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?
Life Changes Q&As
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 …
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 …
How should we handle our concerns that our adolescent grandson may be thinking about ending his own life? Many teens are moody – we understand that – but he seems to have more “downs” than “ups,” and we think he could be seriously depressed. While spending the weekend at our house, he actually told us …
Should I set up an inheritance trust for my wife? My reasoning is that she doesn’t like handling money. Is my thinking sound?
What can we do to help guide our extended family – siblings, spouses, and grandkids – through the difficult experience of losing an elderly loved one? It’s obvious that my mother is very near the end. How do we prepare for her eventual death? Do you have any practical suggestions?
Do you have any suggestions about what qualities I should look for in a doctor? Our family doctor just moved out of town. She referred me to another physician, but I think I’d like to check around for other options.
How much time should I devote to my work? My job requires me to put in long hours every week. As a result I’m not able to give as much attention to other things — including my family — as I’d like. In your opinion, how much time is too much time for work? Do …
As an adult who grew up in a home with an alcoholic parent, what do I need to know about the potential impact of my past upon my present life? What are the biggest challenges faced by adult children of alcoholics? Can you direct me to some resources that provide help and guidance in this …
What are some biblical principles and guidelines that will help me understand God’s perspective on money and finances?
What does the Bible mean when it says that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6)? How do I apply this to the way I manage my finances? And why does Paul go on to state that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil?”
Can you help me understand what my elderly dad might be feeling? I sometimes think that elderly people are “invisible” to the rest of us. We never seem to ask ourselves what they’re thinking and feeling as they deal with personal loss, the implications of aging, and the prospect of death.
Do you have any suggestions as to how I can come alongside someone who is grieving the loss of a spouse? A dear friend’s husband just died. My spouse and I would like to be available to comfort her in any way we can. How can we best support her during this time of loss?
What do you think about references to wizardry, sorcery, spells, and magic in storybooks, films, TV shows, and various other forms of entertainment? It seems our children are being bombarded with this, not only in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit, but even in relatively innocent Disney movies. To complicate matters, …
What do we need to do to make our home as safe and comfortable as possible for my elderly mom? She’s not coping well on her own, so we’re arranging to have her come and live with us. Can you offer any suggestions, especially when it comes to preventing falls?
