Author Archives: Dale Harcombe

Name Calling

Choosing a name for your baby can be an interesting experience. Different couples have different ways of approaching the problem. Some try and come up with a list of names both like, or two lists of names and then whittle it down from there to names they both are happy with. To me this has always seemed a sensible approach and is what we did when naming our two children. But not all couples manage the situation this way. Recently I heard of a couple and the husband wanted a specific name which the wife hated. In the end the … Continue reading →

A Strange Idea of Love

Some people have a strange idea of what love is. Recently Mick and I watched 3 shows. In each case one person was supposedly in love with the other person, yet you wouldn’t have thought so by their behavior. In each case the person was intent on making their partner jealous by flirting with or kissing someone else and by trying to evoke a response from them. In my view, if you love someone you don’t behave like this. It’s the sort of behavior that often happens with young teenagers experimenting with their sexuality and their attraction to and effect … Continue reading →

When Prayers Aren’t Answered

The bible tells us ‘you do not have because you do not ask,’ James 4:2. But what about hen we have asked and still don’t see an answer? That has been my experience recently as I have battled with excruciating back pain over a number of weeks and it is still here. I’ve asked, and plenty of others have also asked on my behalf, so why isn’t God answering? I’m sure Paul must’ve asked the same question when he asked the Lord repeatedly for healing of whatever problem he had, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. God chose not to answer by healing … Continue reading →

Consequences of Neglect

Recently I read an article which stated, that according to experts, child neglect can be just as detrimental to a child’s development as physical and sexual abuse. Those are pretty strong words. According to a recent study children of a sampling of 4000 children aged 14 and under, those with repeated history of abuse on average scored lower by 3 IQ points that those children who had not been abused. The sad but interesting thing is children who had been neglected scored equally as poorly as the children who had been abused. So the long term effects of neglect are … Continue reading →

Could Your Husband Cope?

Could your husband cope if you were laid up for a while? The impression I get from many women, particularly those around my age group or older, is that their husbands wouldn’t know the first thing about how to cook a meal, do the laundry or do any of the other household chores that need to be done, especially when the wife is laid up. This puts pressure on the wife to keep going, even when she should not because she is too sick. Mick thankfully has done a great job over the last few weeks and given the ongoing … Continue reading →

Being Separate

What about the idea of separate holidays for husband and wife? I admit I find it a very odd concept and wonder why you would want to do it. I would never want to go on holiday without Mick. Yet it appears other couples have no problem with this. Recently I heard of a couple who have only been married a few years. He has gone off on a holiday with his mates, while she has an at home holiday of coffees, outings and meals and catching up with her friends. To me it sounds like two individuals who have … Continue reading →

Men Don’t See

Sometimes I hear women complain about their men. A common complaint is that men don’t see things that need to be done around the house. They don’t see washing up that needs to be done, the laundry that needs to be hung out, or the floor that needs to be mopped. Of course, as women we can become so independent that we refuse to ask for help and mutter to ourselves while doing the job about how our men never see these things that need doing. A lot too, depends on the way we respond when men do decide to … Continue reading →

Could You Trust Your Husband?

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I wonder how many Mother’s Day, anniversary or birthday presents husbands have bought for their wives end up tucked away in the back of a cupboard, never to see the light of day or on their way back to the shop? Could you trust your husband to buy you an item or clothing, a handbag, a piece of jewelry, a CD or book you would like? Mick constantly astounds friends and acquaintances of ours by being able to buy clothes for me that not only fit but look nice, that I feel comfortable wearing as they are colors and styles … Continue reading →

Can You Be a Christian and Not Go to Church?

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Can you be a Christian and not go to church? It is something I have been thinking about, because I have not been to church for three weeks. However, in my defense I can say it is not by choice. The sprit is willing. Unfortunately the body is not. And I miss it. I miss leading the congregation in song. Thankfully God has provided others to step up in the interim and help out in that way. I miss hearing God’s Word preached and our pastor’s sermons. I miss hearing people praying for each other. It is often during those … Continue reading →

The Power of Persuasion

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How much better we would get along in our marriage relationship if we became more adept at choosing our words carefully and watching the way we phrase things. Telling your marriage partner what they should, or should not, do rarely achieves what we desire. It rarely makes for a harmonious relationship. The reality is people often resent being told what to do. So how can we deal with this? A far better way is to use praise, encouragement and suggestion. Instead do saying ‘You should do this.’ It would be better to ask, ’What do you think about doing this?’’ … Continue reading →