Parenting From The Source

Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is one of my heroes. Being a stepparent is never easy. It doesn’t help that literature and media portray them in a negative way. What made Joseph such an exceptional stepfather? A Good Stepfather Supports the Natural Father A good stepfather acknowledges and affirms the natural father’s role in [...]

A child’s understanding of Father God is shaped by his relationship with his earthly father. If a single mom or relatives are raising a child, this fact may seem discouraging. In my own circumstance, a caring grandfather stepped in to provide a father figure for my children. They still had a relationship with their father, [...]

I had friends who celebrated their seventy-third wedding anniversary. Listening to them talk about their life together reminded me of the old adage that the best thing a father can do for his children is love their mother. A New Baby Is the Center of Attention When a new baby enters a family, it’s easy [...]

When I asked children or teens in my counseling office, “What would you most like your family to do together?” almost all said, “Laugh.” Laughter. It’s amazing that so many troubled children and teens long for laughter in their homes. Why is that so important? Think about times in your life when you were in [...]

“Dad, how much farther until we get to stop and eat?” “Yeah, Dad, my backpack will be lot lighter after lunch. ‘Course, I guess I’ll still be carrying the food in my stomach. Reckon that’ll feel the same going uphill? “I’m not sure if it feels the same. Personally, I’d rather carry a weight on [...]

In the picture, a family stands on a beach worshipping together. Perhaps seeing the power and glory of God overwhelmed them, and they absolutely had to worship. Nothing else would do in that moment. Some people think that worship only happens in the sanctuary of a church. But, a family can worship together in the [...]

Now why is it that we celebrate Christmas? I thought we were commemorating Christ’s birth. Something seems wrong. Here are some symptoms that Christmas has gone awry:  Black Fridays that turn violent. People seduced by Black Friday frenzies to spend money they don’t have. More emphasis on decorating homes than providing for the homeless.

Once upon a time in a land of Halloween innocence, little ghosts, goblins, and other scary creatures wandered about their neighborhoods seeking candies and fun. For little guys, it could be frightening. For the older kids, it was a great opportunity for a little mischief and a rip-roaring sugar high. Not all Halloween experiences were [...]

The fifth of the Ten Commandments tells how God wants us to relate to our parents: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12. If rank order of the commandments relates to their importance, this commandment ranks above the [...]