Doing Life Together

Ann came to see me. She was a bit of a puzzle. She seemed to have it all-a good marriage, two healthy children, the respect of her community and good friends. Yet, she was sad. As we dug deeper into her story that didn’t seem to make sense, she said something revealing, “I’m sad. My…

Maddie was given a huge compliment by her boss, but within minutes she doubted he was sincere. Her first thought was to work harder and continue to prove herself. Do you ever feel like Maddie? Despite your accomplishments and efforts, you worry you might be a fraud. Or do you feel that you don’t fit…

He walks into the room. You immediately notice. Something about him draws you. He pulls you into conversation and commands the attention of the people around you. You walk away and think, “I like him and enjoyed his company.” That person exudes charm! The question is, are you born with charm? Do you have it or not? Is…

How many times do we ask people, “How are you feeling?” Is that a good question? Should we be asking this question on a regular basis? The answer may surprise you. Of course, we want to be attuned to emotional needs. But when we keep asking how a child feels moment to moment in a…

There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on the trend to defer marriage among Millennials and Gen Zs. The need to marry is on the decline given the rise in cohabitation, fear of divorce and self-sufficiency, among other factors. This trend is based on the idea that young people should focus on…

Rachel and John eagerly engaged in our premarital counseling sessions. As we waded through the battery of premarital inventories and family background, sex was next on our list. This couple, like many I have counseled, was sexually active prior to meeting each other. Although committed to abstinence this time around, past sexual activity has taken…

By the time you read this, a life could be lost. And it didn’t have to be. Warning: This blog is extremely sad and disturbing. A 28-year-old woman in the Netherlands is choosing to be euthanized due to her mental illness. She sides with the proponents of the right-to-die movement who promote the belief that…

  Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Spring is in the air, flowers are beginning to push out of the ground, birds are singing and building their nests. All signs point to new life and a new beginning as winter fades and loses strength. Like the seasons, Easter is a reminder of Christ’s darkest…

I did not grow up in a liturgical church so never heard of a Maundy Thursday service. As an adult, I have attended churches that blend liturgical elements into the services and I love the meaning behind these traditions. Maundy Thursday is one of them.  It is part of  Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday…

Do you have or need adult friends?  Finding those friends can be somewhat challenging given our busy lives. But researchers confirm, friends are critical to a happy life. In fact, a 2023 Pew research survey on friendship reported that 61% of adults in the U.S. say that having close friends is essential to living a…

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