Betty and I have four grown children. Looking back on it now, I think I was more like a referee than a coach. A referee is looking for errors. A coach is the one who is trying to encourage success.

Suppose you went into an artist's studio and saw a picture at which he had been working for... Read More

A Happy or Unhappy Marriage?—If those who are contemplating marriage would not have miserable, unhappy reflections after marriage, they must make it a subject of serious, earnest reflection now. This step taken unwisely is one of the most effective means of ruining the usefulness of young men... Read More

A Home Where Shadows Are Never Lifted—The heart yearns for human love, but this love is not strong enough, or pure enough, or precious enough to supply the place of the love of Jesus. Only in her Saviour can the wife find wisdom, strength, and grace to meet the cares, responsibilities, and... Read More

Life is a process of cause and effect. Nothing happens just by chance. Natural laws and principles control everything about our existence. We seem to understand this concept better when it plays out in the physical sciences. Let me explain. I believe it is safe to say that no one really invents... Read More

On January 30, 2003 the space shuttle Columbia broke up on re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. NASA’s reaction was amazing. The administrators immediately suspended the space program. They directed a search that covered thousands of square miles and yielded more than eight thousand... Read More

God Forbids Believers Marrying Unbelievers—Never should God’s people venture upon forbidden ground. Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God. But too often the unconverted heart follows its own desires, and marriages unsanctioned by God are formed. Because of this many men... Read More

 God’s Commands Are Plain—The Lord commanded ancient Israel not to intermarry with the idolatrous nations around them: “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.” The reason is given. Infinite... Read More

Throughout the history of this planet, just before each earth-shaking crisis that arose, God always sent a warning message to those who would hear. To us living at the end of the age, He has done the same. While in his final attack the devil aims to destroy the sacred institutions of the Sabbath... Read More

-Instead of trying to change something, he or she does - change you! Far too often, people get married with the belief they can simply change the person they married, molding him or her into the "perfect" mate. Instead, you need to accept your mate for the person he/she is. If a behavior needs... Read More

An oft-quoted text says people look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).  Personally, I don't mind people looking on my outward appearance. A person sometimes needs a reason to look their best, and I can make a big difference with a bar of soap, a shave,... Read More

Undoubtedly, ignorance, poverty, racism, sexism, bad genes, dangerous drugs, child abuse, sex abuse, and other factors affect our lives, sometimes severely. Though Scripture doesn't hold the fact that we've been victims of these things against us, neither does it absolve us of responsibility for... Read More

The world is a rich, complex place in part because it is filled with diversity. Likewise, your marriage is enriched and complicated by the differences between you and your partner. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. Learn how your differences complement each other. What can you achieve... Read More

The story of Old Testament Israel is a narrative of what happens when God's people became involved in the cultures of the unbelieving nations around them. They paid an awful price. Unless we learn the lesson, we will pay as well. In fact, Christian families of the twenty-first century are... Read More

Establish your own private home.

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24.

God's rule is specific. A married couple must leave father and mother and establish their own home, even if finances... Read More

Continue your courtship.

"Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8, RSVRead More

Never retire for the night angry with each other.

"Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26. "Confess your faults one to another." James 5:16. "Forgetting those things which are behind." Philippians 3:13. "Be ye kind... Read More

Guard your thoughts--don't let your senses trap you.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife." Exodus 20:17. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23. "Whatsoever things are... Read More

Keep Christ in the center of your home.

"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Psalms 127:1. "In... Read More

Remember that God joined you together in marriage.

"For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife. ... Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put... Read More