This month we are approaching Easter Sunday which we often call Resurrection Sunday, for it is a remembrance of that first Easter Sunday on which Jesus Christ our Lord rose from the grave. While it is good and right for us to celebrate Easter each year, perhaps we also need reminding that every Sunday is a resurrection Sunday. Indeed, each Sunday that we gather is a continued celebration of the Risen King and of our expectation of His return to rule and to reign forevermore.
We often have this idea that, as long as I love my kids, they will turn out alright. But because our kids have a deeper spiritual problem—a heart problem—they will need more than parental love. They will need salvation (as we all do!). So, in order to truly parent our kids, we must do what is necessary for their spiritual awakening and maturity. Do more than love your kids...read the Bible and pray with them.
Getting up and making it to church on time with your family (especially if you have young kids) might just be the definition of cruel and unusual punishment. It’s really hard to do the church thing as a family. And because it’s so hard, the temptations to just stay home seem so very powerful. But hear this today: Take your kids to church…especially when you don’t feel like.
The Scripture is quite clear that one of our chief responsibilities as parents is the spiritual education and discipleship of our children. The gravity of this task is sometimes overwhelming, but it is also a distinct privilege that pays immense dividends if we take it seriously and carefully. We often fall into one of two mistakes when discipling our kids…
So often we believe in a pale imitation of the truth. For instance, we often believe that the real point of marriage is to “keep the romance alive” or to “stay in love.” If this is our vision of love and marriage, is too small. It cannot bear the weight of real life nor does it understand the ultimate point of marriage. Take a moment to watch this #FamilyFriday to discover a more robust vision for your marriage.
I recently did a 3-part Facebook Live series on Your Family and Technology. A brief summary is provided before each video below. If you are trying to navigate this always changing landscape of technology with your children, you might benefit from watching these Family Friday segments. In part one, I wanted to provide a biblical framework from which to think about technology and how we might learn to redeem technology rather than be ruled by it. In part two, I tried to educate parents on some of the possibilities and problems of technology and give some action steps for how we can maximize the possibilities while guarding agains the problems. Finally, in part three, I provided some introduction on various tools and apps that can make technology safer and more helpful in the home.
Death is no respecter of persons. We learn this painful lesson as we experience life and become acquainted with the frailty of our own lives and those arounds us. In December, our church experienced the loss of a dear man who had teenage children. This got me to thinking about how we could help children as they face loss and grief. Here are some key ideas whether you yourself are working through the loss of a loved one or are trying to help someone else who is.
“Is that it?” This was the question written on my kids’ faces after we had opened all of the presents this Christmas. Actually, this is the question that most of us ask (or want to ask) after the holidays or some big celebration. We look around and think, “That was fun, but it didn’t really satisfy.” Join us today on #FamilyFriday to see how our disappointment can lead us to contentment.
Traditions are a powerful force in the life of a family. They are a needed element as you build the culture and texture of your family by forming and reinforcing what you want your family to believe, do, and be. Their power is in their ability to bring identity, stability, memories, and teach shared values. Learn more about the importance of family traditions in todays #FamilyFriday.
So many times, our family life becomes consumed by our kids and the activities surrounding our kids. We often get lost in the fray of these things because of a good desire to give our kids great lives, memorable experiences, and meaningful gifts. But one of the sure fire ways to destroy our families is to make it all about our kids. Join me today on our #FamilyFriday discussion as we learn that one of the greatest gifts we can give to our kids is a strong and loving marriage to our spouse.
You’re looking at Facebook (or Instagram or Twitter) and all of a sudden you think, “Why isn’t my life like that? Why is their life so perfect? I work hard at loving my spouse, raising my kids, and working my job. I deserve a picture-perfect life too!” Be careful to not judge your life by Facebook. Learn to combat Facebook Jealousy on this #FamilyFriday.
You need to have awkward conversations with your kids...We live in a world where all sexual desire is glamorized, where people are divided and violent over issues of race, where people are told that gender is fluid, and many other confusing issues. Your kids need you to help them think about and respond to these issues.
Ingratitude is the default state of the human heart. So we must fight for gratitude, and we must cultivate it with great care and effort. Find out how you can cultivate gratitude in your family in this #FamilyFriday video.
Saying “No” is hard for us because we live in a “Yes” culture. But our kids need us to say “No” because “No” is ultimately a loving word. I hope that you'll take a few minutes to watch my #FamilyFriday on this topic. Make sure to like the First Baptist Bonham Facebook page to get more content like this! Or return here each week where I'll also post the video.
Here a couple of great articles that I used in preparation for this video:
You’re NOT your child’s savior. The temptation to rescue our children from the pains of this life often feels overwhelming. Take a moment to view my third #FamilyFriday discussion.
Here are two great articles that I used in preparation for this video:
We often feel the pressure to believe that the grander a gesture the more positive its impact on our family and relationships. Take a moment to watch my video to learn about the majesty of the mundane activities of life and how important they are to building strong families. #FamilyFriday
Recently I receive an email that caused me terrible consternation and frustration. The focus of this email was on church “growth” and suggested several quick “steps” that churches could make to achieve nearly instantaneous “growth.” Setting aside for a moment the formulaic approach to church growth (which has many difficulties of its own—perhaps another article on that later), I was immediately drawn to one of the “steps” and its appalling disregard for God’s command to preach (see 2 Tim. 4:1-4!!). Step 4 was, “Stop preaching and start communicating. There's a difference.”
Most of us find ourselves unwittingly taking the Bible out of context or falling for the “popular” conception of a particular passage’s meaning without considering whether the popular view is the correct view. Without doubt, even when we misuse or misunderstand the Word of God unintentionally, it is dangerous. However, what happens when people intentionally take the Word of God and twist it for their own purposes? This is called false teaching. False teachers and their deceptive practices are nothing new to the church.
