Focus on what is important

Often as a family it is easy to get distracted from the main goal. The same is true as an individual.

Our kids like to imitate the dogs from UP and cry out "Squirrel!" when something has caught their attention and taken it away from that which they are suppose to be focused on. (Of course, they also do it when they see squirrels.)

Thinking about how our children joke around about attention span and intentionally distract themselves, I started thinking about what we do in regard to God. Typically, one of the New Year resolutions or goals in a church going home is to get closer to God or to read the Bible everyday. How often do we fail those goals?

It generally takes 21 days to create a habit. In my personal journey, I have noticed this is true except for in one area. The area that the habit is not created is my walk with God. Our relationship requires daily work or it will decay and become weak. We can read the Bible and study everyday for three months but then miss it one day and it is very difficult to get back in the habit.

So we have to refocus. Do everything we can to prevent that one day from happening.

Set a schedule. Everyday at X time, the family will sit down together and read the Bible. Go ahead now and plan what to do if Johnny or Jenny is not home for whatever reason. We have decided that no matter what, we will read with whoever is home.

Focus on what is important. Is your goal to read through the Bible in a year, or is it to have a family devotion where there is discussion and interaction. Devotions can be tricky for families with little ones, but getting into the habit now is beneficial.

Choices. Ultimately, as the parent you are responsible for leading your family to a Christ-centered life. This is a huge responsibility, but not an impossible one. In your prayer time be honest with God and ask for help in drawing your family to Him. Make the choice to trust in God and not rely on yourself.

It is not the end of the world if you miss a few days, just start back where you left off and hold each other accountable. Focus on God and draw near to Him.

New Year, New Goals

The common tradition on January 1 is to set resolutions that may or may not be possible for individuals and families. We invite you to rethink your resolutions, goals, and aspirations.

Who says that your goals have to be year-long? Have you thought about having month-long goals?

Often the reason we fail when it comes to our long-range goals is because they are too big. The way to correct that problem is to make the goal smaller. If the goal is smaller it is more manageable and easier to complete, making you more likely to succeed and go on to the next goal.

If your goal is to get your family to read the bible every night together, then perhaps reading a chapter in the book of Proverbs everyday would be a good starting point. The accountability is there since there are 31 chapters and the book of Proverbs is a wealth of information when it comes to the pressures of life. Once the habit of sitting down and reading together is established, more can be added.

If your goal is for your family to be healthier in the New Year, start one day at a time. Decide how you are going to address getting healthy in your eating habits and take one step at a time. Then also introduce exercise. Family walks in the evening after dinner is great bonding time.

By having monthly goals they are more attainable, but there is an additional advantage of the family staying on the same page throughout the year and staying focused.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 

Superbook: Once was old is now new

Back in the early 80s there was this animated show called Superbook that CBN had that was about two kids and a robot going back in time to the Bible era and living through the moment to learn the biblical truth. The biblical truth would be tied into what the children were doing in everyday life as to emphasize the message.

I remember making sure to watch Superbook every week, I loved it so. That and I was also fascinated in the aspects of time travel.

Well, the folks at CBN have realized that after 30 years there is still, and perhaps more of, a market for families that like this type of show. So, they have had Superbook redone. The stories have been updated to include more detail and the graphics are modernized to the CGI.

Our family was introduced to the new series because Nana started buying them and sharing them with us a couple of months ago. The kids love the show and they really are drawn in. We appreciate that we have an extra outlet for the kids to get biblical truths in their daily diet.

Your family can get introduced this coming Saturday, June 15^th in select markets in the United States. Please check HERE for your local listings.

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I have in no way been compensated for this article by CBN or it's affiliates in order to post this. I have written this post simply as a resource for Christian parents knowledge of an available tool to use for their children.

Why Trying Too Hard to Lead Your Family Doesn't Work … and what Jesus says about it

Guest Post from Tricia Goyer, co-author of Lead Your Family Like Jesus
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Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.

