Equipping Parents for The Journey
I want to confess, I have been eagerly awaiting the season of Lent almost since we finished the season of Advent. There is something in me so hungry for the rhythm and routine of intentional worship and study of the life of Christ. As a parent, I am eager to share the journey with my...
"On the path to a good marriage and a healthy family, I feel like a pioneer on a long wagon train journey to Oregon. As I look forward, I see good country ahead, and yet I know that there are hidden dangers." This week on the blog, Family Ministries Pastor Dave Carl shares some...
We are in the final weeks of 2021, and our team is getting ready for a much needed break. As my teenager says, “I’m not gonna lie…” (I always think, well good ), but this has been a long, hard year. When we turned the calendar from 2020 to 2021, I remember taking a...
Welcome to Christmas and the holiday season! It’s always such a great moment of anticipation to look forward to the weeks ahead, especially with the opportunity to share the experiences and joy of the season with our beloved spouse. Yet this incredible time of joy and celebration can be incredibly taxing and detrimental to...
Mom and dad, this is not just another thing to put on your holiday to-do list—this is the real deal. If you do nothing else to mark the coming of Christmas this year, do not skip the ritual of an Advent celebration. We have all the resources you need to establish your own family...
It hurt my heart a little bit, when a couple weeks ago my teenager declared . . . "Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday. I don't see the point. All we do is hang out, watch football, and eat a big meal I don't even like." It was like shooting a dagger through my...
“Rhythm is embedded in our bodies and in our world.” Eugene Peterson Family life is made of rhythms, and with the rhythms come rituals and traditions, created by each family to observe and celebrate. This week on the blog, Elementary Ministry Leader Barbara Deatherage helps us take a step back and consider the...
One of the most important jobs we parents do is leading the spiritual training of our children. How can we balance the sacred and secular when it comes to holidays like Easter? I really do believe that Easter baskets, gifts, and bunnies can be celebrated alongside the cross and the resurrection of Christ. Our...
The two biggest events on the Christian calendar are Christmas and Easter. It is troubling that we put so little emphasis on Easter. While we are busy months in advance planning for Christmas, Easter seems to creep up on us with very little planning and focus. But Easter should be a BIG deal! This...
I am a sucker for a good love story, and I admire couples who have weathered the test of time. I always want to know the secret of couples whose have love that lasts a lifetime. One such couple is Chuck and Cynthia Swindoll. He is the Senior Pastor of our sponsoring church, Stonebriar...
On Valentine's Day, we tend to focus on intimacy with our spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, and even our children. But this week, Pastor Dave Carl asks the questions: What is the point? Why would you want a relationship with Christ if you were not dedicated or willing to develop it, nurture it, grow...
With free pornography on every device, a dark world is just a click away, and has only escalated its impact on our families as the pandemic continues to push everyone online. As Christian parents we must face this crisis boldly. This week we are talking about how we can step into our children's...
