Family by God&#039;s Design

Growing Old with Family & Music

Music is a wonderful gift. Listening to music, playing music, or making music together…it all enhances our emotional, cognitive, & relational health. In fact, a recent longitudinal study of over 10,800 participants suggests that music actually decreases the risk of dementia. Specifically, those over 70-years-old who “always listen” to music showed a 39% decrease in...

Celebration

cognitive health emotional health family intimacy family relationships music

April 20, 2026

Imagination or Resistance?

I recently read a paper in which the author described imagination as resistance in one of the chapters. Imagination, the author explained, allows people to stand against oppression and imagine a world in which they lived as liberated people. It gives hope and vision, which translates to a level of internal freedom and joy in...

Celebration

dreams imagination intimacy marriage vision

March 30, 2026

Join the Revolution of a Healthy Family

Tired of the chaos that fills our society? Looking for a way to make a real difference? I have a great solution for you to consider. It may sound too simplistic, but it is powerful. Build a healthy, happy family. Fill your children’s lives with “Positive Childhood Experiences” (PCEs). Before you cast this idea off...

Celebration Family Shepherds Grace Honor

adverse childhood experiences family family relationships parent child relationship

March 16, 2026

The Menu of Love

Have you ever taken the quiz to discover your love language? Have you ever discussed love languages with your spouse? I have and it has proven helpful. In fact, the concept of love languages can help a married couple communicate love to one another more effectively. But the concept of “love languages” does have its...

Celebration Honor

communication love love language responsiveness

March 14, 2026

Born to Connect

Last weekend my wife and I had the opportunity to lead a marriage workshop. One of the participating couples brought their 9-month-old son, a beautiful child, bright-eyed and excited to see the world around him. He would smile and try to imitate when someone made “popping sound” with their mouth. He cooed and made sounds...

Celebration Family Shepherds

brain development connection development parenting

March 10, 2026

The Junk Food Scramble

I must admit. I like junk food. Sure, I eat lots of healthy food; but I do like junk food. So, when I heard about the “junk food scramble,” I was looking forward to an omelet with all my favorite ingredients…and a side of pancakes with whip cream on top. But that’s not what I...

Celebration Family Shepherds

cognitive health diet health school

February 23, 2026

Taming the Untamed Dragon

We see the untamed dragon of jealousy rear its head for the first time in the story of Cain and Abel. Although Cain and Abel both present their offering to God, Abel, according to the writer of Hebrews, made his offering in faith. He made his offering from the conviction that the word of God...

Celebration Honor

intimacy jealousy marriage trust

February 14, 2026

“You’re Such a 5-Year-Old”

My daughter is fond of telling me, “You are such a 5-year-old,” when I do something silly to tease her. I know she’s playing; and really, I take it as a compliment. So, I just smile and do something else to confirm her accusation, even if it’s telling a “dad joke.” It’s a short example...

Celebration Family Shepherds

emotional development family intimacy family relationships fun parent child relationship play

February 7, 2026

We Need Valentine’s Day More Than Ever

We need Valentine’s Day more than ever. The world around us seems to be falling into an ever-widening, ever-deepening pit of hate, mistrust, and division. Worse, this pit threatens to swallow up our families in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. The stress and strain of seeing the division, the horrid abuses, and the hateful rhetoric adds...