Family Matters

Becoming a successful blended family

As a recently remarried stepparent, what can I do to make the transition to blended family life as smooth as possible for my children, my spouse's kids, and everyone else concerned?

26 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Affair with a member of the extended family

Should I tell my husband about the one-time sexual encounter I had with his brother? It happened over a year ago in a moment of weakness. Both of us immediately acknowledged that this was wrong and nothing further has happened since. Our families see each other regularly and are very…

23 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Adult child living at home disregards parents

What kind of standards of conduct and behavior should parents impose upon an adult child living in their home? Our single 29-year-old daughter lives with us in separate quarters off of the main house. She knows how deeply we feel about marriage as the only appropriate context for sexual expression,…

22 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

When not to submit to your husband

Is it ever appropriate for a woman to question her husband's judgment or to oppose his decisions when she believes he's in the wrong? If so, how does this fit in with Ephesians 5:22, where Paul says, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord?" Are there any…

21 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Moving forward after the pain of divorce

How do I deal with the brokenness of divorce and make a new life for my kids and myself? I'll admit that I've made some bad choices. One of the worst was walking away from my family when my marriage got too tough to deal with. I realize now that…

20 Sep 2022 6AM 4 min

Addictions, choosing an accountability partner

As a recovering addict, how can I find someone to walk with me through the difficult beginning stages of the healing process? Do you have any advice on choosing an accountability partner and what this relationship should look like? I'd really appreciate any suggestions you can offer.

19 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

A Christian’s relationship with a godless government

Why should I "submit" to a government that I believe is moving in the wrong direction? I love my country and want to cooperate with the political system, but I'm struggling to understand what the Bible says on this subject. How in the world can the apostle Paul tell Christians…

16 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Sorting out obsessive compulsive disorders

What's the difference between obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder? I'm confused about the terminology, which complicates my efforts to find help for my spouse, who (in my opinion) exhibits a number of obsessive compulsive traits. Can you clarify the difference for me?

15 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Talking to children about tragic events

As a parent, how should I deal with my children when mass shootings, natural disasters, and other tragic events involving loss of life occur? Should I do my best to shield them from this information – an almost impossible task in the face of today's constant news media cycle? Or…

14 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Use of contraceptives in marriage

All married couples face the enormous decision of if and when they would like to have children. There are various different methods for preventing pregnancy, which, of course, allows a couple to wait for a while after marriage before starting a family, in between having more kids, or when choosing…

13 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Wife doesn't get along with husband’s friends

Have you ever been fed up with your spouse’s friends? It’s hard to get excited about a social event when you really don’t have much in common with the crowd of people your spouse like to hang out with. However, in marriage there has to be some give and take,…

12 Sep 2022 5AM 3 min

Wondering if the spouse is truly repented over affair

How can I be sure that my spouse is really repentant for the pain he has caused me? A year ago, I discovered he'd been involved in an emotional affair with another woman for nearly a decade. He also has a history of explosive anger which has often led to…

9 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Divorce and impact on children

We're in the process of getting a divorce, and it seems to be taking a heavy toll on the entire family. Our kids have been acting out in a wide variety of ways. Some of their behavior has been so extreme that I'm becoming seriously concerned about them. What's considered…

8 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

How dad teach daughters about modesty

How can fathers help their girls learn about modesty? I want my daughter to get a handle on this concept before she becomes a teen, but I feel awkward about raising this subject with her. I realize that as a dad I can either be a big asset to her…

7 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Child is afraid of the devil

How can I calm my child's fears of Satan? Over the past few months my five-year-old has become obsessed with this subject. She's always asking questions about the devil, and she seems terribly afraid of what he might do to her. She goes to Sunday school, and we pray and…

6 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Attracted to spouse best friend

Should I tell my husband that I'm attracted to his closest buddy? I've heard it said this kind of information should be shared between spouses for purposes of accountability, but I'm not sure that this would be wise. Neither man has any clue of my struggle and I don't want…

5 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Unfaithful husband wants to date other women

How should I respond to my husband's repeated infidelities and his blatant request to date other women? We've had a troubled marriage for years. Recently he confessed to extra-marital affairs. I've forgiven him for adulteries, but now he says he wants to develop "outside relationships" while continuing to live in…

2 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

Three-year-old boy is playing dress up

Should I allow my three-year-old son to play dress-up with his older sisters? He not only enjoys putting on the same frilly dresses they wear, but the costume jewelry as well. This doesn't seem like healthy behavior to me. What can I do to stop it?

1 Sep 2022 5AM 4 min

My wife is physically abusive

We usually find ourselves talking about abuse where the wife is the victim, but on today’s Family Matters we’ll help a husband who is suffering physical abuse from his wife, and give universal steps that must be taken no matter what the abuse and who the perpetrator is.

30 Aug 2022 6PM 4 min

Adopting an abused child

What do we need to know before adopting a child who has been abused? We're considering adopting a child under the age of 2 who was removed from his birth home due to abuse when only a few months old. He has been in the foster-care system for the past…

28 Aug 2022 6PM 4 min