Today I thought I would share a section from the beginning of my new book, Start with the Heart: How to Motivate Your Kids to be Compassionate, Responsible, and Brave (Even When You’re Not Around). Writing this for you was a labor of love and I’m looking forward to its release on Tuesday, March 5th. …
Parent with grace and mercy. Although consistently responding to children’s behavior is important, so is surprising them with your kindness. I want your kids to experience your goodness so they believe in it. Your strategic use of grace (providing something good when they don’t deserve it) and mercy (not providing punishment when they do deserve …
I’m in a very busy season so God reminded me of some important things. I expressed them many years ago this way: I’m writing this from the Nevada shore of Lake Tahoe while looking at California snow-capped mountains across the lake. The sun is beginning to set behind them. All I can think to say …
If asked what I wish for children, I might answer “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” I wish this for parents, too. Reflecting on the reality that suicide rates have gone up isn’t easy. Recently, two popular figures chose to end their lives. Every day, 22 …
Have you recently read Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:6? “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Obviously, Jesus valued children! When we …
What motivates you to change? Slow down and answer that question. What causes you to believe people genuinely care about you? What doesn’t motivate you? Slow down and think about it. What might actually cause you to not want to apply yourself? How might your children answer these questions? Does anger work? Being prodded? Made …
“Errors increase with distance.” When Priscilla Shirer declared this at a recent Bible conference I attended, like others in the room, I audibly gasped. Instantly, the idea resonated with me. Priscilla applied this truth to prayer and Bible study, rightly pointing out that both bring us closer to God. The more we pray and read …
The woman’s marriage was challenging to say the least. She was sad, confused, and scared when she and her husband had their first argument. More arguments followed and she had no clue how to navigate them. She drew the only conclusion that made sense to her at the time. She must have made a mistake. …
