Giving—it isn’t normal.
Sharing. One of the most important lessons in life. Who doesn’t want a kid who thinks of others? Let’s face it. We’re selfish. We know what we like, and we like what we like. Sometimes we want to keep what [...]
My little kids are afraid of disabled kids.
Sometimes kids are afraid of other kids who are maybe a bit different than they are. That doesn’t mean we should allow them to continue to ignore them. It means that we need to help our kids not just get [...]
“Up North” is my favorite place. Yours?
“Up North.” It really is a place. In Michigan, it’s anywhere NORTH of where you live—usually somewhere in a wooded area or a lake. For me, “Up North” was the family cottage that my grandparents built in 1955 along the [...]
Chores or no chores?
Chores! Yes. Our kids need them. If there’s one thing that irritates me the most, it’s watching a child manipulate their mom or dad out of doing ANY work. How in the world are we going to teach our kids [...]
Does it take a village, or a tribe?
In a tribal situation, sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what kids belong to what adults. Why? Because the entire tribe is taking a role in raising kids. While I was growing up, I spent a good part of my [...]
Are Christians bigots?
I hate being called a bigot. I was recently called that because of my biblically-held belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. But the reality is many Christians ARE bigots, but not like this. Many Christians have [...]
My kids have graduated. Now what?
The ceremonies are over. It’s time now for the next season in life. College, meeting somebody special, marriage, houses, babies. You can’t wait. Um, that might not be THE plan. One thing I’ve learned? All four of my kids are [...]
My daughter just told me she had an abortion.
I can’t imagine a more painful conversation. Knowing that your own flesh and blood aborted your grandchild. There are many ways you can handle this. I love what John Piper at Desiring God says: “Jesus offers forgiveness for women who have aborted [...]
I hope you support the LGBT.
Has your family been labeled bigoted because of your beliefs? While Jesus never outright condemned homosexuality, he did endorse the law of the Old Testament, which DID condemn it. I received an email from someone saying he wouldn’t donate to [...]
I don’t know what to do anymore!
I received a note from a mom who’s struggling. She came to Christ two years after she was married. Her husband hasn’t come to faith, and her kids are being raised with two different sets of values. Hers, which are [...]