Today's speaker was Jay Seegert from the Creation Education Center of Wisconsin. He spoke with us about defending our faith, examining scripture, and creationism.
Jay shared that 50-75% of Christian students will set aside their faith by the time they leave college. For many of these students it is because they have a set of belief without convictions. We need to investigate and understand why we believe what we believe.
Then he shared some evidence in scripture to support the belief that the Bible truly is the inspired word of God....and not merely a bunch of "Just So" stories that we tell our kids in Sunday school.
He went on to explain the difference between operational and historical science. All scientists have the same facts/evidence. They just have different interpretations of those facts based on their own belief systems and biases.
You can listen to Jay's talk HERE.
The Creation Education Center has many resources (books, DVDS, etc) available on their website. If you wish to view and purchase any of these materials, you can click HERE.
You can also sign up for a free email newsletter and get information about booking Jay for a speaking engagement on the website.
This blog is dedicated to the Moms of Influence group at Northbrook Church in Richfield, WI.
Love Always Protects: Technology and Kids
Our speaker shared that his goal with this talk was to bridge the gap between parenting and technology.
3 steps to help bridge that gap are:
We learned that over half of today's teens own a smart phone and that the #2 most popular activity with those phones is texting. We also learned that social networking is the most popular online activity for teens today. Some of those social networking sites include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Vine, and Tumblr.
Technology can have both positive and negative social/moral impacts. Some of the negative impacts include "cyberbullying" and teens looking for their value/purpose through social networking (the number of friends, likes, comments, etc) rather than through Jesus.
Also, more and more kids are using technology to engage in unhealthy behavior such as cheating in school, viewing pornography, and "sexting".
So, what is your role as a parent? First of all, it starts at home with you. Make your #1 relationship with God, check your own tech behavior, and BE where your kids are!! You will need to set boundaries and have access to their devices and accounts. Teaching your kids biblical truths about purity, treating others the way you want to be treated, and other God-given truth will go a long way in bridging this gap. Remember to utilize your resources (friends/other parents, church members, online resources, etc). You have to set up guard rails, such as filters and website blockers, especially with young children in your home. As your children grow and mature, your guard rails should change and ease up a bit. Finally, you need to have a plan to deal with failure.
Our speaker shared some of his favorite online resources on the topic of parenting and technology. Check some of them out to learn more:
www.cpyu.com (Center for Parent and Youth Understanding)
www.digitalkidsinitiative.com
www.homeword.com (Culture Blog)
www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015/
A great book resource is: "A Parent's Guide to Understanding Social Media" by Mark Oestreicher and Adam McLane.
If you would like to listen to Brandon's talk, please click HERE.
(there are some technical difficulties at the beginning of the recording.....sorry!)
3 steps to help bridge that gap are:
- Know how our kids are involved
- Understand the social/moral impacts
- Understand and put into practice your role as a parent
We learned that over half of today's teens own a smart phone and that the #2 most popular activity with those phones is texting. We also learned that social networking is the most popular online activity for teens today. Some of those social networking sites include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Vine, and Tumblr.
Technology can have both positive and negative social/moral impacts. Some of the negative impacts include "cyberbullying" and teens looking for their value/purpose through social networking (the number of friends, likes, comments, etc) rather than through Jesus.
Also, more and more kids are using technology to engage in unhealthy behavior such as cheating in school, viewing pornography, and "sexting".
So, what is your role as a parent? First of all, it starts at home with you. Make your #1 relationship with God, check your own tech behavior, and BE where your kids are!! You will need to set boundaries and have access to their devices and accounts. Teaching your kids biblical truths about purity, treating others the way you want to be treated, and other God-given truth will go a long way in bridging this gap. Remember to utilize your resources (friends/other parents, church members, online resources, etc). You have to set up guard rails, such as filters and website blockers, especially with young children in your home. As your children grow and mature, your guard rails should change and ease up a bit. Finally, you need to have a plan to deal with failure.
