I love summer! I have been known to drive my family crazy with my big expectations for what the summer months bring. In my mind, I have endless time and resources to do all the activities and things I want to accomplish . However, my reality is slightly different. By the time school starts, I’m…
How to Help Our Kids Overcome Fear
Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous and likely to cause pain or a threat. It’s the belief. That little word is the good news about this very real emotion that adults and kids alike all experience. Our belief is in a God who cares…
Hardships of Teens and Tweens: Why having God’s Word to stand on while growing up is important
One of the most challenging times for kids is their tween and teen years. Changes happen rapidly within them and around them. Kids often feel unsure and unsteady. Yet when we understand their biggest struggles, we can also help them find a firm foundation to keep them strong. Here are three things to look out…
Church of the Small Things: Things I Wish I’d Known When I Became a Mom
The Bible says, “Point your kids in the right direction — when they’re old they won’t be lost” (Proverbs 22:6 MSG), which means it’s our job to give them what is basically a road map for life. It takes work and perseverance and dedication to raise our kids. It takes sacrifice and commitment and dying…
How to Make Bible Time Fun for Your Kids
Planning Bible time that’s memorable and fun for the entire family can be a challenge. As parents, we intentionally try to snag some time to be purposeful about learning the Bible together, but if you’re like me, you may struggle with how to hold each family member’s attention! If family Bible time feels stale, try…
Pain Is One of Those Things I Don’t Like Much
Editor’s Note: This post, taken from Lisa Gungor’s new book The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Seen, touches on the moments after she, her family, and her close friends discover that her newborn daughter Lucie (Lucette) has Down syndrome. Lisa wrote a song about Lucie titled “Light,” which is what Lucette means. Click here to watch the music video. I…
3 Keys to Cultivating Consistent Family Bible Study Time
Family Bible study time is an important part of leading kids along their faith journey. But it’s hard to be consistent when life is busy and unpredictable. I think the biggest challenge to being consistent with anything in life is our expectations. When we expect ourselves to be consistent with a grand plan to gather…
What Parents Need to Know About Bullying
What Parents Need to Know About Bullying Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. – Matthew 5:11 Chloe Howard, an articulate teenager who was assaulted by a classmate during her freshman year of high school because she was born…
5 Scriptures That Address Key Issues Teens Are Dealing with Today
I have three teen daughters and one more who is right on their tail. I’ve also raised teen sons into adulthood. (Quite a feat!) During the teen years, there are so many concerns heavy on a teen’s heart: interactions with other guys and girls, school pressures, school or relationship drama, feelings of insecurity, and worries…