Relationships

Tell her you love her.  Recently, when my wife, Meg Korpi, was dying of cancer, a longtime friend offered some advice I’m really glad I heeded: I should write and read to her a tribute, expressing what she’s meant to me and how much I love her.  (Short op-ed)

Dynamic Sex: Unlocking the Secret to Love.  Still searching for the secret of love?  Missing the deep satisfaction you both want?  To enjoy love and sex to the fullest, consider the total person – physical, psychological and spiritual.  (Magazine article.)  Spanish  French  Chinese  Greek

Safe Sex?   How safe is “safe sex”?  Does “condom sense” make common sense?  Reprinted from the medical journal Connecticut Medicine.

Is Casual Sex Losing its Zing?  Hot news from CNN: Some university students are giving up casual sexual activity because they feel it’s not fulfilling.  What’s going on here?  (Short op-ed)  French

Cool Stuff About Love and Sex.  “Psst!  Hey, kids. Want to read some cool stuff about love and sex that you might never hear from your folks?”  “Hey, parents.  Want to learn how to communicate with your kids about these important topics?  Read on!” (Probe radio transcript.)

Valentine’s Day brings back that lovin’ feeling.  A fun and humorous look at love and relationships. (Short op-ed)

Valentine, How Do I Love Thee?   More fun – and funny – stories about love and communication.  (Short op-ed)

Romantic Hyperbole.  “Who, me?  Stretch the truth in a relationship?  Nah. Never happens!”  A humorous look at honesty in love, for everyone who ever was tempted to fudge the truth just a little in romance.  (Short op-ed)  French

Is Anyone Listening?  Ever feel like you’re talking to a brick wall?  Conversation has been defined as “a vocal competition in which the one who is catching his breath is called the listener.”  A fun look at listening’s merits.  (Short op-ed)

Marital Strife and Your Health.  Being married can mean better health, but being happily married seems to matter most, says current research.  Learn to fight fair.  (Short op-ed)  Indonesian

Divorce and You: How can you cope with divorce if it comes your way?  How can you help a friend who is going through it?  What about divorce and the ministry?  Practical – and personal – thoughts on this important issue. (Probe radio series transcript.)  Spanish

Starting Over: Facing the Future After Significant Loss.  When a fulfilling relationship turns to ashes, or your cherished job is torpedoed, or your health falters, or you lose a loved one, or all of the above or more… how do you cope?  Practical tips for landing on your feet and continuing life’s race.  (Magazine article.)  Spanish  French

Caring for Her Husband’s Love Child.  Would you volunteer to care for your spouse’s love child?  Debbie Fuller faced that decision.  Her choices – and how she made them – may inspire you and your family.  (Short op-ed)

Sexual Abuse Victor Offers Hope for Sandusky Victims, Others.  He knows how Jerry Sandusky’s victims must feel.  Their stories reawakened agonizing memories of childhood sexual abuse in Josh.  He’d hated his assailant, hated his father, and damned God.  He felt ashamed, and terribly alone.  Then a college student’s challenge started him on a quest that changed everything.  (Short op-ed by Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi)

When Life Careens: Love Child Locates Bio-Dad.  A former girlfriend phoned, saying, “You have a 27-year-old daughter…She’d like to know if it’s okay to contact you.”  Gary’s life was about to take a wild turn through painful introspection and sweet reconciliation.  In the process, he discovered that he needed his long-lost daughter as much as she needed him.  (Short op-ed by Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi)

Courageous Movie Portrays a Different Kind of Courage. Courageous is a fast-paced police drama with heart-pounding action and a spine-tingling surprise in the first three minutes. Good-natured banter and comic mishaps had us laughing, but the movie quickly reveals an introspective side that portends a human drama that challenges norms and will get you thinking.  (Short op-ed by Meg Korpi and Rusty Wright)

October Baby movie:  Do you feel wanted?  For nineteen-year-old Hannah Lawson, that desire drives a quest to discover her real identity.  You see, she’s just learned that she was adopted, and the product of a failed abortion attempt.  (Short op-ed)

Does God’s Love Make You Want to Give?  Some current social scientific research suggests it might.  Intriguing survey results, and an inspiring story of Auntie Anne, the pretzel lady.  (Short op-ed)

New Comedy Brings Hope for Frazzled Moms.  Hang in there, frazzled moms.  Hope is coming!  Moms’ Night Out, a new movie comedy about the challenges of parenting, recently wrapped shooting and is headed for release in 2014.  (Short op-ed)

Moms’ Night Out movie: Laughs, plus hope for frazzled moms.  Want laughs, plus a way to tell a mother she’s loved?  Take her to see Moms’ Night Out, opening Mother’s Day weekend.  On the set, actors and producers promised the comedy would be a hoot.  They’ve delivered, with loads of family fun.  I laughed out loud.  (Short op-ed)

