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,…
Our God, the One who does the impossible
Are fear and loneliness weighing you down? Let's take a moment to dwell on how powerful God is.
Holy Week transformed the Jewish temple, and it can transform you
As you prepare for Easter, let's consider the value of Holy Week, and how Jesus's impact continually reverberates around the world.
Put an end to emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is aimed at disrespecting and controlling a person. Dr. Linda Mintle explains what it is and how to recognize if it's happening to you.
