What Strong Families Have in Common Part 5
Strong Families Have a Strong Sense of Our Lord
There’s no way to have a truly successful family w/out giving God first place. And we have to convey it to our children. Kids watch carefully…what we’re like at church, and at home.
A study once disclosed that if both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful. If only Dad, 55% remain faithful. If only Mom, 15%. If neither attended regularly, only 6% remain faithful. The statistics speak for themselves--the example of parents and adults is more important than all the efforts of the church and Sunday school.
A little boy was staying overnight in backyard in a tent. His his day had listened to them talk… “My daddy knows the mayor!”/ “governor!”/ the first boy said, then he heard the voice of his own little boy say,
“that’s nothing’, my daddy knows God!” (Top that!) The other boys said, he does not! “Does too!”
How do you know? “I heard him talking’ to him just this morning!
There’s nothing greater our children can think of then that we know God.
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
Happy Thanksgiving 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
What Strong Families Have in Common 4
Strong Families Have Good Coping Skills.
They have the rare ability to solve problems together, and always see the big picture. Don’t ever think that families that break up had problems, and that families who stay together don’t. Divorces and dysfunctional families have very little to do with problems. All families have problems.
Break-ups have to do with coping skills.
I bet there are people who’ve been married 30 years or more, and they’ve had problems far worse than a lot of people who’ve divorced. The difference is in coping skills…working thru the problems.
Every family has problems. If divorces were caused by problems, we’d all be divorced. My family has problems, your family has them. Christian families have them, Even Adam and Eve had problems…
--Adam would come home from work, and she would start counting his ribs…just checking! (haha)
They had their problems together, and even suffered the consequences together (driven out of the garden)
Adam and the kids would walk by the garden…and the kids would say, what’s that, dad? “That’s where your mother ate us out of house and home!" (haha)
Not all families respond to problems in the same way. The Chinese language does not have letters, it has symbols. And the same symbol which means crisis, can also mean opportunity, depending upon the context.
And you know, one family can have a problem and see it as a crisis, and another family have exactly the same problem, and see it as an opportunity.
Someone said, God’s best presents He gives to His children are wrapped in problems. The bigger the problem, the bigger the present…if you’re willing to unwrap it!
How we respond to our problems will make or break us! We’ve got to learn to attack our problems together, instead of attacking each other.
So far we seen that strong families have commitment, communion, communication, coping skills, and…
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
They have the rare ability to solve problems together, and always see the big picture. Don’t ever think that families that break up had problems, and that families who stay together don’t. Divorces and dysfunctional families have very little to do with problems. All families have problems.
Break-ups have to do with coping skills.
I bet there are people who’ve been married 30 years or more, and they’ve had problems far worse than a lot of people who’ve divorced. The difference is in coping skills…working thru the problems.
Every family has problems. If divorces were caused by problems, we’d all be divorced. My family has problems, your family has them. Christian families have them, Even Adam and Eve had problems…
--Adam would come home from work, and she would start counting his ribs…just checking! (haha)
They had their problems together, and even suffered the consequences together (driven out of the garden)
Adam and the kids would walk by the garden…and the kids would say, what’s that, dad? “That’s where your mother ate us out of house and home!" (haha)
Not all families respond to problems in the same way. The Chinese language does not have letters, it has symbols. And the same symbol which means crisis, can also mean opportunity, depending upon the context.
And you know, one family can have a problem and see it as a crisis, and another family have exactly the same problem, and see it as an opportunity.
Someone said, God’s best presents He gives to His children are wrapped in problems. The bigger the problem, the bigger the present…if you’re willing to unwrap it!
How we respond to our problems will make or break us! We’ve got to learn to attack our problems together, instead of attacking each other.
So far we seen that strong families have commitment, communion, communication, coping skills, and…
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
What Strong Families Have in Common Part 3
Strong Families Have Good Communication
This applies to the marriage relationship as well as parent/child relationship.
Sort of like this…A child comes home from college, the dad says, how’s college? “Good”, How are your grades? “Good” How’s your friends? /food? /dorm life?
