Our thoughts lead to actions. Continuous actions result in habits. Developed habits mold our character. And no matter what we outwardly portray to others, it is our inner character that determines our happiness and success, or our misery and ultimate destruction. Because this is true, the question for those who are married must be – will the current thoughts that I allow or entertain result in actions that will develop trust, strengthen the relationship, and result in a happy and successful marriage?

In regards to marriage, what is love? Without question, it is a wonderful romantic feeling and attraction two people feel for each other. However, it is – and must be – much more than simply a feeling (or a thought). Love is a (more…)

Along the path called ‘the journey of life,’ we often come across forks in the road that force us to make moral or difficult decisions. I am not referring to the large and important decisions of life such as: where to obtain an education, what career to choose, where to live, or even who to marry. I am referring to the smaller, yet perhaps more significant, daily decisions that mold our character, determine our happiness, and eventually shape our destiny.

Both paths of these diverging forks bring with them certain appeal, benefits, drawbacks, as well as consequences. The fork on the left, for example, is (more…)

I have written hundreds of articles and blog entries, and in my opinion, each one contains extremely important information and helpful tips. However, comparatively, the advice contained within this article is far more important than any other topic I have ever written about! If women understood, believed, and implemented these principles, our very society would change forever; for the influence of a woman touches, impacts, and changes each of our lives. That is how strongly I feel about these 9 important tips below. From little girls to teenagers, young women to grandma’s, daughters and sisters, married or single women, and especially mother’s everywhere – my hope is that you will not only recognize the significance of these principles, but understand the impact you can have on men and people everywhere if and when you implement them. (more…)

The greatest joy and success in life comes from a happy marriage where two equal partners love each other in thought and action, unselfishly put their partner’s concerns over their own, and stays committed no matter the challenges and trials that life inevitably throws at us all. Unfortunately, our society writes songs, makes movies, and engrains into our minds that when two people fall in love and get married, it will of course be ‘happily ever after.’ And yet, the divorce courts are overflowing because ‘happily ever after’ is not achieved because both partners fail to put forth the necessary effort and work, the change and patience, and the love and commitment to make a successful marriage work.

Understandably, no person or marriage is perfect, and some marriages fail and must end for obvious and necessary reasons; however, the overwhelming majority of marriages (and families for that matter) could be saved if (more…)

I wish it weren’t true, but unfortunately for us all – sex, immorality, and immodesty sells. As a few greedy individuals and companies make a profit from this sleazy material, the realistic and sad result is that – thoughts are corrupted, commitments and responsibilities are discarded, selfishness and temporary gratification become more important than self control, sins and crimes are committed, addictions are developed, families are torn apart, and slowly our society’s very foundational values have disintegrated.

Keeping thoughts clean, turning away from temptation, or altogether avoiding pornography is becoming increasingly more difficult considering the fact that – the vast majority of movies, TV shows, songs, magazines, advertisements, and websites are immoral, immodest, sexual, and pornographic in nature. We are daily bombarded … and thus daily fighting a battle. It is a battle to keep our thoughts, actions, habits, and character clean and pure and chaste. (more…)

There are two words that are very closely synonymous with the two words ‘family happiness’ – those two words are ‘family finances’! Notice I did not say ‘family wealth’ – happiness in a home, marriage, and family is most often directly correlated with the ability of the parents to properly manage (not necessarily accumulate) and budget their finances. It is unfortunately true that over 80% of all divorces result, in some way or another, because of finances. More tragic than the divorce is the fact that families are torn apart, children suffer, and society is feeling the negative ramifications of this all too common reality.

At the outset, it is absolutely important to note that the 14 essential principles described below are not designed to teach people how to accumulate wealth through the application of the principles described. The sole objective in revealing and explaining these principles if for one purpose – to help marriages and people everywhere experience the family happiness that results from the application of simple financial principles. Will applying these principles require (more…)

We as individuals and families are not ignorant to the cultural temptations and influences each of us face. Let’s be honest – none of us individually or as families are perfect, but we all can change, improve, and discipline ourselves more. And we must! I have personally found, as I am sure many have, that in the limited precious time of each day, my decisions (good or bad) determine and demonstrate my priorities. And can we not all agree that while we each have priorities such as work, school, community, church, recreation, and personal activities – nothing is more important than the home and the family! No matter what success, degree, or award we attain in this life, it will certainly be meaningless if we have eventually failed in our own homes.

