Hey Dr. Buckingham, I am wondering if you can share your personal thoughts about how I can grow spiritually. I have been attending church my entire life, but I do not feel like I have grown much as a saint. I am not sure if my lack of growth is associated with personal flaws or my relationships inside and outside of church. If church is the place where growth and healing takes … [Read more...]
Faith
Wives Do You Know How to Recognize and Use Your Power?
Wives have been known for being the ones who hold the family together. Have you ever wondered how women do this? I believe it is because of the power inside them. Wives, we must recognize our power and use it accordingly. A wife’s power comes knowing who she is. She is confident and comfortable with the woman she has become. That power allows her to tackle any situation she … [Read more...]
If Bae Don’t Pray, Why Can’t He Stay? Reasons Why You SHOULD Consider Dating a Man Who Doesn’t Go to Church
There's a really popular saying directed at Christian singles: "If bae don't pray, bae can't stay!" You'll hear preachers shout it at Christian conferences and see it worn by women on cute v-neck t-shirts. The message behind this mantra can be summed up like this: A man may be interested in you. He may be professional, handsome and respectful. But if he doesn't show you he … [Read more...]
4 Reasons You Probably Need to Reset Your Marriage to its Default Settings
Does it seem like your marriage is off track and not where it should be? Do you feel like there is no communication? Do things just not feel right in your marriage? Sounds like you need to reset it to its default settings. What is the default settings? Glad you asked. Do you recall a time that your computer or laptop starts acting funky, and you don’t know what’s wrong … [Read more...]
How You’re Cursing Your Child. The Truth About Generational Blessings
When we think of generational blessings, it usually has something do to with the Bible and God either blessing or cursing a family and their descendants. However, in this article, let’s take a look at the generational blessings we as parents, can set up for our children right now, through the decisions we make. What is a generational blessing? Dr. Tony Evans explains … [Read more...]
Dear God: About This “Delay” Thing…
The thought of being delayed for a blessing seems to be frustrating, unnerving and a host of other feelings. We hear that “delayed but not denied” is a good thing, but that delay though? How long will it be, Lord? Why is there a delay in the first place? I encourage you to think about the delay to what God has for you as a blessing and to be thankful. If you know that God … [Read more...]
The Essential Prayer God Wants to Hear But You Often Forget About It
By Ryan Parks With the busyness of careers, schedules, raising a family and whatever else your life consists of, it is easy to forget the things we are grateful for. And because this was on my heart, I wanted to share a prayer about it. For those reading this, I pray this prayer expresses your heart’s cry and it helps you find more encouragement. Here goes: "Thank you, … [Read more...]
8 Scriptures to Plant in Your Child’s Heart
Our children are so bright. They are able to memorize more than we may think. Just turn on the radio, and see how many songs they are able to sing from memory. If they can sing songs and quote nursery rhymes by heart, why not the scriptures? Studies show that the core structure of a child’s brain is 85 percent developed by age 3. It’s great to have the backing of briefing … [Read more...]
5 Scriptures to Help You Avoid Going Off on Your Spouse
Yes, yes, yes! How many times do you feel like going off on your spouse? Do you ever find yourself asking Jesus for help restraining your tongue after your spouse does something to make your blood rise? In these situations, are you tempted to say some things—things that are not always nice? When you get to that moment, and you will have those moments, remember … [Read more...]
Will Unfulfilled Expectations Mess Up Your Marriage?
I have thought about it often: expectations in a marriage. Should you have high expectations? Should a mate assume their spouse knows them so well that they will know what to do and what not to? Is this faith and hope? Are mates being realistic? I told you, I have many thoughts on this subject. Let me set the expectation for this article. I simply want to raise a … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Why Your Marriage Needs a Marriage Ministry
Over the weekend, I had the extreme honor of presenting my new book, A Conversation Piece, to the marriage ministry at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. You may already be familiar with Trinity's marriage ministry as their couple's dance video went viral a few years ago and inspired marriages everywhere. This amazing group of couples are God-fearing, God-focused … [Read more...]
No Sex Until Marriage? The 3 People You Will Need Help From
I am so proud of you. I don’t care about your past or even your last night, I simply care about your tomorrow. Abstaining from sex until marriage is one of the best ways to guard your heart and mind from attaching to someone before its appropriate time. A man can put a condom on to protect you from an STD or pregnancy, but there is nothing to protect your heart, which is … [Read more...]
An Unconventional Prayer for Your Kids When You’re This Close to Sending Them Back to Jesus
Has your kid ever made you come close to losing your religion? We get it! Each day, the devil finds a way to get to us, and sometimes, the devil will unfortunately use our kids as little evil vessels to stir up our rage. In these moments, you have to summon your Christian strength. You do this because you not only have to correct their actions but you have to do so in a … [Read more...]
A Writer’s Emotional and Loving Open Letter to Her Deceased Mother
Dear Mama, As I sit here on our brown comfy sofa sipping my mocha coffee, so peaceful this early in the morning or at least until Makayla’s feet hit the floor, I reflect about you. I wish you could have met her, though I’m grateful you’re her heavenly angel watching over her. Truthfully, sometimes I worry about my baby—even though we moved from Chicago and now live in … [Read more...]
My Dark Childhood Secret Had Adulthood Repercussions, but I Finally Found What I Lost
By Lisa D. Daniels More often than not the best way to find something you’ve lost is to retrace your steps and that is exactly what happened to me. Since I could remember, I was would shy away from speaking up for myself—whether in confrontation or just to assert my desires. I have needed to have a difficult conversation with a friend very near and dear to my heart for a … [Read more...]