Doing Life Together

One of my favorite Thanksgiving family traditions was making pies. My mom could have opened up a pie store. Her pies were that good! And the smell of those pies cooking in the mornings was glorious. Watching my grandmother and mom work side by side and including me in making the fillings, brings back wonderful…

This year, Jill and Rick will spend Thanksgiving with Rick’s family. Jill and Rick have very different families. Jill’s family focuses Thanksgiving around Christian themes like blessings and gratitude. Rick’s family never mentions God. They are not Christians and Thanksgiving is all about the food and drinking. Jill feels uncomfortable because the drinking has caused arguments and…

Every 109 seconds, a person experiences sexual assault! And do we talk about this? If you listen to the news, you have probably heard a number of cases of sexual assault on college campuses. Sexual assault awareness has grown with the implementation of Title IX on college campuses. And yet, it is estimated that 80% of…

I worked with a man who had remorse for the way his sexual addiction impacted his family. He lost his wife and children as a result of a divorce. He was sorry his problem had been discovered and the pain it caused everyone. But he wasn’t repentant. What is the difference? Paul makes the distinction between worldy…

What are the words of your mouth following this election? Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Maybe we should all pause and mediate on this verse. I went on national TV yesterday to discuss how we should conduct…

Family conflict: Rob was caught between his  mother and his wife. ” I know your mom thinks she is helping, but if she tells me one more time how to parent our children, I’m leaving. Talk to her! I am tired of her negative comments to me.” Rob wasn’t sure what to do. Should he confront…

When I was in college and on break for Thanksgiving vacation, my very loud and opinionated family started discussing politics. We all know the rule—stay away from politics during a holiday gathering. Well, we didn’t and two of my uncles had me in tears as we discussed the results of a presidential election. The conversation…

Money is a part of relationship issues from the moment you begin to date.  Who will pay, how will transactions be handled? Then there is the wedding. CNN estimates the average cost is $32,405! Yikes! Once the commitment is made, raising a family isn’t cheap either. From college tuition to assisted living, money arguments  are the top…

Jack left work late, didn’t call his wife and missed the school meeting. When he finally arrived home, he looked at his wife and said, “Don’t start. I’ve had a lousy day!” No apology. He walked away and his wife was angry! Not a good way to handle the situation. Missing from this interaction was an apology. Jack…

It’s Halloween and kids will come to our doors dressed in their favorite costumes. What I’ve noticed is that the costumes for adults tended to be “naughty.” And some of the kid Halloween costumes  have the same theme. Many of the costumes sexualize girls. Short skirts, fishnet stockings, revealing body parts — a sharp contrast to the boys. Take the…

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