Family Matters

Where does the Bible speak about the "sanctity of human life?" I've noticed that the more widely a phrase or slogan gets thrown around, the fuzzier its meaning seems to become. This one is a good example. I'm forever hearing Christians talk about "the sanctity of human life" – in church, on Christian radio and television, and in fund-raising letters from non-profit ministries. In spite of this, I'm not sure I understand exactly what it refers to or where it comes from. Is there a biblical basis for this idea?

Do you have any advice for a woman whose husband is on the verge of getting out of jail? My spouse has been serving a three-year sentence and is scheduled to come home next month. I'm eager to have him back and resume a normal relationship, but at the same time I can't help feeling anxious and apprehensive. I don't know exactly what to expect. Can you help me?

How should we parent a grown child when there are also two younger children in the home? We have three kids altogether: a boy and a girl who are still in high school, and an older son in his mid-20s. The oldest has had some tough luck recently and needs to move back home for a while. We realize that he's an adult and that we'll have to treat him differently in terms of rules and expectations, but we're concerned about the effect this might have on his younger brother and sister. Do you have any advice?

An important rule for any married couple is to avoid belittling or undermining your spouse in public. This statement may sound obvious, but often times a spouse may not even realize the error of his words, and that is why open and honest communication is so necessary.

What's the proper protocol for spouses when it comes to helping other people of the opposite sex with problems – especially problems of the marital variety? Sadly, my brother and his wife are in the process of divorcing. My sister-in-law called my husband the other night to see if he would meet with her to provide counseling and advice. I think this crosses a line – she should be discussing her problems with another woman, not my husband! He, on the other hand, feels that he might be able to help in some way. What do you think?

How should I discipline a pre-teen whose behavior is characterized by a serious lack of maturity? He's not disobedient or defiant - just irresponsible. For example, he doesn't put things away. He leaves his bike outside where it could easily be stolen, and I'm constantly tripping over his clothes, shoes, and toys. What can be done about this?

My husband has never been violent with me, but it is an entirely different story where our children are concerned. He frequently lashes out at them physically, and has seriously injured them on more than one occasion. I want to protect them, but I'm terrified of how he may react if I challenge him. What can I do?

Do you have advice for living with a spouse whose life is dominated by aggravatingly senseless little rituals? It's become obvious to me that she's suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. I'm not using this term informally or unadvisedly. She's anxious and worried all the time. She won't go to bed without checking the front door at least ten times. I earn a good salary, but she's constantly voicing her fears that we won't be able to pay our mortgage. It's starting to drive me crazy! Any thoughts or suggestions?

How do I keep my job from eating up my time and energy to the point where I have nothing left to give my family? I'm a high-level executive with a large corporation, and my struggle to balance work and family is made worse by the fact that business concerns tend to dominate my mind even during off-hours. Over and over again I come home at the end of a hectic day, determined to spend some quality time with my wife and kids, only to find that Vice President X, Manager Y, and Client Z are still carrying on a heated conversation inside my head. I'm afraid I've lost the ability to jump off the treadmill and leave the rat-race behind. Any suggestions?

How can I uphold the truth of God's Word without coming across as "judgmental"? I'm pretty vocal about my faith, and as a result, people are constantly challenging me on this point. Many Christians in today's culture seem to think that you can do anything you want and still be saved through the Lord's mercy and grace. They have the attitude that Christ's sacrifice trumps the law so that God's moral standards no longer apply. This seems to be especially true where questions of sexual morality are concerned. I don't want to appear "self-righteous," but I'm also convinced that this mentality needs to be confronted. Can you help me?