The Identical movie: Elvis-esque, secret past, conflicting dreams.  Ever have trouble getting people you love to embrace your life dreams?  You’ll likely identify with Ryan Wade.  Music is in his soul.  He has the looks, voice and moves of Elvis, and drives audiences wild.  But his preacher father has different dreams for him, setting up a monumental collision.  A fun Rock ‘n’ Roll parable with an upbeat, inspiring, message about finding purpose, revealing secrets, and experiencing redemption.  (Short op-ed)

Old Fashioned movie: 50 shades of nice.  Want an alluring love story for your Valentine’s Day movie date?  You have distinct options.  Much-discussed Fifty Shades of Grey is based on the erotic novel that’s drawn countless bookclubbers into lip-biting, toe-curling ecstasy by offering excitement, mystery, pleasure, bondage, and pain.  Old Fashioned takes, shall we say, a somewhat different approach to relationships.  Romance lives.  (Short op-ed)

Beyond the Mask movie: Swashbuckling fun, with a message.  It’s certainly got swash.  And buckling.  Plus romance, intrigue, thrills, spills and chills.  The protagonist in this Revolutionary War-era action adventure film even saves George Washington’s life … and then saves America.  (Short op-ed)

John Rhys-Davies: Veteran actor with heart and conviction.  When I interviewed veteran actor John Rhys-Davies at a film premiere recently, I already knew we had several things in common.  We both understand some Swahili, studied at UK universities, and married older women.  But I was not aware of his deep concerns about two significant social issues – slavery and anti-Semitism – that also ignite my passions.  (Short op-ed)

War Room movie: got prayer?  Got marital problems?  Job-related stress?  Ethical conundrums?  Try prayer.  This Kendrick Brothers / Sony TriStar release weaves prayer insights into a lively drama about a troubled middle-class family.  (Short op-ed)

Peanuts movie: good grief – plus fun – in 3D!  Charlie Brown wants to change who he is and become a winner.  Snoopy’s determined to shoot the Red Baron from the sky.  The perpetual underdog and his dog embark on an epic quest that’s all about dreaming big.  Lots of family fun in this delightful film; lots of inspiration in the Peanuts stories.  (Short op-ed)

Ben-Hur remake: Revenge, redemption, inspiring backstory.  Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have remade the classic MGM film for a new generation … complete with a chariot race for the ages, plus plenty of action, romance and inspiration.  What’s behind this story, and why has it endured so long?  (Short op-ed)

I’m Not Ashamed movie: Columbine victim’s inspiring story. The 1999 Columbine High School massacre became etched in a nation’s collective consciousness.  Shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered twelve fellow students and one teacher.  Rachel Joy Scott was their first victim.  This new film tells her inspiring story.  (Short op-ed)

New Life movie: Real love, real life.  As I watched this film, I often felt like the screenwriters had placed a hidden microphone in my home.  True love.  Romance.  Exciting, intimate, emotional connection.  Fulfilling, committed partnership.  Joys and sorrows.  Drama … tragedy … recovery … triumph.  This one’s got real love and real life, folks.  (Short op-ed)

The Shack movie: God and your tragedy.  When your personal tragedy strikes – and it will – is God good?  Millions wrestle with that question.  The Shack, a bestselling novel and now a movie, uses fanciful fiction to help people process age-old intellectual and emotional struggles about evil, suffering, and divine character.  (Short op-ed)

The Case for Christ movie: An atheist wrestles with the evidence.  If you’re a committed atheist and your spouse becomes a follower of Jesus, it might just rock your world.  That’s what happened to hardnosed Chicago Tribune legal affairs editor Lee Strobel, who marshalled his skills in journalism and law to find out what had happened to his wife.  (Short op-ed)

Same Kind of Different movie: An inspiring odd couple.  Not always in sync with your spouse or partner?  Try befriending a homeless ex-con who shuns you.  Maybe some miracles will happen.  Homeless drifter Denver Moore became a catalyst that transformed Ron and Deborah Hall’s lives and jumpstarted a major community service movement.  Paramount and PureFlix bring the bestselling book Same Kind of Different as Me to the big screen.  (Short op-ed)

The Star movie: First-Christmas animal adventure.  This fun and funny animated film tracks a slew of animals following an unusual Star to a manger in Bethlehem, where they sense something wonderful is about to happen involving a pregnant woman named Mary and her husband Joseph.  Celebrity voices include Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Kris Kristofferson, Patricia Heaton, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi and Christopher Plummer.  (Short op-ed)

I Can Only Imagine movie: Abuse, anger, redemption.  Could you forgive a dad whose rage drove your mother away, and who abused you physically, verbally and emotionally?  The film saga behind this popular song depicts with grace, tenderness, and beauty what became of a prodigal father and his unforgiving son.  (Short op-ed)

