Family Issues

[The following is an adaptation of a bulletin insert created by Christian Life Resources for use by congregations everywhere. The insert can be downloaded here.] A child, however,...

At the pinnacle of his career, Apple CEO Steve Jobs received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. As the cancer slowly robbed him of his health, Jobs spoke about his impending death...

Mother’s Wisdom #1: Know Who You Are If you don’t have a clear understanding of who you are (including long-term goals in life), then it’s easy to get side-tracked...

In a world that challenges mothers in their noblest of roles it is good to recall God’s perspective about the estate of motherhood: Having Children is God's Idea God...

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan Give to the one who asks you,...

A widower struggles to raise two young children in a small southern town during the 1930s. The town’s racist attitudes come to light as this man, who is a lawyer, faces the...

My wife and I just wanted to get home. Being gone for several days, suitcases, then a delayed flight on our already-late return made us long for our normal surroundings again. But...

“The anti-choice fringe is attacking Planned Parenthood like never before.” (www.plannedparenthood.org)Are you a part of the “anti-choice fringe”? Could your...

Article adapted with permission from its initial publication in LifeLines from Bethany Christian Services, the largest adoption agency in the U.S. and also a worldwide ministry that...

Before a couple adopts a child, they may wonder how to tell the child that he or she is adopted. Do you wait until you think the child can understand the concept? What words do you...

If I never hear another sermon about “family values,” it will be fine with me.That may sound like an odd thing to read in this magazine. It may seem to contradict the theme...

The auction bill read, “Due to the tragic deaths of Bill and Edith Webber, the following will be sold to the highest bidders...”“How much do you think this is worth?”...

I was brought to my parents’ home when I was 11 months old. My birth father delivered me to the house, and my birth mother was already long gone. After he left, my parents say...

One of the simplest, yet most profound, interactions I ever had with another human being came during the afternoon of an otherwise uneventful day.I had only been married for about a...

No doubt you have heard this old saying before – and maybe you’ve even used it yourself. It’s a way of conveying that the ties that bind us to blood relatives are...

True Confessions: Forty years ago I took a first date to see the movie, “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?”Based on a 1930s novel, the movie was technically well done...

Julie rushed to the hospital after hearing about her Dad’s stroke. Upon her arrival, Julie was greeted by David, the social worker, who immediately escorted her into a private...

Just as CLR offers “food for the soul” in bite-sized insights about Christian living, we also offer “food for the body” with recipe favorites. Enjoy this...

Editor’s Note: This is the sixth and final installment in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging...

It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, and the temperature is in the upper sixties. Spring in Wisconsin can be unpredictable. Today’s taste of summer might be followed...

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”...

Editor’s Note: This is fifth in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent.Mom has lived in a...

Living Large – To live an extravagant or self-indulgent lifestyle. (Dictionary.com)Is your family living large? What a silly question to ask during these times of economic hardship....

Materials:Lima beansToothpicksJar or bowlPaper towelsOPTIONAL: Magnifying glassesYou will need at least one lima bean and a toothpick for each child or group. (A magnifying glass would...

3 cups mixed spring greens1 cup iceberg lettuce (torn into bit-size pieces)½-1 cup dried cranberries½-1 cup cashews1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Swiss cheese1-2 Granny Smith...

QUESTION: My dad was recently diagnosed with ALS. We are all pretty devastated. He knows that his quality of life will diminish, and he will become totally reliant on us kids. The other...

QUESTION: I’ve heard that teen pregnancy rates have increased. Is it time to teach our kids about birth control?ANSWER: Teaching about birth control is not the solution. Abstinence...

Editor’s Note: This is fourth in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. When asked what...

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7)The sordid account of King David and Bathsheba is a familiar one (1 Samuel 11 and 12). In the aftermath God...

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. The series will...

A Michigan man recently justified killing three teenagers because, in his words, “I have no hope. I have no future.” The coldness with which he gunned down these unsuspecting...

