Jan
9

Voices Not Heard

Derek on January 9th, 2012

Our two daughters have a passion and talent for creating melodies and writing songs.  As a Christmas gift, we bought them a series of components that when put together creates a home recording studio.  After spending most of the day putting the system together, elation occurred as we all heard the first musical tones emerging [...]

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Jan
7

Raising Adopted Children

Paul Anderson on January 7th, 2012

“What is different about parenting children that have been adopted as opposed to biological children?”

My wife and I are the parents of two wonderful, incredible children who we adopted internationally. Our 12 year old son was adopted from St. Petersburg, Russia at the age of 21 months, and our 4 year old daughter was adopted [...]

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Dec
24

Producing Fruit on Good Soil

Derek on December 24th, 2011

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” ~ Luke 8:15 (niv)

We discussed in part I and part II how our unintentional hypocritical behaviors from a “crowded” heart, represented by “thorns” of distraction, is negatively influencing [...]

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Dec
17

Removing Thorns

Derek on December 17th, 2011

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” ~ Luke 8:14 (niv)
In part I “Expecting Fruit among Thorns”, I left you with a question to think about. “What parable category am [...]

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Dec
12

Expecting Fruit among Thorns

Derek on December 12th, 2011

Christian parents have an obvious strong desire to see their children eternally secure. We pray for the day our children seek a personal relationship with God and make God their God. But something is going very wrong. We are seeing up to 90% of our Christian children leaving the faith by the [...]

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Nov
1

Like Father…Like Daughter

Derek on November 1st, 2011

Lohan was in the news again last week for being arrested…twice.  No not Lindsay, but her father Michael.  We came across a compelling picture in an article that compared Michael and Lindsay Lohan’s mug shots. 

(pictures from dailymail website)
Michael Lohan was first arrested and served three years in jail when Lindsay was just four years old.  [...]

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Oct
24

Speak Life

Derek on October 24th, 2011

I don’t know about you, but there are times when I catch myself in this mode of constantly correcting, directing, and instructing my “mini-ME’s”.  I start throwing attention getting “Why did you…”, “You should have…”, “Haven’t I said…”, “You need to…” verbal missiles with hopes of an instantaneous leap to self discipline.  Really?  I start [...]

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Oct
20

D6 2011 Highlights

Derek on October 20th, 2011

Check out the latest video highlights from the 2011 D6 conference. The 2011 D6 Conference was a convergence of 2300 leaders who were focused on learning what’s NEXT in the faith at home movement. It is an amazing conference Aina and I enjoy attending every year. Next year’s dates are September 26th-28th [...]

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Oct
7

Parental Influence Formula

Derek on October 7th, 2011

A formula is created as a tool to be used to produce a consistent desired result.  For a math algorithm it’s a precise rule, or set of rules, specifying how to solve a problem.  For a recipe, it’s a set of instructions for making something with food.  Christian parents want to teach their children how [...]

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Oct
4

Today’s Parent

Derek on October 4th, 2011

Today’s parent must be ____
 …a repented righteous representative modeling Godly characteristics & principles who lavishes others with unconditional love.
…a student of God’s word.
…a secular worldview researcher.
…a teacher.
…a leader.
…a disciplinarian.
…a protector.
…an encourager.
…engaged.
…authoritative.
…supportive.
…a parent.
 Do you have any additional “hats” to add?

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