Lenore Skenazy is the author of the secular book, “Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts With Worry,” which makes the case that the everyday threats to our kids’ safety “these days” are way overblown. Making a similar point to something emphasized in the Real World Parent seminars, Skenazy points to stats which reveal kids are as safe or safer now (in all kinds of ways) as they were when most of us were kids. And, yet, many of us parent as if the dangers are worse than they’ve ever been.
In a
recent Salon.com interview, she pointed to the kinds of media parents consume as one reason for our perception about the threats to children.
When I was growing up, my parents were not watching those horrific television shows that are on now like “CSI” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” They were watching “Dallas,” “Dynasty,” stuff with maybe big hair, but that was the biggest crime. It wasn’t all these shows with really graphic, horrifying consequences for kids.
And then, you didn’t have cable, and cable has to fill 24 hours with the worst possible stories, because if they filled it with stories about kids getting home safely, you wouldn’t watch. What’s the most compelling story that anyone has come up with so far? It’s something terrible happening to a child.
There’s no doubt that the kinds of stories we consume and ponder can contribute to the level of our parental fear. Paul’s teaching in Philippians 4 for walking with peace—even in parenting—was to focus our minds on things that are true and positive. If our news and entertainment makes that especially difficult, how are they really helping us?
Today, we talked about how God is like a potter. Our memory verse for the week is Isaiah 64:8, "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." We also made a plan to influence others in a positive way in the spirit of being molded by God and helping to mold others towards God and to doing good stuff.
Tonight we had a great night with 44 boys out! Congrats to Calvin who won MVP honours in our junior session for showing courage on and off the court. Don't forget our end of the year program on June 10th. You don't want to miss the fun evening of prizes, special presentation and a special take-home gift!!!
Today, our lesson is on how "God is Like a Rock." We want to understand this as well as make a plan to be like a rock by growing in integrity and taking steps to correct a time when we were untrustworthy.
Matthew 6:25-26 - "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you will have enough food or drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him than they are?"
Matthew 6:24
Tonight we got to go to Frankie Tomatoes to celebrate Kesh's birthday. Many blessings!!!
We had a packed house with 45 boys out tonight! Congrats to Shane and George who won MVP honours tonight for showing courage on and off the court. Our end of the program celebration is June 10th. You don't want to miss it!
Happy Mother's Day!
Tonight we had a gift exchange to finish off our week of "God is Like a Gift." We exchanged stories of how we were like a gift to someone this week. We recapped our memory verse (Ephesians 2:8). We also played some water games to introduce this Sunday's lesson, "God is Like Water." John, congrats on being able to pick grapes out of a bowl and eat them with your toes... You are one talented junior higher!
It was a crowded house with 49 boys out tonight! For the month of May our Character Matters trait is courage - We face challenges directly. We seek help from others when necessary. We do the right thing even when it may be unpopular. We are able to recognize risks and danger and do not take unwise risks to gain the approval of those around us.
Today we look at how God is like a gift. Our memory verse is Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.
... He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ - Ephesians 4:7 NLT
Check out some quotes about character: