Category: Family

02.04.12 GPS for Families

GPS for Families

Learning self-control is not easy for any of us. Developmentally, one of the most important tasks of growing up is learning self-regulation. As infants and toddlers, children are completely dependent on adults for all of their needs and decisions. As they grow, it is our job to help them develop their own internal system for deciding what choices to make in every situation.

Show your child one of their favorite treats, like a cupcake or brownie or ice cream. Put it within their reach, but tell them they cannot have it. Tell them if they can resist the temptation to eat it, their reward will be great. Say a prayer with them asking for self-control, and encourage them that they can do it. Distract them for a while with a book or game. After an appropriate amount of time, tell the child they have done such a good job resisting the temptation that they have earned an even better reward. Allow them to have the treat, and give them a handmade coupon for another treat of their choice later in the week.

God rewards our self-control. And, we gain it through spending time with him and through practice. Ask your child if praying and your encouragement helped him or her to feel better about resisting the temptation. As we spend time talking to God, reading his word, asking for help from others, God helps us get stronger.

Weekly Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.

01.21.12 GPS for Families

GPS for Families

Create a wide path in your home or yard using string or tape. Ask your kids to walk down the path without touching the borders (string or tape). Then move one side of the path closer so that it is difficult to walk without touching the sides. Have the kids walk again with the same instructions. Afterwards, ask them which path was easier to maneuver (the wide path).

Read Matthew 7:13-14 with your children. Discuss: What is this scripture telling us, as Jesus’ followers, to do? Jesus is saying that everyone takes the easy, wide path, but we are to take the narrow road if we are his followers, even if it seems harder.

Why would Jesus want us to take the harder road? He knows when we go the more difficult way, we have to rely on him to help us through. And as we rely on him, our love for him grows. And, then people will see how we are different. They will want to know this Jesus who we follow even when it is hard.

Spend time talking about school and social environments and how other kids tend to behave. Discuss what behaviors are “wide path” and what we might do to take the “narrow path.” Ask how others might react when we choose the narrow path. Pray for strength and courage to take the narrow road. To remind them of their calling, use the “path” terminology when discussing situations that arise in the future.

Weekly Prayer

Lord, we live in your world. Your word reminds us that you have called us to be “the light” in this world and “the salt of the earth.” In spite of our differences and in the midst of our struggles, help us to be living witnesses of your grace and love. We pray today, Lord, for your kingdom to come into our lives that we may be used to bring your kingdom into the world. AMEN.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

01.07.12 GPS for Families

GPS for Families

This new year, set some family goals with your kids. These do not have to be big, audacious goals that are sure to fail but rather a few simple ideas that will make your family stronger this year. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Pray each morning in the car or before you all leave for school, work, etc. You can create a poem prayer or a quick one-line prayer that is easy to remember. This will make it seem less formal and intimidating.
• Plan one day/evening a week that will be for family stuff only. Games, movies, sports, whatever sounds fun to you.
• Dedicate yourselves to a real Sabbath each week. Plan downtime as a family. Reading, napping, lounging around, whatever de-stresses your clan.
• Keep the Christmas cards you received and plan to pray each week for one of the families.
• Make health your theme this year. Talk about physical, mental, and spiritual health and ways to improve on all three. Don’t make a goal that you can’t achieve, but commit to reminding each other to be healthy in all of your choices.
• Put a limit on time in front of a screen (computers, TV, video games, etc.). Screen time is not bad for you in small doses, but it takes away from relationships and physical health when used in excess.
• Plan a mission project to work on all year long. Raise money, save your change, collect items or adopt an agency or family in need. Create a project your family will enjoy doing, and you will benefit from working together and loving others.

Weekly Prayer

God, I thank you for life in this new year. I know it is your gift to me. I don’t want to take it for granted. Help me to change what needs to change, to do what needs to be done and to be who you want me to be. May my new year not be defined by the past year but by your will and promises for my life. I ask for your blessings for 2012 and offer to return those blessings to you and the people you have given me to serve. Amen.

12.24.11 GPS for Families

GPS for Families

This time of year is often planned, scheduled and hectic. Make this Christmas a special one by taking a planned time-out. You may have to schedule this time or wait for a spontaneous opportunity, but make it happen. You will create a memory more important than the food, the clothes and the gifts. Here are some suggested time-out ideas:

• Turn on some upbeat music and dance with your family. There are some fun Christmas tunes that will make you want to dance, or pick some old favorite tunes that make you want to move. Let it all go while you dance your socks off!
• Sit in front of the tree with your family and just stare at the lights. Talk about how pretty the tree is, how it reminds you of God’s beauty. Relive past Christmas stories and tell the kids about their first Christmases.
• Snuggle on the couch while listening to soft Christmas music. Drink hot cocoa, talk about the true meaning of Christmas. Remind your kids of the gift we received when Jesus was born.
• Read a good Christmas story with your children. There are many Christmas books for children that explain the meaning of Christmas. Or read straight out of the Bible from Luke 2. You can use a Children’s Bible if you have younger children.
• Light a candle and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Talk about how you can give the gift of yourself to Jesus this year.

Weekly Prayer

Holy and loving God, I give you thanks for the gift of Christmas. As I celebrate the coming of our newborn King, I pray that you would forgive me of my sin, bind up my wounds and cast out all my worries and fear. May the life I live this day and every day testify to my belief that Jesus has come to save my life and redeem the entire world. Amen.

12.10.11 GPS for Families

GPS for Families

This Christmas, focus on the gift of Jesus and how we can give gifts back to Him.
Ask: How do we know God loves us? How does God show us His love? Is it enough to say we love someone, or do we need to show it? How can we show love to our family and friends? How can we show love to strangers? Come up with ways to share God’s love with others. Remember, Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Start with these ideas:

• Secret Angel Helpers — Make an effort to spread love by practicing random acts of kindness. Secretly do nice things for others without expecting recognition.
• Christmas Lights — Invite a family or friend to drive around to look at Christmas lights. Talk about how Jesus is the light of the world. Share the joy of simple pleasures like family and friend time and beautiful lights.
• Prayer — Each day or week take the Christmas cards you receive and pray over each family. You might send them a quick note or email to let them know you’ve done so.
• Christmas All Year — Put holiday cards you receive in a basket. Make a commitment for the new year to weekly pull out one of the cards at random and do something nice for the sender: drop a note along with a child’s drawing, bake, send a flower, call, make a donation in their name. Keep the Christmas love alive!

Weekly Prayer

Holy and loving God, I give you thanks for the gift of Christmas. As I celebrate the coming of our newborn King, I pray that you would forgive me of my sin, bind up my wounds and cast out all my worries and fear. May the life I live this day and every day testify to my belief that Jesus has come to save my life and redeem the entire world. Amen.

11.26.11 GPS for Families

GPS for Families

This Thanksgiving, teach your family to be grateful every day, not just one day a year. Here’s why:

• Gratitude reminds kids that they did not get here on their own. This reminds them that we all need others, and it helps keep their egos in check.
• Gratitude helps kids learn to be content. When they are reminded that they do have things to be grateful for, they learn to want less and be content with what they have.
• Gratitude strengthens relationships. When someone searches and finds reasons to show gratitude for others, it connects them in new ways. And others like to be around people who appreciate them.
• Gratitude keeps us humble and able to submit to authority. Reminding kids what others have done for them, leads them to humility. When we have humble spirits, we can easily submit to God’s will for our lives.

The more we have, the more we take for granted. Scarcity leads to appreciation of the important things in our lives. Here’s how:

• Talk to your kids regularly about the things you are grateful for. Start a gratitude journal. Pick a pretty book or journal to leave out on the table, and let all family members draw or write what they are thankful for at any time. You can even let guests add to it as well.
• Remind your kids that everything comes from God. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the ability to work and play and live all comes from our creator. Not because we deserve them, but because He loves us so much.

Weekly Prayer

Lord, I celebrate your presence in my life and your grace at work in this world. Fill my heart with a sense of gratitude for the gifts you share with me each day. As I offer to you my thanks, enable me, Lord, to see myself as a living sacrifice, ready and willing to serve you and your kingdom in your world. As you have blessed me, Lord, help me this day and every day to be a blessing to others. AMEN.

11.12.11 GPS for Families

GPS for Families

We live in a world full of covetousness and immediate gratification. The craze for more money and more stuff surrounds us and consumes most families.

Teach your children contentment by being contented. If you feel like you could use a new home or a new car or a new job and find yourself always looking at homes, cars and jobs that others have, stop yourself each time and thank God for what you do have, even if it seems inadequate. Share your thankfulness out loud with your family. Share with them that you sometimes wish you had more, but you know God will provide all that we need when we need it.

If your children long for more, bigger, better stuff, explain the difference between needs and wants. Tell your children that we already have what we need even though we may want more. Explain that when we look at what others have and wish we had the same, that is called coveting. When we covet something, it can consume all our thoughts and keep us from focusing on our work, school, family, etc. Coveting more can even cause people to steal and commit other crimes to get what they want. To remind ourselves not to covet, we should daily thank God for what we have. We also should give to others (our church, a family in need, a good cause). Remind your children that everything we have comes from God, so when we give to Him, we are only returning what He let us have in the first place.

Weekly Prayer

Almighty God, we want to thank you for the many ways you are generous with us. You provide in great and faithful abundance. You forgive with amazing grace. You walk by our side in gentleness and power. You save us, help us, guide us and fill us with hope. We are grateful. May the spirit of generosity represented by your gift of Jesus Christ be reflected in us. All glory and honor is yours. Amen.

10.29.11 GPS for Families

GPS for Families

Parents should begin giving a small allowance to children at around age 4 or 5. They may not fully understand the concept of money yet, but it is a great age to instill habits as a way of life.

Give a predetermined amount each week or month and then help them sort it into three jars. I recommend clear jars because they can see the money accumulate. You can decorate the jars and label them “God,” “Save” and “Fun.” Or come up with your own creative names, or draw pictures of a church, a bank and a wallet.

Each time you give your child allowance, give it to them in small bills or change that they can easily break down into the three categories. Help them put 10% in the “God” jar, at least 20% in savings and the rest is for fun. They may not understand percentages, but they will understand that we always give to God first, and we always save for later.

As it adds up, take the “God” jar to church for their offering, and open a savings account with savings. You can expand on the learning by monitoring the monthly statements and later a checking account. Let them choose how to spend fun money, even if you think it is not a good idea. Of course, you are still the parent and have final authority, but let them deal with the consequences of poor choices. Learning lessons about wasteful spending at a young age is better than as an adult!

Weekly Prayer

Almighty God, we want to thank you for the many ways you are generous with us. You provide in great and faithful abundance. You forgive with amazing grace. You walk by our side in gentleness and power. You save us, help us, guide us and fill us with hope. We are grateful. May the spirit of generosity represented by your gift of Jesus Christ be reflected in us. All glory and honor is yours. Amen.