Let's Parent on Purpose: Christian Marriage, Parenting, and Discipleship

How do you cultivate a culture of generosity in your family?  Father and son Brad and Drew Formsma join me today to share how generosity has become a way of life in their household. Along with his dad, Drew recently published the book   Everyday Generosity – becoming a generous family in a selfie world . Speaking of generosity, thank you so much to my Patreon supporters ! As a token of gratitude,...

There has been a major shift over the last several years in music and pop culture. Artists today are first brands, and then musicians. Social media, music streaming and youtube have radically changed music discovery, delivery, and influence. I have to be honest, I knew nothing about many of the top 10 Billboard artists of the year. My friend Patrick Farley is here to help educate us on which artis...

We live in a world that seeks to define women by their bodies or their tasks. They are either commodities to be exploited or pawns in someone’s agenda.  As a father, this breaks my heart. As a pastor, I know it’s evil. Our daughters AND sons need a healthy vision of womanhood that is not tied to an ever-changing image of physical beauty. They also need to see how women are unique image-bearers of...

What does it mean to be a man?  The answer to this question is as important as it’s ever been.  But in a post-truth culture, the answer is muddier than ever. Giving our young men and women a clear vision for manhood will ground them and give them purpose in a constant shifting culture. Today’s podcast does exactly that.  Starting with a simple definition to train our small children, I expand with...

Identity can be defined simply as “who a person is”. This simple definition belies how incredibly complicated identity can be for individuals, especially our growing children.  In a world of constantly changing morals and definitions, it is vital that we give our children solid footing to understand who they are and why they exist. Today’s podcast explores the reality that our greatest possible va...

Nearly 80 million people play the video game sensation Fortnite each month. Even if your children don’t play, they are talking about it, learning the dance moves. It’s not just a video game, it’s a cultural phenomenon.  Additionally, students are devouring content on youtube that you might not even realize exists. My good friend and top 5 finalist for Florida state teacher of the year Patrick Farl...

Here is my list of the most challenging (and most helpful) accountability questions I’ve ever used.  I’ve used these questions with a number of different friends over the last decade. Answering these questions each week has made me a better husband, parent, and follower of Jesus. The Most Helpful Accountability Questions I’ve Ever Used 1. Have you spent daily time in the Scriptures and in prayer?...

The single most transformative Habit you can learn is the routine for mastering new habits. Today I share with you what I’ve learned over the years in creating consistent disciplines in my own life, and how I work to help my family do the same. If you love Let’s Parent on Purpose, would you consider becoming a patron? Tweet this “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestim...

The Jesus Storybook Bible has become a happy tradition in my household.  Enjoy this reading from the opening chapter as you worship the King. If you enjoy the reading, check out The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. If you need some good Christmas music, there’s nothing better than Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God Have a Merry Christmas, and celebrate all that God is and has done...

For episode 100 I’ve invited my favorite person on earth to join me!  My wife Emily has a life that’s worthy of a book.  She married a widower, adopted his daughter, walked through the journey of childhood leukemia with her oldest son, fostered and adopted, and is in the midst of a daily battle for the healing of a mentally ill child.  Any one of these challenges could be the most difficult thing...

I re-named this podcast after releasing it from “Teaching your children how to be wealthy” as the title was throwing people off track.  Your children are already wealthy.  They just need perspective. Jesus speaks on the topic of money more than any other single topic in the gospels. As parents, we have the duty to train our children how to be wealthy, especially as you realize how wealthy we alrea...

Leading your family in intentional study and worship feels so challenging, but it shouldn’t be.  Often the problem is that we’ve overcomplicated it. My good friend Shawn Bergen joins me today to share with all of us how he trained me to lead Family Worship in my own household.  You’ll be able to listen to this podcast and immediately apply the lessons learned tonight! You can do this! Tweet this:...

Today’s preteens are getting lost in the transition as they shift from childhood to adolescence.  During this unique time, they are not quite one thing and not quite another.  Author, speaker, and pastor Dan Scott gives us a fascinating glimpse into the rapidly changing world of a preteen.  Dan and I explore some of the insights I learned while reading his new book Caught In Between: Engage your p...

We’re entering the season filled with awe, wonder, gratitude, and dread.  It’s that time of year where we get to spend time with family we love.  Sometimes, we get to spend time with family who are easier to love at a distance. Let’s be honest, just because we grew up together doesn’t mean we now have the same worldview, parenting styles, standards, goals, or aspirations.   And sometimes we love e...

As a youth pastor, I am sad to say the modern version of youth ministry has failed to produce spiritually healthy, mature disciples of Jesus. Fortunately, there is a better way: Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, wh...

You wear a lot of hats in your life, and each of those roles has several demands.  Life can feel extremely defeating when you feel like you stay overly busy but accomplish very little. Today I talk about a question that brings incredible clarity to your life, and can help massively simplify your “to-do” list.  Listen as I share what I learned from this gem of a book:  The One Thing: The surprising...

It might feel like fall just started (or if you live in Florida, that summer never left), but the Holiday season is right around the corner.  Today I share some ideas for how you can set up your family to enjoy each other more, consume less, and make Jesus the true center of the season. You cannot be passive in the struggle against consumerism in your life. If your standard is whatever anyone else...

When award winning author & speaker Meg S. Miller discovered her husbands internet pornography addiction, her soul was crushed with waves of betrayal and anger.  But as she sought healing, she discovered that she was guilty of sin that had wounded his heart just as deeply.  As my guest on today’s podcast explains, this journey of discovery first brought her face to face with the Lord, and then...

15-20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage in the first 20 weeks.  For such a common occurrence, this comes as a shock to many families who experience the loss of a child in the womb.  Mom, teacher, and blogger Krissy Brynn Jackson joins me today and shares her journey from happily learning that she was pregnant to the loss and grieving of her second child.  Krissy wrestles through trying to und...

There are certain habits and practices that work like compound interest in your child’s life.  If you can learn to identify the everyday opportunities, you may not see radical returns on any given day, but over the long term you will have a completely different family. Areas to consider in your routines: Drive time – everyone has to say one positive thing about everyone else Encouraging notes in b...

Many parents fear the influence of public schools on their children.  But God is using students across the country to bring the light of the gospel to their peers.  Chris Lane, Executive Director of First Priority of South Florida , joins me to share stories of God moving on public school campuses and how parents can best equip their children to be salt and light. Here is the link to the Free Reso...

Sometimes we just need to hear a happy, encouraging story.  Josh Luecht is a friend of mine who is a Calvary Chapel Pastor, teacher, and co-host of the Panther Parkway Podcast (following the Florida Panthers Hockey Team). He was also adopted as a baby out of the Catholic Charities system.  After a life of contentment and fulfillment with his adoptive family, this summer his story took a surprising...

What you feed will grow, what you starve will die.  Understanding the way conflict and circumstances flame your anger and anxiety frees you to chose a new source of emotional fuel.

Every spouse has specific ways they best give and receive love.  Additionally, depending on circumstances and the season of life, you’ll find that certain felt needs rise to the top and seem to overshadow all of their current met needs. Learn how you can recognize and meet your spouse’s greatest need. Resources mentioned in this podcast: His Needs Her Needs by Willard F. Harley Jr. The Five Love L...

Failure is a natural part of a child’s life.  They way we respond to their failures (and ours) will steer them towards egomania, paralyzing fear, or optimistic self confidence.  Today I’ll share how we can produce resilient optimists by celebrating the lessons learned through failure.