by Timothy Paul Jones So what happens when parents do perceive their children as potential or actual brothers and sisters in Christ (see “Remember Who Your Children Really Are”)? The writings of Paul provide some hints. The same apostle who called Timothy to encourage younger believers as Christian brothers and sisters also commanded fathers to...

by Steve Watters Our kids were entertained during a recent visit to their grandparents by a”no” button they had. With each push of the red button, they would hear a variation of “no.” “No, no, no, no!” “Noooo! “No way!” “N-O” “Absolutely not.” “For the last time, no.” It reminds me of a streak I...

by Steve Watters I learned a big chunk of life while riding along in vehicles with my parents. Our blue and brown Pinto station wagon was a rolling classroom of sorts for me and my brothers as our parents drove along the country roads surrounding our hometown in Washington, NC, including the 10 mile stretch...

by Steve Watters Sludge. It’s the sticky, gooey, too-thick-to-walk-through stuff that floats on polluted, oily water. And it’s the word we use to describe much of our lives as parents. It’s what we feel walking through our home at the end of the day, as the house that was clean at 6:00 a.m. now feels...

by Steve Watters It’s too bad the primary context for “family planning” is on spacing or avoiding children altogether, because family planning is an important responsibility for parents — especially at the beginning of a new year. As we’re encouraged to plan the year ahead for our work, spiritual disciplines, and ministry, health, budget and...

by Steve Watters Christmas songs have a way of collecting memories over the years. Held in the vault for all but a limited time of the year, they tend to accumulate memories for better or worse. The first time I noticed this was with the song “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.” That’s the song...