Tag Archives: criticism

Things that Strengthened Our Marriage – Removing Pressure to Conform to My Schedule

When we had been married just over a year I learned a valuable lesson.   I was working at a church as a Youth Pastor and our home was about fifty yards away from the church.   Both of us were working … Continue reading

Posted in advice, Anger, attitude, Bitterness, Change, character growth, close family, Compassion, Complaining, conflict, Criticism, disagreements, familiy issues, family, Forgiveness, Giving, griping, Husband, impatience, Kindness, Love, Marriage, Men, Mercy, Patience, Personal Growth, problems, Repentence, Selfishness, surrender, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a 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 Church Members

As a boy that grew up attending church services regularly the area that hurt me the most was hearing harsh comments directed at our pastor in business meetings.   It didn’t happen every time, but it did occur too often. I … Continue reading

Posted in Affirmation, Anger, arguing, Bitterness, Children, church, Complaining, confidentiality, conflict, Criticism, disagreements, familiy issues, family | 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 – a Serious Matter

Almost twenty years ago we had a well-known preacher to speak in our church.    He was not only an effective preacher, but also a gifted and prolific author.   In the foyer a table was set up displaying many of his … Continue reading

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Complaining, Criticism, Discouragement, Family Issues, Gratitude | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Best Friends Encourage One Another

Recently one of my dearest friends stopped by the house to visit.    We talked for a while, mostly about nothing significant.   I was blessed and strengthened by our conversation.   It was especially meaningful because of my physical condition.   I have … Continue reading

Posted in Affirmation, Criticism, Encouragement, Family Issues, Friends, Influence, Speech | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to Overcome a Bitter Spirit

How does a person know they are bitter?    Most people do not think they are because they call it other names – disappointed, hurt, unmet expectations.   An operational definition I use for bitterness is “harbored hurt”.   If not dealt with … Continue reading

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Compassion, Criticism, Family Issues, Father, Forgiveness, Friends, Happiness, Humility, Joy, Leadership, Love, Marriage, Men, Mercy, Parenting, Pride, Revival | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Destruction of a Bitter Life

When I was a Youth Pastor I had two parents of young people in our ministry that were negative, cynical, sarcastic and just generally unpleasant to be around.   They kept score (in great detail) of how people had done them … Continue reading

Posted in Anger, Bitterness, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments