The Faughn Family of Four

Welcome to “A Legacy of Faith”

Posted on June 12, 2025 by Adam Faughn • 0 Comments

After time in prayer, planning, and work, we are thrilled to unveil a dream come true today. Welcome to “A Legacy of Faith.”

A Legacy of Faith has as its design bringing together the entire “Faughn/Tatum crew” to help you and your family do more than just survive today. We want to help you look forward to the future and prepare for eternity.

While we have several things planned for the future, this blog will be the main hub for the foreseeable future. Here’s the great part, though: this site will no longer contain my writing only. We are bringing together our entire family to share helpful content with you on a regular basis.

Beginning next week, you can expect to see regular articles by Jim Faughn, Jeremiah Tatum, and myself. In addition to bringing together our three blogs under one roof, we are thrilled that Donna Faughn, Amber Tatum, and Leah Faughn also plan to contribute from time-to-time. You will still receive our Friday Family Friendly Finds each week, as well as an occasional guest post.

To facilitate this, we have built an entire new website that you will want to check out. At ALegacyOfFaith.us we will have more “stagnant” information, so people can find out the basics about us. On the website, you can find our bio information, speaking schedules, what others are saying about A Legacy of Faith, and a lot more. We hope you’ll check out the new site.

While that website may have more stagnant information, there is nothing “stagnant” about what we are wanting to do. With our family coming together to work on this project, you can expect great content from the blog five times weekly, nearly every week. So the focus will still be on the blog, and sharing Biblical and encouraging content for you and your family. But there is more to look forward to.

Here are some highlights

1. A Legacy of Faith: The Podcast

That’s right: starting in August, A Legacy of Faith will begin releasing a podcast. Adam and Leah will cohost, but the program will feature regular interviews, as well. We are thrilled to start this part of the site, and look forward to releasing episodes twice each month, beginning August 7.

And, by the way, we have already mapped out the first 10 episodes! You can learn more, and see the titles of episodes 1-10 by going here.

2. A stronger Facebook presence

Facebook has been the main driver of traffic to the Faughn Family blog for a number of years. With the coming together of so many in our family, we plan to have a very strong presence on Facebook and interact there quite often. We hope to share not only links to our new content, but also quotes, questions, and freebies on our brand new Facebook page. Join by clicking on the box below or following this link. Then, share with a friend.

3. Emphasis on email

We are pleased to have over 370 people who subscribe to our site via email. We really want to grow that number. The reason is not because we want to use email to sell you a bunch of stuff. It is because we want you to have this great content delivered to your inbox each time we produce it. We will not flood you with a ton of extra emails asking you to sign up for something or purchase something. Instead, we will just deliver the articles and podcasts to you for free, and give you content that we pray will help you and that you can deliver to others.

We would love to go over 400 subscribers by the end of June. If you would like to sign up for these free updates, here’s the link.

4. Ideas for future freebies and products

We also have lots of ideas we hope will come to fruition in time to come. From free printables to books and eBooks to webinars, we are constantly coming up with ideas to put under A Legacy of Faith’s roof. All of this is designed to help us help you and your family.

Conclusion

For several weeks, as we have been working on A Legacy of Faith, I have been filled with excitement. Several nights, I struggled to fall asleep out of sheer excitement about what this new site could mean to so many people. From dad, mom, Jeremiah, Amber, Leah, myself, and our kids, we pray this effort is a great encouragement to you.

And, if I may ask, would you please share today’s post with someone and ask them to sign up for our email list and/or join the Facebook page, too? We would appreciate you helping us get the word about this new endeavor and we look forward to sharing great content with you for a long time to come.

Welcome to “A Legacy of Faith!”

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Calm Assurance

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Adam Faughn • 0 Comments

Yesterday, it happened again. It was the second time in the last month, and the-well, I’ve lost count-time since coming to Lebanon Road.

I was at the hospital when a family welcomed a new baby into the world. Sometimes, I have been in the waiting room when the child was brought into the world. At other times, I got there just a few hours later and was one of the first to see and (sometimes) hold the child. As a preacher, it’s one of the best perks of the job!

The couple yesterday was welcoming their first child. She is a big baby (8 pounds, 13 ounces), and is as healthy as she can be. Everyone is great, and the joy in the room was amazing.

