As you know, family is important to me. Especially the relationship between a daughter and her daddy. This video is making its way around the internet right now and it made me smile when I observed how this daddy (Steve Monforto) handled his beautiful daughter (Emily Monforto). I'm not sure that his reaction was the easy reaction.
This memory will last forever between this daddy and his daughter and I am pretty sure she will never live it down. I'm also pretty sure she will never forget how her daddy loved her in that moment.
Great Job Steve
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Facing the Giant
The best way to teach children is to lead by example.
Do as I say and not as I do, does not work.
On Saturday, we decided to head to Elephant Rock State Park. On the way there, I went the wrong direction and ended up at Tom Sauk Mountain State Park. As I drove through the park, I saw it. The Giant. I had faced this giant many times before and lost every battle.
Right in my face it stood, a 5 story tower.
I am afraid of heights. The heights themselves don't bother me, it's the thought of falling. Now I stand before my son, whom I have preached "No Fear" for the last month, trembling at the thought of scaling this tower. Yes, I'm convinced they engineer these towers to be wobbly with many holes to fall through.
As my son said, dad let's go, we began to climb the tower. My son gave out mid way up the 2nd story. Yippee, I get to go down and he does not have to know I am a chicken.
Not true. I knew I had to face this Giant.
I did. I won.
You know what, it was not too bad.
Oh yeah, I'm proud of my boy. Although he never made it to the top of the tower, he tried 3 times.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Paralyzing Fear
This past month, I started teaching my 5 year old how to ride a bike. I figured since he was headed to kindergarten, we should give the bike on 2 wheels a try. After all, I loved riding my bike as a child.
My brother might disagree with the last statement. See, I was deathly afraid to ride my bike on 2 wheels. I was very afraid that I would fall and hurt myself. Moral of the story, I was close to 8 years old before I started riding.
Well, my son suffers from the same fear I suffered as a child. It drove me nuts working with him because I knew how much joy he would get from riding if he would just get past his fear. He began riding on his very first try, but it took him at least a month before he believed he was able to ride. You have no idea how frustrating this was for me, his father.
In many moments of life, God steps in and helps me see things from his perspective.
I realize how frustrating it must be to my father (God) as I tremble in fear when He ask me to do something. I'm sure he knows how much enjoyment I will get out of the event if I just get past my fear and believe that I truly can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Fear is a tool of Satan to paralyze us from accomplishing something great and achieving much enjoyment.
I guess the question we all must answer is this, do we trust our Father enough?
By the way, my son now loves riding his bike and that is all he wants to do when I get home.
Exciting God
I am reading an old, stapled together document from the Assemblies of God National Sunday School Department. I am re-writing a section for the all those that may work as children's ministers and not get a chance to read this yourself.
I have no idea how you would ever find it. The paper almost falls apart as I turn the pages.
In every part of your children's church program, excitement is the key to success. We teach the children that it is exciting to serve Jesus. Children's church is exciting, not fun! It can be fun, but it should always be exciting.
We serve a living, exciting Savior. The children need to experience this concept. Church should be the most exciting place in a child's life. the Bible should be the most exciting book. You should be the most exciting person they meet. You are God's person for those kids. Children's church is the most important hour of the week. If you are a dead-pan the rest of the week, it better not carry over to Sunday morning. Get hyped up! Get all excited!
Some Sundays we have to hype ourselves up. How can you do this?
I have no idea how you would ever find it. The paper almost falls apart as I turn the pages.
In every part of your children's church program, excitement is the key to success. We teach the children that it is exciting to serve Jesus. Children's church is exciting, not fun! It can be fun, but it should always be exciting.
We serve a living, exciting Savior. The children need to experience this concept. Church should be the most exciting place in a child's life. the Bible should be the most exciting book. You should be the most exciting person they meet. You are God's person for those kids. Children's church is the most important hour of the week. If you are a dead-pan the rest of the week, it better not carry over to Sunday morning. Get hyped up! Get all excited!
Some Sundays we have to hype ourselves up. How can you do this?
- Look in the mirror and laugh
- run around the church
- cheer for Jesus
- Pray for the children by name - declare His victory
- Dream/Visualize the Results
- Tell the kids you are excited
- Mountain Dew
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A Record Of My Life
I once read that any life worth living is worth writing about.
Yesterday, I picked up an old journal of mine. When I opened it, I realized that I was in the habit of journaling every day back in 2006. I was afraid of what I would read, but I found myself laughing, loving, crying, and enjoying every moment as I relived precious memories that I had actually forgotten. I relived moments with Andrew and Olivia, Michelle, my dad, and my Father in Heaven (God).
My son is starting Kindergarten right away. Every experienced parent tells me the next thing I know is that I will be watching him walk down the isle for high school graduation. I'm told to hang on to every moment because they will be gone before I know it.
What better gift can I offer my children than to write about my experiences, my feelings, my goals, etc. so they can see how God has moved in the life of our family and they can experience how much I love them. Not to mention how much fun it is to just look back and relive the moments.
