Are you stealing?

I read an interesting blog post the other day, and I just wanted to share it with you. The author asks parents to think critically about whether or not we are "stealing from our kids." Now, the title is purposefully hyperbolic, but the question he's asking you to ask yourself is a worthy of your consideration.

Stealing Life from Your Kids

Are you giving "life" to your kids or are you stealing "life" from them? Interesting thought for this weekend.

Forgiveness...

One of the hardest lessons that I've ever learned (Actually...I'm still learning it), is how to forgive someone who has wronged you. I'm not talking about when someone says something innocent that hurts your feelings or rubs you the wrong way...I'm talking about when someone has willfully and purposefully done something meant to harm you.

All this month at Firewheel, elementary-age kids are learning about Forgiveness. Here's a video that helped me out tremendously, and it might also help you continue the conversation as a parent week after week.

VIRTUE VIDEO: FORGIVENESS (May 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Day of 10,000 Eggs...Be There!

Tomorrow is Firewheel Church's annual "Day of 10,000 Eggs." You and your kids are not going to want to miss the chance to snatch up some of the loot.

Things get going at 9:00am with bounce houses and other fun. Age specific egg hunts begin at 10:00am.

See you tomorrow!

Throwback Thursday #10

For some who haven't been around here that long, this website is a few years old, and there are wonderful things that I'd like to put in front some of our "newbies" and remind some of the rest of you about. So, we're revisiting some early posts each week on Thursdays!

Original post below:

Enough to be scared...

"My definition of an expert in any field is a person who knows enough about what's really going on to be scared." - PJ Plauger

When I first read this quote, it completely stopped me in my tracks. I've found this to be true in life. When I hear someone talking about how they've got something completely figured out, they've mastered something, or how easy something is...I'm usually very cautious towards that person.

So as I was reflecting on this thought, I remembered a story about Socrates my first college history professor told when he opened up his first class of the semester. Apparently, one day, Socrates stood up in the middle of the assembly in Athens and said these famous words:

"I am the wisest man in Athens...because I know nothing...yet I know that I know nothing."

In my own life, I've seen this play out more times than I care to admit. The more I know, the more I realize that I don't really know. For many of you, that may be how you feel about parenting. The more you find out about this thing, the more you realize you don't know much at all. The more years you spend doing it, the more times you realize you might not be that great at it. That can be very humbling to think about, but there's good news. Our God has promised to give "grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

Some of the wisest and smartest people on earth are often some of the humblest. There's a way to approach life with humility, and my prayer is that you would approach parenting with that same humility. An approach that begins with the realization that no matter where you are in life, there is still so much to learn.

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)

"A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor." (Proverbs 29:23)

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

One day you're a hero, and the next....

One of the most interesting parts of the last week of Jesus' life to me is the scene we have when Jesus comes in to Jerusalem riding a donkey. Sometimes it's referred to as the "Triumphal Entry," and it was just that. Jesus was on His way to triumph over sin and death.

One day the crowds are celebrating the arrival of the Messiah. They shout out "Hosanna, Hosanna." Translated - "He Saves!" Growing up in Louisiana, my first picture of this parade and procession reminds me of a Mardi Gras parade. I imagine this moment as complete chaos and frenzy.

Here's the most interesting thing about this story. In just 4 or 5 days, this SAME crowd is shouting out "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!" Jesus went from having the adoration of all the people to being hated enough that the crowd was willing to crucify him and have a murderer/robber in their midst (Barabas). What a turn of events!


I'm sure as a parent, there are times when you are the hero, and then a few days later, you're absolutely hated. There's good news...Jesus knows how that feels. His example to us is that regardless of what others are saying, continue doing what God has called you to do. And what he's called you to do is raise your children in a way that would honor Him.

So, next time the "crowd" at your house or in your community are singing your praises or calling for your demise, you've got a job to do! Stay focused on it!

"Following" Jesus!

Saw this from a friend the other day, and thought it was worth a post. What an interesting way to take the story of Jesus and place it in a modern context. If you have older kids that are already in the social media world and understand the lingo, this is a pretty cool little video!

Enjoy!

Throwback Thursday #9

For some who haven't been around here that long, this website is a few years old, and there are wonderful things that I'd like to put in front some of our "newbies" and remind some of the rest of you about. So, we're revisiting some early posts each week on Thursdays!

Original post below:

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

Some kids are "egotistical jerks"...

You'll have to pardon me for the provocative title, but it's the truth in some cases. All month long we've been talking with the elementary kids about "humility." It's all about "putting others first by giving up what you think you deserve."

