Relationships Copyright https://www.crosswalk.com 2026, Crosswalk.com Thu, 08 Jan 2026 03:46:03 -0500 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/why-a-dry-spell-in-dating-isnt-a-bad-thing.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/why-a-dry-spell-in-dating-isnt-a-bad-thing.html Liz Lampkin https://www.crosswalk.com/author/liz-lampkin/ When dating feels silent, God may be doing His deepest work. Learn how to use this quiet season to reset your emotions, hear His voice, and find clarity about your worth and future. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:05:28 -0500 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/things-to-do-when-you-cant-fix-a-relationship.html https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/things-to-do-when-you-cant-fix-a-relationship.html Britt Mooney https://www.crosswalk.com/author/britt-mooney/ When a rift occurs between two parties, returning to a healthy relationship requires both to do the reconciliation work willingly. Depending on the circumstance, this can be difficult. Both parties may be at fault, and there may be legitimate abuse or wounds to deal with.Reconciliation is complicated, but we should pursue it if possible. God revealed how much he desired reconciliation through Christ. God revealed a way to return to a proper relationship with Him when God the Son forgave and sacrificed himself, though he had no fault. Reconciling to God through Jesus allows us to live again as one with God in truth.God desires reconciliation with everyone, but He will not force us to reconcile. The fact that God sent his only Son so that “whoever will believe” would have eternal life highlights how God allows a choice—for eternal reconciliation and for earthly reconciliation.Not only do we have a choice to pursue reconciliation with others. We have a loving father who understands if we can’t achieve reconciliation in these relationships. When we face a broken relationship that needs reconciliation and can’t reach it, we do not need to feel ashamed. We do need to consider how to move forward.Here are seven things to do when you can’t fix a relationship.Photo credit: ©Gettyimages/IURII KRASILNIKOV Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-honor-a-father-and-mother-who-havent-acted-honorably.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-honor-a-father-and-mother-who-havent-acted-honorably.html Blair Parke https://www.crosswalk.com/author/blair-parke/ What God calls us to do in honoring our parents is to honor what a mother and a father are supposed to be in our lives, honoring first the most loving Father in our lives, God. Loving Him first allows us to see ways we can love and honor our parents even if they haven’t been honorable to us. Tue, 27 May 2025 09:00:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-forgive-and-set-biblical-boundaries.html https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-forgive-and-set-biblical-boundaries.html Britt Mooney https://www.crosswalk.com/author/britt-mooney/ Setting boundaries has become a constant topic among mental health care professionals and counselors. As people deal with family or coworkers, abuses happen. These counselors encourage individuals to set healthy boundaries with those who have “crossed a line,” as it were. At the same time, the Bible tells us to forgive others. Looking at God as a model, this forgiveness seems radical and limitless. However, we also must consider how radical forgiveness interacts with setting boundaries with people. Does our forgiveness necessitate removing healthy boundaries? We can find guidance on this question when we look to the scriptures which will help us learn how to maintain both.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/eclipse_images Thu, 19 Dec 2024 16:05:00 -0500 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/amy-grant-and-gay-weddings.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/amy-grant-and-gay-weddings.html Becket Cook Becket Cook looks at the story of Amy Grant hosting her niece’s lesbian wedding on her farm. Amy calls it love, but what is love according to the Bible?  Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:05:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/7-ways-to-show-the-love-of-jesus-to-our-lgbtq-neighbors.html https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/7-ways-to-show-the-love-of-jesus-to-our-lgbtq-neighbors.html Aubrey Sampson https://www.crosswalk.com/author/aubrey-sampson/ In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus taught us to “Love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.”Jesus also said those two commands were like each other. That means that when we love our neighbor, we love God, and if we love God, we will love our neighbors. Jesus also said these two commands sum up the entire teaching of the scriptures. So, we can agree they are deeply important.Yet, when it comes to our LGTBQ+ neighbors, some Christians put up a wall and choose not to love this population in the same way we love ourselves. Some Christians inadvertently become like the Pharisees, using the guise of hypervigilant spirituality to keep themselves from entering relationships of friendship and love. Still, there are others who desire to love this community well but don’t know quite how to - maybe out of fear, out of lack of proximity, or because they aren’t sure what to think or believe.     Just like loving anyone, especially any group of historically marginalized people, our job is to love others without making any human being a political pawn. Our job is to love with dignity. Our job is to love all of God’s image-bearers without objectifying, demeaning, dismissing, or condemning. Our job is to love people towards Jesus and the Church instead of turning them away. So how do we do that while honoring God and our own convictions throughout all?Here are 7 Ls about loving your LGBTQ+ neighbors:Photo Credit:  Image created using DALL.E 2024  AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team. Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:05:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/letting-go-of-grudges-and-finding-freedom.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/letting-go-of-grudges-and-finding-freedom.html J. Lila Donovan https://www.crosswalk.com/author/j-lila-donovan/ ... receiving God's forgiveness is intertwined with our willingness to forgive others. This mutual dependency underscores the importance of a forgiving heart, suggesting that our own spiritual well-being is connected to how we treat others Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:45:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/3-christian-perspectives-on-dating-and-age-gaps.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/singles/3-christian-perspectives-on-dating-and-age-gaps.html Cally Logan https://www.crosswalk.com/author/cally-logan/ Christians are faced with my options, perspectives, and debates when it comes to just about every facet of dating. One that is often overlooked or rarely considered is age gaps and whether they are acceptable or not. Much of this is because, up until about a hundred years ago, the idea of an age gap being an issue was not typically considered or pondered. Still, in our modern dating world, it is something to pursue using discernment through the Holy Spirit. Many have opinions, and it is wise to listen to the perspectives of rooted believers as you come to your conclusions with God for your own journey.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Goodboy Picture Company Wed, 05 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/how-to-forgive-when-your-offender-is-not-sorry.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/how-to-forgive-when-your-offender-is-not-sorry.html Annie Yorty https://www.crosswalk.com/author/annie-yorty/ God’s forgiveness of our sins is always complete and lasting. But our forgiveness of others may sometimes need to be renewed. If old feelings resurface, we may once again feel the weight of unforgiveness. Tue, 21 May 2024 14:30:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00 https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/is-there-any-way-to-repair-a-broken-relationship.html https://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/relationships/is-there-any-way-to-repair-a-broken-relationship.html Vivian Bricker https://www.crosswalk.com/author/vivian-bricker/ Your relationship might not be fixed overnight, but with time, effort, and energy, the relationship could be stronger than ever in the future. There is also the chance that the individual you are trying to fix things with will not want to see or talk to you. If this is true for you, respect their decision. Give them time, and don't push them. They will let you know if they want to talk with you in the future. Fri, 10 May 2024 11:10:00 -0400 2026-01-08T03:46:03-05:00