It’s a badge of honor for some, and an explanation for others. This powerful phrase, “strong-willed,” has been treated as a fact since it was popularized by Dr. Dobson in 1978 in his book, “The Strong-Willed Child.” In that book, parents were told that children who struggle in certain ways are strong-willed. This was a …
Do you sometimes feel the urge to escape your role as a mother? I hate to admit that sometimes, I do. I fiercely love my children; they are the most precious people in the world to me. They are my everything. They bring me more happiness than I ever imagined possible, and I cherish our …
Like all Christians, I am learning more and more about the Christian dichotomy as I live this life. On the one hand, we rest confidently in Christ’s provision for us and acknowledge that unless he builds the house, the workman labors in vain. But on the other hand, we have to work hard at what …
We’re moving in about a month. We only just found out last week. To say it’s been stressful and frantic around here, is an understatement. I took my kids to Lowe’s to get paint and supplies because we’re doing all sorts of work on the house. I took the front of a kitchen cabinet to …
The following was written by my 13-year-old in her spare time. After reading such books as “Lutheran Worship, History & Practice”, “Where Christ is Present”, “The Christian Liturgy”, and Luther Reed’s book, “The Lutheran Liturgy”, she became very passionate about the historic liturgy and hymnody of the Church. This article was originally published by Issues, Etc. …
What a Teenager Thinks of the Battle Hymns within the Church Read More »
Alcohol—what a word. It can conjure up so many images in the mind. For some people, the word “alcohol” is associated with relaxation, euphoria, excitement, peace, and joy… For others, it brings up images of dissociation, outbursts of anger, mood swings, depression, anxiety, poor choices, and, worst of all, that terrible grip of control that …
Christian Parents and Alcohol: How Should We Approach this Topic? Read More »
There is a lot of pressure on parents of homeschooled children to find friends for their kids. The pressure comes from within and from without. I’ve had my share of well-meaning but misguided people inquiring, upon meeting us, how my children find friends. This is a common experience for most homeschool families, and it is …
Let’s be honest: raising kids is extremely challenging and doesn’t necessarily bring parents of young children closer together. It’s arguably one of the most stressful, endless jobs imaginable, and it doesn’t take much experience to see that it can sour a marriage. Why is that? Because kids are inherently self-centered, needy, and complex, just like …
It’s an increasingly common trend: children’s stories in which the hero is the villain, and evil isn’t really evil but simply a misunderstanding of circumstances. Kids are now growing up with stories that depict a world where the battle between good and evil doesn’t exist, and moral absolutes are seen as fantastical as the fairy …
Have you ever been plagued by your parenting failures? If you’re a Christian, you understand the singular, heavy weight of the guilt that I am talking about. You’ve likely had many nights where you tossed and turned, as thoughts of the past day, weeks, months, or years haunt you on replay. You recall times when …
The Guilt We Carry: Navigating the Challenges of Being a Christian Parent Read More »
We know about it, we’ve heard about it, and some seem saddened by it. What’s going on with the growing number of Christians engaging in premarital sex? A whopping 70% of Americans cohabitate before marriage in the United States[1], and the stats on sexual relations before marriage are far more shocking. A study done in …
Ignoring the Licentious Elephant in the Church: Congregants Engaging in Premarital Sex Read More »
Hilary Clinton’s book “It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us,” was published in 1995. In this book, Clinton introduced the powerful idea into mainstream conversation that parents were not solely responsible for raising their children. She argued that the upbringing of children was the duty of everyone around them: grandparents, teachers, neighbors, …
You can be equal in worth to someone without being the same as them. This happens all the time, in ways we don’t even notice, and we accept it as a normal part of life. But for some reason, people take issue with the idea the moment they hear Christians talk about it. The clear …
Pornography is one of the darkest, most widespread toxins available on the market today. It has been compared to cocaine for its effects on the brain, flooding the reward system with dopamine, causing an overwhelming feeling of being high. The resulting addiction has led to the destruction of countless marriages. There is a profound sense …
It all comes down to control. We desperately crave control on a fundamental level, and this desire manifests itself in innumerable ways. We want things on our terms, in our timing, and we are sure that we know how things will turn out. We think we can see the future with great clarity—that’s why we must wrestle and …
Temptation for Control: IVF, Sex, and the Ideal Family Size Read More »
Parents today need spinal implants immediately. This applies to both men and women, although women do seem more susceptible to the spinal disease than men. Our society is overflowing with cowardly, fragile Christian parents who are more afraid than anything else of making decisions that differ from those around them. They are meant to be …
“Fight the good fight of faith.”[1] Paul wrote this command to Timothy over 2,000 years ago. His admonition, however, was not just for Timothy—it was also for you. Are you aware of the battle raging all around you? Are you aware of the war you are fighting and who is going after your children? There is a …
In America, we have had a tremendous amount of freedom. We have never experienced widespread persecution for our faith. We live in relative ease compared to the rest of the world, and we count ourselves blessed for it. As the years have gone by, we have seen concerning signs that America is headed away from …
Praying for Persecution: the Chinese vs American Christians Read More »
We’ve all met people over the years who are believers but don’t attend church. They feel that the churches around them have failed them. They believe they have no options and that their only choice is to be a loner Christian. They would go to church, but one of ten common problems stands in their …
10 Mistakes Christians Make When Choosing a Church. Here’s What They Should Do Instead. Read More »
