The Power of Encouragement

 Eric Scalise, Ph.D.   What is encouragement, and why is it so essential for maintaining healthy marriages and families? Encouragement represents positive influence, to literally give courage to someone—not waiting until it’s deserved or asked for, but taking...

The Power of Emotion

When I attended children’s church as a child we were asked to memorize a verse and recite it each week.  Needless to say, I often found myself in the predicament of not having memorized my verse for the week so like many other kids. I frequently relied on what is...

Childish or Childlike?

Eric Scalise, Ph.D.   All of us have probably observed childish behavior… not only in young children, which is almost expected, but also in some adults, which is unfortunate and often produces a “roll your eyes” response. In many ways, we come into this world...

Because Those Who Are Suffering Need Us To Notice

Rachel’s face was weary, her distracted glance seemed lost somewhere in the distance. She spoke of her life in fragments and whispers.  Her story was both tragic and impossible.  My heart wept for the child who endured such abuse, such profound neglect and who woke up...

Now What? Colleges, Careers, and Life Choices

My wife and I remember the day quite well. Our identical twin sons came home from school one afternoon—only a couple of months before their high school graduation—and announced that they had decided to enter the United States Marine Corps. The terrorist attacks of...
What Is Christian Reconciliation?

What Is Christian Reconciliation?

  Mark Crear, Ph.D. “What is Christian reconciliation? Why do we need to be reconciled with God?” Imagine two friends who have a fight or argument. The good relationship they once enjoyed is strained to the point of breaking. They cease speaking to each other;...

A Manual or Immanuel?

Eric Scalise, Ph.D.   Robert Frost, well-known Pulitzer Prize winning poet, captured this thought: “Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.” Not only did God love the creation that bore His image, He put within the heart and spirit of humankind...

What Is Christian Reconciliation?

Mark Crear, Ph.D.   “What is Christian reconciliation? Why do we need to be reconciled with God?” Imagine two friends who have a fight or argument. The good relationship they once enjoyed is strained to the point of breaking. They cease speaking to...