While every family has numerous traditions, I want to encourage all grandparents out there to make the best use of the time give with your family (Eph. 5:15-17). Have you thought about the spiritual impact you are making on your children and grandchildren?
Family
No Reloading Discarded Weapons
Marriage must be built on the gospel teaching us how to forgive one another without bringing the sins up again.
No “Sorry, But…”
In marriage, it is very easy to justify your action based upon something your spouse did. A mature spouse desires to be reconciled more than desiring to be right.
Never Go to Bed Angry
In marriage, you must learn how to deal with today’s problems today and not let them linger into tomorrow. Here is a pivotal marriage tip for you – never go to bed angry.
Saving While Spending
As Christmas shopping begins, don’t go into debt trying to please people with temporal trinkets. Here are 5 steps to help you spend wisely this year. Main Points Come up with a budget. Make a list. Determine spending amount. Get creative. Give what lasts. Every spending decision is a spiritual decision.
The Grateful Family
It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is a few days away. Before the break-neck pace of December begins, I want to help you gather your family to see four specific things happen in the days to come. Here are some tips to lead your family to become more grateful.
Understand Who Your Spouse Is Becoming
The person you married has changed and will continue to change. Are you staying aware of who he or she is becoming? This Family Alter video is taken from a developing resource entitled “Just [About] Married.”
Fall Festival Is 1 Week Away!
Anticipation is rising for this year’s Fall Festival! What will the special presentation be this year? We would love to have you join us for this year’s Fall Festival! Highlights Inflatable slide and obstacle course Pony rides Hay rides Bonfire Chick-fil-a box meals available for purchase Games for all ages Live music Candy, face painting, prizes, and more! This is …
Infertility and God’s Sovereignty
Infertility is a unique and severe pain. For those who may suffering through it, here are some things to consider.
Diligent Discipline
Scripture teaches that parents who love their children are diligent to discipline them.
Prayer Guide for Your Spouse and Children
Regardless of your current family situation, each of us have people we consider family. It is easy to resort to worrying for our family or attempting to fix all of their situations, but are we strategically praying for them? When King David was nearing his death, he prayed over the entire nation of Israel but eventually he focused his prayer …
Teaching Younger Women
In this episode of Family Alter, Ruth McWhite shares the power of Titus 2 discipleship which prioritizes teaching younger women. She shares some of the most effective practices she has used in mentoring young women.
Follow My Lead
Family discipleship is often caught more than taught. Here are some tips to unite together and grow as a family.
Your Wife’s Needs
Your wife has unique needs. According to the book, His Needs, Her Needs, here are her top 5: Affection Intimate Conversation Honesty & Openness Financial Support Family Commitment
Your Husband’s Needs
If you haven’t realized it, your husband is a needy person. According to research, here is a list of your husband’s top 5 needs in marriage. His Needs, Her Needs In the classic bestseller His Needs, Her Needs, Willard F. Harley, Jr., identifies the ten most vital needs of men and women and shows husbands and wives how to satisfy those …
Preparing for Marriage
Don’t wait until you have become married or have children to start thinking about how God wants you to live as a family. Before you get married (or even start dating someone), ask yourself: is this person a help or a hindrance to my desire of following Jesus?
Thanks for Buying a T-Shirt [A Note From My Son]
The following note is written from my 7-year-old son, Obadiah who decided we would use his lemonade stand and some t-shirt sales to raise money for a Bible translation for the Mushere people. Your support has made my son’s heart rejoice and his faith increase. Hello, I am the main one getting this bible project ready and we have 30 …
How to Lead a Family Devotional
Ever desired to lead a family devotional time but unsure where to start? This week’s Family Alter wants to help.
God Doesn’t Respect the Prayers of a Bully
God takes seriously how we interact with those in our family. Children are called to honor parents (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-2; Col. 3:20). Fathers are instructed not to provoke their children (Col. 3:21) but to bring up their children in the instruction of the Lord in a gentle way (Eph. 6:4). Husbands are called to love their wives and wives …
Establish Your Family’s Target
Questions for your family today: 1) Where are we aiming? 2) How are we sharpening?
Empty Pursuits
Too many families are exhausted from empty pursuits. What does God say is important for your family?
