Category Archives: Happiness

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

A Christ-Centered Marriage

Posted on March 9, 2017 by familyencouragement

Before I was married I wanted to be the best husband and father that I could be.   So I read lots of books on marriage and parenting.   I learned a lot and gleaned truths that have anchored our home to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ-centered, Christ-centered marriage, close family, familiy issues, Growing marriage, Happiness, Happy marriage, Husband, Joy, Marriage, Obedience, Principle-centered | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Things That Strengthened Our Marriage

Posted on September 6, 2016 by familyencouragement

I made some mistakes in our almost forty years of marriage, but there were also some things that I’m glad that I did.    These actions strengthened our relationship and made us closer as husband and wife. In the next few … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Children, close family, closeness, conversation, Empty nest, familiy issues, family, Happiness, Husband, Joy, Love, Marriage, Parenting, quality time, Time alone, Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in advice, Bible, close family, counsel, Encouragement, familiy issues, family, Happiness, Marriage, Men, mentoring, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in adversity, advice, counsel, Decision-making, Decisions, family, Family Issues, guidance, Happiness, Opportunities, Success, surrender, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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 →

Posted in advice, Change, Children, counsel, Decisions, familiy issues, family, Happiness, Leadership, Marriage, Parenting, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Joy of Surprises

Posted on November 26, 2014 by familyencouragement

Years ago I was traveling through Vermont with my family and we took an exit to stretch and get a bite after driving for a while.   On our way back to the interstate my wife saw a quaint, small country … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Decisions, Family Issues, Father, Friends, Happiness, Joy, Legacy, Love, Marriage, Men, Mother, Parenting, Time | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Success and the Present Moment

Posted on November 5, 2014 by familyencouragement

When I read a book one of the things I am looking for are punchy quotes.    I collect them and organize them by topic to use when I speak.   People will forget a sermon, but they will remember a statement … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Family Issues, Father, Friends, Happiness, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Success, Time | Leave a comment

Measuring Success

Posted on October 16, 2014 by familyencouragement

When I was younger I wanted to be very successful.   I didn’t know what that meant, but I did know that failure was not an option and I was not interested in mediocrity.   As I am in my senior years … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Issues, Father, Friends, Happiness, Joy, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Success, Will of God | 2 Comments