This question might be triggered by a baby picture of our 11-year-old daughter or the news that an eighth-grade nephew is now as tall as I am. Most recently it was a look at my father’s...

Editor’s Note: This is second in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. When Dad died, my...

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles written by Ms. Linda Lawrence that addresses the challenges and blessings in caring for an aging parent. Mom’s pinched...

Here are several important tips to help avoid becoming a victim of financial abuse:Involve people you trust in making important financial decisions.Use direct deposit for Social Security...

Wonderful aromas are wafting in from the kitchen. A juicy turkey continues to roast in the oven, and the spicy scent of a baked pumpkin pie still lingers in the air. In the living room...

One of my members in particular loves the Christmas time of year. For him, it can't come early enough. Ask him to shop at a store that has early Christmas displays, and he'll even offer...

QUESTION: Is genetic testing of preborn children acceptable for Christians? ANSWER: The answer to your question requires some clarification, because there are many variables that come...

"No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet." - Author UnknownThere is probably no image more heartwarming than a beaming...

I was born to a single mother at an age when she was either a senior in high school or a freshman in college.  She placed me with a Christian adoption agency, which then placed...

The November/December 2007 issue of AARP Magazine lists the following "9 Ways to Make It Better": COMPROMISEWork to avoid family arguments and resentments if you are a primary caregiver's...

Privacy can be a rare commodity for a family of eight. When I was a child, sharing a bedroom was a fact of life. It was a special day when my parents gave me a room of my own. Now I...

The Root of the ProblemRead Genesis 2:15-20Besides the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, how could man have also sinned in the Garden of Eden? How did man display his love for...

How equipped are you to help care for Mom or Dad as they age or when one or the other dies? Caring is more than emotion and good intentions. Careful forethought greatly helps make a...

Q: My husband and I have talked about caring for our parents when they are unable to care for themselves. We have offered that they stay with us in our home rather than move to a nursing...

How to Prevent Legal Actions Against School Administrators When Values at Home Conflict with Educational Institutions With the beginning of another school year, a list of opportunities...

1891First known case of embryo transplantation using two species of rabbits.1938First cloning technique proposed, proven years later.1944First successful IVF of human eggs.1959First...

There are numerous reasons why a married couple may be a family of just two. Either one or both may be unable or unlikely to have children for physiological reasons. Or a couple’s...

QUESTION: My 93-year-old mother has been strong and healthy her entire life. I am afraid that she has a false confidence about going to heaven. She says that God must be happy with...

Many mothers and fathers who will do almost anything to avoid discussing death with their children. Perhaps they fear upsetting them, or worse, leaving them emotionally scarred. It...

“Can you believe it? The Smith’s are pregnant again!” “That makes five. What are they thinking!?” “I know. They can barely take care of the ones...

 “The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”This proverb is quoted twice in Scripture (Jeremiah 9:14 and Ezekiel 16:44). It is modernized...

QUESTION: Our elderly neighbors have lived next door to us for ten years. Last week the husband died, and his widow is rather lonely. What suggestions can you share to help her get...

Rock music has always been a point of contention between parents and their teenage children. Moms and dads worry about the effect this music may have on their child, and rightly so....

It's been more than one year since "Mrs. Marge" sold her home and moved in with her son. "Mrs. Marge," an elderly widow who lived alone, used to be our next-door neighbor. Her son would...

QUESTION: Many of my daughter’s friends are wearing outfits that I feel are inappropriate. I am very disappointed that my daughter is now wearing some of the same styles. How...

Raising a child brings countless benefits, and many parents report that it is the most rewarding job they ever have. However, parenting also presents unique and very stressful situations...

“Television and all who participate in it are jointly accountable to the American public for respect for the special needs of children, for community responsibility, for the advancement...

Some [seed] fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. . . . Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it,...

How can a member of an older generation spread God's Word on life issues to the younger people in his or her congregation? Think of what you have been through, what you have learned...

In July 1984 pop singer Tina Turner released a hit song, "What's Love Got To Do With It?" It won a Grammy Award in 1985 and became the title of a 1993 movie about the life of Turner...

1. As of the end of 2005, how many deaths did Oregon record since it implemented their 1997 law legalizing physician assisted suicide?A. 30B. 162C. 246D. 7802. How many people did Jack...

1. As of the end of 2005, how many deaths did Oregon record since it implemented their 1997 law legalizing physician assisted suicide?A. 30B. 162C. 246D. 7802. How many people did Jack...

The way in which people conduct their lives is often framed by their ethical standards --- whether in business, medicine, justice system, and even their Christian living. The problem...

QUESTION: A friend of mine faced an unwanted pregnancy but didn’t want to abort her baby. She didn’t know all of her options, and I&rsquom not sure she made the right decision....

Lets talk about blended families. A blended family is what occurs when a man and woman marry, and one or both bring with them children from a previous marriage or relationship. An untimely...

Bethany Christian Services, the nation's largest adoption and family services agency, offers the following practical information on the issue of adoption:Types of AdoptionAdoption DictionaryChoosing...

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." Proverbs 29:15Raising a child is one of the most important, daunting, challenging, frustrating,...

Once upon a time, as the story goes, a beautiful maiden was held captive by an evil sorcerer. A most daring man seeks to rescue her. Three times he falls; three times he rises again....

Pop quiz: Where would your child be safer?a) In a dark alley in a questionable part of town late at night. b) At home in front of the family computer in the middle of the day.The logical...

To: Arthur Caplan, Director of the Center for Bioethics, University of PennsylvaniaFrom: A.C. Green, President, A.C. Green Youth FoundationI read your recent commentary on abstinence...

It is important to know, remember, and live by your true identity in Christ. The following Bible verses will help you see yourself as God sees you.John 1:12 - Yet to all who received...

A pew poll of 1,505 adults taken in March 2005 found that six in ten Americans are "very concerned" about what children see and hear in the electronic media (TV, movies, video games...

Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).I dont know if you have ever been fly-fishing or maybe you have seen it on TV. When you go fly fishing you cast your...

Traditions create treasured practices in families. They tend to play a very important role in creating family ties and give family members special memories to carry throughout life...

Being deployed is hard on the family. I have been here in the sand now since mid-October 2004. Like almost everyone here, I left behind family members, including my wife and two...

A Few Good Men is a popular film telling the story of a military lawyer defending two Marines accused of murder. The following dialogue is excerpted from a memorable scene in which...

CLR NOTE: The issues of life, death, and family are challenging and often heart wrenching. We face none of them in the sterile environment of perfect surroundings, perfect circumstances,...

"God places high value on the parent-child relationship. He Himself specifies in the Fourth Commandment that we are to honor our parents. In working out this honor, we sometimes find...

QUESTION: My mother has multiple sclerosis and has been given only a few years to live. Our family is concerned about Mom spending the last few years of her life suffering. What can...

Press ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseDecember 15, 2004Contact: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Office of Communication301-458-4800Married Adults are the Healthiest, New CDC...

Thanksgiving is a great time of year for my family. First of all, it takes place in the fall. There is something warm and inviting about the colors of fall and the beauty of the trees...

When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. You will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah...

Competing to Get Aheadby Rev. Robert FleischmannNational Director of Christian Life Resources(Originally published in January/February 2005 issue of CLR's Clearly Caring Magazine)"They...

"If we had abstinence, we wouldnt need abortions."Who can argue with that?No conception - No abortionNo copulation - No conceptionAbstinence eliminates the need for abortions!I have...

A friend of mine once said that coaching is teaching children to be the best they can be.Setting the FocusIn both the public and private school settings, I have found an enormous advantage...

Today's Media: Think About Such Thingsby Mr. Tim SnyderDirector of Media Services, Christian Life Resources(Originally published in January/February 2005 issue of CLR's Clearly Caring...

He's a respected member of the community, a successful businessman, a loving husband, and a devoted father. Hes a model citizen who hides a dark secret. In the dead of night he goes...

