-
The Hardest Part of Proverbs 22:6 : How Not to Live Through Your Child
Every child is different. If you don’t believe that, you either don’t have kids or you have only one. It is remarkable how two kids, raising in the same house, can be so different. But that’s the way God made children. Each one has a certain set of gifts and talents, which are often quite divergent. To use an old word, each one has a certain “bent.” Sometimes, the “bent” of our children, though, is not the same as one–or both–of the parents, and that can lead to a parenting dilemma. Proverbs 22:6 is probably the most well-known verse for parents in Scripture. Whether we are aware of it or…
-
To My Son, On His 7th Birthday
Turner, I know exactly where I was seven years ago today. I also know exactly how nervous I was, for a lot of reasons. Now, seven years later, I’m still nervous, and for some of the same reasons. The main reason, though, is that I continue to pray that you will grow up to be a strong, faithful, Christian man, and I know that the example of that rests on me. Too often, buddy, I let you down in my example. You are growing up so, so fast. I know that you are meant to grow, but this past year we have seen so much change in you. It is…
-
Book Review: “A Godward Heart”
In the introduction of this book, John Piper writes of the importance of short writings; specifically, of paragraphs. This little volume, then, gives the reader a collection of 50 such writings from Piper. Depending on the reader, you may find it either helpful or confusing that these 50 essays are not on any one particular topic. Piper simply wrote about various topics and collected them into this little book. Personally, I liked that, but you may find it confusing. Each of the 50 essays can be read in about 5 minutes (some in much less time), but all are well-organized. That is not to say that you will agree with…
-
Why I Am Writing “Hymns of the Heart”
Today, the first volume of Hymns of the Heart is being released by Start2Finish books. We are thrilled about this project, and are looking forward to finishing and releasing the remaining 6 volumes throughout the remainder of 2014 (volume 2 is almost done, by the way). When all is said and done, there should be 7 eBooks, containing a total of 35 essays on the Psalms. Since the first eBook is being released today, I thought I would share the “working” introduction for the paperback version that will follow when all 7 volumes are completed. I’m sure there will be tons of edits before we reach the final version of this introduction in…
-
Slow Down and Cherish the Moments
In Jeff Goins’s book The In-Between, he tells this short story that really struck me upon reading it recently: The other day, I went outside to sit on my back porch, leaving my phone in the house. As I rocked my son to sleep, I looked to my left and saw a huge cumulus cloud growing in the sky. Every second as I watched, it grew, marshmallowing into a great, big cotton ball in the sky. My first inclination was to run inside, grab my phone, and snap a photo. To capture the memory and share it with friends. But some internal urge prevented me from doing so. Resisting the compulsion…
-
Friday’s Family Friendly Finds {March 21, 2014 edition}
Before we get to this week’s finds, I have a very special note to pass along: Happy 44th anniversary to my mom and dad! Mom and dad have been a tremendous influence on me, and I’m thankful for their example in so many areas, not the least of which is how to have a godly marriage. I hope they have a wonderful day! This Week’s Finds Trophy Wife (A Message for Husbands) [Dave Willis] 9 Things We Should Get Rid of to Help Our Kids [We are THAT Family] How Christian Families Have Chosen to Handle Media and Children [Life in the Kingdom] 15 Spring Activities to Do With Your…
-
Welcome, for the family Readers!
Today, we are honored to have a guest post on the For the Family blog. This is a blog we subscribe to via email and enjoy reading on a regular basis. We are grateful to them for publishing an article called “Picking Up the Dominoes,” which is about second chances in our families. If you are on our site today due to this article, thank you for coming over! We try to post 4-5 times each week on issues related to the family, and we’d love it if you’d take a few moments to look around. Here are some links you might find helpful to get to know us a…
-
“I’m Drawing a Blank” : Evangelism in a Fatherless Society
In 2005 Elizabeth Marquardt and Norval Glenn wrote a book entitled Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce. I have not read the volume, but have seen it referenced in a few places, including a book I am currently reading. One of the portions of that book that is cited and makes me well up with tears is the story of when the two writers asked some of the subjects to talk about the idea of God as a parent, specifically as a Father. They asked a man–an adult now–named Will to talk about God as a parent, and this is what they report: Will was mystified by…
-
“Before Your Kids Eyes” : 6 Things Your Kids Need to See You Do Daily
Children learn in every possible way. From the smallest of ages, they are soaking up information from those they love. (Don’t believe me? Take 61 seconds and watch this video from a recent college basketball game.) As they grow, they learn to read, and they take in information from the media, from books, and from peers. But kids will continue to take in information from their parents. Kids really get their worldview from how mom and dad act daily. Knowing that, I challenge every mom and dad to think about what your kids are seeing from you toward each other. I’m not asking you to be hypocritical, but you know…
-
The Best Part of Leadership … and Parenting
It starts with little tasks like cleaning a room or sweeping the porch. It continues through more important things, like difficult moral decisions. All the conversations, prayers, and effort come into play in those moments, and they are what a parent waits to see. I don’t know who originally said this, but it is a wonderful quote about leadership: The best part of leadership is watching it happen without you. As I heard those words again recently, my mind immediately went to my role as a parent. From the time our children are quite young, we try to teach them to do certain tasks even when we aren’t around. We…
