Supernanny Parenting Discussion Group – Week 3 (Teamwork)
Week 3 – Teamwork 
Icebreaker Question: Tell the group about a time when you had to work with a team to get something accomplished (it could be on the sports field, at work, in school, etc.).
I’ve had the pleasure of being on many great teams. At work, I have to work with other colleagues to get projects successfully completed. At home, I have to work together with my wife to lead our family and to make sure our home functions effectively. At church, I have to work together with other small group coaches to keep our small group ministry rolling in the correct direction. When I think of my favorite team experiences, I think about a mission trip that I went on when I was in high school. Our group of teenagers worked together to build two stone walls for a Habitat for Humanity house in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Everyone had to work together to accomplish this project. Some of us dug the foundation for the walls, some of us picked stones from the quarry, some of us placed the stones into the wall, some of us carried water to the other workers, some of us backfilled dirt into the wall. It took all of us to build these walls.
It’s an incredible experience to be part of a team that’s working together. On the other hand, it can be pure torture to be a part of a team that doesn’t click.
teamwork – the cooperative effort of a team of people for a common end
As defined at: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/teamwork
The Supernanny DVD clips this week and in the previous weeks have shown good and bad teamwork. Just like a championship sports team, teamwork is essential to a successful family. The first step in successful parenting is getting on the same page. Being part of a group like this is a step in the right direction. It’s also important to remember that there is no “I” in team. It takes everyone in the family.
Get comfortable, put on your team spirit, and get ready to team up for a great discussion.
Note to leader: Show the following clips from the Supernanny Season 1 DVD: The Gorbea Family Episode DVD Disc 2: 0:57-3:53, 7:00-8:53, 13:58-16:21, 19:24-21:10, 24:22-26:18, and 35:15-39:42. You may choose to show all the clips at once or you may decide to stop the DVD after each clip and discuss the answer to question one or pull out key points as you go.
1. What observations can you make from the DVD clips that relate to teamwork?
2. What does teamwork look like at your house? In your marriage? In your family?
3. What things do you do or can you do to work as a team?
4. Read the following verses from the Bible. What do they say about teamwork and how can we apply them in our families?
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I Corinthians 12:12-26
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
5. List one or two things that you will do differently or that you will try as a result of our discussion on respect.
Take Home Activity: Activity: Carry On
Point: We must learn how much responsibility we can handle.
Supplies: You’ll need building blocks, a watch with second-hand, paper, and pencil.
Activity: Have your family work together to create an obstacle course in your home. Your course might consist of crawling under a table, walking around a chair, and jumping over several toys. Let the children determine how simple or elaborate this will be.
When the course has been completed, have each family member make a “practice run” through the course. Time each person and record this time. Remember to go through the course yourself as well!
Share: In this game, we’re all going to be racing against our own time. Don’t worry if your time is slower than another family member. As we go through the course again, see if you can match or beat your own time. But this time let’s make it a bit more challenging.
Age Adjustments: FOR OLDER CHILDREN, continue the discussion by having everyone list their regular responsibilities. Family members may be surprised as they realize what others actually accomplish each day. Take time to thank each other for the responsibilities carried each day that help others in the family. For example, children may thank Mom for all the driving she does for them, or a parent might thank a child for the regular dish-washing he does so everyone can eat on clean plates, and so on.
Activity continued: Give each person two of the building blocks. Explain that these must be carried while going through the course. Have everyone go through the course again, making note of each person’s time. Then add to the challenge by giving everyone two more blocks. Go through the course again and again, each time adding two more blocks to each person’s load. Don’t suggest this to children, but if they figure out creative ways to carry the blocks such as tucking them into belts or stowing them in pockets, that’s okay.
Continue with this as long as family members are having fun, or until you run out of blocks! Then put the blocks away and gather together again for discussion. Look over your time record and see which runs through had the best times.
Question:
– How did carrying the blocks affect your ability to go through the obstacle course? (Usually, the more blocks, the harder to handle the course.)
– What was the best way to get yourself and the blocks through the course? (Let all share.)
– When did you start to feel like you couldn’t handle any more blocks?
Share: Now let’s discuss what this game has to do with our lives. Imagine your day as an obstacle course. Every time you add a responsibility to your day, it’s like adding a block.
Discuss:
– What responsibilities do you have each day? (Let family members list things like jobs, chores, studies, caring for pets, etc.)
– How are they like blocks as you go through the day? (They can become a lot to handle.)
– When do you feel like you’re carrying too many blocks?
