If you have a safe deposit box at a bank, you know that you need two keys to open it to get to your valuables inside.  The bank holds one key and you hold the other.  In the same way, in a marriage, a husband and a wife each hold a key to a good relationship.  Both need to come together, work together, struggle together, and dream together to unlock the priceless treasures of a happy marriage.  When you do these...

Recently, my friend Danny and I were talking when he suddenly stopped me and asked, “Mark, how are you wired?”  I replied, “Well, I have to write down just about everything to make sure I do it. Let’s put it this way, if I need to encourage someone, I have to write it at the top of my calendar.” Danny couldn’t believe it. “You are really that robotic?” he said. “I never knew that about you.” He then suggested that...

I was having some problems with my TV. The cable technician told me I just needed to reboot the box to clear the line.  Guess what? It worked!  Well, if you’ve been married for any length of time, you’ve probably been hurt by your spouse. If hurts aren’t dealt with and truly forgiven, bitterness can harden your heart to the point where you just don’t like your mate anymore.  Past hurts and disappointments tend to...

I was dropping my daughter Emily off at school and then going to speak to a group of men about being better dads. On the way, my daughter said, “Dad, why do you teach men to be better fathers when you haven’t mastered it yet?” That hurt, but it was a good question that I wanted to answer. So I said, “I want to share with the men the mistakes I’ve made and the things I’ve learned as a father over the years.” My...

Most kids generally understand that when you get your paycheck, you deposit it into a bank, and then the bank pays you a little something called interest for keeping your money there. In the same way, explain to your children that each time they tell the truth, a deposit is made in your “trust account.” When a lie is told, that account is depleted.  The more deposits that are made, the more you trust them and...

A few weeks ago, my son left for college.  As I hugged him good-bye, the dam broke and tears flowed from my eyes… I sobbed uncontrollably.  It can be good to cry every now and then. Why? First, we were created to cry. Whether we cry with tears of joy or tears of sorrow, crying is part of who we are as humans. Second, crying cleanses. It’s a form of emotional release that can cleanse the mind, heart and soul....

Does it seem like your kids turn to your wife more than they turn to you?  If they do, take a look at how you’re parenting.  Are you a listener, or a lecturer?  Do you praise your kids or put them down?  Do you show them patience or lose your temper?  Are you fun to be around or always edgy?  Do you spend time with them, or fill your schedule with other things?  Now, even though kids naturally turn more to mom...