Resolve (Pray) To...

Be a good parent.  
Everyday.  
Not just for the New Year.

Looking for some inspirational reads as you journey with your children into 2017? I've got a great book stack for you! 
(all books available from Ancient Faith Publishing) 

I'm very excited about this book on parenting by Dr. Philip Mamalakis.  He spoke at our church a few years ago, and his talk was full of wisdom on the importance of careful child-rearing.

In his introduction, Dr. Mamalakis (a father of seven children) clearly communicates that there is no greater vocation than that of being a parent "...because nothing shapes the soul and the life of a person more than how he interacts with his parents or primary care providers."

Parenting Toward the Kingdom is organized into six Principles:
I: Always Parent with the End in Mind
II: Respond, Don't React
III: Understand Struggles in Terms of the Values and the Virtues of the Kingdom of God
IV: Separate Feelings from Behaviors
V: Teach the Joy of Obedience
VI: Teach the Joy of Repentance

The book ends with a helpful Appendix of Further Reading (more about this book here).

Go here to read my past post about the beautiful prayer book, The Ascetic Lives of Mothers by Annalisa Boyd...

If you are contemplating adoption, Children of my Heart: Finding Christ Through Adoption by Ashley Lackovich-Van Gorp, might be the read for you.

Ashley Lackovich-Van Gorp shares her inspiring journey as a young professional working in Jerusalem who struggled to embrace her Orthodox faith with all her heart. She never dreamed her search for an intimate relationship with Christ would lead her to Ethiopia and into the hearts and lives of two little orphan girls—now orphans no longer. (Go here for more information about this book.)

Lastly, in celebration of our journey into 2017, I'm offering a GIVEAWAY of the book Following a Sacred Path: Raising Godly Children by Elizabeth White.

Experienced educator Elizabeth White offers practical advice on raising children to understand and love their faith.

Focusing on the church year, she offers a new way to talk to children about the faith, along with activities the family can share that encourage children to discover spiritual truths for themselves and own them for life.

To enter my New Year Giveaway, please leave a comment with your first name and last initial here on this post before midnight on January 9, 2017.  Winner announced Tuesday, January 10, 2017 - be sure you check back!