Earthquake

When we talk about earthquakes in California we prepare for the worst. We do everything we can to prevent damage to our property and go out of our way ensuring our family’s safety. 

There is such a fear and intensity placed into protecting our family physically, but what about the earthquakes that damage our family structure? We should have that same fervor in guarding the integrity of our family unit.

Too often I see husbands, wives, and children devastated by an earthquake to the family structure. Remember we need to plan for the earthquakes in our lives: death in the family, car accident, divorce, wayward teenager, addiction, etc. 

Make today the first day in taking steps to protect your family and yourself from the unavoidable and inevitable earthquake in your family. Prevention is the key. 

I would like to hear what you are doing to prepare and handle the earthquakes in your family?

End of Summer: What a Bummer

The end of summer is near and the last minute vacations are creeping up fast. You might be looking back saying, “Didn’t my kids just get out of school, and now they’re going back already!” Then some might be saying, “Isn’t summer over yet, so the kids can go back to school!”

Whichever the case, was this summer better or worse than last year’s? I know the economy is rough and finances are tight. But money isn’t what makes vacations and summers great. Sometimes a summer filled with the simplest activities can be the best ever.

When our family experienced tough times, we had some of the best experiences. We would turn on the sprinklers and run through, stepping on it to aim at and squirt the other person. We even had massive water gun wars lasting for hours from the front yard to the backyard and even spilling inside the house (my wife was not too happy about that).

Slip And Slide was also a big hit with my kids. I even remember throwing a ball around in the yard joined with some great conservation. And in the evenings we would sit outside on the front porch talking and laughing.


At times we may attempt to manufacture family time by doing things that are entertaining and money-consuming. And those things can be fun, but sometimes the simplest interactions as a family can be so much more effective. It’s not about what you do as a family, but the quality in which you do it.

Our children have been spoiled by us buying their entertainment. Try and spend some creative time with your kids where you can experience things together without losing the conversation.

What was your favorite family memory that didn’t cost you a thing?

Memories

What have you done this summer with your kids? Have you created everlasting memories for you and your children? Are they just sick of spending time with you?

These are the questions I wrestle with every summer. What am I able to do with my kids that will draw us closer together as a family and pass on a legacy for them?

When I was a kid growing up, I remember sitting in the back seat of my parent’s car traveling from state to state. I remember looking out the window and seeing an amazing redwood forest, going over a floating bridge in Washington and driving to the mountains to see snow.

But what I remember and cherish the most was seeing the Big Blue Ox. I will always remember it.

Being with my parents, exploring new things and experiencing new environments, drew us all closer together. I know for some of you this is a regular occurrence (vacationing), and the memories are growing.

But do you create spiritual memories with your kids? How much time are you spending with them in the Bible or memorizing prayer? We go out of our way to create experiences with our vacations and sometimes forget that the strongest memories are when we worship God as a family.

For me, I did not have those spiritual memories and anchors with my family growing up. However, today I am building those memories with my dad who is in his mid-eighties. I love our conversations about the Bible.

Do not wait to build an awesome legacy of memories of time spent together. Take advantage of any time with your kids and build memories, especially spiritual ones.

What cherished memories do you remember from growing up?

Easters

Easters. Okay, I know you are thinking this has to be a typo. It’s not. Yes Easters. Sunday is coming, and I hope and pray that you will be up early to celebrate our victory in Christ. So going to church is Easter celebration one. Now for Easter celebration two: the time with your family celebrating Jesus for who he said he was in overcoming death giving us an eternal hope.

As a child Easter was one of the few times we went to church. I would get all dressed up sit through a service which would seem to last for a week, and then get ripped off with a bread crumb and a sip of juice. Wow, I thought it was torture.

However, the best part of Easter was the coming dinner. Was this the special meal to celebrate the egg? Or just the bunny that laid the egg? Wait bunnies do not lay eggs. Maybe this guy Jesus I heard mentioned created the holiday like George Washington’s birthday. I thought it was fun!

What I am trying to get at is what are your kids getting out of Easter? Is it a day of traditions with a little bit of Jesus added in for flavor? Or it is a day that Jesus is completely and absolutely the center piece of the day and every day after?

As parents, we need to ask ourselves if Easter is truly a day we are helping our kids understand the importance of Jesus overcoming death. Are our lives celebrated every day in that victory? I just want to challenge you with something.

Challenge: At the end of Easter Sunday ask your kids what the day was all about, and why you did certain things that day (i.e. church, special meal, etc.). See what they say. Some might be right on, and some kids might surprise you with how far you’ve moved away from the true meaning of Easter.