| Sticks and Stones |
| Written by Todd Rosspencer |
| Tuesday, 31 August 2010 17:22 |
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Text: Colossians 3:13 Prayer: Father, guide my child to forgive their enemies just as we have been forgiven. Sticks and stones can break bones. And words DO hurt. But none of it should leave wounds that last forever. The problem is that most kids take everything personally and let every negative encounter with another person wound them. But it doesn't have to be that way . . . Next time your teen is letting an incident hurt them, ask why they think the person did what s/he did. If you dig deep enough, it's possible to identify that the person is hurting inside and is trying to hurt someone else. That reveals that the issue isn't about your child. It may still hurt, but in time, your teen will come to realize that much of what others do to us is not about us. Their personal power increases and the sticks, stones, and hurtful words more easily bounce off without leaving much of a mark. |
| Be True to Your School |
| Written by Todd Rosspencer |
| Tuesday, 24 August 2010 15:39 |
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As a teen, my friends and I complained a lot about our Jr High and High School. No wonder we didn't get into school much. Yet 1 of the 40 developmental health assets is to care for your school. So how can a parent help their teen gain an appreciation for their school? Usually, we care about things that we know about. Plan to drop in on an Assistant Principal or a teacher after school one day to chat and just learn about the school. What are the administrators doing to help students that the kids don't know about? How much time out of class do teachers spend prepping? How can an interested student make a difference on campus? Just ask questions and then discuss it later on the way home. God could use it to transform your school attending teen into a campus ministry presence. Give it a shot! Prayer: Help my child to live a life that overflows with gratitude, giving thanks to God for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Texts: Ephesians 3:20 & Colossians 2:7 |
| Homework |
| Written by Todd Rosspencer |
| Wednesday, 11 August 2010 12:39 |
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Text: Hebrews 12:1 Prayer: Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do. I got an F in science in Jr High. But rather than lecture me about the issue, my mom instituted a 2-hour study time each night. It had to be 2 hours straight with no distractions (TV/music/phone/etc.) and she made me study where she could see me. If I claimed to have no homework, she assigned reports out of an encyclopedia. If I broke the rules, the clock started over! After two nights of fighting and losing, I surrendered and started doing my homework. By the next week, I felt good about having homework to submit in class. By the first month, my confidence was boosted as I understood lectures better and I was happier at home without the draining weight of procrastination. My grades went up. Yet in high school, my mom laxed on the requirement and my grades dropped a bit as I got lazy again. As school begins this month, start things right. Teens don't often want a required study time, but it benefits them. Help them do what is best so you'll both feel better. |
| Daddy's Girl |
| Written by Todd Rosspencer |
| Tuesday, 03 August 2010 16:33 |
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Every night, while my kids are sleeping, I rest my hand on each and pray for them. For Myla, I often pray to see her inner beauty and for God to raise up a Godly husband for her. But this week, I'm praying that she'll define herself not according to society but by being God's beloved daughter. With HR 4925 on the ballot, it's time to counteract media that portrays girls as sex objects. Take a few minutes to read up on it (google: HR 4925). Discuss how commercials, music videos, and magazines depict women and what God teaches instead. This conversation could impact her life. For the activists, join me in sending a letter to our congressional reps. Find a template letter at: www.girlscouts4girls.org/girlscouts/ issues/alert/?alertid=14860896 |
| Surprise Surprise |
| Written by Todd Rosspencer |
| Friday, 23 July 2010 07:31 |
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We often forget the moments in life that are expected. Co-workers chat in the break room, junk mail and bills fill our post box, and we turn off the lights with a casual "good night" to those we love. But if your boss compliments you publicly, a hand-written letter arrives from a friend, or you find a small gift on your pillow, it stands out in your mind and memories. Deep down, teenagers wonder if anyone is thinking of them fondly. Surprise yours with a note of appreciation, a phone call just to say "I was thinking of you," or a $3 ice cream date. Do the unexpected and turn a mundane moment into a lifelong memory. |
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