Encouragement for homeschool parents
Hear from our executive director Kirk as he shares reflections on faith, character, and discipling children at home
The Consolation of Israel and the World
He had been waiting for several years. Although he was considered a devout and just man, history suggests that he was not in the inner circles of the religious Jewish leaders. In his quiet times before God, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die until he saw the consolation of Israel, a hope that would never…
Generosity as a Mindset
Well-meaning people often look at those who have wealth and then fantasize how generous they will be when their own ship comes in. What they fail to understand is that generosity is not the result of a big paycheck or a large bank account, but rather the result of a proper mindset that flows out of the scriptures. The widow…
The Heavenly Example of Earthly Generosity
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45 In reading various blogs from leadership…
Right Song Wrong Side
Their moment in the sun was short-lived. A few days earlier they were slaves in the land of Egypt, toiling under the hot sun with no purpose but to serve the whims and wishes of the Pharaoh. Ten plagues later they were miraculously set free to return to their homeland that had been promised to their forefather, Abraham, over five…
The Danger of Ingratitude
nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. –1 Corinthians 10:10 Paul said that the happenings of the Old Testament were given as an example for us in the New Testament Covenant, so we might learn from their instruction. (1 Cor. 10:11) So what can we learn about the wilderness journey? God says what He…
Using the Calendar to our Advantage
While I try to always be moved by vision rather than by the calendar, I think it is perhaps more important to talk about thanksgiving now than at any other time during my earthly existence. Why? Look at Wal-Mart and Costco. Early in September, the aisles start changing into their fall colors of orange and black in anticipation for Halloween.…
Authenticity: The Road Less Traveled
The idea of authenticity sounds appealing, especially in an age where sound bites and social media posts try to legitimatize shallow superficiality. However, the process to becoming transparent can be difficult simply because it is the road less traveled. Why? As that great theologian, the Velveteen Rabbit, said, “It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to…
A Parental Secret Weapon
Perfectionism is an easy trap to fall into. We read such scriptures as “Matthew 5:48 that says, “Be perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,” and then deduce that everything is based on our behavior. When we fall short of “perfection”—as we inevitably do—we are left with one of two options: 1) fully acknowledge it and fall…
The Glory of Authenticity
Authenticity is a precious commodity in our contemporary culture. We have become a world of cynics due to the duplicity in Washington D.C., the news outlets, and sadly even in the church. While many are crying out for a spirit of transparency in our nation, they feel powerless to see it transpire. Rather than spending energy on what we cannot…
The Danger of Pride
I have had the privilege of counseling dozens of married couples over my 40 plus years in ministry. Some would say incredulously, “Privilege?” Yes, privilege. The reason I am grateful for this experience is because it has demonstrated to me the unfathomable depths that pride will go to in order to survive so that it my live to fight another…