For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26, NKJV)

My oldest has had a rough couple of days. He's going through a growth spurt and every time he has, in his whole short life, there have always been emotional and behavioral “signs” that accompany that physical growth.

I've mentioned previously that he's scared of having another seizure.... more

Do your teenagers have a Christian radio station that they will actually listen to even when they are alone? Would they turn it on and listen to it if you didn’t make them. Would they switch to a different station if you left to go shopping? I guess if a radio station wanted to get teenagers to listen to their station they would probably have to play popular rock and rap songs, wouldn’t they. They might also need to offer concerts, contests, and prizes that would appeal to teenagers. I hadn’t thought about it much until last week when our Christian radio station... more

As I mentioned yesterday, I read this book again as an adoptive parent of traumatized children looking for insight. I’d like to share an excerpt with you that reminded me of the emptiness that some of my adopted children experience. My children who were traumatized before their adoptions into our family. Believing that there is a higher authority can help our traumatized adopted children begin to heal. It is funny how a story can have a different meaning to us depending where we are in life at the time we hear or read the story. In chapter four, the shepherd is... more

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31)

This was my daughter’s memory verse from Bible class at church. She recited it for her teacher tonight and received a little pin in the shape of a key that says, “Jesus” on it. It is as though she received the Crown Jewels! She ran up to me the most excited that I have ever seen her (and I’ve seen her pretty excited!) and said, “Mommy! I got the key of Jesus!... more

Every first Wednesday of the month, instead of the usual mid-week Bible classes, the elders of the congregation we attend have set aside a special time to devote to congregational singing and practicing new songs, or songs we don’t know very well.

One of the elders is a retired music teacher, and he starts out with a brief session where he takes a few songs, breaks down the parts for everyone, or goes over some music theory to add meaning to the worship. For example last night we went over the song, Exalted, and he explained the mp, mf,... more

One of the biggest issues I grapple with as a Christian mother, is how to be focused on worship during services – giving honor to God - and training my children in the pew regarding proper conduct and attending to their many needs.

Like most things in Christianity, there are several schools of thought:

Some feel that children need to “suck it up” and be mini-adults and learn to worship by sitting in the pews ramrod straight and following along – regardless of the child’s age.

Many congregations have a “children’s church” where the kids are completely separate from the adults, so the adults can worship in peace, and the children have an age-appropriate time of worship.

Others... more

If you are the parent of a child with special needs (medical or behavioral), then you have most likely, at one time or another, had to deal with them during church services.

My oldest son has Type 1 diabetes, and when his blood sugar is very high, he needs to use the restroom frequently, in addition to needing to drink from the water fountain. My daughter has elimination issues in addition to behavioral issues, both of which require frequent trips out of the auditorium.

How do you deal with these issues without being a huge distraction, and ensuring that you get some worship time in as well?

Communicate: When we moved to this area and placed membership at the congregation... more