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I recently had an opportunity to hear from Aime Konwinski. She is the founder of Smart Gen Society.  Her presentation particularly focused on the issues around social media. Here are statistics she gave us: 56% of 5-year-olds have their own digital device. The average age to get a smartphone in the US: 10 (roughly 4th grade). 94% of high schoolers use social media. 70% of middle schoolers use social media. 75% of fourth graders use social media (particularly Tik-Tok) in Omaha area. The average American teen spends 7 hours a day on digital media. Since 2019, the National Center for Missing and…

Family relationships are tricky. Sin affects everything including our families. And that certainly applies to our extended family.  Grandparents can be a blessing, require some tricky navigation, or be a constant challenge. But more often what I worry about is how our cultural child-centeredness influences how families view grandparents.  The very nature of sin causes all of us to curve in on ourselves. As a result, I wonder if God’s call to honor those who are older, especially grandparents, has fallen on hard times. Are we asking grandparents to honor the grandchildren rather than the other way around? Functionally, who is honoring whom…

Both proactive and reactive Bible intake will be used by God to speak to us. Do you know what the two are? Are they are a part of your life?

I have been a paid pastor or in full time ministry for over 30 years. At the beginning, I remember wrestling with having so much time on my hands and trying to make it effective. Recently, I was asked what principles I follow to be a good steward of my time. These are not exhaustive but a start. Although this doesn’t specifically apply to parenting, I think it may be helpful to you. 1. Try to work a certain number of hours every day. Put yourself on a schedule. If you steal time in the middle of the day pay it back later. Work…

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day was this week. (4/27/2020). Let’s have a biblical view of the earth not a secular one. The following are some bullet point thoughts. What does the Bible say about the earth? 1. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (Psalm 24:1). He created it and established it. Therefore he owns it. It belongs to him. 2. Creation declares God’s glory (Psalm 19:1). A being who can make the heavens and the intricacies of creation is very great. This is a cool video.  3. Creation declares to everyone there is a God (Romans…

With families in confined quarters, love is even more important. This devotional, from Parenting with Patience, can be helpful for parents or other family members. Love is… Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. 1. Read verse 4. Write out the five characteristics of love.  Then write out the opposite.  Love is…                                           The Opposite is…. ———————————-|———————————————– a. b. c. d. e. 2. Read verse 5. What are four more characteristics of love? Again, write out the opposite. Love is…                                            The Opposite is…. ———————————-|———————————————– a. b. c. d. 3. Pray though the qualities in the left columns. Circle the ones that stick out to…

I realize that a study on the 12 principles for media use in the family is going to be outdated as soon as it released. But one study found that teens are consuming NINE hours of media a day, not including texting, school and homework. Another study put it at 11 hours because teens were multitasking. More than 70% of households said they had TVs in the bedrooms and 66% reported a TV on during the meals. Not surprisingly, only about one-half of parents had rules for media use. As anyone who knows a teen or tween can attest, media is…

I have observed a strange parenting phenomenon. Many parents are reluctant and even resistant to asking advice about their parenting. While others can see blind spots, the parents themselves remain… blind to them. Often, older parents or pastors are resistant to mention anything for fear of being accused of being a busybody. J.C. Ryle once admitted, “I would rather correct a man about anything than his parenting.” Recently I received this email from an older leader in another part of the country: “Over dinner tonight, my wife and I were discussing some of the interactions we have had with parents…

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2 The world is attempting to press us into a mold. One of the strategies people use is shame. The Bible was written in an honor/shame culture. Shame is a commodity given by a group to enforce certain behavior. We should feel shame when we are guilty before God. But there are things for which we should not feel shame….

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong…So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this …for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart…1 Kings 3:10-12 As a parent, I will be called upon to make a myriad of decisions. Should my child take certain classes? Should he or she do this after school activity or the other one? When do I push them toward an activity that they don’t want to do, but I…