Family by God&#039;s Design

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

February 21, 2026

Parenting Practices that Influence Teen Anxiety

Many teens experience at least some level of anxiety, from shyness to full blown anxiety. However, the way in which mothers and fathers interact with their children can influence their teens’ level of anxiety. Their interaction may not prevent anxiety, but it can influence it, for better or worse, according to a study published in...

Family Shepherds

acceptance affection anxiety boundaries connection emotional health parenting

November 17, 2025

A Prescription for Your Health…& Your Family

We all know that high blood pressure, smoking, and poor diet represent health risks. As a result, we take measures to bring our blood pressure into a healthy range, we encourage people to stop engaging in behaviors that damage our health, and we encourage a healthy diet. We address these issues because we know they...

Celebration Family Shepherds

community connection family relationships friendship involvement loneliness

August 11, 2025

Nature, a Chat, & Family

I read the summaries of two studies, and I’d like to share the results with you and your family. The first study involved over 220 participants in a program of weekly “nature-based activities” for either 1 to 4 weeks, 5 to 8 weeks, or 9 to 12 weeks. The “nature-based activities” included one of three...

Celebration Family Shepherds Honor

communication connection emotional health family family intimacy happiness nature

August 4, 2025

Challenge & Joy of Connection

Research seems to suggest that each generation reports a lower sense of happiness and well-being than the generation preceding them. In the past, happiness and well-being was high in young adulthood, dipped some during middle age, and rose again in older adults. Now, it simply seems that each younger generation has a lower sense of...

Family Shepherds Honor

connection emotional health relationships

August 2, 2025

Nurturing the Evolution of Gratitude

“What do you say?” Have you ever encouraged your child to express their gratitude by asking them that question? Maybe you took a more direct approach and simply said: “Tell them thank you.” But is that the best way to nurture gratitude in our children. I say “nurture” gratitude because gratitude evolves as children age....

Family Shepherds Honor

connection gratitude parenting

May 10, 2025

Lost in a Smorgasbord of Parenting

Parenting has become a smorgasbord of confusion. Reading through myriads parenting advice, you might find yourself confused about which parenting style proves most effective: gentle parenting, attachment parenting, or mindful parenting. You might fly into the role of a helicopter parent or wander into the realm of free-range parenting. In search of the perfect parenting...

Family Shepherds

boundaries connection parent child relationship parenting responsiveness

April 7, 2025

6 Practices to Build a Haven for Family Connection

Family life can become rushed…and the more rushed it becomes the more stressful it feels. Unfortunately, that’s the mode of our world today—rushed and stressed. But you can make your home different. You can incorporate some simple practices in your home that make it a place of respite, connection, and calm. Let me offer a...

Celebration Family Shepherds

connection fun intimacy physical affection

March 29, 2025

Beware of Friends When…

We all need friends. Even married couples need more friends than just their spouse. Our friends provide support, companionship, and joy. However, we must exercise caution in our friendships, especially when we’re married. If not, the boundaries between friendship and romance may begin to blur and damage our marriages. If not addressed, the friendship may...