Purposeful Prayer

A person with long hair stands outdoors in a moment of purposeful prayer, hands clasped as the sun sets behind them. Text reads "Purposeful Prayers" and "FaithFirstParent.com.

Prayer is the conduit to heaven. Prayer provides strength and peace to our lives and covers our families with spiritual protection. So why don’t we pray more often? Prayer takes time. Period. We have to create space in our busy lives for prayer. S.D. Gordon sums it up well, “Great people of the earth today…

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Matters of Faith

A woman with long brown hair, wearing a brown top and yellow pants, sits in a garden holding a baby. She reads a children's book titled "Who is Jesus?" There is text on the image: "Matters of Faith" and "FaithFirstParent.com," reflecting her deep faith.

Faith matters. Foundational faith practices come from intentional leading. How Mom, Dad, and other adults model faith building helps children develop their own faith habits. The bible is a roadmap, instruction book, and communication tool all rolled into one. Reading the bible with children of any age provides a solid foundation in faith. The lessons…

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Learn, Discern and Protect Your Family

A person sits at a table with an open book and their phone nearby, pen in hand. The text reads, "Learn, Discern and Protect Your Family FaithFirstParent.com.

Where do you go to learn, discern, and protect yourself and your family when the world is crazy? The best place to go is to your knees with God’s Word and an open heart. A young mom texted me recently for resources to use during the pandemic and social unrest. Both she and her spouse…

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8 Strategies for Great Family Gatherings

A welcoming table setting with white plates, silverware, and glasses graces the wooden table. A green leafy garland intertwined with small candles centers the scene, offering a warm ambiance. Follow these 8 tips for great family gatherings to create an inviting atmosphere for everyone.

There’s at least one in every family. The uncle who consistently asks inappropriate questions, the aunt without kids who’s an expert in childrearing, or the cousin with extreme political views who insists on a debate during holiday meals. Fortunately, we can choose our friends. Relatives we need to learn to live with; the good, the…

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Jesus at Easter and Always

Open book in black and white, displaying two pages with text in columns. The visible headings include Psalms 139 and 140, reminiscent of Easter reflections, with verses and annotations on a flat surface.

Linda read a beautiful prayer at bible study this past week. The words reflect the many ways Jesus touched others during his ministry. May this prayer bless you as Easter approaches. I pray that Christ may come to you early in the morning as He came to Mary that morning in the garden. And I…

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Are Our Children Living in Spiritual Poverty?

A girl with long hair in a denim jacket sits outdoors on the grass, gazing thoughtfully to the side. Blurred trees and houses in the background evoke a sense of contemplation: are our children living in spiritual poverty nestled within this suburban setting?.

Are our children living in spiritual poverty? Poverty comes in many shapes and sizes. Financial poverty is the most visible. Experiential poverty results from limiting learning experience. But what about when we neglect faith matters and lead children to spiritual poverty? Spiritual poverty results when we as parents leave faith formation up to the church. I’ve…

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7 Gifts of Eternal Love for Our Kids

Two babies in white onesies lie on a soft, textured white blanket, surrounded by a circular arrangement of red flowers. One baby has an arm around the other, embodying one of the 7 Gifts of Eternal Love. Viewed from above, the scene conveys warmth and affection.

We give our kids so many things, material things. How about giving gifts to your children that will last a lifetime, eternal gifts? 7 Eternal Gifts of Love on Valentine’s Day ❤Unconditional Love Loving through the difficult times, accepting others as they are created, and forgiving when necessary shows children they are valued and loved.…

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Prayers for Your Kids from the Bible

A person is reading "Prayers for Your Kids from the Bible" on a rustic wooden table, its pages adorned with highlighted verses and sticky notes. A pencil lies neatly beside the book.

Christian parents have two incredibly powerful tools for parenting our children, the Bible and prayer. Prayer is one-on-one conversation with the Creator of the universe who can do immeasurably more than we can imagine. The dreams we have for our lives and the lives of our children cannot compare to the plans the Lord has for…

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5 Tips to Equip an Anxious Child

A child, seemingly anxious, sits on a wooden bench, holding a large, fluffy teddy bear close. Wearing a beige sweater and striped pants, their hands gently clasp the bear. The softly lit scene creates a cozy atmosphere amidst the child's quiet unease.

The plan was to get the group of old college friends together over the holidays. You’d been looking forward to it for weeks, regaling the kids with stories of all the fun you had in school and assuring them of a host of new friends. A great time for everyone! But when you arrived at…

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Faith Lessons for Big Kids and Little Kids

A person is reading a large open book, possibly a textbook or reference book, on a wooden table. The book's pages have handwritten notes, reflecting their faith in knowledge. A colorful, patterned notebook is partially visible beneath the book.

How well do your children know the Bible? Can your children defend their beliefs? Can they stick to biblical principles and family values despite the whims of friends and the culture? Faith lessons and family values are rooted at home, in what a child learns, observes, and lives each day. I’ve noticed in parenting classes…

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