Given my role in the church and the phase of life I’m in, I have read many (too many?) parenting books over the past few years. One thing I’ve learned: most parenting books are basically the same. But last month I read a (mercifully) short book by Thomas Smyth called “The Mission of Parenting,” and it was so unlike anything that has come out in recent years. ...
After recently reading through Paul David Tripp’s “Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family,” one of his principles has continued to stick out to me: Recognizing what you are unable to do is essential to good parenting....
There are many wonderful things about winter and one of them is the time we enjoy celebrating Christmas. But some of you may not like winter and others may not even like Christmas (though I doubt you’ve said it out loud). Most of us don’t like the over-commercialization and busyness of the season but we also grow tired of talking about that every year too. We could go on and on about things we don’t like if we wanted to be grinches about it all....
A common question that children (and even we adults) will sometimes ask when reflecting on God and prayer is “If God knows all things, then why pray?” ...
My son does not mind me telling you his college is closing. When he chose to attend the (never forget the definite article) King's College three years ago, he imagined an integrated community with strong academics intended to prepare students for service in Christ's kingdom. And it was that way for a while. Then the college ran out of money. I remember thinking, "How is t...
Keep Reading Given my role in the church and the phase of life I’m in, I have read many (too many?) parenting books over the past few years. One thing I’ve learned: most parenting books are basically the same. But last month I read a (mercifully) short book by Thomas Smyth called “The Mission of Parenting,” and it was so unlike anything that has come out in recent years. ...
Keep Reading I dropped off some life insurance documents at our local agency a couple weeks ago. Our usual agent was somewhere with sun (that is, outside of Michigan and I am guessing in Florida) so another agent looked over the documents with me. As the conversation expanded beyond insurance, we reached a mutual connectionone I'd interviewed on my podcast "Ordinary Lives." That conver...
Keep Reading After recently reading through Paul David Tripp’s “Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family,” one of his principles has continued to stick out to me: Recognizing what you are unable to do is essential to good parenting....
Keep Reading There are many wonderful things about winter and one of them is the time we enjoy celebrating Christmas. But some of you may not like winter and others may not even like Christmas (though I doubt you’ve said it out loud). Most of us don’t like the over-commercialization and busyness of the season but we also grow tired of talking about that every year too. We could g...
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What are you thankful for? That's a common questionperhaps even the most common question asked around Thanksgiving Day. It's a good question. Go ahead and make a list. Be amazed at what God has given. Praise him for your home, your job, your community, your country, your stability, your safety . . . . Praise him like the Psalmist does. But would you do one thing in additi...
Keep Reading A common question that children (and even we adults) will sometimes ask when reflecting on God and prayer is “If God knows all things, then why pray?” ...
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During our family devotion time, I have been reading the Proverb associated with the day of the month. We have been using the ancient practice of Lectio Divina meaning sacred reading. Before we read, we ask the Holy Spirit to give us a word or phrase from the text that would impact our hearts in a personal way. On August 18, I read Proverbs 18:1 Whoever isolates himself se...
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