Marriage and Family
What kind of balance should we strike between the Easter bunny and the empty grave?
What kind of balance should we strike between the Easter bunny and the empty grave?

For two weeks now, our kids have been singing, "Hosanna!" Penny, our 4-year-old, sings the whole song: "Hosanna to the King of Kings!" William, 20 months old, just repeats this new, favorite word. We went for a walk yesterday afternoon, ...

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What if your loved one doesn't come to Christ?
What if your loved one doesn't come to Christ?

My husband asked me recently if I've ever been angry with God. It only took me a few seconds to answer, "Yes—when my dad died." His question flooded my emotions with the same anger I felt years ago that I still have to work through ...

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How can Scripture help our marriage?
How can Scripture help our marriage?

God's Word is a powerful weapon against sin and against the enemy of our souls and marriages. But I need to know how to really make it work for me and my marriage. Following are some basic principles that help open the door to letting God's Word ...

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What are the origins of Thanksgiving?

I'd stuffed many a turkey before I really understood Thanksgiving. Oh sure, I knew we were supposed to be thankful, and once I became a Christian I knew who we were thanking. But the Thanksgiving story is more than just the tale of Pilgrims and Indians. ...

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How can we avoid having entitled children?
How can we avoid having entitled children?

No parent sets out to raise an ungrateful, materialistic child who is totally wrapped up with things. Nor does a parent hope to have a child who is always striving for elusive success. Modeling truth is more effective than simply sharing it. Jesus led ...

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How can we teach our young people to give?
How can we teach our young people to give?

Many of the church's younger people are begging for a different relationship with money. That's the real issue. An entire generation, maybe two, are consumed by money and debt and consumerism. They need to see money in a new way, a biblical way; ...

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How can I develop my child's prayer life?
How can I develop my child's prayer life?

One of the books I discovered when my son, Nikolas, was born included a list of prayers that focused on praying about a different part of the child's body. I copied the prayers down on index cards, adding his name in the blanks to personalize them. ...

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How can I help prepare my children for marriage?

Marriage has gone through profound changes over the last six decades, but we continue to speak about it as though it's the same old familiar pattern. Today's young people can listen to their grandparents tell how they fell in love, or what their first ...

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How can we better communicate in our marriage?

Margie and Bill faced each other in two living room chairs. Four couples observed as this husband and wife demonstrated a process they share with each other every Saturday morning. This particular evening was part of a six-week lesson and discussion ...




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Is Santa Claus harmless fun?

I have a friend who loves the Santa Claus tradition at Christmas. She and her husband go to great lengths to convince their children that Santa Claus exists. They make prints in the snow (including on their roof), leave a little pile of coal dust in ...

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How can we find hope after childhood abuse?
How can we find hope after childhood abuse?

A: My father took things from me. After filling a supper plate for myself, sometimes my father would take it. Just as I was salivating at the smell of fried chicken or bean soup, he'd require me to give it up. And he stole my innocence when I was ...

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What can we do about young people leaving the church?

As a 32-year-old leader, I spend a lot of time listening to people older than me argue about what they think people younger than me need or want. There is often a general lamenting of the exodus of young people from the church and the ways to bring them ...

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How can we help our marriage to thrive in the empty nest years?
How can we help our marriage to thrive in the empty nest years?

Bill left a voice message for his wife, Betty, saying that he was still at the office working on an urgent project and would be late for dinner. Betty? She had already left a note on the kitchen counter telling him that his dinner was in the oven—she ...

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How can we help kids to love church?
How can we help kids to love church?

While worshiping as a family sounds great in theory, in practice, it can be tough to pull off. But there are ways you can make the task easier. For toddlers and preschoolers, the key is making them feel like an important part of the church community. ...

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How can we learn to still feel like newlyweds after years of marriage?
How can we learn to still feel like newlyweds after years of marriage?
After ten years of highs and lows, Tiffany and Tim Thompson feel like newlyweds. Here's why.

When Tim and Tiffany Thompson honeymooned ten years ago in Mexico, they had the time of their lives. Each day as they made plans, Tiffany would ask, "Should we do this? It's kind of crazy!" or "It's expensive!" But Tim kept ...

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Is it a sin to marry a non-Christian?

I think you're asking the wrong question here. The real question should be, "Why would you want to marry a non-Christian?"

God's vision for marriage is that of a place where a "culture of two" is created. Marriage is about sharing our lives, and ...

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Honor My Mother and Father?
What if my parents are abusive?

Q. How should I treat my abusive parents?

A. First of all, I'm so sorry for your abuse. Coming from the people who were supposed to love and affirm you, it's damaging beyond words. I applaud your efforts to get to a place where you might be ...

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My husband and I are divided on how to raise our kids. How can we know who is right?
My husband and I are divided on how to raise our kids. How can we know who is right?

Q: My husband and I have a strong marriage, yet we still disagree about discipline. He thinks I'm too easy on the kids, I think he's too hard. How can we find some middle ground?

A: One of the best ways to dislodge your logjam with your husband ...

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How can I keep from obsessing over my kids?

I remember when I experienced similar feelings. I not only worried about my children's physical safety, but also about their spiritual safety in the midst of such an ungodly culture. God taught me an important lesson that applies to both our fears.

I ...

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