Posts Tagged ‘Family’
Family Estrangement
Earlier this year, I read a fascinating autobiography of evangelist, pastor, and educator, Ed Nelson. Published just after Nelson’s death at the advanced age of 98, A Sinner Saved By Grace, catalogued a long, broad, and interesting life.1 One chapter was particularly sad. An adult son asked for a private meeting with Nelson just two…
Read MoreI Love My Unbelieving Husband: How Can I Help Him Believe?
God has used countless women to lead their husbands to Christ. Every wife whose husband is not yet a Christian has every reason to believe that she can be a powerful influence towards his salvation. The Bible gives ladies a clear path for how to encourage their unbelieving husbands most effectively toward Jesus. There is…
Read MoreA Heritage from the Lord
Recently, I came across a fascinating article entitled, “The U.S. Birthrate Has Dropped Again. The Pandemic May Be Accelerating the Decline.” There are a variety of reasons why it’s significant that the birth rate continues to drop. Practically speaking, it will have drastic economic and sociological effects in years to come. But as a pastor,…
Read MoreThe Fruit of the Womb
A few weeks ago, my wife and I welcomed our third daughter, Lucy Virginia, into the world. It was an excruciating yet thrilling experience, and the joy never diminishes with each child. I think it increases. I cannot tell you, though, how many people have asked us, “Is this your first one?” We usually smile…
Read MoreYou Cannot Worship with Your Church, but Don’t Skip Family Worship!
As you know, we truly are living in unprecedented times for society and for the church. Not since the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 have churches in America cancelled services like they are doing now and never has this happened on such a massive scale. Obedience to government, love for neighbor, and wisdom all say…
Read MoreWhy Isn’t My Husband Perfect? (Or at Least Better than Average?)
Many years ago there lived a woman who, you could truly say, had it all. She lived in the most beautiful home in her area. Her husband was the most handsome man in the world, and his job allowed him to spend a great deal of time with her. His income allowed her to have…
Read MoreNeed Family Time? Church Time is Family Time
Christians have idols that we love to hate, at least superficially, like materialism or pride. For some reason these are the idols that are the ones that typically get the “amens” and “that’ll preach” comments when the pastor serves up a message about them. But for some reason, there are certain idols that we just…
Read MoreGiving Priority to Your Spiritual Family
When you choose to follow Jesus, you may find yourself in the middle of a difficult family situation. Unbelieving relatives, especially immediate family members, may place intense pressure on you to withdraw from your faith entirely or to diminish your church involvement and obedience to Christ. If you have experienced this quandary – from your…
Read MoreBeating First World Syndrome
Do your kids ever manifest symptoms of First World Syndrome? Recent generations of young people have been groomed to have a certain sense of entitlement about them. That something is owed them. That they deserve more. An expectation of accolades, convenience, and ease. It is grievous and unkind to cultivate this. Suspect there are some…
Read MoreParenting Resources
This spring, I taught a class on parenting at our church. In preparation for the class, I interacted with a number of different parenting resources. Here are five of the resources I found most helpful. 1. Shepherding a Child’s Heart – Outside of the Bible, this is the best overall book on parenting I have…
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