~Anthony Brandt

         Even though John and I had no guide for leadership in our home, we tried different things during different seasons. There was one season when we had family worship every morning with our toddlers. We’d set up small chairs in the living room and we sang kids’ worship songs together before John went to work. There were seasons of family devotions around the table. Seasons when we'd focus on character development—attempting to teach our kids about kindness and gentleness and love-your-brother-and-sister-ness. And, sadly, there were many seasons that we felt more desperate than dedicated. It got to the place where we were more focused on being dedicated than focusing on Jesus.

        

Where we came from,

Where we can go ...

It's not a surprise that most families are in desperate need of a different leadership role model. In their (our!) growing up years, many parents today grew up in homes where there was single parenting, divorce, or a misunderstanding of family roles. We were the latch key children who spent the weekend at dad’s house. Some of our parents were too lenient, others too strict. Some of our parents didn’t give us a good example of what faithfulness and commitment was all about. For many of us, our parents’ quest for happiness led us wondering where we fit into the mix.

But we have to try, don't we? If we don't know something to lead our kids to God than the kids will happily step forward to lead. Go to any park, or to Wal-mart, or even look around the church and you might see that sometimes the big people aren’t the ones calling the shots. The same is true in the home. Kids have their own televisions and computers so they can pick their entertainment. They have their own schedule of school and activities that keeps the family on the run. And in some homes meals are ordered up to each person's liking. No wonder parents feel they have very little influence. No wonder they're fearful of the teen years when kids can talk back and walk out.

What parents need to understand is WE are an influence and leadership is something we need to embrace. We just need to make sure we're doing it with the right focus. I struggled with what to do and how to do it, and still focus on Jesus. That's when I came upon a verse that caused my heart to sing:

“[God] tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.”

I loved that verse because God was talking about us—John and I. The Lord was our shepherd, and this verse reminded us that He was leading us while we led our little ones.

When it comes to leading in the home we don't have to do it alone. There are things we may try, but God knows what our family needs most … and when. When we turn to Him, He will carry us. He will place a song on our heart. He will remind us of a Scripture to read. And as Jesus leads us, we can share His goodness with our kids. We tell them what Jesus says about it, “Look to me, focus on me, and I will never disappoint.”

         
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Tricia Goyer is a co-author of Lead Your Family Like Jesus. 
Tricia Goyer has written more than thirty-five books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and non- fiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts,Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.
To learn more about Tricia please visit her website at www.triciagoyer.com

Keeping it Fun! Play time

One of the things that we have discovered with our family and you may have learned with your own is that most kids love to play games.

One of the most recent games that we added last year was the family edition of Apples to Apples and the kids, all six of them 8-18, enjoyed playing it once they figured it out. So, for Easter we are hoping to wrangle the Bible Edition for the family. (ssshhh! The kids don't know yet.)

Apples to Apples, Bible Edition Game By Cactus Game Design Expand your "core" knowledge of Christian history with this hilarious, award-winning game! Apples to Apples, Bible Edition brings the award winning card and party game, Apples to Apples, to the Christian community. Players will delight in the clever comparisons while expanding their knowledge of the Bible. Comparing people, places, things, and events, players match their cards with the judge's. The closest match wins the round. But you've got to be fast, because if your card is the last one on the table, you lose! Inside you'll find 432 Red Apple cards, 144 Green Apple cards, 2 card trays and quick play rules. Games are fast--about 20 to 30 minutes per game, and it's an easy game to learn. Recommended for 4 to 10 players, ages 9 and up.

above links will take you to an outside site from ParentsForChrist.com that are affiliate links.

With our family as large as it is, we try to have a special gift at Easter but we do not typically get all of the kids an Easter basket, we do live frugally. With our desire to live for the Lord and to raise our family in a God centered home this game looks to be a welcome addition.

This is of course in addition to focusing on why we celebrate Easter, or better suited Resurrection Sunday.

How do you have fun with your family? Do you have special traditions?

Do you have a varying ages that you like to include together when looking for a family game? What works for you?

