WHAT I’M READING: Ten Proposed Commandments for Christian Parenting — #4 is the one that’s most difficult for me. What about you? A Letter to the Sister in Christ Who Aborted Her Child(ren) Can We Kill Human Beings if They Are Not Persons? On Planned Parenthood, Ashley Madison, and Shame— What happens in a culture where sexuality…
July Mailbag: Conceived Before Marriage? Knowing God’s Will? Potty Training?
On the last day of each month, I take some of the Q&As that have happened in e-mails, private messages, and interactions with readers/friends, and anonymously share them here, with you all. CAN I CORRECT A CHILD WHEN I STRUGGLE WITH THE SAME THING? Q: I’ve wondered whether you have any experience in your yelling being passed on to your…
Your Kids Should See You Cry About These 3 Things
Sometimes we cry over personal pain or frustration. Sometimes over relational distress. Sometimes over an unexpectedly hard day. Sometimes my tears are understandable and justified. Sometimes I’ve cried selfish tears, or over dumb stuff. But there is some of my crying that my kids have seen that (I’m convinced) does good for their souls… It rises up…
What I’m Reading, Thinking, Doing – 7/25/15
Done this last month: Culled our library, pulling out books for a garage sale, and for some upcoming giveaways. Worked with a young friend to clean out and organize my craft closet. Finished a writing job. I’m so thankful to be able to work on Bible studies as a side job for extra income. Did a week-long…
What Should A Young Man Be?
To the young lady, looking at a young man, as a potential husband: When you consider what you’d like in a young man, be honest… what ranks up there? Good looks? Nice eyes? Enjoyable sense of humor? Taller than you? Fun to talk to? Heck, I remember looking for those things (and getting them 🙂 I…
It Takes Courage to Submit
“It takes incredible amount of courage and strength to go against the grain of what people want you to be.” ~Janet Mock, trans advocate, in a documentary about Bruce Jenner’s recent ESPN award No it doesn’t. It doesn’t take strength at all to go your own way. That is what comes naturally. This is the human…
It’s GOOD When Kids Learn “It’s Not All About Me”
Five-month-old Luke is crawling now… or at least scooting very purposefully. And with every scoot, we get inches closer to a collision with two-year-old Theo’s self-orientation. Theo, our funny, introverted, snuggly, more-than-a-little-bit-opinionated boy has had two and a half years’ “reign” on the throne. By that I mean, more often than not, things go his way. Or he…
Mama, Are You Willing to Do the Hard, Loving Thing?
When faced with the hard things, we often want to avoid them, and excuse ourselves. Let’s talk about two places where Paul did the hard, loving thing (toward the Corinthians): 1 Cor 2:1-5 — Power of God v. persuasion through human will Paul was willing to purposefully forgo the use of his skills and talents in order…
Are You Believing This Lie About Love?
“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:11-12) Driving down the highway, I voiced my frustrations to the Lord about a friend. I listed out criticisms and hurts,…
11 Things I’ve Learned About Being a Pastor’s Wife
I’ve been a Pastor’s wife for three and a half years. The first two of those years, my husband was an administrative pastor, which was a very different thing from the counseling and discipleship pastoral role he has now. It’s not been very long, really, but it’s been long enough to have learned a few things and made…