Through Our Gates

T BAR M BLOG

How to Teach Good Communication

Clear and calm communication can keep us from wrecking relationships among other things. Kelli whimsically shares how we parents can lead by example when it comes to teaching our kids good communication…hopefully avoiding wrecks! Scripture Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, […]

Is Physical Health a Big Deal?

God cares about what goes into our bodies and how we take care of them. Kyle lays out what God tells us in His Word regarding physical health, and he encourages us to follow these good-for-us-guidelines wholeheartedly. Scripture For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it […]

How Kids Can Work Hard…Hopefully Fighting Entitlement

Sometimes some good, hard work is just the fix for several things…at the top of the list is entitlement. Kelli wonderfully points out how we, as parents, can help our kids remain focused on others. Scripture Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than […]

What Are Ways We Can Respect Others?

Walt shares wise words with us regarding the whys and the hows of respecting others. It’s such good stuff! Let’s pick out something we can do and share with our kids today. Scripture “The second [greatest commandment] is this: Love your neighbor as yourself…” Mark 12:31 Reflect Great poetry has the ability to quickly take […]

The Value of Hard Work

Why should we work hard? Isn’t it enough just to “get by”? We all wrestle with this in some area or another. Judah squares us up on this question. Scripture “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 Reflect In the Owens house, […]

Why is Life Hard and What Can we Do About It?

“Where the heck is easy street?”…this is a sign many of us might like to hang around our necks! Following Christ is no cake walk. Jessica brings God’s Word to light as to His purposes and goodness as we face difficult times in life. Scripture Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of […]

Is Southern Hospitality Biblical?

Did you know the Bible speaks into “southern hospitality”? As a new Texan, Kyle shares with us how he’s been reminded of God’s principles through experiencing some great hospitality since we’ve been here. He also reminds us why it’s worth our while to pass this way of respecting others on to the next generation. Scripture […]

How Guys Treat Girls

In Genesis 2 we get God’s story of Him creating women and men with unique and complimentary natures. Guest author, John MacDonald, reminds us of the importance of teaching guys how to interact with girls since all but one of those relationships will be friendships versus marriage! Scripture Likewise, encourage the young men to be […]

Why is Teaching Forgiveness Important?

“Will you forgive me?” …words we don’t easily speak, yet they carry so much power for reconciliation and freedom! When is the last time you’ve asked your child for forgiveness when you’ve messed up? Seth reminds us modeling this is the best method of teaching our kids to do just the same. Scripture “Be kind […]

Healthy Conflict Resolution

As parents, we wear a lot of hats … chauffeur, chef, teacher, nurse, and my least favorite … referee. Kelli walks us through scripture teaching us how to handle conflict resolution in our own lives so we can then teach our kids to do the same. Scripture My dear brothers and sisters, take note of […]

How to Value Honesty-Even in the Small Things

When we’re convinced God is FOR us and not trying to rip us off from fun in this life it is easier to do what’s right-even when no one is looking. Jess shares truth on why there is such great worth in honesty! Scripture Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths […]

What’s the Difference Between Purpose and Passion?

“Why are we in this life? What can I do to have meaning?” Both of these are questions most of us ask ourselves at some point. Kara brings clarity to these ponderings through scripture, so we can remind our kids of this truth as well. Scripture …Everyone who is called by my name, whom I […]

How to Teach Our Kids to Defend Their Faith

When our college staff was asked something they wish their parents taught them growing up, defending their faith…knowing the “why” to what they believe as Christ followers was among the top responses! Walt gives us a boost of confidence through “how to” and resources as we parents aim to help our kids do just that. […]

How NOT to Get Swallowed Up

When we touch a hot pan on the stove, the burn is discipline enough to remind us to get a hot pad next time without being told! That’s just it…sometimes consequences (not long lectures – I’m looking in the mirror here!) are the best discipline and ways of teaching our kids the way that’s right. […]

Is Accountability Really Necessary?

Merry Christmas to y’all! While we’re in a break from the daily grind it’s great to talk about something as important in life as accountability. Let’s make those car rides and slower schedules count. Jacob gets us going… Scripture Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may […]

How Does Your Transparency Help Your Kids?

When we expose the hard parts of our life to those who love us a richness grows in that relationship. Too bad it’s so hard to get to that point. Seth tells us how it is so valuable for us…especially as we interact with kids! Scripture “Clothe yourselves, all of you with humility toward one […]

Would You Eat an Ant?

We might not all be tempted to rob a bank or murder someone, but we are all tempted to sin in different ways! Too often we might wrongly think we have “little” sins that aren’t that big of a deal. From Kelli’s lesson from eating an ant, she tells us how we can address those […]

How to Embrace Different Seasons of Life

Here is the truth: life is hard and life is also beautiful. There are seasons of life marked by difficulty and seasons marked by joy. Natalie points us to three things needed to live well in all seasons. Scripture “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day […]

Being In the World, Not of It

Take an assessment of our culture today…turn on the news, sign on to Facebook, listen to your friends’ and neighbors’ conversations; we are bombarded by a world with issues and ideas often running counter-culture to our Christian faith. Scripture Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then […]

Can We Compete Well AND Honor Christ?

We all know it’s the best and worst part of the game…two opposing teams coming together in a sign of sportsmanship by shaking hands. Judah learned a life-long lesson as a teen at one such occasion and shares with us the importance of it. Scripture Train up a child in the way he should go; […]

The Reality of Addiction

Addiction doesn’t discriminate. In fact, most of us have fallen subject to it in some form or fashion. Kara addresses this topic head on with grace and truth for us to walk in victory and help our kids do the same. Scripture “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one […]

Sex Talks…Keep Communication Lines Open

A 30 second conversation we have with our kids about purity or the sanctity of sex will have an impact. It will. Little conversations and touch points turn into volumes of great information and a solid foundation. Kelli reminds us of the value of keeping communication lines open…even about sex. Scripture As for other matters, […]

Why and How Should Kids Guard Their Heart?

What comes to mind when you think of a guard? Merriam-Webster says: To guard- “Watch over to protect or control, to secure or shield from impending danger.” Rachel aims our thoughts toward teaching kids to guard their heart for the purpose of purity and setting the course of their life in a right direction. Scripture […]

Lust: It’s Worth the Conversation

When our top-notch college staff were asked what they wish their parents would have taught them growing up, this was toward the top of the list: “How do I deal with lust?” We desire to be in the trenches with you as we’re raising kids to know and love God. Walt’s seasoned wisdom gets us […]

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