As all of us are adapting to our 'New Normal', we have new opportunities to: build special memories with our children, start new habits/routines, observe their learning styles, have fun, teach life lessons, and be ambassadors for Christ. We need to savor this unexpected time together for it [...]
You have probably heard the word “unprecedented” more times in the last month than you have in your entire life. If you are like me, you are so tired of hearing the word that you have become desperate for an appropriate synonym just to keep things fresh. With everything [...]
We have a cool opportunity to speak life and truth into our children’s lives. Like when Abram had no children and God said he would be a father of many nations, there are times in our children’s lives when we must “call things that are not as though they were.” [...]
When you have gone to Sunday school a long time, you know some of the answers to the typical questions even when you are young. “Who saves us from our sins?” “JESUS!” Gold Star.“What is sin?” “The wrong things we think, say and do.” Gold Star. Then in youth group, you [...]
As Jesus was riding the donkey down the streets of Jerusalem, people were convinced He was going to start a revolution and save them from Roman rule. They were ready for physical war and were cheering for their champion. What they thought was going to happen didn’t happen [...]
Recently I had the chance to hear a man teach on the importance of christians praying together. His three sermons focused on how to carry out the essential but neglected task of corporate prayer. For the first time in my life, I found myself concentrating all of my [...]
As we finish our parenting tips from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, let’s look at some absolutes that actually benefit your children. Love “always protects” looks like being attentive to your children’s well-being whether they are in your presence or not. Many children are hurt by others (peers and adults) because [...]
As we continue talking about 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, let’s open our laptops and figuratively clickon some social media. Mamas, this will be mainly focused towards us, but tune in dads, thismay give you an inside look into your spouse’s online world. Let’s cover “love is not…” on theseapps checklist style:Love [...]
We often hear “The Love Chapter” at weddings or near Valentine’s Day and it’s focused on romantic relationships. It is actually a pretty awesome checklist for self-reflection in parenting, so this month, we’ll focus on part of what love looks like practically. Love is patient. Patience has been [...]
I remember having an idea for a book called “The Death of a Cynic”. What do you think? Let me explain… I had only been married for a few months and had recently moved to the unfamiliar land of East Texas. For roughly a decade prior to getting married, I [...]
In our last installment of our three-week study of Colossians 3:15-17, we are reminded to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the [...]
As we continue our three-week study of Colossians 3:15-17, we think about the message ofChrist.Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another withall wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude inyour hearts. Colossians 3:16What is [...]
Memorial Day is the time our country has set aside to honor those fallen heroes who gave their lives for our personal freedoms and our nation’s continued political and religious freedom. Please take the time to talk to your children about what was sacrificed on their behalf! We like [...]
It’s important as a couple to be of one mind. If there are people (including your children) who would try to pit you against each other to get their way, you must stand together in submission to God and one another no matter what others think. Zechariah and Elizabeth [...]
Let’s cuddle up in front of the fireplace and look at the Nativity Scene together. Each of the people in this everlasting reminder were blessings to God and to the whole world.. Mary was obedient and submissive even before she was asked to be. She had proven her dedication [...]
Just a few years ago my wife and I buckled our little girl into her carseat after a full Christmas morning of presents and peace. We were loading up to visit family in a town a few hours away. Our little vehicle was filled to the brim with Holiday [...]
I have heard some over-tired, overwhelmed mamas say they “just want peace” in their home. Often what these mamas really want is quiet. Children make sounds all day long. There are sounds that little ones make that adults don’t. Humming, blowing raspberries, gun sounds shooting bad guys, clicking, popping, [...]
The holidays are my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving makes me think of family, football, food, naps, movies, and shopping (not necessarily in that order!). Christmas makes me think of a warm hearth, traditions, closed stores, A Christmas Carol movies, Charlie Brown, family, hymns, carols, opening presents with my [...]
As we continue to think thankful thoughts, it’s good to remind ourselves of the most important reason for us to be thankful. This passage of Scripture inspires us with thinking of that most important thing! 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live [...]
Sit with me at the Thanksgiving Table of my childhood for a moment. Everyone has their food and begins to dig in! One of the adults looks up and says, “As we thank God for this bountiful feast, let’s go around and each say something we are thankful [...]
We hear people talking about having a thankful heart or an attitude of gratitude. Both are super important, but I believe thankfulness begins in the mind. When we feel discontent in our lives, it is often a sign we are not having the perspective of thankful thoughts. There’s an [...]
I’ve always been amazed by music. Even the most educated, trained, and experienced musicians struggle when tasked with pinning down what music actually is! I view it as a creation and gift from God to be used for His glory. Not only is it a gift from God, it [...]
People love stories. They love telling them, hearing them, watching them and living them. Part of thereason children love to dress up is to pretend to be in a different story. My little ones loved dressing uplike firemen, doctors, and superheros. They wanted to be heroes who helped other people. [...]
When we lost our fourth baby to miscarriage a few years ago, I realized that our culture doesn’t know how to deal with miscarriage. Every other woman I talked to for the first two weeks after losing the baby said they had experienced the same thing. As we talked [...]
We live in a Disposable Culture where people all around us see people and relationships as disposable. I met a woman whose husband left her and their three children to live a life addicted to gambling. He legally divorced her, but there was no infidelity or reason to leave [...]