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Then I jumped online and scanned the latest news. I hear of stories that make this world seem very scary.

Tim Tebow, under pressure from pro-homosexual groups, will not speak at a Baptist Church in Dallas. People of faith are feeling more and more constricted in speaking out against the sin of homosexuality.

Leon Panetta, US Defense Secretary, has asked the Pentagon to extend special benefits to homosexual couples who are living together. There does not seem to be any concern for either (1) homosexuality or (2) cohabitation.

As I type this, over 1100 babies have been aborted in our country…today alone.

Calling it a 19th Century law that is outdated, Colorado is trying to decriminalize adultery.

Our nation’s debt has topped $16.5trillion and continues to climb.

A middle-aged man right here in Nashville was charged with viewing child pornography…at the public library.

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Why would anyone want to bring a child into this world? The news is frightening. The morals are declining. Raising a child is staggeringly difficult.

But it has always been so.

Raising children is so hard, because we must face a world that calls evil “good” and good “evil.” Bringing a child into this world is a scary proposition, but it has always been that way, and will continue to be that way.

How come, then, when I go to the hospital and see these newborn babies, there is joy and happiness? The answer is found in a verse of a song.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby

And feel the pride and joy he gives.

But greater still the calm assurance,

This child can face uncertain days because He lives!

How true! Whatever the newspaper says. No matter what is on the evening news. No matter how frightening this world might become. This child can face those uncertain days because Jesus rose from the dead and is King of Kings.

Praise God for these children! May God bless these parents! And may we all help every parent raise children who hold the hand of the risen Jesus to face uncertain days with “calm assurance.”

COMMENTS? Leave your story of “calm assurance” in the comments below.

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Photo credit: Jason Pratt on Creative Commons

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Filed Under: Church Life, Family

A Tribute [Repost]

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Adam Faughn • 0 Comments

NOTE: This post originally appeared in 2009 on our blog. Our readership, thankfully, has grown a great deal since then, so I wanted to repost it leading up to Mother’s Day. My mom is not traveling to the Grand Canyon this week as she was in 2009, but other than that, I think this post is still timely. I hope you enjoy it! -Adam

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With this week leading up to Mother’s Day, there are all types of tributes to mothers on blogs and websites. My mom is getting to travel to the Grand Canyon (she should get to see it today) with dad and will be gone through next week. I’m thankful she (and he) is getting a well-deserved vacation.

However, many ladies go unnoticed on Mother’s Day. So, for you ladies…

1. Here’s a tribute to young ladies who are growing in faith to the Lord. Young ladies in our world are rare. There are plenty of girls, but few ladies. I’m so proud of young ladies who serve and put God first, whether at school, in the home, or anywhere else they go. While they aren’t mothers yet, if God blesses them with children one day, they are going to be fantastic mothers!

2. Here’s a tribute to single ladies who have decided not to marry or are waiting to do so. I’m sorry that our society tries to “find you a match” from middle school on. You have a right to wait and find the man God has in mind for you. You also have a right to never marry and use your life in total service to the Lord. In the “church world,” singles are often left out. Please know that you and your talents are vital pieces of the congregation where you serve. You have time and energy that can greatly influence the world for good.

3. Here’s a tribute to married ladies who have yet to have children. We used to celebrate “wife’s day” on Mother’s Day because Leah is that special. While you may not have children, you are still of supreme importance! You provide talents and information to the church and to your home that are unmatched. Love your husband and support him. Don’t think about what you don’t have; enjoy what you do have.

4. Here’s a tribute those told you will never have children. Some simply aren’t able to conceive. While that greatly hurts, don’t dwell on it. Having children is NOT what makes you a woman! Your Godly service and loyal life are what make you a lady, and that’s what matters. If you never have children but love them, find a way to serve children lovingly and steer them toward heaven. Help with summer camps and Bible school programs. Always volunteer for Vacation Bible Schools or mission trips to help children.

5. Here’s a tribute to moms who have lost children. You may not have your child anymore, but you are still “mom.” Whether you lost that treasure in the womb or after many years of his or her life, you gave so much of yourself to him or her. Those of us who say we understand are not telling the truth. We don’t know what it’s like, but we pray for you and hope you know we’re here for you. Honor his or her memory by helping a child today, and be proud of the “mommy-ing” you did on Mother’s Day.