God's Timing, Waiting on the Lord

 It is not always easy to wait. Its like being a kid when your birthday is coming and you know you are going to get presents and you just can not wait to find out what they are. Or maybe, its like being an adult going through a time where you know the Lord has a plan and you are doing everything you know to do but the light at the end of the tunnel seems to still be far away.

It can be hard to wait.

Take to heart the promise given to us in Isaiah 40:31, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Wow! what a promise.

With a promise like that, it is worth waiting on God's timing. I know when I do not wait on God I feel run down and wore out. And let me tell you, it is hard to be mom when you are wore out. I do not know the trials that you are going through, but I do know that God is always faithful. Get up and do what is required of you and He will meet you.

Be Blessed!

The House is Saved by the Parent

Many parents can take heart to know that the family is saved because of the deeds of the parent. I imagine there are others that worry about it too.

In Genesis 7:1 it says, “Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”

Noah’s family was saved because he was righteous. It was not because his sons were righteous or his daughter in laws. The family was saved because Noah stayed faithful to God.

As a parent we can take heart in knowing that as long as we are staying faithful to the Lord’s teachings, our family has that protection. This gives parents all the more reason to live as Christ and be true Christ followers.
Just as Cain inherited the nature of sin from Adam, so do our children inherit sin. This is why we have to teach our children God’s love, God’s grace, and God’s mercy. God overcomes the sinful nature of man, but that can only happen if we allow it.

Resembling the Father

Is it not a wonderful feeling when somebody says, “Oh you must be ___’s mom/dad! They look just like you!”

God enjoys that too.

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'." - 1 Peter 1:15-16

God wants His children (us) to resemble Him. It’s not always a physical appearance that gives away who our parent is. In the case with God, it would be our soul-ful appearance.

Do you show Godly mercy?

Do you show Godly compassion?

As a parent, do your children see that loving side as much or more than the discipline side? God lovingly leads us to Him. He does not force us, we have our own will. It is noted, however, that in order to get to Heaven and to be with Him, we are to follow His commands. The best way to do that is to live according to His example.

The best way for your children to see God, is through you.

Relationships in the Home - God

In a Christian home the most important relationship is the family's relationship with God. It is extremely important that the family is rooted in the Word of God.

Ways to make sure your family is in the Word can consist of family devotions and individual Bible study. There are several devotional studies out there that are focused on family. There area also individual Bible studies that parents can tailor to the children. This works wonderfully if there is a large age difference in the children.

Another option to get in the word and stay in the word is to read the Bible. There are schedules available online and  in bookstores that allow for you to read the Bible in 90 days, a year, or even two years. This works well for budget conscience families that just need their Bible instead of purchasing another book.

By focusing on God's Word and storing it in your heart, it gives your family understanding. Then praying together and talking to God teaches your family that the relationship is not just one way.

The children in the home learn from the relationship the parents have with God. Knowing this parents in a Christian home need to make sure at the minimum that their children see that they are in the Word and that they pray.


 Bible Reading Plans from Zondervan

Search Amazon.com for devotions for families

Worn and Weary

I have seen the signs and I have heard the complaints. Moms across the nation, okay... in my community, begging for school to start because their kids are driving them crazy. These same moms are moms that sign their kids up for all kinds of sports and stay very active. They look to the summer to wrap up baseball and softball and have some down time and enjoy their loving families.

What is the problem? We become worn and weary after just a couple days. We have wonderful plans for the summer of visiting with friends, going to the Zoo, or amusement parks and by the third day of the break we wonder when do they go back.

As parents we have high expectations that we can have the perfect family life even when everybody is running in several different directions. Our family was guilty of this. We had cheerleading/football in the fall, basketball in the winter and softball in the spring. Not to mention all of the school activities and church activities. By the time summer would come along we would be wore out with kids that were used to be kept busy and kept on a schedule. This is unrealistic to maintain, especially if there are more than one or two children involved. Different ages, different genders, and so on. It wears out the family and then when there is a break you are so tired and so weary having relaxing family time seems impossible.

