When I was in my early teens I made a washtub bass out of a washtub and a broom. I thought it was cool…and it worked. My parents, on the other hand, were less impressed and rather upset that I drilled a hole in the bottom of their washtub and cut the bristles off their...

Celebration Family Shepherds

June 29, 2015

The Paradox of Happy Families

by John Salmon

It seems paradoxical, even counterintuitive but it’s true; happiness is fleeting when we pursue it. The more we try to make ourselves happy, the more it eludes us. Paradoxically, we find ourselves happy when we forget about ourselves and reach out to help another. In other words, to truly experience happiness a person has to...

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Celebration Grace

compassion family fun night giving kindness politeness volunteering

June 22, 2015

Give It Away for Family Fun

by John Salmon

This family fun night is such a positive experience you might choose to make it a way of life in your family. I know several families who enjoyed this activity so much they decided to make it a regular part of their lives. And why not? It gave them a sense of accomplishment. It even...

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Celebration

family fun night family intimacy identity priorities volunteering

June 20, 2015

Mom was Right…Again!!

by John Salmon

Mom was right again. I almost hate to say it, but she ends up right more often than not. She always said, “Eat your vegetables,” and now several scientific studies support her demands on my young taste buds. (When did science start siding with my mother anyway?) A study of 13,983 adults in England suggests that...

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Celebration Family Shepherds Honor

emotional health family intimacy family meals healthy development priorities rituals

June 15, 2015

A Two for One Family Fun Night

by John Salmon

I wish I had done this family fun night when my daughters were in early elementary school. Actually, this family fun night will result in two family fun nights: one now and one in the future. On the first family fun night, gather your family together to create a family time capsule. Here are 7...

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Celebration Family Shepherds

family fun night intimacy love memories value

June 13, 2015

Family Homes Filled with Sacred Places

by John Salmon

Our homes are filled with sacred places, places set apart for special purposes. We often take these sacred places for granted. Unfortunately, we disregard the sacred places of home to our own peril. When we neglect the sacred places in our homes, we miss the opportunities they offer for intimacy and growth. We fall “out...

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Celebration Family Shepherds Honor

family intimacy family relationships parenting priorities value

June 8, 2015

Plug In for Family Happiness

by John Salmon

We need to plug in to build family happiness. No, I do not mean plug in the TV or the internet. Plugging in to technology won’t bring greater family happiness. In fact, too much technology tends to distract us from family happiness. In order to increase family happiness, we need to plug in to relationships....

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Celebration

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June 6, 2015

The Meaning in Our Lives

by John Salmon

I have the pleasure of teaching Life Span Development at local university. As part of this class, I instruct students to interview someone over 65 years of age. They ask the senior at least 11 questions. I want to tell you about two of the questions: What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far? As...

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Celebration

intimacy legacy love priorities value

May 30, 2015

A Triangle of Love

by John Salmon

I invite you to participate in a love triangle…Oh wait. That sounds bad. Step back. Take a breath. It’s not what it sounds like. I’m talking about Robert Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Love. Let me rephrase. I invite you to experience all three components of Sternberg’s theory of love with your spouse…and only your spouse!...

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Celebration Honor

commitment connection intimacy love marriage

May 26, 2015

12 Inexpensive & Fun Family Summer Ideas

by John Salmon

The countdown to summer is coming to an end. School will soon “let out” and summer will begin. Do you have any fun family summer plans? I often find it difficult to come up with summer ideas due to financial constraints and time limitations. If you find yourself with the same struggle, try a couple...

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Celebration

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Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

An Instrumental Family Fun Night

The Paradox of Happy Families

Give It Away for Family Fun

Mom was Right…Again!!

A Two for One Family Fun Night

Family Homes Filled with Sacred Places

Plug In for Family Happiness

The Meaning in Our Lives

A Triangle of Love

12 Inexpensive & Fun Family Summer Ideas