Parenting

Hole Shoe

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My precious daughter, Gloria, has been adding to her vocabulary every day. One of her favorite sayings is “hole shoe.” I know we will have to start correcting her pronunciations, but that can wait.  When she verbalizes, “hole shoe,” she is asking to be held.  The way she enunciates it as a question is hilarious.  “Hold you?” she pleads. Arms …

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Christmas Was Kind of a Bust

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I meant to post this earlier, but we’ve been kind of covered up since Christmas. Lots of family to see. Lots of places to go. Lots of things in my house breaking that I needed to fix. But, if I’m honest, Christmas was kind of a bust this year.  At least in our house. What I mean by that is …

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Are We Supposed to Fear God?

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“This is the command – the statues and ordinances – the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you, so that you may follow them in the land you are about to enter and possess.  Do this so that you may fear the LORD your God all the days of your life by keeping all His statutes and commands …

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The Bad Stuff in My Heart

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Mornings are always fun at the Agnew house.  Church office hours begin at 8 for us, so I try to get up early and help Amanda by getting the kids going before I leave. The other morning, Obadiah was complaining about his stomach hurting when he woke up. The night before he had been a little defiant as the evening …

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Are Your Children Christians?

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We are called to examine ourselves to see if we are genuinely believers or not (2 Cor. 13:5). As a parent, how can you thoroughly examine to see if your children are Christians? Even a young man is known by his actions – by whether his behavior is pure and upright.  -Prov. 20:11 Parenting is challenging, but it is extremely …

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The Need for Parental Affirmation

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In this stage of parenting, I hear one phrase as much if not more than all other phrases: “Dad, look at what I did.” Even if it is Baby Gloria babbling at me and pointing to something she knocked over, my children desire for me to recognize their accomplishments.  I am constantly being called to look at pictures drawn, letters …

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46 Things Most Parents Don’t Know About Their Children and Technology

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  Last night, I got the opportunity to teach two groups of parents at North Side concerning children and technology.  We simply scratched the surface concerning education and protection of their children. Most of the things I shared were enlightening.  Technology and media change so rapidly, it is hard for a parent to keep up.  And while 20 years ago, …

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“I Love Eating!”

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My wife does a fantastic job of teaching our children to appreciate their father.  They are regularly expressing gratitude for providing for them.  It’s a sweet thing, but it does have its consequences. The other morning I was getting the kids dressed and ready for the day when Eli asked his daily question. “Dad, do you have to go to …

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What a Japanese Steakhouse Taught Me About My Daughter

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  Our family made a Saturday trip to Greenville recently.  Amidst the shoe shopping extravaganza, we decided to go to Miyabi Japanese Steakhouse for dinner that night.  We just had to pick out shoes quickly so that we could make it for the early bird special! All of my children have been really good eaters.  They try a lot of …

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The Long Walk to Kindergarten

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Like many other families around our area, the Agnews had a big week this week as school started.  It is crazy to think that my boys are old enough for kindergarten.  The time is flying by quickly.

While emotions will run high for these moments and you never know how parents or the children will handle themselves, we had a fantastic first day and first week of school.  There are more options concerning schooling than ever before, and we struggled like so many other parents what was the right thing to do.

I guess we are old school in many ways and we wanted our boys to walk to school like many before them.  I wanted to videotape the whole experience.  In our house, I’m normally trying to grab a camera, Amanda doesn’t like it in the moment but then thanks me later.

So, here is a video of Obadiah and Eli on their long walk to kindergarten.  The hardest day is behind us, and many more great days to come.

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Deleted Scenes

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A feature of many movies are the inclusion of the deleted scenes.  These scenes were scripted, recorded, and edited, but, due to different reasons, they never made it into the final release.

As you watch them, you might notice that that scene wasn’t that great in the first place.  Maybe the scene was decent cinematography but just seemed irrelevant to the big story line of the film.

Have you ever wished there were some “deleted scenes” from your life?

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Protective Parents

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“You’ll understand when you have children of your own.”

This statement has been repeated by many parents throughout the years.  As fathers and mothers provide rules and regulations, children of all ages accuse their parents of being unfair and out of touch with trends in current culture.

