If we are in town, most Sunday afternoons we go home after church and have a “Sunday dinner”. It is a time we slow down, where sweet tea and dessert are must-haves at the dinner table. Our conversations range from God to politics. We discuss things that happened during the week. Luke, who is animated will sometimes stand up as he tells us a story. A family Sunday dinner is a tradition that I love and cherish. I realize that as our kids get older, it might be harder to make it happen, but right now it is working. …
Not everyone will understand the impact of a good big brother, but those who have one will know the special meaning of a “big brother.” Being the youngest of seven children, not only do I know what a big brother is, but I also understand what it is to have a big sister. Fondly, I remember standing on our porch with our mother, when I asked my big brother, Bub, if I could have his BB gun, now that he had a shotgun. I convinced him, by stating that each of us boys in the family would have a gun …
If you are a parent, you probably understand the need to monitor your young children’s internet usage. With unsavory images and ads popping up everywhere, it is difficult to make sure your kids will not be bombarded with risky information. And that is not even to mention the risk of sexual predators. When our oldest son started the 7th grade, he was required to have an iPad for school. To be safe, we decided to disable his web browser (it was Safari at that time) so that he did not have access to the internet. But, we soon learned that …
Recently our oldest grandson decided he would like to spread his wings and fly. This season of life can be challenging for parents and grandparents. During a transitional and relocation period, he had been living with my wife and I. It was just as hard to see him leave, as it was when his dad had left our home. His dad was also in complete agreement with the way we felt. A friend had asked me if we had attempted to stop him from going. I explained that we had not. Our grandson had his heart set on this adventure …
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy. If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty. If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with tolerance, they learn patience. If children live with praise, they learn appreciation. If children live with acceptance, they …
What priorities will be established in our children when the following things happen? 1. We are early for the game but late to the worship. 2. We see to it that our children do their homework but never check to seek if Bible lessons are completed. 3. They are not allowed to stay up late on school nights lest it infringes upon their school work but are allowed to stay up and watch the “LATE SHOW” on Saturday night, though they will be attending Bible Class the next morning. 4. We will not let them miss school even though they do not want to attend, but we cater …
I don’t believe there are devils enough in hell to pull a boy out of the arms of a godly mother. Billy Sunday Too many women have too much leisure time for their own good. They have time for criticism, gossip, faultfinding, and complaining. They have time for idle games and lay too much attention to things of the flesh. There are other women who have too little time for the enduring things of life. They are too busy flitting about doing this and that. They have great activity and much doing, but they lack time for building Christian characters. Both …
I’d finger paint more and point the finger less. I’d do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes. I would care to know less and know to care more. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and less tugging. I would be firm less often and affirm much more. I’d build self-esteem first and the house later. I’d teach less about the love of power and more …
Several years ago, I was talking with a friend who was adamant that you should send your kids to public school. His thought was that, Christian kids need to realize at an early age that there are people that will strongly oppose your beliefs and even make fun of you. To a degree, I see his point. I grew up going to public school and I believe it made me a stronger person. Around middle school, I wanted to home school so bad. I tried to convince my parents that I wanted to home school because of the evil environment …