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Christianity 101
What takes place in the following verses were Jesus’ last teachings to His disciples. In verses 31-33 He tells them that He is going away and that they cannot come with Him. Then just after this sad revelation, in verses 34 and 35 we find one of His last teachings, “’I give you a new commandment—to love[ one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Everyone[ will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.’”
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Two Truths to Encourage Christian Parents
I sat discouraged and exhausted at the end of the table. I needed a sabbath rest and instead sat between sibling rivalry. The rest of the afternoon the bickering continued, and I complained to the Lord. I just wanted to unplug and avoid the family drama. I longed for much-needed rest. God heard my prayer of complaint—and taught me two truths about Christian parenting that might encourage you as well.
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Grieving With Hope
We grieve many things in this life. Death being chief among them. In a constantly changing world we must learn to grieve well As teachers and parents, we need to prepare young children for the losses of this life: friendships, broken toys, houses that we move from, teachers that change yearly but especially the loss that comes through death.
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Another Lesson Learned in Narnia- Reepicheep
‘“Oh! Ugh! What on earth’s that! Take it away the horrid thing.‘ Lucy and Edmond recognized it at once—Reepicheep, the most valiant of all the talking beasts of Narnia and the chief mouse.” The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, C. S. Lewis 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” Reepicheep is small in stature but mighty in valor. He knows his size but is not limited by it. He sees the task and remembers for whom it is that the task needs to be done. He…
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How to Have Deep Friendships as a Busy Parent
The weeks sometimes feel like a whirl—is it already Monday again? The days swirl with loads of laundry, work deadlines, dentist appointments. Sometimes I wonder how I maintain any friendships in this cyclone of activity. A few years ago, a friend and I wrote about how we cultivate our sisterhood in the whirl of motherhood. I think our insights are just as timely today (and a good reminder for me too).
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What is on your wish list?
What do you want is a question Jesus asked many as he traveled around the nation of Israel. He didn’t ask them what they thought or how they felt, but he wanted to know what was on their heart. Jesus is still the same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. He wants to know what is on the heart of our children and your heart as well. This is a question we need to ask our children and listen to their responses. Often we will hear I want the newest game or a new toy. But, what is Jesus listening for? He is listening to hear the…
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“Train Up a Child…”- Proverbs
What better book to help train up a child than Proverbs? Granted there are some subjects in Proverbs that are too much adult information for a child. Nevertheless, I believe that there is much in every chapter that would profit our children and help them grow up to be wise adults. It is an important balance for the parent or teacher to allow a child to be a child while teaching them the important principles that will train them up to be wise adults. Too many adults in this generation lack wisdom. Even those with lots of street savvy or book learning, many times, do not have the wisdom to…
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How Does God Measure Success?
The crowd hooted and whooped. Handclapping sounded like thunderous downpour. I walked across the stage and received my diploma from Dallas Theological Seminary, and it felt monumental. Spiritual. Euphoric. Friends stopped by our Airbnb after the ceremony. We ate large amounts of General Tso’s Chicken—and hugged deeply. Then, my family and I flew back home. I woke up the next day to tired kids complaining about going to school. The GI Joe battlefield exploded in most of our living room. The empty milk carton signaled the urgency of a Kroger run. No crowds. No awards. Just me faced with a task list big enough for a CEO, but simple enough…
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CONGRATULATIONS!
Our very own Seana Scott just was awarded first place from the Evangelical Press Association in the freelance article category. Here’s her blog post that they chose: The Gift of a Normal Day! The Gift of a Normal Day
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When Children face the unknown
How often do we hear little ones wanting to know the outcome of something for which it seems there is no instant answer? How do we comfort their hearts? What wisdom do we offer? Psalm 121 answered that question in a conversation someone might have had with two friends. #1 friend asks: I need help to answer my question. Where does my help come?” Then almost instantly answers his own question: “My help comes from the Lord.” [vs 1 -2] #2 friend responds with this encouragement; may He not allow your foot to slip. [vs 3] #3 friend affirms those words. The Lord is your protector, he never sleeps. He…
