I've read and heard many (contradictory) interpretations of what Jesus meant. Scholars and pastors run wild with the child analogy Jesus used. I understand. Talking up children's innocence, spontaneity, eagerness, or joy is tempting. And children are incredible—gifts from God—but Jesus wasn't praising a virtue he saw in children. As someone once said, "There are two types of people in the world. Those who think mankind is essentially good at the core, and those who have a toddler."
Read moreKingdom Kids, pt.2: We Should Remember Childlike People Have The Kingdom (Mark 10:14)
What does this mean? We must recall how the disciples felt about Jesus, the kingdom, and these children to answer this question. They thought he was the Messiah, meaning they thought he would pick up King David's reign and make Israel a super-nation. They thought the kingdom was Israel only, meaning they were hoping for an immediate and external reign of Christ. And they thought these children were small and insignificant—merely kids in need of others to care for them—not worthy of the glory of the kingdom.
Read moreKingdom Kids, pt.1 : We Should Help The Next Generation Get To Jesus (Mark 10:13-14)
First, there are those who brought the children to Jesus. They were likely parents and older siblings, people who loved each child. They wanted this famous rabbi to bless the children, so they brought them to Jesus for a rabbinical touch of his hands.
Read moreHow To Become Wise (Proverbs 10:1)
This little proverb has much to say about how to be wise. First, it suggests that wise people know that they have much to learn. A child lacking all the experience and perspective of their parents, who turns to their parents for guidance, knows they need to learn. (3 Minutes/700 Words)
Read more4 Strategies To Help You Parent Adult Children
Christina and I are in a season of preparation, readying ourselves for the inevitable departure into adulthood of all our daughters. With our first recently off to college, we have begun more intentionally seeking wisdom from others on how to parent adult children. (4 Minutes/1100 Words)
Read moreOutworkings and Witnesses of the Gospel’s Truthfulness – Three Outworkings (1 John 5:1–5)
John knew the truthfulness of the gospel message and watched Jesus' life, and heard His teaching. He witnessed Jesus' death and resurrection and had seen the gospel flood the world after Jesus' ascension. And, over time, John had discovered what the gospel does inside a believer. He knew the gospel message is true, but had also come to discover some of its outworkings. (9 Minutes/2400 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: How to Teach Your Kids God's Word
The Holdridge Family Minivan is one of my favorite places on earth. As the odometer whirls, so do the conversations. Together, we traverse. Short trips. Long trips. Happy ones. Grumpy ones. And as we go, so do our words. Time to check-in. Time to laugh. Sometimes, time to teach.
Read moreArchival Post: Does My Parenting Style Include Trust In God?
Christians believe trust is central to our relationship with God. We experience a constant battle between fear and faith. (3 Minutes/600 Words)
Read moreVideo Message: How to Win Over Your Kids?
When your child calls you out for the hypocrisy in your life rather than defend yourself see it as a gift and grace from God.
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