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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.

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.

Navigating Church Conflicts: Eight Biblical Principles for Managing Disputes Among Christ-Followers (Acts 15:1-35)

Navigating Church Conflicts: Eight Biblical Principles for Managing Disputes Among Christ-Followers (Acts 15:1-35)

When a decision in the church must be made and cannot be ignored or delayed, how can it be made when there is disagreement among members?

Navigating Church Conflicts: Eight Biblical Principles for Managing Disputes Among Christ-Followers (Acts 15:1-35)

In Marriage, a Misdiagnosis Can Lead to the Crazy Cycle

In Marriage, a Misdiagnosis Can Lead to the Crazy Cycle

Anyone who has visited the emergency room or urgent care with a mystery pain or illness knows how important it is to receive an accurate diagnosis from the doctor.

Who’s to Blame When Pinocchio or Mr. Magoo Reads Love & Respect?

Who’s to Blame When Pinocchio or Mr. Magoo Reads Love & Respect?

One person said about my book Love & Respect: This was one of my chief concerns with the book when I read it 10 years ago. Wives are portrayed as being actually disrespectful, while a husband is portrayed as simply being misunderstood. The problem was always ultimately the wife, either her own actions, or her perception.

When You Can Be Right but Wrong with the Choice of Your Words

When You Can Be Right but Wrong with the Choice of Your Words

For many years I’ve shared the sentiment that “you can be right but wrong at the top of your voice.” This stemmed from a conversation I had with my wife, Sarah, one night as we were driving home from a small group meeting I was leading.

Do Wives Only Need Love and Husbands Only Need Respect?

Do Wives Only Need Love and Husbands Only Need Respect?

In my book Love & Respect, I wrote, "I sometimes get the question, ‘You say women need love and men need respect. Isn’t the opposite just as true? Don’t gals need respect and guys need love?’ My answer is, of course, women need respect and guys need love" (page 47).

Is He Making Innocent Suggestions or Unloving Criticisms?

Is He Making Innocent Suggestions or Unloving Criticisms?

A wife who wrote to me recognized that her husband’s suggestion to do something in a different way was rooted in his goodwill. As a result, she sought to apply a respectful demeanor in response to his suggestion, which motivated him to be more loving. Great news, right?

Love and Respect Is About More Than Feelings

Love and Respect Is About More Than Feelings

Some folks say, “I will love you as long as I feel love for you,” or “I will respect you as long as I feel respect for you, and I certainly won’t respect you if you have not earned it." But we need to step back for a moment.

“What Did You Hear Me Say? Does That Make Sense?”

“What Did You Hear Me Say? Does That Make Sense?”

As parents, we find ourselves continually giving instruction to our kids. Of course, we know the Lord expects us to instruct our children. We read in the Bible two such verses: Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not ignore your mother’s teaching. (Proverbs 1:8)

Parenting

Is the Traditional View of Husband and Wife a Practical and Realistic View? [Video]

Is the Traditional View of Husband and Wife a Practical and Realistic View? [Video]

Two women in the Bible represent the desire to find a man who is a self-reliant provider. We read in Ruth 3:1: “One day Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, 'My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.'” Although this narrative is centuries old and reflects traditional views of men as providers and women as those provided for, do such sentiments still exist today?