How to Change Your Home
You normally think of “Family Altar” as the time when the family gathers together for a devotional. We believe in the importance of that exercise, but we also believe in a “Family Alter” in which you can make small alterations for home transformation. We know that many of you simply do not have the time needed to attend every conference, read …
Single Parent Homes
In the months leading up to the opening weekend of Courageous, I was asked to speak at various churches or functions concerning my role with the film. While I had access to the script and an early edit of the film, I was bound by certain stipulations concerning what I could or could not say about the film. Since I …
End Bible Poverty for the Mushere People
My 7-year-old son, Obadiah, and I have been talking a lot about the Bible these days. I told him that there are people around the world who have never been able to read it because it has never been translated in their language. This fact overwhelmed him. It truly shook him up. We decided to do something about it. We …
Family Ministry (The Plan as We Go Forward)
North Side Baptist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Whether at home or abroad, we seek to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples. We define a disciple as someone who: loves Jesus learns the teachings of Jesus lives those teachings out and leads others to do the same. While the ministries of our church seek to make …
Family Ministry Presentation
We shared this video in our services Sunday. It summarizes our Family Ministry strategy going forward.
We also provided a magazine to unpack the information even more. You can get your copy at the church or you can download it here.
What Birthday Present I Am Hoping For
So, today is my Birthday. I am so grateful for another year of life! I know you are embarrassed because you haven’t gotten me anything yet. It’s OK. I will tell you exactly what I am hoping for on my birthday. My 7-year-old son, Obadiah, and I have been talking a lot about the Bible these days. I told him …
We’re On a Journey (Whoa Oh Oh Oh)
Amanda and I had the privilege to teach 1 of the 4th grade groups at our Vacation Bible School this week. As we began the week, she stated, “We both are used to being in charge in these type of situations. This is either going to go great or not so much.” It went great. Amanda is such a gifted …
Unless the LORD Builds the House
Psalm 127 is what commentators call a “song of ascents.” As the people of God would ascend the hill into Jerusalem and ascend the stairs into the place of worship, the priests would sing this song over the worshipers upon their journey: Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over …
Family Camp 2015 Recap
It is hard to describe Family Camp 2015. It was such a powerful time for my family and in the lives of other families. I can say this: I believe in family ministry more than I ever have after last week. I also believe in Family Camp more than I ever have after last week. For those who came, served, …
Washing by the Water of the Word
Last year, we celebrated my birthday at Family Camp and this year, Amanda gets the honors! We get to celebrate the love of my life today who deserves celebrating every day of every year! I love the picture above because it describes us right now. Making sure we have those moments to connect and enjoy one another even while a …
Legos Can’t Build a Home
In the ever-increasing drive to impact the families of our community, God continues to deliver experiences that wreck my heart and yet serve as catalysts for greater desperation for the tasks ahead. I keep encountering people whose lives are shattered by what is happening within their families, and these experiences won’t let up. And I pray that neither will I in my …
Settling for K-Mart
At the end of last year, Amanda and I planned a surprise trip for the family. We were able to pack up during the week without them ever knowing we were doing it. When we had breakfast that morning, I said, “Kids, I really love my job, but I hate that I miss you when I go to work. How …
Thank You, God, That We Get to Spend Time Together
Eli, it is hard to believe that you are 7 years old! Happy Birthday! Ever since I laid my eyes on you, I have been constantly amazed by your resolve. You don’t let anything slow you down! Whether it is reading or building or playing music, you find a way to get it done and get it done well. It …
The Greatest Neglect of Family Ministry
In our staff training lately, I have been leading us through what Scripture says about family discipleship. It has been some great discussions as God shows us the standard by which we should be equipping parents to do this work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). So much of church methodologies focus on the up and coming generations. How can we attract …
The Battle Plan for Prayer
Yesterday, I was able to submit a 124-page document to LifeWay for the upcoming curriculum entitled, “The Battle Plan for Prayer.” Working alongside the Kendrick Brothers, we have developed a Bible study on prayer that has changed my life for the better! If it impacts people a fraction of how the Word has impacted me during this process, lives will …
I Wish I Could Take It For You
So, it’s been an exciting week in the Agnew household. After an incredible Easter weekend, we got to celebrate Gloria’s birthday on Monday. After about a week of wrestling with the effects of pollen, I decided to go to the doctor to discover that I have an upper respiratory infection. Don’t worry – I’ve been told I am only contagious if …
Stronger Hands
I can remember the day this picture was taken. I was holding my newborn daughter, Gloria, in the backyard while our friend Paige did a photoshoot for our family. We were near the two trees in the backyard that hold up the hammock. As I extended her forward, I thought of how my hand surrounded her entire head and it …
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