Unplug.

My family was able to hit the beach last week.  I cannot overstate how needed of a time it was.  I told someone that I hadn’t hit the wall, but I sure was bumping up against it.  The last few months have been great.  Crazy, but great. We finished up services on Mothers’ Day, packed the van, and hit the …

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The Principles of Discipline

Parents are called to reflect the character and nature of God in their discipline Weeks ago, I got to partner with area churches and put on a parenting workshop.  We got many requests to make the content available.  Here is the second session, The Principles of Discipline. Use it however it helps you or your church! The Principles of Discipline Key Points …

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The Goal of Discipline

The goal of parental discipline is to make disciples within your home. Weeks ago, I got to partner with area churches and put on a parenting workshop.  We got many requests to make the content available.  Here is the first session, The Goal of Discipline. Use it however it helps you or your church! Key Points The Word of God is …

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Addressing Abuse

Abuse is rampant in homes across America. What is your family and church doing to ensure it is addressed? Mandated Reporting Training Resources Enjoy this video?  Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!

The Saving Shepherd

This sermon was recorded for two groups: 1) traveling university team, and 2) wrap-up message for Liberty DNOW for their Sunday morning groups.  Sometimes you have to work smarter. At the DNOW gathering, we walked through John 10 in four sermons in a study called “Follower.”  Here is the concluding challenge I gave on Jesus as the saving shepherd.

Serve Single Mothers

Single mothers have a unique set of challenges, but the church is made up of a unique set of gifts.

Foster Care Excuses

Have you ever considered becoming a foster family?  Listen to Randy Harling, President of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, talk about his own experience and an exciting new partnership to help your family serve in this way.

The Parent Pendulum

Parents can either discipline too harsh or too lenient.  Both are dangerous. Enjoy this video?  Check out the growing collection of Family Alter videos!

Doers of the Word

I recorded this mini-sermon for a university team to watch while they were on the road.  I pray it is a blessing to you. James 1:22-25 teaches that we are not to be merely hearers of the Word but doers of the Word.

Fear Not, For I Am With You

Above is a sermon I preached on Isaiah 41 at North Side Baptist Church on February 21, 2016. God never reassures people based on their potential but with his presence. The greatest promise of God is the presence of God. God’s presence is the only promise powerful enough to subside our fears. Sermon Notes God invites the people to try to …

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The Marriage Drift

This sermon clip is from a message at North Side’s 2016 Marriage Conference. When does a marriage begin to drift? Check out this week’s Family Alter.  The sermons for the Marriage Conference will be up later this week.

Praying the Psalms

Prayer life boring? Non-existent? Try this method with your family.   Pray the Psalms I pray through one psalm everyday.  All Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16).  The Bible is God’s Word spoken to us.  The psalms are God’s Word intended for us to speak back to him.  We know not how we ought to speak to God, and …

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Praying for Your Spouse

In this video, Lander University’s BCM Director, Scott Smith, talks about how to pray for your spouse.  Scott’s wife Judy was in an accident years ago that changed their lives, but strengthened their marriage.

No Double Teaming

In marriage, it is easy to go to others to talk about your issues and double-team your spouse. A healthy marriage seeks to address the issue head on.

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.

We’re Not There Yet

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 How we live, as individuals and as a church, tells the world around us a lot about who we are and what we believe. Do the things we do as a church turn “the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) much like they did in Thessalonica?

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.”

Choose Life

In a culture debating pro-life versus pro-choice, how is the Church to respond?

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 …

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