6. Here’s a tribute to moms separated from children. Maybe you are at fault for the separation, or maybe it was just a strange set of circumstances. While you may not have the level of influence over that child you used to, you can still pray for him or her. Do whatever you can to bring that child closer to the Lord. Bring his or her name constantly before God’s throne.

7. Finally, here’s a tribute to those who are moms…who have lost their mothers. You lost your mentor in motherhood. You are still raising children (or have grown children you still love and cherish), but your model is no longer here. Honor that loving mother by loving your children. Follow the good examples she left, and learn from her mistakes.

Mother’s Day is so special, but I’m thankful for all Christian ladies. You have so much to give, and we pray for your insight, service, and talent. Thank you for all you do.

Happy…LADIES…Day!

Filed Under: Family

10 Ways to Get More Done…Without Working 24 Hours Per Day

Posted on November 3, 2025 by Adam Faughn • 3 Comments

I am amazed at how some people get so much done during the course of a day or a week. Others say the same thing to me. Yes, I get quite a few things accomplished each week, but I am nowhere near an “expert” on it.

However, I have learned a few simple things that help me get more done, and still have time for family and fun. In other words, you don’t have to work 24/7/365, but you can still get things done. These are not earth-shattering, but they work for me. Maybe they (or a variation of them) will work for you.

1. Hit the Ground Running. I get to my office and work for 20-30 minutes with no distractions. In that time, I am usually able to do a few tasks that have been on my mind that morning. Only after that time is done do I go in and check my mailbox and talk with our secretary. A lot of folks come in and visit with everyone, then wonder where the morning went!

2. Work in “Chunks” of Time that are Good for You. I have learned that I work well for about 30 minutes stretches. I can work longer (and at times I work much longer periods), but my brain usually starts to tire after about 30 minutes of study, reading, writing, and outlining. What I have learned, though, is that, for those 30 minutes, I can basically go “all out.” Then….

3. Learn to Take Useful Breaks. For me, this involves a couple of things. One “break” is to get a drink of water and get out of my office for a couple of minutes. Another is to just walk around for a couple of minutes, then come back and answer emails or do other simple tasks. Breaks are important, but should not dominate your time! Learn to take short breaks, but ones that help you work better when they are over.

4. Do Hard Things First. I love studying and writing sermons, but it is harder for me to do than other parts of my job (reading, making phone calls, visiting, etc.). So, I do it first. I nearly always do most of my sermon preparation in the morning (unless I need to continue on into the afternoon). Many people do easy things first, and then have no mental energy left to do things that are harder. Get those harder things done first. And, remember, what is “hard” for you may not be for others.

5. Go Out of Routine Sometimes. I am a firm believer in routines, and I work far better when I follow the same basic structure for my day and week. However, I have also noticed that it is good for me to have my schedule blown up sometimes (but not too often!). It causes me to rethink how I work and it helps me focus more sharply on what needs to be done. Often this will be done for you (sickness, death in a family, a speaking engagement, etc.), but you may need to “schedule” a “schedule blow up!”

6. Find Hobbies that Help Your Job. For me, that is obviously reading and listening to podcasts. I love to read, but I also try to read more books that are associated with the Bible than books that are not. One reason is that I love reading those volumes is that I just like learning about the Bible and related matters. Another reason, though, is that it helps me in my work. The same is true of many of the podcasts I listen to. Having my mind focused on matters of religion helps me as I study and focus on a text or topic for a sermon or Bible class.

7. If You are Struggling to Get One Thing Done, Do Something Else. How often do we get “stuck” on a project (in my line of work, a sermon or bulletin article) and just sit there, hoping some great thought will finally come to us. It is amazing how much time we can waste just waiting for some amazing thought to come to us. Move on to something else. For me, that often means working on a different part of a sermon, or doing some “general” study, or working on a Bible class for awhile, or making a visit or phone call. Often, when I change my focus for a few minutes, my mind is then able to focus on what I need to get done. After all, don’t we all say, “There’s always something to do”? Then use that to your advantage.

