Family Matters

Is there any way I can overcome my life-long struggle with same-sex attraction? I've tried to resist, but it seems inevitable that I will eventually act on these feelings. What should I do?

The Bible and the Church talk about marriage being God’s design, and there is much emphasis on the sanctity of marriage being the foundation of family. There are, however, people who choose a life of singleness as they consecrate themselves to God here on earth. We’ll reveal what the Bible says about marriage and singleness

How can I prevent my struggles with depression and anxiety from having a negative impact on my wife and children? It's bad enough having to cope with these debilitating feelings, but the thought that I'm making life difficult for my family is almost too much to bear. What should I do?

What can I do about kids texting intimidating messages to my cell phone and posting mean rumors about me on Facebook? At first I tried to ignore them, but the situation has gotten so bad that I don't want to show my face at school anymore. These people are destroying my life!

Now that I'm past 18, should I still "submit" to my mom and dad? The Bible says that children should "obey" their parents (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20), but at what point do I become fully independent of their control?

Is sex really that critical to a healthy marriage? Here's why I ask. I'm having a disagreement with my spouse. He tells me that sex is a "sacrament" and "a holy mystery," and that it needs to be central to our relationship. He even uses Ephesians 5:30-32 to support these claims. I don't agree. After all, there's a lot more to marriage than just sex. Besides, the Bible itself (in 1 Corinthians 7:3-5) seems to suggest that sex is basically a sort of functional "chore," not a deeply meaningful "spiritual" experience. I get the feeling that some believers think sex is more important than the Bible says it is. Do you agree?

How can I convince my spouse to seek help for possible depression? I have reason to believe that he's struggling in this area, but he refuses to admit that this might be true or to take my concerns seriously. I'm not sure if it's pride, fear, or something else that's standing in the way, but I do know that this situation is really taking a toll on our marriage and our family. What should I do?

Where does homemaking fit into the Bible's teaching on work and labor? I've always been happy in my role as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Then I heard a series of messages about the role of productive labor in God's plan for mankind. Since then I've been having doubts. I spend my time preparing meals, wiping the noses of jelly-faced toddlers, and mopping the kitchen floor. As far as I can see, I'm not contributing anything economically, so I'm not sure my efforts have any benefit for the rest of society. How can I take pride in my "work" or view it as having any kind of larger significance? And if I'm not part of that system, how does the biblical concept of the "Sabbath rest" apply to me?

How should we handle a potentially explosive disagreement with my parents over our upcoming wedding? They've expressed strong objections to our serving wine and having dancing at our reception. My husband-to-be and I are financially independent, and we'd be willing to cover the wedding expenses ourselves. But this wouldn't really solve the problem, since my mother has made it very clear that they will not attend either the wedding or the reception if dancing or alcohol are present. To be honest, these things aren't that important to us. But I'm afraid that if we capitulate she'll be emboldened to try to control us in other ways. What should we do?

Are ongoing nervous habits potentially harmful to children? My child has one, and I've done everything I can think of to put a stop to it, but so far nothing has worked. It's driving me crazy. What should I do?