Managing Your Emotions

How we deal with emotions is an everyday part of life.  Dealing with emotions within family relationships is vital to successful parenting.  How are you at controlling your emotions?

Click HERE for some tips on managing your emotions.

The Gospel of Peace

Peace and war are polar opposites.  But the two come together in a unique way when we consider the good news of Jesus Christ.  God's "warriors" are to prepare for battle by putting on the shoes of the "gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15)

This sounds strange.  Then again, much of what God does and says sounds strange from my human vantage point.  But the closer we look at the life of Jesus the more this makes sense.  Jesus made friends with the rejects of society in his time: people like tax collectors and prostitutes.  Why?

Jesus gives us the answer in Mark 2:17:  "It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. I did not come to invite good people but to invite sinners.”  The cast-offs where his targets. He treated them with love.  It worked.  They flocked to him.  They listened to his message and they believed.  So, why is it that so many people are repulsed at the notion of becoming a Christian?  Why is it that the prevailing perception of Christians is so negative?

Could it be that we drive our target audience away by the way we treat them?  Could it be that our judgmental way we treat unchurched people repels them?  God didn't call us to make war with unchurched people.  We are called to deliver the gospel of peace.

Carey Nieuwhof says, "Judgement is a terrible evangelism strategy.  People don't line up to be judged.  If you want to keep being ineffective at reaching unchurched people, keep judging them."  You can read Carey's entire blog post on this subject by clicking HERE.

Peace is our virtue this month in Kids Adventure.  Peace is messy.  Peace calls us to do things like:  stop judging people who don't believe like us, hang out with them, show them authentic love, pray for them.  It's time we change the perception the unchurched has of Christians.  It's time we start acting like the One who gave us our marching orders.  It's time we put feet to the Gospel of...peace!

What's More Important: Competency or Character?

Sounds like an easy question.  Most of us would probably answer "Character."  And you'd be right.  But is that how we really live?  So much of our time is spend developing our competency.  College, internships, conferences, self-help books, coaching, etc.  While competency is important, character is king when passing on a legacy.

Don't be fooled by the bright lights of success.  Most of them shine only on competency.  As yourself, "What am I doing to build my character?"  I'll bet Lance Armstrong wishes he had asked that of himself!

Check out Carey Nieuwhof's blog for more info.

Being vs. Doing

We live in a performance-based society.  Think about it.  Often times the majority of our conversations are about things we do or have done.  It's easy to base things on performance or achievement verses who we are.  

Here's an example...Inheritance.  Most parents want to be successful enough to leave their children a substantial inheritance.  There's nothing wrong with that.  In fact, it is wise to store up what we have for days when we need it most.  However, we can become so preoccupied with giving our children an inheritance that we forget the significance of leaving a legacy.  It's a good reminder that sometimes what I do for my children or give to them isn't nearly as important as what I leave in them.

So, how do you avoid the performance trap?  Here's four things that will shift your paradigm from "doing" to "being":

1.  God must have the highest priority in YOUR life.  Performance, in large part is selfishly motivated.  My accomplishments don't impress God.  God is pleased when I give Him first place.

2.  Imagining the end helps me point my children to God.  Far too often we ask ourselves, "What do I want my child to do?"  This is performance based thinking.  Change the question to, "Who do I want my child to become?"  This is values based.  It's "being", not "doing."

3.  Be your child's spiritual leader.  Spiritual leadership means parents assume the primary responsibility to help their kids take the next step in their pursuit of a relationship with God.

4.  Realize you have a capacity.  You weren't designed to parent all alone.  Your church should be a place that helps equip you with tools to take next steps with your child.  You should be able to find people in your faith community to network with: people who will help say things to your children that you are saying at home.

By the way, these four steps are taken from chapter four of Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof's book, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity."  Join me for a six week journey into this book at LSCC beginning February 20, from 6:30-7:45 p.m.  If you cannot come to our group then I highly recommend that you read book.

Now, go and BE!