“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 [...]
Father-Son Retreat
November 29, 2011 By
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, [...]
Strengths vs. Weaknesses: Both Needed for Maximum Growth
November 2, 2011 By
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 [...]
Make Parenting Shifts
September 8, 2011 By
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 [...]
Teens and Letting Go
August 26, 2011 By
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 [...]
The Value of Money
February 23, 2011 By
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 [...]
Book Suggestions
October 3, 2010 By
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. [...]
Listening
August 10, 2010 By
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 [...]
So you want to marry my daughter…
April 14, 2010 By
Author: Kim Ashbaugh. Brian and I have been happily married 19 years. For the first half of our marriage, I was a teacher and then a part-time children’s textbook writer/editor. Since 1999, I have been a stay-at-home mom. We have three children–ages,17, 14, and 11 This is my eleventh year homeschooling them. The other day [...]
Lasts
October 22, 2009 By
Author: Linda Wright (Linda, an African American graduate of UCB Psychology Dept., spent seven years on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ. Linda is a married mother of three teens, a storyteller, a writer of unpublished children’s books and a counselor with the second step social program for elementary schools). How many days go [...]