Parenting is inconvenient. Yes, I just said that. Once you have a child, your life will be forever changed. You will be humbled. Humiliated. Screamed at. Loved with abandon. Squeezed with unimaginable strength by those little arms. Amazed. Shocked. heartbroken. Overwhelmed with love. Filled with a newfound awe for your own parents. Unfortunately, once the baby… Continue reading Is Your Parenting on Cruise Control?
Tag: children
Back to School Prayers
Clogged up parking lots. Fresh, clean backpacks. Crisp new clothes. Sharp pencils. Eager young faces... Yup, it's back-to-school time! No matter what form of education you choose for your child---homeschool, private school, or public school---we need to pray diligently through this season of life. The education process is indeed challenging. I realize that many children are… Continue reading Back to School Prayers
Edify: Building a Strong Generation
This article is part of the series “Raising GenNext.” You can read the previous post by clicking here. Edify comes from the Greek "oikodomḗ" meaning 'the act of building.' We often use this word as a reference to spiritual encouragement. Edification is more than perfunctory praise; it is the endeavor to construct something strong. To date, we have covered the first… Continue reading Edify: Building a Strong Generation
Entrust: Involving Children in the Important within the church (part 2)
This article is part of the series “Building GenNext.” You can read the previous post by clicking here. Somewhere in the past, someone concluded the primary reason children were leaving the church was somehow related to it's boringness. There was a slow movement toward making entertainment more important than education and edification. And yet, in spite of the hyped up… Continue reading Entrust: Involving Children in the Important within the church (part 2)
Do you want your children to follow in your footsteps?
Children are keen observers and imitators. Compliant children will try to do what their parents do in order to make them happy. Strong-willed kids amy try to be little rebels, but even they have a tendency to imitate their parents to some degree. They are always watching how we handle our circumstances. What we do has a greater influence than what we say. Is your example one worth following??
Do people see Jesus in your life?
Several years ago, there was a commercial on TV in which a young boy was following his father everywhere and attempting to imitate him in every way. The commercial concluded with the Father smoking a cigarette and the son trying to mimic the action. The shock of that concluding seen was intended to discourage parents from smoking, because children would ultimately do the same. Our example shouts louder than our words. When we become a Christian, we are born to a new life, adopted by God, and endowed with a new name. We have to re-learn how to live in order to resemble our new Father.
Engage: Building Meaningful Relationships with our Children (Raising GenNext)
A Barna Group study reported in 2013, states, "Seven out of 10 Millennials who dropped out of church did not have a close friendship with an adult and nearly nine out of ten never had a mentor at the church." Furthermore, they report "Those who stay were twice as likely to have a close personal friendship with an adult inside the church (59% of those who stayed report such a friendship versus 31% among those who are no longer active). The same pattern is evident among more intentional relationships such as mentoring—28% of Millennials who stay had an adult mentor at the church other than their pastor, compared to 11% of dropouts who say the same." As that study indicates, relationships are not a guarantee that children raised by Christians will remain in the church, but it is apparent that meaningful relationships influence that choice.
GenNext: Raising up Christians who know the Lord
STOP! Don't skip this post---it isn't just about raising kids! For the next several weeks, we will be focusing on the importance of equipping children, new Christians, and current Christians to be pivotal members of the body of Christ. The church is in crisis. The number of people identifying as Christians is dwindling. Pew-warmers seek entertainment, and feel-good… Continue reading GenNext: Raising up Christians who know the Lord
Keep on keepin’ on. (Day #13 of the #encourage marathon)
“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV Welcome to the halfway point of our #encourage marathon! (If you missed yesterday's post, you can read it here.) **Please note, there is a typo on your PDF for today's passage it should be 2 Thessalonians 3.13 not 5.13** Someone out… Continue reading Keep on keepin’ on. (Day #13 of the #encourage marathon)
7 Marriage Principles We Should Teach Our Children
Many parents squirm over the prospect of their children dating and marrying---and for good reason. We who have been through that stage of life are well-acquainted with the pitfalls, dangers and temptations. We have observed (or experienced) them and are more than a little reluctant to let our kids face that particular gauntlet. Because we live in a society in which people choose their marriage partner, it is absolutely vital that we actively teach our children what marriage is and what to look for in a spouse.
Elihu's Corner 