Always give thanks. Many Christian parents raise their kids to “say Grace” before meals. Some lead in a memorized prayer, while in other homes Dads verbalize a mumbled, awkward prayer of blessing on and for the food. Around some dinner tables is a more genuine prayer, but the encouragement to have thankful hearts ends there. The verses […]

Paradox: A seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that when investigated is actually true If Christ-centered parents don’t acknowledge (early on in their kids’ lives) that the truths of Christianity often contain paradox, they will forever be trying to “explain” and “define” a God who can’t be completely explained or defined in human terms. The Bible is filled […]

In reflecting on my mothering, one thing (among several) I would change – and I am still working on this one – is sharing my unsolicited opinion regarding my daughter’s choices in hair, clothes, styles, and other things that don’t really matter. Deep down, I want my daughters to become uniquely who God created them to be, and self expression is not a […]

You know the people of which I speak . . . The parentals. The ‘rents. The folks. The ones we celebrate in May and June. Mom and Dad. They are the ones who lead the family. Of course, depending on who you ask, you’d probably get a different answer as to what constitutes “family” today. […]

George Bailey’s dad (in It’s a Wonderful Life) told George one night that he was born older. 🙂 I know exactly what he meant. We have one of those kids. On April 29, 1988, we had a daughter born a “mama” . . .Today, we celebrate our oldest child, Amanda Lynn. Amanda is a typical first born in […]

We are celebrating Brent this week – he just turned 50 years old. When our birthdays roll around each year, I realize that we now have spent more birthdays together – married – than we did as singles. So, we should be more “one” than we have ever been.And, for the most part, I feel […]

Submission. It is the new “S-word” to many. 🙂 It has become an ugly word – one to avoid.Recently I read an excellent blog by a wife whose marriage was on the brink of destruction before she realized her disobedience to God’s word in the area of submission. She writes ““I have walked the road […]

Well, it’s Mother’s Day (weekend) in the US … this Sunday we celebrate Moms. But, instead of being sad about what I don’t have (or more correctly, who I don’t have), I’m choosing thankfulness! I am obviously missing out on spending the day with both of our moms – Mama Jo and Granny – and I’m missing some […]