“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” (Hebrews 12:1) I don’t know about you, but for the last two weeks my wife and I [...]
“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 [...]
One blog that I subscribe to and read is called Orange Parents, which is generating awesome resources and content for equipping parents and churches to disciple children. I dog-eared two twin articles that stuck out to me called “5 Ways to Build Integrity as a Parent.” I thought that they provided some sound and clear [...]
This morning, I came across this article: “How a Deal With My Daughter Paid Off.” In it, writer Ed Welch talks about the power of positive touch: “The best thing I ever did as a parent came from a misunderstanding. My oldest daughter was in junior high. She wanted something desperately—I don’t remember what it [...]
I grew up watching Steven Spielberg movies, and a few weeks ago my wife and I sat down with my mom and my dad to watch Super 8. But what does a monster movie have to do with discipling children? Allow me to explain. [WARNING: movie spoilers ahead!] The story centers around a group of [...]
Last month, I relayed one of the thoughts that came to mind as I sat in an all-day training course for Odyssey of the Mind, an organization that encourages students to develop creative thinking by tackling an open-ended problem. This is the second of my learnings. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or [...]
“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 [...]
1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV) — “10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect…” First, I’d just like to say how privileged I feel to be invited to contribute to this blog – I begin my post with Paul’s words from the Book [...]