I've heard it said, "Parenting is like folding a fitted sheet. No one knows how." It can certainly seem that way these days while we're trying to raise well-behaved, respectful, obedient and godly children. We know where we want to end up, but we don't exactly know how to get there. Parenting experts swear by all kinds of tips that actually seem to be making our kids worse. As parents we mean well, but sometimes we're just stuck in a pattern that we can't easily recognize. I've messed up on my own parenting adventure and made mistakes I wasn't even aware of for a long time. I still continue to miss the mark (that's where God's grace comes in), but I've realized over the last decade there were several things I did that were ... Read More...
9 Steps For Building a Godly Home
Our homes say a lot about us. How we spend our time there, the way we decorate, and what we do inside its walls speaks volumes about what we believe. As Christians, our homes should be marked for God and reflect Jesus in everything we do. It needs to be evident that Christ is alive there. In order to build a godly home, we must center it around God- His will, His desires, His Word. He should be the hub, instead of just a mere spoke. Ideally our houses should be places of worship, rather than just a structure where we eat, sleep, and play. Here are a few practical steps for building godly homes and ministering to our families well. 1. Worship God Without Rivals A lot of things compete for God's position on the throne of our ... Read More...
7 Proverbs To Use In Raising Your Children
I'm always surprised when I hear someone say they don't think the Bible has much to say about parenting. Since God originally created the family unit, it should follow that He would want to instruct mothers and fathers how to raise their own families for generations to come. God's model for passing on the faith and building His Kingdom is primarily through the family. As we raise our children to know and love the Lord, we are increasing the chances of potential Christ followers who will live out the Gospel and continue raising a godly seed. The truth is, God's Word is packed full of verses about the teaching, training and discipline of children! Throughout Scripture we see, over and over, His directives to raise kids who are wise, ... Read More...
3 Ways To Help Your Child Think Biblically
*Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. That means if you choose to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission that helps support this ministry. The term "worldview" isn't one used very often in Christian circles. But it can and should change your entire parenting style. Simply put, a worldview is the way in which a person views and makes sense of the world around them. It informs your understanding of reality, truth, and ethics. Every time you give someone advice, you are drawing upon your assumptions about how some aspect of the world works. Several years ago, my husband and I were invited to attend a fundraiser for a local Christian school, where More Than A Carpenter author ... Read More...
6 Reasons Homeschooling Has Made Me a Better Parent
I'm an unlikely homeschooler, if there ever was one. It was not my original intent to homeschool my children, but nearly four years in now, I am a "true believer". There was a time not so long ago when the thought of spending practically all of my waking hours with my children was overwhelming. 5 years ago, I was the mom selling her husband on the idea of sending our just turned four-year-old to preschool because I felt I desperately needed a break already. It had been a difficult year adjusting to having two children. I spent most of my days feeling completely at my wits end, dealing with a very needy infant who refused to nap during the day and suffered from chronic acid reflux, and a toddler who reacted badly to getting the short ... Read More...