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What Did Jesus Believe About the Creation Account in Genesis?

What Did Jesus Believe About the Creation Account in Genesis?

Have you ever thought about what Jesus, whom Christians believe to be God incarnate, believed about the beginning? Yes, I understand the temptation to call this a silly question.

Christian Life

Are You Humbly Voicing a Need or Formalizing a Complaint?

Are You Humbly Voicing a Need or Formalizing a Complaint?

In the beginning, after God had created Adam and placed him in the garden to cultivate it, He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18).

Ask Yourself This Question If You Want to Be a More Effective Communicator

Ask Yourself This Question If You Want to Be a More Effective Communicator

When my interpersonal dynamics professor asked that question one day during my sophomore year in college, it revolutionized my thinking as a nineteen-year-old male. That question sparked in my mind a realization that there were effective ways to communicate, as well as ineffective ways.

Christian Life

What Does Love and Respect Enable a Wife and Husband to Do?

What Does Love and Respect Enable a Wife and Husband to Do?

In the Bible, we find two realities to which we are to respond: God’s commands and God’s promises. God calls us to obey His commands and trust His promises. Most of us have sung the song "Trust and Obey,” which captures these two quintessential truths.

How Does Goodwill Square with Total Depravity?

How Does Goodwill Square with Total Depravity?

Wherever I teach about goodwill, I am asked, "How do you reconcile the concept of goodwill with the total depravity of the human heart?" Some people go so far as to say,

What Does It Mean to Have Goodwill?

What Does It Mean to Have Goodwill?

In the past several weeks I have covered two vital truths that can help the Love and Respect couple develop mutual understanding and good communication: 1. The mouth matters (what comes out of the mouth depends on what is in the heart).

Decision Making in Marriage - A Hot Button Topic? - Part 3

Decision Making in Marriage - A Hot Button Topic? - Part 3

Emerson’s Reply, Part Three - A few days ago I presented a question that came to me in an email, concerning decision-making in marriage. Please read my two previous posts for Parts One and Two. Concerning the suggestion that husbands and wives “Wait for God to change her/him on the matter” when they are at a stalemate, here is another important point.

Decision Making in Marriage - A Hot Button Topic? - Part 2

Decision Making in Marriage - A Hot Button Topic? - Part 2

Emerson’s Reply, Part Two - Please read the previous post which presents the question on Decision-Making, and includes Part One of my reply. Today I’ll address the second suggestion from the wives: “Wait for God to change her/him on the matter.”

Decision Making in Marriage - A Hot Button Topic? - Part 1

Decision Making in Marriage - A Hot Button Topic? - Part 1

Recently I received an email question from a colleague who has a vital ministry in the marriage arena. I found his question most interesting and worthy of careful consideration. I’d like to share his email with you followed by my response, over the next few days. My friend writes: Emerson, I am dealing with a tough topic…

Hot-Button Words – Part 2

Hot-Button Words – Part 2

In my last post, I shared how Sarah uses certain hot-button words that can push my buttons – and how I’ve learned to not react so defensively. I hope you took some time to figure out what the hot-button words are in your relationship so you can stop the crazy cycle before it spins out of control! Recognizing where we irritate our spouse – and being willing to do something about it – goes a long way towards improving communication.

Hot-Button Words

In our current series on the Love and Respect Connection, we have addressed the importance of our spoken words – and how men and women perceive the same words differently. This week I want to talk about those hot-button words that can cause trouble in every relationship!

Hot-Button Words

Men and Women Hear the Same Words Differently

Men and Women Hear the Same Words Differently

Excess oil. What comes to mind when you hear these words? Two women discussing excess oil may be concerned about their skin. Two men discussing excess oil are probably concerned with machinery or perhaps a slippery garage floor.