We are all guilty.  We check our Facebook messages while driving down the road.  We post tweets at the dinner table.  We get up in the morning and check our email.  As a matter of fact, you are probably reading this article because you linked it from a social outlet.  We are social creatures and are therefore naturally interested in what is going on in the lives of others (that is a nice way of saying we are nosy).

There is nothing inherently wrong with being plugged in; there is nothing wrong with staying connected with friends and family.  In …

I am about to make a pretty bold suggestion: If you are a parent, and you only have time to read one book this entire year I would greatly encourage you to read Passionate Parenting by Cary Schmidt. Pastor Schmidt was the long-time associate pastor of Paul Chappell at Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, California. He is now the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Newington, Connecticut.

Cary Schmidt has authored many other books published through Striving Together Publications, but Passionate Parenting is by far his best. His practical insight, easy-to-read style, and honest assessment about his own failures as …

We work hard at giving our kids “stuff.”  From electronics to the latest style of skinny-jeans we ensure they have the very best we can possibly afford.  We can give our children the finest things in life but there is a good chance that 20 years from now they will not remember those particular items.  What they will remember is the relationship we developed with them through those years.

I believe we develop relationships through generosity and trust.  When we are generous in the right areas of child training our children will be more prone to trust and obey us.  …