The last several generations of children have been raised on a heavy diet of Disney movies. When my parents were young, the films were Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. When I was little, it was the era of Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. I remember seeing the teeny-tiny waists of the women, noticing they …
We’re all aware of how feminized our culture has become. Men are disrespected at every turn. They are marginalized, mocked, and criticized. You see this in the media, movies, sitcoms, comedy sketches, and everyday conversations. They are constantly being accused of wronging women in one way or another, whether through their careers, income, family life, …
Preschoolers—the three to five-year-olds in the church, still babylike in some ways and yet growing up in others. A mysterious group of seemingly boundless energy, inquisitiveness, enthusiasm, and emotion, with the overarching trait that looms above it all: stupidity. At least, that’s the impression you’d receive if you wandered into any of the countless preschool …
The Unreachable Underlings in the Church: Preschoolers Read More »
These days in America, it’s quite common to hear people say they won’t give their kids much for Christmas. You can’t really blame them. Consumerism is a major issue, and parents don’t want spoiled children. Plus, many parents are tired of the financial strain of the holidays, and this approach helps ease that pressure. Consequently, …
Until recently, I was unaware of the history of women covering their heads in the Christian church. In 1 Corinthians 11, St. Paul writes the following: “I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. But I want you to realize that the head of …
Want to know why many Christians have stopped going to church? They don’t understand the Law and Gospel.
We’re going to start right out of the gate with Scripture since it is through Scripture that we have a lamp to our feet and light to our path. God’s Word is how we know and understand His desire for us. If we make decisions without God’s Word, or in opposition to it, we are …
What About Halloween? Answering the Question Every Christian Asks Read More »
Homeschooling is a gift our nation has squandered for decades now. In many countries, parents cannot control their children’s education like we can here in America. In some countries, homeschooling is illegal; in others, it is heavily restricted. Millions of parents worldwide are forced to send their children to be educated by the state. They …
You Know that Branch You’re Sitting On, Homeschoolers? Stop Cutting It Off! Read More »
Pickiness in childhood is common nowadays. In fact, it’s rare to come across a family where the kids aren’t picky. It has become a widely accepted part of raising children. It’s even amusing to many parents. ‘It’s so funny, I made a beautiful homemade meal the other night, and little Johnny refused to eat it. …
Parenting Pickiness: Why It Isn’t “Just a Stage” Read More »
Over the years, as our young family moved around the country, we attended a number of churches and visited just as many Sunday schools. In our denomination (Lutheran), these classes were typically led by enthusiastic, kind women of the church with minimal supervision or direction from the pastors. The pastors understandably spent their time in …
Having a baby should transform your life. It should radically shift your priorities. Your daily routine should completely change, and you should find yourself dedicating your time and energy to a new and meaningful pursuit, namely, raising your child. This is not just “a new chapter” in your life, like a continuation of the same storyline centered around you …
Parenting that Doesn’t Change Your Life Isn’t Godly Parenting Read More »
[First published in The Federalist.] Assassinated because of his Christian beliefs, which underpinned his political ones, Charlie Kirk was known for his engagement in religious and political debates across the country. He went onto countless college campuses and put himself in uncomfortable and risky situations because of his great love for other people and his …
Charlie Kirk’s Legacy Shows The Need For Bold, Muscular, Unflinching Christianity Read More »
A new study from NBC News shows that Generation Z (ages 18-29) places marriage and children low on their list of priorities in life. The top priority for women is having a fulfilling career, followed closely by having enough money to do what they want, and third is achieving financial independence. Further down the list, “having children” is …
Tolerance and acceptance are not the same thing. Tolerance of someone’s belief means that, despite disagreeing with them, you believe that person should not be killed or jailed for their beliefs. You do not wish them ill, in other words. You tolerate them. Acceptance of someone’s beliefs, on the other hand, means that you agree with them. …
This week was disturbing for so many people. Charlie Kirk, a man long admired for his Christian faith, intelligence, and willingness to debate college students on campuses across the country, was brutally murdered in front of hundreds of people. Much has already been said across various social media platforms, in local churches, and across our …
The Real Lesson from Charlie Kirk Isn’t Peace or Freedom of Speech Read More »
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Your hearts are in the right place. You want to reach families and children. The ideas and activities you work so hard to produce and the time you sacrifice are all signs of your desire to promote the spiritual growth of the youngsters around you. This is a noble …
I am not writing about physical or socioeconomic differences here. I am speaking of personality differences. The answer seems like a simple “yes,” but reality proves we don’t always practice what we preach as Christians. We may say we embrace people’s differences, and we may talk about us all being members of the body of …
Do We Have Room for Differences in the Body of Christ? Read More »
As school begins across the country, many parents are worried about their children’s exposure to anti-racist propaganda, discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in the classrooms, positive portrayals of abortion, sexualized classroom literature, and anti-American rhetoric. Although the Trump administration has been seeking to mitigate some of these destructive aspects of the American educational system, there are certain limitations …
To the Parents of Public School Children: What Can You Do? Read More »
Modern parenting is imploding the Christian family unit.
