Janet Jackson asked “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” (1986 version). In this song, she wondered out loud about why her lover was not honoring her the way he used to honor her. Did you ever ask that question of your family? Everyone in the family gets caught up in their individual activities and...

Honor

December 10, 2011

What the Manger Teaches Me About Family

by John Salmon

Every Christmas we arrange a manger scene in our house. A few shepherds, three “wise men from afar,” and an angel or two all look adoringly toward the baby Jesus in a manger. Of course, we also have a few barn animals milling about. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, this...

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Grace Honor

availability christmas holiday memories sacrifice traditions

October 8, 2011

5 Steps for Forgiving Family

by John Salmon

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love” (Bryant H. McGill). To maintain the intimate love of family, family members have to practice forgiveness. If we do not practice forgiveness in our family, we will find our family overrun with bitterness, anger, and resentment. Without forgiveness, family will become a...

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Grace

family relationships forgiveness perspective taking priorities sacrifice

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 10, 2011

Four Steps to Make Your Family Miserable

by John Salmon

Usually I write about ways to create a happy family filled with times of celebration and intimacy. However, some readers may prefer a more miserable home environment, a family that “prepares children for the real world,” a harsh world. Although I believe the best way to prepare a child for the “harsh realities of the...

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Grace Honor

encouragement expectations gratitude patience respect sacrifice security

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

January 9, 2011

Family Bank of Honor

by John Salmon

“Easy come, easy go” rings true, doesn’t it? We work hard to save money. We put a portion of every paycheck aside (when we can) and it collects a little (very little these days) interest. Then the furnace goes out, the hot water heater breaks, a fender bender necessitates a new rear bumper, or the...

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Honor

attention family bank of honor kindness listen politeness sacrifice serve

October 4, 2010

Keep Your Mother Off Your Back

by John Salmon

Have you ever wanted to get your mother off your back and get more of what you want? Well, here’s a simple 3-step plan. First, do what’s expected. I mean do the bare minimum. We all have a responsibility in making our household a good place to live, a happy place to hang. So, do...

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Family Shepherds Honor

listen mother parent child relationship sacrifice serve

September 26, 2010

Of Buckets, Mops, and Grace

by John Salmon

Grace within the family involves giving of ourselves. Time, energy, and attentiveness represent the currency of the gift of self. As we give our time, energy, and attentiveness to our family members, we show them grace. My friend told me a wonderful story of grace shown from a mother to her adult daughter. The adult...

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Grace

gifts sacrifice serve service

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Today’s Family Question Is…

What the Manger Teaches Me About Family

5 Steps for Forgiving Family

The Lost Art of Sacrifice in the Family

Four Steps to Make Your Family Miserable

The Full Extent of Love

Family Bank of Honor

Keep Your Mother Off Your Back

Of Buckets, Mops, and Grace