“Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; abide in my love…This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” (John 15:9, 12, NASB) Do you ever have a hard time loving? In five years of full-time youth ministry, I have had many, many times [...]
Author: Kim Asbaugh It happens, faster than you want to think about it. They grow up! Just yesterday, it seems, I was pregnant with my third child, chasing my middle child around the house as my docile eldest played quietly with her dolls. Now they are 13, 16, and 19. Our eldest is a young [...]
“Do not be conformed any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is; his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) Last month, the principal of our local middle school approached me and asked [...]
Since ancient times, age thirteen marked a boy’s transition from child into adult. According to the Talmud, when Jewish boys reach 13, they become responsible for their actions and become a Bar Mitzvah. Prior to a boy reaching Bar Mitzvah, his parents hold the responsibility for the child’s actions. After this age, children bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual law, [...]
Author: Jennifer Patchin We had the privilege of celebrating our oldest daughters 18th birthday last month. Wow how time flies! I have reflected on the last 18 years many times over the last few months as we have watched Victoria graduate high school, start college, become a legal adult and turn into a wonderful, godly [...]
A Child’s Development Requires Parenting Shifts Summary: Parenting is a growing experience. We must make adjustments in the way we parent to effectively relate to children as they grow and develop. Unfortunately, parents get ideas in their heads about what good parenting is and then they lack the flexibility necessary to be effective. Although a [...]
Three weeks after my first son, Christian was born, my sister-in-law, my neice and my nephew had made the long drive from Southern California to see Christian for the first time and to spend a few days with us. My neice was about eight at the time, my nephew about 13 years old. One morning [...]
Author: Wendy Clark © 2011 Wendy and her husband have been married for 25 years and are the parents of three girls, ages 17, 15, and 6. As a family, they are learning together what it means to love and serve God and to be faithful managers of money. Visit Wendy’s website: wendyclarkministries.com I can’t [...]
Author: Kim Ashbaugh Kim Ashbaugh is an avid reader with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in English. Her childhood was filled with trips to the library, her bike basket filled to the brim with books. Kim went on to teach first grade, then kindergarten, and finally, to homeschool her three girls. [...]
Author: Sue Jones Sue is a pastor’s wife, mother and grandmother. She lives in Tulare, CA with her husband Rich and three dogs. She has two married children so that makes four adult children and one baby granddaughter. Sue has been involved in children’s ministry for over 25 years and holds children’s ministry as one [...]