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Category: <span>Parenting</span>

Category: Parenting

When they don’t want you in church…Fathers Day 2023

It was 23 years ago today I discovered I had a Father. A real, tangible Father that had never left me, always protected me and gently guided me, despite my determined rebellion. It made an instant, lasting difference. – My biological father left before I was born – leaving me insecure and chasing identity. I met him when I was in my 20s for the first time. After seeing him a few times I asked if he would want to come to my wedding. His reply is the last thing I heard him say:  “Adam I never wanted children and …

for thought | Parenting   |

Connect, Share, Love

Today, being the anniversary of my mother in laws death, we spent some time reflecting on her life.  This photo is one of my favourites of her. Battling cancer, walking in uneven sand up from the old caravans were were living in. She had spent the time to come and visit and on the trek back to the car she didn’t miss a trick connecting with one of my younger sons.  It is such a reminder that life is ‘just’ a collection of moments where we can spend time and actually connect with others. The clothes, the money, the house, …

Ministry / TPM | Parenting | Personal   | |

Mothers Day 2023 – do what you can

I see a lot of the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes of Christian homeschool motherhood due to my wife…and I am amazed. At times, it is tiring, stressful. chaotic and even seems futile. But be encouraged, God uses *every* single action, every word and  sacrifice!  Your prayers early in the morning and late at night. Your honesty and humility with personal faults Your example in going to God and dealing with said faults. Your modelling of commitment to and respect of your husband. Your sacrifice giving up your desires, friends, activities to lead your children to Him. Your understanding of your …

Homeschool | Parenting   |

Mothers Day 2023

Watching our children this week I was reflecting on the way that you have prayed, inputted in to them, trained them, taught them and schooled them. It really is amazing – they are so blessed and their characters all reflect how God has used you in their lives.  I am deeply grateful for all that you have done and do:Your continual sacrifice, putting God and His ways first, has led to our 6 children having amazing spiritual privilege. So many times you forgo what would feel nice, what you would like, what is relaxing, what is easy…and instead do what …

Parenting | Personal  

Anzac Day 2023

Over the last few months, we have been learning about different periods of history, specifically about war between different nations.  One of the things that has been amazing to me, is just how many wars there have been throughout history. So many, that times without war really stand out – periods of peace are actually *very* rare.  So much death, so much horror it just beggars belief.  But here, in the West, living in this time, it is easy to naively start to take our freedoms for granted. I know I did… As a raging alcoholic all I cared about was …

for thought | Jesus Time | Parenting  

The most valuable disciples in the world…

Since Christmas, we have set up and rammed a new front fence: it’s not finished, but feels great to have *finally* made some progress on it! I have to say, that despite the pain and severe physical limitation, I *love* working with this amazing family.  We had some friends come to help – and watching our kids continually take the time to stop, include and teach others is so rewarding. To me, it is part of what discipleship looks like, a command from our Master, so desperately needed and severely lacking.  It is one of the aspects of my Christian …

for thought | Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting   |

Be encouraged fellow pilgrim

Be encouraged fellow pilgrims…  Many of you know that for over a year I have been telling my children that they need to be sure about where God wants them as our culture is doomed. In fact, according to history, our cultures demise is sure in our life time let alone theirs.  But that said, I am not worried or discouraged – Jesus the King is on the throne, God’s will is being fulfilled and can not be thwarted. While our culture may be nearing the end of its road, this is not a new phenomenon.  The vast Herodian empire, …

Culture | Parenting | Preaching   | |

If you have never known your dad…

If, for whatever reason, you don’t have a good relationship with your dad, I understand.  Not in a cliche, pseudo-psychological way, but in a real, understanding and experiential way.  I know how much of the below is totally hidden, almost all of the time; but inwardly these thoughts lurk and at times, they rear their head. Through even the most epic lifestyle, most hardcore addiction or best suppression techniques some of these things break into our reality. Sometimes repeatedly.   I know how you: – tell yourself it doesn’t matter, – yearn for it to not be your fault,  – put your …

for thought | Ministry / TPM | Parenting | Relationships   |

Happy Mothers Day 2022

The outlook was bleak and there were many risks.  This was the worst time to fall pregnant – no income, already two children to care for and the bills were mounting.  It was clear that the father was bad news – sure enough he left as soon as he heard the news. No support, no income, no house, no financial security, no child support.  The choice for many reading this would be simple: have it killed.  Thankfully, my mother had come to believe that life was precious and sacred, even before birth. This is what she had read in the …

