Do you want a family filled with joy? I do. I want to build a family that plays together, laughs together, enjoys one another’s company, and looks forward to family gatherings with joyful anticipation. If you want to have that kind of family, there are two things you need to know. First, a joyful family...

May 11, 2013

What Do “Twinkle Twinkle,” Oxytocin, & the Sacculus Have in Common With Family?

by John Salmon

I know, I have a long title and now I start with a story…it’s all wrong. But stay with me, please… My family has a long history with “Twinkle, twinkle little star.” It all started when my children were little and could not pronounce “twinkle.” Instead, it came out as “tinkle.” Being the loving father...

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Celebration

fun intimacy laugh music parent child relationship play

April 27, 2013

Time to Mow the Lawn…Again

by John Salmon

Winter has finally ended and spring has sprung. I know because my grass is now green and growing fast. I have to warm up the lawn mower and get chopping today. Many of my neighbors have already cut their lawns. Their lawns look so nice, neatly trimmed, green, no weeds. Then there is my lawn–scraggly,...

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Celebration Grace Honor

arguments availability conflict intimacy respect time

April 20, 2013

Three Gifts of Sexual Intimacy

by John Salmon

I don’t normally write about sexual intimacy and marriage. However, I have had several couples in my office discussing issues of sexual intimacy and decided to share a few thoughts. To begin with, sexual intimacy is a gift given by God to a married couple…and a gift given by one person to another. It is...

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Celebration Honor

connection intimacy marriage sexual intimacy spouse

April 13, 2013

Family Rest: A Lost Family Art

by John Salmon

Whew, what a blur this month has become! My children have activity after activity, some out of state and some next door. Some mark major life transitions (such as graduation from high school) and some are great opportunities (such as participating in state level academic programs). Then, there is the typical run-around involved in keeping...

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Celebration

play rest schedule time

April 6, 2013

Time for a Family Spring Photo Race

by John Salmon

No, I’m not talking about getting the spring family photos or even the lovely spring photos of prom dresses and spring formals. I’m talking about a Great Family Race. This family celebration takes a little bit of preparation but results in fun, laughter, and time together. To begin, pick a destination that your family...

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Celebration

activities fun intimacy laugh play traditions

March 30, 2013

What We Do For Marriage & Family

by John Salmon

Last week I read a post by The Romantic Vineyard about “What we do” to keep our marriage strong. I wanted to add some “we do’s” to the list as well. What do we do on a regular basis to keep our marriage strong? Interestingly, most of the things I thought of not only build a stronger...

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Celebration Honor

fun hugs marriage music parent child relationship physical affection

March 17, 2013

Curiosity Killed the Cat, Worry Kills the Family

by John Salmon

“Curiosity killed the cat” but worry kills the family. I know that sounds kind of extreme, but worry really does interfere with family intimacy. Worry becomes a quiet, unseen but powerful rip current that pulls families apart…or a whirlpool of twisting, turning, dizzying emotions that hurl a family into discord and confusion. Consider these ways...

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Celebration Honor

anxiety connection family relationships intimacy worry

March 2, 2013

Nourish the Snow White in Your Life

by John Salmon

I love the Disney animation “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”—a classic story of jealousy turned to hatred, the love that battle against that hatred, and the final victory of “true love’s kiss.” Although this classic, an adaptation of an even older Grimm fairy tale, was released in 1937, it is still reenacted every day...

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Celebration Grace Honor

admiration differences family relationships gratitude happiness marriage parenting power of words schedule

February 6, 2013

Celebrate Lent As A Family

by John Salmon

Lent begins this week. The observance of Lent reminds us to prepare our lives for the coming Christ. Traditionally, people observe Lent by practicing some sort of fasting (giving something up), generous compassion toward others (justice), and prayer (communion with God). To me, this sounds like a great opportunity to practice grace in our family...

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Celebration Grace

acceptance Easter generosity holiday sacrifice traditions

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

2 Ingredients for a Family Cycle of Joy

What Do “Twinkle Twinkle,” Oxytocin, & the Sacculus Have in Common With Family?

Time to Mow the Lawn…Again

Three Gifts of Sexual Intimacy

Family Rest: A Lost Family Art

Time for a Family Spring Photo Race

What We Do For Marriage & Family

Curiosity Killed the Cat, Worry Kills the Family

Nourish the Snow White in Your Life

Celebrate Lent As A Family