Parenting
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Adrian Peterson and Biblical Discipline
[Note: During the month of October, our friends at The Light Network are releasing program to raise awareness about domestic violence. I was interviewed for an upcoming episode of the program “Culture Shock” on the issue of disciplining children. In connection with that, I submit the following article as part of their “blog hop,” helping to promote awareness. To learn more, visit this page on their website. –Adam] I am a fan of sports. I have been geared up for the beginning of the new NFL season, and have enjoyed watching a few minutes of action so far this season. But the off the field news around the National Football…
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5 Mistakes Parents Keep Making
As I write this I am scooting my chair up to the table and fastening a bib around my neck in order to keep from allowing any humble pie to get on my clothes. Parenting is tough! I have made and continue to make many mistakes. I constantly pray to God for help and forgiveness. But thankfully, with God as my heavenly parent and with His manual close by, in this process of being a father I am learning. Through my own misguided struggles as well as my observations of others, I would like to share with you five major mistakes parents continually make. Some parents worship their children rather…
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Surprising News about Steve Jobs (and Other Tech People)
I realize that this post may be VERY lengthy, but I thought it was worth considering. A few weeks ago I wrote about our society being a “non-connected connected society.” The words below are a portion of a transcript of Dr. Albert Mohler’s podcast; The Briefing. What he said is, in my opinion, surprising and very important. I hope you’ll take the time to read his words and the words of those whom he quoted. –Jim Faughn Tech executive parents understand vulnerability of children to technology As I said, we live in a very ironic age – and in this case, a new irony comes to light. Sometimes it takes an unbeliever…
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30 Life Lessons from “The Cosby Show”
Over the weekend, “The Cosby Show” celebrated the 30th anniversary of its debut on NBC. Yes, just typing that makes me feel old. While this is not a perfect TV show, I believe it is the best regular series in this history of television. It was legitimately humorous, and didn’t feel the need to be scandalous. It was morally clean almost all the way through, and even gave families something positive to talk about, instead of trying to sheepishly avoid certain topics usually discussed on television. So, in honor of the 30th anniversary of “The Cosby Show,” today we share with you 30 life lessons. Some are humorous and some…
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I Want My Kids to Know Grace
I am 41, married, and have three children, ages 13, 10, and 7. I am a Christian. I am ready for Jesus to come today. I am ready not because I am perfect, but because I have obeyed the gospel according to the grace of God. I am also ready because I will admit I have some safety about it in my mind. You see, my wife is a Christian, my oldest son is a Christian, and my two youngest are still sinless and therefore safe. The 10 year-old is heading to the place where innocence will soon be lost. But for now, I have the selfish confidence of knowing…
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Momma’s Fresh Peach Pie {Recipe}
It’s that time of year again. The peaches are ripe and plentiful. I know a little bit about peaches because that was my dad’s favorite fruit. This time of year always stirs some memories within me now that both of my parents are gone. Dad would spend more than he normally would for this precious fruit just because he loved it so much. Oh, he complained a lot about the price, but he still bought the peaches. What I remember even more vividly than his love for peaches was the way my mother would always use them to please him. She peeled and sliced them and served them for breakfast…
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A Disconnected Connected Society
Posts, tweets, pins, links, updates… The list goes on and on. IMHO, we are becoming the most disconnected connected people who have ever lived. (By the way; did you see how cool I am? I know tech speak for “in my humble opinion!”) We know what is going on with somebody half-way around the world whom we have “accepted” as a “friend” (even though we’ve never met them), or “follow,” are “linked in with,” or are in some other way connected electronically. At the same time, we have no idea what is going on with our spouse who is sitting right next to us; our children who live in the…
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Being the Bad Guy
Parenting is not for wimps. I know a young couple who married in 2013 and had their first child this year, about a year after their wedding. In a recent conversation I asked them if their newborn was resting well at night so they could get some sleep. They said it was off and on but getting better. They informed me that they realize now that nothing could have prepared them for some of the things that go with parenting. Which leads me to this next thought… In doing pre-marital counseling, when I ask young couples what their plan is for having children I often get this response: “Well, we…
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How’s Your Family Growing
Recently, a couple of things happened that were not actually related. In my sometimes unusual way of thinking, there might have been a connection. My wife and I hosted our “second annual Cousins Camp.” All of the grandkids were at our house. It was a little — no, make that a LOT — loud for a few days. Thankfully, we had some “counselors” to work with us — our daughter and our daughter-in-law. Cousins Camp is the brainchild of my wife. It is an attempt on our part to help develop and nurture the sense of family that is so important to us. It is also an opportunity for us…
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When Tragedy Strikes the Family
Tragedy struck our church family a few weeks ago. It was a tragedy of the worst kind. Lives were lost and bodies were damaged which will take months to heal. Emotionally the damage was severe to everyone involved. You see a tragic car accident turned a vacation trip for a mother, grandmother, and daughters into a nightmare from which it will take years to recover. Our church family lost one of its vital members. When a tragedy like this strikes a family our hearts hurt to see them going through such hard times. When a physical family is close to one another, as this one was, and one or more…
