I have never had a problem talking with students about sex or purity issues. Until that student was my son. For some reason when it’s your own kid that needs educating, I, like so many parents I have criticized in the past, wish that someone … Read More
The Discipline Challenge
Let’s get straight to it, here’s the challenge: Whatever you do as discipline for your children, evaluate it. I want you to ask yourself two very simple questions 1) Am I defaulting to an action or style of discipline because it is easy (or natural, … Read More
Parenting in the dark
Every parent will eventually face a day they have dreaded. Whether it comes with the end of a relationship when spouses cannot mend their differences or a tragic death. Whether it comes with the bully on the playground or the joint you find in your … Read More
When we shouldn’t pray
I remember when I was in Bible school we were encouraged to “de-bless” our prayers. Our director said that students threw so many blessings into their prayers (“God bless this, bless that, bless him, bless her, bless me) that it had turned into a lazy … Read More
10 ways to build memories this weekend!
OK I don’t always do straight up list posts but here we go! YOU need to build memories with your kids this weekend so get out there and be creative… use this list as a guide or as the spark of ingenuity. Go geocaching with … Read More
The comparison game
Last week I wrote about capturing the heart of your child. That post was followed by a parents night at our church, so I decided to build off it as teaching material for the evening. In doing so I realized that there is a vital component … Read More
The balancing act
What kid doesn’t love spinning? All our boys could twirl and twirl until their brains are a spinning, swimming mess and then, of course, the follow-up activity is running in any direction as fast as you can. The strange thing is that I don’t love spinning … Read More
To turn the hearts of parents to their children
My wife and I along with a friend from church attended a wonderful conference last week for foster and adoptive parents. I have gone to enough conferences over the years to know that they are potentially a real waste of time; this one wasn’t. Session … Read More
You are the most important person in this moment!
I am shameless about being an avid people-watcher! People fascinate me! Oh to be a fly on the wall in the homes where families live their lives without pretense! I once had such an opportunity… or close to it! And my life was changed because … Read More
Good character begins with reverence
I’m currently reading through a wonderful little book called The Art of Living by Alice and Dietrich von Hildebrand, where they lay out the moral values from which good deeds can arise. (To put it simply, your behavior is always a reflection of your beliefs.) Of … Read More
The Question of Eternity
Yesterday we celebrated Easter Sunday, the most important day on the Christian calendar of events. And that makes today, you guessed it, Easter Monday! Have you ever thought of what it must have felt like the day after Jesus rose from the dead? Certainly most … Read More
The Bible’s most important lesson
I think a lot about how best to communicate the stories of the Bible to the kids at Southland. In doing some reading over the past year or so I’ve discovered that many “Bibles for Kids,” Sunday School curricula and other Christian material for children … Read More
My Spiritual Family loves me!
(whether they like it or not!)
Hi Family! Lately I’ve been in the process of discovering the dynamics of our spiritual family and I wanted to make an attempt to vulnerably share what I learned about oneness this week through “my dirty feet.” Us Christians call ourselves “family” in general impersonal terms … Read More
GROWING IN YOUR IDENTITY
FOR FAMILIES
MARCH 25
Last Sunday, Stefan Duerksen preached about growing in our identity and has prepared another week’s worth of exercises to help us walk it out practically. Our kids need this too! So on The Renewed Family (TRF) we make slight modifications with a few ideas of … Read More
GROWING IN YOUR IDENTITY
FOR FAMILIES
MARCH 28
Last Sunday, Stefan Duerksen preached about growing in our identity and has prepared another week’s worth of exercises to help us walk it out practically. Our kids need this too! So on The Renewed Family (TRF) we make slight modifications with a few ideas of … Read More
GROWING IN YOUR IDENTITY
FOR FAMILIES
MARCH 26
Last Sunday, Stefan Duerksen preached about growing in our identity and has prepared another week’s worth of exercises to help us walk it out practically. Our kids need this too! So on The Renewed Family (TRF) we make slight modifications with a few ideas of … Read More
GROWING IN YOUR IDENTITY
FOR FAMILIES
MARCH 25
Last Sunday, Stefan Duerksen preached about growing in our identity and has prepared another week’s worth of exercises to help us walk it out practically. Our kids need this too! So on The Renewed Family (TRF) we make slight modifications with a few ideas of … Read More
Selah
A Time Out for Moms
Selah is a musical term found in the Psalms. While there is no official meaning for this word it does indicate a pause, or a time to stop and reflect. The song writer will begin by lamenting to God and pouring out his heart to … Read More
Growing in your identity
for families
March 24
Last Sunday, Stefan Duerksen preached about growing in our identity and has prepared another week’s worth of exercises to help us walk it out practically. Our kids need this too! So on The Renewed Family (TRF) we make slight modifications with a few ideas of … Read More
When Fear is Real
Nothing is quite as unnerving as waking up from a dead sleep and seeing a kid silently standing over your bed at 3am. “I’m afraid Daddy,” she whispers. “Well SO AM I NOW!” You feel like yelling as your heart beats wildly! (Thankfully you keep … Read More