Congressman Paul Ryan has taken some heat the past few days for comments he made last week on Bill Bennett’s Morning in America. In discussing the problem of poverty in America, Ryan, in part, said this:
Category Archives: Family
Three Roadblocks to Effective Communication
This couple had a fight. And they were not talking. It was a classic case of the “silent treatment.” It had gone on for about a week. Neither was giving in.
One evening, the husband realized he needed his wife to wake him up early for a business trip to Chicago. Since he didn’t want to be the first to give in, he wrote her a note, “Please wake me up at 5:00 AM.”
The next morning, he woke up and it was 9:00 AM. He had missed his flight. And was furious. Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Family
Anger Management in the Home
In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine. The Orioles’ John McGraw got into a fight with the Boston third baseman. Within minutes all the players from both teams had joined in the brawl. The warfare quickly spread to the grandstands. Among the fans the conflict went from bad to worse. Someone set fire to the stands and the entire ballpark burned to the ground. Not only that, but the fire spread to 107 other Boston buildings as well. (From “Daily Bread”) Continue reading
Legacy: Back To My Spiritual Roots
This week I’m in a meeting with a church in Butler County, Kentucky, called Christian Home. I’m not sure how it received that name, but it’s an old congregation. Some have said over 100 years old. My grandparents attended this church in the 1930’s. My Mother, Mattie, was baptized here in Welch’s Creek. Continue reading
Filed under Family, Fellowship
Thinking About My Dad
Sunday is Father’s Day and I’m preaching a lesson about “How to Be A Great Dad.” But let’s be honest. Father’s day is just not as big a deal as Mother’s Day! Restaurants are not as crowded. Phone circuits are not jammed. Hallmark’s business is not as great as on Mother’s Day. And even church attendance doesn’t compare to Mother’s Day!
But that’s understandable, because typically fathers are not as sentimental as mothers. However, let me share a bit of sentiment as I think about my Dad who passed away 18 years ago and pay tribute to dads.” Continue reading
Filed under Family
In Memory of My Mother
Yesterday was Mother’s Day. Some of you received flowers. A nice card. Maybe candy. And of course, it’s a time to take Mom out to eat! But I hope you all remembered to give your mother the gift of honor. “Honor your mother” is commanded from the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:2. The word “honor” means to esteem, to revere, to value, or to venerate.
My Mom, Mattie Weliever, passed from this life on December 29, 2009, but I continue to honor her. While my reasons may be different from yours, here is why I hold my Mom’s memory is such high esteem. Continue reading
Filed under Family, Uncategorized
Three Communication Killers
Have you seen the AT&T commercial of the girl calling her boyfriend to tell him she’s giving him the silent treatment? He’s confused as she has already called him several times. Her validation for calling is that her family has “free unlimited mobile to any mobile minutes from AT&T so I can call all I want.”
He objects, and says, “I don’t think you understand how the silent treatment works.” At this point she is shown with a knowing nod and saying nothing. I think it is very clever. It gives you a chuckle. And there’s an element of truth in it. Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Family
Successful Families Communicate Effectively
Many years ago Dr. John Baucom wrote: “With the appearance of the two bathroom home, Americans forgot how to cooperate. With the appearance of the two car family, we forgot how to associate, and with the coming of the two television home, we forgot how to communicate.” I wonder what Dr. Baucom would write today! With computers, ipads, and smart phones, it’s more challenging than ever to engage in face-to-face family communication. Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Family
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