Children learn by their environment. If the environment they are in is in constant motion that is what they will crave. The same is true for the opposite, if the environment is constantly relaxed they will crave that. What is best is a happy medium.

A suggestion on lightening the load, so to speak, would be have your children choose one sport or one activity outside of church and school. Then you prioritize. This also helps the kids focus on what they want to do. This helped with our youngest daughter that is our athletic one. She wanted to be the best cheerleader, the best basketball player and the best softball player. The problem was from being constantly on the go, she wasn't that great and any. Now she is focused on softball and has been doing quite well. She even made the JV team at school this past year. Another thing we try to do is have a family night. Nobody spends the night all the kids are home and we deliberately do something together as a family. It can be watching a movie, playing a board game, catching fireflies, whatever.

Sometimes, it's not just our schedules that have us worn and weary. Sometimes it is life and circumstance. In the times we are facing today with the volatile economy and jobs being hard to come by, it is easy to pick up heavy burdens. For that I encourage you to turn to the Lord.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and the burden is light.”
Matthew 11: 28-30

Just as with our children we have to change our perspective. We have to get where we need to be.

I know as a wife, a mom and a student that I have to MAKE time for God. Being in the Word and being in touch with God is the only way to keep things under control. With the trials our own family has gone through we are unable to comprehend how those without God in their lives can get through the storms.

Renewing of the Home

The last week or two have really been quite uplifting for me. And it's not just because school has started.

For about the last two years or maybe 3, God has been working on mine and my husband's hearts. We were no longer where He wanted us to be. We didn't know what this meant and we weren't in the place we needed to be spiritually to know that that was what God was doing. It started with our Sunday School teachers stepping down and they went threw very trying times. We weren't so sure we were suppose to stay in that class, but we did. We were in the word and the other class that we were interested in was during the worship service we typically went to. Our church had two services and Sunday School went on during both. Plus had we changed classes we had 6 kids to change classes too.

So we continued and we were blessed by the Lord with fellowship and growing closer to Him, but there was something missing. We, Jeff and I, started feeling out of place. At first we though it was because we had 6 kids and while we did know other families with many kids, it's not exactly common. After Benji was born, our church family ministered to us and helped us through the trials of his heart condition and the surgery. We felt closer to the Lord and thought that that was what we were missing. You know that spiritual closeness that sometimes we forget about once the daily grind gets ground into us.

Some more time went by and we started feeling lost again when we would go to church. We made excuses and visited my mom's church once or twice but didn't think anything about this missing piece. Everytime the women's group would start a Bible Study I would go to sign up but then something would stop me and I would feel miserable. We lost any touch of the world outside of our home other than sporting events. (Not that we wanted worldly fellowship, but the fellowship that was available we felt we didn't have.)

Finally, a major crisis happened in our family and we were all alone. We struggled, we knew God was the only way we would survive. And it has taken us a year to get to where we could hear God's call on our lives.

We have recently changed churches. Our spiritual needs are now being met as we need them to. All of our kids are being blessed. Little Benji, the youngest, went from kicking and screaming when we would drop him off at the nursery at our old church to running from me when it's time to go to nursery where we are now going. The atmosphere is different to us. I am not saying that God's presence is not at our former church. That is not the case at all. We have just outgrown our former church. Sorta like as you grow up, you go through school and you change school's once you get so far.

So, now that we have changed churches... The kids are loving to go to church and learn about God. And they are really learning. I signed up for Bible Study and I also joined MOPs. I am looking forward to being part of both groups and some of the ladies are in both groups.

All of this going on and it is amazing to say that, now that the spirit man is being fed and we are getting back into the Word the way we are suppose to be. Our home life is getting calmer and renewed. Three of our children have issues that can stress a mom, and dad, out. Two are emotionally/behaviorally challenged and then the other is developmentally challenged. All three are in therapy and getting help, but we have good days and bad days that have to be dealt with.

In getting back to the Lord, our home is renewed by His love and grace. We are growing closer to Him day by day and that renewal is awesome.

In God's Love,

Spiriutal Awakening

Isn't it wonderful when you are sitting in a church service and all of a sudden the Lord touches you? I had a Sunday Service like that yesterday. It was marvelous and it is what my soul has been craving for too long.

The last few months our family has been in a spiritual drought. About a month ago we decided to go to my mother's church just to test the waters. The church we were going to we had become very comfortable and while there were some changes we didn't completely agree with, we stayed. Now, we know that the Lord was calling us to move away from the church we called home for nearly ten years.

I am not advocating to change churches if things get stagnant, I do advocate listening to the Lord and heeding his call. Our former church has blessed as tremendously, our spiritual needs have merely outgrown the church.

Anyhow, back to the spiritual awakening. Sunday during the sermon, the preacher spoke of Christian love. Sundays' sermon was a sequel from last week's and it was a true blessing.

Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good. Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another. Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion. Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers. Ask God to bless those who persecute you---yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise. If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God's anger do it. For the scripture says, "I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord." Instead, as the scripture says: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing this you will make them burn with shame." Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.
(Romans 12:9-21 GNB)


Being a Christian is being LOVE.

If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?
(1 John 3:17 GNB)


What is impressed upon me is that we are to reach out to others. If we see people in need, we should help them. If a fellow Christian has fallen, pick them back up.

We are still on our journey looking for the church that the Lord wants us in, so I do ask for prayer that the answer is obvious. I pray that the church we move to will be the church that will meet all of our family's needs now and in the future.

I will say one more thing, just because we left the church we were attending does not mean that it is not following the will of the Lord. It's just not the road we are suppose to be on. There are many people I know that go there and are blessed to be there. It is where the Lord has put them.

SpiderMan 3

So, last night we decided that we would go and see Spiderman 3. Especially after reading the opinion on it at the link below.

Perspectives: Spider-Man 3 and the dark web of sin

We went to our local drive in, trust me I would much rather spend $16 with our brood at the drive in than nearly $50 at the cinema. The kids really enjoyed it as we got there about 2 hours before the movie started and they played down just below the screen. They really had alot of fun. The boys were good and worn out by the time the movie was starting and for the most part stayed still and watched the movie. Benji tried to fight sitting still about 20 minutes into it.

On to the movie... Overall I enjoyed the movie. The storyline was good although there was a little bit of confusion and some cheese. The cheese being when Peter Parker acts like John Travolta walking down the sidewalk. Very 70s, very cheese.

In the movie, it seems Peter Parker finally has it together. He is doing good in school, working freelance for the Bugle, finally has the girlfriend he's wanted all his life. It couldn't be better right? Wrong. That's when there is a meteorite with a parasite that lands not far from where Peter and MJ are on a date at.

Then there is Sandman, who really seems to be a good guy with rotten luck. His daughter is very ill and he got scared and had to do the crimes he did to provide for her. This is a role I believe that man parents can relate to and after seeing the entire movie can feel sorry for.

The New Goblin/Harry Osborn is yet again another character that doesn't understand the situation and allows his frustration and anger over his father's death eat at him and nearly consume him in the form of hatred towards SpiderMan/Peter Parker. The ending on this was a good one as Harry saw the error of his bitterness and the end of the movie brought the two friends back together before the inevitable.

Venom is the alien that was on the meteor. It is a parasite that after giving a go at Peter, ends up taking over Eddie Brock.

Personally none of our children that saw the movie were affected negatively by it. I could easily see however that if a child that has aggressive tendencies were to see it, regardless of age could have issues. Or I suppose I should say their parents would have issues in dealing with an out lash of behaviors.

Our girls enjoyed both the action and the love story. Our boys really enjoyed the action.

My opinion this is a good movie and it's a great way to talk to your kids or friends about forgiveness and that if you don't forgive it will eat at you, like a parasite.