If there is one thing we all have in common outside of being image bearers of God, it is this: We all have family too. Our families might not all look the same, but in whatever form they take, may it never be mistaken that navigating family is easy. And by God’s grace, He has given us all we need to help our families thrive by way of His Word, His people, and His desire for our lives when we allow Him to direct us in the ways we should go. With God at the helm, our “Family Portrait” can be one of beauty and grace that hangs strong on the wall for generations to come.
For as we are reminded of in Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV): “God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'”
Over the span of our new series, we want you and your family to flourish. Our hope and prayer, in fact, is not just that your family flourishes in the short-term, but over the long-haul—regardless of the challenges you might currently be facing in the present. So whether you are single, find yourself in a blended family, a more traditional one, or just need some guidance when it comes to your marriage and/or parenting, you will find something that applies to you.
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Family Portraits Series in Review:
“Joining Cultures” – March 12th, 2023
“Biblical Truths for Successful Families” – March 5th, 2023
“Marriage: Mirror to the Gospel” – February 26th, 2023
“Gospel-centered Family” – February 19th, 2023
“Blended Family” – February 12th, 2023
“Extended Family” – February 5th, 2023
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But here is another reality we all must face …
Developing and maintaining a strong “Family Portrait” is hard, and unless we put in the time and legwork to face the challenges family can present head on, we might be left wanting. Which is why, outside of the sermon series itself, we wanted to get you a list of some resources (though certainly not an exhaustive list) to check out as well, and which includes …
PODCASTS +
Healthy + Thriving Relationships
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BOOKS
ON MARRIAGE
“The Meaning of Marriage” – Timothy Keller
“Loveology” – John Mark Comer
“Boundaries in Marriage” – Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
“Sacred Marriage” – Gary Thomas
“Love & Respect” – Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
“Finding the Hero in Your Husband” – Dr. Juli Slattery
“You and Me Forever” – Francis & Lisa Chan
ON PARENTING
“Raising Passionate Jesus Followers” – Phil & Diane Comer
“The Art of Parenting” – Dennis & Barbara Rainey
“Parenting from the Inside Out” – Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Mary Hartzell, M.Ed.
“Sacred Parenting” – Gary Thomas
“The Intentional Father” – Jon Tyson
“Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters” / “Strong Mothers, Strong Sons” – Meg Meeker, M.D.
“Talking With Your Kids About Jesus” / “Talking With Your Kids About God” – Natasha Crain
“Spiritual Parenting” – Michelle Anthony
“Mama Bear Apologetics” / “Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality” – Hillary Morgan Ferrer
“12 Mistakes Parents Can Avoid” – Tim Elmore
“The Life You Want Your Kids to Live” – Dr. Les Parrott & Dr. Leslie Parrott
“Have a New Kid By Friday” – Dr. Kevin Leman
OTHER RELATED TOPICS
“For Men Only” / “For Women Only” – Shaunti Feldahn
“Boundaries” – Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
“Not Yet Married” – Marshall Segal
“Wild at Heart” – John Eldredge
“Captivating” – John Eldredge & Stasi Eldredge
“Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be” – Donna Partow
“The Five Love Languages” – Gary Chapman
“Habits of the Household” – Justin Whitmel Earley
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Thanks for being a part of our Harvest family! We’re so glad you consider us your home. And if you want to add to the list above, send your suggestions our way.