7 Tips for Christian Parenting

In my last blog I looked at the way, despite a similar upbringing, children showed different personality traits and interests. But is it possible for characteristics to be attributed to environment and upbringing? Below are seven things consistent in our parenting and the results. 1. From the time our children were young, my husband and I prayed for them and with them. We prayed for their safety but also for their commitment to Jesus and their spiritual growth. They both made commitments to Christ at an early age and then grew in that faith. To help with this, we read … Continue reading →

Characteristics and Personality Traits in Children.

How much is genetic? How much the way God made them? And how much influence does a parent have on a child’s personality and character traits? These questions have always fascinated me. I started thinking about them again today after reading Lyn’s blog about, what the way a child colors says about them and their schoolwork. When our son was young we had his room filled with myriad soft toys in bright colors and orange pictures or bright cartoon characters on the lemon walls. I was determined not to go for the traditional blue. A colored mobile hung above the … Continue reading →

Parents. . .Don’t Frustrate Your Children

In my last blog, I talked about the importance of my children understanding that their obedience isn’t required by me or my husband, but by God. What I mean by that is that the order of things was set up by God himself. . .not by mom or dad. I think most parents understand the psychology of requiring obedience, consequences, and consistency. All of our pop psychology books are filled with these ideas. Gosh, even the Super Nanny has the naughty chair–a consequence for misbehavior. If you have found yourself struggling to bring your child into obedience, I am going … Continue reading →

Children Obey Your Parents

As someone who regularly deals with children and their families, I often hear the same complaints: “They don’t listen when I tell them to do something.” “I can’t get them to obey.” “I’m doing everything right–disciplining for disobedience, praising for the good–and still I see no progress.” My disclaimer here is that if you are having trouble with your child–these couple of blogs won’t fix your problems. But I recently went to a parenting seminar and I want to pass along some things that were shared that struck home with me. Ephesians 6:1 “Children obey your parents. . .” One … Continue reading →

Folly and Fidelity

Sometimes we don’t see what is staring us right in the face. We may need to listen to the wisdom and counsel of others who are older and wiser, Proverbs 5:1. How carefully do we listen to those who have wisdom and insight? Proverbs 5:13. On the other hand, when we have experience and wisdom in a certain problem or situation, do we share that wisdom with others, so they may benefit from what we have learned? The trouble is even those with wisdom may not be right in every case, so how do we know where to turn? We … Continue reading →

What Are You Teaching Your Children?

Children can be cruel, especially to anyone who is different. I’m sure we all remember children from school that were bullied and picked on because they were different. Maybe some of us were even one of these children, subjected go torment and ridicule by others. Or maybe we were one of those who joined with the crowd in teasing the child who was perceived as different. As parents we need to teach our children what is acceptable behavior and what is not, e.g. many parents have to deal with a child who bites other children or hits them or kicks … Continue reading →

Parenting and the word ‘No’

In my last blog we looked at the responsibility of parents. Today we will see the difference between a person who is not used to hearing the word, ‘NO.’ and the one who has learned obedience. In Old Testament times a barren women was told she would have a child Judges 13:2-3. He was to be a ‘Nazirite to God from the womb,’ verse 5. As God said, the woman gave birth to a son who was named Samson, Judges 13:24. It’s not too far fetched to suggest that after thinking they would never have a son, and then being … Continue reading →

What Value Do You Put On Family?

How much time do you spend with your family? Is it more than three minutes a day, one to one? Karen Kingsbury in the after word of her novel ‘Family’ which is part of the Firstborn series, claims ‘national statistics say that most parents spend only three minutes each day having one-on-one time with their kids.’ As I read that sentence I found it hard to believe, perhaps because family has always been important to me. My husband and I made the decision early in our marriage that we would rather have a less spacious house in a less affluent … Continue reading →

Who is Responsible?

Children’s ministry – is it the responsibility of the church or the parents? When we consult God’s word on the matter, parents are told to ‘train up a child in the way he should go’ Proverbs 22:6. The Israelites were told to teach their children about God and His laws. ‘You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up,’ Deuteronomy 11:19 NASB. Surely this command applies equally to God’s people today. In other words every part … Continue reading →

Reaching Our Youth: Middle Schoolers

Passing through the doors to where the middle school youth meet during church I saw girls laughing with one another, boys playing the interactive Nintendo Wii; to the right was like a little café where Italian sodas and perhaps even coffee could be purchased to raise money for the youth. The youth had what seemed to be an elaborate sound system and crew, 3 huge screens for videos or viewing the words to worship music. There was no shortage of places to make myself comfortable: barstool seats at a café style table, a gigantic beanbag to lounge on or, what … Continue reading →