Posts Tagged ‘relationships’
Marital Needs
by Perry Hall In premarital counseling, I always ask what the number one need of a man fulfilled in marriage is, and what the number one need of a woman fulfilled in marriage is. Even when these couples are not religious, their own self-awareness teaches them the correct answer. When they say they don’t know,…
Read MoreKindness and Generosity
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Kindness-and-Generosity.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-12 I. I ran across an interesting article by Aemily Smith, originally published in The Atlantic, November 9, 2014. “Science Says Lasting Relationships Come Down to Two Basic Traits.” A. It was about what factors showed whether a relationship would survive or not. B. The basic factors were kindness and…
Read MoreThe Direction of Your Life
The Direction of Your Life – Part 1The Direction of Your Life by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 6:19-24 I. Whenever I taught someone to drive, I was reminded that people have a tendency to go in the direction they are looking. A. When a person first learns to drive, they tend to look at things…
Read MoreHow do I deal with friends wanting me to join various prayer groups?
Question: I sure can use your help. I have friends who keep wanting me to join this or that prayer group. They send attachments to many websites that call for prayer on various subjects. I tell them I pray for many of these subjects, but I do it on my own. Answer: “When you pray,…
Read MoreIdeal Versus the Real
by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, December 1999 As Christians, we are instructed to add the Christian graces to our life (II Peter 1:5-8). We are also told that if we love Christ we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). James tells us that if we stumble at one point we have become guilty of all…
Read MoreI don’t feel connected to God or other people
Question: Hello, I apologise in advance for what may be a lengthy email, but I would love to hear your thoughts on my situation. I am concerned about whether I am loving God properly. I believe in God and the Bible, I am Christian and I try to obey the commandments, (no fornication, no alcohol…
Read MoreThe Tie that Binds
by Dixie Bowman Sentry Magazine, December 2000 Earthly relationships often inspire and encourage us as we live our lives as Christians. While this is not another article about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, I would fail in my effort to write concerning relationships if I did not first mention the most intimate association of mankind, and…
Read MoreI’m still having problems getting along with my stepmother
Question: I wrote to you a while ago when my dad and my stepmother had just married because I wasn’t sure what my new relationship with her should be. You gave me a kind and helpful response and I am sorry I never replied to say thank you for that. I would like to say…
Read MoreBefore We Post or Share
by Doy Moyer Before we post or share something, let us ask: Does it show that we are striving to build up the people of God? (Ephesians 4:28) Will it help promote unity or will it cause unnecessary division? (I Corinthians 12:25) Does it show love for one another, love for enemies, and mostly love…
Read MoreSerpents and Doves
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Serpents-and-Doves.mp3 by Austin Hausner
Read MoreI started out joking with a coworker, but it has gotten out of hand. How do I stop it?
Question: Hi again! You answered a question I had previously, but I was wondering if I could ask you for some more advice. I realize there are people in my life who are good Christians, I’m just not sure how to ask for advice when I’m the one usually giving it. I started working at…
Read MoreThrow Away Relationships
by Terry Wane Benton We live in a world of throw-away things. If we don’t want something anymore, we simply throw it away or trade it off for something new and different. Man has thrown away his responsibility to God, and then throws away anyone else that tries to stand in his way. Children grow…
Read MoreNo Past, No Future
by Terry Partain The US Census Bureau has a new category called “unrelated individuals” to describe those who do not live in a “family group.” Such Americans have increased in huge numbers over the last forty years. Even among those who live in family groups, 25% feel lonely and have no one to confide in.…
Read MoreShouldn’t we emphasize a relationship with Jesus instead of rules?
Question: I just want to add that I looked around the site, but I never saw a topic about creating an intimate relationship with Jesus. One of the biggest misunderstandings is that people live according to do’s and don’ts. They don’t understand that Jesus wants a relationship with them and that Jesus is not just…
Read MoreHow do I deal with in-laws who are not nice?
Question: Hello and good morning, I recently came upon your website and saw a question and answer section and wonder why more churches of Christ do not have this. I struggle with pride and sometimes do not wish to ask questions at church or there just does not seem to be an opportunity. As I…
Read MoreWhy does my wife despise me?
Question: I desperately need godly counsel concerning my marriage. Let me start out by setting up the scenario first. I met my wife at church when I was a teenager. We were friends for the first few years, then started dating, and then got engaged. She is the only woman I have ever dated or…
Read MoreIs Paul talking only about unequal yoking in II Corinthians 6:14?