– Do you think you should be trying to carry more blocks of responsibility through each day, or less? Explain.
– How do we learn to be responsible? (We take on new responsibilities and explore how to handle them as we grow.)
– How do we get someone to trust enough to show we can be responsible? (We need to prove ourselves faithful in small tasks before we can take on larger ones.)
Taken from Heritage Builders / An Introduction to Family Nights by Kurt Brunner and Jim Weidmann. 1997. pgs. 71-72.
Next week’s topic: Establishing Appropriate Boundaries
Looking Ahead: Week 5 – Handling Sibling Differences, Week 6 – Purpose for Discipline, Week 7 – Methods of Discipline, Week 8 – Introducing Your Kids to Christ
Supernanny Parenting Discussion Guide – Week 2 (Respect)
Week 2 – Respect
Icebreaker Question: Tell the group about a person who you respect and describe why you respect that person.
There are many people in my life who I respect for all kinds of reasons. I respect my parents and my wife’s parents. I respect by boss. I respect those in the church who are in leadership. I respect my teachers. I respect the political leaders throughout our country. One person who I respect is Ray Rivera. Ray was one of my youth leaders at the church where I grew up in New Jersey. I looked at him as an authority figure, as a spiritual guide, and as a family friend. Ray and his wife Joann always had time for me if I needed someone to talk with. While I knew that he wasn’t perfect, I saw him making good decisions and leading with integrity and with a servant’s heart.
It’s wonderful that we have people in our lives like Ray Rivera – people who deserve respect not just because of their positions of authority but also because of their actions.
respect
- admiration for a person or entity because of perceived merit
- regard for the rights of others; tolerance
to respect
- to have respect for.
- to have regard for the rights of others.
- to consent to abide by an agreement.
As defined at: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Respect
As parents, God has put you in a position that warrants respect. One of the Ten Commandments instructs us to give honor to our parents. As our children continue to grow, they begin to strive for respect from their parents and from others. One thing to remember is that respect is not given, it’s earned. Have you led your kids in a way that deserves respect? If not, there is hope! It’s never too late to make a change. Also, it’s important to understand that the positive steps you take today will have an impact for the long haul. When you positively parent your kids, you are not just impacting them. You are making a difference for generations to come.
This week we’ll tackle the subject of respect in our families. The Supernanny DVD clips will give us a glimpse into a family struggling with some respect issues. The DVD will also point to the importance of respect in our homes. Take a seat, grab your favorite movie candy, and think about Aretha Franklin as we prepare to talk about R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Note to leader: Show the following clips from the Supernanny Season 1 DVD: The Orm Family Episode DVD Disk 1: 1:22-5:45, 8:05-12:00, 13:15-16:26, 23:49-26:39, and 34:43-38:42. You may choose to show all the clips at once or you may decide to stop the DVD after each clip and discuss the answer to question one or pull out key points as you go.
1. How do the DVD clips we just viewed relate to respect?
2. When it comes to parenting, what is respect?
3. How do the quotes below relate to respect?
“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” Benjamin Franklin
“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” Jackie Robinson
“Men are respectable only as they respect” Ralph Waldo Emerson
4. What specific things have you done at your home to encourage a respect?
We want to teach our kids to be respectful and to be deserving of respect. Our kids look to us as examples. Here are some questions that challenge we as parents to set the right tone.
To teach your kids about respect, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I say “please,” “thank you” and excuse me” to my children?
- Do I allow my children to express their negative feelings?
- Do I compliment and praise my children?
- Do I show respect when disciplining my children?
- Do I use unnecessary or unkind remarks when speaking to my kids?
- Do I listen attentively to my children?
- Do I discipline my children in the presence of others?
- Do I apologize to my children when I fail?
Taken from: http://www.christianitytoday.com/cpt/2000/002/3.30.html
5. The Bible provides interesting insights into many areas of our lives. How do the verses below relate to respect?
Exodus 20:12
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Ephesians 6:1-4
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
6. List one or two things that you will do differently or that you will try as a result of our discussion on respect.
Take Home Activity: Part of respect is thinking of others before we think of ourselves. Take time as a family to read the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). Now gather your family in a circle with a basin of soapy water, a washcloth, and a towel. Take turns washing each other’s feet. Start by washing the person’s feet on your left. When you’re done, have that person wash the person’s feet on their left and so on.
After everyone is finished, go around the circle and affirm each other. In other words, take time to tell each person in the circle what you appreciate about them. Have each person in the family talk about every other person in the circle.
