Remember the joys of dating…the spark, the excitement, the anticipation? After marriage the pressure of paying bills, running kids from activity to activity, meeting the demands of work, and the rush of life can all creep in to rob us of that spark. In 10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage, authors David & Claudia Arp aim...

Book Reviews Celebration

August 25, 2012

Do You Parent With a Club or a Staff?

by John Salmon

Some parents raise their children with a club, others with a staff. A club is used for beating things. Some parents seem to only have a symbolic club for parenting. And, when the only tool you have is a hammer…well you know what I mean. A staff, on the other hand, is used to guide...

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Family Shepherds

accountability consequences discipline encouragement parent child relationship parenting

August 25, 2012

The Fabric of a Fulfilling Family

by John Salmon

A team of psychologists from the University of Zurich recently completed a study (Click Here for review) suggesting that training to improve character strengths increases overall well-being and life satisfaction. More specifically, they found that training a person in curiosity, gratitude, optimism, humor and enthusiasm had the greatest impact on their sense of well-being. That...

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Celebration Family Shepherds Honor

availability communication curiosity fun gratitude parenting play

August 19, 2012

Six A’s of Parenting

by John Salmon

Josh McDowell, in The Disconnected Generation, gives six ways to treat children that are crucial to effective parenting. These six points are not daily actions, but attitudes. They represent how we can effectively relate to our children; and, these points of relating become absolutely essential to raising emotionally and spiritually healthy children. I want to...

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Family Shepherds

acceptance accountability affection affirmation appreciation availability discipline parent child relationship parenting

August 19, 2012

What A Week!

by John Salmon

Ever have one of those weeks in which everything frustrates you? I have…just last week in fact. I was a little frustrated and irritable (alright, my family would say very irritable) all week. It was a busy week with multiple changes and transitions. “Nothing” seemed to go right. “Everything” (and I mean “everything”) frustrated me....

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Grace Honor

apology family relationships forgiveness stress management

August 17, 2012

Tips For A Great Family Vacation

by John Salmon

Summer time means summer vacation. Vacations are a wonderful opportunity to bond with your family while having fun. Whether you go to the beach, camping in the woods, or visiting family, here are some hints to make your family vacation time even more fun. ·Include the whole family in planning. Let each...

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Celebration Honor

family relationships rest summer traditions vacation

August 12, 2012

Book Review: Fighting for Your Marriage

by John Salmon

I’m really not very competitive and much too passive to make a good fighter; but, I do believe some things really are worth fighting for! A happy marriage is one of those things. So, why do most couples fight more vigorously for the perfect wedding dress than the perfect communication skill? Or, put more painstaking...

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Book Reviews

acceptance disagreement intimacy marriage resource sexual intimacy

August 12, 2012

End the Conflict in Your Home

by John Salmon

“Do not give repay evil for evil. Do not retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9a–NLT) Following this advice would change how families operate, wouldn’t it? Think about it…the word translated blessing comes from the Greek word “eulogeo” (eulogy) and means “to praise” or “to...

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Grace Honor

arguments communication conflict disagreement family relationships intimacy

August 12, 2012

One Last Family Hoorah for Summer

by John Salmon

I don’t know about you, but summer flew by for me. It seems like last the schedule never slowed down. The plans for a long, slow, relaxing summer evaporated before they even took shape. School is just around the corner and I still have unfulfilled plans. But, I do have an idea. I won’t get...

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Celebration

availability connection fun play summer traditions

August 5, 2012

Book Review: How to Avoid Falling in Love With a Jerk

by John Salmon

They say that “love is blind” and that we “lose our mind” in the early stages of love. In How to Avoid Falling in Love With a Jerk, John Van Epp offers practical solutions to recover from that blindness and keep hold of our minds while going through the process of falling in love. Realizing...

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Book Reviews

intimacy love marriage premarriage resource

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Book Review: 10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage

Do You Parent With a Club or a Staff?

The Fabric of a Fulfilling Family

Six A’s of Parenting

What A Week!

Tips For A Great Family Vacation

Book Review: Fighting for Your Marriage

End the Conflict in Your Home

One Last Family Hoorah for Summer

Book Review: How to Avoid Falling in Love With a Jerk