I loved The Ragamuffin Gospel by Manning so I am very excited about this book. Manning works to reveal the love of God and does so beautifully. Be looking for the review of this later.
Be Looking for My Article
I'm slated to be in the March/April issue of Kaio magazine. My topic is "the motivations behind self-mutilation." If you've not checked Kaio out, do so now. It is a magazine for Christian teens and it does more than talk about whether or not you should wear shorts to worship. It handles tough topics such as dating, creation vs evolution, and teen subcultures such as gothics. If you have a Christian teen, subscribe to this magazine. Seventeen magazine and others like it WILL NOT help them grow closer to Christ.
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RANT: I'm GLAD They Finally Figured It Out, Marriage & Trash Bags
My new favorite commercial is the one with the little boys acting like they're on a TV show. They're discussing the new Glad trash bags with the stretchable drawstrings. These new drawstrings are designed to fit 13 gallon trash cans and keep the 13 gallon bag from falling into the can when you throw something in it.
You've got to be kidding me. They're just now figuring this out? For the last ten years I have been buying thirty gallon trash bags because the 13 gallon bags fell into the can, constantly. When I lived at home, growing up, taking out the trash, I had to use these bags that were way too big for the can. What an amazing design flaw! My dad had to do this and I'm sure his dad before him had to do this. Somebody owes us some money. What took so long? Oh, WHATEVER!
If things are going wrong in your family, don't wait too long to get them straightened out. Fix the problem now. Talk to a minister, a counselor, or at least to each other.
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Having A Baby Is Tough
With my boy almost five now, I have forgotten how difficult a baby can be. Campbell is two months old and she is a hand full. This is one of the reasons I've not been writing as much lately. My energy is spent on the typical stuff but sleep is a major goal these days which is what prompted this post.
She doesn't have colic (yet) but she does get fussy and she does like to be held. The second one I love, but Malita and I do have to go to bed sometime. Mason has to sleep too which leaves Reuben (our faithful dachshund), but he won't do it. So, this leaves the parents. It's hard to know what to do at 2:30am and this is when everything that I've written about being mentally tough in the wilderness plays in at home, but wow, I'd rather be staring down a grizzly than holding a screaming baby-girl sometimes. Imagine holding a bull horn that you can't turn off and that you don't know how to turn off. Eventually the batteries will run out but who knows when that will be. "The noise, noise, noise, noise." -Grinch. My son is easy. He either needs food or a spanking. I can handle that.
The vital point that must be realized with a crying infant is that she is only doing what she does and I must do what I can. Worrying about the dishes and anything else will only make things worse, and as Jon Bon Jovi said, "I'll sleep when I'm dead." Rock On!!
We Spank Because We Love
Something that children rarely understand but that they need to hear is that we parents discipline them because we love them. My four year old sounded surprised when we told him this, but it is of course true. You correct your child because you want him to be safe, you do it because you want him to be successful, and you do it because you don't want him acting like, "that kid." So, after the message of time out, spanking, or grounding is done, don't forget the hug when you believe it's appropriate.
Although, some parents who love their kids don't correct them like they should and they will admit this. I believe this is because it takes courage to direct your child. Parents, afraid of being like their own parents, stay away from punishments that could be labeled, "harsh." I understand the apprehension here. Parents must mold their children without breaking their spirit. This is very important to remember, but at the end of the day, a consequence must be effective or parents aren't doing their job.
Correct your child with personal discipline and intention on your part or "that kid" might end up being "your kid."
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2010 Tennessee School Counselors & Administrators Institute, Murfreesboro, TN
It's not official yet but I have received word from a trustworthy source that I will be speaking at the Tennessee School Counselors & Administrators Institute. My topic is referenced below. I am very excited as this will be my third year to speak. The School Counselor/Administrator Leadership Institute is being held at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Murfreesboro, TN. The dates are be Feb. 7-9 with an additional day on Feb 10 for those of you interested in Service Learning. Registration is going to be $100 per person. Visit the National Center for Youth Issues website to register.
Register soon. Space is filling up fast. "The One-Eyed Monster Can Be Our Ally"
Most guidance videos are expensive and require a lot of classroom time. Don’t you wish you could show simple videos to illustrate a point? I wanted this but couldn’t find them so I developed my own. During this session, I will take you through some important topics like bullying & huffing, all with the help of cartoons I have produced. There’s even one on standardized testing.
These cartoons can liven up a lesson, slowly infect your students with positive messages, or they can be used as public service announcements on your local cable channel.
See my table in the retail area and participate in this session to learn the influence that is possible with these animated shorts. Visit my YouTube channel to see a rough cut of one of the cartoons. You'll see the final version at the conference.
Why Does My Child Act This Way?
We have CARE teams at my school. Basically, groups of committed teachers work to help kids make better decisions through small group activities. We play games and have discussions and it's interesting how much they know despite their outward behavior. The child can't stay out of "in school suspension" but she knows every answer to the "Resolving Conflicts with Friends" activity.
Kids need more than knowledge and answers so what is missing? They need motivation to do the right thing, but where does it come from? What I believe is missing in our children and teens is the same thing that is missing in our homes; God. If there is no greater good that you serve. If there is no one telling you that you should express good will toward men and for what purpose then why should you do anything that isn't selfish, based on pure emotion, and a desire to satisfy your own fleshly will?
If you're having trouble with your kids, a good place to start might be your local congregation. If they've got it together, they'll be able to help.
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A Simple Way to Save Your Marriage
Here’s what I know. Men want to be happy. Women want to be happy. Men sometimes want too many women to be happy with. Women sometimes want the wrong guys to make them happy. If men and women will concentrate on each other’s needs more than their own, they’ll both be real happy for a very long time.
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Published on Fathers.com
My article, "Scrooge On Marriage" has been published on Fathers.com. If you're serious about being a dad, this is a great place to visit.
It's Simple Really
One of my fondest memories was when, in the summer of 2005, I participated in the stage edition of Fear Factor at Universal Studios Florida. Myself and five other men were chosen from a large group of hopeful contestants to participate in this forty-five minute show. With safety harnesses in tow we went to the top of a three story set. The first elimination round was simple. Hang on to an inverted V-shaped bar for the longest amount of time. The first two to drop where out and the last one left hanging could pick his partner for the second round. To my advantage I was the youngest, but to my disadvantage, I was the heaviest. Also, I have a desk job and I was going up against a cop and a former FBI agent. They have to be in shape for what they do. I just have to sit and listen to people; a job that is not very conducive to upper body strength. Those facts aside, the task was simple. So I made sure I treated it that way. When the platform dropped out from underneath me, I held on. That’s what I was told to do. I didn’t think about the 1000+ people below. I didn’t think about who had/hadn’t dropped. I didn’t listen to the obnoxious announcer. All I had to do and think about was, “Hang on.” Then, when gravity did what she does, my hands slipped off. I was the last man hanging and I got to choose my partner. Unfortunately, throwing and catching dead octopus carcasses while you’re swinging from a rope isn’t as easy. Oh well.
We often make things too hard. We often let the noise of our lives interrupt what we’re supposed to be doing. We think too hard, do too much, and neglect what really matters. The Bible tells men to love their wives (Colossians 3:19), it tells women to love their husbands (Titus 2:4), and it tells children to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1). This stuff isn’t hard, but the ingredient that is often missing is a relationship with our Savior. Session after session with adults and children I see how much Christ could change them. I know how much He affects my life every day. If you’re struggling, some time spent in prayer and deep soul searching can do wonders.
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