A couple years back I skimmed my nephew's copy of "Do Hard Things: a Teenage Rebellion against Low Expectations" by twin brothers Brett and Alex Harris. Aimed at teenagers, it's a call to live.

My little theologians are curious about Easter, wildly curious. Their questions are good ones. And hard ones. This year they're especially interested in how Jesus felt on the cross. How bad did it hurt?, they want to know. "More than when you crash your.

The spring that my oldest kids were 3 1/2 and 18 months was the spring I realized how lame is it that Easter, for the Christian, is the.biggest.deal.all.year... (What could top Jesus rising from the dead?! All of history hangs on that moment)... And.

Last weekend I had the opportunity, along with a dozen other moms of young kids, to take a spiritual gifts test. There are about a bazillion of these floating around out there... I'm guessing you've taken one yourself.  This one was based on Myra.

My kid is obsessed with leprechauns... and I mean, obsessed. He talks about them, reads about them, and contemplates trapping mechanisms nonstop. It all started when the kindergartener next door was assigned a school project of building a leprechaun trap. He was inspired. Now.

Real quick, pick one word that best describes you of these four: 1) administrative; 2) athletic; 3) productive; 4) creative. No brainer for me: #3. Productive. It's what I do best; it's what I'm known for. I move fast; I talk fast..

Here are four posts I particularly liked in February: --Nature Valentine Photographs. I love Amy (of Let's Explore)'s creativity and the way she focuses on and embellishes simple but.

My family began following Jesus when I was about eight. One faith practice we immediately adopted was giving up sweets during the weeks of Lent. I remember saving goodies from party bags when I'd go to friends' birthdays, keeping them in a special jar.

Young kids, hectic life, and Bible-reading: they don't always fit together in the package. We want to saturate our kids in the Word, but it can so easily drop off the bottom of the list in the daily scramble. Today I'm over at Read More →

Today I'm over at Passionate, Purposeful Parenting posting about Chores and character for children. Come join me - and find out what pushed me over the edge to tackling this issue at our house. This.

Quick: name the most commonly used Bible passage you encounter. The one used everywhere - weddings, funerals, baby showers, Hallmark cards, you name it. Of course: 1 Corinthians 13, the "love passage." It's probably the most popular and culturally.

Ever had a mentor? Ever been one? In college I was a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor to a 7-year old girl, and I'm still in touch with my little sis (now 22). And I've had the privilege of being mentored by a number.

Hope your new year is off to a good start. No resolutions again this year (see my anti-resolution schtick here for more on that), but I'm enjoying being at the top of the calendar with the kiddos. My favorite.

Struggling through a loneliness patch in high school, my dad gave me some advice. "Friendship is often built through doing things together," he said, "like when you collaborate with someone on a project, play together on a team, or work a job under the.

Ever hear the term "outlasting" used in reference to parenting? Up till a few years ago, I hadn't. But it's a great term and practice for teaching obedience to kids, and it's been a huge asset to our household.

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The other day my friend, describing a misbehavior-riddled outing with her four young kids, said how much she hates when "they act so terribly in public, and I get the feeling like all my efforts are useless." Boy have I been there, and boy could.

New Year's is almost upon us! A few favorite posts to share from December, in the midst of the Christmas-packing-up, reflection and resolution-making, and celebration... I hope one of two of these resonate with you too.

-Bossy Christmas. This.

The part that eludes my memory is the light. I think of the room as dark, dark till the end when she came rushing out- a whoosh of water and blood and flesh- into my husband's steady grasp. Time only to slide a towel, matted.

Y'know the s-word? No, not that one. The other s-word that ignites controversy in a room full of families (if they happen to be Christians): Santa. Whaddaya think of that one? Santa Claus - specifically, whether or not your family participates in the myth of the.