Things that Strengthened Our Marriage – Removing Pressure to Conform to My Schedule

Posted on October 27, 2016 by familyencouragement

When we had been married just over a year I learned a valuable lesson.   I was working at a church as a Youth Pastor and our home was about fifty yards away from the church.   Both of us were working … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Anger, attitude, Bitterness, Change, character growth, close family, Compassion, Complaining, conflict, Criticism, disagreements, familiy issues, family, Forgiveness, Giving, griping, Husband, impatience, Kindness, Love, Marriage, Men, Mercy, Patience, Personal Growth, problems, Repentence, Selfishness, surrender, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mistakes I Made in My Marriage – Being Slow to Initiate Reconciliation

Posted on July 7, 2016 by familyencouragement

I had ordered some material that was important to me and had waited for six weeks for it to arrive.    Finally it came in the mail and I placed it on the piano in the living room to go through … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Anger, arguing, attitude, Bitterness, character growth, close family, closeness, communication, conflict, conversation, disagreements, familiy issues, family, Forgiveness, Love, Marriage, Personal Growth, Pride, Repentence, Speech, spiritual growth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Overcome a Bitter Spirit

Posted on February 8, 2014 by familyencouragement

How does a person know they are bitter?    Most people do not think they are because they call it other names – disappointed, hurt, unmet expectations.   An operational definition I use for bitterness is “harbored hurt”.   If not dealt with … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Compassion, Criticism, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Friends, Happiness, Humility, Joy, Leadership, Love, Marriage, Men, Mercy, Parenting, Pride, Revival | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Destruction of a Bitter Life

Posted on January 29, 2014 by familyencouragement

When I was a Youth Pastor I had two parents of young people in our ministry that were negative, cynical, sarcastic and just generally unpleasant to be around.   They kept score (in great detail) of how people had done them … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Bitterness Destroys Families

Posted on January 23, 2014 by familyencouragement

I have counseled hundreds of couples regarding problems in their marriages.   Without question the number one issue over all others at the root of their difficulties is bitterness.    It isn’t even close to other primary causes (finances, in-law conflicts, sexual … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Children, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Marriage, Mother, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bitterness Destroys Friendships

Posted on January 14, 2014 by familyencouragement

Years ago I saw a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time.    While we were catching up on mutual high school classmates I brought up the name of someone with whom they were very close.    The reply was, “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Children, Criticism, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends, Marriage, Parenting, Revenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bitterness, a Prelude to other Troubles

Posted on January 4, 2014 by familyencouragement

Have you ever sat in a restaurant while waiting for your meal and taken note of those around you?    I’m especially fascinated by the dynamic of couples and how they tend to change as they grow older.   You see it … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Criticism, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Revenge, Speech | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Man’s Choices

Posted on November 26, 2013 by familyencouragement

One of my favorite memories as a young boy were of helping my grandfather with his garden.    My favorite crop he planted was corn.    It always grew the tallest and it was fascinating to watch the ear mature until it … Continue reading →

Posted in Decisions, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Happiness, Marriage, Men, Parenting, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Broken Promises Produce Anger in Children

Posted on October 22, 2013 by familyencouragement

My wife taught me a valuable lesson when our children were very young.   Sometimes the kids would ask me about going somewhere or doing something special and I would think it was a great idea.   So, my response was, “Yeah, … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Children, Faithfulness, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Lying, Mother, Parenting, Speech | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unreasonable Expectations Produce Angry Children

Posted on October 5, 2013 by familyencouragement

We aren’t left clueless as to how to train our children.  It’s not left to guesswork or trying out several approaches until we latch on to something that works.    The best manual on parenting is the Bible, written by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Children, Compassion, Discipline, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Mother, Parenting, Patience | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment