Articles & Musings to Encourage and Inspire
Deeply Wounded by a Church
About 7 years ago, I was deeply wounded by a church. I know I am not alone in this. Many people, many Christians have been wounded by a church or a member of a church. An unfortunate pattern has emerged in these modern times, and it is one I almost followed as...
Our Trip of a Lifetime Fell Short
Recently my husband and I were gifted a trip to Spain. Yes, you read that right. And yes, I still can't believe it. I have only been out of the country four times in my 50 years. Two of those times were mission trips to Central America. The third was a quick drive...
When Sanctification Looks Like Standing Before a Judge
A couple of years ago, I was praying Scriptures of sanctification over my children, my grandchildren, and future generations of Shultzes. Just a few short days into praying, "Lord, sanctify them! Set them apart for you. Make my children holy," I found myself outside...
Ravaged by Fire
2015 That was a really painful year for me. The kind of pain that shakes a person to their core. 2016 Don't even get me started on the pain of that year! I seemed to find some sort of rhythm in the pain, but just when I'd settle into a place of "this is painful, but...
How God Provided for What We Didn’t See Coming
We didn’t know that night that Hannah would get sick, withdraw from school, and never make it back to Pepperdine. We didn’t know it would take her three years to fight her way back, just to study online. But the Lord knew. And He provided for what He knew was coming.
Fight!
My mom, Ruth Baer, wrote this back in 2018. It somehow fell through the cracks, so having just read it recently, I realized, yet again, there is nothing new under the sun. This was true then; this is true now. Parents and grandparents, take this to heart! ~Becky I...
Praying the Psalms: How God Heard the Cry of Psalm 88 in My Tears
Part of what we do at FamiliesAlive is encourage and lead parents, especially moms and grandmas, to pray through Scripture over their own families. We focus on the whole Word of God, but in this season, we are praying through the Psalms. So, there I was two weeks ago,...
Exalt Him
Thanksgiving is fast approaching. How are we already here again? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were gathered together with family and friends around our turkey-potatoes-cranberry-sauce-pumpkin-pie tables? The years are flying by! This reminds me how fleeting I am;...
Am I Qualified to Lead a Family Ministry?
At our most recent FamiliesAlive board meeting, we concluded our time together as we normally do, in prayer over one another. These prayers always include praises mingled with grief, a crying out to the Lord our gratitude for the things He has done and our entreaty...
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: The Story of our First Grandchild
The date was February 9, 2021. I will never forget that day. It was a beautiful Colorado day. I went on a 6-mile hike on a little-used trail through 6 inches of snow. Silence, sun, fresh snow, and beautiful views filled my heart and my soul. I got off the trail,...
Palm Sunday has my Heart in a New Way
There has always been something special about Palm Sunday. The waving of palm branches. The singing and shouting of "Hosanna!" The young worship dancers leading our hearts to praise in a different way. I am always moved as I read of Zechariah's prophecy hundreds of...
Why Silent?
The last time I wrote a blog was March 2020—exactly 2 years ago. This “break” from writing and sharing and posting was both intentional and unintentional. Intentional because I knew the Lord was instructing me to be silent. Unintentional because I had no idea that His...
The Greatest Gift a Mom Can Give – the Gospel (Preached by Andy Koesters at Mebane Presbyterian)
Passage: Proverbs 1:8-9 Topic: The Greatest Gift a Mom Can Give - The Gospel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88KFxAky538
Meet Andy Koesters – Pastor to Churches and Families
We are so excited to officially welcome our newest full-time staff member to the FamiliesAlive team. Andy Koesters will serve as Pastor to Churches and Families. Take a moment to read through our interview with him to get to know his background and heart!
Giving Better Christmas Gifts to our Children
Do you struggle with the consumerism of our culture, and wonder how you can give better, more meaningful Christmas gifts to your children? Here’s our guide to making that happen.
How Coronavirus Gave Us an Unexpected Gift
Do you ever feel like your family is a part of this rat race of life, like there’s never enough time in the day to do all you need to do, let alone do the things you want to do? Do you ever wake up desiring a slower pace, wanting to spend time in God’s Word, and find...
101 Family Dinner Discussion Starters
Questions to jump-start your dinner table or car conversations as you strengthen your relationships, laugh together, and learn about each other.
