TIPPS » Faith

What is Your Life Story?

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:44:00 +0000

I love this video clip from one of my favorite shows. The reason that I think it is such a great video is not just because it is funny, but because it makes you think about what! When I watched it, I thought about, “What is my life story?” What did Jesus do for me. This is a great video to share with your teen or child and then ask them “What did Jesus do for you?” Today’s youth relate through video and this is a super discussion starter. Just like this video, youth ask every day, “What?” Now it is time to harness that curiosity and to encourage them to talk about their story of how God changed their life. I think of Pastor Rick Warren when he shared at Barak Obama’s inaugeration by praying, “in the name of the one who changed my life…Jesus.” How did Jesus change your life? This is what we need to share with our youth of today, the life changing story of how Jesus changed our lives.

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Take time today to view this powerful video with your child and talk about the importance of standing for the right for life with all babies. Thank goodness that Elliott’s parents decided on Life. Even though Elliott only lived 99 days, it was an eternity to his parents.

God Bless you and your child as you watch this video together. Get a box of tissues:)

Connecting with Youth

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:24:00 +0000

Are you vulnerable enough to connect with your kids? I was talking to some teens about one of our pastors when they shared that they connect the most with someone who makes themselves vulnerable. All the teens agreed that it was a pastor, teacher, or parent that talked about their own life experiences, shared their struggles in life, and spoke in a practical and genuine manner. Vulnerability is a big thing for today’s generation of students, I believe this because it is vulnerability that makes us real and authentic to kids. If you want to connect with your child, look for ways to be vulnerable and share your heart, life’s struggles, and adversities. Whether in the classroom or the living room, children need to connect with adults who love them and are genuine in their walk with the Lord.

Mission Possible

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:10:00 +0000

So many times it seems that it is mission impossible leading someone to Christ; however, this summer I had the opportunity to lead over 50 people to Christ in a four day span. For me, leading someone to Christ became Mission Possible. This summer I experienced one of the most life changing events in my entire life. I went with a group of teens from my church on a missions to trip to South America. This trip to Ecuador was an evangelistic trip; one where we went door to door sharing the gospel and telling others about Christ. WE used a tool called the evangecube to share the plan of salvation. My team led 190 people to Christ in a week’s time and we trained the nationals how to share their faith with their neighbors. As a principal in a public school, I believe that a missions trip to a foreign land is one of the best lessons that your child can ever learn. Check out these photos of our team sharing the Gospel with the people of Ecuador. The group of teen boys standing together all accepted Christ after we shared Godl’s life changing, liberating message with them.

Aim Don’t Tame Your Boy

admin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:02:00 +0000

I noticed that a number of parents try to tame their boys rather than trying to aim their energy toward positive things. Both in the church and the home, many are demasculating boys by creating too many boundaries that don’t allow boys to experience the risk and thrill of living as boys. I believe in boundaries, but these boundaries must not act to cage our boys but to aim them toward the God given untamable spirit of boyhood. As parents, we should look for safe opportunities to let out your boy’s adventurous spirit. Take your son white water rafting, rock climbing, to a laser tag game, or high ropes course. By allowing your boy to live out his untamable and adventurous spirit, you can keep him free of the dangers of adolescence such as alcohol, drugs, violence, and sex.

By aiming and not taming your boy, you release him to be all that God means him to be.

God Bless You

admin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:10:00 +0000

Did you Bless someone todayI have been trying to live out my faith in everyday events such as saying God Bless to you to people. Two weeks ago, my family and I were at a fast food restaurant and ordered one four pack of chicken nuggets and I said God Bless you to the lady serving us. She was so encouraged by this that she gave our family 15 more nuggets. A week later after saying God Bless you to our server, we received an extra milkshake with our meal. After this happening two weeks in a row, my son said, “Dad I am going to say God Bless you to all the cafeteria ladies tomorrow in school to see if I get extra food.

I recently led a Good News Club in my childrren’s elementary school. At that meeting, I encouraged all the elementary school students to say “God Bless” to their teacher and principal. One child reported that after saying “God Bless” to their teacher, the teacher responded by saying, “Thanks, I needed that.” A simple gesture of God Bless can encouarge a broken soul, comfort a saddened heart, and uplift a downtrodden child.

God Bless,

Bill

Someone Is Always Looking

admin — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:03:00 +0000

My family and I were sitting in Dunkin Donuts tonight drinking hot chocolate and eating powered donuts when my son decided to make faces in the reflection of the glass with his whiten lips from the donuts. We sat and smiled as he made silly faces into the glass. Only to find out that the van outside in the parking lot was enjoying the entire event. One of my wife’s co-workers was in the van laughing with her husband. This reminded us as a family of the importance of living a life of integrity even when we think no one is looking. It is easy living right when others are looking, but true character is revealed when we think no one is looking. Your children will learn a number of lessons in your home, but one of the greatest lessons you can teach them is integrity.

Teach your children to live a life that is pleasing to God even when others are not looking
Model a life of integrity because your kids are looking even when you think they aren’t
Have a talk with them about the importance of doing the right thing all of the time..