Remember Annie, the incurable optimist who looked toward a better tomorrow and gleefully sang “You’re never fully dressed without a smile”? Well, she’s right. We need to put on a smile before we greet our families. There is a magic in your smile that will brighten your spouse’s day and your children’s lives. Your smile...

Celebration Grace

September 14, 2015

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Should We Give an Allowance?

by John Salmon

Parents often give children an allowance to motivate them to complete chores. Unfortunately, I have found allowances to be poor motivators. Don’t get me wrong. Allowances often worked in our family for a short time…but then no longer worked. They would work again when our child had something they really wanted to buy (the real...

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Family Shepherds

consequences healthy development intimacy responsibility teach

September 12, 2015

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The Mighty Power of Kindness for Families

by John Salmon

In this time we call our own and in a home very near to our hearts, there rages an epic battle for the families we call our own. This battle rages between those principalities that wield great power in their efforts to tear the family apart and those in the resistance who quietly, on a...

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Celebration Grace Honor

family intimacy intimacy kindness support

September 7, 2015

What I Learned at Family Camp, 2015

by John Salmon

My family and I just returned from our annual trip to Family Camp at Camp Christian. Once again, Jim and Terry Jones organized a wonderful weekend of relaxation, fun, and worship. We enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and making new friends. This year, Tim Jones was our speaker. Tim and his wife, Lisa, minister through...

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Celebration Honor

consequences emotions family intimacy family relationships fun laugh memories

September 5, 2015

My Spouse an Angel? 4 Ways to Make it True

by John Salmon

One of my Facebook friends posted this pic. I love the proverb written on it: “If a man expects a woman to be an angel in his life, he must first create heaven for her…angels don’t live in hell.” I don’t know about you, but I want to live with an angel. So, I have...

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Honor

character family intimacy husband integrity intimacy marriage sacrifice serve trust value wife

August 31, 2015

Boost Your Memory & Have Fun Doing It!

by John Salmon

School time has returned. Morning routines need adjusted to accommodate school’s early start. Afternoon schedules get adjusted to fit in homework and extracurricular activities. In the midst of these adjustments, I recommend one additional change to your routine. Your children will likely enjoy this small change. In fact, my daughter used to make this change because...

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Celebration Family Shepherds

fun memories play schedule

August 29, 2015

The Power of Sorry

by John Salmon

“Sorry” is an important word for a strong family. We all make mistakes. We all say and do things, accidentally or intentionally, that hurt other family members from time to time. Sorry helps bring restoration. I came across a quote that offers a tremendous summary of saying “sorry.” It not only shows how saying sorry...

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Grace

apology family intimacy family relationships intimacy

August 24, 2015

Giving Children Freedom to Grow

by John Salmon

We love our children. We will do almost anything to help them grow and become the amazing adults we see waiting to burst forth from the guise of childhood. We know they have greatness lurking beneath that façade of awkward teenage angst. But, our kids still need to be kids, not superstars. We need to...

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Family Shepherds

children encouragement fun healthy development parent child relationship play

August 22, 2015

Last Weekend “Was Very Good”

by John Salmon

My family and I attended a beautiful wedding at Camp Christian last weekend. The wedding ceremony took place in the chapel. Then, everyone walked a short distance to the Millhouse for the reception. It was a beautiful day. The bride and groom, along with their families, have participated in numerous programs at Camp Christian over...

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Celebration Honor

encouragement husband intimacy marriage wife

August 17, 2015

Does Your Child Get a Choice or a Voice?

by John Salmon

H.G. Ginott made an important distinction between a child’s voice and a child’s choice in his book Between Parent and Child. Children need to have choices. Giving our children choices builds their sense of responsibility. It helps them learn that choices have consequences; so they learn to choose wisely. Choices allow our children to become...

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Family Shepherds

discipline emotional health healthy development maturity parent child relationship parenting

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

The Wisdom of Annie

Should We Give an Allowance?

The Mighty Power of Kindness for Families

What I Learned at Family Camp, 2015

My Spouse an Angel? 4 Ways to Make it True

Boost Your Memory & Have Fun Doing It!

The Power of Sorry

Giving Children Freedom to Grow

Last Weekend “Was Very Good”

Does Your Child Get a Choice or a Voice?