Tag Archives: happiness

Things That Strengthened Our Marriage

Posted on September 6, 2016 by familyencouragement

I made some mistakes in our almost forty years of marriage, but there were also some things that I’m glad that I did.    These actions strengthened our relationship and made us closer as husband and wife. In the next few … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Children, close family, closeness, conversation, Empty nest, familiy issues, family, Happiness, Husband, Joy, Love, Marriage, Parenting, quality time, Time alone, Wife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Marriage Advice

Posted on June 3, 2016 by familyencouragement

Several years ago one of our pastors who teaches a Bible study for married couples asked me speak to them about some things I had learned in my marriage to Paula. (In June, 2016 we will be married for 37 … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Bible, close family, counsel, Encouragement, familiy issues, family, Happiness, Marriage, Men, mentoring, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Decision-Making and Personal Desires

Posted on May 26, 2016 by familyencouragement

My son-in-law and I were having lunch several years ago about God’s will for his life.   He had attended four years of Bible college and had planned on serving in local church ministry, but there was a restlessness in his … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, advice, counsel, Decision-making, Decisions, family, Family Issues, guidance, Happiness, Opportunities, Success, surrender, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wise Choices and New Opportunities

Posted on May 3, 2016 by familyencouragement

Years ago I was traveling to a meeting and had to fly because of the distance.   I took some reading material with me, including some correspondence.    Since I had already ferreted through the junk mail pile only a handful of … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Bible, Change, character growth, counsel, Decision-making, Decisions, familiy issues, family, guidance, Happiness, Opportunities, Parenting, Personal Growth, perspective, problems, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Key Question that Brings Wisdom

Posted on February 26, 2016 by familyencouragement

The call came late one night from a friend and without explanation he asked to meet me at my office.    I knew by the tone of his voice something was terribly wrong. As we walked down the hallway he was … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, Bible, Change, character growth, counsel, Decision-making, Decisions, familiy issues, family, guidance, Marriage, Obedience, Parenting, Will of God, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Overcome a Bitter Spirit

Posted on February 8, 2014 by familyencouragement

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

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

Love isn’t Easily Offended

Posted on July 29, 2013 by familyencouragement

Most of the time when I speak at our church it is after special music by a soloist or a group.   Many years ago someone sang a song that I had never heard before.   I love music and it has … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Criticism, Family Issues, Forgiveness, Friends, Happiness, Humility, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Patience, Pride, Repentence, Selfishness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Love Defers to Others

Posted on July 19, 2013 by familyencouragement

One of the marks of genuine love is deference.    The definition of deference is “to respectfully yield to the opinion or desire of another person”.     Sometimes this involves deferring to another even when we want something different.  What would motivate … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Issues, Father, Giving, Love, Marriage, Mother, Parenting, Selfishness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Envy and Happiness

Posted on June 15, 2013 by familyencouragement

There is a major contrast between envy and love in terms of your personal happiness.  Those that are consumed with envy are not happy, but disgruntled.    Those that love are not consumed with receiving, but with giving and being grateful … Continue reading →

Posted in Envy, Family Issues, Gratitude, Happiness, Jealousy, Love, Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment