Review: Spiritual Parenting DVD Series

Spiritual Parenting is a DVD series produced by David C. Cook and written by Michelle Anthony. Dr. Michelle Anthony is Pastor of Family Ministries at ROCKHARBOR Church in Costa Mesa, California. A former professor at Biola University and Talbot School of Theology, Dr. Anthony has written over a dozen resources for Christian Education and Family/Youth Ministries. She is also the Family Ministry Architect for David C. Cook.

The approach to teaching in this series is very well done. The length is hard for me because the target audience has to think about kid's activities as well as paying for a babysitter. Two hours of incredible information and experiential learning activities is awesome, if you have the time to invest.

The content is challenging and applicable and points you to God at every turn! I love that part! Here are my top 5 highlights from the series:

1. God is the #1 parent.
2. There are teachable moments around you at all times, take advantage of those!
3. Parent with an eternal prospective.
4. How you are raised impacts how you parent.
5. As a parent, our goal is transforming lives. That comes from allowing children to flex their spiritual muscles and declare with their lives that God is real.

This series is worth your investment of time.

You can win a free copy on David C. Cook's FB page tomorrow, May 6, 2011 or you can purchase the series at Amazon, Christianbook, or David C. Cook.

You can follow Michelle Anthony or David C. Cook on Twitter.

What's that? Jesse and Prospector are trapped in the old abandoned mine?

We have two golden retrievers at my house that are loved and very well trained. So much so, that when they bark, we all know they need something urgently. This morning, my husband and I were enjoying our morning cup of Land of 1000 Hills coffee when one of our dogs barked several times by the door. Immediately my husband says; "What's that? Jesse and Prospector are trapped in the old abandoned mine and Prospector just lit a stick of dynamite thinking it was a candle and now they're about to be blown to smithereens?" I could not stop laughing! I just figured she needed to go outside, two totally different interpretations!

I know you have seen this happen in ministry, especially with vision! I have found these things to be helpful in communicating clear vision;

• Constantly casting vision using the same language. Repetition is a good thing! It keeps all leaders on the same page. For example, if your vision is to "Love God. Love Kids." then that is what you say. Saying anything else muddy's up the water.
• Owning the vision is another huge step in clear communication. Always saying we and us instead of them or they. This says loud and clear that you personally support the vision.

These are just two things that help me, how do you avoid misinterpretation as you cast vision?

lasting impression

This morning I got into my daughter's Easter basket and took out the colored bubbles. I was too curious and wanted to see if the bubbles really were pink like the container said they would be. Guess what? They are!! Then, the wind blew and the bubbles popped on the siding of the house. They left an impression. Unfortunately it's a pink impression!

After cleaning it off I started to think about you, the amazing children's ministry team! Each week you leave an impression! Each parent you come in contact with as they register for the first time or sign their child in, each child you minister to throughout the morning is left with an impression of our awesome God by watching you!! The best part is that you rise to the occasion each and every week! I believe you are a sweet aroma to our Lord!

I'm glad your impression is not a pink circle like the ones on my house, your impression can't be wiped away, it's eternal!!

See you this weekend! I will leave the bubbles at home, I promise!

Faith, Hope & Love