Indivisible movie: Would your romance survive this?  U.S. Army chaplain Darren Turner wants to encourage soldiers through difficult battle circumstances.  An ambush, live combat, and assorted conflicts make him question his own teaching and faith.  He returns home callous and closed, angry and mean, casting his marriage on the rocks. A compelling and uplifting true story for everyone tempted to fight with their spouse or partner rather than fighting for their relationship.  (Short op-ed)

Run the Race movie: dreams, despair, romance, redemption.  Ever had a dream die?  Or a loved one?  Perhaps you struggle with why bad things sometimes happen to good people.  Maybe you enjoy romance, brotherly bonds, or football.  If so, Tim Tebow’s film (he’s an executive producer) should appeal to you.  (Short op-ed)

CNN’s Redemption Project: Could you forgive your loved-one’s killer?  When someone offends you, do you get even?  Ignore?  Seek to reconcile?  Suppose their offense were killing your loved one or maiming them – or you – for life.  Would you meet with the perpetrator and talk it out?  Van Jones presents compelling, moving, true stories of offenders encountering the offended.  (Short op-ed)

Mr. Rogers movie: Want him as your neighbor?  Ever feel lonely?  Underappreciated?  Frightened?  Need a friend who’s kind?  Respectful?  Wise?  You might like Mr. Rogers.  Sony/Tristar’s new film, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, depicts Fred Rogers’ friendship transforming a cynical journalist’s life.  (Short op-ed)

I Still Believe movie: True love, rough roads.  In the mood for a touching love story?  One with romance, challenges, and hope abounding?  Popular singer Jeremy Camp’s story could be just what you’re looking for.  You may laugh…and cry, too.  (Short op-ed)

Humor while hunkering down: COVID-era chuckles.  The coronavirus tragedy is, of course, not at all funny.  But coping with daily life during it has bred some lighthearted fun as we all adjust to new ways of living and working…and seek comic relief to ease the tension.  Some rib ticklers to help lighten your load.  (Short op-ed)

‘When We Last Spoke’ movie: Kids’ dreams, family secrets, forgiveness.  Did you have fun as a kid with your siblings?  Argue with them as adults?  Were your parents imperfect or absent?  Did your grandparents dote on you?  Got any family secrets?  Do any childhood wounds still need healing?  If any of this is true about you, you may feel right at home watching When We Last Spoke.  (Short op-ed)

Coping with COVID-era holiday loneliness.  Zoomed out?  Exasperated by COVID-era isolation?  Longing for face-to-face human interaction beyond your home?  You’re not alone.  Such craving is widespread, and holiday-induced loneliness brings additional challenges.  Maybe some expectation management – and realistic solutions – are in order.  (Short op-ed)  WashingtonExaminer.com version

‘Wonder Woman 1984’ movie: Will you get what you want?  Suppose you could have anything you ever wanted – fame, fortune, relationships, pleasure.  Would that make you happy?  A megalomaniacal global villain is tapping human desires to help him dominate civilization.  In 1984, Wonder Woman races to foil his dastardly scheme.   (Short op-ed)  Washington Examiner version

Christian leaders behaving badly: Why should anyone embrace their faith?  Ravi Zacharias, the popular Christian faith defender, was exposed posthumously as a sexual predator. This sex scandal has created international turmoil.  If Christian leaders are hypocrites, why should anyone give their beliefs a serious look?  (Short op-ed)  Washington Examiner version

‘A Week Away’ movie:  Facing fears, feelings, fun, faith and friendships.  As a teen, did you struggle to find your place in a complicated world?  Could you ever be “good enough” or express your true feelings to one whose smile you desired?  Has a personal tragedy made you question divine existence or goodness or power?  Do those feelings still linger?  If so, A Week Away could help you sort them out.  (Short op-ed)

‘Blue Miracle‘ movie: castoff kids, fractured families, fishing, and hope.  Does your life sometimes seem stormy?  Financial woes mounting?  Trouble at home or work?  Got family conflicts?  Need some hope?  Maybe what worked for these Mexican orphans and their caretaker is worth trying.  Go fishin’.  And pray.  (Short op-ed)

‘A Father’s Legacy’ movie: What was your dad like?  Did you ever want to feel valued by someone special?  Or mourn losing a loved one?  Ever wish you could undo past decisions or take back hurtful words?  Maybe you know the right thing to do, but lack courage to do it.  The complex characters in A Father’s Legacy may resonate with you.  (Short op-ed)

‘The Streets Were My Father’ movie: Who’s your daddy?  Could you forgive someone who murdered your family member?  Or was an MIA parent?  Absent, neglectful or abusive fathers can leave lifetime scars. The Streets Were My Father depicts three sons who experienced it all, and have turned their corners in dramatic, inspiring ways.  (Short op-ed)

