"Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."
Psalm 8:2

Treasures Entrusted: Homeschooling as a Journey of Faith and Purpose

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It’s 10 A.M. Monday morning. I walk from my home office into the kitchen to grab my 3rd (or is it my 4th?) cup of coffee. I look into the living room and see my wife leading our children in “morning time,” which consists of singing about ancient history, Scripture memory, and Latin conjugations. I might see one of the “spicy” kids going too far and being too silly, and my wife’s calm correction to bring them back in line. One child asks for the fifteenth time what we are having for lunch (still 2 hours away).

This is our life. This is kingdom-building discipleship for the glory of God.

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Husbands, Praise Your Wife!

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A couple had been married for 50 years, and one day, the wife turned to her husband and said, “You know, we’ve been married for so long, but you never tell me that you love me. Why is that?”

The husband looked at her and said, “Well, I told you I loved you on our wedding day, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but that was 50 years ago!” the wife replied.

The husband nodded and said, “Well, if anything changes, I’ll let you know.”

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2023 New Year’s Resolutions

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Looking back on last year’s resolutions, I am tempted to simply link to that post and be done. My resolutions for this year are largely the same. The reason I enjoy making resolutions every year is that I don’t like the idea of staying the same. Christians are called to live a life of sanctification, becoming more and more like Christ with each passing day. We are not to stagnate. Therefore, I look at the blank canopy of a new year with enthusiasm for what God has in store for me and my family, and how I can work alongside the Holy Spirit in living my life more for the glory of God and His Kingdom.

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A Reading List for 2022

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In my post on New Year’s Resolutions this past Monday, I included a section on reading. A resolution is really unnecessary as I love to read, but I have it nonetheless. I would like to read more, and this gives me something to aim at.

The following list represents the books that I’ve tentatively put before me to read this year. This list isn’t set in concrete, and I have no problem adjusting as the year goes on. In fact, I’m currently enrolled in seminary, and I’ll be adding books from classes this year (there’s a section for that at the bottom).

I usually try to read a book on marriage each year, conspicuously missing below. However, I’m planning on taking a Biblical Counseling class on Marriage and Parenting this Spring semester, including such materials.

One final note, the lists in each category are arranged roughly in priority order. For example, the books I’m currently reading (marked as in-progress) are at the top. Following these are the books I would like to read next. If you would like to follow me on GoodReads you can come along on this journey with me!

Without further ado, the list!

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VBS vs. The Local Church

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I recently opened my front door to find a flyer from one of the local churches advertising their upcoming VBS (Vacation Bible School). I quickly dismissed the brochure and continued on my task of mowing the lawn. While I cut grass, I thought more about this practice of inviting the community to your church’s VBS and whether or not I, as a father, should support sending my children to one of these.

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Family by the Sea at Sunrise

How Your Family Can Be a Resurrection Family This Easter

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As Christians, we should strive to be resurrection families. What, perchance, is a resurrection family? Resurrection families are families whose central and primary focus is living in light of the reality that Jesus has risen!

We live in light of many other realities. For example, you may find yourself standing on the balcony of a hotel room on the 30th floor. Does your heart race a little when you stand at the railing, or even lean over a bit? Do you jump? Of course not! Gravity is a reality that we all must live with and acknowledge. To do otherwise would be to our detriment.

The same is true, more true, of the Triune God of Holy Scripture. One God in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is my Father’s world, as the song goes, and when we deny that fact by our actions and priorities, we are not living as God intends and this is to our detriment.

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Are You a Household of Righteousness?

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The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

Proverbs 3:33 (ESV)

I was dwelling on this verse the other morning and was astounded that this verse applies to me, and to my household.

Certainly, I wouldn’t classify my household as a house of the wicked. But, if you asked me if I were “righteous,” that is much harder to answer. Am I righteous? Well, no! Obviously! I know myself all too well. I know the dark thoughts that swim around in my head. I know all my past sins and propensities to sin.

Especially we men, who are supposed to be the head of our household, find it hard to see ourselves in a righteous light. We deal with lust, anger, selfishness, idolatry, greed, pride, and all manner of sins.

How can I be considered righteous? How is my household a household of righteousness?

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