How can I believe the Bible in light of what science tells us? I recently went with my family to see the fossilized remains of some dinosaur tracks and bones. I was impressed with what I saw, but I also went away feeling troubled. These tracks and bones, which are said to be millions of …
Family Q&A
Do you think we should get a Christmas tree? Christmas has always been a warm and wonderful time of year for our family. We love all of the traditions. Our kids get very excited when, on the first Sunday of Advent, we pull out the decorations and put up the tree. This year, however, I’m …
Is there really any scriptural basis for “focusing on the family”? “Family first” has always been my motto. I spend every weekend with my wife and kids, and I’m committed to putting their needs ahead of my own. But at times I find it hard to reconcile these personal values with the Gospel message. Jesus …
Do you think I should join the army? My mom and dad are pacifists – they don’t believe Christians should fight in wars or submit to military service. I’m not sure I agree, and I’ve been thinking of joining up. Of course, my mom and dad are firmly opposed to the idea. What should I …
Will God send me to hell for masturbating? I’m a Christian, and everybody knows me as a “good kid” — active in youth group, involved in school leadership, cooperative with parents and teachers, and respected by my friends. But nobody knows about my masturbation habit. I feel really guilty.
Now that our grown son and his girlfriend have lost their kids to the authorities due to a long history of drug abuse, should we try to gain custody of our grandchildren? We don’t feel that we have the physical energy to raise them, but we don’t want to see them lost in the foster …
What does the Bible say about people who owe a lot of money?
When should I take the car keys away from my elderly parent? I can tell that my father’s vision, hearing, and reflexes aren’t what they used to be. That’s not to mention that he’s had a few dangerous near-misses on the road just recently. The older he gets, the more responsible I feel to protect …
What are the progressive stages of drug addiction, especially as it plays out in the life of a teenager? My oldest son has been exhibiting some strange behavior lately, and I’m worried that he may be getting involved with some form of drug abuse. Can you provide me with any helpful hints and clues?
Is it a good idea to have provisions in my will for charitable bequests?
Can you help me deal with the roller coaster of emotions I’ve been on since finding out that I’m going to have a baby? I feel scared, alone, and completely overwhelmed. So far I haven’t shared this with anyone.
Do you have advice for someone who might be obsessive-compulsive?
Would it be wrong to use part of our tithe to pay for a nursing facility for aging parents? We’re finding out what the term “sandwich generation” really means. Just as our kids are entering college we’re faced with providing some kind of care for my wife’s mom and dad. What do you think we …
Can you give me some basic information on parent-child attachment? How does it develop and why is it so important? We’re planning to adopt a 4-year-old from Eastern Europe. We’re excited but also nervous about the challenges we may face. I’m especially anxious about Reactive Attachment Disorder.
How should I respond to my son’s fascination with firearms? At thirteen years of age he’s already made himself an expert on anything that shoots – everything from pistols to semi-automatic rifles to bazookas. He doesn’t own any real guns. But he does have an airsoft rifle and a paintball gun, and I think he spends too …
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 read the Bible together every …
How should we respond to pro-gay curriculum in the public schools? The administrators of our child’s elementary school have announced that they will soon be implementing a course of study in “tolerance” and “diversity training” for students in the lower grades. While we expect and have always encouraged our children to respect everyone – including …
Do you have any advice for parents about how to survive the teen years? I’m really getting worn down by the constant conflicts, mood swings and challenges to my authority. What should I do?
How can we help our child overcome his terror of the school bus? The school is too far away for him to walk, and my wife and I both work, so it isn’t feasible to drive him back and forth every day. What can we do?
Before we agree to allow our adult child to move back in with us, are there some key things we ought to consider or any safeguards we need to put in place? Our thirty-year-old daughter has just completed drug rehab and we’re giving careful thought to the option of letting her come back home until …