The importance of play
Play is good for us! If that’s true, then why don’t we allow ourselves more play time?
Leslie Vernick
The high price of being too nice
Do you find yourself saying "yes" when you want to (or should) say "no"? We all do it. We want to be nice. But, let's take a look at the cost of being too nice.
How to handle difficult people
We all have encounters with difficult people who leave us rattled and shaken.
Cultivating healthy relationships
Sandy glanced at the caller ID. Mom was calling for the third time today. Later during her counseling session, Sandy emitted a mix of fear and fury. “Why can’t Mom leave me alone to live my own life? She hovers over me like I’m eight years old and don’t know how to make an intelligent decision or run my own…
How to initiate a difficult conversation
John and Cindy frequently argued about how to handle their finances. John bought the latest electronic gadgets. Cindy clipped coupons and shopped second hand stores. As retirement loomed, Cindy’s anxiety about their financial future grew. Every time she tried to talk with John about saving more money however, he became defensive…
Are you guilty of verbal assault?
“Reckless words pierce like a sword.” Proverbs 12:18 “With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor” Proverbs 11:9 “The tongue has the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21 Growing up we all heard the nursery rhyme, “sticks and stones will break our bones but words will never hurt us.” It is a lie. The wounds may be invisible,…
When disappointing becomes destructive
Many of us have grown up with an unrealistic picture of what love and marriage are supposed to look like. How do we respond when faced with the reality of marriage?
How do I honor a dishonorable father?
Leslie Vernick offers guidance for honoring a dishonorable parent.
Is your emotional account overdrawn?
As a woman, do you feel pressure to be a Betty Crocker mom, a Victoria Secret wife, and a Martha Stewart house-keeper, all while working to help provide some family income? We tell ourselves that we ought to home school our kids, and then we feel selfish if we don’t or can’t. In addition, we want to pray and study our Bible,…
Get rid of it
Like many of you, I’m simplifying my life. I’m getting rid of stuff I don’t need, don’t use, can’t take care of or don’t want. Recently I ran across an old letter I’d saved, written by my mother. Throughout my entire life, we had an emotionally destructive relationship. Even as an adult, as a Christian and as a professional counselor,…
Break the complaining habit
You had a crummy day. Not much went right and you are exhausted. You find yourself in a Grinch mood. As a result, the rest of the day is spent complaining and venting.
Cleaning up the clutter in your life
Ed Stetzer Live helps you live out the truth of the gospel in a rapidly changing world. Drawing on years of research and ministry experience, Ed leads special guests and caller interaction in an engaging discussion of today’s cultural trends. Discover new ways to show and share the love of Jesus to a broken and hurting world. Ed Stetzer…
Keeping secrets
A patient told me, “I have kept a secret from my husband. But if I tell him, it could end our marriage.”