I have to admit it. I am one of those guys who takes great pride in keeping his lawn in pristine condition. Not that it is a total obsession with me. I dont religiously follow the feeding...

This article first ran in the December 1998 issue of National Right to Life News and is one of the stories readers have most asked them to reprint. Read it and you will see why. An...

QUESTION: Do you really consider “pulling the plug” to be euthanasia?ANSWER: Deuteronomy 32:39 tells us that God alone has the right to begin or end life. Exodus 20:13 and...

Cutting wood was never my favorite thing to do. After all, there were better things for a pre-teen boy to do on a Saturday afternoontelevision shows to watch, friends to hang out with,...

"America's divorce revolution has failed."The above conclusion comes from the Council of Families in America, a group of "scholars and analysts...a volunteer, nonpartisan,...

A team of doctors decided to conduct an experiment to study the ways in which group pressure influences young people. To accomplish this, they invited 10 teenagers into a room and told...

Some life statistics about men:(From the National Center on Health Statistics) 66% of all heart attacks occurring in the U.S. annually are suffered by men. Every 12 minutes a man dies...

A Sermon Based on Mark 7:31-37Lord Jesus, when you walked this earth you reached out to people and helped them in any need. You brought healing, hope and new life. Reach out to us needy...

Matthew 9:12 - Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.""I don’t feel sick enough to be in the hospital!" So you may have said,...

Isaiah 55:8 - "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," says the Lord.I have received all sorts of advice from well-meaning friends. One suggests...

1. Understanding the TermsBurden: Something perceived to be beyond the ability to cope, not related to a desire to carry. Sharing: To willingly and happily assist others by giving from...

This article is part 2 of a 5-part series entitled, "Decent Sex." What Is a Real Man? What Is a Real Woman?Each generation and each culture on this earth have their own definitions...

NOTE TO THE INSTRUCTOR: The author of this Bible study in no way professes to be an expert on how to talk to one's children about sex. Nor does he intend this Bible study to cover everything...

Righteous indignation. You know the feeling. You find something so offensive you start to seethe inside. It’s a jumbled mix of emotions and souls are at stake. You hate the sin...

The recent attention given to the legalization of gay marriage has highlighted an increasing tension many Christians feel on issues so clearly prescribed in Scripture. The Scopes trial...

What does it take to be a father today? Biologically, it simply takes fertilizing an egg. Practically, being a father is so much more!Advances in reproductive technology are robbing...

Is the sound of children disturbing or delightful? How children and adults benefit from children attending worship. "I wonder if it's worth it to bring him to church at all."Steve Bilitz,...

"My Life Is Being Completely Disrupted!"Philippians 3:7-8 - But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a...

Matthew 9:12 - Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.""I don’t feel sick enough to be in the hospital!" So you may have said,...

John 14:6 - "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."The way we walk in life leads to a definite end. The truth we follow and...

1. Understanding the TermsBurden: Something perceived to be beyond the ability to cope, not related to a desire to carry. Sharing: To willingly and happily assist others by giving from...

This article is part 3 of a 5-part series entitled, "Decent Sex."Two Become One FleshSexual relations between a husband and wife are an essential part of marriage, and marriage is an...

Innocent activities that initially bring pleasure can spiral into compulsions that are difficult to control and have devastating effects.Addictions consume energy. Problems exist when...

Certain moments in life profoundly change us. Such moments redefine who we are and why we exist. For me, one such instance began on a warm, sunny day in July of 1994. That was the day...

In a society where the quality of life is often judged subjectively, there is precious little room for those who rely on others for help and support. Self-sufficiency is to be praised....

With the talk about fathers who shirk their responsibilities, there are glimmers of good news.Currently, 63 percent of American teenagers live with their biological fathers. Teens with...

One woman encourages those who brave the terrors of worship with children.I look around and count babies, and I feel a little envy. My youngest is four now. I look around and see the...

"All I Want Is To Get Out Of Here!"Luke 17:19 - Then [Jesus] said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."The man was living in exile and isolation....

2 Timothy 4:18 - The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.It is not a pleasant thought, perhaps, but one which has to be faced sooner...

