Barrett Johnson

On vacation at the beach last month, I walked into a pizza restaurant to get some takeout. While waiting for my order, I saw a group of eight girls sitting at a table, waiting for their pizza to arrive. None of them was making eye contact with the others. All I could see were the …

Could Smartphones Be Causing Your Teen’s Depression? Read More »

I get it. You have a busy life. Your job, kids and marriage fight for your time and energy every day. When school activities, work deadlines, church commitments and other activities all hit and once, something has to give. If you’re like most people, the easiest thing to neglect is your marriage. Welcome to the …

Should Your Husband Come Before Your Kids? Read More »

Father’s Day will be upon us in just a few days. And unlike Mother’s Day, a truly deserved holiday in which children (finally) appreciate their moms for a year of sacrificial service, Father’s Day is the one Sunday of the year where Dads feel justified in taking an afternoon nap. They may take one every …

What Your Husband Really Wants for Father’s Day Read More »

My boys are quickly becoming men. Sadly, I have to confess that I haven’t always known how to help them to grow up. The culture they are living in certainly hasn’t helped. I desperately want to help my sons to live differently than what the world defines as “normal”. I want to set a high …

9 Unpopular Truths Your Son Needs to Hear From You Read More »

If you are married, you can probably remember the day you gave your vows to your spouse. Although you may have said, “For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health,” you were probably thinking something different. Your mind was assuring the rest of yourself that your future would be full …

4 Encouraging Truths for Your Overwhelming Difficulties Read More »

If you are hosting a large group of family members at your home this Thanksgiving or Christmas, you want it to be a special and memorable holiday. Unfortunately, these annual gatherings can often bring out the worst in families. Old hurts can be rekindled and relationships can suffer. INFO for Families consulted with a panel …

9 Terrible Ideas to Avoid If You Want a Conflict-Free Christmas Read More »

There is a war waging all around us. It is one none of us can escape. And it has nothing to do with politics. Like it or not, we are all participants in an ongoing war between God and Satan for the hearts and souls of man. Without a doubt, the battlefield of human sexuality …

8 Subtle Strategies Satan Uses to Warp Your Child’s Sexuality Read More »

Editor’s Note: Charisma Media does not necessarily endorse all shows or films mentioned in this article. Like many TV-watching Americans in the 30-50 demographic, Jenifer and I have started watching the new NBC series This Is Us. In our opinion, it is must-see TV. It’s worth watching not because the characters are compelling. It’s not …

Why You’re Not a Slave to Your Upbringing Read More »

The “bait and switch” is a sneaky technique employed by salespeople of questionable character. After you agree to a deal, they make an excuse to change the terms. They promise one thing and then deliver something else. I pulled a bait and switch on my wife, Jenifer. If you are a woman who is married, …

3 Practical Ways to Rekindle an Unromantic Marriage Read More »

I saw a political bumper sticker on a car a few days ago. I feel like it accurately summed up my thoughts on the current presidential race. Sad, but true. We are witnessing an unprecedented level of fear and hysteria over who will lead our country for the next four years. Given all that is …

Imparting Hope to Your Children When the World Is in Hysterics Read More »

“It’s the biggest divorce in Hollywood history.” That’s what all the entertainment tabloids are saying about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce. Hollywood’s cameras capture—and we devour—every marriage, relationship and every single public display of affection by the celebrity elite, so they must know what they’re talking about. Hollywood’s “It” couple is calling it quits. …

What Indulging in Celebrity Gossip Does to Our Hearts Read More »

“I think I may have destroyed my marriage.” That’s what the 20-something newlywed told us when we ran into her at a special event at a large church in our area. We had met her 18 months before at our Marriage Prep workshop. Now, just a year into her marriage, she feared that things were …

Deflect Satan’s Schemes to Destroy Your Marriage With These 4 Principles Read More »

The Johnson house has a longstanding love/hate relationship with August. We love what the school year brings: cooler weather, a consistent schedule and even college football. But we hate that it means the end of the carefree days of summer. And we really hate that it means that we have to navigate the many events, …

Remember These 5 Restful Truths in the Midst of Back-to-School Craziness Read More »

With the changing landscape of how our world defines healthy sexuality, parents need to be ready to have some important discussions to help their kids navigate some key issues. Today we present a guest post from Tom Gilson, author of Critical Conversations: A Christian Parents’ Guide to Discussing Homosexuality With Teens. You may not perfectly …

4 Steps to Protect Your Child’s Faith in a Culture That Promotes the Gay Lifestyle Read More »

Someone you know well is dealing with porn addiction. I say this because statistically, it’s got to be true. Everybody has encountered it. Many keep looking. And a group of people that is bigger than we want to admit is addicted. Chap Clark of the Fuller Youth Institute has suggested that up to 60% of …

How to Talk to Your Teens About Porn Read More »