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This post was originally posted at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  I wanted to share it since my daughter's birthday was last week. The month of March brings back many memories including the birth of my oldest daughter, Mackenzie. At 32 weeks, Bethany (my wife) began having contractions. The doctor was able to get the contractions stopped and immediately put her on bed rest. Since our first child Mitchell was 2 and would not be helpful to a mom on bed rest, he left for Kansas (we lived in Colorado) for the rest of the pregnancy. Bed rest went well for the next 3 weeks, but after an appointment, Bethany was released for limited activity. Since we were not ready at all for this baby, we needed to do some necessary errands. Following this day of errands, Bethany began having contractions again. This time the doctors could not get labor stopped. Mackenzie was born via C-section at 35 weeks. Immediately after birth she was taken to the NICU where she spent the nex...

I had the privilege to be quoted in a recent book written by Lori Wildenberg entitled, The Messy Life of Parenting. So, I received an advance copy to preview and review.  So, I finally finished it and would like to recommend it to you. Why do I recommend this book? It's simple premise is that all of us mess up as parents.  Lori is honest to share her struggles and the difficulties she has faced as a parent.  This refreshing focus allows parents to hear the truth from the book without feeling like a failure. It reminds us that our children will make mistakes and how we can point them to Jesus and help them navigate their own struggles.  I loved her statement when a child makes a mess literally and metaphorically, "That's OK. Everybody spills. I'll help you clean it up," send the underlying message of grace and truth" Lori starts with relationship before rules as evidenced by the opening chapters of the book. She starts with God's love for us and th...

It’s that time of year when the spooky takes over. We, as Americans, like to be scared based on the number of haunted houses around. Or notice the number of movies or TV shows out now that seek to freak us out or get us to scream. Churches have responded to this phenomenon by offering alternatives such as Trunk or Treat, Harvest Festivals, and the popular Judgment House This post which was originally published at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting in October 2016  is not a critique if you decide to attend a Judgment House. I attended a Judgment House while we lived in Colorado but have not attended one where I currently live in Kansas. They are scripted well, have talented actors and actresses, elaborate sets, and are backed with results. However, over the years, I have become more critical of them. Here are my thoughts: Fear should not be a motivation for salvation . Has the fear of hell forced a decision? Proponents of Judgment House will say look at all of these people w...

This post originally appeared at www.1corinthians13parenting.com/blog on November 5, 2014.   As I watch the news and listen to people’s opinions about what is wrong in the world, I can become discouraged. Part of my discouragement comes when I see us dealing with symptoms rather than the root. What do I mean? An example is bullying. This is a real problem. However, will bringing awareness, making posters, role playing, wearing a specific color, or banners on Facebook bring an end to bullying? Maybe. I think we are focusing on the symptom rather than the root. How can parents help our kids get to the root? At Hesston MB where I am a pastor, we have a banner that describes the process of discipleship. This process we discovered by reading DiscipleShift by Jim Putman & Bobby William Harrington 1 . They write, “We see that a disciple is a person who 1. Is following Christ (head), 2. Is being changed by Christ (heart), 3. Is committed to the mission of Christ (hands)....

This post originally appeared at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.   I don’t know who originally coined the phrase above. But I like it. The picture attached to this blog post is my youngest daughter, Molly, and me. When she was younger (she is almost 10 now), every time we came near flowers in our yard or at our local arboretum, we would stop to smell the flowers. Why all the talk about flowers?  As individuals, spouses, parents, grandparents, we all need perspective . So often we are so busy living our lives that we lose perspective. I discovered that I asked a lot of questions while on sabbatical that I don’t know that I would have asked if I would not have had the break. It reminds me of Isaiah 55:8-9 which says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.    For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”   God knows what ...

This post originally appeared at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting. Man Up!? Have you heard this phrase before? It is often used in conferences to get guys to “man up”. It is used as a catchy slogan for men’s ministry events. Pastors use it to motivate the guys in their congregations to grow up. I hate it!   Why? Because how we are told to “man up” is based on a particular understanding of what it means to be a man.  This often includes eating a lot of meat, bashing cars, shooting things, etc. Also, the motivation is often focused on externals not the heart. What is a man?  Besides the physical characteristics, what qualities make up a man? For many it is strength. What if you are a skinny guy with pea-sized biceps? For others it is leadership. What if you did not have a father (either physically absent or emotionally absent) help you learn how to lead? For others it is doing guy things like eating lots of meat, drinking beer, shooting things, bashing cars, ...

