I have written some thoughts concerning the new movie The Golden Compass on another blog. Here is the link www.neighborhoodkidz.blogspot.com. Please take time to read about this movie and the author of the book His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. The Golden Compass is based on Pullman's trilogy.
Leaving the mark of God on our kids.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Maybe the Cell Phone Companies Have it Right
Cell phone companies are constantly pushing people to purchase their phone so that your family can talk more. Now for families with young children your not concerned with your child running up the minutes, which equal enourmous usage fees. And to be honest cell phone companies aren't really that concerned if your family spends time talking. They just want you to buy their phones.
As parents we want our kids to grow up safe and secure and as Christ followers we want our children to love God and to serve Him when they get older. I am becoming more and more convinced that it is more important what you do at home than what we do at church. When I survey our culture I think as parents we need to stop and talk to our kids about God, the Bible, and how we treat other people. Kids need (and want) a constant consistent voice that talks with them about how the Bible says we can make wise choices.
When you see an ad or commercial for a cell phone will you remember that there's more to that talk plan than just your phone. Take time to talk with your child each day about how we can trust God no matter what!
As parents we want our kids to grow up safe and secure and as Christ followers we want our children to love God and to serve Him when they get older. I am becoming more and more convinced that it is more important what you do at home than what we do at church. When I survey our culture I think as parents we need to stop and talk to our kids about God, the Bible, and how we treat other people. Kids need (and want) a constant consistent voice that talks with them about how the Bible says we can make wise choices.
When you see an ad or commercial for a cell phone will you remember that there's more to that talk plan than just your phone. Take time to talk with your child each day about how we can trust God no matter what!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Are You Using Your Words?
Over the past few months my mind has been stuck. My wife agrees there. No, but my mind has been stuck on the role that I am to play for my kids. Since I work with kids every week it would seem natural that I would infuse my own kids with that same energy spiritual energy. But one of the most difficult things for parents to do is at the end of busy chaotic days is to have intentional spiritual conversations with their family. We get tired, we are trying to wind down the day, we are getting homework done and we reach the point where we are done.
My mind has been constantly rewinding on the phrase from the book of Deuteronomy "Impress them upon your children." The picture that comes to my mind is a worn out path across the grass that is worn so thin that it creates path. There is no question where the path leads. I believe that is the consistency that God wants from parents. Our culture tells us that there is only relative truth, but our kids need parents that follow God's truth over and over again so that God's path becomes clear to them. One of the key activities that need to take place in the home is intentional spiritual dialogue between us (parents) and them (kids).
I don't want this to be a harsh lecture, but I desire that we can start a movement of parents that become intentional about having spiritaul conversations in the home. I saw one study that said most parents believe that it is their job to the spirtual developer for their kids, but don't know how or what to say. Let's work together and leave God's mark for a generation of children that will grow up and know where God stands.
Coming soon are some tools that will help make Christmas a spiritual journey for your family. Also, if you have any family traditions that prompt spiritual conversations in your home please leave them in the comments section.
My mind has been constantly rewinding on the phrase from the book of Deuteronomy "Impress them upon your children." The picture that comes to my mind is a worn out path across the grass that is worn so thin that it creates path. There is no question where the path leads. I believe that is the consistency that God wants from parents. Our culture tells us that there is only relative truth, but our kids need parents that follow God's truth over and over again so that God's path becomes clear to them. One of the key activities that need to take place in the home is intentional spiritual dialogue between us (parents) and them (kids).
I don't want this to be a harsh lecture, but I desire that we can start a movement of parents that become intentional about having spiritaul conversations in the home. I saw one study that said most parents believe that it is their job to the spirtual developer for their kids, but don't know how or what to say. Let's work together and leave God's mark for a generation of children that will grow up and know where God stands.
Coming soon are some tools that will help make Christmas a spiritual journey for your family. Also, if you have any family traditions that prompt spiritual conversations in your home please leave them in the comments section.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Swimming in Cold Water
I think talking to your kids about God is like swimming in cold water. The day is nice, it's going to be an exciting day swimming with the family and we stick our toes in the pool and our body cringes and moves away fast because the water is cold. The uncomfortableness of the cold water moves us away from the situation. We then tell the kids to have fun, play with your friends and I will be over here out of the way if you need anything.
I think talking to your kids about God is like swimming in cold water. We build up the intiative and decide that we are going to engage our kids with spiritual conversations because we know that it is important to the strength of our child's faith. And then we start to talk about God or a favorite Bible story and we get uncomfortable because we feel so inadequate to answer any questions and so we retreat, move away from the water. We decide that the church is the place that people know how to do this right and so we look to the to take the lead. And so we sit and watch from a distance.
God never designed the church to take the lead in your child's faith. Read Deutoronomy 6:6-9. God charged parents with this resposibility. Parent's partner with the church to build strong children of faith.
The purpose of this blog is to help parents have conversations about God at home. Let's journey together!
I think talking to your kids about God is like swimming in cold water. We build up the intiative and decide that we are going to engage our kids with spiritual conversations because we know that it is important to the strength of our child's faith. And then we start to talk about God or a favorite Bible story and we get uncomfortable because we feel so inadequate to answer any questions and so we retreat, move away from the water. We decide that the church is the place that people know how to do this right and so we look to the to take the lead. And so we sit and watch from a distance.
God never designed the church to take the lead in your child's faith. Read Deutoronomy 6:6-9. God charged parents with this resposibility. Parent's partner with the church to build strong children of faith.
The purpose of this blog is to help parents have conversations about God at home. Let's journey together!
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