Yay! We made it to the “touchy, feely” part of relationships—the emotional aspect! Unfortunately, emotional expressions are usually stereotyped by gender. Girls are conditioned to cry when hurt; boys are conditioned to play through the pain. Men are expected to be stoic and tough; women are expected to be nurturing and emotional. It is acceptable for women to talk nonstop, …

Deductive reasoning teaches you the law of if and then. Your choices and decisions (if) have rewards and consequences (then). This deductive reasoning applies to your search for a compatible spouse. If you align physical attraction and emotional chemistry with spiritual morality and intellectual reason, then you are living a mature and balanced life that God can bless. The Significance …

So far we’ve reviewed how each person has a heart, mind, soul and body. These four parts correlate to the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical aspects of life (reference Mark 12:30). Let’s now focus on the spiritual aspect to see how it affects, interacts with and depends upon the other three aspects. The Significance of the Spiritual Aspect The spirit …

Building on our last time together, let’s become more familiar with the four aspects of life as identified in Mark 12:30. All four aspects—spirit, mind, soul and body—are God-given at the moment of conception. While you were still in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Job 31:15), they began shaping you in an amazingly complex manner. They form the …

Over the next few weeks and months, let’s talk about relationships. Now before you start groaning and move on to some other article (especially the men readers), I understand and feel your pain. I, too, am tired of the “same ol’, same ol'” approach to relationships. But I promise we’ll look at this topic from a completely different and unique …

Snow ziplining is an incredible rush! Last winter, I went ziplining at Hawksnest in Seven Devils, NC. It was an absolutely phenomenal experience! It was snowing, the temperature was in the 20s, and the wind was gusting around 20 miles per hour. The stations were set up diagonally across the mountain’s descent, the longest line being six football fields long. Yes, hanging …

Even though divorce has become commonplace and the court system has become efficient at accommodating divorce requests for nearly half of all marriages, it is still devastating. Though it may alleviate the pressure of a failed marriage, it is still painful. It most definitely sucks—it sucks the life out of you, your spouse, your children born from the marriage, your …

What troubles your mind today? What distressing thoughts or concerns are stealing your peace and joy? Poor self-image? Negative self-defeatism? A wayward child? A prodigal past? Unanswered prayers? God’s silence in the midst of your storms? Job stress or possible loss? Home foreclosure or other financial needs? Confusion about God’s will for your life? What you can and cannot control? …

While on vacation recently, I noticed a boat moored to a pier. What caught my attention was its hull, which was covered in barnacles. Now, I am no expert on barnacles or boats. But I suspect anyone who has owned a boat or lived near the water can confirm these determined little parasites are not good for a boat. They …

I’ve buried far too many people in my life. Too many funerals, too many missed opportunities for one last goodbye, too many loved ones missing from the holiday gatherings. At a recent home-going of a dear friend, I tried to visualize what she experienced as she awoke in heaven. What a blissful thought! Waking up and finding yourself wrapped in …