Archives For parenting

Give a Parent a Break

January 30, 2013 — 2 Comments

TakeItEasy

Many of us that work at churches are guilty of giving parents the hardest time of anyone. Don’t believe me? Well, have you ever had the following thoughts:

Why are they always so late? 

I hate it when they pick their kid up early, right before the good part.

If these parents only knew how messed up their teenager was they’d get them to church more often!

Can you imagine what would happen if all these parents decided to show up on the same Sunday?

If those were my kids I would (insert really smart parenting thing here.)

Why do I even try to send them emails? They never read them.

I’m guilty, you’re guilty, and we’re all guilty together. For just a second we should consider that maybe, just maybe…it’s a HUGE win that they attempted to come. Maybe we could give parents some credit for deciding to be there, even if they decide to leave early. Maybe we could give parents some credit for trying, even if the trying seems half-hearted. Could we please stop complaining when they don’t engage us at every…single…solitary…event?

I’m learning to have enough faith in my church, my God, and myself to know that if they just keep trying; they will find it. If they can find confidence in my smile, then good for them. If they could be inspired by what I don’t say, but they know I’m thinking…then even better.

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Screen Time Discussion

June 20, 2012 — Leave a comment

Recently I posted a infograph that outlined the Video Consumption of teenagers, and shared a parenting practice we do in our home called “No Screen Time.”  The comments on that post brought up an interesting question and response.  I thought I’d share those comments here, and then add my own response:

First is from Nathan Hart:

And then a great response from my wife, Starr:

 

I’m with both Nathan and Starr, and I’m sure at odds with many of my tech-inclined friends.  There is something about being on a screen (iPad, computer, television) that seems inherently uncommunicative.  Not that you can’t use that technology for those things, but it’s more of an extra step to do so.  I love Starr’s response that time spent in front of a screen seems to lead to less conversation, and less interaction as a whole.

I do NOT believe that screen time is a bad thing, but I think as with all good things….there can be too much of a good thing.  And in the year, 2012, screen time holds a real danger of being something that in large consumption levels can become destructive.

What do you say?

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Single Minded, Christ Centered, Biblically Anchored, World Changing Children

April 26, 2012 — Leave a comment

This morning for the Orange Conference Opening Thursday session, we were able to hear from Craig Groeschel about parenting.  For most of us in Children’s ministry or parenting, we are all very familiar with the idea behind Deuteronomy 6.  What made Craigs talk so unique is that he shared his own personal family values and things he does as a father to raise his kids to be game changers.  It was a really, really great call to action for all the parents in the room.

So even to old age and gray hairs,

O God, do not forsake me,

until I proclaim your might to another generation,

your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:18 ESV)

What is parenting success?

THE GOAL:

Unleash single-minded, Christ-centered, biblically-anchored, world changing children.

Deut. 6:4-9 – Moses’ call to parents.

  1. Must enlist supporting voices. || 
    • Parents will always be the most important voice, but cannot be the only voice.
    • Paul was a supporting voice for Timothy.
    • One of most important things we can do is build up leaders to impart to others.
  1. Raise the expectations. ||
    • Calling is radical and supernatural.
    • ALL our heart, soul, strength.
    • We will rarely ever get more than we ask for, unless we raise the expectations.
    • 1 Cor 13:11 / when I became a man, I left childish things behind.
  1. Keep it Real. ||
    • Make God commonplace in our homes.
    • Pray for things beyond our own home.
    • God is not “a part” of our lives. He is our everything.
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Free Stuff Monday

April 2, 2012 — Leave a comment

In Spiritual Parenting parents learn to create a home environment that God can use to work in their children’s lives. It’s a biblical, innovative fresh approach to parenting—and one that’s long overdue.
It’s hard enough to train kids to behave, but good behavior isn’t what Jesus calls for in the Bible. He wants hearts and souls that are shaped in vibrant faith and love toward God and others. How can parents cultivate this in their children? In this book Dr. Michelle Anthony shares practical examples and biblical insight on the spiritual role of parenting.
Spiritual Parenting introduces the simple, but revolutionary concept that parents are, by the power of God’s Spirit, to obey and depend on God in order to create an environment God can use to beckon their children to Him.

Continue Reading…

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Trinity Cares about the Unborn

December 13, 2011 — Leave a comment

I love my church.  One of the reasons I love my church is that they deliberately try to reach abortion-bound women.  The Trinity Heartline Women’s Clinic is a real-life clinic for women.  With a full-time Registered Nurse, and caring leaders meeting with women throughout the week.  We offer free pregnancy tests and free ultrasounds to women that want them; and then we offer counseling to help them make an informed decision.

What I really love about Heartline is they’ve recently captured the heart of adoption, and in the last year alone referred over 15 women to put their children up for adoption into Christian homes.  Heartline also provides incentive for mothers that choose to keep their children to attend parenting classes, and then qualify for gifts for their babies.  We call it “earn while you learn”, and how cool is that?  On top of all that, Heartline also provides post-abortion care to women living with the pain of past decisions.

I know that abortion is a sticky subject to address many times, but I’m glad that my church has taken a stance for life in the city of Lubbock.  I’m glad that they do it in a responsible way that brings hope to my city.

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