By the way, what are you majoring in? “Communications”
Unfortunately, he learned his communication skills at home, where his mom asked his dad lots of questions like that, but she received them, with the same kind of monotone, one-word replies.
Strong families are held together by good communication. Communication is discussing the burdens of your heart…opening the windows of your soul at times, sharing your feelings. Not disrespecting or being overbearing in the conversation.
Ephesians 4:29 says:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Zig Ziglar tells the story of a lady who went to her Minister, because she wanted a divorce from her husband.
“Do you have any grounds?” The Minister asked…3 acres outside of town, you’ve been there!
“No, I mean, do you have a grudge?”…no, a carport
“No, like, does your husband beat you up?”…no, I’m up at 6, an hour before him!
“Oh my, I’m saying, do you have a case?”…no, we’ve got a John Deere!
“Ma’am, I’m trying to ask, are you and your husband having a troubles?”…oh yes, lots of troubles… “Like what?”…He just can’t communicate!
Marriage counselors say over half of all divorces are the result of poor communication, and that if they could have just learned to talk, they could have saved their marriage.
Here are the 7 “B’s” of good listening:
1.Be Observant.
You listen with your eyes as much as your ears…look at them, show them you’re listening.
Albert Moravian of UCLA is a noted researcher in communication. He said that only 7% of our true feelings are conveyed by the actual words we speak. 38% by the way we say those words. And a whopping 55% is conveyed thru body language…non-verbal communication:
Facial expression, eye contact, posture, and tone of voice.
2. Be Available.
Communication is like fishing…it doesn’t do much good to go when it’s convenient, to catch fish, you have to go when they’re biting.
This is especially true with teens, I’m told (and have experience)…when teens really want to talk, which I’m told and again, (have experienced) is quite rare, you’d better be available. It might be at midnight when they get in from that youth activity, but you’d better do it then…they won’t resemble the same person in the morning!
It might be during your favorite TV program…better turn it off and listen. Some of Brady’s and mine best conversations are on our way home from Wednesday night Bible study, or at Gold Star Chili.
3. Be Considerate.
It’s amazing how considerate we are to others out in public, but how rude we can be to our own family members. If we interrupted at work like we do at home, we’d be sent home permanently! Or walk away from them while talking, or ignore. We can’t take each other for granted.
4. Be Demonstrative.
We’re talking physical…hugs, kisses, pats, massages, etc. Use them often. Gary Smalley says women need non-sexual touch…little things, not groping like a piece of meat. He says women need 8 of these touches per day. (Some of you guys will wake up tomorrow and go 12345678…) It doesn’t work that way.
5. Be Wise.
Learn to attack the problem, not the person. Ladies: nagging is not communicating! (Not one man said Amen, bunch of cowards! Don’t leave me hanging’ here!) Bringing up past offenses is not wise! (Joke—guy says, every time my wife and I fight she gets historical. “You mean hysterical?” No, historical…she brings back everything I’ve ever done since we got married.) And before I get into too much trouble…Men, sarcasm will get you nowhere! (And my wife says, Amen!)
6. Be An Example.
Parents, it’s a cold hard fact…I hope you’re not 90 before you realize that we don’t get what we want, we get what we ARE!
Percentage of American teens who say they want to be like their parents: 39%.
Children who see physical violence between their parents are six times more likely to abuse their own spouses after they marry. If those children were also hit by their parents as teenagers, they are 12 times more likely to abuse their spouses.
7. Be Courageous.
The main reason we don’t communicate is fear…we’re simply afraid of what we might hear! We’re afraid to make ourselves vulnerable, so instead, just blurt out how it’s going to be, like it or lump it!
So, strong families have a strong sense of commitment. They have communion…spending time together. They have good communication, and express themselves well.
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
This applies to the marriage relationship as well as parent/child relationship.
Sort of like this…A child comes home from college, the dad says, how’s college? “Good”, How are your grades? “Good” How’s your friends? /food? /dorm life?
By the way, what are you majoring in? “Communications”
Unfortunately, he learned his communication skills at home, where his mom asked his dad lots of questions like that, but she received them, with the same kind of monotone, one-word replies.
Strong families are held together by good communication. Communication is discussing the burdens of your heart…opening the windows of your soul at times, sharing your feelings. Not disrespecting or being overbearing in the conversation.
Ephesians 4:29 says:
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Zig Ziglar tells the story of a lady who went to her Minister, because she wanted a divorce from her husband.
“Do you have any grounds?” The Minister asked…3 acres outside of town, you’ve been there!
“No, I mean, do you have a grudge?”…no, a carport
“No, like, does your husband beat you up?”…no, I’m up at 6, an hour before him!
“Oh my, I’m saying, do you have a case?”…no, we’ve got a John Deere!
“Ma’am, I’m trying to ask, are you and your husband having a troubles?”…oh yes, lots of troubles… “Like what?”…He just can’t communicate!
Marriage counselors say over half of all divorces are the result of poor communication, and that if they could have just learned to talk, they could have saved their marriage.
Here are the 7 “B’s” of good listening:
1.Be Observant.
You listen with your eyes as much as your ears…look at them, show them you’re listening.
Albert Moravian of UCLA is a noted researcher in communication. He said that only 7% of our true feelings are conveyed by the actual words we speak. 38% by the way we say those words. And a whopping 55% is conveyed thru body language…non-verbal communication:
Facial expression, eye contact, posture, and tone of voice.
2. Be Available.
Communication is like fishing…it doesn’t do much good to go when it’s convenient, to catch fish, you have to go when they’re biting.
This is especially true with teens, I’m told (and have experience)…when teens really want to talk, which I’m told and again, (have experienced) is quite rare, you’d better be available. It might be at midnight when they get in from that youth activity, but you’d better do it then…they won’t resemble the same person in the morning!
It might be during your favorite TV program…better turn it off and listen. Some of Brady’s and mine best conversations are on our way home from Wednesday night Bible study, or at Gold Star Chili.
3. Be Considerate.
It’s amazing how considerate we are to others out in public, but how rude we can be to our own family members. If we interrupted at work like we do at home, we’d be sent home permanently! Or walk away from them while talking, or ignore. We can’t take each other for granted.
4. Be Demonstrative.
We’re talking physical…hugs, kisses, pats, massages, etc. Use them often. Gary Smalley says women need non-sexual touch…little things, not groping like a piece of meat. He says women need 8 of these touches per day. (Some of you guys will wake up tomorrow and go 12345678…) It doesn’t work that way.
5. Be Wise.
Learn to attack the problem, not the person. Ladies: nagging is not communicating! (Not one man said Amen, bunch of cowards! Don’t leave me hanging’ here!) Bringing up past offenses is not wise! (Joke—guy says, every time my wife and I fight she gets historical. “You mean hysterical?” No, historical…she brings back everything I’ve ever done since we got married.) And before I get into too much trouble…Men, sarcasm will get you nowhere! (And my wife says, Amen!)
6. Be An Example.
Parents, it’s a cold hard fact…I hope you’re not 90 before you realize that we don’t get what we want, we get what we ARE!
Percentage of American teens who say they want to be like their parents: 39%.
Children who see physical violence between their parents are six times more likely to abuse their own spouses after they marry. If those children were also hit by their parents as teenagers, they are 12 times more likely to abuse their spouses.
7. Be Courageous.
The main reason we don’t communicate is fear…we’re simply afraid of what we might hear! We’re afraid to make ourselves vulnerable, so instead, just blurt out how it’s going to be, like it or lump it!
So, strong families have a strong sense of commitment. They have communion…spending time together. They have good communication, and express themselves well.
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
Monday, November 21, 2011
What Strong Families Have in Common Part 2
Strong Families Have Communion
In a survey, 1,500 children were asked, what makes families happy?
Over 90% gave the same answer. It wasn’t a big house or lots of money…it was “doing things together”.
Are we talking quality time or quantity time? Both!
One of the biggest false bills of goods we’re being sold these days is that it doesn’t matter how much time you spend, just make it quality time! Yes, it does matter.
Time together is how you get to know each other, really know each other in a deep way, where you can eventually see right into their heart just by looking into their eyes, and where you can tell when they’re lying right away!
Is your child shy or confident? Are they a leader or follower? What are their interests? What do they want to be someday? Who is their best friend, and why are they their best friend?
Some of you draw a blank at some of those questions, and the reason is how busy we are these days…we’re not spending enough time together.
Children spell love TIME / Men, you can say “love”, or you can demonstrate love by spending time w/ your wife.
Time with family says to them, you are a priority, I love you!
There’s no substitute for time spent together. You can’t neglect them for months and then make up for it by taking them to Disneyworld, or buying them something they really want.
Take time to do the simple but meaningful things together:
Shoot baskets, or rake leaves. You can read a book, or take them along on that errand to Wal-Mart!
But I know what you are thinking or maybe saying, They’ll just slow me down. Yes! And that’s what we need, to slow down, and experience life together!
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 says - Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
In a survey, 1,500 children were asked, what makes families happy?
Over 90% gave the same answer. It wasn’t a big house or lots of money…it was “doing things together”.
Are we talking quality time or quantity time? Both!
One of the biggest false bills of goods we’re being sold these days is that it doesn’t matter how much time you spend, just make it quality time! Yes, it does matter.
Time together is how you get to know each other, really know each other in a deep way, where you can eventually see right into their heart just by looking into their eyes, and where you can tell when they’re lying right away!
Is your child shy or confident? Are they a leader or follower? What are their interests? What do they want to be someday? Who is their best friend, and why are they their best friend?
Some of you draw a blank at some of those questions, and the reason is how busy we are these days…we’re not spending enough time together.
Children spell love TIME / Men, you can say “love”, or you can demonstrate love by spending time w/ your wife.
Time with family says to them, you are a priority, I love you!
There’s no substitute for time spent together. You can’t neglect them for months and then make up for it by taking them to Disneyworld, or buying them something they really want.
Take time to do the simple but meaningful things together:
Shoot baskets, or rake leaves. You can read a book, or take them along on that errand to Wal-Mart!
But I know what you are thinking or maybe saying, They’ll just slow me down. Yes! And that’s what we need, to slow down, and experience life together!
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 says - Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
What Strong Families Have in Common Part 1
1. Strong Sense Of Commitment
Seems obvious, right? But over the last decade, I’ve counseled w/ dozens of couples…pre-marital and post-marital counseling, and it’s proven to me that people today don’t understand commitment. What a relaxed attitude people have as they enter into the holiest of unions these days of the disposable marriage. “If it works, fine, if it doesn’t, fine.”
Commitment is the assurance that this family will stay together, value each other, for a lifetime, no matter what. Whatever problems we face, we face them together. Strong marriages take the following words, and carve them in granite: I’m committed to you, no matter what. And they take the word divorce out of their vocabulary.
Parents, there’s 2 ways you can convey the sense of commitment to a child: [Of course, when we learn it!]
1. By conveying to them that they are a blessing, not a burden. This generation of children has been labeled, the unwanted generation. TV today sends the message that children are an unwanted expense, and interference in careers, or an untimely accident. There are no mistakes, accidents, or surprises with God. The abortionist claims there’s a clear difference between an unborn child, and one that’s been born…try explaining that to a child that is looking for relevance!
A good illustration of this would be the child that is the last one picked for a ball team…who has to take him? I had him last time! Can you just see that child standing there in right field thinking, I’m here because they’re stuck with me.
This suicide note from a young girl named Jennifer age 15; from West Virginia was found just 3 days ago
Dear mom, I’m sorry I was ever born. It seems to me that I’ve ruined your happiness. I’ve chosen this way out so that you can be happy again.
(chances are, this girl was genuinely loved and wanted, but somehow they failed to communicate it to her!)
2. By letting them know they are loved unconditionally. We live in an achievement oriented society. Where significance equals performance and importance equals ability, and where self-worth equals achievement. I am sorry to say, this mindset has crept into many homes.
Parents, do your kids know that there’s nothing they can do to be more loved, because they’re already loved with a measureless love? Nothing they can do to be more accepted, because they’re already totally accepted? Nothing they can do to be more valued, because they’re already infinitely valued?
Nothing will alienate a child more than making them work for something that should be given freely…love, acceptance, and self-worth.
If you raise a child on conditional love, to some degree, always feeling like they have to do something to make you proud of them, you will almost always wind up with 1 of 2 results when they’re grown:
1. Workaholic who never feels adequate, but quite self-conscious.
2. A quitter, who just gives up all-together. “I can’t please dad or mom, so I’ve decided not to even try.”
But you may ask, Lonnie:
“Aren’t I supposed to motivate my child?” Yes you are.
“Aren’t I supposed to encourage them on to excellence?” Yes are.
“Don’t I want them to reach their full potential?” Yes you do.
The key is: What are you using to motivate them?
Never motivate on the basis of love and acceptance. This, they must be given freely.
Never motivate on how they compare to others… “Johnny can do it, why can’t you…try harder!”
Motivate on the basis of what THEIR best is.
Did you know you can be proud of your child, even if you’re displeased with them? You can show them love and acceptance, even when you’re disgusted with their attitude…even if they embarrass you out in public!
I’m convinced that some people who claim to be motivating their child for the child’s sake are actually doing it for their own sake… “So I’m not embarrassed, so I can be proud of you, so no one thinks less of you because they would then think less of me!” A parent like that was no doubt raised that way themselves.
Hey, it’s time to break the cycle!
Ask yourself now: Do my children know they are a blessing, not a burden?
Do they know they’re loved unconditionally, and there’s nothing they can do to make me love them more?
That’s commitment. It’s the first thing strong families have in common. Couples: commitment to each other is just the same!
*But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.*
Seems obvious, right? But over the last decade, I’ve counseled w/ dozens of couples…pre-marital and post-marital counseling, and it’s proven to me that people today don’t understand commitment. What a relaxed attitude people have as they enter into the holiest of unions these days of the disposable marriage. “If it works, fine, if it doesn’t, fine.”
Commitment is the assurance that this family will stay together, value each other, for a lifetime, no matter what. Whatever problems we face, we face them together. Strong marriages take the following words, and carve them in granite: I’m committed to you, no matter what. And they take the word divorce out of their vocabulary.
Parents, there’s 2 ways you can convey the sense of commitment to a child: [Of course, when we learn it!]
1. By conveying to them that they are a blessing, not a burden. This generation of children has been labeled, the unwanted generation. TV today sends the message that children are an unwanted expense, and interference in careers, or an untimely accident. There are no mistakes, accidents, or surprises with God. The abortionist claims there’s a clear difference between an unborn child, and one that’s been born…try explaining that to a child that is looking for relevance!
A good illustration of this would be the child that is the last one picked for a ball team…who has to take him? I had him last time! Can you just see that child standing there in right field thinking, I’m here because they’re stuck with me.
This suicide note from a young girl named Jennifer age 15; from West Virginia was found just 3 days ago
Dear mom, I’m sorry I was ever born. It seems to me that I’ve ruined your happiness. I’ve chosen this way out so that you can be happy again.
(chances are, this girl was genuinely loved and wanted, but somehow they failed to communicate it to her!)
2. By letting them know they are loved unconditionally. We live in an achievement oriented society. Where significance equals performance and importance equals ability, and where self-worth equals achievement. I am sorry to say, this mindset has crept into many homes.
Parents, do your kids know that there’s nothing they can do to be more loved, because they’re already loved with a measureless love? Nothing they can do to be more accepted, because they’re already totally accepted? Nothing they can do to be more valued, because they’re already infinitely valued?
Nothing will alienate a child more than making them work for something that should be given freely…love, acceptance, and self-worth.
If you raise a child on conditional love, to some degree, always feeling like they have to do something to make you proud of them, you will almost always wind up with 1 of 2 results when they’re grown:
1. Workaholic who never feels adequate, but quite self-conscious.
2. A quitter, who just gives up all-together. “I can’t please dad or mom, so I’ve decided not to even try.”
But you may ask, Lonnie:
“Aren’t I supposed to motivate my child?” Yes you are.
“Aren’t I supposed to encourage them on to excellence?” Yes are.
“Don’t I want them to reach their full potential?” Yes you do.
The key is: What are you using to motivate them?
Never motivate on the basis of love and acceptance. This, they must be given freely.
Never motivate on how they compare to others… “Johnny can do it, why can’t you…try harder!”
Motivate on the basis of what THEIR best is.
Did you know you can be proud of your child, even if you’re displeased with them? You can show them love and acceptance, even when you’re disgusted with their attitude…even if they embarrass you out in public!
I’m convinced that some people who claim to be motivating their child for the child’s sake are actually doing it for their own sake… “So I’m not embarrassed, so I can be proud of you, so no one thinks less of you because they would then think less of me!” A parent like that was no doubt raised that way themselves.
Hey, it’s time to break the cycle!
Ask yourself now: Do my children know they are a blessing, not a burden?
Do they know they’re loved unconditionally, and there’s nothing they can do to make me love them more?
That’s commitment. It’s the first thing strong families have in common. Couples: commitment to each other is just the same!
*But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.*
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Sound Of Rain
Well, it is Wednesday the 16th of November.
I am sitting in my office working on some Upward items, along with tonight's toddler, k-5th and jr/sr high ministry Bible study lessons.
I took a 48 hour break from work and church this week. Well actually I was sick on Tuesday and Monday is my typical day off.
I know I have a busy week ahead of me. I am in the office today from 12pm-9pm then all day Thursday and 12 hours Friday and Saturday.
I been invited to preach for Westside Church of Christ in Ohio this Sunday.
I am looking forward to going back to Cathy and my first church as a "married" couple.
Hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I am excited about it this year as I am every year. I will post more next time on why I am more excited this year.
Until next time.
I am sitting in my office working on some Upward items, along with tonight's toddler, k-5th and jr/sr high ministry Bible study lessons.
I took a 48 hour break from work and church this week. Well actually I was sick on Tuesday and Monday is my typical day off.
I know I have a busy week ahead of me. I am in the office today from 12pm-9pm then all day Thursday and 12 hours Friday and Saturday.
I been invited to preach for Westside Church of Christ in Ohio this Sunday.
I am looking forward to going back to Cathy and my first church as a "married" couple.
Hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I am excited about it this year as I am every year. I will post more next time on why I am more excited this year.
Until next time.
Monday, November 14, 2011
A New Beginning
November 14 2011
Today I made an app for the Android Market, I hope to get these "Love" letters back in circulation.
Lord willing, I will post a new "Love" letter everyday.
To be continued --------
Today I made an app for the Android Market, I hope to get these "Love" letters back in circulation.
Lord willing, I will post a new "Love" letter everyday.
To be continued --------
Friday, February 18, 2011
So That's Why
I am getting excited about a new Bible lesson we are going to start in Jr. Church.
Called...
"Mysteries of the Bible"
Should be an awesome time!!
Laters
Lonnie
Called...
"Mysteries of the Bible"
Should be an awesome time!!
Laters
Lonnie
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
I Loveeeeeeee To Eat
The other day, Alex and I were talking about Upward Baseketball and I asked him what he liked best about it?
His reply was..."I love the snack time"
Then just last night I heard him tell his mom.. "I loveeeee to eat"
(to be continued)
One Day @ A Time
Hello-
Well I been away for a while, but I am happy to report that I am returnning to blog and tell more stories of laughter and tears.
I been away for a while taking some on-line classes finishing my degree in Psychology.
I hope I can still enterain, encouage and motivate the blogging community.
Look for some stories very soon
Lonnie
Well I been away for a while, but I am happy to report that I am returnning to blog and tell more stories of laughter and tears.
I been away for a while taking some on-line classes finishing my degree in Psychology.
I hope I can still enterain, encouage and motivate the blogging community.
Look for some stories very soon
Lonnie
Monday, November 22, 2010
Back
Well it has been an exciting year..
I am back and able to find some time to blogg again.
Stay tuned for some fun and exciting information
Lonnie
I am back and able to find some time to blogg again.
Stay tuned for some fun and exciting information
Lonnie
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Look Up In The Sky
Well, I haven't blogged in while.. the truth is been kind of busy.. but I had to post this picture of Alexander he had dress up day and wanted to be "daddy" I mean Superman..
Can't believe how big all the boys are getting...
Till next time..
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Growing Up
Today I am having a meeting with Landon's pre-school teachers.. I can't believe it..where has the time gone.. It just seems like yesterday I was bringing him for the first time to meet his big brother and then a couple of years later he was a big brother.. I can't help but think of the post I wrote about Puff The Magic Dragon.. So will add the lyrics again..
Oh I know Landon will do just fine.. I just hope dad will too..
A dragon lives forever but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant rings make way for other toys.
One grey night it happened, Jackie paper came no more
And puff that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar.
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain,
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane.
Without his life-long friend, puff could not be brave,
So puff that mighty dragon sadly slipped into his cave. oh!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Summer 2009
Wow,
it has been a while since my last post.. I been really busy with Summer 2009! let met give you a quick run down..
VBS.. was awesome!! averaged 80 kids night!
Wednesday night Bible Study.. going great my team and I are feeding stomach and minds!!
1st Junior Camp.. was incredible.. we had a Baptism!!! (Go Dylan)
But with all the God centered things going on this summer .. it still has been a climb at times.. which leads me to leave you these lyrics..
God Bless
I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa
Friday, April 24, 2009
Good Idea
Here's a good thing to do if you go to a party and you don't know anybody: First, take out the garbage. Then go around and collect any extra garbage that people might have, like a crumpled-up napkin, and take that out too. Pretty soon people will want to meet the busy garbage guy.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Cowboy Up
If I lived back in the wild west days, instead of carrying a six-gun in my
holster, I'd carry a soldering iron. That way, if some smart-aleck cowboy said
something like "Hey, look. He's carrying a soldering iron!" and started
laughing, and everybody else started laughing, I could just say, "That's
right, it's a soldering iron. The soldering iron of justice." Then
everybody would get real quiet and ashamed, because they had made fun of the
soldering iron of justice, and I could probably hit them up for a free drink.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy Earth Day
Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Sands Of Time
Hard to believe that we will be celebrating a couple of birthdays this weekend..
Alexander turned two on April 8th and Landon will be four on Saturday..and to top all that ..Brady is now 14 and heading to Sr. High Ministry this summer...(but more or Brady in a sec.)
Update:
Alexander and Landon will be having their birthday party this Saturday.. and I am still in awe of where the time has gone... What makes it even harder is that we took Landon to the eye doctor and dentist this week to get his check up for (brace yourself)...Pre-School!!! I don't know who is going to miss Landon more.. Alexander or me..
I keep asking Landon "Are you ready to go to school"? He likes to say no, but then he ask questions and loves to watch the school bus go down the road!!..
Update:
Brady again is doing an excellent job in school... brought home straight A's again this nine weeks (I am his father so YES I can brag).. He is also playing the drums in pep band this year for the high school.. which is pretty cool.. I guess we have to buy some drums this summer and send him to his (grandma's and grandpa's)!! and also is teaching his youth group this Wed. night..
Over all I think I have been blessed with these three young fellows...I am excited to see where God leads them..
But yet it is still bitter-sweet to seem them grow up so fast...
Friday, March 27, 2009
Rhythm
This is an amzing video.. His name is Rob Bell and the video is part of a collection called Nooma.. (I have them in my office)..
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Good Night
Well It has been a while since my last blog..
I have been pretty busy with Upward, but now that the closing program is this Saturday, and marks the end of a successful season, I can get my schedule back in order.
Again, we had another great season of lives being changed.. and as always.. We want to give God the glory..
I am reminded of what Abraham Lincoln once said.
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power"
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