Clay Clarkson is one of the FEW authors whose work I “wholeheartedly” endorse, and that goes for Heartfelt Discipline. He and wife, Sally, are completely nourishing for homeschoolers, thoughtful and godly and not condemning as they disciple you and encourage you to disciple your children. After all, isn’t this why we’re here, and why we became parents? To touch our world for Jesus?

Though Sally says she gets all the credit for the treasure, it was actually Clay who authored Educating the Wholehearted Child. As executive director of their family mission Whole Heart Ministries, Clay Clarkson is dedicated to restoring a biblical pattern of parenting and family life. Between books, homeschool conferences, speaking engagements, a recent high-profile invitation to Washington, D.C. and a new emphasis on reaching beyond the homeschool movement, the Clarksons and their four children are incredibly busy folks. And still, they’ve mastered what must be a gift of savoring “life” in the midst of the whirlwind.

Clarkson’s newest book is a treasure; there's no other way to put it. And the treasures start with the dedication, of all places: (to their children) “Thank you all for being the laboratory for heartfelt discipline – and especially for enduring the times when it was more felt than heart. . .” Entering into the myriad of titles on discipline – to do or not to do – comes this 243-page paperback that stresses not hands-on nor hands-off, but hands around your children!

It’s like Clay to point us to Scripture, and so he does with Heartfelt Discipline. The books of the Holy Bible contain the salve for the dreaded D word and he dives into the ancient volume, pointing out its simple wisdom, to help modern parents solve the discipline puzzle. First, however, a clarification: discipline is NOT punishment. Chew on that one for awhile. Then, take a bite of the heavy burden of punishing, and the emotional oxymoron of loving punishment – spit them out, and start reading.

Know the difference between directive discipline, corrective discipline, and protective discipline? Come in, chapter by chapter, and learn the heart-to-heart, relational skills that lovingly parenting and guiding and discipling your child requires. Clay’s book is nigh unto an art form for gently handling your own heart as he takes the Good Shepherd’s crook to nudge you in the right direction.

Does every childish infraction turn you into a spanker? Do you prefer the “kids will be kids; leave them alone” Dr. Spock-ish passivity of some parents? You’ll want your highlighter, your Bible and a box of tissues as you consume Heartfelt Discipline, which sometimes reads like a Bible study as Clay takes us through the famous “rod” passages and exposes their Hebrew meanings instead of harping on the usual English definitions. It's quite an eye-opener! Then, Clay has a way of getting to the –uh- well, heart of the matter. Does disciplining result in a defeated heart or an humbled heart? Ouch, Clay! Not to be taken lightly, Heartfelt Discipline is challenging, meaty – and can change your disciplining habits.