Christian Grandparenting Blog
Is Your Christmas Celebration like a Bethlehem Inn: No Room for Jesus?
No other month in the calendar is like December. There is a plethora of decorations, shopping, baking, songs, movies, parties, and gifts. It is easy to be distracted by the “to-do” lists and the hustle and bustle of the season. Keep an emphasis on the birth of our Savior. It is challenging in our secular and commercialized world. Here are some simple traditions to help celebrate the first coming of Jesus and to be more meaningful. They cost little but can have a memorable impact on our children and grandchildren. Choose a couple to include in your plans to keep Christ in Christmas this year.
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Advent of Christ’s Birth
The word Advent originated from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming” or “arrival.” The advent foretold by the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, is “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 ESV). His prophetic vision is of a child who would represent God’s presence, embody his characteristics, bear the responsibility of governing his people, and is given titles that could only rightfully be attributed to God.
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Feasting on Forgiveness
Do you anticipate an idyllic family Thanksgiving reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting, or does the approaching holiday cause you to wring your hands in angst? Does this time of the year unearth painful memories for you? Do you find yourself in...
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A Grandparent of Sexual Integrity
As a Christian grandparent, you have a particular motivation to get your sexual integrity act together, and that motivation is your precious grandchildren. Grandchildren see you living your life based on your beliefs every day. The stability a grandparent represents to a child gives them peace. They know they can come to you for truth and guidance. When they know that your peace is based on your relationship with God, they are more apt to face life by seeking the peace of God instead of the world.
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Heavenly Interruptions and Holiday Traditions
The Kingdom of God has interrupted the kingdom of this world. In the beginning, God interrupted the darkness with light and creation. Jesus interrupted human history with His incarnation. And He’s called us, His people, to be ushers of divine interruption. Interrupting lostness with salvation, guilt with forgiveness, the seen with the unseen. The months ahead offer a ripe opportunity to usher a holy interruption by creating holiday traditions.
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The Legacy of a Stand-in Grandparent
It’s pretty common in the northwest for people to come from a non-spiritual background. I had a spiritual background growing up, until my dad passed away suddenly at age 47. Tragedy has a way of driving people either to God or away from God. For my family, most of them were driven away. For me, I sought comfort in an unchanging God who promised to work out everything for His good. That conviction became very real to me when I discovered in high school that not only is God in control of everything and never changes, but also that He wants a personal relationship with me.
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The Truth About Pornography
The tsunami of destruction caused by pornography is here. According to Barna Research 6 out of 10 of the men walking into a church on Sunday morning have looked at pornography in the last day, week, or month. The men are of all ages including grandfathers.
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Have a Fruitful Harvest of Spiritual Maturity
This is the time of year when “harvest” is an important word, whether we live on a farm or in the city. Everyone enjoys the fresh fruits and vegetables that show up in farmer’s markets or in the produce aisle of the grocery store. Yum!
But have you given thought to what stage the harvest of your spiritual life is in? Once a person chooses to become a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ, a new life begins.
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Harvesting Balance
Are you, like many grandparents, caught in the middle? Being pulled in two directions? Even though we have learned to trust God’s provision, sometimes we still want more. More opportunities. More responsibilities. And, yes, more stuff. Other days, we want less. Fewer distractions. Fewer responsibilities. Less stuff to take care of and worry about.
Maybe we’re experiencing a personal tug of war because we’ve done so much, but still feel we have much to do.
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Jesus is Lord of the Harvest
Harvest has always been an important time of year when hard work bears fruit of the labors. It is symbolic of bounty, health, and abundance. Throughout the Bible, harvest carries spiritual significance. It is the result of God’s work in the heart of man. It is his provisions and blessing for us.
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