John 3:16 - God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. The word "love" has been abused...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

This article is part 4 of a 5-part series entitled, "Decent Sex."The Truth About Premarital SexThe Bible contains a brutally honest account of sex between two unmarried young people:...

One woman's story of how depression ruled her life.It was my fourth hospitalization in two years. I hadn't eaten for six days. Medical doctors were checking for any physical problems,...

This issue of Clearly Caring is arriving in the mail between Mothers Day and Fathers Day two really big family holidays. My writing assignment for this commentary came to me the morning...

The late humorist and author, Erma Bombeck, once wrote: "The inside of a house of worship must be the most confusing place ever to a child. There's water that you can't play with, books...

We're always passing the baton of faith -- sharing the promise -- to the next generation.It's been compared to a relay race. The most critical moment is when both runners are in the...

In a Christian doctor-patient relationship, faith is the common bond. How good it is for patient and doctor to share the same faith. I love caring for patients of my own church - so...

"I Can’t Question God, Can I?"John 11:32 - When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here,...

Galatians 3:26 - You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.The hardest part of being a parent is having to watch your child in pain or illness. It seems unfair that a child...

Luke 2:29-31 - Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people....

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

This article is part 5 of a 5-part series entitled, "Decent Sex."A. Homosexuality: A SinThe Bible in unmistakable language identifies homosexuality as a violation of God's Law, a sin....

So you're planning to take the kids to a movie this weekend. A new film has just been released and seems like good family fare. How do you make sure the content is appropriate for family...

QUESTION: In light of Mark 10:11,12, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits...

Men should follow Jesus' lead and head their families with love, sacrifice, and the WordPolitically correct pundits are changing their tune. Well, maybe it's the same tune, but at least...

Just say no. Sounds easy, doesn't it? A simple solution to a complex problem. Just say no and it all goes away.Unfortunately, drug and alcohol abuse can't be sloganed away. It continues...

"Why Me?"John 21:21-22 - When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to...

Psalm 31:15 - My times are in your hands.There doesn’t seem to be a good time to be in the hospital. You have other things you need to be doing. Your life did not need this kind...

Job 14:14 - If a man dies, will he live again?No one likes to think about death. I’ll freely admit I am no exception to the rule. But as I grow older, it becomes more and more...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

This article is part 1 of a 5-part series entitled, "Decent Sex."Part 1: Man's Word on SexThe words people use to describe sex and sexual activity already betray much about the way...

Dating Dilemma Should religion be a deciding factor in whom to date? Catrina J. Meyers It was the middle of my junior year, and I was trying to get over a bad breakup. My friend,...

True or False? 1) Most people trying to cope with depression simply don’t have strong enough faith.FALSE. People in the church may jump to this conclusion because many depressed...

I just finished reading a book my family gave me for Christmas -- Tom Brokaw's best seller, The Greatest Generation. It's a series of interviews with members of that generation called...

Dear Mr. McDowell,Having premarital sex was the most horrifying experience of my life. It wasn't at all the emotionally satisfying experience the world deceived me into believing. I...

"God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68:6)We have the challenge to promote the family and help build solid Christian families in our midst. Here is one inescapable fact: We all...

"I Don’t See God Doing Anything" Matthew 8:7-8 - Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you...

Psalm 31:15 - My times are in your hands.There doesn't seem to be a good time to be in the hospital. You have other things you need to be doing. Your life did not need this kind of...

John 20:27 - Stop doubting and believe!At times I find myself doubting God’s many promises to help in times of trouble. It’s not that his Word is unclear. It’s me....

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

What do the words crime, innuendo, molestation, bias, misconduct, discrimination, overtones, violence, and perversion have in common? They all follow the adjective "sexual" in today's...

by Paul Reisser, M.D. I hereby acknowledge a gap in my comprehension of current social mores and vernacular, the correction of which has been a cause for some alarm. For most of my...

A study published this week in the journal Suicide and Threatening Behavior by a University of California, San Diego, sociologist has suggested a significant link between legalized...

