parents

virginia-simionato-zhjWBFtL2lU-unsplash

Where Praise & Thanks Should Begin

When I was a child Christmas was my favorite holiday. As I have grown older, Thanksgiving has moved into that place. I love the time of year, the emphasis, the...
cdc-SAwxJ8PHY3Q-unsplash

Help for Your Family This Summer

Days are longer, schedules are different, and young people have more free time. Summer is the perfect season to give extra attention to your family. Over the next couple of...
1801-16-Main-Slide_Enjoying-the-Journey-Guest-Articles-SLIDE-768x492 (14)

Planning for a Profitable Summer by Pastor Ryan Thompson

The following article was written by our friend, Pastor Ryan Thompson of Newport Beach, CA. Ryan is being used of God to lead the Liberty Baptist Church during an exciting time...
rut-miit-oTglG1D4hRA-unsplash

Your Kids Grow You.

Last night was a very special night for me and Tammy. For more than twenty years we had the privilege of being a part of the work of God at...
The Weekend Pulpit: And This I Pray

Help for Parents and Youth Workers

Each Saturday on "The Weekend Pulpit" we share a full-length Bible message from a recent meeting. Currently we are posting messages that I gave at the Wilds youth camp last...
IMG_1057

“Her Mother and I.”

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" I have asked this question as a minister - but today, as a father, I will have to answer it...
FEadkxUXMAIvhD_

New for Children this Christmas!

From time to time I enjoy sharing a recommendation of some helpful resource for families. We are approaching a time of year that is very special for parents and their...
mche-lee-PC91Jm1DlWA-unsplash

How to Make This the Greatest School Year Yet – Part 1

Students are starting back to schools and colleges across the nation. Parents and educators alike are hopeful that this year will be the greatest year our young people have ever...
1162863

Life’s Training Wheels

Summer is a wonderful season to invest in young people. Over the last few days I have had the opportunity to spend substantial time with several hundred teenagers. In that...
john-mark-smith-9QTQFihyles-unsplash-683x1024

The Scariest Job In the World

Every job has its drawbacks and even its dangers. But, what is the scariest job in the world? It is a job that many of us have! The scariest job...
how not to choose a mate

How NOT To Choose A Mate

When I was a young man someone told me, “Choose only a date who would make a good mate.” That was good advice. A casual relationship can quickly turn into...
aaron-burden-6jYoil2GhVk-unsplash-768x576

For Those Who Love Children

"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world." The greatest way to impact the future of a nation is to reach another generation of children. More than...
thomas-kolnowski-780791-unsplash

Thank God For Christian Education

The last two days I have been speaking in Michigan at a wonderful Christian Educator's Convention. It has been a privilege to spend time with men and women who are...
renan-kamikoga-709781-unsplash

How To Help Your Kids Make The Most Of School Days

All over the country young people are returning to school. Our own children start back this week. New beginnings are a wonderful opportunity to set so many things in motion....
rawpixel-574837-unsplash

A Big Day

Tomorrow is a big day for our family. In just a few hours Lauren will turn 16 and Morgan will graduate from high school. As a dad it is both...
1801-16-Main-Slide_Enjoying-the-Journey-Guest-Articles-SLIDE-768x492 (14)

GUEST POST: “A Goodly Heritage”

My first guest author this year is my pastor and hero. He has been my best friend all of my life. I am grateful for dad's testimony of faithfulness. He...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

A Word to the In-Laws

I know. The title has real potential. A preacher friend of mine recently said to me, "I have no problem with mother-in-laws. I love my wife's mother-in-law!" (For the record,...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

3 Things You Could Write Today

Writing is work!  It takes time and more mental energy than most tasks.  I am currently reading the biography of Jonathan Edwards.  Edwards was one of the greatest theological minds...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Counsel to Young People and to Those Who Counsel Them

It is my privilege to work each week with hundreds of middle school, high school, and college age young people.  It is fascinating that the older I get the younger...
Young People Ask Hard Questions

What to Do When You Have Questions

What to Do When You Have Questions Questions are opportunities to teach. God gave explicit instructions to Israel about what to say when your children ask (Deuteronomy 6:20-25).  And ask...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

The Power of Parents

As I sit in my study at home there are two pictures of my parents on the desk in front of me.  One is a photograph taken on the night...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

For Christian Young People: You ARE Missing Out!

"A prudent wife is from the Lord."  This verse means more to me the longer I am married.  Tammy and I were driving along in the car recently.  The kids...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

A Word for Young People About Parents

Like most children, when I was very young, I memorized the Ten Commandments.  The fifth commandment says, “Honour thy father and thy mother.”  It is repeated eight times in the...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Acres of Diamonds

When I was thirteen years old an elderly preacher in the mountains of West Virginia gave me a book.  It was old and dusty.  There were no pictures and at...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Teens for Christ

One of the greatest privileges of my life has been the opportunity to work with young people. Youth ministry is not a stepping stone to another ministry. It is the...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

My Thoughts on the In-Laws

I am sitting in Michigan this morning listening to the wind howl outside.  Eighteen years ago I started making regular trips to the great white north.  Not to see the...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Help! I Have A Teenager?!?

This past Sunday our oldest daughter, Morgan, turned thirteen.  Is that possible?  Where have the years gone?  Tammy and I are very grateful to God for all of our children...and...
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

Just Too Busy!

I was asked recently to speak to a group of parents on the subject of pitfalls in the home.  I read.  I thought.  I asked questions.  I made a list....
Arched Milky Way over the mountain dirt road in summer. Beautiful night landscape with starry sky, milky way arch, trail in mountain village, hills, green grass and purple flowers. Space and galaxy

A Word for Those Who Love Young People

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6 For many years I have heard this...