Here is a collection of good reads gathered from across the internet this past week. Enjoy!
A series of posts on parenting…
On being a father to your girls: Why Daughters Need Their Dads by Kris Dolberry
When you are with her, whether you eat dinner and do homework together or even when you are present but don’t say much, the quality and stability of her life—and, you’ll find, your own—improves immeasurably. Even if you think the two of you operate on different planes, even if you worry that time spent with her shows no measurable results, even if you doubt you are having a meaningful impact on her, the clinical fact is that you are giving your daughter the greatest of gifts. (click here to read more)
On being a mother to your boys: Boys Need Their Moms by Tim Challies
Boys need their moms—I am convinced of it. Even teenaged boys, boys who are nearly men. I see this when I look back at my own life. It wouldn’t be overstating it to say that my mother was my primary counselor and most trusted companion through those turbulent teenage years. It’s not that I didn’t have peer friendships, but that none of those friends influenced me as much as she did. I would often spend that time between school and dinner chatting with her while she prepared our meal. I would come along with her on errands just so we could talk. I confided in her and depended on her wisdom and her interpretation of my thoughts and feelings. We talked about girls and God and pretty well everything else I was thinking and experiencing. I relied on her for physical affection. In so many ways I wanted to be like her, to model much of my life and character after hers. It was really only when Aileen entered my life that this friendship, this dependency, began to diminish. (click here to read more)
On parenting and the faith of your children: 7 Ways Parents Push Their Kids Away from God without Knowing It by Frank Powell
Parents, you are painting a portrait of God for your children. What does the picture look like? It is never too late to start investing in the faith of your children. God doesn’t operate like money. The outcome of your kids’ faith isn’t necessarily determined by the time you put in. God isn’t confined to such things. It is also never too early to get started. Set the trajectory of faith for your children now. (click here to read more)
Other topics:
On accountability as Christians: Helping One Another Forsake Sin and Follow Jesus by Randy Alcorn
So when someone says “I want to follow Jesus” but is living in sin, I think we should point to what Christ commands of us, and remind them that He gives the power and strength to obey Him. Scripture says that the grace of God “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12). God’s grace is not only for forgiveness of sin, but empowerment to live in holiness. (click here to read more)
On praying and watching for answers: Don’t Just Pray About It by Erik Raymond
Much like a eager and expectant child who has dropped a seed into the ground, the believer is to look through the eyes of faith knowing that God is for them, loves them, hears them, and works all things together for their good (Rom. 8.28; 1 Pet. 5.6-8). The same heart of faith that comes to God in prayer patiently waits and watches for God to answer his prayer. (click here to read more)
First Baptist Church 