for the moms out there... (and the dads if you dare...)

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a running list of things a country mile long AND wide that I'll be doing "in my spare time." Well, due to the amazing vision and leadership of my pastor and the loving sovereignty of God, I happen to find myself with some time coming up...

One of the things that Louie said in his charge to us as a staff team was "during this sabbath, find some time for the things that make you come alive." Well, that statement in and of itself lit a little flame that's been dancing since the moment he said it. Here's hoping there is a raging blaze going on in this heart before long...

One of the things during this break that I really wanted to devote some time to was perusing a blog that I was made aware of by a friend here in Atlanta. It's called Lil Light O' Mine and it's a veritable treasure-store of amazing resources for us moms. Of course, it's bent toward moms as this is the passion of Courtney's life, but you domesticated dads would benefit as well!

I'll highlight a few things here that you really need to do yourself a favor and check out. Jeffrey and I are planning to implement all of what I'm recommending to you and I always love to share great little ideas I've found. And, best of all...it helps shine a light on what Lil Light O' Mine is doing and I love that too...

Some of you may say "uh...you're a little late to the party...we've been loving this stuff for years..." But that's ok. I feel certain there are some others besides me who are just now finding our spare time.

Things I love...

ABC Scripture Cards :: These are great tools for memorizing God's Word with your kids. They are well-designed and are easily displayed on the included tabletop easel or attached to the fridge with the included magnets. (For you PCC people, these are now being sold in our Resources store on Sundays!) Is there really ANYTHING better our kids can do for their hearts than hide God's Word in it? Scripture Cards available here

Conversations for Lil Ones :: Do you ever lack for deep, meaningful conversations with your kids? Or, do you find that mealtimes and car rides have blown by in a haze of directives, argument mediation and endurance until it's over? I love these ideas for conversation starters both meaningful and fun. Try them! Just click through and click the link and they'll download right to your computer. Conversations with Lil Ones available here

Mom, Will You Just Play With Me?! :: How. often. have. you. heard. this??? Well, here you'll find a printable guide with ideas to get you thinking creatively about engaging with your kids. Don't even attempt to be "that guy" right here and say, "you're the parent, you should be able to figure out how to play with your kids." Clearly, that guy (or girl) has never been inside a house (or any other structure) with a child (or multiple children!) all day. Even the most creative of us run out of ideas eventually. Enjoy these to get those creative juices flowing again: Mom, Will You Just Play With Me? available here

and lastly...

The Clean Slate Club Plan :: I am literally surrounded by mission and vision every day. I've had the benefit of being around world-class visionary leaders for most of my life. There is no shortage of vision in my work life. The place that I tend to feel the biggest lack of vision? Home life. Personal life. Not because we're not committed to a home that glorifies God, is in order, is able to breathe deeply, isn't overcome by stress and isn't succumbing to tyranny of the urgent...but because we just haven't made the effort to write it down, involve our kids and take the steps necessary to achieve it. (Probably because those steps will involve saying NO to things a lot more often than we're saying YES. Just being honest.) This is why I'm pumped about this plan. It literally walks you through the questions and steps associated with implementing the proper, healthy things into your family. Best of all? It's completely customizable. For instance...this probably should have happened in January, but all of my new years are taken up with a teeny little amazing thing called Passion Conferences. So...my particular "new year" is starting the second week of August. No biggie. At least it's starting. Start yours now too if you haven't already. Clean Slate Club Plan available here

Well, I'm off to start implementing...hope you'll do the same. Everything mentioned here is something that points us to an easy and often completely over-used and under-valued scripture that every parent should literally be clinging to.

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." (NKJV)

"Direct your children onto the right path and when they are older they will not leave it." (NLT)