The holiday season is in full swing, having started a few weeks ago with Thanksgiving and lasting until after New Year’s Day. During the holidays, many people will spend time with family. On Thanksgiving my family had lunch at my parents and dinner at my in-laws. Thankfully, they live only 5 minutes apart. Over theContinue reading “When pain is like a house guest that wears out their welcome – Advent Psalm of Thanksgiving, Preview”
Tag Archives: family
How you can care for others when you are the one in pain – John 19, Part 2
This morning the news reported a story about two boys hugging each other as they looked around their homes destroyed by the fire in Hawaii. When we’re in pain, like the boys, it can be very difficult to think about anyone but ourselves and our pain. Jesus, like the boys, shows us that it isContinue reading “How you can care for others when you are the one in pain – John 19, Part 2”
Dealing with that difficult family member – John 7:1-52, Part 1
What does your Jesus box look like? You all have one. In fact, it is something that you created. It has a unique shape and size, based on what you think Jesus is like. Take a moment and think about it. What do you think Jesus is like? Is your perception of Jesus correct? AsContinue reading “Dealing with that difficult family member – John 7:1-52, Part 1”
The amazing news that God wants to adopt you – John 1:1-18, Part 3
So far, John hasn’t told us the identity of the Word. He continues now in verses 6-9 by giving us some history. Verses 1-5 have been very theological, kind of vague, maybe hard to understand. John knows he needs to start getting more specific. So he introduces us to a man named John. He isContinue reading “The amazing news that God wants to adopt you – John 1:1-18, Part 3”
Sometimes healthy relationships need boundaries – Relationships: Family, Part 5
Sometimes family relationships need boundaries. As a family grows, we simply cannot care for everyone deeply, and frankly some people don’t want to be cared for. Worse, some people are toxic. Some are abusive. When people behave badly, it is okay to impose boundaries on theme. We place boundaries on relationships to stop the hurt,Continue reading “Sometimes healthy relationships need boundaries – Relationships: Family, Part 5”
How the Fruit of the Spirit helps us be healthy parents – Relationships: Family, Part 3
One of the unique ways that married people can serve the Lord is by choosing to grow their family by adding children. Not all married couples will have children, and we would do well to pay attention to the couples who want to have children but wrestle with infertility. We reach out to them withContinue reading “How the Fruit of the Spirit helps us be healthy parents – Relationships: Family, Part 3”
Is the breakdown of the family the cause of societal collapse? – Relationships: Family, Part 1
Some of our favorite television shows of all time are about families. Did you watch Father Knows Best? Leave it to Beaver? The Brady Bunch? When Michelle and I were young parents, we loved Parenthood about the Braverman family, led by parents Zeke and Camille and their four adult children and many grandkids, who allContinue reading “Is the breakdown of the family the cause of societal collapse? – Relationships: Family, Part 1”
What is family? – Relationships: Family, Preview
My family has changed a lot over the last 6-7 years. For a long time we were six. Two parents, and four kids. Then our older boys went to college, and our home had five, then four people. Then those boys got married. Though they left the house and started families with our daughter-in-laws, andContinue reading “What is family? – Relationships: Family, Preview”
Relationships: Series Preview
Who are your closest relationships? Think about the top five to ten people who are your best friends. When I mention the category “friends,” that list could also include family members. Sometimes we have the distinct pleasure of being friends with our family. Michelle and I have thoroughly enjoyed the transition from being parents ofContinue reading “Relationships: Series Preview”
How to be loving parents – Colossians 3:18-21, Part 5
When our second son was in middle school, he wanted to go to a school dance. I don’t remember what our reason was, but we said No. This led to a long drawn out back and forth, highly emotional, discussion between us and our son, in which he was pleading for us to change. ParentingContinue reading “How to be loving parents – Colossians 3:18-21, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 