Talk about how it felt to have your feet washed and to wash someone else’s feet. Talk about how it felt to show appreciation for others and to receive appreciation from others. Finally, ask everyone how these actions show respect for each other. Come to next week’s group prepared to share about your foot washing and affirmation time.
Note to leader: If time and resources permit, pick up towels or bars of soap to give out to each parent or couple to use for this activity.
Next week’s topic: TEAMWORK
Looking Ahead: Week 4 – Establishing Appropriate Boundaries, Week 5 – Handling Sibling Differences, Week 6 – Purpose for Discipline, Week 7 – Methods of Discipline, Week 8 – Introducing Your Kids to Christ
Supernanny Parenting Discussion Group – Routine (Week 1)
As I promised in my previous post, here is the discussion guide for week 1 of our Supernanny parenting discussion group. This week we concentrate on the importance of routine.
Week 1 – Routine
Icebreaker Question: Tell the group about a time when you got in trouble as a kid and describe the consequences of your actions.
When I was a kid, I can specifically remember riding my red bike with a black banana seat way outside of the boundaries that my parents had set for me. My bike was notorious for eating up the pant legs of my favorite Toughskins® jeans. Needless to say, one time when I was out-of-bounds, my pant legs jammed up in my bike chain and I couldn’t get them out. A friendly stranger took the time to cut my pant leg out of the chain, load up my bike in her car, and drive me home. My parents were obviously disappointed and I was in big trouble. I was grounded for a whole week. I wasn’t permitted to play outside with my friends or to watch television for the whole week. As a first or second grader, it felt like I had been sent to maximum security prison.
Stories like these remind us that we were not perfect children. We didn’t always make the right choices. It’s helpful to remember this when we think about our own children. They will make bad choices sometimes also. Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move into our topic for tonight.
routine A course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure
As defined at: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/routine
Families often struggle with a chaotic existence – running from activity to activity, trying to jam down a quick bite to eat, squeezing in homework, rushing to catch the bus, wrestling with work, etc. We live this way day after day, week after week, month after month. In this midst of this hustle and bustle, our parenting takes on a survival mentality. Wouldn’t it be great if we could change this?
This week we’ll tackle the subject of routine in our families. The Supernanny DVD clips will give us a glimpse into a family without a routine. The video will also demonstrate the importance of routine in our homes. Grab a comfortable seat, get the popcorn, and get ready for a lively discussion on routine.
Note to leader: Show the following clips from the Supernanny Season 1 DVD: The Bullard Family Episode DVD Disk 1: 1:33-3:34, 6:21-12:51, 14:00-14:37, 17:33-18:42, and 36:30-40:10. You may choose to show all the clips at once or you may decide to stop the DVD after each clip and discuss the answer to question one or pull out key points as you go.
1. How do the DVD clips we just viewed relate to routine?
2. Why is a routine important?
We send mixed messages to our kids when we aren’t consistent even in our schedules. For example, if we aren’t consistent in putting our kids to bed at the same time each night, they will probably develop problems with going to bed. If we aren’t consistent with meal times and snack times, our kids will develop unhealthy eating patterns. Meal times will also tend towards chaotic instead of connecting. Establishing a routine for your family helps kids develop healthy patterns for the future.
3. What specific things have you done at your home to encourage a family routine?
Every family will have variations to their own routines that work for them. Here are some helpful tips as you think about routine in your own home.
To create routines that work for you and your children, keep the following points in mind:
- Have realistic expectations. Be aware of your children’s capabilities and know when you are asking too much.
- Be consistent. Follow the same routine each day so that your kids know what is expected of them.
- Set clear limits and discuss them in advance. This allows children to understand when things will occur, and gives them time to prepare themselves for what is coming next.
- Provide cues for transition times. This can be extremely helpful, since children do not tell time.
- Be flexible. Adapt your routines as your children grow and change.
Taken from: http://www.pbs.org/parenttales/consistency.htm
4.The Bible provides interesting insights into many areas of our lives. How do the verses below relate to this session’s topic?
Proverbs 24:30-34 (TNIV)
30 I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; 31 thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. 32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 34 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 25:28 (TNIV) 28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
5. List one or two things that you will do differently or that you will try as a result of our discussion on routine.
Take Home Activity: Work together as a couple, as a family, or individually to come up with a schedule that works for you and your family. Be as detailed as possible. Be sure to include things like meal times, bed times, etc. Begin to implement the schedule before next week. Come to next week’s group prepared to share your schedule and how things are going so far.
Note to leader: If time and resources permit, pick up poster board to give out to each parent or couple. Tell them to put there schedule on the poster board and bring it back next week.
Next week’s topic: RESPECT
Looking Ahead: Week 3 – Teamwork, Week 4 – Establishing Appropriate Boundaries, Week 5 – Handling Sibling Differences, Week 6 – Purpose for Discipline, Week 7 – Methods of Discipline, Week 8 – Introducing Your Kids to Christ
Supernanny – Introduction to a Dicussion Guide
A couple of year’s ago, my wife and I wrote a curriculum for a parenting discussion group based on the ABC Supernanny reality series. The idea was to encourage parents in their challenging journey of raising a family. Over the next week or two, I’ll try to post the discussion guides that went along with each week’s discussion. I’d love to hear your ideas as they pertain to the topic for the week. To get things started, I’ve attached the introduction to the curriculum, so you can get a feel for where this is headed.
Supernanny Parenting Discussion Group
A Guide for Parents Seeking to Make a Positive Difference in Their Kids
Introduction
Parenting is not easy. And there are not any perfect parents. Our parents were not perfect. Their parents were not perfect. Our kids will not be perfect parents. And we are not perfect parents. While it is a fact that we have all screwed up at one time or another through our past parenting, there is still hope. We can make a change today by deciding to do parenting differently from this day forward. This discussion guide is designed to help parents make positive changes starting today.
Concept
My wife, Leanne, and I are committed to doing our best to bring up our kids in a way the honors God and helps them to succeed in their own lives. We came up with this idea as we realized that there are other parents out there who want to make a difference in their kids’ lives but do not know where to start. There are also a lot of parents who feel like they are alone in this endeavor. We as parents have plenty that we can share with each other to spur each other on. “It takes a village” sometimes to raise our children. The idea for community parenting is not new; however, in America, parents are reluctant to admit their need for help.
Leanne and I are also hooked on reality television. From Survivor to Amazing Race to Extreme Makeover Home Edition to Kid Nation, we are often intrigued by the happenings on these “reality” based shows. One of the shows that has gained a certain level of attention for parents is the ABC Supernanny series. Each week on this show, Jo Frost, the English nanny visits the home of a family struggling to bring order to their home. In each episode, viewers see families struggling with crazy mealtimes, sleepless bedtimes, wandering children, disrespectful outbreaks, lack of discipline, chaotic schedules, etc. By the end of the hour, Jo has successfully brought order and discipline to these homes.
Sure this is television, but many parents in reality do not know how to deal with many of these things. While we may not necessarily agree with the way some of the things are handled on the show, there is no doubt that Jo’s approaches can make a difference in families. This is where the idea of a Supernanny Parenting Discussion Group comes in. First, envision sitting around a living room or family room with other parents. Now, imagine showing clips from the ABC show that relate to a specific parenting topic. Next, imagine following up the video clips with a conversation about the topic. Finally, add in some Biblical wisdom to the topic. The results are amazing. Each week parents walk away with a new perspective on the week’s topic along with a fun take home activity to try at home with the kids.
Topics
There are many topics that could be discussed in a parenting discussion group. We would encourage you to consider adding a week or two to your group’s schedule to tackle more of these subjects. This guide provides a structure for discussing the following subjects: routine, respect, teamwork, establishing appropriate boundaries, handling sibling differences, purpose of discipline, methods for discipline, and introducing your kids to Christ. The guide is set up to walk groups through eight weeks of conversations.
We would recommend a few things before you get started. First, consider meeting together with your group for a get-to-know-each-other social activity before you dive into the discussion topics. For example, plan a picnic or BBQ where families can come together and meet before they dive into the fun stuff. This social event is a great place to discuss logistics and establish a group charter. If you are dividing up the snack duties, this is a great time to get group members to volunteer. Here is an example of some of the logistical things that our group considered. You can use these or add your own.
Supernanny Sample Logistics Items/Charter
– We will aim to start our discussions at 6:30PM. Call us (555) 555-5555 if you’re running late or just can’t make it.
– You’re welcome to arrive starting at 6:00PM to enjoy hanging out and to have a bite to eat.
– We will end the discussion at 8:00PM promptly. You’re welcome to hang around for a little while, but we’d ask that you aim to be out of here by 8:30PM, so we can put our kids to bed (and get some sleep ourselves).
– The discussion group is for parents only. Kids should stay with the sitters.
