Tag: intentional Christian parent
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Ash Wednesday journal
Celebrating the first day of Lent today (as an evangelical Christian) by making sourdough soft pretzels with the kids; I put ashes from our fireplace on their foreheads, and mine, and we talked about coming from and returning to dust, our need for a Savior, and what fasting means. “Does putting ashes on our foreheads…
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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord
We went to the high school graduation last week, and for the first time ever I was interested in hearing what the speakers had to say. Guess I’m old now. Most of the speeches I did consider to be fairly boring (so maybe I’m not that old), but some were intriguing. A couple truly inspired…
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The secret modern war on “be fruitful and multiply”
Sometimes a system or culture looks “normal” because it’s been slowly adding and accepting things- harmful things- over a long time so that society hardly notices. But taking a step back we can see there is an absolute war on God’s design for people to “be fruitful and multiply”. Obviously there’s a lot of nuance…
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The most unexpected big goal you can have this year
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11 When there are unspeakable injustices or conspiracies, when anxiety starts to rage within me over things that are completely out of my control and out of my understanding, things “out there” that I learn…
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Questions and topics for family New Year meeting
The beginning of a new year is such a wonderful time for reflection and resolution. There seem to be lots of opinions about New Year’s resolutions; I’ve heard that they’re essentially useless, that habits rather than goals are far superior, that winter isn’t a time for goals but for stillness. But opinions aside, New Year’s…
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When life hands you lemons, take a Christmas-light drive
We were just getting home from a family Christmas party, tired, ready for bed. But when we opened the door of the house we were hit by a smell. You know me, I smell everything, but everyone smelled it this time. An obviously toxic smell, like that purple primer you use for PVC pipe. We…
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Are you “in tune”?
Yesterday we had our piano tuned. I should back up- I’ve dreamed of having a piano for years but always thought of it as maybe a “someday” thing; well, recently someone Justin knows from work just gave us a piano. Just said, “if you can move it, you can have it” (by the way, moving…
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Each season is precious
This time around with a baby, I’ve been so aware, much more than ever before, of how each stage goes by so quickly. It’s so cliche- “it goes so fast”, “blink and you’ll miss it”- but seriously! Most of us realize it, but it’s still surprising, almost shocking. This little chubby infant is already almost…
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Stop squashing kids’ joy
“Settle down please”, I interrupted my conversation with an older couple, Ernie and Diane, at church to quiet my children. The kids’ volume and activity had been gradually escalating over the last few minutes; they were in good moods- happy, not fighting or anything- but I wanted to prevent a just-for-fun wrestling match or scream-filled…
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Tips for a simple, intentional, connecting bedtime routine with kids
When days seem to run together into one- when they feel exhaustingly long or way too short- bedtime routines can be grounding, connecting, collecting breaks to help end the days on high notes. We’ve made slight tweaks to our family’s bedtime routine over the years, but for the most part it has remained a constant…
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How to not be a fool
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise” Ephesians 5:15 One nice thing about living in New Mexico is that you’re always near nature. We can visit lakes, rivers, forests, or mountains in a 10-30 minute drive from where we are. Earlier this week, the kids got an urge to climb…
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A prayer to fight selfishness
I know selfishness is wrong, but something we often fail to realize is that it doesn’t pay. The lie it tells is that it will serve somehow, give something good. But, though not necessarily seen immediately, “you reap what you sow”. Selfishness with friends/relatives repays with… Gossip? Loss of opportunities? Lack of closeness? Selfishness with…
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YOLO- The world’s perspective vs. Christianity’s perspective
“Lord, help me understand my end. What is the limit of my days? Let me know how fleeting I am.” Psalm 39:4 The psalmist here is not asking to be told his fortune; not asking for his fate to be revealed or to know the day he will die. No, he’s asking for something far…
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Peace isn’t passive
“Do you want to really live?Would you love to live a long, happy life?Then make sure you don’t speak evil wordsor use deceptive speech! Turn away from evil and do what is right!Strive for peace and promote it! The Lord pays attention to the godlyand hears their cry for help. But the Lord opposes evildoersand…
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The joy of selflessness, and the line between generosity and overextension
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 “How can I be a blessing to you today, dear girl?” was how Kim, our pastor’s wife, answered…
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Stop telling kids “don’t” (and do this instead!)
“Don’t stomp, it’s too loud!” I whisper-shout to my three-year old, knowing the thumping will likely wake the baby I just eased into bed for a nap. My jumping toddler pauses for a split second, then does one big stomp and looks at me. Frustration, anger and confusion rise up in me at this show…
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Its Not Too Late To Stop People-Pleasing
I saw a video by the hilarious Emily Vondy talking about the boldness of her little daughter that was wonderful and laughable- she told her daughter to hold her hand at the grocery store, and when her daughter refused, an older man, with surely the best of intentions, pretended to be “going to get her…
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71 Simple Family Advent Activities!
Advent is such a special season- looking forward to the birth of our Savior with joyful expectation and anticipation! It’s a wonderful time to slow down, focus on God and His Word- particularly the birth of Jesus, and have fun together as a family in the days leading up to Christmas. Wanting to make the…