We all know and love the “pay it forward” stories. Just last Christmas (2013), a customer at Starbucks generously paid for the order of the next person in line, who also paid for the person in line behind them, and so on…for 1,468 customers! (Read this story here) I also love the commercial (Watch it here)...

Grace Honor

July 7, 2014

Let Your Children Experience the Joy of…Risk?

by John Salmon

Many of my childhood memories involve risks I took and the lessons I learned from those risks. Here are some of the lessons I learned: I can only climb so high into a tree before the branches become too weak to hold me; you can only go so fast on your bike on a gravel-covered...

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Family Shepherds Honor

healthy development helicopter parent parenting risk-taking teach

July 5, 2014

Quit Taking Your Spouse’s Perspective

by John Salmon

Who should you think about during an argument with your spouse—me, you, I, us??? That is a good question. We have probably all heard the advice to step back and see our spouse’s point of view during an argument. This common wisdom advises us to see things through the other person’s eyes and walk a...

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Grace Honor

arguments conflict disagreement intimacy love marriage perspective taking resolving conflict spouse

June 30, 2014

The Not-So-Silent Killer Stalking Your Family!

by John Salmon

There is a killer stalking your family. This killer does not physically attack families; but it will destroy family relationships and devastate each person’s self-image. Sometimes it works subtly, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, hiding behind humor, knowledge, and deception. At other times it blatantly attacks family members. This enemy of your family goes...

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Grace Honor

curiosity encouragement family relationships parent child relationship respect security validation value

June 21, 2014

A Taste of Heaven on Earth

by John Salmon

Last weekend my wife and I enjoyed the opportunity to attend a wedding. It was a wonderful wedding. The families of the bride and groom joyfully welcomed one another into their growing family. An acoustic guitar played quietly as the people gathered. The bride was radiant and the ceremony was beautiful. A lovely young girl...

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Celebration Honor

intimacy love marriage michelangelo priorities security spouse

June 16, 2014

Parents, Are You a Slingshot or an Anchor?

by John Salmon

Michael Byron, Smith, retired Air Force officer, wrote an excellent blog for the National Fatherhood Institute (click here to read it). In this blog, he wrote: “Families should be slingshots, throwing children into the world prepared for what lies ahead. Unfortunately, the problems of dysfunctional families are like anchors, dragging down their children’s potential….” So,...

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Family Shepherds Honor

acceptance acknowledgement appreciation connection curiosity emotions encouragement expectations parenting support

June 14, 2014

What Drives Your Family?

by John Salmon

What drives your family? I am not asking who drives your family…nor am I asking if your family owns a Chevy, Ford, or Toyota. I am asking, “What motivates your family life?” What influences your family decisions? What is the heartbeat of your family? Many families allow fear or guilt to sit in the driver’s...

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Family Shepherds Honor

acceptance expectations family intimacy fear intimacy love parenting rebellion structure

June 9, 2014

Sibling Rivalry–The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

by John Salmon

Siblings argue. They have disagreements that escalate to yelling and screaming…maybe even name calling, pushing, and physical aggression. Not all sibling rivalry is bad. Some of it is good…and some is downright ugly. Take a moment to consider the good, the bad, and the ugly of sibling rivalry. Some sibling rivalry is good. As long...

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Family Shepherds Honor

aggression arguments conflict disagreement discipline parenting resolving conflict sibling rivalry teach

June 7, 2014

Welcome to the Family Games

by John Salmon

We love to watch competitions—to see our favorite athlete in the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the World Series, the World Cup, or any number of various competitions. Many of us also love to compete. Competition hones our skills and motivates us to improve. Why not use that competitive spirit for good in your home? Let...

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Celebration Grace Honor

acknowledgement admiration apology appreciation compliment encouragement fun kindness politeness sacrifice

June 2, 2014

Parents, Get Out of the Reaction Rut

by John Salmon

Many parents believe that a good punishment will end misbehavior. “If the punishment is powerful enough, children will learn their lesson.” “If we just have enough rules, our children will be good.” Unfortunately, these statements are not true. The key to addressing our children’s misbehavior is NOT punishment. In fact, there is no single key...

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Family Shepherds Honor

consequences discipline limits misbehavior parent child relationship parenting routine support teaching

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Pay It Forward…The Surprising “Rest of the Story” For Your Family

Let Your Children Experience the Joy of…Risk?

Quit Taking Your Spouse’s Perspective

The Not-So-Silent Killer Stalking Your Family!

A Taste of Heaven on Earth

Parents, Are You a Slingshot or an Anchor?

What Drives Your Family?

Sibling Rivalry–The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Welcome to the Family Games

Parents, Get Out of the Reaction Rut