Instead of debating, many parents opt out of an argument by explaining to their children that they will understand better when they have children of their own one day.

We hope.

What rules did your parents have that you couldn’t stand when you were a child?

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The Love Dare for Parents

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The Love Dare for Parents Bible Study looks at parenting the way Scripture describes it. It’s about walking in relationship with the One who created us and entrusted our children to us. This study will inspire and strengthen busy parents—married and single—to learn and practice principles of love as they relate to their children, ages preschool to college. It offers a plan …

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What We Love Most About Mom

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It’s Amanda’s birthday today.  The Agnews celebrate her today though she is worth celebrating every single day!

I asked the crew what they loved most about Mom.  Their replies?

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Mini-Masterpieces

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Before you can really love your child, you have to get to know your child.

Your child is unique.  That may be an understatement.  Your child is really unique.  God makes no carbon-copies.

When a child first arrives, all you know about him or her is the obvious – gender, hair color, eye color, size, etc.  Overtime, you begin to realize much more about this child.  Within months, you begin to notice personality traits.  Your child begins to reveal the things that make them laugh or the things that frighten them.  As they grow older, you will discover tendencies towards sin.  Getting to know your child is a discovery adventure for sure.

Before you can really love your child, you have to get to know your child.

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Children Are Gifts

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Unless God is in the business of building a home, the effort is in vain.  In Psalm 127, God reveals that the best reward a man can receive is not what his hands can provide, but only what God can give him – a child.

Sons are indeed a heritage from the LORD, children a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.  Happy is the man who has filled his quiver with them.  Such men will never be put to shame when they speak with [their] enemies at the city gate. -Psalm 127:3-5

Imagine it’s Christmas time.  You have given your child a gift that took a lot of your time and money.  After your child unwraps the gift, he or she begins to complain about having to care for the gift.  How do you feel concerning their attitude and what do you say and/or do as a result of their reaction?

How do you think God views it when parents complain about the gifts of children that He has given them?

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The Mission of the Church

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We had some guest worship leaders helping out this Sunday for Father’s Day at North Side.  I assembled some of the band to recruit their children to help lead in worship and we had a stage full.  I was so honored to have my two sons leading beside me.  Obadiah and Eli are passionate singers and musicians.  Many people commented on their energy, and I told them this was them on calm.  If you were out of town, watch online here.

Family is important at North Side.  We prize lifestyles of worship lived within the homes.  This wasn’t a stage idea for Sunday, this was an example of what real life in the home should look like – men leading their children to love Jesus.

That’s what was great about the other elements in the service today.  It was about fathers and sons going on mission together.  Men of God stepping up to lead in the Great Commission.

Today, we worshiped to:

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Simon Says Parenting

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Whether they are board games or video games, children can easily latch onto a favorite activity in which to play with others.  One of the enduring games over the years has been “Simon Says.”  This copycat game has a catch that usually tricks players into doing something they are not supposed to do.  If the leader of the game doesn’t start the instructions with the phrase, “Simon Says,” you are not supposed to do the action.

Why this game frustrates people so much is that we are prone to do what we see more often than what we hear.

As players around you begin to do the action – even if the leader hasn’t said “Simon Says” – it is difficult to refrain from doing the same motion as well.  Even if the instructions are otherwise, oftentimes, we repeat what we see.

That’s why a parent’s personal relationship with the Lord is so vital to a child’s spiritual health.

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Kissing You is Too Risky

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For the boys’ birthdays, we took the family for a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge.  Piled in the hotel room, I couldn’t find my razor.

Once we returned, I decided that when I preached the following week, I was going to do a monologue from Job’s perspective.  To do such, you need a good beard just in case you decide to rip some of it out.

After the message, it was too gruff for a 5-minute shave.  It would take longer, so I kept it, until…

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Mr. Mom

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This week I am off. Mom is getting some time away during the day and I am playing Mr. Mom. Two things I know about a stay at home mom that complicates the job: 1) it is a very difficult job, 2) you have the stinking cutest clients in the world.

3 John (Don’t Be a Diotrephes)

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We finished up our “Knowing That You Know Jesus” series today by studying 3 John.  The entire study since the beginning of this year has been so good.  Jeff’s message on 3 John concerning encouragement and confrontation within the church was so insightful and practical.  The Apostle John was encouraging Gaius concerning opposition he received from Diotrephes – a person within the church who loved to be first.  Don’t be one of those.

Since it was Mother’s Day, we had our ladies lead us in worship.  I thought about giving all these moms the week off, but then I realized that maybe someone else responsible for watching the kids that morning might be a welcomed treat.  My wife and the other ladies did great.  While they sing great, they lead great.  They are worship focused themselves.

Today, we worshiped to:

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Bad Church Sign: Your Mother is What?!

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  Here’s a church sign for you just in time for Mother’s Day: “SHE AIN’T HEAVY SHE’S MY MOTHER.” Good to know, church with a pulse, good to know. And I imagine your mother is happy to know that as well!

936 Saturdays

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The picture above was taken last Saturday in our backyard.  Amanda and the boys went out to lunch to spend some time together.  I was enjoying some one-on-one time with my little girl, Gloria.

With a list a mile long of things that needed to get done or could get done, I was very tempted to set her in front of something that would occupy her attention while I worked.

As a progress-aholic, I am used to taking such steps.  Last Saturday, the Holy Spirit and Gloria wouldn’t let me.

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“Why Are You Looking at Me Like That?”

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There are moments as a father where I wonder if my kids are getting it or not.

Then there are moments when I know that they are.

The other day I was outside with my boys.  Eli was raking and Obadiah had just gotten my shovel out of our shop.  He began to rake a hole next to our bonfire spot.  The conversation that ensued was rather hilarious.

Me: “Obadiah, I really don’t think you should dig right there?”

Obadiah: “Why?”

“Well, because someone might trip in it in the dark when we are having our next bonfire.”

“But I think it will be OK.”

And then he continues to dig.

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Children Are a Blessing – Not a Burden

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I’ve been really challenged as a parent as of late.  I’ve got three wonderful children who love to pile up in the backseat of my pickup truck, wrestle and tickle me, and talk with me (or jabber with me) about every little thing on their mind.

I know they are blessings.  I love them.  I would do anything for them.

But sometimes, I get really tired as a parent.  I get overwhelmed.  Some of that is due to the fact that they are children.  It’s their “fault” I’m tired, but a lot of the fault is mine.

It made me think about the joy I first felt when I heard I was going to become a father, and how, unfortunately, my perspective can shift overtime if I’m not careful.

Think about this:

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The Love Dare for Parents

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I’m honored to have been asked by LifeWay and Sherwood Pictures to partner with them again on another Bible study curriculum.  I’ve been very humbled to play a very small part in their ministry over the last couple of years, and I was humbled again that I was thought of to come alongside the latest project. I was contacted about …

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I Just Want My Daddy

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It’s hard to imagine that my lil’ baby girl, Gloria, is over 7 months old now.  Time truly is flying by.  She’s sitting up, eating all types of new food, and doing this crazy type of crawl that always makes her face plant.

Recently, when I’ve picked her up from the nursery after church services, she has attempted to win me over every so successfully.  We have wonderful nursery workers.  They love her, she is cool with them.

But something happens when Daddy walks into the room.

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Date Night #2 with Mom

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After Obadiah’s date night with Mom a couple of weeks ago, we have been clearing the calendar to make sure little brother Eli got the same opportunity.  He was so giddy about taking his mom out on a date, he talked about a whole lot.  Even if we didn’t plan on them having a date (which we did), his persistence …

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Date Night with Mom

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This is a picture of my oldest, Obadiah, when he was prepping to take his mom out on a date the other night.  My duty as a father is to turn this boy into a man and teach him how to treat a lady.  These moments also provide time for parents to have one-on-one time with a child in an …

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Strategic Parenting

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My children are different.  I love them equally, but I father them differently.  Mario is definitely different from Luigi.  They are both very different from Princess Toadstool (sorry, don’t have that costume just yet). I discipline differently.  While certain techniques I use might be the same, each one has to be corrected differently to get their attention.  They each are …

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Act Like Men

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I have the job of raising my boys to become men.  They are supposed to think like and act like men when I am done with them.  The only problem is – many “men” don’t know what that means!

