Family Matters

Biblical look at gambling

Does the Bible really say that gambling is wrong? I realize that it's one of those activities – like dancing and playing cards – that religious conservatives have traditionally been "against." But I'm not convinced that there's any solid biblical basis for their opposition to what I regard as innocuous…

9 Aug 2022 6PM 5 min

Non-traditional female career for girls

If it's important to maintain clear distinctions between the sexes – and I agree that it is – should we encourage our school-age daughters to think in terms of pursuing non-traditional female career choices? One of our girls has been talking about becoming a firefighter when she grows up. I…

8 Aug 2022 6PM 4 min

The Bible on pre-marital sex

Where does the Bible actually say that pre-marital sex is wrong? My parents have always taught me that the Bible commands us not to have sex before marriage. Now that I'm old enough to think for myself, I'm having serious doubts about this. I haven't run across anything in Scripture…

8 Aug 2022 8AM 4 min

Questions about God provision

Can we count on God to provide materially for His faithful children? Philippians 4:19 seems to promise that He always will. I've been clinging to this verse since losing my job, but it doesn't seem to have done me and my family much good. Over the past several months we've…

4 Aug 2022 6PM 4 min

How to handle working mom guilt

How can I stop feeling guilty and resist the temptation to be "Superwoman"? I'm a working mother with a preschooler and a couple of school-age kids who are also involved in lots of extra-curricular activities. I have to admit that I feel bad whenever I'm not doing something "productive." My…

3 Aug 2022 6PM 4 min

Unsure About Whether To Confess An Affair To Spouse

An extramarital affair can cause havoc in a marriage, but hiding the truth of an affair can have far worse long-term consequences.

2 Aug 2022 6PM 4 min

Spouse Is Receiving Flirty Messages

In this modern world of digital everything, and social media mayhem, it’s very easy to see how extra-marital flirtation and affairs can entice and ensnare unsuspecting partners. With no face-to-face contact, one can believe that there is no real harm in engaging in a little online flirtation, but this is…

1 Aug 2022 6PM 4 min

Praying Together As Family

How can we make family prayer a priority? We're a Christian family and my spouse and I are eager to raise our kids in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Can you give us some helpful pointers in this area? Our children are small, and it's been a real…

31 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Substance abuse and adolescent suicide

What's the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and teen suicide? What should we do if we suspect that our child might be at risk for any of these behaviors?

28 Jul 2022 6PM 5 min

Strong willed child won’t stay in bed

How can we get our defiant toddler to lie down and go to sleep at night? He's a handful at any time and under any circumstances, but nothing can top his uncooperative behavior at bedtime. No matter how many times we put him to bed, he gets up again and…

27 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Single parent desires help and companionship

As a single mom with three young children, is it okay for me to want another person around to help carry the load? I used to feel pretty self-sufficient, but the burden of doing it all by myself is getting heavier. I work full time, take online college courses, and…

26 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

What the bible says about forgiving yourself?

The most beautiful and freeing thing about Christianity is that Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins. But Jesus also taught that believers should forgive one another as He forgives us. The practice of offering forgiveness to others, no matter how hard, is unquestioned in the Christian faith. When…

25 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Teens and unfulfilled sexual desires

Why has God given teens such strong a sexual drive and no healthy, acceptable way to satisfy it? This just doesn't seem fair. In Bible times people got married at a younger age. As a result, it was normal to have sex and start raising kids before you reached the…

25 Jul 2022 9AM 4 min

Setting boundaries with a mentally ill adult child

How do we establish behavioral guidelines for a grown child who suffers from mental illness? Should our boundaries be the same as those we'd set up with any other child? Or do special considerations apply in a situation like this?

21 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Parents concerned about too much homework

What should I do if my primary school child is getting so much homework that family time hardly exists and he has little energy for anything else? He spends hours on his assignments every night. As far as I can see, he isn't slow at completing his tasks. There's just…

20 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Modesty and clothing battles between parents and teens

If your teen daughter is causing your hair to fall out from panic over her fashion choices, then you’ll want to stay tuned to Family Matters because we’ll be tackling the issue of modesty and clothing battles between teens and parents.

19 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Helping children cope with divorce

How can I help my teens deal with the fallout of my divorce? It's been painful for everyone, but I'm especially concerned about my oldest son. Ever since my ex-husband left a year and a half ago, he seems to be putting himself under a lot of pressure to assume…

18 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Encouraging your child’s sense of humour

Most people love to have a good laugh from time to time, some even call laughing medicine for the soul. There are, however, some who seem to laugh and joke less than the rest of us, and perhaps that’s just their personality coming through.

17 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Emotional affairs and ongoing friendships

Marriage is a God designed institution in which a man and woman become one flesh and commit to sharing life together for the rest of their days. The problem very often, however, is that couples don’t seek to serve each other in marriage but rather endeavor to have their individual…

14 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min

Dealing with sibling rivalry

If there is more than one child in your home, you can bet there’ll be some form of sibling rivalry at one time or another. The important question is, how much conflict between siblings should parents allow and put up with?

13 Jul 2022 6PM 4 min