What one word might you use to describe the present state of your friendships? Evolving, encouraging, enduring? Strained, stressful, shallow? How about flourishing? Is that a word that would easily come to mind as you characterize the current status of your existing friendships? If not, I want to offer you hope that all is not lost. It is possible to have thriving, God-honoring friendships that reflect the heart of God. It is God's desire that we engage in flourishing friendships that reveal His glory. Our friendships have the potential to ..read more

Friends, the deceiver is still deceiving! But God is still God, and His very nature exudes love, grace, and mercy. So, when one of those students asked if God forgives sex before marriage, my initial response was a wholehearted, "Yes, of course, He does!" However, I know that there are many layers to this question, and it comes with a heart that may be seeking permission to fall into lust (if there will be forgiveness) or repentance due to guilt that is weighing heavy ..read more

A narcissist is someone who only cares about themselves. Rather than truly loving you, the only person they love is the reflection in the mirror.While many people name-call others narcissists in the modern day, there are certain things to look for when it comes to narcissists. If you have noticed that the person you love has any of the traits of being a narcissist, it might be time to end the relationship.A narcissist will never be able to love you as you deserve. God created marriage to be between one man and one woman. The man is to care for his wife as well as the woman should care for her ..read more

Have you ever met an atheist? I don’t just mean someone who doesn’t go to church or a non-Christian, but someone who doesn’t believe in God at all.I’ve met a few in my life. Some have been coworkers and others fellow students, and it can be challenging to navigate a relationship between two people with opposing belief systems. But I’ve learned there are ways to engage with an atheist friend that can be healthy and live-giving — and hopefully, ultimately point to Jesus.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/MoMo Productions ..read more

Dear Friend,I’ve heard recently that you, too, have suffered the loss of your wife. They’re asking me to encourage you, to give you advice and tell you it’ll all get better and nonsense like that. I will try to encourage you and give a little advice, but honestly? The only thing I really know to say to you right now is…I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.When Amy breathed her last breath at 1:28 a.m. on a Sunday morning, I thought I was ready. We’d had months to prepare for her death, after all, and cancer had been cruel. By that point, I’d been begging God to e ..read more

Ephesians 4:26 tells us, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” The people we are closest to are the ones who are most likely to tempt us to anger and to be on the receiving end of our anger. Ephesians 4:26 has often been a go-to verse for pastors and marriage counselors. But I wonder if we’ve read this verse as if it gives permission to anger. Some translations haven’t helped with this. The KJV says, “Be ye anger, and sin not…” The ESV is similar. Is this verse really saying, “You should be angry, but just don’t take it too far or let it la ..read more

Some would rather raise their children under the roof of a manipulating abuser than endure the “shame” and embarrassment of a divorce, hence making the marriage less of a sacrament and more of an idol or even a mockery that grieves the Lord. Marriage license or not, I believe when a spouse continually engages in any of the malicious, harmful behaviors mentioned above, their vows have already been broken ..read more

When spouses share similar values, it creates cohesion and unity within the marriage, fostering a sense of common purpose and direction ..read more

A room full of Kingdom-minded people is a force to be reckoned with. There is absolutely nothing that can keep us from achieving our goals together in unity when we have God by our side.   ..read more

There are many practical ways you can spend time with your grandkids, both near and far, to show them you love them. Choose a few options from the list above and start planning how you are going to spend your time the next time you are together ..read more