Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best: Where is it easiest for you to notice God?
By Martin Elfert — August 20, 2014
In thin places, the conversation with God that we call prayer comes a little more easily. In thin places, there is a gentle invitation to relax into love and generativity and peace. In thin places, as a wise old friend once said, there is a burning bush around every corner.
Father Knows Best: We have different lifestyles, should we still date?
By Martin Elfert — April 1, 2014
I have a theory that most couples are unlikely couples.
Father Knows Best: I’m afraid of marriage
By Martin Elfert — March 25, 2014
It’s time for you and your girlfriend to book a few meetings with an impartial professional and talk these (and still other) questions out.
Father Knows Best: How should I handle verbal abuse?
By Martin Elfert — March 4, 2014
Out of love for your spouse, out of love for God, out of love for yourself, it is time to demand that change begin now.
Father Knows Best: What’s your advice for new writers?
By Martin Elfert — February 19, 2014
Write with the goal of giving a gift to your reader, write with the goal of giving a gift to yourself, write with the goal of giving a gift to God.
Father Knows Best: “Stop assuming someone didn’t intend to conceive”
By Martin Elfert — February 12, 2014
The most charitable explanation that I can come up with is that we are well-intentioned but thoroughly clueless.
Father Knows Best: Why do people disregard what can help them?
By Martin Elfert — February 5, 2014
It can take a lot of time and a lot of effort to get to the place where we are able to name out loud the thing with which we are struggling.
Father Knows Best: Will a man pay lobola for a woman after they spent years staying together?
By Martin Elfert — January 21, 2014
My educated guess is that the symbols, traditions, and ritual actions around marriage which will survive are those that, in some way, nurture relationships.
Father Knows Best: Finding the Holy Spirit
By Martin Elfert — January 8, 2014
I’m worried that you may not be allowing room for the possibility of finding the Spirit in the everydayness of neighbor and of neighborhood.
Father Knows Best: Can my husband divide our assets without my approval?
By Martin Elfert — December 31, 2013
The last handful of times that I have been to a wedding, one word in the service has particularly caught my attention. That word is “mutual.”
Father Knows Best: How can I say I believe in God and in the decision I’ve made?
By Martin Elfert — December 17, 2013
The absence of biblical teaching on abortion is one of the big reasons that the Christian movement has historically kept room for a broad range of opinions on this subject.
Father Knows Best: How do I find a church and faith to bring strength to my soul?
By Martin Elfert — December 4, 2013
If you are hearing a call to find a church and a vigorous faith, Searching, then go find the Christians who surprise you with their love, their patience, and their willingness to take holy risks.
Father Knows Best: When I pray, I feel nothing
By Martin Elfert — August 27, 2013
Prayer has a whole lot in common with hearing.
Father Knows Best: What if I’m attracted to other women?
By Martin Elfert — August 20, 2013
Setting aside the somewhat creepy name with which you’ve chosen to sign your letter, I don’t think that you have a problem.
Father Knows Best: My marriage makes me want to die
By Martin Elfert — July 31, 2013
There is a name for the kind of jerkitude that your husband and his jerk parents are engaging in. It’s called emotional abuse. And you have a right to insist that it stops.
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