8. Start Now! That old thing you were told in high school and college continues to be true. Procrastination kills productivity. You don’t have to complete a project months ahead of time, but it is good if you can see progress over several weeks or even months.

9. Cut or Delegate Where Possible. Do you do things that are not part of your job description? Why? The Lord set up the Church with elders to oversee, but also put deacons in place to carry out various works and projects. That is a good outline for our working lives. If it isn’t being productive, don’t do it. Or, if you aren’t qualified or competent in a certain area, delegate it if at all possible. This does more than frees you up in time. It will also free up your mind to stay more focused on your primary task.

10. Go home. No, I’m not saying to steal from your employer or to break your contract. What I am saying is that we far too often work extra hours (and even days) for which we really are not paid, while our family is at home waiting on us to come home. Why are we cheating our family? Go home! That project will still be there tomorrow, or after the weekend. Which would you rather be your legacy: “He worked long hours?” or “He was there for his family.” And, trust me, when you go home and spend that quality time with your family and enjoying your hobbies, your mind will be more ready to face the next day at work.

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What would you add?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

“What’s the Point?”

Posted on October 19, 2025 by Adam Faughn • 3 Comments

Have you ever had a moment when you asked that question of total confusion? You may have just thrown your hands up in the air and said (silently or very vocally), “What’s the point?”

We often think that question, and we do so at various times in our lives. Maybe your marriage is shaky, and your spouse is even showing signs of “tuning out” of the relationship. Maybe your ideas are not taken seriously in planning sessions at your job. Maybe you feel “stuck” in a career that isn’t giving you the type of fulfillment you thought it might. Maybe you are fighting to get out of debt, only to have yet another setback in the process.

“What’s the point?”

May I suggest that Jesus gave us “the point?” It is found in a verse that I use as much as any other in sermons. The folks at Lebanon Road probably get tired of hearing the verse, but I think it gives us “the point” of just about all we do here on the earth as week to follow Christ.

He stated, “Let your light so shine before other people that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

That’s it! That’s the point!

That’s why you need to continue to seek out the best for your marriage. Others will see your effort to have a solid, Godly home.
That’s why you need to continue to share ideas at your work (or in your congregation). Others will see your enthusiasm and will know that you are striving to work hard.
That’s why you need to continue to be joyful on the job. Others will see your encouraging attitude and will wonder how you can be so glad to work at that place, in that position.
That’s why you need to continue to gain control over your finances. Can you imagine the glory you can bring to God when you have no debt in your life?

On and on we could go. Just when you get to that intersection in life when you throw up your hands and ask, “What’s the point?” make sure you read and reflect on Matthew 5:16.

And may God truly get the glory as you press on, even in times that are trying.

Filed Under: Church Life

Reviews and More Reviews

Posted on July 12, 2025 by Adam Faughn • 1 Comment

It has been some time since I reviewed books. I have finished six in that time, so get ready for quick reviews of these volumes.

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Come On, People

Bill Cosby & Alvin F. Poussaint

Thomas Nelson, 2007 (265 pages)

This was a very odd book for me to read, but I love Cosby. I picked this book up from a sale rack for just $5 and, while the message of the volume may not be directed to me, I found several good things in it.

Come On, People is a book that comes from Cosby and Poussaint’s travels around America, in which they interview African-American leaders and citizens in the hopes of seeing what can be done to help their people rise up. The subtitle to the book, On the Path from Victims to Victors, shares the hope the book seeks to instill.

If you have seen Bill Cosby in the last couple of years, you know that this type of work is his passion. He wants the people of his ethnicity to see that there is a better and less violent way to “make it” than the one often portrayed in the media and music.

I found the book to be an eye-opener, and it had some good parts to it. I was disappointed, however, that the authors felt it necessary to throw in several curse words to “nail down” a point. As a Christian, this turned me off to those parts of the book.

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If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat

John Ortberg

Zondervan, 2001 (228 pages)

This was a book I heard a lot about after its release in 2001, but I just never had a copy of it until now. The title of the book is the message of the book. Ortberg, who works at Willow Creek, uses the account of Peter trying to walk on the water, to teach the reader lessons about stepping out in faith.

