Be A Yes Mom! {Giveaway!!}

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Heather Patenaude

Join Jill today on Focus on the Family: Embracing the Imperfections of Real-Life Motherhood

By Jill Savage

One summer when my two youngest boys were in grade school, they ran inside and said, “Mom, it’s so hot outside! Can we see if it’s hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk?” The practical side of me started to say no, but I caught myself. Why can’t they try it? Why is my first thought always no? Why can’t I say yes? Is it “wasting” an egg, or simply using it for a different, but just as valuable, purpose?

Continue reading →

Freebie! Caleb and Cassie: Discovering God’s Wonderful Design

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Heather Patenaude

By Erin Davis

One of the things that troubles me about raising kids in the current cultural climate is the trend toward blurring gender lines. In the eyes of the majority, what makes girls girls and boys boys is all up for negotiation. The implications of this shift seem huge in the lives of my children (and their children, and their children…).

But frankly, I’m a little too swamped with bedtimes and temper tantrums to find time to figure out how to instill Biblical gender roles in my sons. I don’t have a clue how to cut the Truths in God’s Word up into pieces small enough for my littles to digest and embrace. Most days I just tell them to go play in the mud and hope that somehow translates into an understanding of who God wants them to be. I recognize that it it’s important to teach my kids about God’s design for who they are, but I need some tools to make it happen.

Continue reading →

Milestones

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Jessica

By Dougetta Nuneviller

With a smile, my son says, mom I got the job. It’s music to any mothers ears to hear the excitement in her child’s voice, knowing he has had some sort of success. It melts your heart, to know they’ve accomplished a giant milestone in their life. It really doesn’t matter if they are two or twenty-two, its the same feeling you get when you know they have succeeded in reaching a goal.

Continue reading →

The Power of Words

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Jessica

By Dougetta Nuneviller

I know growing up I said things I wish I could take back. I know my parents did, too! What if you have children who say hurtful or damaging things to you? The truth is we have all said things that we wish we had the ability to take back, but we don’t. Words are powerful, whether they are intended to hurt or to encourage. It is very important that we guard our mouth and choose our words carefully. Continue reading →

Faith-Based Parenting: Getting Them to God

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Jessica

By Kim Wagner

My husband was only 6 years old when He responded to Christ’s call to salvation. He was a mere boy of 13 when he surrendered to preach the gospel and delivered his first message. It’s hard for me to imagine having a kid-pastor barely 18, but the folks in my husband’s first church loved and respected their teenage pastor. His experience however, is definitely not the norm. Continue reading →

Faith-Based Parenting: Intentionally Winning the Next Generation

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Jessica

By Kim Wagner

My husband and I had a rude awakening when our firstborn was entering her teen years. About that time, a study was released that showed frightening statistics indicating we were losing our kids:

• 69–94 percent of Christian youth forsake their faith after leaving high school.

• An additional 64 percent loss after college graduation.

• 75 percent loss of students from the Assemblies of God churches within one year of high school graduation.

• 88 percent loss of students from churches within the Southern Baptist Convention.

• 94 percent fallout within two years of high school graduation was reported by Josh McDowell Ministries. Continue reading →

Parenting Tips From the Best Buy Guy

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Jessica

By Shannon Popkin

(from www.shannonpopkin.blogspot.com, 01.12.13)

“You’re not going to be happy,” I heard my husband say into the cell phone. He was home, checking whether we had a three-prong or four-prong electric cord for our dryer so I could buy the right replacement. Turns out we had no electric cord at all.

We have a gas dryer. With gas hookups. And a new electric dryer being delivered by Best Buy in the morning. Continue reading →

Faith-Based Parenting: Questions to Ponder

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Jessica

By Kim Wagner

A young mom sent me an e-mail recently and asked if she could pick my brain on how to recognize the difference between “fear motivation” verses “faith motivation” in raising her kids. It’s a great question because I think operating from fear is a common trap for us moms who are trying to parent biblically: Continue reading →

Truth Is Our Fairy Tale Castle

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Jessica

By Erin Davis

Need another reason to take our 2013 Bible Reading Challenge? Here’s one…

Internet, e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook offer us much in the way of connection and information, but we all know they have their downside. Figuring out the pros and cons of the digital age is a different post for a smarter brain than mine, but lately I’ve noticed that one side effect of social media is that I can hear everyone’s opinions loud and clear.

Continue reading →

Resolution: Why We Read the Bible

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Jessica

By Erin Davis

I start the new year the same every time. First, I crash out hours before midnight. Then, I wake up with a fire in my belly in influence those who listen to my voice to resolve that this will be the year they read the Bible more. Continue reading →

Resolution: The Bible Is My Favorite

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Jessica

By Heidi Jo Fulk

There are lots of parents who have a favorite book they have read to their child hoping it will be one of their favorites, too. Maybe “The Velveteen Rabbit” or “Green Eggs and Ham” or “Corduroy.” Those classics are wonderful and fun to pass down to our kids. But making the Bible THE favorite is a little more complex. Continue reading →

Resolution: Sunday School Lessons

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Jessica

By Heather Patenaude

In our house, “Bible time” happens right before bed with our young three sons. It works nicely because they all share a room. Over the years we’ve done different Bible story books. But my favorite night of the week is Sunday night! Continue reading →

Moses and The Preacher Man

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Jessica

By Dougetta Nuneviller

Psalm 119:11 — “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

A long time ago there were two little boys. These boys were brothers who were being brought up in the knowledge of Christ. They went to church every time the doors were open, attended every Sunday school program, sang in the children’s choir and went to all the holiday events.

So, it’s no wonder they had more knowledge of Bible characters than superheroes. This is the true story of my 6- and 3-year-old sons. Continue reading →

Intentional Marriage

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Jessica

By Heather Patenaude

Do you remember the first time you laid eyes on your husband? Do you remember what you wore on the first date? Do you remember your first kiss with him? When is the last time you and your husband talked about the story of your courtship? When is the last time you had a date? Continue reading →

Santa, You’re Getting On My Nerves!

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Jessica

By Erin Davis

“Santa is my God.” These are the words my four-year-old, Eli, sang softly to himself recently after a trip to the mall. I know. Major mom fail! Continue reading →