rejecting the red
The world’s biggest sperm bank is turning away redheads. (No, I’m not advocating the use of sperm banks.) Why is Cryos International rejecting “ginger” donors from its ranks? Because not enough clients want red-haired children. In fact, the only country that has a high demand for redheaded donors is Ireland—a land known for people with lovely red locks. Personally, I…
these are our children
Today, as we were being briefed about all the work Compassion is doing in Kenya and other parts of the world, I realized for the first time that I was part of something much bigger than I had anticipated. God is using Compassion International in some incredible ways to change the spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental trajectory of children around…
how could she?
My little Ugandan neighbors, Joshua (age 10), Mirika (age 8), Ashaba (age 7), and Katseme (age 4), have had a difficult life. One day the police showed up at their small house and—in front of the children—tore off their father’s shirt and shoes, beat him, bound him, and dragged him off to jail. He was released a few days later,…
deliberate
Due to my love for music, I want my kids to know its inherent beauty beyond their ability simply to hear notes. So with no hidden dreams of creating prodigies, my husband and I have invested our finances, time, and oversight into making music a priority. We’ve given our kids certain choices along the way, but we understand that we…
one lost son
This story of the prodigal son is one of the most famous and familiar of Jesus’ parables. And the most personal. For it touches an area that is often the most painful—our children.
In the parables of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) and lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), the emphasis is on the lostness and the relentless efforts of the owners to…
obedience
Christmas has come and gone. The decorations that decked the shopping malls and churches have been taken down. And the Christmas tree in your living room has probably been dumped outside. The festivities and revelry may be over for us, but after Jesus’ birth Joseph and Mary observed three ceremonies out of obedience to God’s laws (Luke 2:21-24,39).
When he…
the privilege of children
Erik Hatzinger confessed to stealing money from several businesses over many months. He seems to be repentant, for when the judge ordered him to pay $13,000 in restitution, Erik informed the judge that he had stolen more and would like to pay it all back.
“That’s the son I raised,” his mother told a reporter. “I’m not surprised he wanted…
tuition nation
According to a study conducted by a local newspaper in Singapore, 97 out of 100 students polled have private tutors or receive supplemental training at academic centers. So common are these practices that Singapore has been called the “tuition nation.”
Academic education is important, but I wonder, Is equal—if not greater—attention given to instructing our children to become men and…
taking root
A few years ago, I wrote about three street kids—Saddam, Moses, and Charles. At the time, I had helped lead them to a Christian home for children who had no other place to live. I thought the boys would be elated to leave their life of extreme suffering behind. But after only one month in his new environment, Saddam called…
broken, but loved
John 3:17: God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.
It's obvious, when you look at creation as a whole, that God loves diversity. Debbie and I have three sons, and each one of them is different from the other two. They're distinct in almost every way, even though they're…
my three sons
Okay, I admit the title of this devo is misleading. I don’t have sons. I am the proud father of three lovely girls! And by the grace of God, I strive to be the kind of parent God wants me to be.
Now since I have raised only daughters, I’ve been told that my parenting expertise is restricted to raising…
radical generosity
I never cease to be amazed at the people Jesus put forward as role models. He said children were role models for trust (Mark 10:15); He presented a “sinful woman” as a role model for love (Luke 7:47); He no doubt scandalized His Jewish friends when He suggested a pagan soldier was a role model for faith (Luke 7:1-9). So…
sandwiched
If you feel as if you’re a walking ham and cheese on rye, there might be good reason. More and more people are becoming part of the “sandwich generation.” They’re feeling the squeeze of caring for children while also supporting parents or parents-in-law. A recent report reveals that one in five working-age people in Asia are now officially “sandwiched.”
Boaz…
mothers and fathers
Not long ago, I was drawn into a spirited discussion about the parenting concerns of mothers and fathers: Mothers tend to worry about their child’s safety; fathers focus on their child’s success. A mother is concerned that her child be loved, while fathers push their children hard in a world where failure is easy and success is difficult.
The Thessalonian…
