Today holds a little bit more than this girl feels like she can handle in one day. I have three guests arriving in two hours with video cameras, lights, electrical smetrical gadgets and interview questions! Matt Markins from the D6 Family ministry is flying in from Nashville, TN today. He’s bringing a video/camera guy to my house to capture some conversations on film to use in promotions for the D6 conference I’ll be part of September 23-25, 2009 in Dallas, TX.
My wonderful friend and speaking assistant, Leah DiPascal, will be here too. She’ll be smiling and encouraging and calming – like she always is!! She’ll be reminding me that this is God’s assignment and that He’s given me all I need to fulfill it. She’s so much like Elizabeth, how she encouraged Mary to keep believing and focusing her eyes on the one who called her and promised to supply all that she needed!
So, about those interviews we’ll be doing. Matt wants me to share why it’s important for parents to be involved in their children’s spiritual growth. He’s has asked me to share a D6 story about a time with my kids where life and God’s truths intersected. I plan to share about Joshua’s incredible insight after my mom’s tinted sunglasses moment and how it opened the door for a very meaningful conversation about how we can see things through God’s perspective. The term D6 comes from God’s clear, powerful and practical commands for parents found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
We’ll also be talking about why this conference is needed at a time when mom’s are being pulled in every direction and overwhelmed, but longing for encouragement and ideas to connect with their kids spiritually.
Then tonight I fly out to Houston, Texas with Lysa to meet with KSBJ tomorrow about our Girl’s Night out with Proverbs 31 Ministries, Kate Gosselin from TLC’s Jon and Kate + 8, and Ayiesha Woods in Houston on January 22, 2009.
It’s the week before Christmas. This is crazy isn’t it? What was I thinking? Honestly, I wasn’t. This wasn’t on my calendar until two weeks ago. But I have come to believe that long, long ago it was on God’s calendar. He just happened to insert these plans it into mine when all the details, and promotions deadlines came together. Sometimes, God’s timing doesn’t make sense but if it did I wouldn’t have to depend on Him so much. Today, I definitely do. It might be more than I can handle, but He can more than handle all of it!
You know, there are days when parenting two boys feels like more than I can handle, too. That’s why I need conferences like these and encouragement from others. So, I’d love to hear your thoughts about what we’re discussing today: Why do you think it is important for parents to be involved in their children’s spiritual growth, rather than just taking them to Sunday school and youth group?
I’ll be doing a drawing sponsored by the D6 conference and P31 this Wednesday, giving away a copy of George Barna’s, Revolutionary Parenting, and Lysa TerKeurst’s, The Bathtub is Overflowing but I feel Drained . For a chance to win, please share your thoughts below in the comments section. And the winner of my Friday Christmas give-away is Chef Diane!!
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As one of God’s children, everyday I am on my own path of spiritual growth. My two boys watch, listen, observe and experience a lot of my life. If I will openly immerse my heart to growing closer to God each day, I think my children will see the struggles and the triumphs of a Christian who desires to be like Jesus. My prayer is that they will take this first-hand experience and adopt it in their own lives. Thanks for asking. JD
I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT ON SO MANY LEVELS.. AND ONE THAT GLOWS FOR ME, IS THAT IF WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN ON A DAILY LEVEL THEY COME TO SEE IT’S SUCH AN EVERDAY FACT.. KIND OF LIKE BREATHING.. IT JUST IS.. IF WE DON’T THEN IT LEAVES ROOM FOR DOUBT..AS THEY WILL GET PREASURE FROM PEERS “YOU’RE ONE OF THOSE GOD FREAKS”.. THEY’LL BE BETTER EQUIPPED WITH ANSWERING THESE TYPE OF QUESTIONS.
Yeah, I won. Thanks, Renee
Diane
Because it is our sacred privilege to do so. God has given us a sacred trust to parent our children into adulthood and beyond. As I said in my recent post, “what roots us, moves us.” We must walk the journey as authentic before our children. We must. It’s their best opportunity for having the necessary seeds embedded within that God, through the power of his Spirit, will grow.
Love you, friend.
peace~elaine
I think that if we are not involved with our kids, someone else will be, and then what will they be taught. Then again it isn’t always taught, it needs to be caught…I need to remember what I am doing also. This is our future generation. If they are not spirituality at home, to live out for the rest of their lives, it won’t become a way of life for them. Great topic
Shannon
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Good December Morn., Renee…
My son, Isaac is an '18' year old… he is a young, christian gentleman. I have tried my best to be involved in his everyday spiritual walk with the Lord. Encouraging him when life itself throws curve balls that he didn't see. At a young age, with not alot of experience with the outside, sometime cruel world they are more naive to things. We as parents need to be there for them to help direct in making the right decisions & stand as an example to them… As my son leaves in the mornings for school… I yell out the front door… "Don't let anyone steal your joy… show them you have Jesus"… now at the age he is.. he laughs and goes on, but in my heart, I know that was enbedded in his heart & mind for the day.
Well… he has just been accepted to Liberty University in Virginia, to major in Pastoral Counseling amongst another major. His goal is to become a paster & counselor. He speaks at churche in crowds w/ hundreds… goes on the mission field of spreading the news to people in the dangerous city streets… I am sooooooo proud to know that we have shared a spiritual walk together w/ the Lord. He knows where I stand… and through great prayer he has had God's outstretched arms wrapped all around him… He is from a family that parents are divorced when he was 9, but he didn't let that stop him in fulfilling God's purpose for his life… Parents stay close by your childs side…
Thank you for doing all that you do… Renee. I visit here often & get my daily dose of spiritual feeding.
Many blessings to you & your family… With Warm Hugs, Pamela in Good Ole Kentucky.
I can honestly say that my relationship with Jesus birthed into a whole new level of intimacy with the birth of each of my two boys. They have taught me so much about simple faith, true geniune love, praying, and just asking for God whenever they need Him. I praise God that He knew I needed each one of them!