Through Our Gates

T BAR M BLOG

Does it Really Matter for Parents to Show Up for Kids?

Showing up, whether it is in time of dire need, or simply just to be there to show love and support, is no small thing. Kyle reminds us why we need to keep making the effort! Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one […]

How to Love Kids Unconditionally

Do you remember the last time someone showed you love when you really didn’t deserve it? God does that for us and we have the incredible opportunity to love our kids the same way. Alysa reminds us why and how. Read on to be inspired! God shows his love for us in that while we […]

How Can We Let Go of Doing It All?

We want to be a part of so many things in life…and we want to be really good at them all! Often we equate success to productivity and measure worth in our ability to be efficient and doing the most we possibly can. Braxton reminds us why and how we can let go of “doing […]

How to Approach the Topic of Lust

When is the right time to begin talking with our kids about lust? Probably sooner than most of us might prefer. Colby bravely points us to why we need to jump in to this tough topic and how we can do just that. Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not […]

How to Develop Perseverance

What person or situation do you wish would simply disappear from your life to make things easier? As much as we might like to twitch our nose to make that happen, we can also know God knows what is going on and has a plan for the good, the bad, and the hard. Blessed is […]

How Can we Help Kids Handle Differing Views?

It’s inevitable that we are going to have differing views from the people we will meet in this life. Just ask your kiddos about conversations they’ve had in their school cafeteria or playground! Natalie points us to truth for us to guide our kids in loving people well even when we see things differently. Make […]

How Can Parents Help Kids Find Community?

Having a solid group of like-minded friends who you laugh and enjoy life’s joys and troubles with, there’s nothing better! Braxton walks us through helping our kids find community as they’re growing up. And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and […]

What is the Value of a Spiritual Foundation?

Community. We all need it. We all crave it. We are called to walk this life with our brothers and sisters in the Christ who will spur us on toward love and good deeds. Madi reminds us of the importance of helping our kids have a strong spiritual foundation as they grow up. He is […]

Teach Kids Responsibility

Are you ever so frustrated at your child’s lack of follow through you want to sentence them to time in their room or with other restrictions until they finish the task? You’re not the only one – I’ve been in that state of mind plenty of times. Let’s take a look at some parenting tactics […]

How and Why To Train Kids Toward Selflessness

“I could be a lot more considerate of others if I wouldn’t keep getting in my own way!” Ha! Ain’t that the truth all too often. Jessica walks us through the value of training our kids toward selfLESSness. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul […]

Failure…It Takes Humility to Handle Well

Do your kids know it is ok for them to fail? Failure is one of those life lessons not easy or enjoyable to learn. Read how GK points us to the One Who holds us and grows us even when we fail. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are […]

Yes Siree! Mind Your Manners

“Yes sir, no sir. Yes ma’am, no ma’am.” These phrases still matter. Even to God! Kelli nudges us to keep at it when it comes to teaching, modeling, and expecting our kids to use manners. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your […]

Insight Into Family Matters

Ever wonder how or why T Bar M publishes articles on the topics we do? Today will give you an insight into the inner workings of “Family Matters” and T Bar M’s heart behind it. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about […]

How to Set Healthy Expectations When Life is not Fair

“Life’s Not Fair.” I wish I had a dime every time I have to say this to my kids or our college staff. As each of us needs reminding of this all too often as well…Seth helps us point our compass North to remember God’s goodness and set healthy expectations. Then it shall come about […]

Why is Vulnerability Good?

Sharing something less-than-awesome about ourselves doesn’t initially sound appealing. In fact, it’s exactly opposite of what our culture encourages so often. Jacob reminds us how doing just that is part of God’s good and perfect plan for each of us! The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a clear conscience and […]

How Can we Teach our Kids the Differences Between Santa and Jesus?

How does your family handle differentiating between Santa and Jesus? It’s easy for us to get swept up in the ways of our culture and not even address the differences with our children. Ashton gives us great talking points to clearly point out the truth of Santa and Jesus. For a child will be born […]

How Can Parents Encourage the Heart of a Quiet Child?

Why is it that we think being loud or speaking up first says anything about our character or the strength we possess as a confident, smart and caring person? Through experience, Lianna shares with us how we can encourage the heart of a quiet child. The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and […]

What is the Value of Sharing New Experiences as a Family?

Camping in the mountains! A day at the beach! A professional baseball game! Chuck E Cheese! Dairy Queen! Battleship! Monopoly! Go Fish! Do any of these bring to mind any incredible memories for you? Kyle reminds us of the value of making time for these things for our family. Start children off on the way […]

Why Have Family Meals?

A family meal…does that conjure up thoughts of peace and happiness? Maybe it’s more like chaos with spills and not-so-great manners included. It could be a combination of all of that, depending on the moment! Mark gives us some great reminders of the benefits of making family meals a priority. They devoted themselves to the […]

Embrace Individuality

Ever think the grass is greener when you think of a friend who is good at something you’re not very good at doing? I think we’re all guilty. Kelli directs us how to battle that by pointing us to truth. Check it out. It’s good stuff. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same […]

How Can We Love Our Kids Unconditionally?

Sometimes it is easier than others to show love to our kids no matter what they have done or are doing. Alysa reminds us how we can consistently and unconditionally love like our heavenly Father. Scripture “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 […]

Is Teaching to Ask for Forgiveness Really a Big Deal?

When is the last time you’ve asked someone’s forgiveness? Isn’t it so powerful! Why is it so hard for us to get to that point or even want to go to that point? Seth tackles the benefits of us doing just that. Scripture Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in […]

Are You and Your Kids Confident People?

“D” reminds us that God created each of us wonderfully. Read on to settle further into that truth today. Scripture For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7 Reflect I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know […]

How Can Parents Equip a Child Facing Loneliness?

Today we have the most opportunity ever to be virtually connected to so many people at any point, however loneliness was at the top of the list of struggles when our college staff was polled this summer. Kelli helps those of us who get to influence children with practical ways to equip them with practical […]

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