My Social Network

I recently heard of something that happened on Facebook. A girl posted about New Years Day, saying“People always make New Year’s Resolutions, but let’s face it, none of us are going to keep ours.”

How would you respond to a statement like that?

Some people posted back in agreement, and the poster had a lot of likes. But one of the poster’s 375 “friends” had just made a New Year’s Resolution to go back to the gym. She really wanted to keep it, and was a kind of “up” and bubbly person, so that comment really got to her. This girl (we’ll call her Jane) simply posted back “Ew”.

In other words, Jane had read this negative comment, had felt it strike her wrongly, and she posted her feelings about it: “Ew.”

It turns out things had gotten a little tense between the girl and Jane lately. They were in the same math class … no words had been exchanged, just a few dirty looks that probably started with mutual jealousy. The first girl posted back to Jane, “I hear you’re switching high schools. Is it because you don’t have any friends at this school?”

What she didn't realise was Jane’s dad had serious surgery the year before, and they were moving so he could live in a house that didn’t have as many stairs. Switching schools was causing the whole family a tremendous stress.

The point is, this Facebook war mushroomed into something that involved three days of posts, over 160 people from 5 different communities and 3 different schools.

Some would argue it all started with just TWO LITTLE LETTERS: E-W. Ew.

With that story in mind, here's four principles to help us be godly Facebookers.

1. Your online behaviour reflects your offline attitudes

Philippians 4:8 says, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

You can’t say, and you can’t post, what you’re not thinking about.

So before your write something on Facebook, imagine how others might respond to what are you saying. How do think they will feel? Good? Or Bad? If you think there's a chance they will take it negatively, maybe you shouldn't post it.

Posting and texting is just like any other area of life. In Matthew 7:12 Jesus states clearly, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”This 'Golden Rule' sums up almost every other command in the Bible.

2. Avoid online negativity

This principle is like a subcategory of the first. If you say something negative about a person, it often gets back to the source. If you post something negative in public about another person, that’s worse. If you try to encrypt it so that only a few people know what you’re talking about, it will be sniffed out by the source — and probably 20 other people who are so deeply insecure that they think everyone is referring to them.

If you have something you need to say to someone, then go and talk to them face-to-face. And do it with grace and love.

3. Don't return evil for evil

What if someone says something negative about you? Not returning evil for evil is really hard, and yet it is where the rubber meets the road in relying on Christ. You’re going to need practice and patience.

Here are some examples I've seen of people responding to negative comments:

Negative person says: “Where’d you get those ugly jeans?”
Reply: (roll eyes) “I know they're not the best … but I really love all the stuff you wear.”

Negative person says: “I can’t stand so-and-so. He's really annoying.”
Reply: “Actually, he sits beside me in math. He’s really nice once you get to know him.”

Negative person says: “So and so wrote bad stuff about you on the bathroom wall.”
Reply: “You’re kidding! Wow. I always really liked her. I'll try and find a time to chat with her about it.”

It’s very hard to return a mean comment with a nice one because we feel like we are giving that mean person even more power. But the opposite is true.

4. Kill them with kindness

Psalm 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you."

“Heap burning coals” means that regardless of what people may show on the outside, you will make them burn with regret over what they just said. It’s such a well-known tactic that it has a name: It’s called “killing people with kindness”.

That doesn’t mean the guilt will show up in people right away. Generally, they will look confused or stunned.

But often they’ll go away and think about it. Conversely, if you say something mean back, you are throwing fire at fire. What happens to the fire when you add fire to it? It grows and grows. Will fire ever put out a fire?

In the end, as Christians, we want to follow the lead of Jesus, who said in Matthew 5:44, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Are you ready to do that on Facebook today

Lonnie

New Beginnings Make New Endings

New Beginnings Make New Endings

I recently saw this quote, "No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending" (Unknown). I really began to think about that statement. The conclusion was that we don't start over; but we begin again right where we are, making things better in our lives.

As a believer in Christ, it is not about saying I will do this and I won't do that and then dropping the idea or falling short. It is more about asking the Lord to help us each day, to fall deeper and deeper in love with Him. This way our focus will be set on the things of heaven and not on all this earthly stuff.

If I were to make a New Year resolution, it would be to have a deeper commitment, a deeper love, and a deeper worship for the Lord. In the beginning of this past year, He spoke to me in that still small voice in prayer and said, "I am more than enough. I am more than enough in every area of your life." He also said to tell others the same thing.

This year I am determined to make Him my all and all. He wants our undivided attention in spite of the distractions and temptations that lie waiting around the corner. He has to be our main focus.

How we will end this year will be determined by how we started it. Did we want to get more "INTIMATE" with the lover of our soul? I looked up the word intimacy and the meaning is to be close, familiar, very personal and private.

Do you want a new ending this year? How do you want the ending of your life? If you're not a Christian, please know that this could be the best New Year of your life. Your life can be filled with hope and peace. To know what the ending will be is an extra bonus. Why should every year be the same as the one before with nothing really changing? After all, the New Year resolutions may or may not get accomplished.

If you are a Christian and you feel stagnate in your relationship with the Lord, then now is the time to rekindle the love affair with Him. He calls us to Himself and says, "Come away my beloved." Can you hear Him? He is tugging at your heart. The real ending in our life will be when Jesus says well done my good and faithful servant. That statement will be for someone who took the time to get to know Him.

She Said Yes

Lordy lordy lordy....look who's 40....to say we have a perfect marriage is foolishness,  because we are not perfect people.

But to say we have love and forgiveness and a God centered marriage would be true. So with that being said....Happy birthday to my best friend.....and welcome to the history of Lonnie and Cathy (Winkle) Love

Boy meets girl. 
Girls says she is spoken for. 
Boy won’t give up. 
Girl gives in says yes to a date 
Girl leaves work, hits boy’s car 
Boy smiles, thinks to himself, going to be a good date 
Boy calls girl, her MOM answers... Don’t like boy’s name
Boy picks up girl. Sees her daddy, takes out all his ear rings 
Boy and girl have fun. 
Year later Boy and girl fall in love 
Girl invites boy to church 
Boy goes, girl prays for boy’s salvation 
Year later boy and girl get engaged 
Girl still prays for boy’s salvation 
3 months later God whispers to girl (I gots this) 
Boy gets baptized 
3 months later boy and girl say “I do” 
Couple moves to Ohio 
Couple love their first small very small apartment 
Boy works at 11 different jobs in 5 years 
Girl wants to move back to Kentucky to start a family 
Boy and Girl move back no home, no jobs, and no money 
Couple prays for a home, couple find a home 
God has plans for couple 
God wants boy to be a Youth Minister 
Couple prays for a family (God hears) 
Couple fall in love and adopted first son 
Couple has a second son 
Couple has a third son 
Boy sees a special doctor. 
Family according to God’s timing 

Do You Hear What I Hear

Can You Hear the Angels? 
Luke 2:8-14

When I read Luke's account of the Christmas story every year, a question lingers in my mind. I wonder, who heard the angels sing? 

This was arguably the greatest celebration in the history of the world, a choir, a presentation that would make the grandest human ceremony seem like a cheap stage production. 

There are several interesting things about the angelic celebration. First, this was one of only three such celebrations. First, the angels celebrated the Creation of the world. Job 38:7 tells us that while the Master Artist of Heaven painted, sculpted, and fashioned this world, "the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy."  I suspect the chorus reached its climax when God reached down, gathered a handful of dust, and breathed life into a new kind of creature, man. Man was created in the image of God and given something unique: a soul. 

Then, on an otherwise ordinary night, in a dark field, among common shepherds, the Heavens once again opened and all across the horizon, filling the low hills and pasture fields were innumerable angels. And once again in Revelation, we find that same celebration occurring in Heaven. 

But let's return to that field. The angels came specifically to the shepherds. Why the shepherds? Why did they not announce in a more big, public venue like Herod's Temple or His palace. Why did they not enter the grand palaces of Caesar in Rome? 

The answer, quite simply, is that God visits those who are looking for him. Those that seek find. And so the angels visited upon a young teenage girl, her confused fiancé, a common, elderly prophet, and the shepherds. 

So who heard the angels? The shepherds did. Mary did. Joseph did. The wise men did. Anna and Simeon did. Zacharias and Elisabeth did.  

Herod didn't hear. The religious establishment didn't hear. Most of God's chosen people didn't hear. Even some in Jesus' own family wouldn't hear. 

Today, the message of the angels still rings. A Messiah has come. God has entered our world, lowered Himself and became a baby. God visited us—Immanuel is here. 

This season we celebrate Christmas, but most of the world skips right over the baby in the manger. Even many Christians are stressed, angered, and flustered. They too miss the singing of the angels. 

Don't let that be you this Christmas. Because God has come for you, to be your Savior, your Redeemer, your Lord.

The angels are singing. Are you listening?  

She Doesn't Know

         

Today my heart broke for a young girl I never even met, though I was heart broken of the news I had heard of her situation, what made my heart break even more was she doesn't know Him. As I sat in my car weeping for this young woman, whom I never spoken to, I started thinking about my own childhood & teen years, trying to remember everything I was ever taught. 

I was taught to have proper manners at the dinner table, I was taught to have respect for my elders and those who have authority over me, I was taught to stand up to bullies and defend those who are weak, but, was I ever taught about Him? 

My parents are amazing, they raised seven children, took us to little league, and football practice, made sure we all completed high school, and supported anything we choose to do or become. But, was I ever taught about Him?

I was taught there is a God, I was taught there is a place called Heaven and my grandparents are there, but was I ever taught about Him?

Now I am grown up with three kids or my own. I teach my kids about proper manners at the dinner table, to respect their elders and those who have authority over them, to do well in school and defend those who are weak, But am I teaching them about Him?

Am I living a life that teaches my children about Him? Am I giving enough love to their mother that reflects the love from Him? Am I extended grace to those who need it, and maybe not deserve it, like grace was shown to me when I didn't deserve it.

The Bible reminds us in Matthew 28:19-20 

  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”        

The good news of this story is that there is still time. How much time, we will never know, but today you and I have time to teach, to teach our children, to teach our neighbors, to teach our coworkers, to teach our friends and family, and more importantly, to teach ourselves about Him.

Go teach!

For Sale $.25 Cents

Being from Kentucky, my family loves to go to yard-sales. Well, I must confess, I actually like getting up at 7:00 o'clock in the AM, on a summer Saturday morning, just to go through someone's "hand-me-downs" or used tools. So I wasn't a bit surprise when my mother in-law, while watching Landon and Alex, went out to the local yard-sales one sunny Friday morning/afternoon.

It was the Friday before Father Day, and my three boys (Brady, Landon, Alex) were all excited about doing something for "dad." I knew this Fathers Day would be especially hard for my wife (Cathy) because she had just lost her father (Roger) only three months ago, so I hint to my boys not to worry so much about making dad happy, lets focus on mom, and see if we could help ease some of the pain of missing her daddy.

It just so happened that the new Superman movie "Man Of Steel" was coming out that weekend, and everyone knows I am the biggest Superman geek ever, so we decided just to have a nice dinner after church on Sunday and go to the movies. This way, we could help mom through this difficult time, and also give dad a nice day to remember.

Well Friday came and went, and Saturday was a typical one at the Love's house Brady of course (the 18 year old) slept till the noon hours, and the rest of us got up and started some yard work. A typical middle America Saturday afternoon. But what I didn't know was how excited Landon was for Sunday to get here. I knew he liked Superman, but he wasn't a Superman geek like his father. Landon was more of a Batman/Dark Knight "geek". But yet, he kept pacing around the house telling me to, "stay away from under his bed." Now for Landon that surprised me, because he keeps his room picked up. (If it was Brady asking the same thing, I would of had no problem staying away, I think Jimmy Hoffa is under his bed) (HaHa)

So Sunday finally came around. The buzzing of my alarm at 6:30 AM was telling me to get up and moving, and head into the office to get ready for Sunday Worship. But something was different about this day. Landon was wide awake when I got out of the bathroom sitting in my room waiting on me. I thought at first he had a "bad dream," but he was eager to hand me a Fathers Day present that he picked out for me. 

As I looked at the home made wrapping paper of old Lexington Herald news paper and my all to familiar "duct" tape, I knew this was a morning I needed to slow down and spend time with Landon.

As I slowly unwrapped the gift, I looked up at Landon and can actually feel his heart beating faster as he watched me carefully tear away corner, by corner. 

As finished unwrapping the gift, my heart exploded with pride. The kind of pride that makes you glad you are a father. You see, on the day we tried to down play for Cathy, turned out to be one of the greatest days. 

Because my 8 year old son with his own money, and mind, and love for me, found me a picture of Jesus in a frame. Later his grandma (Darlene) told me that he walked over to the yard sale table, seen the picture of Jesus and asked her, "Do you think daddy would like this?" 

As I hung the $.25 cent yard sale picture of Jesus on my wall, I stood back with tears or love in my eyes. For all the wrongs I do everyday. It is great to know that when your 8 year old son sees a picture of Jesus he thinks of his daddy.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them. For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these'"

Foot Note:  You couldn't buy this picture of Jesus from me for a million dollars. 

#real-love

What Strong Families Have in Common Part 5

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

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.

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.

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.

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.*

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.

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 --------

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

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

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

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..

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!

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