– What’s said in the group stays in the group.
– In general, we will try to stay on topic. Having said that, we realize that sometimes the Spirit may move the conversation off topic.
– Discussion should be appropriate. This is not a place to bash your spouse. This is an opportunity to begin or continue the process of working together.
– Childcare is provided with a suggested donation of $X/family. Please put the money in the childcare envelope on the kitchen table.
– Parents, please run over the following ground rules/information with your kids:
o Kids must listen to the sitters.
o There will be some different options for the kids. For example, outside games (while the weather permits), a VeggieTales video, ping-pong, and toys.
o Kids are welcome to bring their own games, toys, or homework to keep them occupied during our group.
o Lights stay on downstairs.
o No food or drink in the basement.
o In the basement, kids should stay out of the curtained off areas at all times.
– If the sitters need help with your child, please find a quiet place to talk with your child so as not to disrupt the other kids or parents.
– Please let us know if you have any ideas that will make this better for our group and for future parenting discussion groups.
– Have fun!!!
Finally, we understand that parenting can be overwhelming at times. We also believe that there is hope for all of us who want to honor God through our parenting. The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 [NIV], “Train up a child in the way he [or she] should go, and when he [she] is old, he [she] will not depart from it.” By choosing to follow God’s model for parenting, we are impacting our kids’ future. We are also impacting generations to follow as they will pass these things along to their kids who will pass them along to theirs.
Note to Leaders/Facilitators
Each week, there will be Supernanny DVD clips to get ready for your group (you will need the first season of Supernanny on DVD). We would recommend that you preview these clips before your next meeting, so you’re ready to go and can help in the direction of the discussion. Each week, you will have a few questions that will help to direct your conversation. Feel free to add, subtract, or modify these questions to meet the needs of your group. Each week’s topic will include a take home activity. Try to start each week’s discussion, by reviewing how each parent/family did with their take home assignment. The discussion guide will also include a few key teaching points for each week to help you kickoff the discussion. Finally, we would encourage you to end your weekly meeting with a word of prayer. This is a great opportunity to tie together the week’s conversation. Since we weren’t sure where several of our group members were from a spiritual perspective, we also put out a prayer request box and a suggestion box. This provided a chance to pray for those in the group who might be struggling with specific concerns.
Making Music With My Son
Last night, I decided to take out the saxophone for a little bit. Back in junior high and high school, I used to play it quite a bit. I loved the fact that I could make music and express myself through this instrument. I loved playing in several jazz groups, concert bands, marching bands, pit bands, and even all-state bands.
A couple of years ago, I took lessons again to see if I could get back into playing shape. To some degree it worked. I relearned a few things, and I was able to get my lip back into playing shape.
Getting back to last night, my son has been working on a few pieces for us to play together. Isaac has a real gift; his ear for music is incredible. He enjoys playing the trumpet. And his piano skills are really coming along. Last night, we jammed to two songs, Going Home and Tequilla Sunrise. It was so much fun to play with him. We both have some work to do before we’re ready to take our show on the road, but it is so much fun to play together.
Today, I’m thanking God for this gift of music.
Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Lead Me
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbbFjWreLiw]Life can be real tough sometimes. Sometimes, being a husband and a father isn’t easy. I love my wife and my kids more than any words can say. And I want to be the very best husband and father that I can be for them. But to be honest, there are many times when I don’t do or say the right thing, and there are also times when I don’t have the strength to carry on. Life has been pretty challenging recently. I am so thankful for friends and family who have surrounded me and supported me and my family through these days – but even they cannot fully sustain me. I’m learning again and again the importance of looking to God for His leadership and His strength when mine is waning.
This song by Sanctus Real speaks to my heart today.
Sanctus Real – “Lead Me”
I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying…
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”
I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They’re just children from the outside
I’m working hard, I tell myself they’ll be fine
They’re independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying…
“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?
Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I’m called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won’t You lead me?
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up
I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
Father, lead me, ’cause I can’t do this alone
Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Psalm 119:116
Lemons Into Lemonade
I just had to share the thoughts from Isaac’s devotion for yesterday:
Have you ever heard someone say, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade?”
As goofy as it sounds, this saying holds a lot of truth. First, it says that life will hand you lemons. It doesn’t say if, and it doesn’t say life might hand you lemons. It says when.
Lemons are the bad things that happen in life. Maybe a pet dies. Maybe your best friend decides not to be your friend anymore. Perhaps you’re not treated fairly by a teacher. Whatever it is, you’ll have to face your share of lemons in life.