Our speaker shared some of his favorite online resources on the topic of parenting and technology. Check some of them out to learn more:
www.cpyu.com (Center for Parent and Youth Understanding)
www.digitalkidsinitiative.com
www.homeword.com (Culture Blog)
www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015/
A great book resource is: "A Parent's Guide to Understanding Social Media" by Mark Oestreicher and Adam McLane.
If you would like to listen to Brandon's talk, please click HERE.
(there are some technical difficulties at the beginning of the recording.....sorry!)
Love Always Perseveres: Being an Advocate for Your Child
Today, we heard a wonderful message from Raquelle Harris on how we can embrace the journey of intentionally supporting/advocating for our children. If you missed it or would like to hear it again, please click HERE.
Elle shared a powerful Bible verse that we can pray for our children: Colossians 1:9-12
The definition of advocate is a person who pleads on someone else's behalf.
Raquelle believes that the three places we need to be comfortable advocating are:
1) HOME:
2) SCHOOL:
Raquelle finished her talk by sharing Romans 8:37, which we can view as our "call to fight"!!
If you would like to follow Raquelle, you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, & Linked In, or at her blog/website.
Raquelle has also written a beautiful children's book that you can purchase HERE.
Elle shared a powerful Bible verse that we can pray for our children: Colossians 1:9-12
The definition of advocate is a person who pleads on someone else's behalf.
Raquelle believes that the three places we need to be comfortable advocating are:
1) HOME:
- Make one-on-one time for yourself and each of your kids.
- Regularly talk with your spouse about the attitudes, tendencies, and behaviors of your children.
- Set aside time for PRAISE. Show your child that you are their #1 fan.
- Be interested: follow along with their lives, in and on every path.
2) SCHOOL:
- Ask your child specific questions about their day that they cannot easily answer.
- Set up conferences/calls with your child's teacher and ask them difficult questions.
- Believe your children as often as motherly possible. Build the trust relationship.
- Control who and what your children are exposed to, even at the risk of others' judgement.
- Be intentional about the way you speak to anyone around your children, especially when you're talking about them and they can hear you.
- Don't be afraid to stand up for others....no matter what!
Raquelle finished her talk by sharing Romans 8:37, which we can view as our "call to fight"!!
If you would like to follow Raquelle, you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, & Linked In, or at her blog/website.
Raquelle has also written a beautiful children's book that you can purchase HERE.
Love is not Self-Seeking: Marriage Matters
This week, we had a panel of couples answer some tough questions about marriage.
You can hear what the panel had to say by clicking HERE.
If you are interested in learning more about Northbrook's Marriage Mentoring ministry, click HERE to send an email.
You can hear what the panel had to say by clicking HERE.
If you are interested in learning more about Northbrook's Marriage Mentoring ministry, click HERE to send an email.
The One Who Loves their Children is Careful to Discipline Them: Positive Parenting
Moms of Influence is off to a great start. It has been so great to see all of the changes and new faces in our group. At our Kick Off meeting, we played a fun icebreaker, made a craft, and learned more about our theme, Relentless Love.
At our next meeting, Pat Quinn shared some wonderful parenting advice. If you would like to hear his talk, click HERE. The outline/notes from his presentation are below.
Four Variables:
Instead, start sentences with "I" and "What".
Three Steps to Positive Discipline: View yourself as a "teacher", not a disciplinarian
Mistakes to Avoid:
At our next meeting, Pat Quinn shared some wonderful parenting advice. If you would like to hear his talk, click HERE. The outline/notes from his presentation are below.
Four Variables:
- Modeling - SHOW and think out loud
- Self Esteem - give descriptive praise and be interested!!!
- Risk Taking - encourage kids to try different things and allow them to quit
- Control - offering choices and letting them feel a sense of control!
Instead, start sentences with "I" and "What".
Three Steps to Positive Discipline: View yourself as a "teacher", not a disciplinarian
- Step 1: Tell WHAT child is doing wrong
- Step 2: Tell child WHY it is wrong
- Step 3: Give substitute behavior
Mistakes to Avoid:
- Distance
- Audience
- Promises
- Starting too Deep
- Regression (normal part of development; don't punish, just wait)
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