For years, I believed that being joyful as a Christian meant acting like everything was going perfectly in my life and that I was feeling a specific emotion—namely, that I was lighthearted and happy. I thought it involved smiling and talking about positive things. The Christian women around me seemed to exhibit this kind of …
A wise and seasoned pastor once told my husband that he should focus on quantity time with his family, not on quality time. Many people try to build their relationships and draw closer to others through special activities, but he said the best way to build a relationship is simply by spending time with the person. For some reason, …
Human beings tend to find a sense of purpose and satisfaction in being capable and helpful. Children thrive when they are contributing members of the family. God created us to live in community with one another, helping and serving each other. That’s why doing so provides a sense of purpose, satisfaction, and belonging. Below are …
We’ve all heard it a million times before. You see two boys in a fit of rage, clawing or punching each other, both crying and hating one another, and their parents casually respond with a laugh, saying, “Boys will be boys, you know!” Or perhaps you get together with a few families and watch as …
Theology is a term that carries certain weight with it. Scholars and theologians often use it, but the average layperson would prefer to avoid it. It can feel like a daunting subject, and one we are just not up to the task of tackling. If it is intimidating to the average layperson, then it is …
Theology Matters to Your Child (and Isn’t Above Them) Read More »
A baby screams. A child cries. A mother leans down, and a faint whispering is audible. She stands up and walks hurriedly out towards the back of the church, holding a heavy baby on her hip, her head hanging as if she is in shame, as she drags a disruptive toddler out the door with …
The Bible is the best and primary parenting book. Knowing what God says about parenting and building on that foundation is essential for Christian parents. Nothing that contradicts God’s Word must be allowed a space in our lives. There is an idea out there that the Bible does not speak about parenting and that we …
Discouragement. A word many moms are all too familiar with. The devil comes and softly whispers in the ear: “What are you making of your life? What are you really accomplishing?” He often finds a special foothold with this line of questioning in the heart of stay-at-home mothers in particular. The mundane seems to be …
We are in Lent, and the historic disciplines of the Christian church are being practiced and encouraged all over the world. Fasting and almsgiving, prayer and meditation are all part and parcel of this blessed holy season and have been for nearly two thousand years. We experience a period of thoughtful contrition during Lent. Sermons …
From Dirty Word to Divine Wisdom: How “Discipline” Is Transformed by Redeeming Grace Read More »
The mental health and spiritual warfare challenges facing those who of us who live in noise.
Why are young adults leaving the church? The answer may be closer to your home than you think.
Where and how a child spends their time is more powerful than what their parent says.
I was listening to Candace Owens recently and she asked a really interesting question: “Are women in American society, worthy?” She was asking specifically if women are worthy of respect and honor. I think the question is a good one to unpack, especially as someone raising young women. On the one hand we’re all worthy …
I’m on board with the Target boycott. I remember the first time I realized Target was Woke. I was living in upstate New York and I walked into our local Target to see a gigantic picture of a transgender man above the women’s section. I stopped shopping there almost completely after that—and made exceptions for …
Why I Think the Target Boycott Matters to Christian Parents Read More »
My story begins this past weekend when I was grocery shopping in Walmart with my 5 kids. My husband had to work all weekend so I had “the troop” (as we call them) by myself. I was in the produce section, nearing the end of the trip, when my 7-year-old suddenly needed to use the …
What I Learned by Walking Into the Men’s Restroom at Walmart Read More »
Let us start a new wave of the future for Christian families. A wave that prioritizes teaching our children to follow the Lord every single day, and thereby to care deeply about what they see with their eyes and do with their time.
“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” (G.K. Chesterton). We don’t focus on hating evil but on loving good, as Christian parents. We love our children so much we will teach them how to fight the good fight of Faith. We will teach them to love the Lord and truth. It’s our most important job yet.
Why do Christians feel the need to pretend to be dumb about what sin is? The ever-popular “I can’t judge” has been misapplied for far too long.
Children’s hearts are precious. The important job of raising them is analogous to gardening. I explain why here.
I’m sharing what we do day-to-day and why we’ve chosen a classical education curriculum for our kids.
Why are so many kids getting sucked into the Wokeism black hole? What can we do about it?
“Socialize your children.” It is arguably the most often used phrase regarding parenting today. We’ve seen the results though, and we aren’t blindly accepting the narrative anymore.
What is “the nudge”? I talk about “the nudge” a lot with my kids. I try to encourage them to listen to it. It’s the urge we all have at various times to do something good, or to not do something wrong. Some people call it the conscience. It is an underlying, pressing feeling we …
Children who are being raised like animals: unguided, untaught, undisciplined, wild and totally unhappy. The results of modern “parenting”.
Stanford University’s scream fest and why we need children who are raised up to be different from the majority.
Here is a detailed list of helpful hints for teaching children to read.
Sharing our family’s unexpected homeschool journey and how we got where we are today.