One of the fears many parents have is raising kids who think the world revolves around them, and that's why were talking about this idea of humility. If you have that fear (raising ego-filled, jerk-ish kids) check out the following list of things you can do to make sure they do end up like that.

List of ways you can raise a egotistical jerk:

• "Protect them from the consequences of their own mistakes.
• Make sure you do whatever they can do for themselves.
• Keep them away from anyone who thinks differently than they do.
• Try to give them everything they want.
• Tell them over and over again you just want them to be happy.
• Convince them that they are more special than other kids.
• Always take their side when they get in trouble with their teacher at school.
• Always take their side whenever they are in a conflict with a friend.
• Keep insisting that they are the best player on the team.
• Don’t give them consistent opportunities to help or serve other people.
• Never require them to do chores.
• Reinforce their prejudices about people from different cultures or backgrounds.
• Make your relationship with them more important than your relationship with your spouse.
• Rarely express genuine gratitude to those who help you.
• Teach them to talk more than they listen.
• Never let them hear you say “I was wrong. I am sorry.”"

Source link - How to Raise a Jerk

Pretty tough list...what's your take? What would you add to the list?

Big Dates Coming Up...

If I were a parent at Firewheel Church, I would mark these dates down on the calendar today...maybe even right now.


Day of 10,000 Eggs - April 23rd, 9:00am-12:30pm

Summer Camp - June 20-24 (kids who have completed 3rd-6th grade)

VBS - July 11-15, 6:30-9:00pm each evening (3rs old-6th grade)


Don't miss out on any of the fun!

Throwback Thursday #8

For some who haven't been around here that long, this website is a few years old, and there are wonderful things that I'd like to put in front some of our "newbies" and remind some of the rest of you about. So, we're revisiting some early posts each week on Thursdays!

Original post below:

Gauges

Every car has them...most factories are full of them. We've become so accustomed to seeing them, that we DON'T see them...or at least we don't pay attention to them very often. What am I talking about - gauges? Those little devices on your dash that give you vital information about the operation of your car.

Well, the family has "gauges" as well. How else will you know how your family is operating? Pay attention to the "gauges." They are there to make sure your familiy runs optimally. Here are a couple of gauges from a recent article I read...


1. The “speedometer” - This is the “pacing” question. Are we moving at a healthy pace that we can sustain or are we running “in the red?” We can’t just monitor the things from ministry that directly include us, but we must also factor in the other things that make life what it is: soccer, gymnastics, the kids’ school, health, marriage, money and home repairs. I never make this health assessment alone. Men are not typically emotionally intuitive and can be blind to the relational redlining occurring. If you don’t believe me, just ask your wife. She will tell you the real truth.

2. The “RPM”s - This is the stress question. How hard are we pushing to make this thing go? Are we shifting gears smoothly in our relationships or are we “grinding the gears” like a 16-year-old boy driving a stick shift for the first time with his critical Dad in the passenger seat? Do Mom and Dad need more time together--alone? Is more time or energy needed with a particular child? You can usually “listen to the engine” through the tone of the conversations taking place in home to monitor the stress level in the home.

3. The “gas” gauge - This is the margin question. Every ministry family I know is strapped for time and often other resources. The families that go the distance are the ones that have enough gas in their tank for the long haul. They are consciously and consistently refueling through weekly days off, “Date Nights,” “Daddy Dates,” vacations and daily spiritual tune-ups to keep the engine running more efficiently. Again, if you want to know exactly how much gas is really in the family or marriage tank, ask your wife. She knows.


Taken from - The Family Dashboard

If It's Not Awkward, It Might Not Be Working

Read a great post the other day about how parenting is often very "awkward." There are those tense moments in a grocery store, right after an offense is committed, or during an average run-of-the-mill Saturday that parenting can be very "awkward."

And yet, it's those "awkward" moments in parenting where your real stripes are earned. It's in those moments that you have a chance to fight for something better for your kids, rather than settling for status quo.

The Awkward Moments of Parenting

Read up...I'd love to hear about some of your own "awkward" moments in parenting!

Am I a Fool?

Today is affectionately know as April Fool's Day. In my life, I must confess to having a good bit of fun on this day attempting to "fool" others. The other day I was thinking about what makes someone a "fool." The Bible is pretty clear about what makes a person "foolish."

Here's a list of those that may apply to you and/or the children in the family. April Fool's Day may be a good chance to start a conversation with your children about what's REALLY "foolish"!

• The fool says in their heart, "There is no God." Psalm 14:1
• The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15
• A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. Proverbs 15:5
• Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28
• As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11

There are so many more, too. The Book of Proverbs is full of awesome stuff like this.