Every parent should memorize this verse: ” ‘ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV) Go into this day, with all its challenges and interruptions and unknowns, remembering that your weakness is the perfect frame to display Christ’s power. God knows we are weak, […]
Read More →A 10-Day Bible Study for Kids — 1 Samuel 25
Today we’re going to take a chapter from 1 Samuel and talk about some ways you could lead your children in studying this passage. We’re going to study 1 Samuel 25. This is the account of David’s reaction and Abigail’s reponse when Nabal refused to give food to him and his men. Day 1: Read the entire chapter (or divide it into two days, if your children are really young). […]
Read More →How NOT to Discipline with Scripture
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” …but we can misuse it. Don’t use God’s Word to discipline your children without a real love for God and His Word. Children are experts in detecting hypocrisy. They will see right through you, and be provoked to anger. They will be tempted to reject you or what you are trying to teach them. When […]
Read More →The Importance of Community: Courtship, Part 2
I am basking in the joy of our church’s annual family camp this week. This is the 25th year we have attended camp with this group of fellow-believers! Some of our babies weren’t even born when we started coming to this camp. Now most of them are married, and some are chasing their own little ones around the campground! In between the great singing and eating, learning and sharing, and […]
Read More →Growth is Gradual
In his recent post on 5 Ways we Grow, Tim Challies gave me a good picture of the patience that is required when we’re looking for growth (in our own lives, or in the lives of our children). We are an impatient people accustomed to instant gratification. But fruit grows slowly. A fruit tree grows gradually and over many years of careful and deliberate cultivation. If you purchase a sapling […]
Read More →Are You Building Them Up?
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19) Here’s a simple project to try. Fill a jar or mug with dry beans. Set two glasses next to the beans. Label one jar with a “+” and one with a “–“. Listen to yourself as you go through the day. Every time you say something positive or edifying to […]
Read More →What I Would Do Differently, Part 4
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, ESV) Isn’t it amazing that God entrusts newborn babies to people who have absolutely no experience raising children? I remember the panic mixed with joy that I felt when we finally brought our firstborn home from his weeklong stay in NICU. How could they possibly let me take this child home with me? Don’t they […]
Read More →We’re Just a Part of Their Stories
The topic of courtship has been on my mind a lot lately. One reason is this: Our “baby” is getting married! And we praise God for the man who will be her husband! God continues to write stories that we could never think up on our own. (More on that in another post. 🙂 ) So if posts are a bit more sporadic over the next two or three months, […]
Read More →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 →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 […]
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