This book is very simple to read and is filled with many illustrations, each one very well-chosen. My only complaint about the volume is that it is almost too easy. You can get much of the information from the title of the book! While I don’t like books that “chase rabbits,” Ortberg’s volume almost goes to the other extreme. There is one central message, and he never strays. The book, several times, became quite redundant to me.

I was refreshed by the message of the book, though, and I liked how the author pointed out several “minor” details in the story of Peter and Jesus, painting several helpful lessons from those points. If you like devotional-level books, you’ll find this one encouraging.

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Successful Christian Parenting

John MacArther

Word Publishing, 1998 (243 pages)

Leah and I read this book together for our devotionals, as we felt we needed to read some good parenting material. If you know me much at all, you know that I read a lot by John MacArthur (see the 5th review in this list!) and I also listen to his podcast. Seeing how he is a Calvinist, I don’t agree with all his teachings, but I like his style.

That being said, Leah and I were both disappointed with this book. About the first 1/3 of the book was spent trying to convince the reader that children are born bearing the sin of Adam and that our job as parents is to realize that depravity. I knew MacArthur believed that false doctrine, but I found it “over the top” that a huge portion of the book was spent-for the most part-on that one topic.

Once we made it through that part of the book, there was some good, though. Once the author got to the “practical” side of the volume, his emphasis on Scripture shone through. Leah and I were able to get some insight in the chapters that exposited Ephesians 5 and 6.

If you have a large parenting library and just “have to have” another book, I would add this one. If you are starting such a library, I would avoid this one.

[NOTE: The same book is available in paperback, but has another title. It is called What the Bible Says about Parenting and was published in 2000.]

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Jesus: The Greatest Life of All

Charles R. Swindoll

Thomas Nelson, 2008 (308 pages)

The ninth and (by the author’s admission) final volume in the “Great Lives from God’s Word” series, Jesus is Swindoll’s attempt to sum up the biography of the central figure of all history. I have now read all 9 volumes in Swindoll’s series. Having read the previous 8, I was excited to read this book, since it is about Jesus. Sadly, I found this book to be average in the series, at best.

The one problem with this book, in my opinion, is that there is no way, in just 300 pages or so, to exposit the life of Christ. I know that’s not Swindoll’s purpose, but that is his strength. He is wonderful at taking a passage and wringing the meaning out of it through word studies and illustrations. When covering such a vast amount of material as the four accounts of the life of Christ, there is no way for that talent of Swindoll’s to truly be used.

As I read this book, I was obviously touched, since Jesus’ life is the greatest. However, I felt like Swindoll just picked a few selected stories and left out others that were just as vital to the overall story of Jesus. He even spends one entire chapter dealing with Jesus statement, “I will give you rest,” but rarely mentions that quotation; choosing rather just to talk about how we need to rest. Lost opportunity, if you ask me!

Divided into four major sections, section 3 is the strongest. It deals with the crucifixion, and Swindoll is able to bring out a lot of good material concerning that event.

Though I was slightly disappointed overall with the book, I would still recommend it. The life of Jesus is always worth our study, and this book, though weak in many areas, will bring helpful information to your study.

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The Truth War

John MacArthur

Thomas Nelson, 2007 (224 pages)

I read this book in 2009 and reviewed it, but I felt like I had rushed through it a little more than I should have, so I decided to read through it again and do a very brief review.

MacArthur, using the epistle of Jude as his background, seeks to show how the ideas of postmodern thought are invading Christianity and how it must be stopped. This book, while it chases a few rabbits, is helpful for those who want to know just some of what is really going on in movements such as the Emerging Church, and the reader will find encouragement to fight for Truth.

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Dave Barry’s Book of Bad Songs

Dave Barry

Andrew McMeel Publishing, 1997 (94 pages)

Yes, I needed a laugh! I like Barry. I like rock and roll. I like to laugh. This little book is the perfect combination of those three.

I have read this book several times in the past, but I pulled it back out to read for a good laugh. It never fails to deliver!

Filed Under: Books

Friday Links Roundup: “Live from Henderson, It’s iPreach!” Edition

Posted on February 5, 2026 by Adam Faughn • 4 Comments

For about 18 months, Dale Jenkins and I have cohosted iPreach, the podcast for preachers. We have done about 65 episodes covering many topics to help ministers in their work. Our estimates now are that about 200 people listen to most programs, either live, via the talkshoe.com website, or through iTunes.

One thing we have never done, though, is recorded by together! We have never been in the same room when recording the program. Lord willing, that will all change Tuesday night. Freed-Hardeman has granted us the ability to do a live version of iPreach from the FHU Student Center! We will begin about 8:45 Tuesday night, and anyone and everyone is invited to be with us. We have several guests lined up for an informal “roundtable” about the lectures, but we also want an audience to enjoy this show. We hope to have a program between 45 and 60 minutes in length, and it is going to be a lot of fun, so join in with us!

IN ADDITION, there will be some blog posts from FHU next week. I am going to try to post brief updates in as many formats as possible (text, pictures, and possibly audio) throughout the week. If you can’t come to the lectures, hopefully these brief updates will help keep you informed and will encourage you to attend in the future. Please note that we will not be sending our regular emails to inform many of you of new posts. You will just have to check in and see when we update!

If you are going to be at Freed-Hardeman, I hope we get to see you. It is such a joy to learn from the great speakers, but it is an equal joy to see so many faithful preachers, teachers, elders, wives, and others who love God.

On to the links for this week:

1. Last Sunday, The Tennessean( Nashville newspaper) ran a front-page article discussing some movements within the churches of Christ. The article has received a lot of comment on the web. My friend, Drew Kizer, wrote what I think is one of the best “response posts” to this article. In his post, he links to the original article, if you did not read it. Here is Drew’s response.

2. Each of us has uttered the words, “I quit!” at times. However, sometimes those words are okay. Scott McCown explores here.

3. I love Romans 8:28, but feel it is often used to teach that, for the Christian, everything is good, instead of all with “work out” for good. Tim Pyles shares a deeply personal look at this verse in “Everything Happens for a Reason, Right?”

4. I don’t link to book reviews often, but Albert Mohler goes beyond the typical review in a very important post. We have heard for years that pornography “grips” the mind, and a recent work delves into that topic in a very even-handed way. Mohler gives his take in “Hijacking the Brain.” Parents of young children and teeens must read this article.

5. Members of the Lord’s Church are often seen as out-of-touch, but Neal Pollard was once told he was WAY out-of-touch. He writes a great post called “Are We from the Dark Ages?”

6. For our families, Zen Family Habits shares an insightful list that is worth your time. Enjoy “Top 10 Essential Family Values.”

7. You think 10 is a good list? How about 101? Craig Ford offers “101 Ways to Improve Your Marriage Money Relationship.” Dont’ worry, it’s just a list, so you can read it in a matter of moments.

8. Last, but not least, (or is that “lastly, but not leastly”?) Michael Hyatt shares a great list for those who enjoy reading. Whether you follow all his suggestions or not, you’ll benefit from “How to Read a Non-Fiction Book.”

We hope you have a wonderful weekend. Again, if you usually get emails from me about new posts, please know that I won’t be sending those next week (until Friday). Check back often, as I’ll try to put up 2 or 3 very brief posts each day from Freed-Hardeman.

Don’t forget to worship the Lord on His Day!

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Oh, in case you’re wondering: Colts 34, Saints 27

Filed Under: Uncategorized

20 Family Bond Builders for Less than $5

Posted on January 27, 2026 by faughnfamilyof4 • 2 Comments

Taking the family to a ball game can be expensive. So can going to an amusement park or the zoo. With two small children, though, we try to do several things to build up our family, while not breaking the bank (Baby Step 3!). Here are some we have done or that we’ve thought about and may do in the future that your entire family can do for $5 or less.

1. Play Outside. Not only is it good for the kids health, it’s fun and free. It doesn’t matter if you have a huge swing set or just a small patch of grass, the kids will find things to do, and you might end up being “base” for a game of tag.

2. Go to a Park. We have a nice little park in our neighborhood and we like to walk there about once each week when the weather is nice. Almost every town has a park that kids can play on for free, so walk (or drive) there for an hour.

3. Go to the Library. Far too few families take advantage of the library! Our kids love it, and we need to do better about taking them there. In addition to the great books, there are often little plays the kids will love.

4. Go Visiting. We try to take our kids visiting with us about once each month, and they love it. We don’t stay long, but those moments are invaluable in their training to serve other people.

5. Have a Movie Night. Watch a video you already own or rent one from RedBox for $1. Always watch things that are truly Christian and enjoy the evening with some popcorn.

6. Have a Picnic. Our kids love indoor picnics! We put a blanket on the floor when it’s too cold to go outside, pop in an episode of a good TV show (“The Cosby Show,” of course), and have a picnic. When it’s nicer outside, we walk over to a pavilion near our house and enjoy a meal, then let the kids run around for a while.

7. Have People Over for a Meal. What? For less than $5? Yes, if you all agree to it. Have a group of folks who agree to bring something for a meal that costs less than $5, or have them bring the ingredients for a nice meal. It might start a good tradition among friends.

8. Check the Newspaper for Free Stuff around Town. Most towns of any size have activities quite often that are family-oriented and free (or nearly so). Plays, readings, museums, and even concerts are often free or need a donation to a worthy cause (like a can of food). We did this around Christmas-time and enjoyed a lovely concert in town.

9. Go Window Shopping. Not looking for windows, but go to an upscale mall or store with no money and just enjoy seeing the nice stuff.

10. Buy a Donut. Here is a little tradition I’ve started with our kids. We have a Dunkin’ Donuts store about 3 miles from our house. Some nights, I’ll just drive them over there and buy each one a donut (okay, I get one, too). We just sit and talk and enjoy the sugar. Cost? About $2.50.

11. Read to Your Children. Most kids have dozens of books, but often end up looking at those books alone. Parents, please read books to your kids! Some children’s books are expensive, so take advantage of the library here, too.

12 Have a “Dollar Tree” Night. Those stores where everything is $1 can be a treasure hunt for kids. Give each one a dollar (remember you’ll pay the sales tax) and let them buy one item. It could teach them a little lesson about being responsible with money, since they have to choose.

13. Let Them See “The Big Buildings.” A lot of people think that, in a larger city, you have to pay to see anything. Take your kids downtown and let them just stand in awe of the huge buildings. Kids get a kick at just looking up at them from the sidewalk. If you find one that will let you ride up to the top, enjoy that, and see a great view.

14. Skip Some Rocks. Take the kids to a lake or river and let them play along the shore. Obviously, this takes some supervision, but who doesn’t love to skip a few rocks in a big pond?

15. Interview Someone. As your children get older, use your contacts to their advantage. You’re not trying to get a job, but you might ask someone if your child can interview him/her to see what their job is like. Do you know a banker? See if he/she will let your child come after school and watch him/her work for 30 minutes.

For the last 5, I want to share some that are more spiritual in nature. Obviously, these will have an eternal impact!

16. Have Family Devotionals. These down’ t have to be fancy. Ours surely aren’t, but our kids are learning about God through them. Read a Bible story, sing a song, and have a prayer. Leah keeps a prayer list for the kids to remember who to pray for (and the kids make the list).

17. Worship Together. This may be the most obvious one, but families need to attend worship together, and they need to do so at every opportunity. Dads and moms, your kids see your consistency…or lack of it.

18. Make Something to Give Away. Have the kids make a card or a small craft to take on your next visit. Let them help you make cookies or bread to take to a neighbor. These cost very little, but are impacting the kids as well as the one who received the treat.

19. Let the Children Help When Having People Over. Whether it’s for a Bible study or just for a meal, let the kids have a part in the preparation. Our daughter loves to help set the table (and she’s getting pretty good at it!), and that helps her see the importance of preparation for these moments. This is especially true of you are having people over who are in spiritual need.

20. Put God First. This doesn’t cost a dime, but it shows in everything you do. Your kids will know, over time, whether He is really first or not. Start today by praying for His guidance in your home, and then see what happens!

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What else have you done that doesn’t cost much, but has made a big impact?

Filed Under: Family

7 "P's" That Will Improve Your Home

Posted on January 20, 2026 by faughnfamilyof4 • 3 Comments

We are involved in a series on the home at Lebanon Road, and so most of what we are doing is promoting the use of our home life to glorify God. (The picture is of our PowerPoint title slide.) We have looked at the God-ordained fact of marriage, some principles for dating, and some encouraging words for those who are single. On Sunday, Lord willing, we will look at marriage.

Since we are focused on that subject, I thought of some things for our Wednesday list that might help improve your home. To help, they all start with “P.” I hope you’ll add to the list in the comments!

1. Prayer. If you want your home to be a better place, why not pray about it and ask God’s blessing on the home. Pray specifically for good things and bad. Trust that God can help, and watch Him use your home to His glory.

2. Patience. Every home needs more patience. Husbands need patience with wives and vice versa. Parents need to be patient with maturing children, and children need to understand that parents make mistakes, too. Since we are in the same house and around each other a lot, it is easy to get on one another’s nerves about petty issues. Get over it, and have some patience.

3. Passion. No…no….no…not that! I mean that each household needs to have some emotion to it. Don’t make every day just a checklist of things to do before you go to sleep. Find something to laugh about each day. Hug one another and have lots of kisses for each other. Let your children see you cry about important things often. A family with no emotion is truly sad.

4. Pageantry. By this, I mean to have some traditions. Celebrate in special ways. Make a “big deal” out of things that may not seem all that huge. One of ours is this: when we take the kids visiting to a nursing home and we finish, we stop and get a donut on the way home. Cost? About $2. Excitement for the kids? Unchartable!

5. Positions. Fulfill your God-given role in the home. If you have children, let them know who is daddy and who is mommy. Never let them see one spouse berate the other. Let them know that they are a loved part of the family, but that they do not run the family!

6 & 7. Precepts and Punishment. Have rules, and enforce them. Children not only need rules, they actually like them. They like them even more when they know what they are and that they are not going to change. It’s not easy, but it is a very important part of a great home.

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What would you add (and, no, they don’t have to start with “P”)?

Filed Under: Family

A Picture of Sacrifice

Posted on January 19, 2026 by faughnfamilyof4 • 8 Comments

Sunday afternoon, the Lebanon Road congregation led a worship service at a local assisted living home. We do this several Sundays each month, and it is a joy to worship with these good folks. They encourage us as we encourage them.

After the service, I was walking around the room with the kids. They were hugging, waving, and shaking hands. It was special to see many smiles, both on the faces of the residents and on our kids’ faces! (When you don’t attend services like these, you miss out on some special moments.)

One of the residents took a special liking to our kids. He nearly always has a bag with him that he keeps magazines, papers and other things in. After talking with us for a few moments, he reached into his bag and had a little gift for our kids. He gave Turner a sports magazine. He gave Mary Carol this:

They thanked him and we went to talk to some other folks. A moment later, Mary Carol was handing me her $1million bill. I thought she just wanted me to hang on to it for her, so I said, “Why don’t you just keep it and we’ll put it in your purse when we get to the car.”

Her response, though, blew me away. It reminded me of what sacrifice really means. You see, to her, this is a real amount of money. She doesn’t realize that this is play money. She also has no idea what $1,000,000 really is! She thinks it’s just a dollar like the dollars we use to buy groceries, clothes, books and other items. Her focus isn’t on the amount. Her focus is what can be done with it.

So what did she say that showed me sacrifice? I have a car that isn’t running. In fact, we’re selling it, because it’s down to just being a “parts” car. I have left it at the church building while trying to sell it because I’m afraid to even drive it home! Each time we are there, she says something about it, and we say, “Daddy’s car isn’t running right now.”

So, when she was given her “dollar,” she brought it to me. When I tried to give it back, she said, “Daddy, that’s for your car that isn’t running…so you can fix it.”

That is sacrifice! She wasn’t focused on the amount. She wasn’t thinking about what she could do with that dollar (or a million dollars, for that matter). Mary Carol wasn’t thinking of giving me the left-overs. She saw a need, and she was determined to help meet it.

Today, I’m praying that I’ll learn to be more like that when I see a need. True sacrifice puts others first, and I’m grateful for a four-year-old precious treasure named Mary Carol who reminded me of that.

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Tag Archives: Family

Conclusion

COMMENTS? Leave your story of “calm assurance” in the comments below.