I have written early a bit about the important Christian practice of offering hospitality. Often this hospitality is in the form of opening our homes to others. We we can also extend hospitality beyond our homes by providing meals to others. In the last 30 … “Hospitality Delivered: Hints When Providing Meals”

A month ago I happened upon a short story on NPR about the rule of reciprocation. The human inclination to reciprocate has been used by canny individuals and organizations throughout time to extract factorable actions from others. Over the years I have worked for companies that have different … “Rule of Reciprocation”

The following was written as a companion to a teaching series about dating at PBC’s Young Adult Fellowship. While this post specifically addresses dating relationships, the core principle is equally applicable to platonic friendships or relationships with coworkers. I have had countless conversations over the … “Attitudes & Dating”

As I mentioned in earlier postings, you shouldn’t expect to find someone who is a perfect compliment for you, someone who is perfectly mature. Why? Because both you are a work in progress. Neither of you will be fully formed and “perfect”. So it’s pointless … “On the Same Spiritual Journey”

In my previous posts I have suggested that marriage was designed to provide companionship in the context of a committed relationship where both parties choose to sacrificially love the other. The fuel for these sorts of relationships is a bit different from our popular culture’s … “Romance & Intimacy”

One could write a whole book, and many have, about what makes a good marriage. Rather than trying to make an exhaustive list, I am going to highlight just three things. I believe if these three areas are attended to, a marriage will ultimately succeed, … “What Makes a Good Marriage?”

Let me start out and say something that I think is obvious but seems to be questioned these days. Marriage is good! For those who believe in the Bible, the argument is pretty easy to make, at least superfluously. God created marriage. God declared marriage good. … “Blessings of Marriage And Singleness”

In the last six months I have found myself spending a great deal of time thinking and talking with friends about the nature of marriage. Part of this was because I was involved in two Bible studies which covers Genesis 2, and Ephesians 5, two … “Reflections on Marriage and Relationships”

Everyone I know want to opportunity to choose their long term relationships, be it coworkers, friends, or spouse which is very understandable. I have notice that this desire extends to the more transitory, day to day interactions. Most of us have a tendency to orient … “Relational Openness and Delightful Surprises”

I was first introduced to Myers Briggs in 1981 when I read the book Please Understand Me. I did the sorter and found myself classified as an ENFJ. The rest of this posting assumes you know something about Myers-Briggs. If you don’t, I would recommend … “Myers Briggs Useful, But Love Rules”

Recently, a number of people have expressed appreciation for my willingness to be “real” about life, to be vulnerable. I have had had two reactions to this feedback. On the one hand, I want to say “Of course, there is no other rational way to … “The Value of Vulnerability”

Twenty seven years ago Libby and I were married in a school’s multi-purpose room with our friends and family looking on. It was a stressful but happy day. The morning was spent moving Libby’s belongings from the room she had been sharing with a friend … “27+ Years of Blessing, Part 1”

I would notice The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer every time I visited my favorite bookstore. I didn’t picked it up… I am not a teacher. In my mind, teachers are those brave souls who stands in front of students in a school, or … “Being Uncomfortable, Student and Teacher”

A month or so ago, I learned that there were several homeless people who attend my church.  I was bowled over by this.  Not that people are homeless.  I know this is a reality.  What surprised me was that we had people who were part … “Hospitality”