Family Matters

Christian Has Deep Doubts About Their Salvation

How can I know that I'm saved when I don't feel saved? I know that many people struggle with doubts about this – it's a problem I've had throughout my Christian life. I've talked to many pastors over the years, and nearly all of them have told me the same…

20 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Preparing for Marriage in a College Environment

How do I, as a student, prepare myself to be a godly wife and mother? I'm a single woman in my mid-twenties, pursuing a graduate degree in literature at university. While I enjoy my studies and view them as important in preparing me for a future career in teaching, there's…

19 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Responding to a Gay Christian in the Family

What should we say to our college-age son who claims to be a "gay Christian?" He believes God has told him that there's nothing wrong with homosexuality and that interpretations of the Bible to the contrary are in error. Worst of all, he's been sharing these ideas with his brother…

19 Nov 2019 3AM 4 min

Finding a Good Marriage Therapist

How do we locate a qualified marriage counselor? Do you have any recommendations? My spouse and I need help, but we don't know who to see or what to look for.

18 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Trusting God in the Hard Times

How can I hold on to my faith in God when things go wrong? As a Christian, I know that I'm supposed to "give thanks in all things" and look to the Lord for my daily needs. Yet I've been through some devastating experiences over the past year. How can…

17 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Helping a Bereaved Friend

Do you have any suggestions as to how I can come alongside someone who is grieving the loss of a spouse? A dear friend's husband just died. My spouse and I would like to be available to comfort her in any way we can. How can we best support her…

14 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Helping a Child Victim of Incestuous Sexual Abuse

How should I respond to the discovery that an adult member of the extended family of a friend has been forcing one of the children to engage in sexual acts with him? I don't want to intrude in other people's business, but now that I'm in possession of this information…

13 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Cultivating Family Togetherness

Is it really important for families to spend time together? Like everyone else, I constantly feel as if I don't have enough hours in my day. Meanwhile, I've read lots of articles and been in on lots of conversations about what's better – quality or quantity "family time." Everyone in…

12 Nov 2019 5PM 5 min

Prioritizing and Planning Family Meals in a Hectic Home

How can our family make time to eat together when we're so busy? I'd really like to achieve this goal, but we face so many obstacles in making it happen, I'm almost afraid to try. Busy schedules are the rule in our household, and mine is no exception. By the…

11 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Am I an alcoholic?

Can you help me understand whether I have a serious problem with alcohol? Here's my situation. I'm a hassled and harried mother of three young children. After school, I pick up my kids and go to the market, where I have to rush to grab a few things and get…

10 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Biblical Basis for Giving to the Poor

What does the Bible have to say about poverty and giving to the poor? I want to have a God-honoring attitude on this matter, but to be honest, as a new Christian I've been confused by some of the differing opinions and ideas I've heard. Do you consider this kind…

7 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Depression and Suicide: Risk Factors and Warning Signs

Is there always a risk of suicide in depression? My spouse has struggled with depression on and off for years. She has a prescription for medication, but she doesn't always take it faithfully. Sometimes she seems so low that I begin to worry that she may harm herself in some…

6 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Adult Child Struggling With Parent's Affair and New Partner

My parents recently got divorced because my mom was having an affair. Since then, she's moved in with this other man and plans to marry him within a few weeks. My husband and I live out of state, and it's been very difficult to deal with all of this. My…

5 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Strong-Willed Child Exhibits Biting Behavior

What do you do about a kid who attacks other people with his teeth? Our strong-willed toddler has been displaying this negative behavior with increasing frequency over the past couple of months. How do we put a stop to it?

4 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Married Daughter Is Disrespectful to Husband

What can I do about an adult child who mistreats her spouse? Our daughter is married to a good, kind, giving man. We love them both very much, but most of the time my daughter is disrespectful and mean to her husband. He's passive and just takes it from her…

3 Nov 2019 5PM 4 min

Adoption: Treating Sensory Processing Disorder

What kind of treatments or therapies are available to kids who suffer from Sensory Processing Disorder? We're fostering a boy from an abusive, high-risk background. After several consultations with an occupational therapist we've come to the conclusion that many of his most aggravating behavioral problems can be traced to sensory-based…

31 Oct 2019 6PM 5 min

Grandparent Concerned About Health Conditions in Grandchild's Home

Is it my place to get involved if I'm convinced that the physical environment in my son's house has become unsafe and unhealthy for my grandchild? I love my son and daughter-in-law, but I'm worried about their ten-month-old daughter's health. The house is piled with trash, the floors are filthy,…

30 Oct 2019 6PM 4 min

Teasing in the Family

Is it unhealthy to poke fun at ourselves and tease other family members? We've always enjoyed laughing together at our house, and sometimes that includes what some people refer to as "teasing." Friends of ours have expressed concern that we may be fostering an "unsafe" environment that doesn't promote respectful…

29 Oct 2019 6PM 4 min

Sexual Immorality and Physical Intimacy Before Marriage

When it comes to physical expressions of affection before marriage, how far is "too far"? My boyfriend and I are struggling in this area and wondering where to draw the line. Can you help me understand what the Bible means by "sexual immorality?"

28 Oct 2019 6PM 4 min

Reaching Out to Someone Who Has Lost a Loved One Through Suicide

How can I best minister to someone who has lost a family member to suicide? My good friend's son recently took his own life, and I'm at a loss as to what I should do or say to her. Can you help me?

27 Oct 2019 6PM 4 min