It seems as though each week at the dinner table, I’m talking to my children about another war. Some weeks, it’s the war of radical Islam against the western world. Other times, it’s the culture wars, involving issues like abortion, transgender issues, and gay marriage. Sprinkled in between are discussions of political wars between left and…
You Never Graduate from the School of Christ
Two weekends, two graduations. Our daughter number three graduated from high school, and daughter number one from college (that’s right, my children have no names, just numbers). It’s that time of year in America! As we transition to summer, hoards of young people walk across the stage, and into another chapter of their lives. They are told…
Are Parents Creating a Generation of Narcissists?
Recently, a pair of connected research studies were released dealing with the apparent increase of young narcissists in modern society. The researchers’ conclusion? Well, while there are several factors that combine to make a narcissist, the chief culprit appears to be the parents. Specifically, parents who “overvalue” their children and dole out too much praise may unleash a raging little…
The Church Needs to be More Accepting of…
I’m seeing more and more pronouncements in Christian media that begin with the words: “The Church needs to be more accepting of…” Now, I’m used to the anti-Christian voices judging the Church of Jesus Christ for being judgmental or hateful or intolerant of many types of people or behaviors. That has always been, and will…
Home of the Brave…or Home of the Fearful?
Our national anthem proclaims that America is “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” While it’s tempting to question the first part of that pronouncement, the last part has also fallen on hard times. Certainly, we still see many individual acts of bravery and courage every day, such as in the…
Train Your Children to be Hosts, Not Guests
As a Children’s Ministry Director, my favorite week of the church calendar is Vacation Bible School week. But a close second is going on this week at my church–Missions Festival week. It seems to always come at the right time, to give me a necessary attitude adjustment and a re-focusing of my priorities. I (and my family)…
I want my child to be an Ordinary Christian!
[Note: You will want to read my last post on “Ordinary Children’s Ministry” here to give these next thoughts some essential context.] As a parent, my deepest desire is to see my eight children become Christians–and more than that, ORDINARY Christians. Yes, this goes against the grain of what my sinful heart would rather see in them–academic, athletic, and…
Christians Should Challenge One Another More Often!
Have you taken the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge yet? Or are you one of just a handful of people in the entire world who has stayed dry? This ultra-viral social media campaign designed to raise awareness and money for this dreaded disease has been amazingly successful. Celebrities, politicians, and almost all of your friends have…
Can you Teach Bible Stories Without Interpreting Them?
I recently came across this quote from a parent caught up in an online debate about teaching children the Bible: I don’t believe the Bible is false. I believe the Bible is a tool to help us know God. I have wrestled a lot with what to teach my kids. Kids have the capacity to think…
Is the Bible Inspired by God, or Just Influenced?
In his provocative new book, “Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today,” Adam Hamilton challenges the traditional Christian understanding of Scripture. As the pastor of the largest United Methodist congregation in the United States, Hamilton desires to teach a whole new generation (especially agnostics and “seekers”) how to properly understand God’s Word. Unfortunately,…
Heaven is For Real…Because the Bible Says So
As I’ve mentioned before, part of my (unwritten) job description as a Director of Christian Education is to answer the question: “What do you think about the book, movie: (fill in the blank). Quite frankly, I don’t enjoy this recurring question, since my answers rarely gives the questioner a warm and fuzzy feeling. People tend to take their book/movie likes…
Know All the Answers? Now Do Them!
Recently, a parent surprised me with her criticism of our children’s Sunday School curriculum. I was caught off-guard, not because I haven’t received other critiques (I certainly have), but because of the nature of her concern. Her problem was that her children already know all the answers to all the stories that are taught in Sunday…
One Story Ministries 