101 Fun & Meaningful Family Activities
101 fun family activities to unplug from electronics and foster great fun, conversations, and relationships.
Not Quite the OCEANS I was Asking for
Have you always been given what you ask for? Have you always been given what you ask for right away? Have you always been given what you ask for in the way you actually want it? We’re not always given what we ask for, simply because it’s not part of His purpose. We’re...
Relationships are More Important Than Bacon
I know. I know. Some of you might disagree with me (I almost disagree with myself). But, these were the words Jesus spoke to my heart the other day. I was headed to church early to serve as a greeter at the South Doors. I love to welcome faces I recognize, new-to-me...
From My Heart to Yours — I Am NOT the Potter
As I spend some time in the book of Jeremiah this morning, I'm reminded of the work the Lord does in my life and in the lives of my children. This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message."...
The Dangers of Short Term Missions
My husband and I recently returned from Costa Rica where we spent 9 days with 20 students and several other leaders building homes, and participating in ministry through soccer. It was an amazing trip. One that most of us will not soon forget. The Lord used us to come...
If You’re Raising Sons AND Easter Falls on April Fools’ Day
The other day, I became privy to a really funny, really horrifying plan being hatched under our roof... One Shultz boy encouraging another Shultz boy to respond to our pastor's "HE IS RISEN!" from our pew on Easter Sunday with "APRIL FOOLS'!" Lord, have mercy. I utter...
There are NO “Should-Haves” with Our God
By Becky Shultz Curriculum Developer, FamiliesAlive Homeschooling mom of 6 Here I am. Again. Sitting in a similar place I was sitting in one year ago. Only this time, I already know the Lord's reply. He has given the same patient reply every single time I go down this...
Forcing Family Fun: When Your Kids Don’t Want To Participate
By Becky Shultz Curriculum Developer, FamiliesAlive Homeschooling mom of 6 A Crazy Question There we were...sitting at Chipotle with two other families after a U14 soccer game. Ben (our 16-yr-old son) was missing his partner in crime, Big Brother Aaron (18), who was...
Red Means Stop, Green Means Go: Spiritual Driving Lessons
By Brian Shultz Watch Out...New Driver! If only driving, and life, were easy… I just got out of the car, this time from the unfamiliar passenger side, as my teenage son just completed his first ever driving lesson with me, just minutes after passing his written test...
Helping Your Children Resist Sexual Temptation: A Look at Proverbs 1-9
by David Baer, President & CEO of FamiliesAlive® The concept of sexual purity is increasingly foreign in our society. We live in a "Vegas" day and age - Sin City, USA might as well be the motto and the rule for our culture. But even a casual reading of the first...
One Thing We Must NEVER Do As Parents
by Becky Shultz Got kids? Then you've got wonderful blessings - gifts from on high! You've also got disagreements, issues, messes, worriment, and trouble. And the older those kids get, the bigger the problems get, the more difficult those difficulties are to handle....
Are You Perfect?
by Ruth Baer When my granddaughter Hannah was about 7 years old, she made an observation about me as we all sat down to dinner. “Grandma, I’ve never seen you sin.” What would you say if your child or grandchild said that to you? Would you be proud or happy that she...
Helping Your Kids Build a Devotion Time with God
by Samantha Hanni One day when I was about nine, my mom came home from Mardel with a book for me. It was my first devotional book, with a colorful cover and fun stories that drew me in each day. I have vivid memories of this book (for some reason) and to this day, I...
How Can I Be Grateful When My Heart’s Not in It?
By Ruth Baer Have you ever had one of those days when everything seems to be going so well? At work, at home, at church – both privately and publicly? You’re in the Word and praying for all on your heart? God seems to be on the throne in your experience, and life...
How to Deal with Halloween?
By Laura Cooper Does Halloween have you going crazy? It does for me! For a very long time, Halloween has been a source of debate and confusion in the Christian community. Many families, including my own, have wrestled with this question: How should we deal with...
Liar! Liar! Pants on Fire!
By Michele L. Brown My 9-year-old stepdaughter had gotten into my purse and helped herself to gum without asking, and when I picked the wrapper up from the floor she tried to say her friend had given it to her. This particular lie was actually the third blatant lie I...
Enjoying the Process
by Becky Shultz It all began 23+ years ago when we found out we were expecting a baby girl. Laura Elizabeth Shultz slowly made her entrance into this world, but quickly stole our hearts! I remember being stopped while out for a walk or moving through a grocery store....
From My Heart to Yours – Enjoying the Process
by Becky Shultz It all began 23+ years ago when we found out we were expecting a baby girl. Laura Elizabeth Shultz slowly made her entrance into this world, but quickly stole our hearts! I remember being stopped while out for a walk or moving through a grocery store....
Back to School Ideas Round Up
As the new school year kicks off, this is the perfect time to do a little family tune-up by breaking bad habits and starting good habits. Here's our round up of the best practical ways to improve your family life! 1. Put Jesus First • Start the habit of daily time...
We ARE Ready
by Becky Shultz I sat down to write a blog yesterday. Here's how it went: Lord, please give me the words you want me to share. *cricket* *cricket* *cricket* So writing a blog turned into 30 minutes of praying and thinking and crying. I thought about this past year and...
From My Heart to Yours – We ARE Ready
by Becky Shultz I sat down to write a blog yesterday. Here's how it went: Lord, please give me the words you want me to share. *cricket* *cricket* *cricket* So writing a blog turned into 30 minutes of praying and thinking and crying. I thought about this past year and...
When Tragedy Strikes
By Vicky O. It is 1:00 a.m. on July 20, 2000, and I am alternating between sitting and laying on my bathroom floor crying out to the Lord, “Why?” I am so weak that I cannot get up; I can only cry and pray. But “Why?” and “Why us?” seems to be all I can say in between...
The Pinterest Trap
Last night, I fell victim to the Pinterest Trap. Let me set the scene for you: I get married in two weeks, and I am right in the throes of wedding planning. It was late, and I had been working furiously for hours. At the moment, I was scouring Pinterest, looking for...
Storytellers
by Ruth Baer We buried my Aunt Tense a few weeks ago. She was 94, lived a long life and died peacefully in her sleep. Her son, Larry, led the funeral service. All of us gathered together to say our last goodbyes – we came from near and far. There were the Colorado...
When All You Want for Mother’s Day is Healing for Your Daughter and You Don’t Get it
I woke up on Sunday, May 8 feeling absolutely pulverized. Since September, we have been trying our darndest to live a semi-normal life while searching for answers to Hannah's health issues. If you've followed along, you know that our college-sophomore daughter got...
From My Heart to Yours — When All You Want for Mother’s Day is Healing for Your Daughter and You Don’t Get it
I woke up on Sunday, May 8 feeling absolutely pulverized. Since September, we have been trying our darndest to live a semi-normal life while searching for answers to Hannah's health issues. If you've followed along, you know that our college-sophomore daughter got...
God is Bigger
By Hannah Shultz 20-year-old sister of 6 This life is full of moments, moments that range from extreme joy to the deepest of sorrows, moments that range from perfectly healthy to deathly ill, moments that range from peak strength to valley-low weakness. As we journey...
Tips to Try at the Table
By David Baer, Executive Director of FamiliesAlive In Dolores Curran’s survey work, over 500 counselors, pastors, teachers, therapists, and other professionals who routinely worked with families ranked “table time” as #13 out of a list of 56 possible traits of a...
The Shape of Sunday
by Rachel Scott When I was a child, Sunday meant going to church and singing my heart out. After church, my family and I would head to my great grandparent’s farm in Carol County, Virginia to enjoy a meal around the table and an afternoon of play. I remember riding...
10 Reasons Why Growing Up in a Big Family is the Best
By Laura Shultz As the oldest of six kids, I've learned a thing or two about the joy (and pain!) of having a big family. Looking back over my childhood, let me share just a couple reasons why growing up with a lot of siblings is basically the greatest thing ever. 1....
Let Go and Let God
By Mindy Thomas Mother of 9(!) in Texas I love when things are neat and tidy. I enjoy a scrubbed kitchen, a freshly made bed, a pressed shirt, a new car that smells like leather, clean windows and door pulls, sparkling refrigerator shelves and clothes organized by...
