West Franklin Family, Ever feel like you’re going backwards? About the time I feel like we are on the “other side” of COVID-19, I feel we take a step backward. Mandatory masks. Hot spots. School openings delayed. The Big Ten and Pac 12 announced they are only playing football within their conference. I was looking forward to offering childcare on our campus later this month. But not now. That has been delayed indefinitely. Sometimes I feel like we are going... Read more
I know, I know. Many of you are sick of reading how wonderful Cousin’s Camp is. You’re thinking, “Good for you, Pearson’s. Way to go. Yippee.” I get it. I hear it. There are tons of “buts” out there, and a whole bunch of “what abouts.” “But my grandchildren live too far away.” “What about not having a house big enough?” “What about my failing health?” “But my kids’ spouses don’t want their kids spending all that time with us.”... Read more
The annual Cousin’s Camp put on by my parents is a win for all involved. It helps renew marriages. It deepens layers of love. It models biblical marriage. But in case you still aren’t convinced that taking your kids’ kids is a big deal, let me suggest a fourth reason. . . Taking Your Kids’ Kids Keeps You Young. There is very little I like more than a good belly laugh. Know what I mean? When something hits you the... Read more
Cousin’s Camp. A dream for all involved. Grandparents, grandchildren, and the children’s parents – Win. Win. Win. Reason one? Marriage renewal. Reason two? Deep layers of love. Let me give you a third reason taking your kids’ kids is a big deal. Third, Taking Your Kids’ Kids Allows Them to See Another Biblical Marriage Not only does this help your grandchildren’s parents renew their marriage, and not only does it communicate the deep layers of love they have, but they... Read more
Yesterday, I began a series of posts challenging grandparents, who are able, to take their kids’ kids for a while. Reason number one? It allows for marriage renewal for your grand-kid’s parents. Second, taking your kids’ kids allows for deep layers of love. Let me explain. I have a daughter we adopted when she was four. [Side note: one year – during “Cousin’s Camp” – Katie and I went to Ethiopia to bring her home.] We don’t know much at... Read more
Last Sunday morning, a very bizarre thing happened. Like, weird. Super weird. When things like this happen, it reminds me why I don’t gamble: I am awful at predicting the future. I would never have predicted this. Before 6 am, two teenage boys were out of bed and beyond excited to go spend a week with younger children and grandparents. I need you to go back and read that sentence one more time. And I don’t mean that they were... Read more
West Franklin Family, Today I want to introduce you to a gentleman named Onesiphorus. Yeah, I don’t know how to pronounce it either. But that’s his name. His entire family received mercy from God because (arguably) the greatest Christian of all time prayed for them to receive mercy. He risked his life, not to preach the Gospel, but to help one who was. He prayed a lot obviously, but didn’t just pray. He traveled a lot. Not for business or... Read more
I wonder if I have misunderstood Deuteronomy 6? I wonder if, for the past fifteen years or so, I have missed a key point in Moses’ plea for family devotions? I wonder if my assumption that it was all up to me to have a plan and be intentional and “pastor” my children set me up for defeat and failure over and over and over again? Maybe it is because I am a pastor. Maybe it is because my children... Read more
Dave Kruse did a fantastic job preaching the Word at West Franklin yesterday. If you haven’t already, go here and listen to his very important message. In today’s West Franklin Talks podcast, we discussed his message. In it, Dave referenced a clip by Francis Chan. You can find the clips here and here. Enjoy! Read more
West Franklin Family, In less than seven weeks, my kids will be expected to be ready for their next grade in school. Assuming schools begin on time, my now 10th grader will be expected to be ready for 10th grade. My now 8th grader will be expected to be ready for 8th grade. And my now 7th grader for 7th grade. The last time they were in a classroom was the first week of March. Like most kids, they missed... Read more
Churched
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