Childhood is a precious and fragile time. In the first years of life children learn and absorb at a rate that exceeds any other stage in life. From conception to birth and beyond, children are little miracles. Their very existence is testament to the profound genius of a creative God. Yet in the daily work of parenting the miraculous can be overwhelmed by the mundane. Parenting is hard. It can be humbling and frustrating.

One moment he was behind razor wire; the next he was standing on the side of the road. Long-term Christian detainee Arta Zaheedis three years of detention at Villawood Detention Centre came to an abrupt end on Tuesday afternoon.

Contempt for children for children is not new. The old Law of the people of Israel, written over three thousand years ago, makes it clear that children have ever been subject to the self-serving schemes of self-absorbed adults. When Jesus says "Let the little children come to me," he says it against exactly the kind of adult view that something else matters more than these children.

The psalmist exclaims, "children are a heritage from the Lord" (Ps 127:3), a gift of Gods grace to parents that they may train their children in the ways of the Lord (Ps 78:5-7). Yet it is often asked: Are my children saved? This question, of course, reaches its sharpest focus in the sad event of an infants death. Even unbelievers frequently seek some reassurance that their child is with God. What can we say to such parents, whether they be Christians or non-Christians? How are we to view our childrens relationship to God?

The experience of reading books can have an enormous impact on the life of children and families. In this article, mother and grandmother Christine Jensen reflects on the wonderful world of books and children.

As a parent of a toddler and a newborn, I read a lot of parenting books. Someone once advised me that I should only read one a year, otherwise Im liable to get too confused. I definitely agree. There are way too many parenting books out there with far too much conflicting advice. But I will make the bold statement that if you are going to read just one parenting book this year, then read this one.

No need for Chinese whispers - CMS New South Wales' top executive has announced he will be relinquishing the position he has held for more than a decade to return to Hong Kong's mission field.

Archbishop Peter Jensen, chairman of Anglicare Sydney, has delivered a frank response to assertions the diocese's welfare arm is facing the prospect of service cuts as a result of a $3 million operational deficit.