A woman from our church family passed away at the end of January. She was 98 years old. She was a retired school teacher and students from fifty years ago still called her Mrs. Carlson. Friends and those who met her during retirement, called her Eva. Those who had the privilege of growing up in...

Grace

January 30, 2011

The Timeless Mind of a Parent

by John Salmon

Parenting is a process, not a one-time event. It occurs over time. Effective family shepherds have a “timeless mind” that maintains an awareness of past experiences, current behaviors, and future goals all at the same time. What have our children done in the past? What relationship have we developed through past experiences? What does their current...

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Family Shepherds

legacy memories parenting priorities vision

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

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January 3, 2011

New Year’s Vision

by John Salmon

As New Year’s Day approached, I thought about the past year and the coming year, what I accomplished during 2010 and what I hope to accomplish over 2011. (I used to make resolutions…until I made the resolution to make no resolution, which, by the way, is the only resolution I have ever kept.) After reviewing...

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Grace Honor

family relationships holiday marriage parent child relationship priorities spouse traditions

December 19, 2010

Traditions…Let’s Celebrate

by John Salmon

Christmas traditions…watching Christmas specials on TV, setting up a Christmas tree, listening to Christmas songs, singing Christmas carols, setting up a manger scene, spending money to buy gifts, sharing cookies, sending cards, opening gifts, attending Christmas eve services, etc., etc. I’m sure we all have numerous Christmas traditions that we enjoy. I know a family...

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Celebration

availability christmas comfort family intimacy family relationships holiday priorities security traditions

December 3, 2010

Between the Lines

by John Salmon

Christmas is a wonderful time to build family intimacy. Unfortunately, we can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of commercialism that we lose sight of family togetherness and the true meaning of Christmas. We have to look beyond the hustle and bustle of Christmas to find the real meaning of Christmas and “read between the lines” to...

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Celebration

christmas holiday priorities

October 30, 2010

Family Relationship Training Program

by John Salmon

For all my athletic friends…I invite you to join the “Relationship Training Program.” It may prove challenging at times, but the long-term benefits are astounding. This training program can culminate in the completion of the Iron Man of Marriage—a 50-year anniversary. I know people who continued training after the first Iron Man and completed a...

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Celebration Grace Honor

community family relationships legacy priorities support

September 12, 2010

Going Home

by John Salmon

My aunt completed her journey on earth and crossed the finish line to heaven this week. She had been a missionary for near thirty years. She left for the mission field when I was in my late teens. Two memories stand out when I think of my aunt. The first “stand-out memory” occurred when my...

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Grace Honor

availability comfort memories priorities

August 27, 2010

Daddy Time

by John Salmon

In The Male Brain, Louann Brizendine talks about the effect of children on the brains of fathers. Not surprisingly, both father and child benefit from Dad’s attentive involvement in the child’s life. At the risk of sounding simplistic, “daddy time” helps a man become a better father. When a fathers remains actively involved in his child’s...

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Family Shepherds Grace

father oxytocin parent child relationship priorities time

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

You Are Truly Rich

The Timeless Mind of a Parent

The Full Extent of Love

New Year’s Vision

Traditions…Let’s Celebrate

Between the Lines

Family Relationship Training Program

Going Home

Daddy Time