Re-post: On Stock Cars and Station Wagons

Why confusing love and marriage leads to dysfunction

Commenter Dale provided a reminder recently of an important concept that deserves more attention: “Dalrock, on his blog, has somewhat regularly been hitting the idea that we have love and marriage totally backwards. We think that a relationship of romantic love is the correct place in which to have sex and create marriage. A consequence […]

Update: The Wisdom of King Solomon

Learn from the wisest king in history

Men:  We have to talk about sex. If there’s one area where this generation is stuck, this is it. The Water Was Dirty Before You Got In Now, before you conclude that I’m pointing my finger at you, please realize that the Boomer cohort gave us the sexual revolution and rampant divorce, and the Gen X cohort […]

Re-post: Is Everything Awesome?

How to handle criticism and still look good

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” – Proverbs 27:6 (ESV) I enjoyed The Lego Movie so much I watched it twice. The protagonist Emmet’s favorite song in his orderly world is “Everything Is Awesome,” even as he fails to see the creeping tyranny of President/Lord Business. Millennials […]

Why It Pays to Be a Free Agent

Don't lend your name to every trendy cause

“My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point […]

Increase Your Effectiveness by Knowing Who You Are

Act from your identity not into it

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates In my original post on this topic, I explained Robert Ardrey’s idea that our psychological and emotional needs center on Identity, Stimulation, and Security. In my previous post on Identity we discussed that identity emanates from essence, from existence. It is rooted primarily in the unchangeable […]

Presidential — and Fatherly — Marriage Advice

How Ronald Reagan taught his son to be a husband

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin Perhaps it’s our upcoming presidential inauguration that had me thinking about this, but I read what I’m about to share with you some time ago, and I thought at the time it would be worth reproducing here. I’ve published my own advice […]

Update: There are Seven Days in the Week — Someday Isn’t One of Them

Cultivating a systems approach can help you succeed in the new year

“What lifetime are you waiting for?” – Bill Hybels I hope you had a great celebration on Christmas Day, and that you are still enjoying the joy of this season. Today, I want to encourage you to think about your plans for the new year. I have written before about setting SMART goals, and I […]

On Traditions – Updated

Honoring the past and living with joy in the present

“Nothing comes from nothing. Nothing ever could” — Richard Rogers (“Something Good”) As Christmas approaches, I’ve been thinking about the importance of traditions.  Having a set of practices tied to the Christmas season has generated lots of benefits for me and my household.  I credit our traditions with the following: Making memories and sharing experiences that strengthen […]

Re-post: Lessons Learned from 30 Years of Marriage

Next to parenthood, it's the best trouble you'll ever have

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing     and obtains favor from the Lord.” – Proverbs 18:22 (ESV) Mrs. Booth and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this week. I am profoundly thankful for the years we have had together, and I look forward to the years ahead. The institution of marriage has suffered […]

What Channel Are You Watching?

Your thoughts influence your feelings, remember?

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” – St. Paul (Philippians 4:8 – The Message)   Bear with me today. I want […]