One of the reasons people struggle with their faith is that they have false expectations and assumptions about God. It can be very disappointing when a promise in the Bible doesn’t seem to work in my life! Worse is when a promise seems to work for … Read More
Two GREAT app’s for parents
Of late I have stumbled upon two great apps for parents that you may want to check out. Parent Cue The first app is called “Parent Cue” and was developed by ReTHINK – the same folks who put on the family ministries conference “Orange.” This … Read More
The Command to Teach our Children
I recently added Psalm 78:5-7 to my memory verse rotation. It says:He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children so that a future generation— children yet to be born—might know. … Read More
Prepping Your Kids For Summer Camp
It’s summer camp season again and many of our kids are just chomping at the bit to spend their week in nature, making new friends and creating awesome memories. However, for some of our kids, the battle between excitement and fear is a real thing. What … Read More
Cleaning With Kids
We have a new Vlog up today about cleaning with kids! Now in the video, I say a lot that it’s important to have FUN while cleaning and maybe I over state it because cleaning just isn’t a good time for me but I’ve learned … Read More
Becoming the Wonderer
I heard once that the ancient Jews would sometimes wait up to two years or more to name their children so that the name would match their personality. I have no idea if this is actually true or not, but for the purpose of this … Read More
Southland’s Dream For Your Children
Should you ever wonder if we have a plan and goal in mind when you drop off your kids in our children’s ministries, allow me to put that to rest for you! We are crazy about being intentional! Both our K-4 and middle school ministry have … Read More
Helping your kids keep God bigger than their problems
Being a kid is hard. Friends are tricky. School is tricky. Parents are tricky. And Church is tricky. No matter how you slice it, our kids face some really difficult choices, challenges, and changes. Considering that parents also face choices, challenges, and changes, it is … Read More
Surviving Family Roadtrips
Our family likes to road trip. Over the past few years we’ve taken a bunch and, I believe, have gained a lot of wisdom in the art of long-haul survival. (Bear Grylls should shoot an episode from inside our van!) A few years ago, we drove … Read More
4 Ways to Help Lonely Kids
Our second son is currently in grade 4, going into grade 5, and he is experiencing some of the same challenges with friends that his older brother had at that age. What is it about those grades? Maybe it’s because kids at that age are … Read More
Discover What Awakens Your Child: Multiple Intelligences
What awakens your child? When they want to share something with you, how do they best represent themselves? Is it through a picture on a canvas or do they spin a web of words? Perhaps they like to create with Lego, re-enact their day, or … Read More
HELPING KIDS UNDERSTAND EASTER (PART 3): The Temple
When you sit down and think about it, you discover that Christianity makes some astonishing claims. Claims which aren’t easy to understand for adults, let alone children. So how does a parent explain Easter where the God-Man Jesus Christ died on the cross for our … Read More
Helping Kids Understand Easter (part 2): The market and the courtroom
When you sit down and think about it, you discover that Christianity makes some astonishing claims. Claims which aren’t easy to understand for adults, let alone children. So how does a parent explain Easter where the God-Man Jesus Christ died on the cross for our … Read More
Protecting Purity in Kids Workshop
Protecting Purity in Kids was a workshop Pastor Thom did this winter. It is intended to help parents understand their children’s sexual development, give tips for talking to them about sex and tools to keep their kids safe online.
Surviving Spring Break
Ever feel like ‘breaks’ are more exhausting than regular life? I look forward to Spring Break, Christmas Break, Summer Break and vacation breaks, but I can easily get to the end of them wondering where I missed the ‘break’ part. It’s bad when I … Read More
What It’s Like to be Autistic (And How to Survive)
For some people with Autism, silence does not exist. Even in the quietest room, they might hear what others don’t – a clock ticking. The hum of a fluorescent light. The clacking of fingers on keyboards. The scraping of a pencil on paper. With sensory … Read More
Move It Or Lose It
Our bodies were made to move. If they don’t, they begin to weaken and break down, causing all sorts of problems such as weakened immune systems, joint problems, decreased emotional capacity and an increased risk of various diseases. Literally it’s: move it or lose … Read More
Speaking with your kids about sex – the Middle School version
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
Discipline for the kid who knows everything and deserves everything
Yes this is Middle School, grades five through eight, where everything is a right and there is no truth under heaven which does not have a counter argument. If you are going to effectively discipline kids in this age bracket the first thing you need … Read More
