Parenting Like Hannah

Research just about any study on marital problems and the top topic mentioned is finances. Bring two people into a marriage with two very different ways of handling money and the results can be disastrous.

To be the best possible Christian parent, it is also important to have the best possible marriage. For many, this may mean finally resolving those money issues that cause constant conflict in your marriage. It’s also vital to develop healthy and godly money management skills so you can not only care for your kids, but also help them make wise financial decisions in their own lives.

So, I was interested when offered the opportunity to review the book Money Problems Marriage Solutions by Chuck Bentley. Bentley is CEO of Crown Financial Ministries. Crown was founded by Larry Burkett – the Dave Ramsey of the 1970’s and 80’s. I had heard of Burkett when I was young, so I was curious to see how this ministries financial advice compared to the more familiar Ramsey model.

The biggest difference is that this book seems to focus on viewing the money issues in an effort to improve marriages, not just financial issues. The financial advice is very similar to that found in other similar type books. That’s not a negative – how many habits are there that people need to have to stop wasting money and creating huge debt.

Continue reading Marriage and Money for Christians

If you have paid attention to the world at all in the last few months (or more), you have probably noticed tensions between various groups of people reaching a point where each group lashes out at the other. To anyone who can take a step back, it often feels as if no one is able or even willing to try and understand the other group’s viewpoint.

God calls Christians to love their neighbor as themselves. The Good Samaritan is actually a story about a man helping his mortal enemy survive a brutal beating and robbery. If we want our kids to accurately reflect God’s image, we have to teach them empathy and listening skills.

Empathy and truly listening to another’s point of view does not necessarily mean you will ultimately change your conclusions, but it does mean you can understand that there are other perspectives and reasons why other people have come to a different conclusion.

Recently, I was given an opportunity to review a new book, I think everyone absolutely needs to read – no matter your position on current issues. Convicted by Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins is subtitled “a crooked cop, an innocent man and an unlikely journey of forgiveness and friendship.”

Continue reading Great Resource for Teaching Teens About Empathy and Forgiveness

Life can be scary. Especially when you are young. You want to be brave, but everything can seem new, confusing and scary. Sometimes little ones can be so scared they are even afraid to tell anyone they are afraid and why.

The new picture book Lizzy the Lioness by Lisa Bevere attempts to teach kids about bravery. The author uses the story of a lion cub and a little girl to teach little ones that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help.

Continue reading Teaching Kids Asking For Help Can be the Bravest Thing To Do

If you have multiple children, you probably realized each of your kids was born with a slightly or vastly different personality than your other children. In the old nature versus nurture debate, it has become increasingly clear that God created each of us to be unique. Even identical twins have differences.

So how can you differentiate your parenting and give each of your children what they need to reach their godly potential? One shortcut is to understand their personalities and what those personalities have for str nights and weaknesses.

Continue reading Christian Parenting Kids With Different Personalities