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…

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…

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…

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…

On Wednesday nights, I’m teaching a survey of the Old Testament. This class has proven to be a great boon to my knowledge of that portion of Scripture, and has greatly lifted my faith. Last night, we surveyed First Samuel. In the opening chapters, of course, we spoke of both Samuel and the priest, Eli. While this class is more informational, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to present a word of application, and I wanted to share it with you, as well. Honestly, Eli is one of the most fascinating people in Scripture to me. He was, seemingly, quite concerned with the role of being a priest, and he was…

She is eight years of age, and probably at least once every day, I call her “precious.” God placed her into our care in a very special way, and it is our job to see that we aim this arrow from our small quiver on a straight trajectory toward heaven. That aiming includes trying to build a work ethic into her. It includes attempting to teach her not only Scripture, but the Author of those words. It includes teaching her healthy boundaries. It includes countless other things that we will try to instill in her. We want to model the right behavior before her each day. We fail often, but…