Category Archives: Family Issues

Unintentional Mentoring

Posted on January 3, 2022 by familyencouragement

I have been blessed by having many mentors that have influenced me, the majority of them were unintentional mentors.   By that, I mean they were pouring into my life, but they had no idea how much influence they had. It’s … Continue reading →

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Remembering a Childhood Mentor

Posted on March 26, 2021 by familyencouragement

I was recently reading James Dobson’s biography, “Turn Your Heart Toward Home”, and came across an interesting chapter that made me pause and go deeper in my past.   The title of the chapter was “Four Men”.   In it he talked … Continue reading →

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Friends Give Gifts to Each Other

Posted on August 29, 2020 by familyencouragement

A healthy marriage is one where the two are friends.  When a husband and wife lose the elements of friendship, the relationship struggles and becomes dutiful.  This is a dangerous place to be.  The benefit of having a Christian home … Continue reading →

Posted in Building a family, close family, Family Issues, Friends, friendship, Generosity, Giving, Gratitude, Married and Friends | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends are Committed through the Hard Times

Posted on July 23, 2020 by familyencouragement

Nothing proves friendship like adversity.    Friendship is costly.  Sometimes it is not easy to stand with people during difficult hours.   It will take time, energy, and may involve money.    “Words are easy, like the wind; faithful friends are hard to … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, bearing burdens, Commitment, Faithfulness, Family Issues, Friends, friendship, Loyalty, Married and Friends, suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends Hurt with Each Other

Posted on May 25, 2020 by familyencouragement

At the kernel of every close relationship are the marks of friendship.   As we cultivate friendship we strengthen the relationship.   This is seen in marriage and parenting, too.   It is good for us then to identify these qualities, and understand … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, bearing burdens, Discouragement, Encouragement, Family Issues, Friends, friendship, Married and Friends, sorrow | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends Trust Each Other

Posted on May 13, 2020 by familyencouragement

Good relationships have the earmarks of friendship.  The better the friendship, the stronger the relationship.   That includes the family.   Husbands and wives.   Parents and children (as the children grow the relationship transitions to a friendship).  Brothers and sisters.   God intends … Continue reading →

Posted in character growth, Christ-centered marriage, Family Issues, friendship, Growing marriage, Mercy, Trust | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends Express Their Feelings to Each Other

Posted on September 17, 2019 by familyencouragement

A close friend had been sick and in the hospital and was rapidly declining.  My wife and I went to visit him.   We didn’t know it would be the last time we would ever see him when we walked into … Continue reading →

Posted in Affirmation, Attention, close family, communication, emotions, Encouragement, Family Issues, friendship, Gratitude, Growing marriage, Happy marriage, Kindness, Married and Friends, Speech, Time | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends are Transparent with Each Other

Posted on July 24, 2019 by familyencouragement

Recently I shared with my wife that I was emotionally fatigued and discouraged.  A part of me wanted to keep that to myself and “be strong”, but I needed someone to talk with about it.  And she is my best … Continue reading →

Posted in bearing burdens, close family, comfort, communication, conversation, Discouragement, Encouragement, Family Issues, Friends, friendship, Growing marriage, Happy marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Friends Serve One Another

Posted on May 16, 2019 by familyencouragement

One of my fondest memories of friendship came out of a time when Paula and I were hurting the most.   We were at home, both of us recovering from physical setbacks. I had been in the hospital with pneumonia two … Continue reading →

Posted in Building a family, Christ-centered marriage, close family, Family Issues, friendship, Giving, Growing marriage, Marriage, Married and Friends, regrets, Selfishness, serving | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Comfort of a Friend

Posted on April 25, 2019 by familyencouragement

A strong marriage has at the core a relationship that is defined by a healthy friendship. If one can learn and apply the characteristics of a friendship then that relationship will be stronger, happier and deeper. One of the qualities … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, bearing burdens, comfort, Family Issues, Friends, friendship, grief, Mercy, pain, sorrow, Strong Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment