Welcome to Lifeline’s Parent Blog! It’s our hope that this is a resource to help you lead your child in life and in faith. The Lifeline Team will bring you new ideas, fresh information, encouragement, and valuable resources to help you have fun with and grow the faith of your student.
Maybe this summer can provide some space and time to find activities to enjoy your student and find out what they like, who their friends are, and vice versa. Maybe while you’re on a boat or a walk or out for ice cream--you can share what life what like for you in high school (if you’re ready to go there). We frequently remind our small group leaders that it’s important that your students know that you enjoy them as people and have fun with them too.
Read MoreI don’t know about you, but knowing how worship works through my heart and deepens my relationship with God changed my entire view on what it means to worship. It’s helped me let go of what others think of what I sound like and truly make room in my heart for God to change me and show my love for him with my voice with others.
Read MoreThe world we live in today is a world like none other. The innovation of smart phones and technology is always growing and has completely changed the way we live our lives and spend our time. This is true for us as adults, but it seems it’s totally changed the world teens live in.
Read MoreLiving in Michigan, it is common for seasonal depression to happen in the later winter months. This is likely due to the lack of sun and therefore decrease in serotonin levels. Your children may be especially susceptible to seasonal depression because their schedule’s and obligations do not decrease during the winter, but daylight hours do. We have a few tips to help your child deal with their winter blues.
Read MoreWhen I come to God in prayer and remind myself of the truth of the Gospel, my motivation changes. It changes from “I should be a better Christian and pray more” to “I want to talk to God because he loves me”. When I focus on the sacrifice Christ made for us in order to have eternal access to God, it moves me to want to talk with my Creator and Savior. My “shoulds” turn into desires.
Read MoreThis holiday season, I’m praying four verses over my household. When I feel frustrations surface and tensions rise, I breathe a prayer using the acronym H.O.M.E. I pray this will encourage you to focus on inviting Jesus into the midst of your sometimes messy, chaotic home too.
Read MoreThe holidays can be busy, but also a great time to give back to your community. We have a few ways that your family can safely serve or give back this Christmas season. From gifts that give to simple service projects you can do at home—we have you covered on being generous with your resources this season!
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we have some ways that your family can try and cultivate and attitude of gratitude in this season.
Sabbath is just that. To sabbath means “to stop”. To cease work and rest in God’s presence. To be satisfied in God, and nothing else. Taking time to slow life way down and enjoy what is right in front of you. When is the last time you slowed down and connected to your Creator?
Be the Church? What does that mean? A simple definition is- loving God by loving others. It is a phrase you have probably heard in the weekend services at Ada Bible during the last couple of months along with the question, “who are you looking out for?” We are in a unique space this summer (as you’ve heard it said 100+ times) and you may have unexpected free time or you may be feeling a pull in your heart to serve but you don’t know how and where to get started.
Looking for a change of pace in your summer plans? Need something that won’t break the bank and isn't too complicated? We’ve got you covered!! Check out this very simple and safe way to use plants and other natural food items to create an awesome tie dye effect. (And hint, hint: if you didn’t know, tie dye is all the rage right now, so you might even win some cool points with your kids!)
Read MoreThe Movie Just Mercy is streaming for free on Amazon Prime and YouTube for the month of June. I hope that you and your family are able to watch it and have a discussion around the topics of race, justice, and equality. Please feel free to use the questions that we have provided after you and your family watch the movie to help get the conversation started!
If you feel the same discomfort that I do as it relates to talking with your children about race, I want to share something I have been contemplating this week: Since so much growth comes out of honest conversation, This could be the time when it is better for you to initiate conversations by asking honest questions now rather than waiting until you know exactly what to say later. (Read that again if you need to)
Read MoreWe want you to be able to connect with your big kids over these summer months. We’ve got five fun ideas you can do as a whole family to try and build some new memories this summer!
The best types of questions are the how and why questions as these foster discussion. I think we all know a teenager or two who has mastered the ‘fine’ response to the question ‘how was your day today’. The key is more open ended questions where kids can feel connected.
Lifeline Parents & Friends, our hope and prayer is that through spiritual practices such as Lectio Divina you would take some time, if even a few minutes, to spend quietness with God and His word. We hope you will receive comfort and hope as you meditate on His word and pray in communion with Him.