You know, my life is worth living (Thank you Jesus) and I think it is worth writing about.
I am sure your children will enjoy reading about your life as well.
Yesterday, I picked up an old journal of mine. When I opened it, I realized that I was in the habit of journaling every day back in 2006. I was afraid of what I would read, but I found myself laughing, loving, crying, and enjoying every moment as I relived precious memories that I had actually forgotten. I relived moments with Andrew and Olivia, Michelle, my dad, and my Father in Heaven (God).
My son is starting Kindergarten right away. Every experienced parent tells me the next thing I know is that I will be watching him walk down the isle for high school graduation. I'm told to hang on to every moment because they will be gone before I know it.
What better gift can I offer my children than to write about my experiences, my feelings, my goals, etc. so they can see how God has moved in the life of our family and they can experience how much I love them. Not to mention how much fun it is to just look back and relive the moments.
You know, my life is worth living (Thank you Jesus) and I think it is worth writing about.
I am sure your children will enjoy reading about your life as well.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Will Your Children Remember???
Judges 2:10
Another Generation arose that did not know the Lord or the work which He had done for Israel.
Because the next generation did not know the great things of God, they became unfaithful to Him.
It is easy to think that we have time when it comes to children.
It is easy to not give them the time and investment that they require because they are resilient and they can adapt well.
Unfortunately, time passes too quickly and before you know it your child is no longer interested in what you might think and has already set his/her religious world view.
So, will your child remember the Lord and the work which He has done for you and your family?
Another Generation arose that did not know the Lord or the work which He had done for Israel.
Because the next generation did not know the great things of God, they became unfaithful to Him.
It is easy to think that we have time when it comes to children.
It is easy to not give them the time and investment that they require because they are resilient and they can adapt well.
Unfortunately, time passes too quickly and before you know it your child is no longer interested in what you might think and has already set his/her religious world view.
So, will your child remember the Lord and the work which He has done for you and your family?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Where Should I Send My Kid To School
In a couple weeks I will be sending my oldest son off to kindergarten.
Please wait while I dry my eyes.
As a christian parent, wanting to raise my child up with a strong Biblical foundation, I never knew the decision of how or where to send my child for his education would be such a difficult decision.
My wife and I discussed, debated, rationalized, and agonized over this decision for at least a year and a half.
Here were my thoughts
Public School - I'm not sure my child is ready to be around the worlds constant influence.
Private School - Why should I pay for school when I already pay taxes. Besides, I can't guarantee that he will be around great influences in private school.
Home School - Not enough social interaction
I have positive thoughts also, but these were my negatives for each option.
Very touchy subject. In fact, I probably just offended someone reading this.
That's because the topic of our children's education is so important to us parents seeking the best education for our kids while maintaining a Biblical influence in their life.
What I learned
Our decision - Private School (At least for now)
Please wait while I dry my eyes.
As a christian parent, wanting to raise my child up with a strong Biblical foundation, I never knew the decision of how or where to send my child for his education would be such a difficult decision.
My wife and I discussed, debated, rationalized, and agonized over this decision for at least a year and a half.
Here were my thoughts
Public School - I'm not sure my child is ready to be around the worlds constant influence.
Private School - Why should I pay for school when I already pay taxes. Besides, I can't guarantee that he will be around great influences in private school.
Home School - Not enough social interaction
I have positive thoughts also, but these were my negatives for each option.
Very touchy subject. In fact, I probably just offended someone reading this.
That's because the topic of our children's education is so important to us parents seeking the best education for our kids while maintaining a Biblical influence in their life.
What I learned
- There is not a perfect solution and no solution is more right or wrong than another. Although many will disagree with that comment.
- I believe that it is important for a child to have a firm Biblical foundation set in place as they are exposed the the world driven by liberal media.
- We as parents must realize that we are required to pour ourselves into the lives of our children everyday and show them how to live a Godly life based on biblical principles. If we don't live out our faith at home, regardless of where we send them for school or how much we keep them in church, they are likely to stray from the faith.
Our decision - Private School (At least for now)
Monday, August 3, 2009
"Already Gone"
I just read a book review for "Already Gone - Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it" by Ken Ham & Britt Beemer.
It says that 61% of today's young adults who were regular church attendees are now spiritually disengaged. The authors completed research to find answers to this disturbing statistic.
Research showed that students who regularly attend Sunday School are actually: "more likely to defend premarital sex;""more likely to accept that gay marriage and abortion should be legal;" and "more likely to believe that good people don't need to go to church."
As a children's minister getting ready to start a Sunday School Like program, I should probably be nervous and reconsider.
However, the reasons we are losing our young adults are not surprising.
Results showed that these young adults would prefer good, quality Bible teachings (Truth), but had found their churches to be more driven by man-made tradition than biblical mandates.
It seems to me that people are not searching for the latest greatest scheme but they only want to hear TRUTH. I believe it is time for the "Church" to get back to the basics of offering Biblical TRUTH.
Chap. 7 of the book asks parents; "Do you love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might? Do you take the words of God and treasure them in your heart and teach them to your kids by talking to them about God's word as if it's a normal part of your life? Is it your life? The faith of your family starts with you."
No shock here. The Church cannot do it alone. True biblical discipleship and education is learned first at home. Parents cannot live a lie by acting one way at church and another way at home. On the flip, it is the job as ministers to equip parents to lead, educate, and disciple their own children. It is our job to get them involved in the ministries to their children rather than trying to do it ourselves.
Stop Clowning Around:
What steps are you taking to ensure that the children you pastoring will not disengage as adults?
It says that 61% of today's young adults who were regular church attendees are now spiritually disengaged. The authors completed research to find answers to this disturbing statistic.
Research showed that students who regularly attend Sunday School are actually: "more likely to defend premarital sex;""more likely to accept that gay marriage and abortion should be legal;" and "more likely to believe that good people don't need to go to church."
As a children's minister getting ready to start a Sunday School Like program, I should probably be nervous and reconsider.
However, the reasons we are losing our young adults are not surprising.
Results showed that these young adults would prefer good, quality Bible teachings (Truth), but had found their churches to be more driven by man-made tradition than biblical mandates.
It seems to me that people are not searching for the latest greatest scheme but they only want to hear TRUTH. I believe it is time for the "Church" to get back to the basics of offering Biblical TRUTH.
Chap. 7 of the book asks parents; "Do you love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might? Do you take the words of God and treasure them in your heart and teach them to your kids by talking to them about God's word as if it's a normal part of your life? Is it your life? The faith of your family starts with you."
No shock here. The Church cannot do it alone. True biblical discipleship and education is learned first at home. Parents cannot live a lie by acting one way at church and another way at home. On the flip, it is the job as ministers to equip parents to lead, educate, and disciple their own children. It is our job to get them involved in the ministries to their children rather than trying to do it ourselves.
Stop Clowning Around:
What steps are you taking to ensure that the children you pastoring will not disengage as adults?
Monday, June 29, 2009
Is a Box Really Safe?
I rode on a motorcycle for the first time last Saturday.
Wow, what a feeling to have the air rushing past you at 65 mph. Nothing but you, the bike, and the open road.
I'm really not sure if I liked it or hated it.
My whole life, I heard the horror stories of accidents people have while riding their bikes.
I must admit, I spent the majority of the ride shaking nervously that an accident would happen and I would leave my family in a bind.
I did not have a wreck, but I burned my leg on the hot tailpipe.
It hurt!
I realized, that I prefer a car. I like having something around me. It just makes me feel safe.
I'm an entrepreneur at heart. Any one who knows me will admit that I can dream like no other. I will always encourage anyone to take advantage of their dream.
Get out of your comfortable box and just go for it.
I recently realized that many of us like our box. It's nice to have something around us. Something that at least feels secure and safe.
After all, what if the dream does not work out. What if I fail. What if I lose everything. It might hurt.
All I can say is that you cannot make a judgment until you try it. What if I never got on that bike? At least I know what a ride on a motorcycle is like. I know that I will probably not ride one again, but I know what the air feels like as I sail down a highway. And, in fact, a bike is probably a lot safer than I think it is.
Moral of the message - Stop judging and stop sitting idle due to fear. At least give your dream a shot. See what happens. If you don't like it, get back in your box. I'll admit, the open air is not for everyone. But, at least you will know that you tried.
Oh yeah, one last note, boxes really are not that safe. They just appear to be safe due to the walls. However, one good rainstorm will destroy the box.
Wow, what a feeling to have the air rushing past you at 65 mph. Nothing but you, the bike, and the open road.
I'm really not sure if I liked it or hated it.
My whole life, I heard the horror stories of accidents people have while riding their bikes.
I must admit, I spent the majority of the ride shaking nervously that an accident would happen and I would leave my family in a bind.
I did not have a wreck, but I burned my leg on the hot tailpipe.
It hurt!
I realized, that I prefer a car. I like having something around me. It just makes me feel safe.
I'm an entrepreneur at heart. Any one who knows me will admit that I can dream like no other. I will always encourage anyone to take advantage of their dream.
Get out of your comfortable box and just go for it.
I recently realized that many of us like our box. It's nice to have something around us. Something that at least feels secure and safe.
After all, what if the dream does not work out. What if I fail. What if I lose everything. It might hurt.
All I can say is that you cannot make a judgment until you try it. What if I never got on that bike? At least I know what a ride on a motorcycle is like. I know that I will probably not ride one again, but I know what the air feels like as I sail down a highway. And, in fact, a bike is probably a lot safer than I think it is.
Moral of the message - Stop judging and stop sitting idle due to fear. At least give your dream a shot. See what happens. If you don't like it, get back in your box. I'll admit, the open air is not for everyone. But, at least you will know that you tried.
Oh yeah, one last note, boxes really are not that safe. They just appear to be safe due to the walls. However, one good rainstorm will destroy the box.
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