daddy4ms

Some of you may know that I serve part-time as social media coordinator for USMB conference.  One of the things I have done on their social media is share Bible verses with images that tie in with the words.  I decided to start sharing them weekly here on the blog. I hope you grow in your understanding of who God is from these verses.

Tonight at Hesston MB (610 W. Randall) from 6:30-7:30 p.m., I will be leading an Equip Me Class on Preparing for Adolescence.  This workshop is geared to parents of Middle Schoolers (5th-8th grade).  It will include helpful information to talk about this challenging subject with your son or daughter.   Each family will also go home with a free book to help in this conversation.  This is open to the public.  I hope to see you there!

For the rest of 2018, I will be sharing books I recommend because they are some of my favorites.  New Book Friday will resume in January. Enjoy!

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...

I am presenting a workshop this week at the National MB Convention in Salt Lake City.  One of the books I am recommending is one that has been on my shelf, but I had not read.  I have started reading through it in preparation for my workshop, "Pass It On! Discipling Children"  Here is the book I am reading by Paul David Tripp:

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

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

Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting on the topic of gospel parenting.  Parenting is hard and many of us feel guilt or shame for how well we are doing as parents.  Check out my thoughts here

Today, I am posting over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  You can read it here   My topic for this month is how the gospel impacts our marriage.  Be encouraged--I am not giving you any steps or tips to be a better wife or husband.  Check out instead where I point you.

If you have been a regular follower of the blog, you know I have been struggling to finish a book on parenting.  I have tried to put into words why I have a love/hate relationship with the book.  I think my best explanation would be that I believe the author mixes the law and gospel.  It was very difficult for me because Farley gets the gospel right, but then the law is explained and it seems the line between law and gospel is blurred.  Other books on parenting have been full of law and no gospel.  Others explain the gospel in away I would disagree.  This book's explanation of the gospel I agree with, but struggle with the mixing of law/gospel in application. Here are a few quotes from the final chapters of the book: She rejoiced that Jesus had died in her place, that he had borne the Father's wrath in her stead...It moved the truth of God's love from her head to her heart. She saw and felt the Father's affection in a new way. Behind almost every child'...

Today I am posting at http://www.1corinthians13parenting.com/blog/  Check out my thoughts on the gospel.  I am looking forward to future posts on how the gospel affects marriage, parenting, and the church. 

I finished Counsel From the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick last week. I highly recommend this to everyone and especially to pastors, counselors, and teachers. Here are some quotes from 2 of the last chapters (more quotes from final chapter in a later post): we learn not only that our thoughts should linger on the gospel, but also that doing so will change our attitude and mood. For every one look that they take at their sin, they need to take ten looks at God's love for them in Christ. From the gospel we learn who we are and how God sees us. His love for us is to have a powerful effect on our love for others, and it is the only thing that will motivate us to love as we have been called to. The problem with a large majority of these books (Christian parenting or marriage books), however is that they have pointed out the obligations of the gospel without first rehearsing the declarations of the gospel. but gospel-oriented parents give the law to show children their need...

As I have continued to read Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley, I have struggled.  Chapter 3 was difficult.  I would probably not recommend this book to parents because of this chapter.  Chapters 4-5 seemed to help a little, but something is missing.  I am going to finish the book, but won't recommend it to others.  His understanding of fear, holiness, and grace are much different from mine and more importantly my understanding of the Bible.  With that said, I believe fear, holiness, and grace are biblical.  However, I would see a different definition in Scripture than Farley. These chapters heap condemnation on parents if they don't measure up.  But then he says something that makes me question my strong feelings.  This book has confused me more than any other book I have read because of how it mixes law and gospel.  Most books I disagree with are heavy on law and moralism only.  This one blends law and gospel which makes...

Today I am writing over at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  My topic is why I don't make New Year's resolutions and instead reminding all of us who we are in Christ as we begin 2016.  Check it out here

In December, I started reading Gospel-Powered Parenting by William P. Farley.  Here are a few quotes from the first few chapters: I am convinced that the gospel is sufficient to answer all our parenting questions. The gospel is the incarnation of God's Son, his sinless life, his substitutionary death, his bodily resurrection, and his ascension into heaven, from which he will someday return to the earth in glory. But the cross is the heart and soul of the gospel. As do all parents, we have learned from God's gracious discipline that we are absolutely dependent on God's Spirit to complete the parenting process...It is God's job to bring results! this book will assume that effective parents equip their children to overcome the world--not by changing and controlling their environment (things external to their children), but by going after their children's hearts. We change their hearts by teaching the gospel, modeling the gospel, and centering our homes on the ...

While I was on sabbatical, I also took a break from writing for 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  I am back posting again today here .  I am writing about perspective and it includes an adorable picture on my daughter, Molly.  Check it out!