Culture | for thought | Parenting   |

7 Traits of successful children…according to the Bible PART 1

[This is Party one of a 7 Part Series] I recently read an article that stated the ‘7 traits of successful children’ written by a psychologist. Of course I wanted to see what was classified as ‘successful’ and whether I was doing a good job or not.  Of course, I logically know that most psychologists operate from a secular world-view, but I clicked anyway…  The first point confirmed my suspicion: Self Confidence!p This is what most of the world chases and what is associated with ‘successful’ people. From a Biblical point of view though, Self Esteem is just selective pride. …

for thought | Parenting   |

UN Homeschool pressure: Be Encouraged Christian Parent

Hello precious people!  After reading about the UN’s push for Western governments to clamp down on homeschooling i felt to write the below.  With our election just around the corner, with more parties signing on to the progressive agenda, things might seem futile. But don’t give up! While things may get more difficult God is in control – Jesus sits in the place of victory – He is King!  Your actions & work inputting His Truth into your precious ones will not be useless – His word never returns void. The foundation you give your children can hold them in …

Parenting   |

Does Smacking a child lead to rebellion / addiction?

I wrote the below in response to an article that argued: Smacking children causes drug addiction Smacking never works Smacking can never be done healthily…. First off, if we base our parenting on research, we will likely never hit the mark – and it will continually change. The research (despite the authors insistence) can never give a total nor completely clear picture of all the variables, outcomes and personality types. The data is interpreted by people through their worldview (most ‘psychology’ research is based in secular humanism). This week playgrounds need to be safer – next week we’re told that …

Parenting   | |

How Discipline Proves Love

I recently wrote an article looking at the ‘Death of the West’: how history reveals that we can not survive the next 40 years. (Article is Here)   All through history, powerful, educated, military nations that should rule the world have ceased to exist. However, it is small, insignificant, uneducated nations like the Jews, have survived through the ages (despite concerted efforts to the contrary!) . It just does not make sense… Unless of course there is some supernatural power at play. Interestingly, the Bible describes this very scenario: a God who punishes nations who violate His law. According to this incredible book, the …

Culture | for thought | Parenting   | | | |

Six Lessons from Six years since my brother passed away.

Six years ago today, my brother in law passed away after complications from a bee sting. Looking back, I can clearly remember getting the phone call that he had been rushed to hospital…  When this phone call came through, I instantly knew that it was a dire situation even though the doctors were very optimistic, saying there was at least 70% chance he would be ok.  God had prepared us for two weeks before that something big was coming. He also told us specific things about Naveen, so we we did reach out. I didn’t fully believe it was God, …

Parenting | Personal | Relationships   |

How to please ‘God’ in two easy steps…

Nearly everyone who accepts there is a ‘god’ wonders how to please it / him / her / them…and normally tries to.     It makes sense that any wise human who understands a more powerful deity exists, would try to please / appease the Being that made them.    We see the same trait in animals – horses with their owners, dogs with their masters, dolphins with their trainers: the animal does what it has learned, i.e. what the the human wants (or rewards).    Even in these limited examples, we can see a large variety of different types …

for thought | Parenting   |

Find me Dad! How hide & seek finds us all…

Have you ever wondered why children want us to find them? It’s reveals something quite profound and it points to something that is universal to us all… It is immensely powerful even though most aren’t aware of it’s reality – though you likely have experienced some of it’s consequences….

Parenting | Relationships   | |

Conflict in Marriage: A Different Take

Have you ever attacked your wife or partner? Yelled, screamed, used those angry eyes, given silent treatment or just left (emotionally or physically)? Has it ever been because of something that has happened with or to your child? A parenting issue? A dis-agreeance on what has or should happen? Me too. It is a common source of conflict in a marriage. Today I feel God wants me to share a different take on these times. Maybe when you reacted, you just experienced part of God’s heart? What? Maybe – let me explain: As I look back at my childhood, I …

for thought | Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting

My Reality this Mothers Day

Today, as I reflect on Mothers Day it brings many mixed emotions and great memories. Lots of joy, happiness, surprises, but also disappointment, sadness and grief. I look back into my childhood and all I wanted was love and attention. I remember giving my gifts to my mum that I made at school…always wondering how would they be received? Would they be good enough? As the years went on, as a teenager who now “knew everything” and was earning money, I would look for something that was expensive enough to show her love the only way I knew how.  I …

Parenting | Soul Food   |

Last Minute Mothers Day Ideas for your wife…mostly FREE!