Family Planning
Life doesn’t always go as planned. Christ found me when life was playing out just the way I wanted. I was 24, married to my college sweetie with a good job in a new city. I was grateful. Being raised by a single parent, life before college was a tale of humble...
A Word
By Marianne H. Homeschooling Mom in Colorado Sometimes I get ahead of myself and of God. I am a forward thinker, envisioning the future. Several years ago, the Lord, in His attempt to slow my mind down to the present, asked me to focus on One Word for the entire...
Beauty from Ashes
During the first snow of the winter here in Colorado, I was reminded how peaceful and fresh the world seems after a snowstorm. My children, however, didn’t seem to notice the beauty or the tranquility that came with it. In fact, they were more like their own small...
What Our Daughter is Learning and Teaching the Rest of Us
When our daughter, Hannah, left for leadership training near her college campus back on August 20, we had no idea what was in store for her...for all of us. We did not see the twist in the road that lay before us. She was looking forward to her 2nd year at Pepperdine...
From My Heart to Yours — Drinking From This Cup: What Our Daughter is Learning and Teaching the Rest of Us
When our daughter, Hannah, left for leadership training near her college campus back on August 20, we had no idea what was in store for her...for all of us. We did not see the twist in the road that lay before us. She was looking forward to her 2nd year at Pepperdine...
Walking Alongside is a GIFT
As I think back over the past couple of weeks, they seem to me to be a blur. Having been home for three days now, in some ways it feels as if I never left, except for the fact that we're about to enter the month of October. In other ways, being out in California,...
From My Heart to Yours — Walking Alongside is a GIFT
As I think back over the past couple of weeks, they seem to me to be a blur. Having been home for three days now, in some ways it feels as if I never left, except for the fact that we're about to enter the month of October. In other ways, being out in California,...
To All My Mama Friends Whose Babies are Far Away Today
To All My Mama Friends Whose Babies are Far Away Today, I feel like we belong to some sort of club. As I've watched you post pictures of your goodbyes the past few weeks, I've cried with you. I've been there. I AM there. I spent three years saying goodbye to our...
From My Heart to Yours — To All My Mama Friends Whose Babies are Far Away Today
To All My Mama Friends Whose Babies are Far Away Today, I feel like we belong to some sort of club. As I've watched you post pictures of your goodbyes the past few weeks, I've cried with you. I've been there. I AM there. I spent three years saying goodbye to our...
From My Heart to Yours — Calendar Session
Two weekends ago, my husband and I were able to get away to the mountains for a wonderful, relaxing time celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary. It was glorious! We took drives, walks, sat outside listening to the birds, sipped tea and coffee, read (my reading was...
Calendar Session
Two weekends ago, my husband and I were able to get away to the mountains for a wonderful, relaxing time celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary. It was glorious! We took drives, walks, sat outside listening to the birds, sipped tea and coffee, read (my reading was...
His Best-Laid Plans
When I get to spend time with the East Coast Shultzes, I find that I get to see life from a different perspective. Being around loved ones I don't get to be around very often has a way of doing that. I married into the Shultz family and I sometimes joke that I married...
From My Heart to Yours — His Best-Laid Plans
When I get to spend time with the East Coast Shultzes, I find that I get to see life from a different perspective. Being around loved ones I don't get to be around very often has a way of doing that. I married into the Shultz family and I sometimes joke that I married...
Respecting G’ma
I LOVE summertime -- vacations, family visits, pool time, trips up to our Colorado mountains, eating just about every meal on the deck, laid-back, lazy mornings. My favorite time of year. Last week we had family (my aunt, cousin, cousin-in-law, and their 2 little...
From My Heart to Yours — Respecting G’ma
I LOVE summertime -- vacations, family visits, pool time, trips up to our Colorado mountains, eating just about every meal on the deck, laid-back, lazy mornings. My favorite time of year. Last week we had family (my aunt, cousin, cousin-in-law, and their 2 little...
From Little Girl to College Graduate
As many of you know, this month has been a big one in the life of our family. Less than three weeks ago we cheered, celebrated and rejoiced as we watched our eldest, Laura, walk across the stage to receive her diploma from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. That...
