GROW together

Often our mealtimes at home are rushed. Food is eaten quickly before moving to the next task. Having food to eat is something to be appreciated. Having someone else to eat with is even more special. Sharing a mealtime together around a table allows for caring conversations to take place. In our Lutheran tradition many… Read more

What kind of adults do we want our children to become? How can we tell the next generation about God’s love revealed at Easter? How can we be a light in the world? Research shows that four key things can help positively shape our children’s faith, values and character. These keys strengthen not only the… Read more

One of the most intentional ways to allow faith to grow is in the ways we care for each other. As parents we often have a never-ending list of things scrolling through our minds. It takes a lot of mental space to hold all of the things we need to know about each member of… Read more

We have already looked at three of the five love languages of touch, words and time. The last two love languages are two very tangible and outward signs of showing and giving love to others: gifts and acts of service. These very practical and effective ways of showing love help people to figure out how… Read more

Everyone is welcome. Hospitality – when we welcome another into our space we are declaring there is always room for more, we have more to share and that no one is excluded. Sharing what we have in the gifts of hospitality can be a big deal, or it can be in the very ordinary, daily… Read more

We know that in every way and every day, Jesus is calling us into a deeper and closer relationship with him. We know that this doesn’t just happen once a week for an hour at church or an hour in our small groups. As parents, we have been blessed with the joy and gift to… Read more

The words that we speak and the touch we give can communicate so much. Our speech can encourage those we love, as does a kind touch on the shoulder, a warm embrace, or simply holding hands as we walk and talk. Words of affirmation Children really enjoy hearing genuine and encouraging words spoken over them…. Read more

Let’s unpack what it looks like to give and express the love language of quality time. And given we are all spending a lot more time together as family in our homes, at present– what a great opportunity to engage with each other in this way. In their book The Five Love Languages of Children,… Read more

In our quarterly magazine Grow Together, we have been encouraging parents to find ways to connect with their children, and together as a family.  One of our deepest longings is to belong, and when we connect with others we gain a sense that we belong together. May these simple ideas and thoughts inspire you to… Read more

Over this past year we have shared ideas about planting seeds of faith, growing deep roots of faith, and branching out in faith.  Today we are sharing ideas about maintaining faith through daily practices, and seeing the fruits of faith in outward expressions. One such expression of the Spirit is the fruit of thankfulness. Thankfulness… Read more