Family by God&#039;s Design

The Foundational Building Blocks of Family

What makes for a happy, healthy marriage and family? Some would say communication skills. I agree, but I think communication skills flow from more foundational building blocks. Others might say secure finances or commitment make for a happy, healthy family. Both are important however, I think a truly happy, healthy marriage and family flow from...

Celebration Grace Honor

family family intimacy family relationship intimacy marital satisfaction marriage parent child relationship relationship

January 12, 2026

Weeding Resentments

Resentments arise so easily in life. We may fall prey to resentment because we believe our parents favor our siblings, a neighbor’s barking dog annoys us all night, or our partner contributes little to maintaining our home. Whatever the cause, these everyday resentments pile up and affect our well-being, our happiness, and our joy. If...

Celebration Grace

emotional health family intimacy family relationship gratitude

January 5, 2026

Forgiveness: A High Act of Love

We’ve all experienced hurt at the hands of our families. Sometimes our spouse, child, parent, or sibling hurt us accidentally. They truly did not understand how their actions or words might hurt us. Other times, they may have hurt us through impulsive words or actions expressed in a moment of anger. Sometimes, their anger may...

Grace

family relationship forgiveness marriage reconciliation relationships

December 29, 2025

The #1 Ingredient of Growth & Learning

We all want to learn and grow, don’t we? Even more, we want our children to learn and grow. We want our whole family to become wiser and more mature with each passing day. There is one ingredient that will promote this growth more than any other ingredient: relationships. We learn more effectively and more...

Family Shepherds Honor

brain development development family intimacy family relationship growth learning relationship

October 13, 2025

Phrases Every Child Wants to Hear

Your children may never ask you to say it. They may not even realize they want to hear it. But there are several phrases that every child wants to hear. In fact, they may need to hear these phrases as often as possible. And not just once, but multiple times in their childhood. What are...

Family Shepherds

encouragement family relationship parent child relationship parenting power of words

January 27, 2025

Savor the Ones You Love

One of my favorite aspects of family gatherings arises when people start reliving shared memories. Everybody laughs about the joyous memories…and eyes often glisten at recalled losses. Sometimes the memories start off disastrous but end up being a time of laughter and connection. Many times, families even recall the joyous memories at difficult times to...

Celebration

family intimacy family relationship intimacy memories

December 14, 2024

An Invitation

Families benefit from phrases that begin with “Let us…” or “Let’s….” “Let us” offers an invitation to engage with one another, to do something together. It is an invitation to a deeper relationship. Sometimes the invitation accompanies fun. Sometimes the invitation comes with work. Even if the invitation suggests a work activity, it implies that...

Celebration Grace Honor

family relationship intimacy parent child relationship relationship

December 7, 2024

The Less and More of a Healthier Family

Sometimes small changes can impact our families in enormous ways. With that in mind, I’d like to suggest we all practice “the less and the more of a healthier family.” These 11 “less and more” changes may appear small, but they will have an amazingly positive impact on your family. Pick 2 or 3 and...

Grace Honor

family family intimacy family relationship values

December 2, 2024

Relationships, Family, & Physical Health

A lot of people make a New Year’s resolution to live healthier. They make it a goal to eat better, lose weight, exercise more, or rest better. These are all positive goals that can increase physical health. However, I would like to suggest pursuing growth in an additional area that will influence physical health as...