Raising teenagers is not for the faint at heart! Tensions run high and teens lose their temper and sometimes say things that are hurtful and hateful. Here’s a few things to remember when that happens:

1. Your relationship with them is wayyy bigger than this one bad moment
2. Matching their anger and getting louder won’t help
3. Being a teenager is harder than it looks
4. He/she is most likely misdirecting anger about something not even related to you
5. Being disrespected is unacceptable and must be appropriately disciplined

What do we do? 🤨

🚶‍♂️Walk away. 😌 Get a clear head.

🙏🏼 Pray to God. Seek His wisdom. He has tons of experience loving and correcting disrespectful children 🙋🏻‍♂️😅

📝 Return to your teen with a clear path forward including apologies on your part (if needed), expressions of love, and loving, corrective discipline. Don’t end the conversation without saying I love you. If we don’t feel like saying it, it’s even more important that we say it. 🫂 🤝 ❤️

😗Move on and be intentional about not bringing up the incident, giving them a chance to change and not wear their mistake too long.

🙏🏼 🛌 Before bed that night, pray and thank God for the privilege of parenting. Pray for the unique challenges facing your teenager. Pray for your relationship to be closer with your teen. Pray that you be a more understanding, helpful, and wise parent. (pray all that for me too while you’re at it 😅)

Lastly, just remember none of us is getting it all right. We need the Lord. Our kids do too. All these tips are worthless without Jesus. But with Him all things are possible. ✝️

Love yall.

Back in the day I missed my friends on Christmas Break. I loved a break from school. Loved getting to visit my mom and family that I didn’t live with full time. But a few days into the break I’d start missing my high school friends. Kinda felt like I wasn’t my whole self without ‘em. No cell phones or social media back then, so between school and sports we’d basically go from spending all day every day together to zero contact over Christmas break. Ouch. What was I gonna do call my friends on the phone that was attached to the wall 😆 5 days into Christmas break and say “Hey you guys, I miss you 🤗” 😳 NO SHOT! 😅 Maybe times are different but we just didn’t say stuff like that. Heck, I’m dealing with delayed embarrassment writing any of this down as an old guy 👴🏻😂.
I wouldn’t have to wait for school to start back to see friends. We’d all end up at the same place. Either at a school sport event or at somebody’s house, a gas station parking lot, something. No real sentiments would be shared. I don’t think we hugged back then. We’d just be together, probably wearing something new we’d got for Christmas, swapping stories, insulting each other, plotting, planning, catching up. For me it was like becoming my self again. They were like family to me, more important than I realized. They gave me a taste of what I feel and enjoy now when I’m with my big’ol giant family.
Friends. Special people in our lives, especially when we’re young. Part of who we are today is because of friends we had back then.
Idk, it may have just been me or my circumstances but it seems like that kinda friendship among kids has become kinda rare. Maybe partly because of social media and almost constant contact they don’t ever get to miss each other. Not missing can kinda make you take it for granted. I did a lot of that taking for granted too.
I later learned the relationship I needed for wholeness was with Jesus. Also learned Jesus made me for relationships with others. Through him, I can need people less and actually love them more. Be a better friend. Admit I miss them. Tell them I love them. Hug. Not take them for granted. Not as much anyway. I’m still learning.

He was born in a feeding trough and died on a cross but somehow you think you’re life is to much of a mess for Jesus to enter into? He came from Heaven all the way to the earth but you think you’re too far gone? He sent an invite to dirty outcast shepherds to worship him at his birth but you think you need to clean up before you come?
The Christmas story is an invitation, to all of us. Jesus is God in human form and he wants YOU. He lived and died for you. He wants to be Savior and Lord of your life. It’s all grace. Let Him in. Surrender. Receive His forgiveness, mercy and eternal life. If the Christmas spirit isn’t the Spirit of Jesus Christ it’s worthless. Don’t let Christmas come and go and your heart be as empty as the boxes the presents came in.

Dads, it’s Christmas week! Kids are out of school and a ton of family activities coming up. We can either step it up or miss some great opportunities.

🗣️ HERE’S 6 HELPFUL REMINDERS FOR DADS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

1. Do your quiet time FIRST. Great days are made by great mornings! Get up early before everyone else and spend time in the Word and prayer. You may still have to put in a 10-12 hour workday and come home that evening to a bunch of holiday activities. Prepare your heart for a long and glorious day by meeting with our glorious God FIRST! 🥇
   📖 Psalm 63:1 David said — “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” That word earnestly is akin to the word dawn 🌅 David knew that he needed God before he faced anything else. We should too. 📱(TruthForLife.org always has great devotional stuff. Short too. And there’s a free app)
2. Don’t complain. Not even in your own head. Contrary to what our flesh tells us, griping about things doesn’t make them better. It makes them worse. Philippians 2:14 says “do all things without grumbling and complaining.” All things. All. Things. 😑
3. Be present. Put the phone and laptop away and resist the temptation to get ahead on work while most are playing (I just read your man mind didn’t I?😆) I had a friend tell me “when work is your idol, rest always feels lazy”. Ouch. Ephesians 5:16 sayd make the best use of the time, because the days are evil. See my post from a few days ago, SIX CHRISTMASES 😢
4. Be fun. Loosen up. Cut up. Play some loud music. Twirl momma in the kitchen. Crack a lame dad joke. Laugh, especially at yourself. There’s a great sense of humor somewhere in there, but your family may have forgotten 😅 Remind them. Proverbs 17:22 says “A joyful heart is good medicine…” Let’s strive to be that medicine for our families.
5. Expect and embrace some chaos 🤪Some stuff isn’t gonna make sense, don’t let it blow your logical mind. Your fam is gonna be late somewhere. You’re gonna end up taking 2 cars unnecessarily. You’re gonna have to put something together from IKEA. Just smile and embrace it. – Proverbs 14:4 says “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” This proverb means the messiness is necessary for the greatness. Think about it.
6. Point your family to Jesus. Dads, this is a slam dunk. Don’t let this season go by without reading the Christmas story with the family (Luke 2:1-20). Heck, if you don’t like reading, have them read it! Then say something simple like: “We don’t claim to have a perfect family but we serve a perfect Savior. And that’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus is the greatest gift we could ever have. Your mom and I believe that 100% and we pray that each of our kids do too.” 🎯 Jesus is the reason for this season, LET ‘EM KNOW! ✝️

💪🏼 We got this, dads! Don’t end up like Clark when he didn’t get his bonus. Be more like George Bailey at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life — grateful, joyful, and loving life and his family and friends.

📸: some crazy kids who make me wanna be a better dad every day of the year

Disclaimer: I didn’t write this because I’m the model dad. These are things I need to be reminded of as much or more than anyone.

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
6 Christmases. That’s what I realized I had left with my son at home when he was in 7th grade. I was a youth pastor at the time so I already had an idea of how quick it goes by — a kid shows up to youth group in 7th grade, nervous and excited. Next thing you know they’re driving. Then you’re praying they stay close to the Lord in college. Goes by quick. But man, when it’s your own kids zipping through those years, it hits harder.
6 Christmases. How do we go from footy pajamas and being their hero to 6 Christmases so quick? And knowing our time is short what do we do with Christmas? Wow ‘em with gifts? Good luck. Get mad? Won’t help. Be sad? It’ll just waste what little time we have. I certainly don’t have a success manual, but I know it’s got a lot to do with love. Love them with our time, hugs, truth, correction, encouragement, acceptance. Maybe make them stay home and watch a lame family Christmas movie instead of hanging out with friends. Maybe not mention their grades or sports performance for a couple days around December 25th. Worship the Lord with them, let them hear you sing. Tell some old stories about when they were little. Share a meal you know they’ll like. Kiss their momma in front of them and gross them out. Beat them in monopoly and/or dominoes. Grab their hand pray with them and tell them they’ll never get too big for that, then give a hug with an extra squeeze at the end. Relax. Laugh. Have fun. Make sure they know Jesus is everything and everything else can get in line.
Like I said I don’t have all the answers, but doing this kind of stuff will not only make the most of the Christmases we have, but maybe even bring them home for many many more even after they’re grown. Enjoy every moment, mom and dad, knowing there’s even more enjoyment to be had.

🎄Home Alone. I love this movie. The pictures above are from the last scene, “Old Man Marley” hugging his granddaughter and waiving to 8 year old Kevin, looking out his window

Earlier in the movie little Kevin had urged Mr Marley to reconcile with his family. Mr Marley took that advice and the family was reunited for Christmas.

Broken relationships need someone to take the initiative to be mended. At Christmas we remember that God took the initiative, coming as a baby, wrapped in clothes, lying in a manger, so we could have a relationship with Him.

One way we can be like Jesus this Christmas is to be quick to make things right with others. Be the first to reach out. The first to apologize. The first to forgive.

JoyToTheWorld #LookUp

The character of Joseph in the Christmas story isn’t talked about much, and rightfully so. Faithful servants like he and Mary knew who the main character of the story was 👶 But if we look close, Joseph’s a great picture of godly man. The Bible says he was a “just man.” Not sure there’s a better thing to be said of a man. He was a man a few words. He let his actions speak for themselves. He lived a rugged life, working as a carpenter, he was what many would refer to as “a man’s man.”
Before the angel of the Lord had said anything to Joseph, and it looked like Mary had been unfaithful, Joseph had decided to keep it quiet and not bring any shame on her. I believe that’s because he loved her. Just because someone hurts you doesn’t mean you can’t want good for them. That’s part of that whole “just man” thing. He was willing to absorb more hurt so that she could absorb less. We need more men like Joseph. I need to be more like Joseph. More like Jesus.
Then, when the Angel told Joseph the insider info that the baby was from the Holy Spirit, and that he needed to keep his commitments to Mary, and name the baby “Jesus” (which means Savior), like a lot of stepdads, foster, and adoptive dads I know, he stepped into that responsibility with both feet. Joseph was obedient. Joseph wasn’t cloudy where God was clear. He wanted to do right by God and right by Mary and baby Jesus, regardless of how it reflected on him.
Getting to name the savior of the world was a pretty early reward for faithful obedience. Guarantee you he never regretted being obedient to God. We won’t either.
Joseph also proved to be a faithful protector. When the angel spoke to him again and told him the psycho, narcissistic Herod was trying to kill Jesus, Joseph up and moved his little family to Egypt. It was a foreign place for him and uncomfortable in many ways for all of them, but he wasn’t primarily concerned with familiarity and comfort. He was concerned being faithful to God and protecting his family.
A man ought to seek to protect his family from all kinds of threats. Physical, moral, emotional, theological, and many other threats. I know lots of guys who have left behind what they’ve worked hard to build, and moved their wife and kids to a new, unfamiliar place for the betterment of their family. I respect that. It’s Joseph-like. It’s Christlike. And as men we need to keep that mindset. Our world, our flesh and the devil tell men, you need to live for YOU. Make it more comfortable for YOU. Acquire wealth for YOU. But the real adventure for a man is found in giving, sacrificing, and protecting.
Every year at Christmas we get a fresh reminder of the truth that Jesus taught “It’s better to give than to recieve.” Joseph knew that truth and got to experience it. We can too.
Imagine if Joseph had chosen a different path, a path with less responsibility and more “freedom.” ….Nah. No way. Give me Joseph. Give me Jesus.
✍️ Roy Layman

🎄📝 🎁
PARENTS – 5 things your kids REALLY want for Christmas:
1️⃣Your presence – without a phone in your hand or some other screen distracting you.
2️⃣Your time – not just quality, quantity.
3️⃣Your affection – a hug, a headlock, holding their hand. Whatever they’re up for.
4️⃣Your grace – yes they’ve screwed up. So have you. Give them the forgiveness and patience God’s given you.
5️⃣Your blessing – SAY IT TO THEM: I believe in you. I love you. God loves you. Jesus died for you. I’m here for you. I know it’s hard being young, but you’re not alone. You’ve got a bright future ahead, I can see it.

And none of these things cost a dime. You don’t have to buy the latest tech📱 that’s gonna give them even faster, better access to anxiety and loneliness. What your kids really want, is you!

**No high horse here. Writing all of this to myself as much as any of you.

Love y’all. God loves you more.

🦃🎄😔 I hate that holidays hit some with sadness rather than gladness. If you’re in that’s place, please know God sees you! Your pain is 100% real but so is His love for you.

Heres 5 comforting and compelling realities from His Word:

1️⃣🐦‍⬛GOD’S PROVIDENCE — He’s got you!
Look at the birds of the air…your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26)

2️⃣📖GOD’S PROMISES — He’s never gonna let you down!
He will:
•save you (Romans 10:9)
•forgive you (1John 1:9)
•lead you (Psalm 23:2-3)
•fight for you (Exodus 14:14)
•strengthen you (Isaiah 41:10)
•listen to you (Jeremiah 29:12)

3️⃣🫂GOD’S PRESENCE — He’s with you!
“The LORD himself…will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

4️⃣🤲🏼GOD’S PURPOSES — He wants to use you to glorify Him and bless others!
•love God (Matthew 22:37)
•love others (Matthew 22:39)
•serve (Mark 10:43-45)
•share your life and the gospel (1 Thess 2:8)

5️⃣GOD’S PEOPLE — He’s put people in your life for a reason! Reach out to others and be ready for them to reach out to you!
•bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2)
•encourage one another (1 Thess 5:11)
•pray for one another (James 5:16)
•build one another up (Romans 14:19)
•forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)

I genuinely hope these help. They’re not meant to minimize your hurt or make it look like there’s an easy way out of the darkness you’re facing. The intent is to bring the reality of God to bear on your very difficult circumstances during an especially tough time of year.

Hey, one day Jesus is gonna fix all this mess. He’ll wipe away every tear (Rev 21:4) and make all the sadness untrue. Keep holding on and keep lookin’ up!

Love y’all! God loves you more! ✝️

PARENTING: 6 REMINDERS INJURED ATHLETES NEED TO HEAR FROM PARENTS 🏀 🏈 ⚾️ 🏐

1. Life’s bigger than sports
2. The most important things about you haven’t changed and won’t change
3. You’re still fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God
4. You’re still called, loved, and kept by the love of God in Christ Jesus.
5. Sports are a valuable thing you do, but they’re not what make you who you are.
6. I love you for who you are, not what you do

With the exception of #6, I got all these from a post I made about Dak Prescott 3 years ago. If I felt like Dak needed to hear it, I definitely need to be prepared to share this kind of thing with my own kids and other kid athletes I love.