Tag Archives: mercy

Friends Trust Each Other

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

The Comfort of a Friend

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

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

Love is Quiet When It Could Hurt Others

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

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

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

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

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

Focusing on My Needs Rather than Your Wrongs

A self-righteous person is not a loving person.   Yet, that is the normal attitude in all of our hearts apart from a work of God’s grace in us.    The place where we condemn others and excuse ourselves is in our … Continue reading

Posted in Criticism, Family Issues, Father, Friends, Humility, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Mother, Parenting, Pride, Repentence, Speech | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Involves Thinking

I have always felt deeply and loved deeply.    Loving is the greatest joy and the greatest sorrow, both at the same time.   Those that love deeply hurt deeply when those whom they care about are going through sorrow and pain.   … Continue reading

Posted in Bitterness, Criticism, Discipline, Family Issues, Friends, Gratitude, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Parenting, Thinking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment