Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always
As he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his…
4 Cultural Myths About Motherhood and What the Bible Says Instead
Life was simpler in decades gone by. Having talked a lot with my mother, grandmother, and other mothers throughout the years, it’s clear that while life is more convenient in many ways today, that convenience hasn’t necessarily made life easier. In the past, mothers relied on their God-given…
Bunnies, Eggs, and… the Resurrection?
One of the biggest christian holidays of the year is coming up this weekend. Marked with times of prayer, worship, and feasting. No wait, chocolate bunnies, more eggs than anyone could count…and an Easter bunny who laid them? I can see where this could be confusing to our young kids (and other…
How & Why to Let Your Kids Suffer
We’re lying on the bed, all piled in together listening to the girls tell us about their trip. They giggle and gesture and talk lightning-fast in that way only tween girls can do. Our two daughters, London and Eve, have just returned to us after two days away— days spent with their best friend and…
4 Lies Parents and Kids Have to Stop Believing about Sex
Our culture loves to talk to our kids about sex. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of truth in what they’re being told. From Miley Cyrus to Demi Lovato; kids are being told “Be sexual!” “Make porn!” “Do whatever you want to nurture your true, authentic self!” Many kids (and a lot of us adults, if…
3 Critical Truths About Sex to Teach Your Kids
When I put my trust in Christ as a young man, I began addressing my sexual sin and dysfunction for the first time. I brought a lot of baggage into my marriage because of my sexual sin— baggage I hope my kids never have to deal with in their own lives. I’ve also served as a marriage pastor for over…
Contributing to Your Child’s Understanding of Sex
Sex tends to get relegated to its own category in life. We understand that kids learn about math, for example, from all sorts of life experiences and learning opportunities. Science is all around us, and social skills can be developed while doing just about anything. But sex? That’s for a…
“In the Moment” Discipleship
As parents, our most important— most basic— job is to disciple our children to Jesus. With three (soon-to-be four!) teenagers at home and 17 years of parenting behind me, I’ve grown in my understanding of what it means to disciple my kids. I came into parenthood with some very specific…
Forgotten Identity: How to Remember Who You Are and Why It Matters
Have you ever seen a movie or read a story about someone who can’t remember their identity? Forgetting your identity makes life feel upside-down— nothing feels right, even though you might be physically comfortable and cared for. Because you don’t know who you are, your purpose is fuzzy. You live…