Tired after a stressful day at work, my brother Wil walked through the front door to greet his wife and little girl. As Kathy finished dinner preparations, little Rachael’s negative behavior began to escalate. Wil thought about how to deal with this. Should he offer his daughter loving attention? Should he correct her? In a flash of inspiration, he walked over to his wife, put his arms around her, and held her for a long moment. Almost immediately, their little girl settled down. Here's what that incident years ago illustrated: When children know that Mom and Dad are doing Continue Reading
What is it about God that Makes Creation Sing? (It’s not the Reason You’d Guess)
A tow-headed boy named Billy plays on the climbing equipment at the park. His father sits on a bench, watching. Suddenly, Billy screams and falls several feet, landing in a crumpled heap on the ground. The father springs into action, gathers up his bleeding son, and sprints several blocks to the nearest hospital, all the while murmuring comfort to his distraught, injured boy. If you're old enough, you'll recall that scene from the film "Irreconcilable Differences" starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. What a beautiful picture of God it presents -- his mercy, his tenderness, his Continue Reading
How to Teach Your Kids True Generosity This Christmas
You want to teach your daughter generosity and kindness, so you have her pick out a Christmas gift at the store for her little brother. Since she only has five dollars in her piggy bank, you go ahead and pay for the Tonka truck she chooses. Maybe this scenario is not imaginary for you. Maybe all you have to do is change up “boy” or “girl,” and you've been there. I totally get that parents want to instill generosity in their children and nurture love between siblings. After all, Jesus said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” --Acts 20:35 So we encourage our children Continue Reading
Why You Can’t Judge Those Who Judge and Still Please God
“I had a dream last night,” said my friend. “I was black , and I was looking in the mirror, thinking, Oh, if only I could have been born white!” She was talking to me and another friend, who immediately agreed that Caucasians are often jerks toward African Americans, ignorant as we are due to white privilege. Something about that conversation left me feeling guilty and ashamed. My two white friends figured they had a handle on race relations, but I picked up an unspoken message about being “one of those” whites. That conversation took place decades ago. The new Phariseesm is even Continue Reading