Family Dynamics Archives - Page 3 of 3 - The Artios Center for Vibrant Leadership

Jesus-Followers, Instant Gratification, and Other Cultural Issues

Brian Franks2022-07-12T13:29:02-06:00

By Caitlin Meadows My little boy, Hudson is 20 months old. That said, it won’t surprise you that he has not yet developed a life skill parents grow to deeply appreciate. Patience. Hudson has none yet. The kid is pure impulse. Patience is something my husband and I are attempting to cultivate in him. We get to cultivate it in him when we have to cook our food before we eat it. Or when we have to drive 15 minutes first for him to see his grandparents. We cultivate it in him when I have to finish unloading the laundry before I hold [...]

Jesus-Followers, Instant Gratification, and Other Cultural IssuesBrian Franks2022-07-12T13:29:02-06:00

What Christians Need to Understand About Shame

Brian Franks2022-07-12T13:24:48-06:00

By Caitlin Meadows Shame on you! is something we say to someone who behaves poorly. It’s our response to a person caught red handed and unapologetic. In effect, we’re telling them: “What you’ve done is wrong and you should feel guilt, regret, and humiliation.” In these types of situations, we want the offender to claim guilt so that he or she can take responsibility for whatever offense was committed. We want justice, which in many cases is an honest apology. However, the response is rarely acceptance and apology. Rather, the response is often to hide, lie, or justify whatever offense he or she committed. [...]

What Christians Need to Understand About ShameBrian Franks2022-07-12T13:24:48-06:00

Jesus’ Secrets to Saving Parents’ Sanity

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:22:57-06:00

By Amber Riggs Being a parent is intimidating. It isn’t just the funhouse of potty-training, bedtime (why won’t they sleep?!), sibling squabbles, schoolwork, table manners, and housework that threaten my sanity…it’s the knowledge that I have to navigate this maze of mirrors while actually teaching them things. Important things. I have to teach them, these four daughters of mine, not just to master basic life skills, but to follow Jesus without my daily coaching. Oh, and keep them alive. That’s a lot of pressure. Pressure I could easily crack under. Of course, my newsfeed and Google are always faithfully standing by ready to identify [...]

Jesus’ Secrets to Saving Parents’ SanityBrian Franks2022-07-11T09:22:57-06:00

What is Your Picture of an Ideal Family?

Brian Franks2022-06-30T13:04:36-06:00

By Loren Gjesdal What is your picture of an ideal family? A “Leave it to Beaver” household of two parents, two kids and a happy resolution to every problem in 30 minutes? Or even more simply, “No muss, no fuss, no drama today, please?” Just what would constitute an ideal family anyway? Is the ideal even possible, and if so, what would we have to do to pursue it? If we could imagine the first family in a world where Adam and Eve never ate from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil… If they were never evicted from [...]

What is Your Picture of an Ideal Family?Brian Franks2022-06-30T13:04:36-06:00

Answering God’s Call: Living for a Greater Cause

Brian Franks2022-06-30T13:09:46-06:00

By Whaid Rose LIVING IN A FALLEN WORLD The sobering reality of life in a fallen world confronts us early in Scripture. In Genesis 4 we find a homicide, and by chapter 6 we read this sad commentary: Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart (verses 5-6). At that point it would have been justifiable for God to wipe the slate clean [...]

Answering God’s Call: Living for a Greater CauseBrian Franks2022-06-30T13:09:46-06:00

What Does Scripture Say About Women Leading in the Church?

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:35:52-06:00

By Jessica Monrose Leadership in the church is generally viewed as a position or title held by those in authority, predominately filled by men. In contrast, women usually fill supportive, non-dominating roles within the church such as administrative work and childcare. What does scripture say about women leading in the church? LEADING AS A CALLING Because of their identity in Christ, women are called to lead. All Christians have a calling on his or her life, which is to be the image bearer of God, leading others to Him. This primary call is a person’s identity in Christ and is manifested in their everyday lives. God’s character is [...]

What Does Scripture Say About Women Leading in the Church?Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:35:52-06:00