Category: Positive character building

A Perfect Father Whose Children Rebelled

God is the perfect Father. But His children still rebel. They rebelled in a perfect environment while they had perfect fellowship with Him. They rebelled in the wilderness, even after He opened up the Red Sea for them to walk through. Even after He gave them water out of the rock. Even after He gave them food every day. Even after He demolished city walls and conquered nations before them. […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

Whose kids?

See if this changes your perspective: Print this poster out. Post it in a prominent place where you will see it often throughout the day. Start your day by thanking God for the privilege of being His representative in the lives of your children. Thank Him for entrusting His children into your care. Pray for His wisdom and strength. If your children are really God’s children, what does He want you […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

A No-Fail Formula

Every time I post a “here’s-one-way-to-approach-this-problem” sort of post, I cringe. I know my own tendency to look for a formula, a step-by-step answer, a guaranteed outcome sort of solution to my current assortment of challenges. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one with this problem. When I suggest a verse to talk about with your children, or list a number of ideas for ways to instruct and direct […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

How to End an Argument

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1, ESV) If more than one person lives in your household, you will have disagreements. If more than one child lives your household, you’ll have quite a few disagreements. If more than one young child lives in your household, some days will feel like all you have is disagreements. That’s because the people in your household […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

Yes, Daddy!

I love watching our adult children do a better job of training their children than we did! I have watched and learned as they train our grandchildren. For instance, I really wish we had trained our children to always respond when we instructed or directed them. I have watched little minds struggling with their own wills and not wanting to obey their daddy or mama. Then, when they respond with a […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

Like a Fetter

How many times have I sung “Come Thou Fount” in my sixty years of life? Hundreds, I’m sure. This past Sunday morning I heard its words in a whole new way. Our church choir was singing. It was beautiful — strong and energetic, with rich harmony. Little James was in my lap, bouncing to the music while his mama sang and his daddy led the choir. The words jumped out […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

God’s Word Is a Seed

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11) Help your children learn more about God’s Word and our response to it with this springtime activity! You’ll need: your Bible, some paper and drawing materials, a packet of bean or sweet pea seeds, a small bag of potting soil, and some small flower pots or recycled milk or yogurt cartons (if you choose to complete Step […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

The Law as a Door to the Gospel: The Sixth Commandment

The Westminster Larger Catechism can be a helpful tool when teaching our children the Ten Commandments. This catechism (which is simply a teaching tool in a question-and-answer format) was written by godly men and church leaders in the 17th century as an aid to teaching congregants the basic doctrines and beliefs of the faith. The language is a bit difficult, but taking the time to unravel the older English will […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

The Law as a Door to the Gospel: The Fifth Commandment

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). Honor your parents. The first four of the Ten Commandments address our duty to God. The last six outline our duty to man. The first relationship considered is the parent-child relationship, which in principle also applies to any other authority relationships. This is the first […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »

Justice and Mercy

My daughters and I are Les Miserables fans. I think we first started with an audio version of the story from Focus on the Family. Then we found recordings of the musical, the 10th anniversary performance, the 25th anniversary performance, and enjoyed a live Broadway Across America performance from our perch in the very, very back row of the top balcony. It’s a gritty story, full of sinners and the ugly consequences of […]

Read More →
« « Previous post| Next post » »