Most of us want to be in control of things. We want to control people. We want to control circumstances. Basically, we want to control our entire lives. But we all know that we rarely get to decide how life goes. Author Matt Mooney wrote about a time in his life when he realized that self-sufficiency was an impossible goal. Becoming a father for the first time revealed to Matt just how out of control he really is....

Many parents walk a fine line between caring for their children and spoiling their children. But the difference is not too complicated. Caring is always giving your children what they need. Spoiling is always giving your children what they want. When children become accustomed to getting what they want, how they want it, and when they want it, they develop a very self-focused, selfish mind-set. So, here are a...

My wife, Susan and I have been so happy to see friends who have had long-lasting marriages but have been saddened as well by marriages that seemed great but came to a shocking end. In a marriage failure, there are usually one or more marriage killers that are constantly present. For example, one marriage killer is comparison. One spouse might often say things like, “Why can’t you be more like her?” Or, “Why can’t...

In a world of danger and difficulties, our daughters need our protection. They need a shelter with a foundation of love, a frame of faithfulness, and a roof of trust. Because our role as parents is to help protect our daughters each day, it is up to us to provide for them in these 3 ways. First, provide for her physically. Physically protecting your daughter means teaching her to make safe choices and avoid...

Susan and I were already blessed with three children, but then, our hearts were stirred and moved to adopt two children from Siberia, Russia. The kids were 9-years-old and 12-years-old when they came into our home. They came carrying pain, hurt, insecurity, and instability. That was 10 years ago. We now look back at the last decade and remember the struggles we went through but also the joys we’ve experienced....

Sure, you can respond with a “yes, you can go” or “no, you can’t go.” But there’s a better way. That better way is to ask them good questions that may lead them to their own answer. You can ask them information questions like, “Where are you going?” and “Will their parents be there?” You can ask what if questions, “If someone brings alcohol or drugs, what are you going to do?” Finally, you can ask them consequence...

Many kids would rather stare at a screen than stare at the pages of a book. And when playing video games becomes obsessive and all consuming, then problems will soon follow. The signs for addiction are obvious.  It’s the 8-year-old who has a meltdown when he’s told to put his iPad away. It’s the teenager who lets his grades slip because he can’t turn off the Xbox. To help control this growing issue, here are ways...