As a dad with 6 children, a big part of being a good husband and father is to model how to show love and help the children to love and honour people – especially their mother. This is an area where I have failed heaps, but over the years there has been a few ways that have stood out that have ‘worked’ in this regard for me. The first is receiving love from God. Don’t switch off – seriously – we have often received either only a little love while growing up or a tainted version of love. This leaves …

Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting   | |

Dont contact me again son

‘Dad I’m getting married – do you want to come?’ “Adam I never wanted children – I still don’t – please don’t contact me again” The above was a real conversation I had with my dad over the phone a week or so before I was married in 2003. It is the last time I have spoken to him – I don’t know if he is still alive, in jail or whatever. I have respected his wish and, unfortunately, I understand his desire…

for thought | Parenting | Relationships

One of the saddest photos in the world?

This photo does two things to my heart… It is a photo taken just after my 9yo son & I left emergency after a very difficult night. He had suffered a serious concussion and had amnesia and a possible brain bleed. I was sick, over tired and very sore but somehow – miraculously – we had just been released. All seemed to be going well…

Ministry / TPM | Parenting | Relationships   |

Have we already been to bed dad?

“Have we already been to bed dad?” This sentence was the first sign that something was wrong – very wrong. At first, I thought this child was joking, despite him knowing that health / injury is nothing to ever be joked about in this family… As I questioned him, it still seemed just like he was joking, until, after about 3 minutes he ‘jerked’ a little and his eyes went funny and the same sequence of questions came out. No one could act this… I called the two children who were near him when he came off his bike. I …

Parenting   |

You Stink – I have much to be ashamed of in my life…

Recently I read a little about a case in America where 13 children were supposedly abused and kept locked up in a suburban house. The story, as portrayed, was horrific and hard to read, let alone imagine through one of the children’s eyes… I think there is much more to the story than has been reported – and the presented story has quite obvious flaw and inconsistencies*… (possibly to champion the public call for a ban on homeschooling or further deride Christianity). However, this is not the focus or object of this article. I do have to say first though, …

Jesus Time | Parenting  

Baby 5 Birth – too early is not too late

What an epic 24 hours! I know that we don’t live a ‘normal’ suburban life – but the last 24 hours has been more crazy than normal…   The last few weeks has really been amazing – and not what people would say in a good way. We have had drama after drama with some things happening that just seem ridiculous. Some of them have threatened the existence (forever) of our business, the completion of our house with literally more problems than could be imagines with what would seem to be simple things and sickness. But our reactions have not …

for thought | Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting  

Raising children, a house or income?

A reflection and note to self about the importance of time… Are we raising children, a house or an income? People who are depressed (and especially those who are suicidal) are so focussed on themselves, they simply can not see that they have any worth – that others would care or that they are valuable to others.  This can be seen in a common theme in suicide notes “I want you to get on with life and be happy” – but they have just killed themselves when you read it – they can not see the sad effect they have …

for thought | Homeschool | Parenting   | |

Fathers Day 2014

Today I got my favourite breakfast – Nasi Lemak – but it was nothing compared to what happened next! After reading my cards, the children lined up and sang the Growing Kids song ‘my daddy is so awesome’. They did the actions & had apparently been preparing for weeks. I was emotional listening and watching them. The words of that song go like this: “My Daddy is so awesomeHe leads our family, My dad loves my mummy and He loves me. He reminds me that we have a great familyAnd he shows love to mummy and he’s always hugging meHe …

Marriage / Sig Other | Parenting

Jesus Time What it is & Why we do it…

Scripture(s): Proverbs 22:6, Luke 13:27, John 10:14, 17:3 Notes: ‘Jesus Time’ – whatever it looks like for your family – should never become a religious thing you do, before you get on with ‘real’ life. It is a foundational time from which all other parts of life are built on…

Homeschool | Jesus Time | Parenting   | |