Family

Finding Jesus in Jonah

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord” (Jonah 3:1–3 NKJV).   The pages of history are replete with the heartwarming stories of men and women who have been down and came back to take advantage of the second chance. Abraham Lincoln is a prime example. Defeated for the state legislature in 1832, defeated for Congress in 1843, again in 1848, defeated for the […]

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Teaching the Discipline of Self-Improvement

The start of a new year usually begins with a few resolutions. Whether they actually follow through on the resolutions or not is a separate issue. The thought of self-improvement and the discipline involved is a great training lesson for children and teens. The fact that I actually have in me the discipline to improve myself is an understanding that has been totally lost. When you ask today’s child, teen, or young adult what they would like to change this next year, they will almost always talk about a possession. Instead of changing themselves or improving themselves as a person, […]

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The Warmth of A Home

We have this tradition at 4KIDS where every Christmas season we gather all our foster and adoptive families for big Christmas parties in our different regions. One part of that Christmas party is our gingerbread house competition. We break out into groups and decorate all of these gingerbread houses, which with hundreds of kids in one room, you can imagine, is quite the sight!  Home in the Warmth One of my first years going to these Christmas parties as 4KIDS’ President, there was a young boy who eagerly recruited me to be on his gingerbread house team. His little brother […]

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Our Christmas Family Trees

Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition by the 16th century when sources record devout Christians bringing decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if the wood was scarce. It is widely believed that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. According to a common version of the story, walking home one winter evening, Luther was awed by the stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and decorated its branches […]

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All I Want for Christmas Is…

“All I want for Christmas is…?” The answer to this question could determine the success or failure of your Christmas experience. As a parent the question is: What do we really want for Christmas? Don’t we want something that will last for generations to come? Something powered by more than batteries. I have never heard anyone say, “We have a great family tradition of giving each other video games for Christmas. It’s been an awesome part of our Christmas for generations.  It’s what brings us back home each year.” All I Want is… There are many electronics we could get […]

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It’s Time to Teach Time

This article, that was written by Mom and Dad, is so timely as we wrap up the first quarter of school and head into the second. It resonated with me deeply as I was the one helping a child “catch up” on a research paper this last week. I hope it is a good reminder for you as you organize the second quarter of your family and the holidays! -Torrey Roberts Time for time teaching Mothers across America have been heard to say, “I hope you know we will never go through this again!” This phrase has been shouted right […]

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Who Has Been Adopted?

I can remember one of the very first 4KIDS events I attended over 15 years ago now, where 4KIDS VP of Engagement, Tom Lukasik, asked the room a poignant question. He asked us, “How many of you here were adopted?” Just a couple of people raised their hands while the rest of us waited. Tom then said, “Remember, if you follow Jesus, you’ve been adopted into the family of God. So, who here has been adopted?” We then all smiled and raised our hands.   The heart of adoption It’s such a simple illustration, but a powerful reminder that every […]

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Turn Your Family Time Back On!

Recently, while waiting for a traffic light to turn green, I glanced over at the car next to me and noticed an incredibly sad scene. A mom was driving with three kids. It had the potential to be a great family outing, but for one thing, each person in the van was engaged in his or her own electronic activity. Each except the youngest, who was glued to something on the ceiling. Only after the light turned green did I see that he too was into his own electronics. He was focused on his own iPad screen.  Dysfunctional Family Time […]

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50 Years Defending the Sanctity of Human Life

Broward Country Right to Life has been advocating for the sanctity of human life for more than 50 years! Founded shortly after the passage of Roe v. Wade by the late Dr. Matthew Bulfin, a gynecologist and pioneer in the pro-life movement, the organization has been led for the past 25 plus years by John Aman, president, and Tewannah Aman, executive director. Their mission is to promote the sanctity of human life through public witness, education, church engagement, community outreach and prayer. Defending Human Life for 50 Years However, it is this couple’s own personal testimony that is perhaps the […]

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Thrive in Authentic Community at Colorado Christian University

Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.  Are you looking for a place to deepen your faith and learn alongside others in authentic community? At CCU, this vision is real.   Christ-Centered Community We believe that living in Christian community can be life-changing, with a focus on fellowship, encouragement, accountability, and service.  We don’t do dorms. All on-campus housing is apartment-style, complete with a living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Our apartments are grouped together in themed stairwells with their own character and traditions.    Exemplary Academics Ranked in the top 2% nationally for […]

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