Question: I must question slightly your discourse about II Corinthians and marriage. I am pleased that you do not recommend anyone marry an unbeliever. And you are correct that many will ignore that advice. The part I question is that you read something into the scripture that isn’t there and have overlooked your own quote of…
Read MoreSome people are treating me as if I’m not welcomed anymore. Should I leave or put up with them?
Question: Several members at my church are treating me like I’m no longer wanted there. When I try to talk to them they don’t want to hear it. It is really hard to think of leaving, I’ve been there all my life. My dad was a founding member of this congregation. Should I leave or…
Read MoreGod and I
By Rob Speer, October 28-31, 2012 Our Attitude Toward God Reasons Why I Attend Every Service Personal Worship An Unconditional Faith Why I am a Predestinarian Knowledge: The Key to Security in Christ
Read MoreWhy doesn’t he write me back?
Question: Hello. I never thought I’d have to do this, I always had my friends or my parents to ask for advice. But now, at this point of my life, I’m completely alone, and I have no one to turn to because none of them will ever understand what I’m going through. You can’t understand…
Read MoreHow do you handle misunderstandings?
Question: Is there anything in the Bible that a person can apply to their lives as to how to best deal directly with misunderstandings and confusion? I notice this is can be a weakness with a lot of people. When they encounter something they don’t at first understand, and it’s still taking longer than ‘usual’…
Read MoreI’m teaching a group of 13-17 year girls and would like to address decision making, relationships, and sex. Do you have any suggestions?
Question: Hey! I’ve been put in charge of taking the girls’ night at a youth group and I am doing it on decision making, relationships, sex, etc. I would love it if you could give me some tips on what to say to them about it. Their ages are between 13 and 17. I was…
Read MoreAny suggestions for handling an angry member?
Question: Well, we had a stormy night at services! A brother lost his temper and made a big scene just at the end of class and was upset so far as I can tell that we did not get to the next lesson as I reviewed the one we were on for the benefit of…
Read MoreMy 28-year-old son is very accusatory. How do I handle the situation?
Question: My son is 28 years old. He has spent a good part of the last ten years instructing me about how I need to change my ways and live by God’s word. I believe that his intentions are sincere; however, I feel as though he looks for fault in everything I do. I am…
Read MoreHow do you handle nosy neighbors’ questions about spanking?
Question: I have greatly enjoyed all the information and insights that you share on this page. My husband and I are raising three sons. We use spanking as one of our disciplinary tools with the boys, especially for the 3 Ds – deliberate disobedience, disrespect, and dishonesty. Recently one of my sons was in some…
Read MoreCan my husband ask me not to see one of my friends?
Question: Is it right that my husband asks me not to be friends with one of my girlfriends just because he “believes” she doesn’t like him? I have told him many times she doesn’t even make comments about him. My husband and I have been separated and my friend was there for me. My husband…
Read MoreHow do I handle my daughter living with a man?
Question: Right now I am going through a situation with my daughter. She got a divorce a few months ago and she has found a new man. He has teenage children. My daughter has two children 10 and 8; great kids, of course. My daughter is a great kid but making bad decisions. She has…
Read MoreWhat do I do about a lady who takes advantage of me?
Question: I have a question regarding a female friend. I have known this young lady for several years and at one time in college, we had a really special relationship. We occasionally talk, but our relationship has not been as strong since we came back from college (over 5 years ago). The only real-time she…
Read MoreHow do I honor my parents when I’m constantly fighting with my mother?
Question: I have a question about the article on honoring your father and mother. I am a mom in my late twenties. My husband and I live too close to my parents and my mother and I are into it constantly. I was just wondering does all of the honor stuff that is in the…
Read MoreWhat should I do about a person who harmed me but hasn’t asked for forgiveness?
Question: A brother had some time ago committed sin indirectly and has yet to apologize or ask for forgiveness. I had expected him to help with our youth program and he was very instrumental in it. We had a special night and he reneged. I later found out he had been out indulging in worldly…
Read MoreA co-worker isn’t speaking to me. Should I ask her what is wrong?
Question: I have a question that relates to a fellow co-worker. We once had a very nice relationship where we could talk about stuff, and recently it has changed for the worse. I have pondered why it has gone this way for a while and now we are at the point where we do not…
Read MoreHow do you handle people with hot tempers?
Question: How do you handle people with hot tempers? Answer: The Bible speaks of two types of anger: the quick, fly-off-the-handle, hot-tempered people; and the slow, methodical, vengeance seeking people. Both are dangerous, for different reasons. We are told, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language…
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