Every once in a while one comes across an article that both challenges (assumptions) and confirms (beliefs) that one simply must tell others about it. This weekend I read a research article of that worth. Parents of all stripes, as well as any of us who have had parents (yes, everyone) should read the cover article for the January issue of Christianity Today, “The Myth of the Perfect Parent.” It’s excellent. The subtitle gives part of the premise: “Why the best parenting techniques don’t produce Christian children.” Here’s an excerpt that notes the folly...

As you may have noticed, Kari and I are going to seminary. Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland to be precise. We’ve found a home there, theologically, relationally, and on so many levels. It has been life-transforming and deepening for us. The old joke is that seminary = ‘cemetery’ … but the exact opposite has been true in our first-hand experience. I’ve been challenged in my love for God, love for others, and being a husband and father. Our marriage has been enriched and encouraged. There have been practical applications of deep theological truths. It is truly...

We’ve had a variety of experience in the past few days. Last night Kari was reading The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe, while nibbling on some buttery popcorn. Yum. I was working on some more theology homework. — On Thursday night I broke out the old Ms. Pac-Man game, and Kari gave it a spin, followed by all three of us watching Shrek the Third. Fun times. — On Friday we were able to show Dutch off to his uncle John, grandma (Nana, my mom), and great-grandma (Nan), while Jeff and John talked through the finer points of search engine optimization (he’s a...

Here’s a portion of what we sent to our extended family, inviting them to Dutch’s baby dedication (which will take place this Sunday morning): Why Dedicate the Dutcher? We wanted to share with you, our family, why we do what we do. It may seem that a baby dedication is merely a religious ritual, a tradition to follow. In some ways, it is. We see the value of traditions that celebrate and affirm Dutch. We want him to know that he is valued, loved, and celebrated. We will spend our lives affirming him and this is a first step. But, this is really the secondary reason we are having him...

Justin Taylor brings us this quote from C.J. Mahaney’s book Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God (pp. 49-50), about transitioning one’s soul during the commute home from work. It struck me as powerful, practical, and very effective for being essentially a small thing. Seeking to do this has had great impact on our home life, and it is easy to tell when I haven’t paused and calmed my soul to be “all there” at home after a long day in class or at work. Let’s strive to be better husbands and fathers. Here it is: When our first two children were still quite young,...