1 Corinthians 13 is often called “The Love Chapter.”  It’s a great reminder for us all, but it especially reminds us as men that we are called to love our families. Each man is expected by God to be patient, kind, and humble.  Paul takes it even further.

Take a moment to read this verse 1 Corinthians 16:13-14:

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Grain of Wheat

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Special day at North Side!  We had some info on promotion Sunday (June 3rd), family dedication with 9 families, great time of worship, great interview video on “who was Jesus,” and a wonderful message!  Jeff’s teaching on John 12 was so good.  So much to take in considering how we are to lay our lives down just as Christ was anticipating his sacrifice for us.

Today, we worshiped to:

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Overwhelmed Mothers

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I wanted to write a post for all of you overwhelmed mothers out there.  I was blown away by the correspondence I received when I urged mothers to let mothers mother.  Let’s face it: moms have a unique burden placed upon them. Many of you are overwhelmed with your wonderful calling because it is a difficult one.  You can easily …

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Choosing Football Over Children

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Meet Jay Jones. Jay is the Sheriff of Lee County in Opelika, Alabama. As Sheriff Jones courageously strives to keep his county safe, he oftentimes has to get creative with how to enforce the law.

On July 29th, 2011, Sheriff Jones and his police force created a sting, Operation Iron Snare, to round up suspects who were wanted to pay more than $270,000 of unpaid child support.

Each of these individuals received a letter saying they had won two tickets to this year’s Iron Bowl game between Alabama and Auburn. The address used was the same addressed used in unsuccessfully trying to get them to pay child support. One by one, these suspects filed into a festive atmosphere to claim their tickets where they were later arrested and transported to the Lee County Detention Facility.

See the video here:

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A Father’s Affirmation

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Amanda and I love watching The Biggest Loser.  While there has been some wearisome drama this season, Tuesday night had me standing up and applauding as I watched this father and son duo in the weigh-in show a great example of a father showing affirmation for his son. Chism was being sent off and his youth pastor father, Mark, was …

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“Glo – o – o – ria…”

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We are now less than six weeks away from Gloria’s due date.  We are rounding the corner and realizing that the time is coming quickly now.  As we finalize preparations in the home, we are constantly talking about her arrival with the boys.

They love to sing and talk about their baby sister, but I almost fell on the floor laughing the other day when I heard what came out of Obadiah’s mouth.

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Mothers, Let Mothers Mother

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Mothers, let mothers mother. I’m a guy.  I know I shouldn’t weigh into things of which I cannot empathize with, but I feel like this word is necessary.  It is absolutely astounding the pressure that mothers put on other mothers to raise their children the same way they do. In our years of parenthood, we constantly run into other mothers …

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“Hot Mama!”

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Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.

Amanda was picking Obadiah up from church nursery the other week and we realized that they really pick up and kids say the craziest of things.

We never saw this one coming.

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The Worst Sign I’ve Ever Seen

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We’ve been remodeling our home recently which has had me out getting different needed things for the house.  One day, as I was rushing through an aisle, a sign grabbed my attention.  I do believe that it is the worst sign I’ve ever seen.  It is unfortunately honest for many men, but it makes me want to vomit.

And it reads:

“I’d rather be lost at the lake than found at home.”

Does it make people chuckle as they go by?  Sure.  Do we know men who this sign (or a variation of this sign) should belong to?  Probably, and that is why it is so tragic.

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Show Yourself a Man (So That Boys Will Know the Way)

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David is known for many things in the Bible.

He was anointed as king at an early age. He killed Goliath as a young man when all the bravest soldiers in Israel were hiding. He made worship a big deal with God’s people.

He was a man after God’s own heart.

While he sinned greatly during his life, he knew the power of honest repentance and would find his way back to God. After a long life filled with ups and downs, David attempted to summarize his desire for his son, Solomon in some of his last words on earth.

Do you know what this man desired most for his son?

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