The second part of that saying is the hardest to follow – “make lemonade.” In other words, take the bad things that happen and make the best of them. Look for the positives. Find the good part.
Sometimes finding the good part is really difficult. When a friend turns her back on you, it hurts. Sure, you can make other friends. But it hurts right now. Making lemonade is probably the last thing you want to do. That’s why it may be a good idea to add another sentence to that saying: “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. And God is the ultimate lemonade maker.”
God can take the worst situations in your life and make something good from them. At first, you may find it hard to see the good, but over time you’ll look back and see how God turned bad things to positive experiences in your life. And here’s the best part: while you’re waiting for God to make things better, you can hide in him. Use that time to get to know him better. Take comfort that God love you, cares for you, and can use bad things to make you stronger and more like him. When things get tough, look to God and take comfort in his strength.
Psalm 141:8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge….
Proud Dad Moment from Last Night
The Apostle Paul talks about what happens to us when we decide to follow Christ, “If you are in Christ, you are a new creation; the old is gone, the new is here.” (II Corinthians 5:17).
This summer both are kids made this decision. Late in July, Leanne and I had the privilege of baptizing our kids and welcoming them into the family of God. There is no greater joy than witnessing your kids make this decision.
As they have continued their journey towards becoming fully devoted followers of Christ, they have both been using age appropriate devotional guides to help them learn more about what God’s word says for their lives. Along with this nightly routine, they have both been more engaged when it comes to church and church related groups/activities.
On Sunday, our son came home excited to memorize the books of the Old Testament. He remembered many of them thanks to a song that Leanne had taught him when he was much younger. By last night, he had them all memorized. As he and I were going through his devotional for last night, he was asked to checkout a verse from the book of Proverbs. He thought for a moment and realized that Proverbs comes right after Psalms. Within a few seconds, he was at the right chapter and verse in Proverbs.
For me, this was a great moment to be a dad. It is so incredible to see your children excited about God’s word and excited about growing in Christ.
RESPECT
Last night while on our date, Leanne and I were talking about the importance of having people of positive influence in our lives and in the lives of our kids. As we talked about this, we were reminded of all kinds of people who have had an impact on us as a couple and as parents – people like: Terry and Maria Hanna, Bill and BJ Krewson, Tim and Jill Reber, and Andy and Denise Dovel.
As part of this discussion, I was reminded about something I wrote for our “Supernanny” Parenting Group that I think also applies:
There are many people in my life who I respect for all kinds of reasons. I respect my parents and my wife’s parents. I respect by boss. I respect those in the church who are in leadership. I respect my teachers. I respect the political leaders throughout our country. One person who I respect is Ray Rivera. Ray was one of my youth leaders at the church where I grew up in New Jersey. I looked at him as an authority figure, as a spiritual guide, and as a family friend. Ray and his wife Joann always had time for me if I needed someone to talk with. While I knew that he wasn’t perfect, I saw him making good decisions and leading with integrity and with a servant’s heart.
It’s wonderful that we have people in our lives like Ray Rivera – people who deserve respect not just because of their positions of authority but also because of their actions.
Who are the people in your lives who have this kind of influence? Who are the people in your kids’ lives who have this kind of influence?
The Gift of Giving
I thought I’d share something written by our daughter. As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, she has really blown us away by her thoughtfulness and generosity.
The Gift of Giving
A little bit ago I started a small earring business called B-Jeweled. It started as a regular business, me getting all of the money from it. About the same time I was reading an awesome book by a 14 year old, Austin Gutwin. The book was called Take Your Best Shot and quickly inspired me to do something “bigger than myself”.
About 2 weeks before the beginning of B-Jeweled, my parents went to a meeting. This meeting was about a mission trip to one of the oldest and poorest slums in the world, Nairobi, Kenya. In Kenya my parents were going to see our sponsor child, Jonathan (see Sponsor Spotlight), teach the teachers at the schools there, put light in their huts, and help out in the medical clinics. They soon decided that they would go and started collecting money (the trip is about 4,000 each).
As I said before, I was inspired to do something and I found the answer in my parent’s trip to Kenya. Instead of giving B-Jeweled earnings to myself, I decided to give prophets to my parent’s trip to Kenya.
Before I knew it, it was 2 weeks before Christmas and I had $26.30. Wow! Who knew I could raise so much money with a small earring business!
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B-Jeweled has continued to grow and raise money for Kenya. So far B-Jeweled has raised more than $70! |