All the Parts Are There

We all ask the question - probably daily - 'Are all the parts really there?'
Is it true what I've been saying the last two Sundays in the Family Circus messages that God has made all the parts available (i.e. Apollo 13 clip) so that our families can experience the hope and oneness that they are made for?

In a word, Yes. Is it easy, No. Is it worth it, Heck Yes!

I obviously don't have all the answers. I do know we have to fight.

There are many people who have influenced me (and Cindy) in our fight for our family, I wanted to share some of the advice of some of our mentors with you. Specifically these are folks who have mentored us - as parents - through print. These are books I would highly encourage you to read as you look for the parenting parts [After putting the books in below I realized how often I said 'awesome' or 'great' or 'powerful' . . . because these are the very best of what we read and they ALL ARE awesome!]:


- Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp - This was the genesis for Cindy and I in understanding that it's not about controlling, or even just guiding, our child's behavior - but it's all about seeing their heart's changed! If you don't 'get it' here - you won't get it.

- Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson - All I can say is 'Read it Dads!' And read it as soon as you can! And then read it again (I think I've read most of it 3 times)

- How to Really Love Your Child by Ross Campbell - Simple and powerful

- God's Design for Sex - by Stan & Brenna Jones - Series of 4 books that you read with your child and were awesome in helping us talk with our kids about sexuality. And parents if you ignore this area, somebody else won't! These are great - first start at age 3-5 and all are very appropriate for their age development.

- Ready for Responsibility by Bob Barnes - This book speaks so practically about helping our children to learn responsibility in critical areas. He's the first one who made me think about: 'Are we raising our children to be children, or to be adults?' Again, awesome stuff.

- Raising a Modern Day Knight by Robert Lewis - A game plan for raising our sons. Do you have a plan Dad or are just gonna 'wing it'?

- The Five Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman - Has (and is) really helped us in recent past . . . Awesome in helping to understand transition to adolescence and the different needs of teens. Has sections for single parents and blended families.

- Choices by Mary Farrar - For women wanting to make God's priorities her priorities, inlcuding but not limited to being a mom. [by Cindy and one of her all-time 'top of the list' books!]

- And Then I had Kids by Susan Alexander Yates - A great dose of encouragement for moms! Filled with honest, practical, Biblical wisdom for moms with young children. [by Cindy]