By guest author Steve Demme

In a past newsletter (click here to read), I wrote about how being a father led me to Deuteronomy 6. When I began asking God to help me love Him, God revealed how much He loved me. The more I comprehended His love, the more I loved Him. I was surprised by how my prayers were answered until I remembered 1 John 4:19, We love because He first loved us. Through songs, sermons, and Scripture, God made me know in a new way how much He cares for me.

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By Guest Author Rory Groves

It was a hot and humid September day for our first time vendoring at our town’s farmers’ market a few years ago. Crayons were melting in the black walnut crayon holders I made earlier in the week. Our main products were free-range chickens that were raised on our farm, but we also offered a selection of homemade crafts. We ended up rotating the crayons with frozen chickens in the ice chest to keep them from melting. As a way to trial the farmers’ market business concept, we signed up for two weekends at the end of summer. “What do you want to bet next time we’re here we’ll be in winter jackets?” Becca asked me as we sweated and enjoyed our Hawaiian shaved ice from the neighboring booth.

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Who has your children’s hearts? Norm Wakefield shared about the biblical understanding of the heart in part 1 of this article, which you can read here. Part 2 shares some key Scriptures that give insight into how the heart functions and what that means for the parent-child relationship. 

Insight #1

All the issues of life flow out of the condition of the heart. The first scripture is Proverbs 4:23,“Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life” (NASB). The King James Version reads, “for from it flow the issues of life.” Quite often parents make a big deal over the issues of life instead of dealing with the issue of life — the heart condition and direction.Read More

By guest author Norm Wakefield

In the past months, I have received the troubling news of four young people who have left their homes without the blessing of their parents. I wish this were an isolated incident; however, such occurrences seem to be on the rise. We might expect children of parents who are unbelievers, wrapped up in furthering their own selfish agendas, to make a bolt into premature independence.

But these young people I know have bolted from parents that have a sincere love for their children and a commitment to train them in God’s ways. One of the most disturbing trends today among church-going families is the revolt of their teenage children against the values and lifestyles taught them.Read More