Blog Archive
- TOWERS of LIGHT LORE - BJORN BORN ORIGIN
The pains of birth had subsided when the actual pain began. Faint daylight streamed through the edges of the tent flap, illuminating her new baby.
- Miracle Minute - Jesus Heals a Leper
This week we got snowed in so we weren't able to do the in person meeting like we normally do. That said, Jesus healing the leper is actually one of the more relatable miracles in the Bible to children in 2022.
- The most significant award I’ve ever received – Giving back
In last week's post I talked about the benefits of my regular discipline around connecting with my family. In this week's post I'm providing some quick tips for you to start to establish your own practice.
- Miracle Minute - Water Into Wine
I'm starting a new series for the spring of this year based on the Wednesday night program at my church for kids in 3rd-5th grade.
- Miracle Minute - Big Catch
This week's Miracle Minute focuses on Jesus calling on his disciples to become fishers of men after the great miracle of filling their boats to overflowing.
- What is "The Darkness?"
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
- A Bakers Dozen Bible Verses Every Child Should Know
This a collection of verses we feel every child should memorize to help ground them in the essential truths of the Christian faith. 1) Why do we memorize Bible verses?
- Never "Say I'm So Sorry"?
As everyone's work situation has been turned upside down scenes like this have become common place. Despite our best efforts to find a quiet place to conduct our call family, dogs, construction, etc...
- Has your child ever had an "Oh 💩!" moment?
I don’t mean dirty diapers or an “accident.” I mean, they just really messed up.
- HELP CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY-OBSESSED CHILDREN TO GOD'S WORD PART 6
In my previous post, I discussed how to encourage your child to design before building. Now, let's discuss some examples from God's word about designing before building.
- How to Add Sound Effects to any Lego
Brick by Brick Build Instructions here If you've seen my Darth Vader's Bathroom videos you know that I have a lot of fun adding sound effects to things.
- Trim Healthy Pecan Squares - Low effort Low Carb Goodness!
My last post got me into a nostalgic mood for some old timey Christmas. Which then got me thinking about home made Christmas candy.
- The most significant award I’ve ever received – Hidden treasure
In the previous blog post, I discussed how I built a regular discipline around preparing to connect with my family. In this post, I’ll be talking about the unexpected benefits of this activity.
- HELP CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY-OBSESSED CHILDREN TO GOD'S WORD PART 4
Encourage Design Before Build In my previous post, I discussed the concept of spiritual gifts.
- HELP CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY-OBSESSED CHILDREN TO GOD'S WORD PART 3
The Spiritual Gift of Craftsmanship In my previous post, I discussed the challenges of connecting technology-oriented children to God's word.
- Wellspring Homeschool Co-op Traveling Library
The homeschooling parents I know tend to have a tough time finding clean fiction written by contemporary authors. It was the same struggle I had personally as a homeschooling parent.
- Trim Healthy Low-Carb Meat Lovers Pizza
One of the big things I missed when we started the Trim Healthy Mama plan was thin crust meat lovers pizza.
- Keeping Vacation On-Plan with Jan
My wife THM Coach On-Plan Jan and I took our first vacation since the COVID-19 lockdowns recently. This vacation represented a specific challenge for us because we had committed in January to stay on-plan for 100 days.
- Life on the Frontier
As the Celebrate Lit tour continues, today's review from the Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy highlighted the setting as one of the more interesting aspects of Light of Mine. As a writer, it helps if you can write from what you know.
- $20.00 Valentine's Day Steak Dinner for Two
Valentines Day is coming up and it’s likely to be a little different this year. Between limited seating capacity, tough financial times, and masks hiding each other’s smiling faces going out just isn’t what it used to be.
- Help for Struggling Readers: A Simple Reading Fix
This fall, it seemed like every other headline was about plummeting reading and math scores in the U.S.: High schoolers in the United States last year earned their lowest marks on reading and math in two decades When it comes to reading…
- Fearing No Evil
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
- Five years of training for the self-publishing triathlon
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the first time I “pushed the button” on self-publishing.
- HELP CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY-OBSESSED CHILDREN TO GOD'S WORD PART 1
If you are new to my blog, I thought I’d take a minute to introduce myself. I have been a professing Christian for most of my life, and I’m here sharing insights from God’s word.
- To Grandma's House We'll Go?
At the end of Light of Mine, were you left hanging a bit? Were you wondering who's going to take care of the kids?
- Summer Reading Giveaways!
Summer Reading Bundle - Crista GB Towers of Light Bundle - Stephanie S Light of Mine Audiobook - Jason M., Josh C, Karen HG Poster (Facebook) - Catherine B. Laura B.C. Kandi W., J.D. R. Poster (Youtube Handles) - Karen H, Captain Nemo…
- HELP CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY-OBSESSED CHILDREN TO GOD'S WORD PART 8
In my previous post, I concluded the discussion about connecting technology-obsessed children to God's world by encouraging your children to share their gifts with others.
- Is this Christmas?
Does your family have Christmas traditions? Do you all get together to do something year over year “because it's Christmas”, that when you think about it, isn't really Christmas?
- HELP CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY-OBSESSED CHILDREN TO GOD'S WORD PART 7
In my previous post, I discussed ways to engage your child's gifting with examples from God's word about designing before building. Encouraging your children to share their gifts with others can lead to a lifetime of joyfulness!
- The Gaslight is On, Can Your Children Smell It?
Have you ever had someone in authority, a boss, coach, teacher try to convince you of something that just wasn't true? Was that same person trying to influence your children?
- My biggest inspiration in writing has passed
On March 13th, my Mom, Mary Dianne Brokken Beghtol, passed into glory due to complications from cancer.
- A Hero of the Faith Has Passed
My Aunt Karen inspired my faith and embodied Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have…
- Help for struggling readers
Over the summer, it seemed like falling reading and math scores in the country came up daily in my social media feed.
- HELP CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY-OBSESSED CHILDREN TO GOD'S WORD PART 2
Challenges Discipling Technical Children: I closed my last blog by introducing the different kinds of learners and specifically highlighted kinesthetic or tactile learners.
- Towers of Light Lore — The Horn of Power
As I write, I often get inspired to write a rabbit trail that can only be considered world-building. When writing for Middle Grade, there's a focus on showing and not telling.
- Help! I've Run Out of Words
Have you ever had your child ask, and you just don't have any words left? Between the literal 14 back to back conference calls, extended shift on the factory floor, or travel day to clients you cant find a thing to say.
- The Most Significant Award I’ve Ever Received : Part 3 Light at the End of the Tunnel
My last post talked about the demands of the consulting lifestyle, and the challenge of connecting with my kids when I was far away. So, there I was, leaving my child hanging, again with nothing to say.
- Trim Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Hearts
Over the years Valentines day has often been the tipping point in my wife and I's attempts to keep our new year's resolution to start and keep healthy habits.
- Helping your technology-oriented child see themselves in God's word
Children who are gifted to work with technology can find it hard to see themselves as a part of God's story. They aren't warriors like the mighty David, prophets of God's word like Jeremiah, or politicians saving their people like Esther.
- To Home School or Not, a look at how.
Parents have been teaching their children at home for centuries.
- The Most Significant Award I’ve Ever Received: Part 1 Through the Portal
You might have noticed the update to my profile picture. It’s hard to miss the little “Cool Dad everyone’s talking about” emoji.
- Ethan's Original Oaka-meal
One of the advantages of writing books with your children as the main characters is that you get the opportunity to memorialize small moments of everyday life.
- To Home School or Not Home School that is the question.
With everyone getting a taste of schooling their children at home this past year, many parents are asking a question they wouldn’t have even considered a year ago; “Do I continue to school my children at home, even after school returns to…
- God is in control, even in a pandemic
I (Lauren) spent this morning reading the book Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliott for class, very timely. At the beginning of the book, she defines suffering as “wanting what you do not have or having what you do not want.”
- The Tragedy of Brok Porkins, Jedi Knight
For Star Wars day... May the Fourth be with You...
- Insights and Encouragement for Homeschooling Dads
Allen Brokken will be speaking at the Homeschooling Dads online conference, launching June 19.
- HELP CONNECTING TECHNOLOGY-OBSESSED CHILDREN TO GOD'S WORD PART 5
Encourage Design Before Build In my previous post, I discussed the biblical basis for approaching building projects with a design before build mindset and how to encourage your children to approach it that way.
- The Most Significant Award I’ve ever Received : Part 2 The Pit of Despair
In part 1 of this series, I talked about my life leading up to becoming a traveling consultant. This post picks up just after walking through the portal to this new life.
- Injustice is a Gospel Issue
On May 25th America watched a great tragedy, a man in Minneapolis died with a police officer's knee on his back while pleading for his life.
- Preparing to Launch
This week I'm launching Still Small Voice. This will be my fourth book launch.
- Trim Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
One of my all-time favorite things for the holidays are peanut butter cookies with Hershey’s kisses on top.
- Tame the Hangry Monster Cookies
Ever been so hungry you're just plain angry...in other words HANGRY! Sometimes you really need a powerful snack to overcome that level of hunger.
- New Year, New Commitment & Putting the “S” in a Scandinavian Breakfast
I think we can all say that 2020 didn’t exactly turn out the way we thought. My buddy J.J. Johnson and I looked back at our 2020 resolutions and it was pretty funny how far off we were.
- Experience the Adventure
After their parents mysterious disappearance, Lauren Aiden and Ethan discover the Armor of God. Will their faith be strong enough to keep dark forces from destroying the Tower of Light?
- Walking in the Light
In a previous post I talked about the darkness that is cloaking our land and how there is an enemy that seeks to destroy us. But what about the light?
