Each generation makes the same promise to themselves: “We’re going to live our lives differently than our parents!” It’s so common to see high school seniors chomping at the bit to graduate, leave home, and start their own lives. Who among us hasn’t said, “I’ll never do ____ the way my parents did it!”? It’s funny how every twenty or so years another group of crusaders emerge from their nests determined to be completely different than their parents. One of my favorite college professors basically told us to get over it – i.e., we are our parents. I actually believed her, but I had no idea … [Read more...]
Keep a Written Record of Sweet Statements
Have you ever had someone say something so precious to you that you wanted to make sure you never forgot a word of it? Several weeks back, Eric and I were having a conversation with my brother-in-law, David, and my sister-in-law, Vanessa. In the midst of our conversation, David said that Vanessa was the best thing that happened to people without them even realizing it. I’m sure I didn’t get that quote exactly right, but as soon as he said it, Vanessa was floored. It was such a sweet and powerful statement. Even when we know someone loves us, it’s so reassuring and emotionally healing to hear … [Read more...]
Four Ways to Know If You Are Boring Others With Your Relationship
New love is so exhilarating; it can leave you feeling like you’re floating on air. In fact, when trouble comes your way, such as a bad day at work or a fight with a friend, you can sit back, smile a silly smile, and think, “At least I have my honey!” Though new love slowly turns into experienced love, it is still fun to reminisce about those early butterfly days when you are years into your marriage. New love is awesome... for you and your sweetheart, but sometimes it can be a source of dread and boredom to those around you depending on how you handle it. When I was in high school, I can … [Read more...]
How to Keep Safe Spiritual Intimacy Boundaries While Dating (Spiritual Intimacy and Dating, Part 6)
In the course of this series we have discussed praying together, serving together, reading the Bible together, and seeking out mentors together. All of these topics come down to one word: boundaries. Spiritual intimacy in dating, like physical intimacy, is a matter of keeping healthy boundaries. In order for a couple to have spiritually healthy boundaries, a few factors must be in place. First, the couple must want to have boundaries. When we think we should do something (e.g., eating healthier, going on a daily walk, etc.), but we don’t really want to do it, there is a slim chance that we … [Read more...]
Should We Have Mentors, Even While Dating? (Spiritual Intimacy and Dating, Part 5)
A few years back, a friend of mine began dating a young man from her church. She was out of college and certainly in the age range when most people begin seriously considering marriage. Few people would have faulted these two consenting adults from spending a lot of time alone together and conducting their relationship the way they saw fit. However, they chose to go a different route. Instead of saying, “We’re grown and we don’t need all these people in our business,” they decided to utilize the godly people in their lives and spent a lot, if not the majority, of their time together with … [Read more...]
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