Affirming Spiritual and Character Growth This month we’ve been focusing on affirmation and have learned that the definition of affirm” is “to state as fact; assert strongly and publicly; to declare one’s support for; uphold; defend.” We discussed the importance of affirming your children, your spouse, the other authorities [...]
As we have been covering this month, the definition of the word “affirm” is “to state as fact; assert strongly and publicly; to declare one’s support for; uphold; defend.” We talked about the importance of affirming your children in order for them to feel known and supported and of [...]
As we discussed last week, the definition of the word “affirm” is “to state as fact; assert strongly and publicly; to declare one’s support for; uphold; defend.” We talked about the importance of affirming your children in order for them to feel known and supported. This truth is the [...]
The definition of the word “affirm” is “to state as fact; assert strongly and publicly; to declare one’s support for; uphold; defend.” What a beautiful word. When I feel affirmed, I do feel supported and I feel known. When was the last time someone you respect affirmed you in [...]
Your four-year-old looks up at you in his oversized rain boots and fireman costume and says, “Mama, I want to be a fireman when I grow up… and build buildings… and be a superhero… and…” Our children are taught that they can be anything they want to be when [...]
One new parenting dilemma that our parents did not deal with is the new definition of “identifying” our middle and high schoolers are being faced with. When we used to identify with a group of people in was because of classes or extra-curricular activities we were in together, [...]
dBack to school is a perfect time to get into (or back into) a Family Time Training routine with your family. It’s a great time to determine which activities you’ll do together for the fall or even through Christmastime. You can pick a date, time, and even do pre-meal planning [...]
Spend some time in the kitchen tasting summer foods together and being grateful for all the ways God provides for your family. Here are a few fun taste testing ideas to try with your family: Act of Food Service Have each person write down a meal that they would [...]
When we spend a lot of time together, we can start to become impatient and easily irritated with each other. Here is a fun Family Activity that will help us remember the battle is a spiritual one not one fought against each other!Water Balloon BattleThe object of this activity is [...]
Having intentional spiritual conversations when we are with our children in non-formal settings is key to helping them understand that our relationship with God affects every aspect of our lives. Deuteronomy 6:7 is a command to talk about the commandments of God as you walk along the road. So, [...]
In 2 Peter 3:18 we are reminded, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Unfortunately, some people make spiritual growth errors and then don’t experience the most benefit from what God has to offer. Here are common mistakes that often cause families [...]
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” -James 5:16 What a precious thing it is for a husband and dad to lead his wife and kids in [...]
At our church we have replaced baby dedication with something called a commissioning ceremony. The focus is on parents who both realize and embrace their commission from God to pass their faith to their children. These are some sweet times in our church community. Last month a mom approached [...]
“Children don’t come with a manual.” I’ve heard this countless times and I’ve even said it myself. True, when they are born, the hospital doesn’t hand us an instruction book. However, the more I read the Bible the more I’ve become aware that God has given us a great [...]
Memorial Day is the time our country has set aside to honor those fallen heroes who gave their lives for our personal freedoms and our nation’s continued political and religious freedom. Please take the time to talk to your children about what was sacrificed on their behalf! We like [...]
In remarkable and unbelievable kid timing, while one child clandestinely fed Murphy, the family dog, bacon under the table, the spiller knocked his cup. This action precipitated a series of unfortunate events. Our labradoodle freaked and blasted out from under the table and ran beneath the shower of white. Simultaneously [...]
Today I want to look at Mother’s Day a new and fresh way. Instead of playing “Mother May I,” let’s change the words (and focus) to say, today May I Mother like this… Moment by moment keeping the end goal in mind. I am raising adults not 6, 10, [...]
On Mother’s Day we spend the day being thankful for our mamas. We try to spoil them to show our gratitude for all their hard work. Mamas come to church with bellies full of slightly burnt toast and runny eggs that accompanied flowers in a vase at their bedside. [...]
There is a LOT of work that needs to be done to prepare my home for summer with my kiddos home! I can’t wait to have them home and am so excited for the big chunk of time together. Cleaning and organizing our home is one of my roles in [...]
He is Risen!He is Risen Indeed!!!What does that mean to your child when she hears you say it aloud at church? Today we celebrate the greatest victory of our Savior on this earth. When we celebrate Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death, over all sin. There is no sin [...]
In thinking about Palm Sunday, I went back and read through Matthew 21:1-11. Here we read about Jesus telling His disciples to get the donkey colt for Him. Then, fulfilling prophecy, He rode on the colt through the streets and people cut palm branches to throw on the ground [...]
What is a fool? Google dictionary says it is “A person who acts unwisely, unprudently; a silly person”To fool someone is “to trick or deceive (someone); dupe”Parents, I want all of us to be wise not fools this April 1st. Let us not be deceived. Our influences are huge in [...]
In December, our family had a RESET Sunday at church. It’s a day we’ve set aside to give our church leadership a much-needed break on a day when most people don’t go to church anyway. It gives us a chance to recharge and be ready for the next season [...]
As an American culture, we’ve gotten mixed-up about why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Most of us think that it’s just a day to wear green, talk like we’re Irish and eat Corned Beef and Cabbage. We have lost sight of the patron of our holiday. This is a great [...]
When our little ones are in preschool they begin to be aware of civil authorities and to see them as the heroes that they truly are. I am thinking specifically of when my sons wanted to play Cops and Robbers and to dress up like police officers. I remember [...]