The Sparrow's Home: Life is hard. God is good. We need each other.

Daily Bible reading can be hard to be consistent in. Find a Bible reading plan that works for you.

January 14, 2019 by Susan

Reading the Bible daily is a habit we know is important, so why is consistency so difficult? Find a Bible reading plan to help you get in God’s word regularly.

We’re focusing this month on making small changes to one habit at a time that add up to lasting change. And why not start with the most important habit of all…being in God’s word regularly. In reality, it’s no exaggeration to say that no other habit matters more than this one.

My husband and I are teaching the youth at our church this Sunday. Our lesson is going to be on how to make God-pleasing decisions. What we’re finding as we prepare our lesson is that we keep coming back to this truth: Knowing what God’s word says on a topic is key to being able to know His best for us. Even more than being key, it’s essential. (Seeking Godly counsel is up there, too, but that’s a topic for another day).

The secret to knowing how to change is in forming new habits

January 7, 2019 by Susan

Does anyone not have something in their life they’d like to change? If there is such a person, I suspect they are disillusioned. Because the truth is, we are all a mess somewhere.

What are you wanting to change?

If you’re like me, you look around and see others who don’t seem to struggle with the things you struggle with…and that can be either motivating or depressing. What we often fail to realize is that they struggle with something that comes easy to us.

Our new favorite party game is simply fun…and different every time you play

December 31, 2018 by Susan

If you like Apples-to-Apples, this fun party game may be your new favorite! You use books to find the perfect fit to a prompt. Prepare to laugh…a lot!

We get a new family game every year for Christmas. And this year, I am proud to say…we found a real winner! My friend Kay from Heart to Heart Homeschooling recommended this one to me and I knew it would be a hit. My husband wasn’t sure, but after our first time playing he looked right at me and said, “I was wrong, that was fantastic!”

Parents, wow the kids at dinner tonight with your mastery of teen slang!

December 17, 2018 by Susan

Every once in awhile you stumble upon a gem and you just know: From this moment forward, nothing will ever be the same. Finding this article about teen slang last week was one of those moments.

Let me be perfectly clear: Parents who think they are cool are not cool. It’s embarrassing, really.

No, my husband and I know exactly how old and out of touch we are. We just happen to also think it’s hilarious to illustrate that to our teenage children now and then.

So upon finding this article, I messaged my husband, and we spent the day learning a foreign language.

Butterscotch Crunchies

December 10, 2018 by Susan

Peanut butter. Butterscotch. Cornflakes.

That’s all you need for this rich and tasty no-bake cookie. We like to add sprinkles, since they are a Christmas cookie staple. And I mean staple…My youngest told me recently that we could nix any other cookie from our annual Christmas cookie menu before skipping this treat.

My two cookie contributions this year were these gems and white chocolate dipped Oreos, another non-negotiable if you ask my family.

Plan ahead to encourage others. Make this inspiring DIY kit.

November 26, 2018 by Susan

Do you want to be an encourager? It’s something we all want to do, but knowing how to encourage others can be tough. And if you’re anything like me, sometimes I simply forget. Having a ready-to-go kit like this can help you to brighten someones day, lift their spirits, and remind them of God’s truth in their life.

It would be great if intention was all that mattered. We’d come out smelling like a peach most of the time, wouldn’t we. I mean, we all want to do better…to be better.

Unfortunately, our intentions don’t matter much if actions don’t follow.

Think about it. Does it matter if I…

… intend to clean my house, but never get around to it?

… intend to be on time but never check the clock?

I think we all intend to be encouraging people. But the real question is…do our actions prove that?