This month we are approaching Easter Sunday which we often call Resurrection Sunday, for it is a remembrance of that first Easter Sunday on which Jesus Christ our Lord rose from the grave. While it is good and right for us to celebrate Easter each year, perhaps we also need reminding that every Sunday is a resurrection Sunday. Indeed, each Sunday that we gather is a continued celebration of the Risen King and of our expectation of His return to rule and to reign forevermore.
Getting your kids to do chores around the house is a definite challenge. But it's worth the effort becuase chores are great teaching tools and lessons for life for your kids. Watch for some encouragements and tips on chores and how they can be opportunites in your home. #FamilyFriday
Sometimes the days really are long, and you become so tired of doing the same things over and over again. I wanted to encourage in those moments to look for glimpses of grace and growth in yourself and in your family. Often our kids will do something that astonishes and surprises us. These are reminders from the Lord that our efforts to teach and train our children are making an impact even when they many not seem too. #FamilyFriday
Someone once said, “A father is someone who carries pictures where his money used to be.” Most dads can probably sympathize and chuckle at that statement. Contrary to popular jokes around Father’s Day, Dads aren’t dispensable dummies. Instead, they are essential pieces of God’s plan for the prosperity of the family, the church and society at large. Join me today for a look at how important dads really are. #FamilyFriday
Forgiveness is not optional for Christians. But we all know that “forgive and forget” isn’t really true. Forgiveness is really hard! It takes time, effort, and a deep understanding of how God has poured out grace in our own lives. Today I want to encourage you to forgive one another even as God has forgiven you. #FamilyFriday
You know the scenario. Kid A does something to Kid B. Kid B retaliates with words or fists. You come running in to referee. You try to sort out the mess and at the end say, “Now, tell each other that you’re sorry.” Those words are usually followed by a squeaky, small, and insincere chorus of “sorry.” The word has been said, but a real apology hasn’t been made. This doesn’t just happen with kids either. We adults often fail in our apologies just like the kids. Watch my #FamilyFriday to learn how to really apologize.
Part of learning to be a problem-solver is learning to be a peace-maker. Owning and admitting our wrong in any situation is necessary to bringing a conflict to an appropriate resolution. Most of us ruin our apologies with a few simple words. Watch my video to learn the best way to ruin an apology…and how we can avoid this common problem. #FamilyFriday
Raising resilient kids means raising problem-solving kids. Watch the video to learn about strategies to help your kids learn how to deal with various problems and difficulties that come up on every life. #FamilyFriday
Sometimes we have to resist the urge to protect our kids in order to pursue the higher goal of preparing them for the difficulties of life. This #FamilyFriday will help you discern the balance between protection and preparation and how we can work towards using hardship as a means to the formation of moral character and Christlikeness.
"Are we there yet?!" I'm sure you have heard your kids or grandkids say that question (among many other impatient statements as well). I got to thinking about why time seems so long to kids and so short as you grow older. Check out my #FamilyFriday on this topic to hear my theory and how that relates to teaching patience to our children and our pursuit of it as well.
I've posted previous about how to establish a pattern for family devotions as part of an overall approach to discipling your kids. This time, I want to give you a few more particulars and recommendations on resources as you put that into play in your family life.
We often have this idea that, as long as I love my kids, they will turn out alright. But because our kids have a deeper spiritual problem—a heart problem—they will need more than parental love. They will need salvation (as we all do!). So, in order to truly parent our kids, we must do what is necessary for their spiritual awakening and maturity. Do more than love your kids...read the Bible and pray with them.
Getting up and making it to church on time with your family (especially if you have young kids) might just be the definition of cruel and unusual punishment. It’s really hard to do the church thing as a family. And because it’s so hard, the temptations to just stay home seem so very powerful. But hear this today: Take your kids to church…especially when you don’t feel like.
The Scripture is quite clear that one of our chief responsibilities as parents is the spiritual education and discipleship of our children. The gravity of this task is sometimes overwhelming, but it is also a distinct privilege that pays immense dividends if we take it seriously and carefully. We often fall into one of two mistakes when discipling our kids…
So often we believe in a pale imitation of the truth. For instance, we often believe that the real point of marriage is to “keep the romance alive” or to “stay in love.” If this is our vision of love and marriage, is too small. It cannot bear the weight of real life nor does it understand the ultimate point of marriage. Take a moment to watch this #FamilyFriday to discover a more robust vision for your marriage.
I recently did a 3-part Facebook Live series on Your Family and Technology. A brief summary is provided before each video below. If you are trying to navigate this always changing landscape of technology with your children, you might benefit from watching these Family Friday segments. In part one, I wanted to provide a biblical framework from which to think about technology and how we might learn to redeem technology rather than be ruled by it. In part two, I tried to educate parents on some of the possibilities and problems of technology and give some action steps for how we can maximize the possibilities while guarding agains the problems. Finally, in part three, I provided some introduction on various tools and apps that can make technology safer and more helpful in the home.
Death is no respecter of persons. We learn this painful lesson as we experience life and become acquainted with the frailty of our own lives and those arounds us. In December, our church experienced the loss of a dear man who had teenage children. This got me to thinking about how we could help children as they face loss and grief. Here are some key ideas whether you yourself are working through the loss of a loved one or are trying to help someone else who is.
“Is that it?” This was the question written on my kids’ faces after we had opened all of the presents this Christmas. Actually, this is the question that most of us ask (or want to ask) after the holidays or some big celebration. We look around and think, “That was fun, but it didn’t really satisfy.” Join us today on #FamilyFriday to see how our disappointment can lead us to contentment.
