The Family Resources Blog will be taking a break until February 1st. You may be asking why. Let me comfort you by saying that there are no emergencies or anything like that. I won't be posting on the blog for a week or so because I will be out of the country on my honeymoon. I'm looking forward to some rest and relaxation.
Hope you have a great week!
Robert
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Interesting Research about Children and Church
After reading this article, I'm not sure what it all means for church leaders or for parents, but I do find this kind of research incredibly interesting. The thing with research is that it doesn't guarantee anything, but I did find the correlation between involvement at church as a young child/teenager and active faith in adulthood very interesting. What this article isn't saying is that your child is guaranteed to have an active faith as long as you bring them to church. It's far more complicated than that.
Childhood Experience Bearing Adult Fruit
Childhood Experience Bearing Adult Fruit
Friday, January 15, 2010
Internet Safety
It's a huge deal. HUGE!!!
If you're not thinking about it and preparing for it, you're already behind the curve (especially if your kids are on the computer).
The link below is a tad dated, but it still offers a great overview of why the internet can be such a dangerous place and how you can make a plan to protect your children.
Internet Safety
If you're not thinking about it and preparing for it, you're already behind the curve (especially if your kids are on the computer).
The link below is a tad dated, but it still offers a great overview of why the internet can be such a dangerous place and how you can make a plan to protect your children.
Internet Safety
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sibling Rivalry in the Bible - #2
If you have more than one child, and they differ in age by less than 7 years, you have undoubtedly experienced a bit of sibling rivalry. It can take all kinds of forms and it can be rooted in all kinds of emotions, but it is there. It's as old as Cain and Abel, and the "problem" of sibling rivalry isn't going anywhere as long as Jesus hasn't come back. We'll take a look at different instances of it in the Bible, and attempt to learn something together.
Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37)
What really happened: Joseph was the youngest son in his family, and his father "loved Joseph more than any of his other sons" (v. 3) because he was the baby. This caused quite a bit of "hatred" between Joseph and his brothers (v.4). He even receives special gifts from his father (v. 3). One day Joseph has some dreams. He then tells his brothers about the dreams. It just so happens that in these dreams, Joseph's brothers are bowing down to him. They take offense, and it truly is the straw that breaks the camel's back in the relationship between Joseph and his brothers.
What caused it in their situation: There are a number of things that fuel the fire of sibling rivalry in this story. The first is the blatant favoritism shown by Joseph's father. Nothing will put siblings at odds with one another quicker than genuine or even perceived favoritism. The second things that fueled this chain of events wasn't Joseph's dreams, but the way in which he talked about these dreams to his family. You can almost sense a great deal of pride and arrogance in Joseph when he tells these dreams.
The End Result: Joseph's brothers eventually devise a plan to sell him into slavery and make up a story about him being killed by a wild animal. They lie to their father, and Joseph is sent off to Egypt where he begins his life as a slave. That is the beginning of the story, but we know (because we know the rest of the story) that this was all a part of God's plan to preserve his people during the upcoming famines.
Be on the lookout: As a parent, you've got to be on the lookout for favoritism. Most parents would never admit to favoritism, but it can sneak up on you in a number of ways when you don't even realize it. Do your best to guard against it at all costs. Be fair...discipline when you must...but always be on the lookout for favoritism. In addition, watch for pride in your children, whether it's subtle or blatant. Pride and arrogance can quickly sour one person against the other.
What's the Takeaway: Favoritism and pride/arrogance destroy a family in Joseph's case. The pain and wreckage in this story are very real, and can often mirror the pain and wreckage of real life families today. The beautiful part of this story is that at the end of it all, Joseph is reconciled with his father and brother and able to say that "what you intended for evil, God intended for good." God used this families dysfunction to glorify him and to serve His purpose in the world. Glory to God!
Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37)
What really happened: Joseph was the youngest son in his family, and his father "loved Joseph more than any of his other sons" (v. 3) because he was the baby. This caused quite a bit of "hatred" between Joseph and his brothers (v.4). He even receives special gifts from his father (v. 3). One day Joseph has some dreams. He then tells his brothers about the dreams. It just so happens that in these dreams, Joseph's brothers are bowing down to him. They take offense, and it truly is the straw that breaks the camel's back in the relationship between Joseph and his brothers.
What caused it in their situation: There are a number of things that fuel the fire of sibling rivalry in this story. The first is the blatant favoritism shown by Joseph's father. Nothing will put siblings at odds with one another quicker than genuine or even perceived favoritism. The second things that fueled this chain of events wasn't Joseph's dreams, but the way in which he talked about these dreams to his family. You can almost sense a great deal of pride and arrogance in Joseph when he tells these dreams.
The End Result: Joseph's brothers eventually devise a plan to sell him into slavery and make up a story about him being killed by a wild animal. They lie to their father, and Joseph is sent off to Egypt where he begins his life as a slave. That is the beginning of the story, but we know (because we know the rest of the story) that this was all a part of God's plan to preserve his people during the upcoming famines.
Be on the lookout: As a parent, you've got to be on the lookout for favoritism. Most parents would never admit to favoritism, but it can sneak up on you in a number of ways when you don't even realize it. Do your best to guard against it at all costs. Be fair...discipline when you must...but always be on the lookout for favoritism. In addition, watch for pride in your children, whether it's subtle or blatant. Pride and arrogance can quickly sour one person against the other.
What's the Takeaway: Favoritism and pride/arrogance destroy a family in Joseph's case. The pain and wreckage in this story are very real, and can often mirror the pain and wreckage of real life families today. The beautiful part of this story is that at the end of it all, Joseph is reconciled with his father and brother and able to say that "what you intended for evil, God intended for good." God used this families dysfunction to glorify him and to serve His purpose in the world. Glory to God!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Raising Children Who Are Confident in God
If you have a few minutes...or if you have a commute...do yourself a favor and listen to this message on raising children who are confident in God. One of your goals as a parent is to instill a belief and confidence in the God of the universe who loves each and every one of your children. How will be the next generation be impacted for Christ...listen up!
Raising Children Who Are Confident in God
Raising Children Who Are Confident in God
Friday, January 8, 2010
Sobering Words
It's a common thing to do. We so often compare ourselves to others in order to gauge where we are. It often goes like this...
"I'm a good person, I don't smoke, drink, or commit adultery." Or...
"My kids aren't causing all kinds of trouble. I mean, look at her kids acting crazy in the store."
We all compare...it's kind of a natural thing. Most of us are desperately searching for that confirmation that we're doing a "ok" job. Unfortunately, comparison can be very dangerous when we compare ourselves to the wrong things or look at the wrong standards. I ran across this quote the other day. It is speaking about parenting, but there's truth in it for all of life. Read it, and then let it read you.
"I'm a good person, I don't smoke, drink, or commit adultery." Or...
"My kids aren't causing all kinds of trouble. I mean, look at her kids acting crazy in the store."
We all compare...it's kind of a natural thing. Most of us are desperately searching for that confirmation that we're doing a "ok" job. Unfortunately, comparison can be very dangerous when we compare ourselves to the wrong things or look at the wrong standards. I ran across this quote the other day. It is speaking about parenting, but there's truth in it for all of life. Read it, and then let it read you.
"We have ignored God's Word when it comes to determining how well we're doing, believing that if our conditions meet the social norms, we're most likely in compliance with God's expectations. And we make our judgements and comparisons on the basis of popular wisdom and criteria dispensed by a mass media that is run for profit by groups of people who have no intention or desire of pleasing God or meeting His standards through the material they produce and distribute." - George Barna, Revolutionary Parenting
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Sibling Rivalry in the Bible #1
If you have more than one child, and they differ in age by less than 7 years, you have undoubtedly experienced a bit of sibling rivalry. It can take all kinds of forms and it can be rooted in all kinds of emotions, but it is there. It's as old as Cain and Abel, and the "problem" of sibling rivalry isn't going anywhere as long as Jesus hasn't come back. So, I'm going to begin a series of posts (1 each for the next couple of weeks) about sibling rivalry. We'll take a look at different instances of it in the Bible, and attempt to learn something together.
Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-16)
What really happened: Abel gave an offering to the Lord (the firstborn) while Cain brought "some of the fruits" (v. 3) of the land. There is a difference between their offerings. The Bible says Abel brought the appropriate worship to God and Cain didn't. Cain simply brought "some" and Abel brought the best, the first fruits.
What caused it in their situation: Jealousy and anger ensues because the Bible says that "the Lord looked with favor on Abel" and not on Cain (v. 4-5).
The End Result: God calls out Cain on his sin, and warns him about "sin crouching at your door." The misplaced anger (Cain was really angry at his own failure), led him to kill his brother.
Be on the lookout: What can often happen in a family is that one child is better behaved or "less hassle" than another. One child is more compliant and one is more mischievous and stubborn. When that happens, there is an open door for resentment and anger to build within children and siblings.
What's the Takeaway: What God didn't do in the Cain and Abel case was to avoid disciplining Cain because of his sin. But he did call him on it, gave the appropriate amount of discipline, and then warned Cain to be aware of the things in his life that were going to "sneak up" on him if he wasn't on his guard. With your children, especially if you've got one that's a more compliant child, it is best for you to be on your guard about "misplaced anger" and resentment that can build between one sibling to another based on how they are rewarded/disciplined by their parents. It can be a potential source of conflict and sibling rivalry in your home.
Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-16)
What really happened: Abel gave an offering to the Lord (the firstborn) while Cain brought "some of the fruits" (v. 3) of the land. There is a difference between their offerings. The Bible says Abel brought the appropriate worship to God and Cain didn't. Cain simply brought "some" and Abel brought the best, the first fruits.
What caused it in their situation: Jealousy and anger ensues because the Bible says that "the Lord looked with favor on Abel" and not on Cain (v. 4-5).
The End Result: God calls out Cain on his sin, and warns him about "sin crouching at your door." The misplaced anger (Cain was really angry at his own failure), led him to kill his brother.
Be on the lookout: What can often happen in a family is that one child is better behaved or "less hassle" than another. One child is more compliant and one is more mischievous and stubborn. When that happens, there is an open door for resentment and anger to build within children and siblings.
What's the Takeaway: What God didn't do in the Cain and Abel case was to avoid disciplining Cain because of his sin. But he did call him on it, gave the appropriate amount of discipline, and then warned Cain to be aware of the things in his life that were going to "sneak up" on him if he wasn't on his guard. With your children, especially if you've got one that's a more compliant child, it is best for you to be on your guard about "misplaced anger" and resentment that can build between one sibling to another based on how they are rewarded/disciplined by their parents. It can be a potential source of conflict and sibling rivalry in your home.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Important Dates at Firewheel
If you have children at Firewheel, below are some very important dates that you'll want to go ahead and mark on your calendar. These are the major events for kids from now until the summer. More details and information will be released as each date is approached, but if you're New Year's resolution is to "be more organized," this will help.
2010 Dates
Winter Camp (K-4th) - February 19-21
MERGE Mystery Trip (5th-6th) - March 19-20
Day of 10,001 Eggs (All Ages) - April 3
Summer Camp (3rd-6th) - June 21-25
VBS (3 yrs-6th) - July 12-16
Summer Music Camp (K-6th) - August 2-6
2010 Dates
Winter Camp (K-4th) - February 19-21
MERGE Mystery Trip (5th-6th) - March 19-20
Day of 10,001 Eggs (All Ages) - April 3
Summer Camp (3rd-6th) - June 21-25
VBS (3 yrs-6th) - July 12-16
Summer Music Camp (K-6th) - August 2-6
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