37.7 Seconds

Are you wondering what that number is? That number is actually the average time "a middle class father spends in conversation and interaction with their children."**

Now, when I read that, I was deeply troubled. Surely, that's not the case. I REALLY hope that's not the case for the men of Firewheel. The demands on men are everywhere, but our first calling is to love/serve our wives, and to love our chidlren.

Guys, we can do better than than 37.7 seconds...we HAVE to do better than that!!!

Read the article at the link below men...get challenged!

**How much time should Dad spend with children?

I'm BORED!!!

It's getting toward the end of the summer, and I'm almost positive that at some point in the last few weeks/months, you've heard this from one of your children.

"I'm bored! There's nothing to do!"

Now, when my dad heard me say that when I was a kid, it was like Christmas to him. He would then run down a list of all the things I "could" be doing. That was usually enough for me to shut my trap about being bored and find something else to do that wasn't on his list.

However, if you don't want to go down that road, I recently ran across a list of "things to do when there's nothing to do." When those times come and your child can't find anything to do, here's a few ideas of fun, and yet simple, things to fill the time. For instance...

• Play rock, paper scissor
• Arm or thumb wrestle
• Try to retell your favorite storybook
• Speak pig latin
• Conduct an inteview of your child and pretend you're on TV

For the full list, follow this LINK

Are your kids excited about the Bible?

As a children's pastor, it can sometimes be pretty tough to try and get kids excited about the Bible. For kids who love books, it can be a little easier, but it's still tough. The Bible is God's word, and it should be exciting. Below are some helpful hints about how to get your kids excited about the Scriptues. Who knows, they may even re-ignite your own passion/enthusiasm for God's word.

10 Ways that you can build excitment about God's Word**

1. Let them see your excitement.
2. Hold your Bible
3. Teach them how to use it
4. Explain where it comes from and what it is
5. Give them a place to start
6. Show them how it can be useful for them
7. Encourage them to memorize it
8. Find out what excites them and show it to them in the Bible
9. Use it regularly
10. Pray

** Taken from www.ministrytochildren.com

For more descriptions about how to do each of these steps, follow this LINK

"Digitally Deluged"

There's a fantastic article by Dr. Albert Mohler (one of the real leaders in evangelical circles). Not only is he the president of a seminary, but he's probably one of the smartest dudes around.

He wrote an article on his blog about how the modern American family is "digitally deluged." It's well worth your time.

Digitally Deluged


Oh, and you should probably make his website one of your favorites...there's loads of awesome stuff to read through.

"Money doesn't grow on trees..."

As much as you said you would never say some of the things your parents said, I'm almost postive that 90% of you have used this line before if you've got kids that are at least 7-8 years old.

When my dad said this, it was because he was trying to teach me valuable lessons on the value of money. I learned some of them. Because we didn't have a lot when I was a kid, I understand the value of a dollar and a hard days work. Those are lessons I value deeply.

Although it's true that money doesn't grow on trees, there might be other ways we can teach kids how to value, use, and steward God's resources in the best way. If you'd like, you can continue to use that old line, but after about the fourth time you've said it...it has probably lost it's impact.

A recent article by Randy Alcorn does just that. He outlines 10 different ways that parents can begin to train their children how to manage money well.

Training Children to Manage Money

Good stuff!

Marriage is Tough...

It just is. When you put two sinners together, it just gets difficult. It is especially difficult because so many people enter into it with unrealistic expectations and "Hollywood-love-story-itis."

If you're struggling in marriage right now, I'd love to point you to a great website. Wherever you are, there is hope.

http://www.hopeformarriages.com/

Here's their story...It's definitely worth the few minutes!

Come and Party

Make sure you come and party with us on Friday night. We're ending our VBS week with a huge celebration.

Bounce houses, water slides, dunking booth...SNO CONES!

It all starts at 6:30...make sure you're there1

VBS - This Week!

Our annual VBS is this week. You probably won't hear from me much this week. The wi-fi is spotty out on the High Seas.

Come and join us each evening from 6:30-9:00pm, and set sail on the High Seas with us.

Have a great week!

The Second Shift...

I read an interesting article the other day about some recent research. The basic premise of the article was that in a study of nearly 4,000 couples in the UK, the frequency of divorce was directly related to how much (or how little) the husband helped his wife with tasks such as housework, watching the kids, etc. Seems like a no-brainer, but so few men really get this principle.

Read the article for yourself

Here's my conclusion...and this is based on Scripture, and not some article or research. Dads...if you're not helping around the house...get up off your lazy backside and do stuff. We don't have any excuses. Our call is to serve our families and our wives first and think of our own needs last. So, next time you change that diaper...or cook a meal...or take the kids outside to play to give your wife a break, remember that you're keeping your family healthy and strong

We should be men of the "Second Shift" because our work doesn't end when we get home. In fact, our most important job starts WHEN we get home.

Is your church your family?

One of the things that I often here in church circles is people talk about their lack of "connection" to their particular church. They lament over the fact that a particular church just doesn't feel right or it isn't meeting their needs. I had the privelege (and I genuinely mean privelege) to grow up in one church my entire childhood until I left home for college. That place was my family. One of the things I've noticed since living in Dallas and in the suburbs of Dallas is that people actually change churches in the Bible belt about as many times as they change their oil in their car. One of the main reasons people don't really grow in Christ is because they never stay anywhere long-term and let a group of people get to know them and get to know their faults/weaknesses. Where did our sense of family go? Who are those people in your life that know you...I mean really know you...and yet still accept you?

Here's one pastor's take on this idea of church as family...



Although, I don't necessarily agree with everything that was said, the principle may be true. Your level of connectedness probably has to do with how your serving, what you're contributing, and what you're giving.

I love the idea of the family meal vs. sitting down at a restaurant. It really made me think...

VBS is coming...

Make sure you sign up your children for Firewheel's VBS.

Sign up Online for VBS

July 12-16
6:30-9:00pm
Ages - 3yr - 6th grade (there's something for everyone)

Hope to see you and your kids there!

Happy 4th Weekend...

Every time the 4th of July pops up in my head, I'm reminded of the bold sacrifice and courage it took for our founding fathers to write the Declaration of Independence. When they signed that document, they knew exactly what they were saying, and they knew they were putting their well-beings and, perhaps, their very lives on the line.

I am thankful these men. If you've never actually read the entire Declaration of Independence...it is worth the time.

Declaration of Independence

Happy 4th of July weekend, everyone!

Commercialization of Children

I ran across this video the other day about the world children live in and how commercialized it has become. Check it out!



What are the implications of this for raising children who live a different kind of life because their allegiance is to God (at least I'm assuming that's your goal)?