Yesterday I had a wonderful evening with my family. Throughout the evening I made several deposits into our “Family Bank of Honor.” Everything just seemed to flow smoothly…very smoothly. I complimented my wife’s new shirt and told her how nice she looked…two deposits into the “Family Bank of Honor.” During a commercial, I got myself a...

Honor

March 27, 2011

Family: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

by John Salmon

Recently I have read and heard several discussions about prioritizing love for spouse or love for children. Should we prioritize spouse or children? Is family focused around marriage or parenting? Do we create a “kid-centered family” or a “marriage-centered family?” Those siding with the parenting-focused, “kid-centered family” emphasize that we only have our children at...

-Read More-

Honor

family intimacy family relationships father marriage mother parenting

March 19, 2011

Super Heroic Dad Moments Gone Awry

by John Salmon

I always wanted to be my family’s hero. You know, Mr. Incredible…able to hear their slightest cry for help and fly with the speed of light to save them from injustice and unnecessary pain…to break unbendable bars of iron and release them from the prison cells that limit their dreams…to stop speeding bullets aimed at crippling...

-Read More-

Celebration Honor

father fun legacy parent child relationship play priorities

March 13, 2011

Go Ahead and Argue…With Honor

by John Salmon

If you live with your family longer than a day, you’ll probably have an argument or two. You may, like me, work hard to “make” the other person understand your “point of view” (which of course is the right point of view-LOL) during this argument. This approach leads to anger, frustration, unresolved differences, and strained...

-Read More-

Honor

arguments conflict listen power of words resolving conflict self examination

February 26, 2011

Family, A Haven in a Heartless World

by John Salmon

“The family is a haven in a heartless world.” ~Attributed to Christopher Lasch Each morning my family leaves our home and enters the discouraging, oppressive world of work or school. That may sound harsh, but true none the less…just watch the news. Students enter the “sacred halls of education” through metal detectors and security guards...

-Read More-

Celebration Grace Honor

attention availability encouragement fun play politeness respect safety security

February 19, 2011

Going the Distance in the Family Marathon

by John Salmon

Family relationships are an ultra-marathon, not a sprint. Having all the skills and techniques in the world will only go so far unless you develop the endurance to “go the distance.” So, here are a few suggestions to help build endurance and help you “go the distance” in your family life. Slow down to increase...

-Read More-

Honor

appreciation blessing family intimacy power of words

February 12, 2011

My Michelangelo

by John Salmon

Michelangelo is quoted as saying, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” I love that quote. Researchers describe a Michelangelo effect between spouses when one spouse brings out the best, the angel, in the other. My wife is my Michelangelo. Other people look at me and see a...

-Read More-

Celebration Honor

appreciation encouragement marriage michelangelo spouse support

January 30, 2011

Groundhog Day: A Do-over

by John Salmon

In Western PA, we take Groundhog Day pretty seriously. I have a friend who visits Punxsutawney every year for the Groundhog Day Celebration. The closest I have come to Punxsutawney and Groundhog Day is watching the movie “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray. In this movie, Phil (not the groundhog but a news reporter played by...

-Read More-

Grace Honor

curiosity family relationships kindness resolving conflict

January 22, 2011

The Full Extent of Love

by John Salmon

Preparing for a Sunday School lesson based on John 13 caused me to pause…and think. John 13 describes the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. One reason He washed their feet was to “show them the full extent of His love.” As several of my friends like to say, “That raises a question.” What...

-Read More-

Grace Honor

availability family relationships priorities sacrifice serve time WWJD

January 15, 2011

What’s In A Name?

by John Salmon

A name conveys power, good or bad. My daughters came home from their first year at camp complaining, “Everyone knows you. The dean asked my name and then said, ‘Oh, you’re John Salmon’s daughter.'” Fortunately, my daughters take pride in our name; they are proud to carry our family name. On the other hand, I worked...

-Read More-

Honor

character family relationships kindness legacy politeness

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Banking at the Family Bank of Honor

Family: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Super Heroic Dad Moments Gone Awry

Go Ahead and Argue…With Honor

Family, A Haven in a Heartless World

Going the Distance in the Family Marathon

My Michelangelo

Groundhog Day: A Do-over

The Full Extent of Love

What’s In A Name?