Parents are busier than ever. In today’s crush of responsibilities and activities, it can be really tempting to allow electronics to “babysit” our kids. Is it harmless – socially, emotionally and spiritually – for children to spend time on electronic devices? As it turns out, all that touching and clicking on bright screens is powerful brain candy. It has an addictive quality. Letting your baby have access to an ipad or allowing your teen to stay up at night on their cell phone has an adverse effect. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain right behind your forehead. It Continue Reading
One Tragic Way we Hinder the Cause of Christ
When I go on vacation and get out in the woods, what I want most is to hear from God. So last month I'm hiking in the Pioneer Mountains of Montana with my husband Scott, asking God to talk to me afresh. As we make our way up the trail, we keep seeing trees with odd, arrow-like shapes cut into the bark. They are trail blazes made to mark the path for those who follow. Trail blazes. Pioneer Mountains. I'm listening, Lord. I reflect on how those who have gone before impact our lives by going places first so that we can get there, too. I think of the heroes in Hebrews chapter 11 Continue Reading
How to Raise a World-Changer
During the Russian and American space race, a communist teacher proudly told her grade school classroom what an atheist astronaut said after his voyage into outer space. "I have been far beyond the earth," said the astronaut, "And I didn't see God anywhere." One seven-year-old girl piped up in response. "He must not have a pure heart," she concluded, "because Jesus said only the pure in heart shall see God." How great would it be if your child could respond to ungodly cultural pressures with such innocence, confidence and profound wisdom! I believe this young girl's parents Continue Reading
One Super Important Thing Christians Rarely do for Each Other
When was the last time you thanked someone for pointing out the sin in your life? Conversely, when was the last time you confronted someone else about theirs? I'm guessing your "Don't judge me!" trigger is going off right about now. This is the message we hear loud and clear every day. We 've come to believe that pointing out each others' wrongdoing is a bad thing. But that all depends on attitude and motive. A person who loves to correct others just to feel better than them is not a healthy person. We should rightly beware of receiving such correction. But not all Continue Reading