Teenagers, Facebook and Self-esteem

An article reporting some research on the impact of Facebook on teenagers’ self-esteem in my local newspaper caught my eye recently. And to be honest, it confirmed everything we old fogeys had suspected all along about the impact of social media. The question is, what do we as parents and grandparents, aunties, uncles and friends do to help our young folk?

The Smart Way to Avoid Unnecessary Arguments

Some conflict is inevitable. Psychologists will tell you that it’s even necessary – not so sure about that. Whenever I hear a shrink spout that line, I ask myself – How much conflict is there in the Trinity, hmm?? How often to Father, Son and Holy Spirit have a falling out?

Okay, so in a fallen world, some conflict is inevitable. That may well be true. But it seems to me that 99% of it is both unnecessary and avoidable. So here’s one smart way for avoiding unnecessary arguments.

The 4 Steps to Overcoming Ugly Duckling Syndrome

We’ve all felt like the Ugly Duckling at some point in our lives. We look around at everyone else, and we conclude that we’re worthless. Absolutely worthless.

But God didn’t create you or me, to feel like that. He didn’t create you and me to be the Ugly Duckling. No. He has a much better plan for our lives than that.

Much better.

Resurrections Can Be Confusing

I want you to imagine that you go to a dear friend’s funeral. He died suddenly, violently a few days ago. You, his other friends and family are sitting in the pews – shell shocked – waiting for the service begin. But before it does, the guy who’s supposed to have died walks in and sits down next to you.

How would you respond?

Why Marriage Based on the 50/50 Principle Doesn’t Work

They say that marriage is about ’50/50′ – this idea of give and take. You get your bit and I get my bit. Give and take. We have to compromise along the way. It sounds entirely reasonable. The problem is, it just doesn’t work. Here’s why:

Beautiful Battlefields – Making Sense out of Suffering

Every now and then, a book comes along that sweeps you off your feet. Beautiful Battlefields by gifted communicator Bo Stern is one of those. Exquisitely written, it helps you make sense out of the suffering that you’re travelling through. Powerful. Poignant. This year’s must-read.

Understanding the Male Ego

It’s absolutely true. Men and women struggle sometimes to understand one another. So in this blog post, all you women out there – I want to help you understand the “male ego” as it’s called.

Often, it gets a bad wrap. But it’s part of how we men are made, and any woman who understands it, has just unlocked the door to her man’s heart.

So, here goes …

The Power of a Kiss

So many couples – way too many couples – live a passionless marriage.

With all my heart, I’m here to tell you that that’s not what God has planned for you. Marriage is meant to be a deep, intimate, passionate, life-long relationship.

And there’s a very simple way to recapture the passion; to put the spark back into your marriage. It’s the power of a kiss. Here’s how …