Liz Etherton discusses whether there is a need for Self-Esteem for youthm as Oprah suggests.
She highlights the need for youth to know who they are in Christ. I agree. This needs to start while they are still children.
Children need to know that they were made by God, God made their world God loves them unconditionally, And He wants them to be in a relationship (best friend) with Him! How do we do that ? That's another big question ...
Any thoughts ?
Doing thing together as a family is great. One of Clayton's and Courtney's favourite things always was and is having a family outing/event. Sometimes it's going to the beach, making blessing t-shirts for each other, just going out to eat together.
I've come across a couple of posts that have good ideas too. Try them out.
Grover's idea is here.
And another one here.
I'm not sure where I heard this(can you help me?), but Rob Bell is recorded as giving advice to a parent whose teenage daughter was starting to make a lot of choices that were leading down a bad path. She was "writing" her own story because the story(Parents Faith walk/talk) she was receiving was not very exciting for her.
The advice was give her the better story. The husband went home prayed and started a journey that would involve his family in starting an orphanage in a third world country. The daughter changed her path to her families.
Faith is an adventure - but often we turn it into something else. Reggie Joiner elaborated at Orange leader's forum which is described well by Kenny, check it out here.
Are we living God's story for our lives and will we help our youth catch His story for thir lives?
Thank you Online Telegraph. It's funny old world. When there is some credit to be taken from something people are happy to own it. But if you suggest that some games might inspire violence all of a sudden there's "no proof."
Don't get me wrong I think its great to inspire children and youth to "make a new song" with their God-given talents and gifts. but ...
Lets get real ! We are all influenced by outside sources, why do companies still spend millions on ads or commercials? As influencers of Children and Youth is our influence good or not so good?
God help me to be a influencer for His good!
What we need to be addressing is DDD Discipline Deficient Disorder. That I think would be the fruit of the spirit that we call patience and self-control. You might think research 18 yrs ago might not be to helpful these days, but read on anyway...
This article talks about a group of kids put in front of a marshmallow and told that if they wait for the instructor to return they will receive two marshmallows if they haven't taken the one left in front of them.
It turns out the kids who waited for the instructor achieved worldly success when they grew up and the ones that didn't wait didn't. Not sure how scientific or representative it is but it's food for thought.
The rest of the article is if you want to read it.
With all the positive response from the pilot FamJam back in January, I'm excited to see what God will do with this one. I've had positive feedback from some that were at the first one and how much they enjoyed the presentation as well as the Family Time Package. I've also had some who missed the first one who I guess have spoken to those that were there who have said they're looking forward to coming on Sunday.
This month's virtue is "Conviction - standing for what is right even when others don't."
We've started 40 Days of Community (40DoC). I'm excited because this addresses half of the KIDSZONE vision.
Partnering with parents to raise spiritual champions. (Spiritual champions are kids who love God and love people where nothing else matters.).
Yes the next edition of the KIDSZONE newspaper. Youc an pick it up from the table in the lobby.
There's a piece on Cyber bullying and how it is a more serious threat to our kids than even predators. I was moved to write about it after seeing the PBS Frontline documentary. (You can even watch the documentary online)
activity - this time it was a bit different becasue the kids and parents were seperated for the "family" activity ! The kids were given blank white baseball caps to write blessings and things the kdis saw in their parents. The parents got white t-shirts to write blessings and affirmation of their kids on. afetr 30 minutes we all came togther and exchanged our blessings it was a blast to see the kids reactions.I came accross an article that explains what happens to your body when you drink soda. It makes interesting reading and might even change your drinking habits or what you let your chidlren drink ! Check it out here.
It's something I've noticed in Clayton(my 8 yr old champ) recently. He's much more into online stuff. It's gone from the Kinder eggs -secret code for a game online, now it's a community where he designs his character and walks around a virtual world doing things like "say Hi!" "pat someone on the back!" "Hug someone !" "Challenge someone to a game !"
The computer is in our living room and I regularly look over his shoulder. We don't let him chat with anyone online.
I am wondering if this desire for virtual world and community is related to how my son sees himself and even his Spiritual-esteem.
