by Andrew | Jun 28, 2021 | Kids & Family
As a husband and father, one of the tricky parts of leading in your home with teenagers is when two women that you love are at odds – your wife and your daughter. And before you know it, you are found right in the middle of it all. So how does a husband and...
by Andrew | Jun 21, 2021 | Kids & Family
I’m not ashamed to say it, that we are a “hugging family”. We hug each other a lot. And it’s intentional. There are a number of different kinds of hugs that we give for different reasons, but here are a few in our regular repertoire: personal hugs family...
by Andrew | Jun 12, 2021 | Kids & Family
Like most newlywed couples, I can remember how excited my wife and I were to have children. 3…4… maybe 10? We planned to wait a couple of years before getting started on our new little family, however, our colicky firstborn son didn’t think that was...
by Andrew | May 30, 2021 | Children's Ministry, Kids & Family
Some of these have been around for a long time… Other’s are more new and fresh in our thinking. Mankind has always found ways to “become as gods” as Satan tempted Adam and Eve from the beginning. Man’s attempt to replace God with self has...
by Andrew | May 24, 2021 | Kids & Family
Have you ever struggled with knowing when to be a parent and when to be a friend with your children? Which is more important, and is it okay to be both? Yesterday at our church, my wife and I and our pastor and pastor’s wife sat down to discuss the four seasons...
by Andrew | May 17, 2021 | Children's Ministry, Kids & Family
When God calls someone to the life of being a Christian, it is a calling to what is meant to be the most joy-filled and positive experience that any person can EVER know this side of eternity. Our sins are forgiven, our hope is in Christ, and our eternity in heaven is...
by Andrew | May 9, 2021 | Kids & Family
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Proverbs 18:21 I can remember it clearly as a young boy when our family would go shopping at Northwoods Mall in Peoria, IL. On a few occasions, I would see someone smoking, and I can still remember Dad...
by Andrew | May 1, 2021 | Kids & Family
Wisdom from the Scriptures tells us that when children are properly corrected and disciplined (as our Heavenly Father does for us), it is meant to produce ‘the peaceable fruit of righteousness.’ (Hebrews 12:11) Here are a couple of rhetorical questions: When...
by Andrew | Apr 25, 2021 | Kids & Family
There’s a phrase that can be heard almost anywhere at any time where parents and children are present if you’ll listen for it. And it’s one of the most dangerous phrases used in parenting. In general, the scenario goes like this – little Johnny does...
by Andrew | Apr 18, 2021 | Kids & Family
The front door swung open and the first words I heard were these, “She hates me, and I don’t know why.” One of our kids had been hurt by a friend at school, and an important conversation followed. It’s inevitable, your kids are going to get hurt by...
by Andrew | Apr 10, 2021 | Kids & Family
On many occasions, I’ve talked to parents who feel totally inadequate for the task of raising their children. Parenting seems overwhelming, and as the responsibilities pile up, so does the frustration and feelings of inadequacy. Have you ever been there yourself?...
by Andrew | Apr 5, 2021 | Kids & Family, Marriage
How can parents resolve parenting issues when they are not on the same page? The longer you’re a parent, the more you realize that parenting brings out things in you as nothing else can, both the good and the bad. Sometimes parenting brings out feelings, emotions,...
by Andrew | Mar 20, 2021 | Children's Ministry, Kids & Family
II Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child though hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation…” After a heavy rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets & alleys, a young mother watched her 2 little boys playing...
by Andrew | Mar 7, 2021 | Kids & Family
Galatians 5:14-15 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Living in a home with other sinners day in and day...
by Andrew | Feb 28, 2021 | Kids & Family
There are times when saying no is necessary. A man needs to know those times. As a father, there are times when saying no to things for a season doesn’t necessarily mean saying no to those things forever. It’s more of a ‘maybe just not right now’...