‘Show Me the Father’ movie: You and your father.  How do you think of your father?  With love, happiness and respect?  With fear, misery and anger?  Your relationship with your dad can influence your self-image and success.  Show Me the Father uses gripping stories of good parenting and bad to motivate viewers to promote healthy fatherhood.  (Short op-ed)

‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ movie: Televangelist sex, drugs, and holy rollin’.  The 1980s PTL televangelist scandal became a global soap opera, complete with corporate intrigue, Jesus-praisin’ power struggles, big bucks, betrayal, sex, tears, and mascara…plenty of mascara.  The Eyes of Tammy Faye interprets Jim and Tammy Bakker’s saga for new generations, providing valuable life-lesson reminders.  (Short op-ed)  Washington Examiner version

‘American Underdog’ movie: From supermarket stocker to Super Bowl MVP.  Do life’s challenges ever get you discouraged?  NFL Hall-of-Famer Kurt Warner’s wild journey from castoff to superstar could inspire you to keep pursuing your dreams.  (Short op-ed)  Washington Examiner version

‘The Mulligan’ movie: Need a second chance?  Ever wish life granted second chances?  What would you do with them?  The Mulligan movie uses the game of golf to get you to ponder possibilities.  (Short op-ed)

‘Elvis’ movie: All Shook Up meets Heartbreak Hotel.  Elvis lives.  At least in the hearts of his fans, and they are everywhere.  Warner Bros.’ new Elvis movie extends the legacy.  Why does the raven-haired, swivel-hipped crooner still fascinate millions nearly 45 years after his death?  (Short op-ed)

‘Nothing is Impossible’ movie: Hoops, romance, second chances.  Feeling battered by life’s challenges?  Do circumstantial hurricanes keep hitting you in the face?  Could your love life, work, or family relationships use a tune-up?  Maybe a rescue or do-over?  Chances are you’ll relate to the characters in Nothing is Impossible, a fun and inspiring sports and family drama.  (Short op-ed)

Johnny Cash movie: His life, loves, challenges and successes.  International superstar; honored by presidents; a jailbird and addict.  Singer Johnny Cash knew great highs and great lows.  What was The Man in Black’s legacy?  (Short op-ed)

Women Talking movie: sex, religion, #MeToo. In the Oscar-winning film Women Talking, mysterious sexual assaults are plaguing a secluded religious community.  Women and girls awaken drowsy, bruised, bleeding – some pregnant – as men drug them with cow tranquilizer and rape them at night.  While the men are gone, the women debate whether to do nothing, stay and fight, or leave.  (Short op-ed)

Surprised by Oxford movie: Remedying broken relationships.  Ever feel awkward opening yourself emotionally in a relationship?  Got any family issues that make trusting others difficult?  Does that affect your social life, job, or home life?  Do you ever use work, studies, or accomplishments to bolster your self-image when, inside, you’re hiding from others?  Perhaps you’ll resonate with this film’s protagonist.  (Short op-ed)  Washington Examiner version.

Baxters TV series: deeply touching emotional dilemmas. Ever fear rejection in romance? Concerned about family members you love experiencing troubled relationships? Been tempted to stray? Wondering whether or how faith and God fit into life’s complicated messes? If so, you’ll probably connect right away with Prime Video’s new deeply moving TV series, The Baxters. (Short op-ed)

Cultivating Civility: Braver Angels aims at depolarization. It’s no secret that we live in a polarized world. Even if you ignore politics (good luck trying that), you’d also have to ignore entertainment news (exes or coworkers squabbling), sports news (rivals or teammates bickering), and social media (dislikes, trolls, goofs gone viral) to escape polarization. But one impressive group is trying to ratchet down fiery rhetoric by helping people have conversations. (Short op-ed)  Washington Examiner version.  MSN.com version

The Odd Couple: Mark Pinsky and Rusty Wright on Steve Brown, Etc. nationally syndicated radio broadcast:  “Can people with differing religious and political views get along? Friends Mark Pinsky and Rusty Wright think so. …Steve and the gang chat with the veteran writers about their enduring, if unlikely, friendship and what we can learn from it.” Online video (41:24; scroll down page to access video) and audio (44:47).  Related article.  

Sony’s The Forge movie: absent father, resentment, respect. Ever experience family conflict? Wish your dad had been more involved in your life? Longing for love and respect for yourself, or for your children? Is resentment churning in your gut? You’ll likely connect with key characters in Sony’s The Forge movie.  (Short op-ed) 

Average Joe movie: Supreme Court, praying football coach backstory. When Coach Joe Kennedy knelt to pray at the 50-yard line after a high school football game, he had no idea of the seismic legal transformation he was triggering. A new film explores his backstory and the U.S. Supreme Court decision his actions prompted. He’s an unlikely protagonist for such a momentous development. (Short op-ed;  published by Washington Examiner)