As I wonder I'm asking myself how can I help him more to know who he is in Christ ? And if he catches his faith from his parents - how can I reflect who I am in Christ better ?
Craig Groeschel has some amazing spiritual insights. His insight on "Self-esteem" is no exception. The world tries to improve our children's self esteem with programs. And without God in the picture it seems to be a logical thing to do. But it seems pretty empty when God is. Are we as parents taking care foster our own Spiritual-Esteem so our children will catch it because of Him in us. Here's Craig's latest offering on Self-Spiritual esteem (and links to his previous insights -well worth checking out).
False-Esteem: I do good things, therefore God accepts me.
Spiritual-Esteem: I’m accepted because of what Jesus did for me, therefore I do good things.
False-Esteem: I try hard, so God loves me.
Spiritual-Esteem: God loves me radically, so I try hard.
False-Esteem: I produce, therefore God is pleased.
Spiritual-Esteem: God is pleased with me in Christ, therefore He produces through me.
False-Esteem: Self is the center.
Spiritual-Esteem: God is the center.
Spiritual-Esteem 1 (of 4)
Spiritual-Esteem 2 (of 4)
Spiritual-Esteem 3 (of 4)
Spiritual Esteem 4 (of 4)
All parents are invited to come together for Families Eating And Sharing Together (FEAST) this Sunday. We'll eat together in Families starting at 6pm. At 6:30 the kids will go to the gym for games while the parents have a smallg roup around chapter three of Grace Based Parenting.
We'll round off hhe evening with a family activity followed by ice cream !
Bring parent friend.
It's been my desire for the whole church to focus on the same thing on Sundays. And we're going to get to do just that for 6 weeks starting February 3 in just a couple of months time. Unfortunately the Kindergarten kids won't be able to join in on Sundays, but they will have a Kindergarten devotional to match their parent's devotional.
The kids will have their own devotional. In addition tehre will be a family card each week that will help families relate to the theme of the week too.
I know that these kind of behaviours can way heavy on parent's hearts. Running an after school program in Montreal I saw this first hand. But according to some two research papers identified by Keith Johnson, There is hope for those children:
One concluded that kindergartners who are identified as troubled do as well academically as their peers in elementary school. The other found that children with attention deficit disorders suffer primarily from a delay in brain development, not from a deficit or flaw.
I believe a child gets most of their discernment directly from God and their parents. Young eyes and hearts are vulnerable until they learn discernment. From an early age we have told Clayton that there are people that want to bad things to you and that there are bad things that you shouldn't see on TV.
Opportunities do come up from time to time to address this. You should be on the look out for one coming to a theatre near you December 7. The movie Golden Compass is based on a trilogy that the author is hoping will land under some Christmas trees this year. He's reckoning on kids getting hyped by the movie to bug their parents into buying the books as Christmas presents.
The heroes goal in the trilogy is too kill "God." Apparently it is a kind of anti-Narnia series.
If I find more info I'll edit this blog
It is sooooooooooo easy to sit your kids in front of the TV and give them TV dinner. Let's go the extra mile and have them switch it off and eat together ! It will be worth it.
Thanks to Keithdj1 for this reminder
Dr. Doherty wrote a book Putting Family First: Successful Strategies for Reclaiming Family Life in A Hurry Up World. Doherty, W.J. (2002)
Doherty stated: “For young children, meal time at home is a stronger predictor of academic achievement and psychological adjustment than time spent in any of the following activities: school, studying, sports, church/religious activities, or art activities. For teens, having regular dinners with parents is a strong predictor of academic success, psychological adjustment, and lower rates of alcohol use, drug use, early sexual behavior, eating disorders, and risk for suicide.”
As if you didn't already know :) research in Britain has shown some of these additives to increase hyperactivity in kids. The report highlights these additives plus one other that is already banned in Canada. So watch out !
E211, sodium benzoate, a preservative used to extend shelf-life of food and drinks.
E102, tartrazine, a yellow food dye used in ice cream, soft drinks and fish sticks.
E104, quinoline yellow, a yellow dye used in soft drinks, cosmetics and medications.
E110, sunset yellow, a dye used in yogurts and sweets.
E129, allura red, a dye used in pop drinks and bubble gum.
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