Thus, the question is – what am I personally doing (or not doing) in regards to my family that I can improve upon today? (more…)

I want you to honestly answer the few questions listed below:

• When was the last time you went to the movies?
• When you got home from work last night, how much TV did you watch?
• Have you taken your spouse out on a date in the last month?
• When was the last ‘Family Night’ that you and the whole family had together?
• Have you been out with friends or ‘buddies’ more than you have with your own children (or spouse) lately?
• Is that next TV show episode or the ‘big game’ more of a priority than helping the kids with their homework – or just playing with the kids?
• Does the violence, language, and immorality of the movies and TV shows you watch not even phase or bother you anymore?
• Are the kids spending more time on the computer, cell phone, or video games than they are with friends, playing, and with family?
• When was the last time you had a daddy-daughter or mother-son date?

It is unfortunately true that we each have been – or still are – guilty of allowing the entertainment of the world to occupy much more time than the time spent with our own family. While going to the movies, watching TV, being on the computer, or going ‘out’ with friends are certainly not bad in and of themselves, the reality is that we do it so often that we neglect the very spouse, children, and relationships that are most important to us. What is worse, we (more…)

Through humor and insightful wisdom, these great men and women listed below have written perhaps some of the greatest thoughts about the importance of marriage and the family unit to us individually – and to the world. However, may we never forget that writing – and reading – about these truths is not enough. Our great challenge lies in ensuring that the inspiration and motivation we feel from reading these quotes translates into implementation of the very truths expressed. Said more plainly – our thoughts must convert into actions! More than motivational quotes, these truths must be implemented so that they become our very character. And, never forget that success in life should never be determined by our worldly accomplishments and possessions, but by the very character we develop, the people we serve, and the commitment we demonstrate to our marriage and family. Happiness or misery in life is most certainly impacted by and results from (more…)

Each of us desire to be better parents, to improve our relationship with our spouse, to raise our kids properly, and to enjoy close and positive family relationships. And we even understand that positive, uplifting, and proper communication with our spouse and children is absolutely essential in accomplishing this goal. The question is how? While the answer to this question is difficult, different for each parent and family, and certainly has many answers – there is one answer we can all agree on. Ironically the answer is simple in theory but difficult in practice – it is that we each need to make more time for family, for our spouse, and for our children. And often, the best things we can do during that time … is to just TALK! (more…)

While the internet can certainly be an incredible tool and resource, the unfortunate reality is that it can also be an extremely dangerous and destructive place for children, adults, and families. Not only can we easily find the violence, dangers, scams, temptations, and immorality – but individuals and companies everywhere are actively seeking us out.

What is more disturbing is the reality that individuals, parents, governments, and entire societies everywhere have so slowly become conditioned to and somewhat accepting of this selfish and immoral culture the internet daily preaches. Thus, while the moral values of our culture continue to degenerate, we must resolve today and ensure that our families (and us as individuals) will not fall victim to this ever-destructive force – a force that is masked by the wrongfully assumed ‘popularity’ of the masses, and the result is often the disintegration of marriages and families. Commitments and responsibilities are discarded, money is lost, information is stolen, time is wasted, guilt is felt, lives are ruined, and families are destroyed – all while a few greedy individuals and companies make a profit.

There are many things we can do online to be safe – things ranging from: (more…)

I recently published a book entitled Great Games! – it is a book filled with hundreds of fun games for families, groups, and children. Interestingly enough, as I began to tell friends and neighbors about the book, I was absolutely amazed by a few comments and reactions I received from certain people. Several people, for example, told me that we as a society just don’t play games like that anymore. One particular neighbor actually informed me that because the book was family oriented and did not have shock value, it most likely would not be successful.

First of all, the only limitations in life are the ones we create, believe, and nourish within our own minds. This book will be a success because I believe in it, I am willing to work extremely hard to make it a success, and our society needs this book – not because it has many fun games, but because the entire purpose is to bring families together more and provide wholesome entertainment for everyone. In fact, while I recognize that shock value and immorality does sell, that fact alone inspires me even more to tell the world about this book because of how much individuals, families, and our society need to spend more time as a family participating in wholesome activities rather than participating in and viewing the immoral and inappropriate entertainment we are daily bombarded by.

In addition, what people also fail to realize is the positive moral and social impacts that playing games has on individuals and families everywhere. How can anyone argue against or dispute the fact that (more…)