By Edward C. Lee The African American church has long been the launching pad for lasting social, political and economic change in and for the African American community. From the days of slavery on through the Civil Rights movement, the church has been the most consistent voice of change and hope of unity to address concerns facing our community. It was announced last … [Read more...]
Parenting Conundrum: What Would You Do?
By Edward C. Lee Last weekend I was out with some friends at one of those restaurant/bar type places that reminds all of us parents what life was like before we got married and had kids. The food was great and the music so loud on the main floor that there was no way our party of nine was going to have a conversation without shouting at each other. Yet somewhere amid … [Read more...]
Does A Bad Start Have To Mean A Bad Finish To Your Relationship?
by Edward C. Lee Any good love story begins with, "Once upon a time" and ends with "...and they lived happily ever after." But what about when our real life relationships neither start nor end like a fairytale? I pose the question, because I recently had dinner with a friend of mine that is going through a divorce, after more than 15 years of marriage. Pretty sad turn … [Read more...]
Getting To Better Communication
By Edward C. Lee The last few months I have taken up this challenge to work toward improving the communication between me and my wife. It is a challenge prompted by a weeklong visit by my parents. On one of the nights that they stayed with us I woke up around 3am and was doing some reading. As I walked around my house I could hear my parents talking in the guest room. My … [Read more...]
…But Can You Forget?
By Edward C. Lee Last week I wrote a post on the connection between forgiveness and intimacy. From that post, I received several comments related to what has to be the next step after we forgive, and that is - the difficulty of forgetting. I really appreciate those comments about how hard it is to forget, because I think we all face tough situations where the memory just … [Read more...]
Increase Intimacy By Practicing Forgiveness
I was involved in a conversation with a buddy of mine the other day that took me back to a real serious situation early on in my relationship with my wife. My friend and I are in one of those slightly awkward spots, where two mutual friends that have been dating, have just broken up. So my friend was explaining why he saw one person's actions as justifiable. I just listened. … [Read more...]
Dads Need Help, Too
By Edward C. Lee This week there has been quite a bit of discussion in the media about a study that came out in the medical Journal of Pediatrics. This University of Michigan study of 1,746 new fathers, suggests that a depressed father is nearly three times more likely to spank their less than one year old child than a father not experiencing feelings of depression. While a … [Read more...]
The Adjustment Bureau: Can You Really Adjust Your Love?
By Edward C. Lee Last Saturday my wife and I had the chance to do something we just don't get the chance to do often - go to a movie. We get so few chances to go that when we do get to go we have to make sure it is a good one. So we checked out the new Matt Damon flick, The Adjustment Bureau. All I will say is that this is an instant classic - I loved this movie. I don't … [Read more...]
Moving From A Husband To A “House-Band”
By Edward C. Lee As I sit at my computer writing this, the hour is late. I have missed three different deadlines, my son won't go to sleep and my wife wants to talk after we just spent a great weekend away at a bed and breakfast where I was forbidden from using my computer (life could be worse - smile). It is under this reality of feeling pulled between family and … [Read more...]
His View/Her View: Is There A War Against African American Families?
Last week, a controversial billboard was placed in New York City, setting off a national firestorm and debate about abortion in the African American community. Why are our abortion rates higher than other groups? Why would the pro-life group place the billboard in that particular communty? It raises a lot of questions. We have Edward C. Lee and Gwen Jimmere ready to extend … [Read more...]
Thriving in Marriage During A Recession
By Edward C. Lee From a technical standpoint many economists and financial experts have said that our nation's recession ended in June of 2009. While it may be "technically" true, for many families the struggle continues. Every week new reports come out about the number of newly unemployed or recently foreclosed upon. While things may be improving, the economy is still … [Read more...]
Defining Your Love to the One You Love
By Edward C. Lee This time of year, especially this Valentine's weekend there is going to be a lot of, "I Love You's" floating around in the air. What a great time to be married, and "in love"! In conjunction with the flowers, candy, the romantic weekend getaways, and grown up stuff amongst married folks, etc...Valentine's Day is also a good time to celebrate and examine … [Read more...]
Where Do Arguments Come From?
By Edward Lee Have you ever had the experience where all is well, the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, she loves you, you love her, everyone is goo goo eyes - then BLAM (yes, like the old Batman show) you are in a heated argument? I need to know BMWK, where do arguments come from? As you have probably guessed I am writing from recent familiarity. We were fully … [Read more...]
Faith of Our President… a Man, a Husband, a Leader
By Edward Lee I am still processing the depth of the remarks that the President of all of the citizens of the United States of America made this week at the National Prayer Breakfast. Whether one likes him politically or agrees with his public confession of "Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior" in his speech, there is a tremendous benefit to all when the leader's position is … [Read more...]
Marriage, What Did You Expect?
By Edward Lee "Here's to the happy couple." That is how the toast began at a wedding I recently attended. At these words, all in the room raised their glass of sparkling cider or champagne, ready to clink glasses and stand in agreement with the proclamation being rendered for long lasting happiness to the bliss filled couple. But...then the words to follow caused people … [Read more...]