The following blog post was originally posted at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  Even though it was posted over a year ago, I still feel the same as I did when I wrote the post. We are #HesstonStrong. I have lived in Hesston, KS for over 7 years. As we considered moving to Hesston, Bethany and I fell in love with the community. A small town of 3,700 people which has great schools, businesses, churches, parks, and families. Hesston is an amazing place to live.   And then on February 25 th , a shooter at Excel Industries put this community in the spotlight. The media, law enforcement, and emergency medical professionals rushed into the quiet town of Hesston which was anything but peaceful that Thursday evening. As I, and many of you, watched the news coverage, I could not believe that what I was seeing on TV was happening less than a mile from my house. It happened across the street from where my kids go to school. People I go to church with and I play basketball with ...

This post was originally posted at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  I wanted to share it since my daughter's birthday was last week. The month of March brings back many memories including the birth of my oldest daughter, Mackenzie.   At 32 weeks, Bethany (my wife) began having contractions. The doctor was able to get the contractions stopped and immediately put her on bed rest. Since our first child Mitchell was 2 and would not be helpful to a mom on bed rest, he left for Kansas (we lived in Colorado) for the rest of the pregnancy. Bed rest went well for the next 3 weeks, but after an appointment, Bethany was released for limited activity. Since we were not ready at all for this baby, we needed to do some necessary errands. Following this day of errands, Bethany began having contractions again. This time the doctors could not get labor stopped. Mackenzie was born via C-section at 35 weeks. Immediately after birth she was taken to the NICU where she spent the next tw...

Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  I am talking about technology and how to use it to "build up" your kids.  Check the post out here

Today I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  I am writing about what a broken pinkie reminded me.  Check it out  here

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter. Recognizing how much you’ve been loved produces a love that you couldn’t manufacture. @rjgrune It's not that Christ magically appears in every passage but he never disappears from the greater context from which that passage is offered @ByronYawn Just one reason Christmas is such a big deal: every other religion says God is "out there." Christmas says that God has come right here. @mattpopovits Two Words for 2017: Law and Gospel @1C13P @BeckyDanielson1 @LoriWildenberg I am fully known yet deeply loved, warmly welcomed, completely forgiven, and eternally adopted through Christ's work alone. @elysefitz  

Today, I am posting over at the 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting blog.  Many people have resolutions in the New Year.  I have chosen instead to pick a word for the year and learn more about that word.  My post includes two words that I think are important for everyone but especially parents as we begin the new year.  Go here to read more.

Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  Head over  here to see my thoughts on being thankful. 

Today over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting, I am sharing thoughts about Judgment House.  Many disagree with me on this topic, but I think it important to think critically about what it teaches people about who God is.  Checkmy thoughts out here

Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting on the seasons we go through as parents.  Check out my thoughts here

This post was originally published at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting in August 2014. School Bells Are Ringing Dads, in what ways can you volunteer at your child’s school? I have thoroughly enjoyed opportunities at my kids’ schools.   Several reasons to consider volunteering: your kids love seeing you there, getting to know the teachers/staff better, knowing classmates and friends of your son/daughter, help needed with students because of budget cutbacks, and the joy you receive when serving. Ways that you can serve at your local schools: ·          Mentoring-For the past 5 years, I have emailed the teachers in the grade my child is in and asked if they need any help with reading or math.   They have not turned me down.   I give 30 minutes each week helping a classroom teacher.   Our teachers are doing a great job and a little extra help from caring adults goes a long way. ·       ...

Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  My topic for this month is 3 Back To School truths we can share with our kids.  Check it out here

This is a now a regular feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts and this usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth. Jesus, who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it. Take heart! @scottsauls "I'm not right w God because the HS is in me. The HS is in me because I am right w God by grace through faith." @RScottClark via @Byronyawn know our love for God flows from a response to the love that God has freely given & reconciliation we have w/Him thru Christ @mockingbirdnyc Is #church a safe place? @JL_Martin @1C13P We realize that our righteousness is found in Christ alone. @JL_Martin

Today I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  Check it out here I am writing about how the gospel impacts the church.  Read more about what a safe church looks like.

This is a new feature on the blog.  Usually on Mondays, I get caught up on my favorite podcasts.  This usually results in a lot of tweeting on that day.  However, if you are at work and not checking Twitter during that time, you might miss some of the great truth being shared by others.  So, I am sharing some of best tweets from the previous week which include great wisdom and truth.                            When a sinner is justified, two things happen: 1. God does not count his sin against him 2. God imputes to him the righteousness of Christ @dornanm The Bible is not primarily concerned with a quest for personal meaning & fulfillment. It's a story about God, who is so good he cares for us @MichaelHorton_ the function of the law was to fix your eyes on yourself...the function of the gospel is to fix your eyes on Je...