I enjoy eating…well really, I love to eat. In the summer I love a picnic, combining my love of food with the outdoors. When I grew up, my family would often enjoy the “vacation picnic.” We would pack a picnic before vacation and, half way to our destination, stop for a picnic. Sometimes the sky was sunny…sometimes...

July 9, 2011

20 Ideas for Family Summer Fun

by John Salmon

Summer is a great time for family fun. If your family is like mine, you’re trying to think of fun summer activities you can do as a family. Here are some ideas if you get stuck. Add some of your ideas in the comment section or on Facebook for all of us to share. ...

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Celebration

family relationships fun play summer traditions

July 1, 2011

Freedom & Family

by John Salmon

Happy Fourth of July! Today we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, a step toward a free and independent United States. What does family have to do with the Fourth of July? For one thing, we celebrate the Fourth of July with our families. Secondly, and perhaps of greater importance, family lays the...

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Celebration

character community compassion family relationships holiday integrity priorities responsibility

May 28, 2011

Memorial Day & Family

by John Salmon

As I grow older, I come to appreciate Memorial Day more. It has always marked the start of summer–pools opening, cooking outside on the grill, having a picnic. However, it has gained greater meaning in regards to the sacrifices made to secure our freedom. It has become a holiday of honor and respect for those...

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Celebration Honor

family relationships holiday teach traditions

May 22, 2011

A Carnival of Parents

by John Salmon

I enjoyed a day at a local amusement park with my family this weekend. My daughters are getting older now and they spend much of the day with their friends; but, we still eat supper together and meet throughout the day. Their independence does allow me and my wife to enjoy time together. It also allows...

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Family Shepherds

attention availability communication family intimacy family relationships parenting time

May 14, 2011

The Lost Art of Sacrifice in the Family

by John Salmon

William Doherty notes that family member’s made personal sacrifices to assure their family’s well-being, stability, and overall security in the past. During the 1900’s, this focus shifted away from family stability to individual happiness. Instead of the individual promoting the well-being of the family, the family became a tool to promote individual happiness and achievement....

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Grace

family relationships happiness sacrifice service student

April 23, 2011

The Family Celebration of Dingus Day

by John Salmon

It happens every year on the Monday after Easter. A friend of mine shows up for our morning exercise group armed with a squirt gun filled with water. Smiling, and with great stealth, he walks toward the women in our group and douses them with water. He even brings an extra squirt gun for me...

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Celebration

Easter family relationships fun holiday laugh security traditions

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...

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Honor

family intimacy family relationships father marriage mother parenting

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...

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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...

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Grace Honor

availability family relationships priorities sacrifice serve time WWJD

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

5 Summer Picnic Ideas

20 Ideas for Family Summer Fun

Freedom & Family

Memorial Day & Family

A Carnival of Parents

The Lost Art of Sacrifice in the Family

The Family Celebration of Dingus Day

Family: Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts

Groundhog Day: A Do-over

The Full Extent of Love