Mike Woodard
Mike is a small town boy who grew up on a hobby farm in Michigan. After finishing a science degree at Central Michigan University in 1977, Mike moved to Canada to begin working in university student ministry. He married Karen in 1978, after years of friendship that started in high school. Edmonton was their home for 11 years. Their son and 3 daughters were born in rapid order. Home base moved to Ottawa and then to their current home in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Mike and Karen have both finished MA degrees from Trinity Western University, ACTS Seminary. They currently serve with FamilyLife Canada. Their family has expanded to include 3 sons-in-law and two grandsons.
Mike enjoys backpacking in the stunning wilderness of Western Canada. A thrill seeker at heart, bungee-jumping, sky-diving, marathon and triathlon have been checked off his life’s “to do” list. His motto is, “Life is an adventure!” In the summer of 2012 Mike’s first book was released. Love That Lasts-52 Insights for Couples is a collection of insights that first appeared as weekly posts on the FamilyLife Canada website. The book is now available in English and French.
Conflict is Normal
January 22, 2014 My mother would often say, “If we were the same, one of us would not be necessary.” Two people who are different have the wonderful potential of complementing each other but also having some level of conflict. Conflict is normal and can be very productive. Couples miss out on the benefits of […] Read More >
Conflict Management
October 2, 2013 Conflict is a normal part of any relationship! Conflict can be constructive or destructive depending on how it is managed. In the book The 10 Best Decisions a Couple Can Make, Bill and Pam Farrel state that research shows there are many styles of effective conflict resolution. The key word is effective. […] Read More >
Control Takes a Toll
February 5, 2014 A couple celebrating 60 years of marriage was asked the secret of their success. “Simple,” the husband responded, “We decided early on in our relationship, I would make the big decisions. And the wife would make the small decisions. That was the last big decision we had to make!” Humour aside, some […] Read More >
Creating Affection, Warmth and Encouragement
Wednesday May 30, 2012 In his book, Creating an Intimate Marriage, author Jim Burns challenges readers with this idea, “YOU set the mood, tone and atmosphere in your marriage.” He also points out you are the ONE person who can make a difference in your marriage. You cannot default to, “If only my spouse would […] Read More >
Creating Affection, Warmth and Encouragement
August 28, 2013 In his book, Creating an Intimate Marriage, author Jim Burns challenges readers with this idea, “YOU set the mood, tone and atmosphere in your marriage.” He also points out you are the ONE person who can make a difference in your marriage. You cannot default to, “If only my spouse would […] Read More >
Creating Memorable Moments as a Family
We were sitting on the lip of a waterfall in a remote area due to a wrong turn. This wrong turn along with the incoming ocean tide forced us to this unexpected place. What we found was a spectacular roosting spot on the edge of a waterfall! This was just one of several memorable moments […] Read More >
Cycle of Unresolved Issues
Wednesday October 3, 2012 The cycle goes something like this: a problem surfaces in your relationship, and one of you says, “We have a problem…” but the other person does not take it seriously so the problem is not really addressed. This happens again, then again and again! Despair takes over. One day the one […] Read More >
Dealing with Despair: Dark Moments of the Soul
I picked up the bottle of iodine, focusing on the skull and cross bones symbol. I did not have a cut that needed disinfecting. I was hurt on the inside. I had just returned to my room from a meeting. A long time friend had said something that cut deep. Holding the bottle, the thought […] Read More >
Dealing with Doubts
February 12, 2014 I remember having a fleeting thought on my honeymoon, “Maybe I married the wrong person.” Later my bride put that same thought into words! That was over 30 years ago. You might be asking, “What preserved a marriage that had such doubts?” We discovered that even in the best marriages, everyone has […] Read More >
Dealing with Fear: A Lesson from a Two Year Old
Trouble trusting God? Wondering why your prayers seem to be going unanswered? Why not try our “Why Doesn’t God Answer my Prayer?” online interactive study? [display_podcast] Domonic, our two and a half year old grandson was “helping” Papa (Grandpa) do some much needed spring clean up in the back yard. Our backyard is terraced, so […] Read More >