Mom gives advice on what to look for when searching for "Mr. Right."Dear Daughter,Since you were a tiny baby, I've prayed for you: that you grow in your love for Jesus, that you find...

Tips to help you raise a unique Christian womenRaising godly daughters today is like flying a kite in a hurricane. The mighty winds of the world keep battering against us.Looking for...

"Will I Ever See Anything Good In Life Again?"Luke 2:28-30 - Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss...

Isaiah 49:16 - See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.At any given time, there must be millions of sick people in this world. There must be hospitals, nursing homes, and...

Matthew 11:28 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Restlessness seems to be a daily companion lately. Questions about my diagnosis and prognosis...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

In a bygone era, when people were still ashamed to talk about it (Ephesians 5:12), it was called cohabitation. Today's terms are more unashamedly descriptive: living together, shacking...

For centuries, the Jesuits have had a saying: Give us the first seven years ... What that means is simply this: If the Church catches you while you are young, chances are youll remain...

IntroductionMy heart ached as I watched my father's body deteriorate. He had always been such a proud and determined man. Everyone who knew him admired his gentle and caring manner....

Christianity Today, the largest evangelical Protestant periodical in our country, recently conducted a major survey of 1,250 subscribers who were chosen at random. Close to 750 subscribers...

Nine tips you can use to strengthen your family.Twenty years ago, being a father seemed rather easy--challenging, but not terribly complicated. Fairly regular devotions, rules about...

QUESTION: I am recently employed. I'm a Christian and love the Lord dearly but have a hard time proclaiming him at work. As soon as someone mocks God, I do nothing to defend his holy...

"I Don’t Feel Like I Deserve God’s Help"Luke 5:8,10 - When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord: I am a sinful...

1 Corinthians 15:42-43 - The body that is sown...is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.This must be said about long life: it really can wear a person out. When you were 20, you...

On Entry"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)We go to doctors because we need help. Our bodies hurt. In our suffering Jesus invites...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

Read the following passages: Genesis 2:24 - For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.1 Corinthians 7:2-5 - But...

While society debates homosexual adoption, marriage experts remind us why kids thrive best when a mother and father are involved. Glenn Stanton, senior research analyst for marriage...

When we sympathize with others, we are led into action, following Jesus' command to love one another as he loved us."Sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery," wrote Edward...

Determining, "Who's to blame?" requires spouses to be on opposing teams. Husbands and wives become teammates when they ask, "What exactly is wrong, and how do we fix it?""You're late....

The kids tell me there are certain statements I make with definite regularity: "Whoever washed the dishes, get back down here!" "What happened to the light bulbs I bought yesterday?"...

A father in recovery writes to his wife and children. His perspective can be applied to those involved with other addictions.To My Family, Whom I Love...I know that this letter is too...

1 Corinthians 15:42-43 - "The body that is sown...is sown in weakness, it is raised in power."This must be said about long life: it really can wear a person out. When you...

On Entry"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." (Matthew 9:12)We weaken and become ill, or some serious problem in the body sends us to a hospital for treatment. God...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

Solomon Wrote (Ecclesiastes 1:9): "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."I think of this passage often as I counsel...

[LifeNews.com Note: Wendy McElroy is the author and editor of many books and articles, including the forthcoming anthology Liberty for Women: Freedom and Feminism in the 21st Century...

On May 17, 2004, the state of Massachusetts legalized gay marriage. Approximately one percent of the U.S. population (or at least those living in Massachusetts) who comprise the "gay...

Sex Views Harmful, Study SaysYoung adults still value marriage, but their views on sex aren't setting them up for marital success, according to a report by the National Marriage Project...

Most little girls dream of the day they will meet their Prince Charming. A young woman begins preparing to meet the real love of her life when she is still harboring her Barbie dolls,...

Turning Back the ClockIt's the season for high school graduations. Where has the time gone? What will our young people do with the time in front of them, the rest of their lives? For...

"They’ve Taken Away My Identity!"John 13:23 - One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.Jesus nicknamed John the apostle, along with his...

