Friday, May 17, 2013
So many families have been touched by cancer that just the mention of the word is scary to hear and often feels like a death sentence. While this is not always the case and many cancers are treatable, the fear is often tied to better known risk factors and more awareness. This week, actress Angelina Jolie brought that reality to the forefront by going public with a personal decision she’s made.
Friday, May 10, 2013
This weekend, lots of flowers and cards will be sent to moms who raise daughters and sons. Usually this weekend causes us to reflect on our mother-daughter relationship. It doesn't seem to matter if our relationship is great, terrible or somewhere in between, all daughters have issues with their moms that need to be worked through in order to develop intimacy or a more meaningful relationship.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Sure, this is a provocative title, but you should really think through the decision made by the FDA to lower the age for the morning after pill from 17 years of age to 15. The supporters say it gives teens access to needed pregnancy prevention. But when preventing pregnancy is up to the government and not the family, I get anxious.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
These last few weeks have been a challenge when it comes to fear. People go to work and die in an explosion. Others attend a marathon and lose their limbs. Every day, we are faced with the unknown. If we aren’t careful, fear can take a hold in our lives and hold us hostage. Fear is a warning system built into our bodies as a natural reaction to danger. It is healthy to feel fear in the face of danger. It acts like an alarm and prompts us to action. But when fear takes hold of our lives, it turns
Friday, April 12, 2013
This past week we all heard the tragic news of Rick Warren's son's suicide. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family as they mourn this painful loss. Suicide is not a topic talked about in the church even though Christians can be tempted to see suicide as an escape from life's pain when depressed.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Both of my children are in college, so when I saw Pat Robertson interview author Nathan Harden on The 700 Club, I listened intently. Nathan Harden, a 2009 graduate of Yale University, was talking about his book, "Sex and God at Yale: Porn Political Correctness, and a Good Education Gone Bad". What I heard during that interview grieved my spirit. You need to watch The 700 Club interview if you missed it.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
After hearing the story of Easter in Sunday School for the first time, a middle school teen sat still and stared at the floor. She had listened intently and was saddened by the way Jesus was treated on “Good Friday.” The teacher noticed her puzzlement and asked what was wrong.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Mayor Bloomberg has created quite a stir in his efforts to regulate soda drinking in New York City. If you haven’t kept up, this past Tuesday was to be the start of banning sugary sodas over 16 ounces in size. But on Monday, the ban was overturned and ruled as arbitrary and capricious. While I applaud the awareness that Mayor Bloomberg brings to the serious problem of obesity, regulating private citizens will not work as a solution to the obesity problem.
Thursday, March 07, 2013
For years, I taught a parenting course called, Dynamic Parenting ©. The course was designed to improve the behavior of children. One of the skills taught was how to praise a child. Praise was broken down into teachable parts.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Stressed? Mindfulness may be suggested as a way to relax. It is taught to children in public schools as a method of relaxation, used to treat chronic pain and so much more. Mindfulness has become quite popular in American culture but here is what you need to know. When mindfulness is referenced in mental health and medical literature, it is usually based on some form of Buddhist philosophy or religion.