“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…
5 Tips for Helping Children Find Their Identity in Christ Through a Bedtime Routine
Whether it’s 15 minutes, half an hour, or an entire hour, most families settle into some sort of bedtime routine— bath time, brushing teeth, pajamas. It’s all part of getting ready for a good night’s rest whether you’ve got toddlers, preschoolers, or teens. But did you know that your family’s…
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…
Your Child is More Than Their Accomplishments (or Lack Thereof)
One of my sons is known for his academic prowess. He’s a good student and test-taker and works very hard at his studies. Even at a young age we could tell he was a sharp cookie. One day, while sitting at the lunch table with a few friends, some boys started mocking him and calling him “nerd”…
No Greater Joy
Confession: Anyone close to me knows how much I disliked “Dad Life” in the baby, toddler, and early elementary school days. Our sons cried too much. They drained our bank account. And they frustratingly wouldn’t comply with my every wish and command. Date nights went by the wayside. Fun vacations…
3 Steps to Better Family Scheduling Decisions
Any parent knows trying to keep up with the proverbial Joneses is flat-out exhausting. Athletic coaches tell you your kids need to play on select travel teams. Voice coaches inform you your child won’t make all-state choir if they don’t keep up their lessons. And if your kids don’t take the…
How is Partial Attention Impacting Your Disciple-Making?
As parents, our primary role is to disciple our children to Jesus. Our technology habits, however, can make it really difficult to be as present as we need to be if we intend to disciple our children well. If we aren’t prayerfully pursuing our children’s hearts, this season of soft soil will pass…
Blessed Boundaries
I’m currently reading through the Pentateuch again. If you’ve read the first five books of the Bible, you’ve probably noticed that God gives his people a lot of laws and demands their obedience. As I read through this time, however, I’ve noticed how often God says He wants to bless His people. Even…
The Importance of Culture in Family Worship
When I first learned about family worship— the practice of reading the Word, praying, and singing with my family at home— I was eager to get into the habit. In chapter five of his great little book on family worship, Donald Whitney asks a compelling question— “Isn’t this what you…