LCMS Family Ministry Blog

Going Solo

The recent news of the rescue of 16-year-old Abby Sunderland, after her attempt to sail around the world was cut short in a near tragedy, has caused both relief and dismay. We are profoundly grateful that she was brought to safety, and yet many are puzzled with such an attempt in the first place.

A Moment

There are many "moments" which stand out in the life of a parent, such as watching your child...

+ take their first step.

+ go to school for the first time.

+ make the team, or get a role in the play.

+ experience their first "crush."

+ graduate--no matter what level!

Recently, I had such a moment, but it wasn't like those listed above.

A Shout Out for Parents!

Usually, I'm not a big "awards show" viewer. Sometimes, I don't even know they have occurred until I see a story about them on-line or in the newspaper the following day. I don't usually watch, because I haven't seen many of the movies or TV shows, and really haven't heard many of the songs that are up for these annual awards.

It's What Families Do

Here is a favorite quote of mine:

"Everyone needs someone in their life who will abandon all dignity and self-respect on their behalf."

I'm not sure who said it, so I can't credit the insightful author, but it seems to have even more meaning as we continue the journey of Lent.

The Epicenter of Love

I have lived in earthquake country most of my life on the west coast. An earthquake is something you can prepare for, think about on occasion, think more about when a trembler occurs—but often disregard unless it destroys or upsets your everyday way of life.

My New Year's Resolutions... NOT

Every year at this time, we find ourselves making a list of how we want to change things in our lives during the New Year. These are not mere suggestions, but come in the form of resolutions—a very strong use of language, which gives us a stronger sense of commitment! This tone of voice sounds more convincing within our own head and heart, and in our conversations with others. These are things we will do!

Twelve Questions for Christmas

We all know the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. It's a fun song to sing in a group setting or with families. One way to sing it, is to simply divide up the various days of Christmas, assigning them to different people or groups, and then sing the song enjoying the surprises that usually occur as you sing though each day. Some how the number twelve has become a symbol of Christmas as a result of this famous song.

Did I Miss Thanksgiving?

Recently, I was out and about with my wife doing some shopping in early November. We went into a few craft stores that day and since we host Thanksgiving for our family, we looked at some decorations we could add in our home for this festive event.

Or Else!

There are certainly times when we as parents need to get the attention of our child. We often start in a gentle way, a word or two spoken in a soft tone of voice. If that doesn't work, we may speak a bit bolder. It that doesn't work, we may offer a soft physically touch, in an attempt to guide the child in the direction we would have them go.

It's OK to say, "I don't know"

When we become parents, we are thrown into a job for which we have very little training and virtually no experience. Oh, we may have nine months to prepare for the birth, and we seem to have adequate resources available for that moment, but after that--we are often unsure of the pathway ahead.

They're Really Gone

This summer was a 3--U--Haul summer for our family! It began by moving our daughter's items from Northern California to her new apartment in Southern California. This was followed by the rental of a second truck, to move living room furniture and other things belonging to our son. Truck three, was the final move of his bedroom furniture and personal items into a house in the community where he attends college.

I Guess Summer is Over

While the calendar says we are entering the last week of August, and my Day-Planner doesn't mention the arrival of Autumn until September 22, some how it seems summer is concluding, in spite of triple digit temperatures across the country.

Game Night Still Works

When I was growing up, we would spend weeks at a time at my grandparent's summer home in Northern California. It was a rustic setting, and the home was continually under re-construction. (Grandpa always had a project going). Our pattern as family, was "fish for day," and then "work for a day." Grandma and grandpa traded the room and board they offered to family members for hard labor balanced with good fishing.

Who Says You're too Old?

Over the last couple of years, I have been asked more and more frequently if I qualify for the Senior discount. This has taken place in restaurants, movie theaters and other settings. Fortunately, at this point in my life, I fail to qualify due to my "youthfulness." But, it won't be long...

What Would Your Shirt Say?

It is my goal to get to the gym at least twice a week for a workout. Sometimes I meet this goal and other weeks, well... you know--things get busy! One of the things I notice as I am working out is the various shirts that other folks are wearing.

"Go Outside and Play!"

Those were words that I heard often growing up during the summer. They were not words of disgust or frustration as perhaps they might sound; but instead, they were words of encouragement and opportunity spoken by a loving mother.

My Best Job Ever

When you hit the mid-point of life as I have--you can pass judgment from the perspective of what's been best and worst. For instance, there are several houses in which I've lived, and I'm not sure which one I would claim to be the best. But when it comes to "jobs," I know the best one--hands down!

Cutting Back and Coming Back

It goes by a lot of names... Cutting Back is one of them. There are terms used such as Downsizing and Rightsizing as well. Sometimes it is called "natural adjustment." Whatever you want to call, it is happening all around us in business and industry and even in the church.

Thank God

I have been to my share of graduation ceremonies over the years and have even spoken at a few of them. I got to hear a great commencement address the other night, given by my wife to her middle school students at St. Philip Lutheran School in Dublin, California. Here is a condensed version of what she said…

Headlines

For years now, I have been a news junkie. I have an eagerness to watch TV news at any time of the day. My car radio buttons have often been set to several "all news--all the time" stations. In addition to radio and TV broadcast news, I really enjoy my morning newspaper.

Our Home Town

Most everyone has a home town. There may be few exceptions considering those who grew up in military families, or other “traveling professions.” But, for the most part, many of us can trace our beginnings to a particular city and perhaps even a single house.

A Great Parenting Resource

In this day and age of 24-7 media coverage where every new and helpful nuance for family life seems only a mouse click away and where uncanny parental expectations pile on us like compost on a Nebraska farm, there is one tried and true resource for parents which has stood the test of time from the beginning.

The Mother Lode

With Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday, it’s seems appropriate to reflect on the impact of mothers in our lives. Let me give you a run down of that impact in my life.

Uh? What did you say?

Every family has them. Every family uses them. What are they? They are those expressions that are unique for each household. Often they are cultural, perhaps a representation of a proud heritage. Sometimes they are just goofy utterances passed down from one generation to the next.

Top Dog

It finally happened! After a promise made by their father way back in November, two little girls received their long awaited puppy. This though is not just any family, with just any father making such a promise.

So, Now it's Monday!

It seems that the harsh reality of "real life" happens much more quickly after Easter than other major Holy Days of the Church. For many folks, it's back to work right away or back to school for kids the very next day. We hardly have time to soak it all in.

Righteous Anger

It’s Tuesday of Holy Week. We know that early in this week, Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple (Mark 11:15-17). This incident created yet more hatred among the chief priests and teachers of the law as well as amazement in his followers.

The Charlie Brown Challenge

Even though I just got snowed on in three states on a recent trip, it's spring in most places around the country. The signs of the change of season are upon us, and with it come new possibilities for family activities.

Have a Good Weekend!

It can start as early as Thursday evening. We certainly hear it a lot by Friday afternoon, and then by Friday evening--it is a phrase that we have spoken and heard numerous times.

Our True GPS

There they were on a summer day... lost in San Diego. Not a bad place to be lost any time of the year. But, time was not on their side. They needed to get to their destination quickly.

A WORD of Welcome

Welcome to the NEW LCMS Family Ministry Blog!