Talkin’ ’bout My Generation
“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10, NLT) Funny that this topic of “generations” comes up this week with so much talk about this topic lately. The “Boomers” didn’t have much respect for my generation, “Generation […]
Buying Back Time
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.“ (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV) What is more precious than gold, but cannot be bought, earned, or saved? The answer to that famous, old riddle is “time.” Time is indeed a precious commodity – […]
Praying for Your Kids
How do you pray for your child? There are thousands of books, websites, and blogs out there showing us how to pray for our children. They teach us what to pray and even when to pray for our kids. We are not short on information and resources. Where I see a hole is in the […]
Will Your Teenager Leave the Faith?
We’ve been pastoring for 23 years now…and parenting for almost 19 of those. Speaking from BOTH perspectives, we’ve discovered that most parents’ greatest fear is that our kids will go on some crazy rebellious streak and reject the faith we hold dear. I ran across some interesting information, though, that says this fear is largely […]
Grace-Filled Homes
We asked our daughter recently what she thought the biggest need was in homes of her friends. She answered without hesitation: Grace. “I want all my friends’ parents to have more grace with their kids. I want them to support them in what they are doing and what they are involved in by showing up […]
Your Family’s Mission
As the new year began, God spoke Isaiah 58:11-12 over the families of our church: The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient […]
Empty Nest Syndrome
This week we asked our dear friends Bill and Jo Ellen Knight to discuss the so-called “empty nest syndrome.” They are uniquely qualified to do this – they’ve raised three godly kids who are now wonderful spouses and parents. When Christine and I aren’t sure how to parent (which is often!), the Knights are who we ask! As the Lord is preparing our own family for this stage, we thought we’d ask the experts: “How do you handle your kids growing up and leaving you with an ‘empty nest?’”
Dangerous Freedom?
Dear Family Legacy, How do I set parameters related to our family’s faith in a secular environment? ~ Dangerous freedom? Dear Dangerous Freedom, That’s a good question. You’re kids are being bombarded by things through school, media, friends, that aren’t necessarily good for them (understate things much?). Of course we want to protect them. On […]
Turning Teenagers’ Hearts toward God
Dear Family Legacy, when a kid is a teenager, if they don’t want to spend time with God, do you make them? How do you handle that without making them resent you or God? ~ Wary Mom Dear Wary Mom, Great question! Every Christian parent wants his/her child to have a personal relationship with the […]
Discipline vs. Grace?
Dear Family Legacy, Where do I draw the line with my kids between discipline and grace? ~ Good Cop, Bad Cop Dear Good Cop: Good question. First, let’s define some terms so we’re both on the same page. • Discipline: to train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behavior. • Grace: often used […]
