Tag Archives: close family

Friends are Transparent with Each Other

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

Mid-Life Relationships between Parents and Children: Friendship

In recent months I wrote two birthday cards to my children within a month of each other.   I didn’t realize it until I had finished signing the second card and reading it again that I had included a similar thought … Continue reading

Posted in Aging parents, Bitterness, close family, familiy issues, Family Issues, Mid-life issues, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Building Your Husband

After Paula and I were engaged one of our frequent conversations was the kind of home we wanted to have.    We both were believers and that meant God’s Word was the guide to our roles and responsibilities.    Both of us … Continue reading

Posted in Admiration, Affirmation, attitude, close family, Encouragement, Family Issues, Growing marriage, Happy marriage, Husband, Marriage, Roles in Marriage, Strong Marriage, Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Special Family Get Togethers

Last night I attended a wedding rehearsal dinner for my nephew and his soon-to-be-wife. I watched my sister, her husband, their twelve children along with dozens of their friends enjoying companionship, celebrating the wedding of a loved one and friend. … Continue reading

Posted in close family, closeness, Family Get Togethers, Family Issues, friendship, Grandparenting, Gratitude, Happy marriage, Joy, Legacy, Marriage, Opportunities, Parenting, perspective, Wedding | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Preparing for an Empty Nest

In a little over a year from now my wife and I will be empty-nesters.  My baby girl already has a college in mind and has visited the campus.    It’s about 350 miles away from home.   When that time comes, … Continue reading

Posted in Bitterness, Children, close family, Empty nest, familiy issues, family, Family Issues, God's ownership, Parenting, stewardship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Your Wife Feel Loved

I was sincere when I got married, but made a lot of mistakes.  One of those areas was in communicating to Paula that I cared for her….in a way that meant something to her. As I write this we’ve been … Continue reading

Posted in Admiration, Affirmation, Attention, close family, communication, conversation, differences in men and women, familiy issues, family, Husband, Love, Loyalty, Marriage, Men, perspective, quality time, Respect, Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mistakes I Made in My Marriage – Parsing Her Words

Years ago I was driving through Chattanooga, Tennessee listening to one of my favorite preachers, Adrian Rogers.   He was telling a story about him and his wife when they had a disagreement. In the middle of their “discussion” Joyce, his … Continue reading

Posted in adversity, Affirmation, arguing, attitude, Change, character growth, close family, closeness, comfort, communication, Complaining, conflict, conversation, Criticism, differences in men and women, disagreements, Discouragement, Encouragement, familiy issues, family, God's grace, griping, Husband, Kindness, Marriage, Men, Mercy, Patience, Personal Growth, perspective, Speech, Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mistakes I Made in My Marriage – Failing to Appreciate the Way She Communicated

In the next several posts I will share some painful and difficult words.    They deal with mistakes I made in my relationship with Paula and some ways I have wronged her.    They aren’t in a specific order, but random as … Continue reading

Posted in advice, Change, close family, closeness, communication, conflict, conversation, Criticism, differences in men and women, disagreements, familiy issues, family, Husband, impatience, listening, Love, Marriage, Men, Patience, Wife, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Complaining Affects Your Family

I was visiting at a close friend’s house and decided to treat the family to supper.   It was a small town and so the options were limited.   After talking about possibilities we decided on some ribs.   The father of my … Continue reading

Posted in Children, close family, closeness, Complaining, Criticism, disagreements, Encouragement, example, expectation, Family Issues, Gratitude, griping, Influence, praise | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Complaining

When I was a few weeks from my 40th birthday I began to reminisce about the influences on my life.   For some reason I got an idea to compile several lists of 40 items that had blessed and helped me … Continue reading

Posted in Father, Friends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment