We just returned from facilitating a marriage retreat at Camp Christian in Mill Run, PA (learn more about Camp Christian here). The theme of the retreat was Blessing Your Spouse. We had a wonderful time with a great group of couples. At one point, we talked about the good, the NOT good and the VERY...

Celebration Honor

January 26, 2015

Hot Sauce Vs. the Power of Relationship

by John Salmon

When you build strong, secure relationships with your children, you promote world peace. Does that sound like an overstatement? Well, consider Mikulincer’s research. Mikulincer asked 120 undergraduate Israeli Jews to give both an Israeli Jew and an Israeli Arab a sample of hot sauce. He used these two groups because “research has shown that [these...

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Family Shepherds Honor

attachment consequences discipline family relationships intimacy love parent child relationship peace security

January 10, 2015

10 Habits for a Happy Family

by John Salmon

I remember singing this chorus as a kid: “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap). If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap, clap). If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it. If you’re happy and you know...

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Celebration Family Shepherds Grace Honor

acceptance appreciation family relationships happiness love parenting value

October 4, 2014

I’m Afraid to Discipline

by John Salmon

I was speaking to a young father about parenting and discipline. He knew his children often misbehaved even when he was present; and, he wanted to learn how to “be a fun guy” while remaining an authority. As we spoke, he made a telling statement. “I have a problem being stern,” he said. “Why?” “I...

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Family Shepherds Grace

character consequences discipline limits love parent child conflict parent child relationship priorities security teach

September 20, 2014

Charlie Pride and Four Secrets to Life-Long Marital Bliss

by John Salmon

I constantly search for secrets to a better marriage and family life. I need all the help I can get. Recently, I rediscovered a profound lesson for creating a life-long marriage. I had heard this advice as a child, even learned it in the car with my family; but, I did not realize the wisdom...

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Honor

affection gifts intimacy love marriage physical affection spouse touch

September 13, 2014

The Secret to a More Passionate Marriage

by John Salmon

I recently read a blog on Greater Good (All You Need is Love, Oxytocin, and Gratitude) that revealed an interesting secret for building a stronger, more passionate marriage. I will give you the secret if you promise to try it out for several weeks. It works…even though it is not that hard! Here’s the secret....

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Celebration Honor

appreciation gratitude intimacy love marriage oxytocin sexual intimacy spouse value

September 8, 2014

6 Tips for Practical Acceptance

by John Salmon

We all long for acceptance. We want to be an integral part of a group, especially our family. Feeling accepted creates a sense of safety and security. Knowing others accept us gives us a sense of personal value. It helps us realize that “I am loved no matter what.” If we do not feel accepted,...

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Family Shepherds Grace Honor

acceptance differences family intimacy intimacy love marriage parent child relationship spouse understanding

July 12, 2014

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

by John Salmon

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)...

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Grace Honor

generosity happiness intimacy kindness love service

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 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

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

The Good, the NOT Good, and the VERY Good

Hot Sauce Vs. the Power of Relationship

10 Habits for a Happy Family

I’m Afraid to Discipline

Charlie Pride and Four Secrets to Life-Long Marital Bliss

The Secret to a More Passionate Marriage

6 Tips for Practical Acceptance

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

Quit Taking Your Spouse’s Perspective

A Taste of Heaven on Earth