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What Really Matters in How We Spend Our Time?
I walked into class and saw friends scurrying through their notes, stuffing their brains with facts like squirrels hoarding nuts. I froze. I forgot about the science test. Instead of studying the night before, I played Rummy with mom and watched an episode of Quantum Leap with a bowl of popcorn. I sat down and quickly skimmed my notes. The teacher handed out the exam and I filled in circles with graphite, half-guessing. I passed the test—barely. It’s been decades since memorizing facts about neutrons and electrons, but sometimes I feel the same way. Like I show up to my life, unprepared. Especially in raising three kids. I’m busy, sure.…
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Traversing Change in a Changing World
Letting go and holding on are very important skills for traversing a world of change. The amount of baggage they carry can make all the difference.
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Turn Complaining into a Blessing
My husband and I rushed out the door like scrambling chicks to drop the kids off at their check-in time at camp. Signing the kids up for a week-long day camp after 4th of July late-night fireworks may not have been wise, but who wants to listen to kids fighting over the game controller all summer long? After a smooth drop-off, running errands, and hosting our neighbors for sub sandwich lunch, 5:00 pm pick-up came fast. The kids shuffled into our suburban and the first words out of their mouths were, “It was so-o-o boring Mom! . . . Don’t take us there again . . . Why did you…
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Concerning Contentment
I turned sixty-five today. It is a milestone, at least in the American culture. I now qualify for Medicare. I also qualify for senior discounts. I could draw my social security checks, and no one would be surprised, but I think I will wait for a few years. Not everyone is guaranteed to live until they are old but those who do, find that getting old is not an easy road to walk. Not everyone’s health fails right away but most will tell you they have more aches and pains. They often have less energy and may find themselves dozing more often. For many they sit more and run seldom.…
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Teaching Children about Intercession
Like children, we love getting caught up in a mystery book with its twists and turns. We meet villains and saviors and we see how the plot thickens. God is the master of mysteries and we can use His stories to teach practical lessons for real life. Take the story of the villain King Zedekiah in Jeremiah 38 who allowed other villains to unjustly imprison Jeremiah in of all places, a cistern! Who will save him? Who will be the man of the hour? Enter Ebed-Melech, not an Israelite, but an Ethiopian. Ebed-Melech had the heart to serve no matter the cost. He was willing to step in and confront…
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Simple Family Discipleship: An Encouragement from John and Elizabeth Newton
Sometimes we wonder if we do enough as Christian parents. We may feel the pressure to make sure we check-off all the “good Christian parent” boxes—but still wonder if there is more we should do. The story of John and Elizabeth Newton provides much encouragement for Christian parents and those who work with children.
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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…
