Where the Bible is clear about God’s will, we must obey. But what about the thousands of choices we have in life where there doesn’t seem to be specific clarity in God’s Word? Do we
The Risen Jesus is a Saving King. Of all of the important principles of our survival guide series, this is the heart and the core. This is the essential one that we want to demonstrate
God's will is found in God's word. In a culture that teaches every person is free to determine their own version of truth and morality, it's essential to equip our families with an understanding that
For our children to believe and follow the Bible, they are going to need to be able to understand the Bible. Today I cover the sixth key principle in our survival guide for young people:
Sometimes it seems like a cloud of negativity hangs over our household. This week I share with you a simple change I made that helped change my perspective, as well as the reality, in my
How do you cultivate a culture of generosity in your family? Father and son Brad and Drew Formsma join me today to share how generosity has become a way of life in their household. Along
Identity can be defined simply as "who a person is". This simple definition belies how incredibly complicated identity can be for individuals, especially our growing children. In a world of constantly changing morals and definitions,
Nearly 80 million people play the video game sensation Fortnite each month. Even if your children don't play, they are talking about it, learning the dance moves. It's not just a video game, it's a
Here is my list of the most challenging (and most helpful) accountability questions I've ever used. I've used these questions with a number of different friends over the last decade. Answering these questions each week
Leading your family in intentional study and worship feels so challenging, but it shouldn't be. Often the problem is that we've overcomplicated it. My good friend Shawn Bergen joins me today to share with all
As a youth pastor, I am sad to say the modern version of youth ministry has failed to produce spiritually healthy, mature disciples of Jesus. Fortunately, there is a better way: Fix these words of
There's a creeping disease that's infecting the hearts and minds of several generations of men and women. It's symptoms: anxiety, loneliness, depression, inability to enjoy activities, decreased attention span, and a distorted view of reality.
Warning: the next 600 words might have severe impact on your parenting and relationships. This is the week kids dread and parents dream about all summer-at least in my house. The first day of school
As of today, we are done with all chemo treatment. I can't believe I'm actually writing this. On April 14, 2014, our family's world was turned upside down when we were told our little 5
Have you ever made a promise to a toddler and then forgot, only to have them remind you 27 times? They don't forget. Yet when it comes to doling out consequences for behavior, we often
I find it strange that over 90% of the individual people written about in the Bible are men when far more women around the world pursue Jesus than their male counterparts. Godly moms are the
It's likely that those who need to read this most, won't. If you are a dad, please read this, even if you consider yourself a spiritual, physical, and financial giant. There are various gradients of
Too often a marriage becomes child focused. Not only is this bad for the husband and wife, it's terrible for the kids!
"A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan next week" General George S. Patton I am an obsessive planner. Some of them actually happen. Many don't. But I can say that I've managed
Today we will continue our discussion of the characteristics of Generation Z, the largest generation on earth, currently in elementary-high school. If you didn't catch last week's post, please read it first. Also, you're really
A gang or real live experts on Generation Z from our student ministry joins me for a discussion on the differences between Millennials and Generation Z With Davis Price, Chloe Reddick, John Klein, and Brock
This is going to be the first of a series of post on getting to know Generation Z. These are the kids who are currently in Elementry-High School. Moms and dads, you might have thought
As I think about the raising of my kids, I realize there’s one dominating factor that influences my default parenting style more than anything else: My own childhood. I was born and raised in a
On this Mother's Day weekend, here are some thoughts on how my childhood, as well as that of my parents, has drastically affected my own parenting.
A great question about when to baptize your kids leads to the thought: Are we training our kids for disobedience?
I’m not a runner, but sometimes I pretend to be one. As time goes on, the more I feel like I’m pretending. Perhaps you’ve been a runner at one point in your life, or maybe
Gratitude is hard work! Here are 3 ways to make it habitual.
In light of Easter Week I wanted to share something I wrote from the hospital room of my son three years ago on Easter Sunday. I pray it's an encouragement to you. Happy Easter, He
I wrote these thoughts while sitting in my son's room on Easter Morning in 2014, seven days after he began treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
When I was little, I loved Mad Magazine. (I know, shame on me). One of my favorite running bits in the magazine was called "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions". The title is fairly self explanatory,
In every tense situation there are two lessons happening. 1) What you say, 2) How you say it.
The funny thing about the most important parts of life is that they are rarely the most immediate. For instance, I'd like to lose ten pounds. But I'd also like to finish off that bottle
Don't let the immediate worries of life keep you from praying big picture prayers for your children!
Have you ever tried to keep a firm grip on a handful of Jello? The harder you squeeze, the greater the mess. Trying to control your kid's behavior can often turn out the same way.
Last week I shared some of my critique of our current culture's dating habits. This week I'll go the next step, assuming that a dating relationship has started. I'll start with a question -
So your kids are ready to start dating? Gulp! Here are some helpful, practical thoughts to coach them towards right goals and wise boundaries.
Note - you may be the parents of a child and think this topic doesn't pertain to you. Let me encourage you, CHILDHOOD is the time to start coaching your kids on dating and relationships,
Critiques of modern dating practices and coaching tips for your kids as they walk toward helpful relationships!
April 14, 2017 will mark three years since the day we were told my son had leukemia. I remember so many details from that day. Mindlessly sitting by his hospital bed when we just thought
One of the hardest things to walk through as a parent is the suffering of your child. How do you make the most of a terrible situation?
What's your parenting style? In my mind I'm a pretty rational, consistent guy. I make choices based on logic and reason, and I can be counted on to do what's right and
Drill Sergents, Helicopters, and Consultants, Oh My! Here's an overview of three different types of parenting styles with three different consequences.
Michael Jr. is a fantastic comedian who also really loves Jesus. In this Ted Talk he shares how his struggles and trails became the setup for offering something good to the world. This would be
It's February, and romance is in the air. Or maybe that's the aroma of the mass marketing machine that creates a fake holiday to pressure us into buying more stuff. Either way, I've used each February
Here's the best explanation I've ever encountered on why pursuing a path of purity is so important.
Last week I talked about backpacks and boulders. If you didn’t read that post, go back and read it. If you’re an auditory learner, you can listen to the podcast. Now that you’ve mastered the
What if I could share some parenting advice that could also help you in some of the most difficult relationships in your life? I’m not exaggerating, these next few minutes could be some of the
What if we're complimenting the wrong things in our kids? Here's a great way to enable your kids to go over, around, or through the brick walls in their life.
I have a dilemma. Back when I only had one child, she was easily the smartest kid in the universe, which naturally made me the best parent in the universe. But then I had other
I have to admit, I am not a woman. I find women to be wonderfully complex. In the book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, John Gray pictures the minds of men to be