2 Corinthians 12:9 - My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.People used to think that sickness and accidents happened to people because they had done...

Importance of this Bible Study1) Life issues are broadening or shifting to each end of the life spectrum: beginning of life through end of life.2) Personally we are not victims of abortion,...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united...

Last month, Dateline NBC told the story of a young couple's decision to have a baby who had been diagnosed with Down syndrome. The story, which took place in 1998, is worth recalling...

Background:The U.S. Senate took up the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) the week of July 12, 2004. The U.S. Senate voted on July 14, 2004 to kill the amendment by a 48-50 procedural...

A marriage based on the Bible will help couples fulfill their God-given roles and experience true and complete oneness.The bride did everything wrong. Again and again, she brought grief...

Why Baptize Babies?The Bible doesn’t tell us anywhere how old a person must be at the time of baptism. Jesus commanded us to baptize "all nations" (Matthew 28:19) and...

We want to reject the misuse and the distortions of self-esteem, not waste the value that the concept provides.Some years ago, social scientists recognized what most have known for...

The feisty side of me hates the phrase, "I care." Don't misunderstand. I am not against saying it. But I object to its use without meaning. It sounds more like a catchy bumper...

Acts 17:26-27 - And he determined the times set for them....God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.As we think about the approaching end...

Something perceived to be beyond the ability to cope, not related to a desire to carry.Understanding the Terms:Burden:Review the following passages: Numbers 11:14; Nehemiah 5:15; Psalm...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

As a Christian, you have an edge in coping with stress!You're stuck in traffic. Horns honking, motorists screaming. It's Monday. You worked all weekend, but you're still behind deadline.You...

The number one incentive for taking control of your youngsters’ television habits is their spiritual health. Doing it for the sake of their physical health is also very compelling.Recent...

God’s precious gift of sex is only for those who publicly promise faithfulness to one another for life.Since the sexual revolution of the 1960s, the idea of reserving sexual relations...

Marriage has been instituted by God, and he continues to regulate it.The dream of many a young girl is to be a June bride. For reasons not entirely clear, June remains a popular wedding...

Expect that friends will not understand that you won't play softball every Tuesday night, in order to be at home with the kids."I just don't have the time," I sighed in exasperation....

We Live Together as a Family...To the Glory of GodAs a family, the first thing we do is love one another.We were not a family. We have become a family -- by the grace of God. Now we...

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was...

Acts 17:26-27 - And he determined the times set for them....God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.As we think about the approaching end...

When God created the woman and brought her to Adam, thus establishing marriage, no mention is made of offspring. Companionship alone is spoken of. "God ordained marriage, not in...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

This is the first in a series of three Bible studies for fathers. In this series, we will examine what God says in His Word about a father's role in the family, how a father can fulfill...

dis-cern-ment [noun]: keenly selective judgment, good taste and judgment"Parents, it's 11:00 P.M. ... Do you know where your children are?"Are you old enough to remember local television...

As a teenager, I hear the media telling my peers and me about sex more than any other topic. I have to ask myself two questions:What are they telling us? And, are we listening? Overwhelmingly,...

What our God-given gender differences are and how understanding them can help you communicate better with the opposite sex.We don't have to read very far into Genesis before we learn...

"Hey." (in an artificial low voice)"How was school today?""School." (with a shrug)"What did you do?""Stuff.""What kind of stuff?" (dumb question)"Ugh, Dad, you're so annoying.""Sorry,...

When you are called upon to touch someone's life with comfort, share the genuine comfort of the cross."When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar...

Psalm 37:7 - Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.Don't you wish you were in one of those hospitals you see on television? You come in, they cure you, and out you go...

Luke 11:9 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.There are times when it almost doesn’t seem worth it to pray. It...

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1a)."I'm such a loser! I'm a fat, stupid, ugly, klutzy,...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

This is the leader's guide to the first in a series of three Bible studies for fathers. In this series, we will examine what God says in His Word about a father's role in the family,...