From My Heart to Yours — From Little Girl to College Graduate
As many of you know, this month has been a big one in the life of our family. Less than three weeks ago we cheered, celebrated and rejoiced as we watched our eldest, Laura, walk across the stage to receive her diploma from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. That...
Salt Lake City & Unmasking Untruth
Last week the boys and I went on another school adventure. This time to Salt Lake City, UT. In preparation, we did a little study on the Donner-Reed Party, Mormon pioneers, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and Mormonism. We hit the road, entered Utah and followed the...
From My Heart to Yours — Salt Lake City & Unmasking Untruth
Last week the boys and I went on another school adventure. This time to Salt Lake City, UT. In preparation, we did a little study on the Donner-Reed Party, Mormon pioneers, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and Mormonism. We hit the road, entered Utah and followed the...
Gone Are the Days of Resurrection Eggs
Easter. I love Easter. Holy Week celebrations, family gatherings, the smells, the food (HAM!!!), the traditions, and...the ham! 😉 Seriously, my mom used to say, "We need to buy two hams. One for Becky and one for the rest of us." I do love me some Easter spiral ham....
From My Heart to Yours — Gone Are the Days of Resurrection Eggs
Easter. I love Easter. Holy Week celebrations, family gatherings, the smells, the food (HAM!!!), the traditions, and...the ham! 😉 Seriously, my mom used to say, "We need to buy two hams. One for Becky and one for the rest of us." I do love me some Easter spiral ham....
Bible Illiteracy
The Shultz family is currently on a road trip in AZ. In fact, it’s 6:30 a.m., freezing cold, so I’m sitting in the warm-ish bathhouse of our campground. Needless to say, my blog is going to be short and sweet. Well, short and to the point. 🙂 I had a conversation a...
From My Heart to Yours — Bible Illiteracy
The Shultz family is currently on a road trip in AZ. In fact, it’s 6:30 a.m., freezing cold, so I’m sitting in the warm-ish bathhouse of our campground. Needless to say, my blog is going to be short and sweet. Well, short and to the point. 🙂 I had a conversation a...
My Sand-Eating, Child-Biting, Hair-Cutting Daughter
Hannah Ruth Shultz entered our world on March 2, 1996. She was our second daughter, so we felt prepared, convinced we knew what to expect. Daughter #1 was 2-years-old. We were pros. 😉 For the first 8 months of her life, things went effortlessly. Out of six labors and...
From My Heart to Yours — My Sand-Eating, Child-Biting, Hair-Cutting Daughter
Hannah Ruth Shultz entered our world on March 2, 1996. She was our second daughter, so we felt prepared, convinced we knew what to expect. Daughter #1 was 2-years-old. We were pros. 😉 For the first 8 months of her life, things went effortlessly. Out of six labors and...
God’s a Bit of a Show-Off
Do you ever find yourself questioning the Lord? His timing? His purposes? His lack of moving in a way you want? I do. You'd think I wouldn't. After all, I've known the Lord my entire life. I've witnessed the movement of His hand time and time again. I've read and...
From My Heart to Yours — God’s a Bit of a Show-Off
Do you ever find yourself questioning the Lord? His timing? His purposes? His lack of moving in a way you want? I do. You'd think I wouldn't. After all, I've known the Lord my entire life. I've witnessed the movement of His hand time and time again. I've read and...
When We Walk Along the Road
Last week the boys and I took school on the road again. We explored and adventured through the great state of Texas. I seriously have only been there once, and that was for a world sport stacking competition, so I spent most of my time in the hotel or at the...
From My Heart to Yours — When We Walk Along the Road
Last week the boys and I took school on the road again. We explored and adventured through the great state of Texas. I seriously have only been there once, and that was for a world sport stacking competition, so I spent most of my time in the hotel or at the...
A Different Kind of Resolution
I'm sitting here preparing to say goodbye to two very special daughters as they head back to CA later this week. One -- Laura -- will be finishing up college (seriously...we'll be heading to her graduation in May). The other -- Hannah -- will be completing her first...
From My Heart to Yours — A Different Kind of Resolution
I'm sitting here preparing to say goodbye to two very special daughters as they head back to CA later this week. One -- Laura -- will be finishing up college (seriously...we'll be heading to her graduation in May). The other -- Hannah -- will be completing her first...