I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my … Continue reading Where is your hope? A look into Psalm 39
This morning, I did a google search on “why encourage your kids” and the top results were, frankly, discouraging. Each result each focused on how to encourage your kids into specific actions or activities. What about encouraging them simply as a person? 'Ways to encourage your kids to love learning.' 'How to encourage your kids … Continue reading Six ways to encourage your kids today
Grief is the experience of loss. It is natural to expect grief when we experience the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. But did you know that grief is also natural in the middle of many joyful circumstances? There is joy when a child goes off to college… but also … Continue reading It’s okay to experience grief in the middle of joyful circumstances
Have you used this cliché? We all recognize it. Most of us have probably used it. But not all clichés are good, true, and accurate. So, what about this one? Is this a true statement? Like many things in life, the answer depends on the situation and context. If a situation is very time-sensitive, then … Continue reading “It’s better late than never”
There is a constant call in Paul’s letter to the Philippians to rejoice. Six times in these four chapters, Paul tells them that he is rejoicing and calls for his friends in Philippi to rejoice also. But did you know that Paul is writing this letter from jail? In fact, Paul was in prison at … Continue reading Rejoicing in trials with the Philippians
If you’re a parent, you undoubtedly want a good relationship with your kids. Before they're even born, you're praying for them, loving them, and envisioning the future. So why does it get so difficult to stay actively involved in your kids’ lives as they become teens? In adolescence, your kids begin to pull away from … Continue reading 4 Tips for Staying Involved in Your Teenager’s Life
This Saturday at iHope, we hosted our first “Renewing Your Romance” event. Several local couples came together to learn about marriage communication, practice and enjoy positive interaction together, and to encourage each other. It was a great time! Our intern Jen Almers prepared and led the group, using material from well-known marriage therapists such as … Continue reading 5 Key Take-Aways from the “Renewing Your Romance” Event