Family Matters

A grown child attitude towards parents

Now that I'm past 18, should I still "submit" to my mom and dad? The Bible says that children should "obey" their parents (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20), but at what point do I become fully independent of their control?

1 Oct 2020 6PM 4 min

Importance of marital sex in biblical view

Is sex really that critical to a healthy marriage? Here's why I ask. I'm having a disagreement with my spouse. He tells me that sex is a "sacrament" and "a holy mystery," and that it needs to be central to our relationship. He even uses Ephesians 5:30-32 to support these…

30 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

How to help a depressed spouse

How can I convince my spouse to seek help for possible depression? I have reason to believe that he's struggling in this area, but he refuses to admit that this might be true or to take my concerns seriously. I'm not sure if it's pride, fear, or something else that's…

29 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Homemaking and the biblical view of work

Where does homemaking fit into the Bible's teaching on work and labor? I've always been happy in my role as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Then I heard a series of messages about the role of productive labor in God's plan for mankind. Since then I've been having doubts. I…

28 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Conflict with parents over wedding plans

How should we handle a potentially explosive disagreement with my parents over our upcoming wedding? They've expressed strong objections to our serving wine and having dancing at our reception. My husband-to-be and I are financially independent, and we'd be willing to cover the wedding expenses ourselves. But this wouldn't really…

27 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Children's nervous habits

Are ongoing nervous habits potentially harmful to children? My child has one, and I've done everything I can think of to put a stop to it, but so far nothing has worked. It's driving me crazy. What should I do?

24 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Becoming a successful blended family

As a recently remarried stepparent, what can I do to make the transition to blended family life as smooth as possible for my children, my spouse's kids, and everyone else concerned?

23 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Affair with a member of the extended family

Should I tell my husband about the one-time sexual encounter I had with his brother? It happened over a year ago in a moment of weakness. Both of us immediately acknowledged that this was wrong and nothing further has happened since. Our families see each other regularly and are very…

22 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Adult child living at home disregards parents

What kind of standards of conduct and behavior should parents impose upon an adult child living in their home? Our single 29-year-old daughter lives with us in separate quarters off of the main house. She knows how deeply we feel about marriage as the only appropriate context for sexual expression,…

21 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

When not to submit to your husband

Is it ever appropriate for a woman to question her husband's judgment or to oppose his decisions when she believes he's in the wrong? If so, how does this fit in with Ephesians 5:22, where Paul says, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord?" Are there any…

20 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Moving forward after the pain of divorce

How do I deal with the brokenness of divorce and make a new life for my kids and myself? I'll admit that I've made some bad choices. One of the worst was walking away from my family when my marriage got too tough to deal with. I realize now that…

17 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Addictions, choosing an accountability partner

As a recovering addict, how can I find someone to walk with me through the difficult beginning stages of the healing process? Do you have any advice on choosing an accountability partner and what this relationship should look like? I'd really appreciate any suggestions you can offer.

16 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

A Christian’s relationship with a godless government

Why should I "submit" to a government that I believe is moving in the wrong direction? I love my country and want to cooperate with the political system, but I'm struggling to understand what the Bible says on this subject. How in the world can the apostle Paul tell Christians…

15 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Sorting out obsessive compulsive disorders

What's the difference between obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder? I'm confused about the terminology, which complicates my efforts to find help for my spouse, who (in my opinion) exhibits a number of obsessive compulsive traits. Can you clarify the difference for me?

14 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Talking to children about tragic events

As a parent, how should I deal with my children when mass shootings, natural disasters, and other tragic events involving loss of life occur? Should I do my best to shield them from this information – an almost impossible task in the face of today's constant news media cycle? Or…

13 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Use of contraceptives in marriage

What is your opinion on the use of birth control? We're a newly married young couple trying to make up our minds about the best way to approach contraception, but we're getting mixed messages from our friends, family members, and physicians. One Christian couple we know believes that birth control…

10 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Wife doesn't get along with husbands friends

What can I do about my negative feelings towards my husband's "buddies"? We are very happy and have a great relationship, except for one thing: I don't get along with his friends. Is there a way to solve this problem? It's leading to arguments and tension between us.

9 Sep 2020 6PM 3 min

Wondering if the spouse is truly repented over affair

How can I be sure that my spouse is really repentant for the pain he has caused me? A year ago, I discovered he'd been involved in an emotional affair with another woman for nearly a decade. He also has a history of explosive anger which has often led to…

8 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

Divorce and impact on children

We're in the process of getting a divorce, and it seems to be taking a heavy toll on the entire family. Our kids have been acting out in a wide variety of ways. Some of their behavior has been so extreme that I'm becoming seriously concerned about them. What's considered…

7 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min

How dad teach daughters about modesty

How can fathers help their girls learn about modesty? I want my daughter to get a handle on this concept before she becomes a teen, but I feel awkward about raising this subject with her. I realize that as a dad I can either be a big asset to her…

6 Sep 2020 6PM 4 min