Working Class Parenting: Motivation, Education and Inspiration For Parents

(photograph courtesy of Rebel Photos ) Memorial Day is when we honor soldiers who have fallen in defense of our nation, those brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice to ensure freedom and prosperity for the United States. Below is an excerpt from an article in the Tampa Bay Times written by David Adams who served two tours in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division "...Our military ensures the American way of  life that so many of us take for granted. Celebrating our nation's unique living conditions with a barbecue, boat ride or trip to the pool is great, but remember what these luxuries cost and pass that knowledge on to your children. Let them know the reality of war. For me, it meant that some men that I served with would never come home. Ever since my service in the military, Memorial Day has become something more somber, more real. I'm sure any family that has lost a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan understand how I Feel. I'm not sa...

By Linda Ranson Jacobs   Post Courtesy of “……they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13b (NIV) Single parents have many roles to fill.  As we parent alone most of us have to work an outside job in order to support our family alone. We also serve as cook, chauffer, nurse, disciplinarian, mechanic and fulfill a dozen other roles. One of the most important jobs we have as single parents is to teach and model a relationship with Jesus Christ. Modeling a relationship with Christ is a life style. Some of you will have to consciously change your life style to incorporate a daily walk with the Lord. I can hear many of you saying, “But you don’t understand, I don’t have time to read and study the Bible. I’m lucky if I get one scripture read and dash off a quick prayer.” A lifestyle with Christ is more than that. It’s trusting and depending on Him. It’s living with and in Christ. It’s Christ living through you. It’s not about reading scriptur...

Guest Post By: Amanda De Pablo I like to get to the point.  Usually when stories or blogs start out with a long intro or some kind of fluff, I usually skip it to find out the main point.  So, the main point of my thought is no matter how big or how scary the task God has placed upon your heart to do, no matter who comes against it, or the nay sayers, GO FOR IT! We may have our bucket lists, but I know that God has his own "plans" for us.  Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has plans for us, good ones, to give us a future and a hope. What does this have to do with a parenting?  Well, His plans not only include you, but all those around you including your kids. 

Just a thought. I often wonder what a child would be like that was saturated with love, support and encouragement. Every area of their lives met based on their developmental stage. Cuddling in the infant years to eye-to-eye communication through the tough and uncertain teen years. What would this child be like? Would he/she be considered a prodigy? A individual before their time? A leader?  A anthropologist? The future of our evolving society does not lay so much in the technological advancement we make, but by the bedtime stories told and the badging of a wounded knees, and shoulders to lean on. The qualities of life are not derived by what we can obtain, but rather by what we can give, a settle smile, a warm hug and the assurance that we am here.

Sometimes as parents we face uncertainties that shake us and leave us weak and numb. Rest assure that God has made a way and made provisions for your sound mind. Reach out to Him in those moments and rest in His peace. 2 Timothy 1:7 ~ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Written and sung by Charlie Hall & Daniel Bashta, produced & recorded by Dustin Ragland. Charlie’s site is www.charliehall.com and Daniel’s site is www.danielbashta.co This short verse issues a strong reminder to each and every one of us of all that is available to us in Christ by His Spirit! Paul (the author of 2 Timothy) contrasts a life dominated by fear with another characterized by power, love, and self-control (or a sound mind). -What marks your life? -What are your greatest fears? -What do you find yourself anxious & worried about? -Is God truly stronger than these things? The ESV Study Bible says this about fear: “The Greek (deilia) in ex...