Monday, June 27, 2011

Switching Gears

Well, summer camp is officially over now, and I'm doing that thing I do every summer...attempt to switch gears very quickly into VBS mode. Needless to say, my head is just now starting to get on straight, but there's not much to say. I hope you're all doing well.

Here's a little fun for you on Monday. One of our adults rocked the boy's pool with an awesome belly flop at summer camp last week.

Check it OUT!


Monday, June 20, 2011

Summer Camp

All this week, I am at Summer Camp with a group of 50 or so folks. As you can imagine, there is no time to write. I will return next week (hopefully in one piece) and kick the blog back up.

In the meantime, would you do two things. One, keep our group in your prayers this week. Also, check out some of these past blog posts (in case you're new around here and missed them).

LinkLinkYour Marriage is a Sermon
Some Kids are "Egotistical Jerks"
One Day You're a Hero, and the Next....
Birds and the Bees
LinkFriday Fun (With a Point): Cosby Style
The "Obligatory" American Idol Post
"Extreme Parenting"


Link

Friday, June 17, 2011

A Little More Friday Media...

As you can imagine, I read a lot of stuff about kids/parenting/etc. It's just part of my job...one of those parts that I really enjoy.

There are few people who are writing/speaking in Christian circles that I trust more than Paul Tripp. His approach to parenting, marriage, kids, and family is refreshing. What I particularly appreciate is how he refuses to let parents accept "correct external behavior" as the end goal of parenting. There is so much more to parenting and family issues...Paul continually takes people to the real "HEART" of the issues they're facing.

He recently participated in a video discussion (video below) about his newest resource, "Getting to the Heart of Parenting." I couldn't recommend his work more highly.





If you can't see the embedded video for some reason, you can follow this LINK to find the video.

His "apple nailing" analogy (approx. 32:00) in the middle of the video is something EVERY parent should listen to and consider in their own lives!

Below are some other recommended resources from Paul Tripp, if you like what you hear and want to dig deeper.

Marriage - What Did You Expect
Family - Getting to the Heart of Parenting (I have this one, if you'd like to check it out)
Teenagers - Age of Opportunity

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 6

A few weeks ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #6!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!




Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Create a Rhythm

Monday, June 13, 2011

This Is Your Brain On _________

The effects of technology are all around us. I've been on this earth almost three decades, and I am just astonished at how far technology has moved us. I was a proud owner of the original Nintendo (as a matter of fact I still have it hooked up at home), but the difference between the original Nintendo and the Wii or PS3 is just incredible.

Technology has given us all kinds of things at our fingertips that astonish me. Right now, I can go to my contacts, pull up somoene's name, press one button and have a map to their house from my location...it's amazing stuff.

What we don't always think about is the potential negative effects that technology can have on us. I read a recent article in the New York Times about the effects of technology on our brains. I found it extremely interesting. It may be worth your consideration personally and especially if you're raising kids.

Your Brain on Computers

Crazy stuff...we thought technology was all good...it might not be.

Friday, June 10, 2011

A Little Friday Media....

This is an interesting take on some of the things going on in our culture and how it affects your role as parenting.




I think it's worth the listen if you get the time. Thoughts!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 5

A few weeks ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #5!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!




Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, Part 2

Monday, June 6, 2011

Watch this!

If you've got an elementary-age student at Firewheel Church, you're going to want to be filled in on what they're learning during the month of June in church. Below is one of the summary videos of all the lessons/theme they'll be learning about all month.

VIRTUE VIDEO: FAITH (June 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.


Watching this could definitely help you have great conversations all month about the things they're learning about at church. (wink, wink)

Friday, June 3, 2011

Open-ended question of the day....

How would you answer this question....


"The greatest spiritual danger to my kids is _________________ ?"


I thought for a while about whether or not I would give you what I think are some of the greatest spiritual dangers, but I really do want to get your uncontaminated thoughts. What do you think?

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 4

A few weeks ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #4!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!




Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Fight for the Heart, Part 1