Society has always had trouble with the subject of sex. Some societies like the Victorian have hidden the topic in a closet as if it did not exist. Sex went on as usual, including its...

What to look for when choosing the woman you want to marry.I married the most beautiful woman I ever met. She was charming and funny, lively and loved by all. Her greatest personal...

In a poll of 20,000 middle and high schoolers, 70 percent of high school students admitted cheating on an exam at least once in the past year. In 1996 the cheating rate was 64 percent.The...

"I'm pregnant."These are powerful words that can evoke fear, anxiety, joy and confusion in men. An unplanned pregnancy puts men in a peculiar place; on one side he is supposed to stand...

Matthew 28:20 - Surely I will be with you always...I miss my room! I miss my bed! I miss my TV and stereo! I miss my toys and my dolls and my pet! I miss my mom and dad! I don’t...

Psalm 46:1-2 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.There are times when the words of Psalm 46 seem hollow to us. After all,...

I dont know about you, but I really hate running. Its hard work. Ive found it can even make you sweat if youre not careful. I despise running so much that, as a general rule, there...

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamb once said it was wrong for the elderly to become a burden upon their family and society. God's Word tells us something different. This is Part...

Before we begin this portion of our Bible study, we need to review the principles of servant-leadership that we studied in our last lesson.Read each of the following passages and use...

I trusted him when he told me, "I love you." He trusted me when I said the same. We trusted our emotions when they said, "It's OK. Show each other how much you care." When our relationship...

Seven suggestions to make your congregation safe for victims of domestic violence.In my career as a prosecutor, I have worked with hundreds of victims of domestic violence. I have seen...

In 1988, while looking for organizations specifically serving parenting teenage mothers, I was saddened by the realization that very few such organizations existed. There were many...

It was the day of my 18th birthday that I found out I was pregnant. At a time when I should have been young and hopeful and happy and free, I was terrified and lonely and angry and...

Psalm 31:15 - My times are in your hands.Do you know what’s frustrating? Thinking abut how easily you might NOT have had to come to the hospital. If you’d been fifteen seconds...

Hebrews 13:5 - "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."Why should the Lord be my daily companion? He has every reason to abandon me. My lifestyle has not always...

When a couple is expecting their first child, often times hopes, dreams and aspirations take center stage. The parents know they are going to love and care for their child, and plan...

When abortion is marketed to the general public its advocates emphasize the autonomous right of the woman to make this decision. Society has so bought into that notion that in 1976...

Before we begin this portion of our Bible study, we need to review the principles of servant-leadership that we studied in our last lesson.Read each of the following passages and use...

Teen dating? Perhaps, it's time to asign these words to the dustbin of outmoded phrases. At least, if most 15 year-olds had their way, they would be happy never to hear these words...

In a society where infanticide (by way of abortion) is an acceptable practice, and sex education includes the use of dolls that simulate real babies to teach teens how burdensome parenthood...

When Things Go Wrong: What to do, and not to do, when your child goes down the wrong path.David and Dennis are brothers. They share the same Mom and Dad and grew up in the same household,...

Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? We know such a question is not uncommon in our world. We live among a people who not only may ask such a question concerning...

Matthew 10:29 - Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from the will of your Father.People lying in hospital beds often spend the hours...

Matthew 14:27 - "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid."They say only a fool is never afraid. But lately it seems as though fear and uncertainty have taken over my...

I am not sure when I first heard these words. "It is more blessed to give than to receive" sounds like something out of a stewardship program from church so I suppose that...

When abortion is marketed to the general public its advocates emphasize the autonomous right of the woman to make this decision. Society has so bought into that notion that in 1976...

In this Bible study we will discuss some basic truths about God's gift of sex - that it is a gift from God for married people and that the sinful world has perverted it for its own...

"I Feel So Alone"John 19:28 - Jesus said, "I am thirsty."A crowd had gathered to watch the controversial teacher Jesus be slowly and painfully executed on a cross....

THIS IS WHAT THE LORD SAYS:How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)At the start, it is important...