Can 'iron Sharpens Iron' Become an Excuse for Abuse?

Another goblet of gold from my wife, here. The conversation went this way: Me: you say that 'encouragement is sometimes about finding the right time for iron to sharpen iron.' Does that mean we just need to wait for the right time to give someone a truth they may not like to hear? Wife: I think it's more complicated than that. There's more to be considered. Iron sharpening iron, as a method of encouragement, must be a tremendously complex idea. There's a stand-alone article in that. Me: okay. That sounds exciting.

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Don't Crush What You Need to Blossom

This is another wise saying of my wife's. 'Don't crush the flower before it gets its chance to blossom.' Now, I am not really a gardener, but I have it on good authority that flowering plants need to be planted and tended well before they can mature. The same theory fits with human beings, whether it is in families, workplaces, churches, or marriages.

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Can You Stay In A Marriage When You Know Your Spouse Doesn't Love You? Should You?

"I've suspected that my husband isn't in love with me for a couple of years. I am an optimist. But I have eyes. I am fairly observant. A couple of years ago, my husband started to openly stare at other women. He would ignore me or barely listen to me when we talked. He stopped making an effort to spend time with me. I braced myself for him to seek a separation or divorce. When he didn't (and when things didn't get any better) I finally confronted him and said that I didn't think he loved me anymore. I sort of expected for him to deny it to try to save my feelings. But he didn't. He admitted that he loves me, but that he hasn't been 'in love with me' for quite a long time. Then he said he didn't plan to do anything about it for the time being because of our kids. This doesn't make me feel much better. I also feel strongly that we should stay together for the kids, but I am not sure if I want a husband who isn't in love with me."

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A Front and Rear Guard for the Heart

I awoke as I normally do with the thought, what will I speak on today, and what will I write? Sometimes I already have the idea, but not this day. And then I read Acts chapter 14, and I see two words that summarise what Paul and the brothers were up against on that first missionary journey. First I see the opposition that they faced. The second thing I see is the flattery they encounter. Two completely opposite, and yet equally dangerous spirits, but both replete with opportunity.

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I Am Not Sure What I Strive For In Terms Of My Marital Separation, Marriage, And Life

"I am newly-separated and I am struggling. This surprises me somewhat because before I was married, I was extremely independent. So I'd hoped that I would fall back into this once I was separated and might even enjoy my freedom. This has not happened. Instead, I feel like I'm floundering. I really don't know what to do with myself. I end up bugging my kids too much. My separated husband is still very distant. I'd desperately like to reconcile with him, but he's giving me the vibe that this isn't going to happen any time soon. Some of my friends are telling me that I need to turn my attention to myself and to other things. But this is very undesirable to me. I really want to just hope that my husband comes around, but maybe I am deluding myself. I want to hope and pray at night for what is going to make this better, but I don't know what that is."

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Men, Please Understand a Woman's Apprehension

The gender differences that are apparent because of the biological differences between men and women mean that, at least in general terms, women are more inclined to be apprehensive than men are. And particularly with regard to dealing with the opposite sex.

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