Family by God&#039;s Design

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 7, 2025

The Philosophy of Tortoise

We live in a world that creates in us a “need for speed.” We want our food fast, our goals achieved fast, and our problems solved even faster. As a result, when a problem arises, the default mode is to “attack” it with speed so we can “get it done.” But speed is not always...

Celebration

development parenting relationship slow down time

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...

Honor

affair connection intimacy marriage relationship

February 1, 2025

Decreasing the Stress of Modern Parents

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, parents are struggling more than ever to cope with the stress of parenting. Changing social norms and growing social pressures have contributed to 48% of parents reporting that their stress is “overwhelming” most days. We begin to realize the significant repercussions of this growing parental stress when we recognize...

Family Shepherds

family relationship schedule stress management

January 7, 2025

The Complaint Vs. Compliment Rumble

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” I’m not hunting flies, but this saying is also true when it comes to healthy marriages. Well, I don’t mean the “honey & vinegar thing.” I mean the meaning rings true. You know, compliments (honey) strengthen marriages better than vinegar (complaints). ...

Honor

complaints compliment intimacy marriage relationship

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 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...

Celebration Honor

family relationship health marriage parent child relationship relationship

October 12, 2024

Don’t Take Your Marriage for Granted

It is easy to start taking our spouse and marriage for granted. We live them every day, day in and day out. We naturally develop routines and patterns to help us navigate the busy-ness of life and, before long, we begin to feel like we’re in a rut—same routine, same conversations, same schedule. But it...