Category Archives: Forgiveness

Raising an Angry Child

Posted on October 3, 2013 by familyencouragement

I coached Little League baseball for over twenty years and I have had many angry children on my teams.    It was more than rebellion, but a deep, abiding, residual, boiling anger.   The first time I met them they were angry.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Mother, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Love Trusts Even When Disappointed

Posted on September 20, 2013 by familyencouragement

I’m 55 years old now and have been in ministry since 1977.     When I began I was raw, sincere, stupid, naive and had a heart filled with love for God and people.   Thirty-six years later I’m not naive, … Continue reading →

Posted in Affirmation, Encouragement, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Patience | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Love is Quiet When It Could Hurt Others

Posted on September 17, 2013 by familyencouragement

There are times that you have been loved and never knew it.   It wasn’t because of what someone did or said, but rather what they didn’t do or say.  Love is not always noticed; in fact, sometimes it is silent.    … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Issues, Forgiveness, Kindness, Love, Loyalty, Marriage, Parenting, Speech | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love will not Retaliate

Posted on August 31, 2013 by familyencouragement

I know a pastor that had to make a difficult decision concerning a staff member  to let him go.   The individual became enraged and rather than leaving quietly began a campaign to destroy the pastor.   Somehow he got a mailing … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends, Kindness, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Revenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love isn’t Happy When Others Have Problems

Posted on August 27, 2013 by familyencouragement

When I was a Youth Pastor many years ago I had a family in our youth ministry that didn’t like Paula or myself.   The father and mother opposed most of what we were trying to accomplish with the young people.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Compassion, Criticism, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends, Leadership, Love, Mercy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Serving Difficult People

Posted on August 22, 2013 by familyencouragement

One Sunday Paula and I were arriving home from church and not only was I tired, but my mind was full of the events that had happened during the day.    We pulled up in the driveway  and I grabbed my … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends, Giving, Humility, Joy, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Parenting, Pride, Selfishness, Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Focusing on Intentions

Posted on August 19, 2013 by familyencouragement

One of the ways I know that I genuinely love someone is the way I think about them.   The Bible states that love “thinketh no evil” (I Corinthians 13:5).   This means that I do not keep track of wrongs or … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Compassion, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Friends, Kindness, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Negative Thinking about People You Love

Posted on August 12, 2013 by familyencouragement

A person is bitter or happy depending upon what they think about.  Bitter people rehearse resentments; happy people rehearse blessings.    The same is true about love.    The reality and depth of your love is related to your thought life.   The … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Criticism, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Pride, Satan, Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Love Focuses on the Good

Posted on August 7, 2013 by familyencouragement

I first met my wife in a Sunday School class I was leading. It was a very small church without enough classrooms for everyone to have a place to meet so we met outside when the weather was nice and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Regrets from being Easily Provoked

Posted on August 2, 2013 by familyencouragement

The things I will most regret with my family aren’t the things I have done or not done, but the things I have said.    When we are easily provoked we say and do things we regret later on.    A lack … Continue reading →

Posted in Affirmation, Anger, Compassion, Criticism, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Friends, Kindness, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Mother, Parenting, Patience, Speech | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment