Is work a good or a bad thing? 
When we discuss this later today, I can pretty much guess that I’ll have a kid land on each side of this debate.
What does God say?

On the bad side-
We can thank Adam and Eve for getting us into this situation…

To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’

“Cursed is the ground because of you;
    through painful toil you will eat food from it
    all the days of your life.
¹⁸ It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
    and you will eat the plants of the field.
¹⁹ By the sweat of your brow
    you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
    since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
    and to dust you will return.”
Genesis 3:17-19

But on the good side-
Ask your child to consider what would happen if Mom and Dad were lazy and didn’t work:
*Would there be money for food, clothing, shelter?
*Who would get the groceries?
*What condition would our home be in?
*Can you see how work is a blessing not only to yourself, but those whom you share life with?
Ask your child, “What is your work?”  (chores, school, being respectful and obeying…)

Through laziness, the rafters sag;
    because of idle hands, the house leaks.
Ecclesiastes 10:18

Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;
    stay awake and you will have food to spare.
Proverbs 20:13

Similar discussion questions and verses can be found under the topic “Laziness” in
Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments.

Now ask, “Since we all have to work, what kind of attitude should we have?”

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24

Similar discussion questions and verses can be found under the topic “Attitude” in
Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments.

Let’s pray with our kids that we will have a thankful heart to enjoy our time when we don’t have to labor.  And, that we will equally “work with all our heart, as working for the Lord”  during the labor filled hours.

Did your kids say work is good or bad?
Did you have a good “parenting with Scripture” discussion?

 (Image courtesy of www.lol-cat.org)

“Why would anyone pay that much for such an UGLY car!” I commented to the kids as we drove along and saw notoriously expensive type of car.

Nephew Daniel quickly responded, “It’s probably luxury on the inside.  Aunt Kara, don’t know you that it’s the inside that counts?!”

Then my daughter playfully chimed in, “Yeah, Mom!  It’s like…Don’t judge a book by its cover!”

Alrighty, if they were going to get all deep with the conversation then I thought would too and claim it as a teachable moment!

“What does the Bible say about our insides versus outsides?” I asked, remembering the topic of “Beauty” in Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 
1 Samuel 16:7b

It turned into a great discussion!

Love making use of those “and when you walk (drive) along the road”  moments as Deuteronomy 6:6-7 exhorts parents to use in the spiritual training of their children!

Keep your eyes open teachable moments during drive time!

Remember, even if you didn’t know a verse off hand,
you can follow up on a teachable moment later at dinner or bedtime
once you’ve had a chance to look it up in Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments.

Here’s a link and pic from a Forbes article on “10 Most Expensive Cars in 2014.”
This is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse which starts at a cool 2.5 million.
Seriously?!

Last year, I decided we would make the most of our drive time on the way to school on the days I take my two plus three other kiddos.  TIP:  This idea can be applied whatever time of the week works best for you…not just carpool drive time.  

We used the Seeds of Courage music to learn a verse a month.  Each song is Scripture set to music.  The Seeds collection is perfect for school age kids…preschoolers and even middle schoolers enjoy them.  However, if you only have preschoolers, I recommend Steve Green’s Hide ‘Em in Your Heart  Volumes 1 and 2.

Month after month through the school year, we had great discussions about God’s Word and added verses to our list of memorized Scripture!   

During the fall, our September theme verse, Jeremiah 33:3, spoke to my family –
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

My husband and I were struggling with if/when to have our kids’ tonsils removed.  Between the two of them, they had strep 20 times in 2 1/2 years!   I shared with the carpool kids how our family was seeking God’s wisdom as in the verse because we weren’t sure what to do.  Through a series of events, God made it clear that we needed to go ahead and have the surgeries.  God helped us figure out the things we didn’t know!

In January, God surprised a mom by her daughter blessing her with that month’s theme verse.  I was shopping at Sam’s when I got this text from Shauna about her 6th grade daughter who is in our carpool – “Ok, so you are going to smile at this:  I was in the car tonight on our way to basketball practice and I said to my daughter that I am really anxious today.  All of sudden she busts out Philippians 4:6-7…in song!”

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Want to help your child know what God has to say about different topics?
It’s as easy as picking up your copy of
Parenting with Scripture:  A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments!

Anyone know of straight Scripture set to music that appeals to teens?
Please share in the comment section!

I’ve been kicking myself.  Why didn’t I act on my thoughts? 

The kids and I were in our Walmart Neighborhood Marketplace.  I started to get frustrated at how long it was taking the lady in front of me to check out.  That’s when I stopped to actually notice what was happening.  She had coupons for everything (all necessities, nothing frivolous) and was carefully keeping track of the total as things were rung up.  When the total went over $100, she strategically handed things back until the amount was back within her budget.
Honorable.

What happened next made me see that it wasn’t just about sticking to a set grocery amount.  She had a separate pile on the conveyor belt that she was paying for with WIC.  When the cashier rang up those items, he stated her three bottles of juice were not covered.  I could see the woman fretting as she hesitantly handed them back.

My brain was screaming at me, “Step up and kindly/quietly pay for that juice to help this worried woman!”

“No,” I mentally fought back, “I’ll just embarrass her.”  Sadly, this side won.

On the way home, I shared with the kids about what I had seen (they had been oblivious…oh, to be a worry free kid!) and the battle that had raged in my head.  We are all tempted to be embarrassed when generosity is given or received.  There is usually an excuse (or two, or three) not to give, but sometimes we need to overcome that.  On the flip side, there is often difficulty with our pride when we receive generosity, but it shouldn’t stop of us from saying, “Thank you!”

I couldn’t help but think of this verse and vowed to be more mentally prepared to act the next time such an opportunity arises.  And, I pray that my children will have generous hearts, eyes to see need, and the will to gracefully act on it. 

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Proverbs 3:27

For more verses, discussion questions, and take action ideas
on the topic of Giving, see your copy of
Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments

 How do you teach your kids to give more freely and spontaneously?  
I’d love to see your ideas in the comment section!

Preschool Kalli was not being inattentive (as I had assumed) when she went running off while I was reading the story of “God Gives His People Bread to Eat”  (Exodus 16:1-18, 31; Numbers 11:7-8) from Read-Aloud Bible Stories Volume 3.

She was on a mission.

She came back with a basket and white paper and asked if we could make manna!  I tore the white paper into strips and she and little Jake had a blast using safety scissors to cut bits of white paper into bite-sized manna.

Then, we re-read the story and acted it out using our props!  Quite a lot of time that week was spent with me strewing manna around the room for them to collect it in their baskets.

That’s one thing I love about preschoolers…
They help us adults think beyond the ink on the paper and make the Bible stories come alive! 

Manna was once again brought to life for me at our fall women’s retreat –
A wise, godly women in our small group shared,

“We like to get our manna a month supply at a time.
But it spoils. 
God designed it that way. 
We need to get fresh food from the Holy Spirit every day.”  

Wow!  What a great reminder of why it’s important to spend time with God and His Word every day. 

This is wonderful wisdom to share with older kids and teens when helping them understand the importance of growing their own personal daily walk with the Lord!

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. T
he people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.”   Exodus 16:4a

Recommended Preschool Resource:
Our favorite Bible story books when my kids were preschoolers were the Read-Aloud Bible Stories, Volumes 1-4. (Link is for Volume 3, but will show the other volumes in the “Frequently bought together” section further down.)  Something about the pictures and way the stories are  written and simply enchanting to preschoolers.  And, it’s not just my kiddos that love them.  They’ve been a hit through the years as we’ve used them teaching our 2 and 3 year old Sunday School classes.

I so wish I could share the picture from my mind’s eye of my little ones
in action with their “manna.”
Instead, this will have to do.  Personally, I think this is hilarious. Hope it doesn’t offend anyone.
This is from www.inheritthemirth.com.
They have lots of similar greeting cards, playing cards, posters, etc.
if you enjoy their “where faith meets funny” themes.

Have you and your kids had your “manna” for the day?

Don’t forget to keep your copy of
Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments
handy for when teachable moments pop up!

PS – I’m not if the company that makes these cartoons is still in business.  The website seems to not be allowing for orders and the last FB post is from ’13.

I heard my wise friend, Julie Bridgeforth, once say,

“I want to be a “Yes” parent.”  

She explained that because there is enough that we have to say “No” to, she wants her kids to take more seriously the meaning and significance of it when she does have to use it.  Therefore, whenever her kids ask about something, she stops herself and considers whether there really is a good reason to say “No.”  If not, it’s a “Yes!”

Brilliant!  Totally agree with her reasoning!  Since I heard this, I’ve also often stopped myself from saying “No” just because it was inconvenient or easier…for me.  I realized more often than not, I’m simply being a kill-joy for no good reason.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20

Do you want to be a “Yes” parent?

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for teachable moments to help you incorporate God’s Word into your daily parenting!
Make good use of your copy of Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments!

Julie couldn’t remember where she heard this.
However, in reading No More Perfect Kids: Love Your Kids for Who They Are, author Jill Savage mentions on page 104 that she has blogged about “Be a Yes Mom!”
Sure enough, click here to read one of them. 
I highly recommend this book
and her blog – www.jillsavage.org.
EXCELLENT STUFF! 

Anyone else’s family enthralled by the athletic competition show American Ninja Warrior?  Together we marvel at the strength of the competitors and are inspired by many of the back stories.

Last Monday, area finalist Geoffrey Motil shared how he made bad mistakes through his 20s and 30s.  However, he went on to say,  “I’ve transformed all these horrible decisions into being honest…it’s on to a new road!” Woohoo!  Durbins were set to cheer him on after that clip!

He had barely begun the first obstacle when we saw him climbing out of the course, thereby disqualifying himself.

What?!  Nobody, including the commentators, could figure out what had happened.

Geoffrey walked straight up to the interviewer and explained that he grabbed on to the back of one of the boards, an illegal move.  In keeping with his desire to live honestly, he immediately jumped out of the course.

He said, “I know what I did.  I’m not gonna cheat.”  The commentator later replied, “Truly an honorable move by the competitor!” 

If you wish to see the clip, click here.  Then, fast forward to the time count of 14 minutes.

Here’s what stood out to us as we discussed this man’s actions –
*Did he keep going and hope that nobody would notice?
*How would he have felt if he had kept going and made it through to the next round?
*How long did it take him to make a right or wrong decision?
                   Split-second!  His heart clearly desires to do what is right!
*How many people would have done what he did?
*What would you have done?

Tips for Teachable Moments:
Remember that you can always expand and follow up on teachable moments later.  In the moment, I paused the episode and we discussed it briefly.  However, it wasn’t until a couple of days later that I followed up with adding in the value what God has to say about that man’s choices.  Don’t let the timing keep you from making the most of it!

Remember to grab your copy of Parenting with Scripture: a Topical Guide for Teachable Moments to help you find verses when something like this comes up!

WOW….SO MANY great Scriptural lessons and principles can come from this real-life example!
Here are just a few:

From the topic “Honesty” – page 122
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,
and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Luke 16:10
Discussion: How trustworthy do you think this man is?  Why?

From the topic “Character” – page 38
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
1 Corinthians 15:33
Discussion:  Would someone like this be a good or bad friend to have?  Why?

From the topic “Integrity” – page 132
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
Proverbs 10:9
Discussion:  What are the results of the actions he took?
What would have been the results of his actions if he had kept going?

From the topic “Example” – page 86
In everything set them an example by doing what is good.
Titus 2:7
Discussion:  Is he a good example?
Is being a good example always easy?
Who would you admire more… him or someone who won dishonestly?  Why?

Praying the Scripture:
After our discussion about the related verses, we prayed through the verses asking for God’s help with each topic.  I also added a petition for our Heavenly Father to help each of our hearts be ready to glorify Him in split second decisions through all our actions and words. 

**Disclaimer**
I reminded my kids that we know nothing about this man other that we’ve seen on this show.
We talked about how you can’t necessarily believe everything you see in the media, but that we hope it’s true.  Even so, we talked about how everyone is human.
Therefore, we should be careful not to put any person on a pedestal because none of us are perfect.
That’s why our eyes should always remain on our Savior.

Take Action!
Teachable moments are all around, especially through media, if we just keep our eyes, ears, and minds open to them.

Are you ready to tackle parenting with Scripture like an American Ninja Warrior?
With our Savior’s help, we will make it to the finals! 

Pray for opportunities,
keep Parenting with Scripture: a Topical Guide for Teachable Moments on hand
to quickly and easily find  Scripture to fit the teachable moment topic,
and
enjoy the fruit of helping your kids connect God’s Word to their world!

Clicking on the picture will take you to NBC’s American Ninja Warrior Site.

This anecdote always cracks me up, but proves the point that children often “hear” something different than what we intend…

A little boy was in a relative’s wedding. As he was coming down the aisle he would take two steps, stop, and turn to the crowd (alternating between bride’s side and groom’s side). While facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and  roar. So it went, step, step, ROAR, step, step, ROAR all the way down the aisle.  As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from laughing so hard by the time he reached the pulpit. The little boy, however, was getting more and more distressed from all the laughing, and was near tears by the time he  reached the pulpit.  When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said, “I was being the Ring Bear….”

We need to remember to keep this point in mind as we parent with Scripture.
Examples by age –

Young Children:  “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”  –  Little ones love this song and it’s motions.  Without explanation, they may be left wondering, “Who is He?” “Does God have hands that big?!”

Elementary Example:  “Crafty”  – If you have a copy of my book, Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments, you may remember the anecdote from the introductory pages of a mom using this topic in a teachable moment.  If she hadn’t defined the word using the helpful definition from the children’s dictionary included in the Parenting with Scripture topic, her son could have been thinking crafty, like arts and crafts, the whole time.  He would have completely missed the point!

Older Kids, Tweens, Teens Example:  “Die?”  – As we were singing Chris Tomlin’s version of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” titled “The Wonderful Cross” at church the other day, I wondered what was going through my kids’ head when we sang these lyrics…
“O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross, Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.”
Even with a good understanding of Salvation, this abstract wording might be perplexing to children.

Let’s listen to ourselves with child-like ears as we Parent with Scripture and make use of teachable moments! 

 From my all time favorite movie, The Princess Bride –

 Have any funny misunderstandings of “biblical proportion” with your children?
We’d love to read them in the comment section.

Days go by fast, weeks go even faster, and years seem to fly by!

Kids grow up almost more quickly than we can keep up with!  It seems that each new phase brings with it the need for the hub and I to get on the same page, tweak some of our parenting techniques, or completely revamp.  For short discussions, we might have enough energy by the time we collapse into bed at night.

However, for bigger issues, we’ve found it to be a blessing to schedule a “purposeful parenting date.”

It looks like a regular coffee or dinner date, except that we focus our conversation on the topic at hand.  The extra time away from the kids (when we aren’t exhausted at bedtime) allows us to dig into the issue and figure out our game plan.

Single?  Ask a dear, wise, and godly friend if you can occasionally sit down and hash out some parenting issues together.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

Don’t forget to refer to Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments
for God’s Word on some of the topics you are dealing with.
You may want to pray through some of the applicable Scriptures on behalf of your child.

When do you find is a good time to discuss parenting issues with your spouse? 

Celebrate July 4th beyond the burgers and fireworks by using the 13 strips of the Grand Old Flag as prayer points or Scripture strips for our nation!  Display this project in your home as a reminder to continue to pray for our nation.

Start by making or printing out a picture of a flag to use for either the version below. 
You can keep this as simple as you want or go all out crafty!  Pinterest and Google Images have lots of options.
*Printable Option:
http://www.internetfamilyfun.com/images/wallpaper/wallameriflag640.gif
*Coloring Page Option:
http://www.coloringcastle.com/pdfs/flags/flag-usa-123.pdf
*Simple Craft Option for younger kids:
http://funhandprintartblog.com/2012/05/handprint-american-flags-eagles-patriotic-crafts-round-up.html
*Simple Craft Options for older kids:
http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/4th-of-july/paper-american-flag.asp

Prayer Point Version:
Brainstorm with your kids different ways to pray for our nation.  Don’t forget, as the verse reminds us below, to give thanks as well!  Write one way on each of the stripes of the flag.

Bible Verse Version:
Write out 1 Timothy 2:1-2 on the stripes of the flag and display it in your home to help your family remember to lift our country up in prayer.

Click here for a children’s sing-along of The Grand Old Flag from YouTube to familiarize your children with this patriotic song by playing it while working on the project.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
for kings and all those in authority,
that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Timothy 2:1-2

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for teachable moments and reference your copy of
Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments
to help you and your kids know what God has to say about the topics!

 Happy 4th of July!