Privileges vs. Entitlements
Our children want a lot of things, don’t they? They want toys and trips, Xboxes and Xgames, iTunes and iPhones, apps and accessories, laptops, and luxuries. But, are they entitled to any or all of those things? If you ask your child, the clear answer would be, “yes.” I mean, “all the other kids […]
Avoid Arguments by “Taking a Break”
This is a useful tool for couples when conflict starts to escalate out of control. One way to do avoid conflict with your spouse before it starts is by “taking a break.” Let’s say you and your spouse are arguing, things are getting pretty intense, and the ugly words are starting to fly. That’s when […]
Parenting in the Control Tower
I’m a former private pilot and have been in Tampa International Airport’s control tower with my son, Marky. It’s a busy place…no time for a nap. But a number of air traffic controllers have been caught sleeping on the job, according to recent news reports. The job of an air traffic controller is to keep […]
My Family is Houseless but Not Homeless
“Hello, Mr. Merrill? This is John Smith from Tampa Fire and Rescue. Do you know what’s happened to your home?” “No,” I said in with a questioning voice. “Well, you have a major problem in your home. It’s flooded.” “What?” I gasped. “What happened?” “I would just suggest you get here quickly,” he exclaimed. […]
Wimbledon and your “Sweet Spot”
Top tennis talent will start showing their stuff on the court at the Wimbledon tennis championships starting June 20. Do you play tennis? Have you ever swung a racket? I used to play quite a bit of tennis…not much anymore. But I do know where I’m supposed to hit the ball. On the “sweet […]
A Big Dad in a Small Town
Today my friend Dennis Rainey is joining us to share about his father and the profound impact his dad had on his life. With Father’s Day just around the corner, I hope you’ll be encouraged and inspired by the words Dennis shares about the role his father played in his life. Dennis talks more […]
Parenting: What Makes A Good Dad?
With Father’s Day just around the corner, I thought it might be helpful to look at what makes a good dad. My friend, Max Lucado, has a few words of wisdom to share with us in this guest blog today about what it means to be a good father. There’s no higher honor than […]
Leftovers Again? 4 Ways to Give Your Spouse Your Freshest and Best
I don’t mind leftovers every once in a while. In fact, I like them sometimes. It just makes sense to have that leftover meatloaf instead of wasting it. Sometimes it’s just plain necessary because of financial or time constraints. Well, sometimes leftovers are necessary in our relationships, too. If a child is sick for […]
5 Ways to Help Your Marriage Feel Less Stressed
Stress is at the root of many health issues in America including heart disease, depression, and hypertension to name a few. Physical health isn’t the only casualty of a stressful lifestyle. In marriages, stress is a leading cause of interpersonal tension and dysfunctional relationships. A lot of the stress in marriage is avoidable when […]
