Love Equals Time Together
This week our three year old Jacob has been having a difficult time with his daddy being gone so much. Some of the primary ways he has shown his disapproval is by having a negative attitude and being very disrespectful with his mouth. This has taken a toll on his mother. There is a strong connection in Jacob’s mind between time together and love. Earlier this week he asked my wife, “Why is Daddy never home? Does he not love us?” It broke my heart to hear that. I can only imagine how detrimental it is to a child’s psyche …
My wife Stephanie was in Owatonna tonight doing a Tupperware party and her mom graciously offered to watch Andrew (7 months) so it was just Jacob (3), Isabelle (2.5) and I tonight. Here’s rundown of the night with Dad. 4 pm – Jog to the park 4:45 pm – Move on to the next park 5:30 pm – Head off to the Monticello Community Center to go swimming 6:30 pm – Dry off by playing in the MCC play land 7:00 pm – Hang out at the ‘coffee station’ (Caribou Coffee) 7:30 pm – Wander the toy isles of Target …
How to Raise a Pharisee
I am always on the look-out for good advice because most days I have no idea what I am doing when it comes to raising my kids. One thing is sure though: I want them to know and love Jesus Christ. So with that in mind I bring you this… Carey Hardy, Senior Executive Pastor at Grace Community Church, recently gave a seminar at the Shepherds’ Conference on How to Raise a Pharisee, which contains a number of helpful reminders of what not to do as a parent: 1. Majoring on external instead of internal issues 2. Excessive control 3. …
Kids Say Some Funny Stuff
If you would have been in the bathroom with my 3 year old son Jacob and I on Thursday night you would have heard the following conversation take place… Dad: “Jakey, do you know where your poopey comes from?” Jacob (with passion): “From my BUTT!” Dad (both of us laughing): “Yes, you are right. But do you know what makes your poopey? What is it made of?” Jacob (thinking): “Stinky socks?” Dad (both of us laughing): “No, it comes from the food in your stomach. When you eat you get energy and muscles. It is the extra stuff you don’t …
10 Traits of the Man who Dwells on God's Holy Hill
Psalm 15:1 (ESV) asks, O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? The answer to that question is detailed in the rest of the chapter. Here are the 10 things (with some explanation) that Psalm 15 identifies as the traits of the man who dwells on God’s holy hill. He walks blamelessly – there is no questionable behavior in this man, he does what is good and just and merciful, sinful talk and action is far from him Does what is right – in all circumstances this man strives to please God and …
spiritually training our kids
I take the exhortations in the Bible (Deut. 6:6-9; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4) that parents are responsible to train up their children in the ways of the Lord pretty seriously. Because of that I try as often as possible to tell Jacob and Isabelle stories from Scripture. But not just the nice happy ones all the time. We also talk about sin and death and hell. In fact, Jacob and I have a little mantra that we do that goes like this… Me: Jacob, what happens when you die? Jacob: You go into a box. Me: Where do you do …
autism and childhood television watching
A new study from Cornell University suggests that there is a ‘statistically significant relationship’ between autism and early childhood television viewing. Dr. Mohler discusses the study here. We know that television is a powerful medium. The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised parents of children under age 2 not to allow any television exposure. The experience of watching television is passive rather than active. The child’s imagination is not required to provide the images — the screen does that for them. Television does not encourage active thought nor does it develop the attention span. Many researchers suggest that the experience …
porn or breastfeeding, which is the greater societal risk
There is a sickening epidemic spreading across the United States that doesn’t get half the public attention of Bird Flu or Gas Prices. The proliferation of accessible pornography (delivered through multiple mediums such as film, internet, satellite radio, cable), coupled with weakening moral standards and misguided tolerance among the general population, is causing sexual addiction and misbehavior to run rampant. Just take a look at the statistics posted on Family Watchdog, a website that allows you to search for any registered sex offenders who may possibly be living near your children. * 1 of 5 girls will be sexually molested …
watching my boy grow up
A few funny things have happened with Jacob lately as he is growing up. He’ll be three in September and is getting big so fast. – Recently he pulled a chair over to the loft railing and spit down onto the kitchen floor. His mom didn’t think that was funny. – Sunday night he learned to say “Does a bear poop in the woods?” Then, with his diaper off, he asked if he could go outside and pee by a tree. I told him to pee on the driveway fire pit. His mom didn’t think that was funny. – He …
sticking to a healthy spiritual diet
Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Isn’t it the worst when you’re on a diet and someone around is enjoying a food you really love but aren’t supposed to eat? You look at the person’s food and can almost taste the flavors in your mouth. Every fiber of your being desires to walk over and ask for a …
