Culture

We think of sex trafficking as being out there somewhere in the jungles of Central America or in Thailand and Cambodia. And to be sure, it is there. But what we must understand as parents is that human trafficking is in every zip code in the United States as well.  What do we need to know […]

The evil of human trafficking is overwhelming, isn’t it? What can you or I do about it?  More than you think.  I recently sat down with Dr. Rondy Smith, founder and CEO of Rest Stop Ministries, Tennessee’s first long-term residential restoration program for female survivors of sex trafficking. January is National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention month, so in the latest […]

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to make some changes, to consider where growth is helpful and necessary. In this “Best of” episode of  CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD, I share 13 gauges on how to improve as parents and as individuals this year. I walk you step-by-step through a personal assessment that examines your faith life, your marriage life, your family life, your domestic life, and nine other areas while offering simple, everyday guidance on how to make effective and lasting change. This powerful tool for […]

Keeping Christ at the center of Christmas is a HUGE challenge for busy parents. Can I get an AMEN? Or a Merry CHRISTmas. We are constantly pushed and pulled a hundred different directions, especially at the holidays. Our event calendar in December can look like a flow-chart from an international airport with constant departures and arrivals. And it is so […]

Last Christmas, I was perusing a list of “The 100 Best Christmas Movies of All Time” on Rotten Tomatoes, the universal hub for movie reviews, and received quite a shock. The first few offerings were expected Christmas classics. Earning top billing was Meet Me in St Louis followed by The Shop Around the Corner and Miracle on 34th Street. (The list has since […]

Hey Mamas & Papas, “He sees you when you’re sleeping.He knows when you’re awake.He knows when you’ve been bad or good So be good for goodness sake.”  Our culture tells us that Jolly ole St. Nicholas is keeping a list, and he’s checking it twice. He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice. So the gifts under […]

There is a powerful and pervasive cultural myth being piped into our kids these days, and you are a bad parent if you don’t buy into it. The myth says that our kids can be whoever they want to be in life. Is this idea BIBLICAL?  Is it TRUE or even REALISTIC? The idea that you can be whoever you want to be is the central theme in countless books, movies, and television shows. Check out this back cover […]

Keeping Christ at the center of the Christmas season is always a challenge, especially for us crazy busy parents. The hectic pace of life intensifies during December, and often our focus shifts to the never-ending list of responsibilities and chores to complete before the big day. What’s a busy mom or dad to do? Well, strategically celebrating Advent is […]

Biblically parenting a child who struggles in their sexuality requires resting on a bedrock foundation of truth while always operating in a spirit of love, humility, and surrender to Christ. We must never deny God’s truth, but a child struggling in this area must first be completely secure in their parents’ unconditional love. Focusing on the relationship is paramount. That relationship is secured by practicing unconditional love, the same love that God gives to us.  What can parents do to build a strong […]

A Christian can struggle with any number of attractions or temptations, including same sex desire and gender confusion. But… In other words… And if we do, what are the ramifications of this conclusion theologically and practically? Christopher Yuan, author of Holy Sexuality and the Gospel,  lived for many years as a gay man. He addresses the issue […]