tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70050964059857570652024-03-05T08:52:27.999-05:00A Different WayRethinking how we disciple the next generationJoey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.comBlogger833125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-88567309631938584752015-08-04T05:00:00.000-04:002015-08-04T05:00:06.022-04:00Cease and Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7-rzzZx5NC-Rt465eVedj_ISqZP_NyTFwBKJUWf0f7EnGZxIg9GeG6VILRPLHAcjJbi4pVerlZDwwPNL4O6lBVEf6mc8p1cfAkvcuuFvvBo7jy1yBxz7bL-qcKRhX4IhY4Ib3yHSC1GW/s1600/2015-07-24+10.56.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7-rzzZx5NC-Rt465eVedj_ISqZP_NyTFwBKJUWf0f7EnGZxIg9GeG6VILRPLHAcjJbi4pVerlZDwwPNL4O6lBVEf6mc8p1cfAkvcuuFvvBo7jy1yBxz7bL-qcKRhX4IhY4Ib3yHSC1GW/s400/2015-07-24+10.56.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>Note: Yesterday I posted this same blog post <a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/">on my other blog</a>, but wanted to make sure I updated the readers of all my platforms. </i><br />
<br />
For
the past few years, I have regularly considered giving up blogging.
Every three or four months or so, I would wake up, think about all the
things going on in my life, and I would be 100% ready to stop blogging.<br />
<br />
And <i>every time</i>, that <i>very same day</i>, I would get an email, or a note, or a text thanking me for having written something that encouraged or motivated them.<i> </i><br />
<br />
And I would get back to my laptop and hack away at it.<br />
<br />
Sometimes
those encouragements would be from a close friend, and sometimes from
someone I knew casually, and sometimes from a completely stranger. It
never ceased to amaze me how God would use my ramblings to help someone
else, and to give a voice to the voiceless and an image to the <a data-mce-href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/the-hope-for-unseen-greenville/" href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/the-hope-for-unseen-greenville/"><b>unseen</b></a>.<br />
<br />
But now I am sure that I need a break from blogging. Not just a <a data-mce-href="https://missionallendale.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/a-need-for-rest/" href="https://missionallendale.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/a-need-for-rest/"><b>week</b></a> or a <a data-mce-href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2013/11/taking-blogging-break-sorta.html" href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2013/11/taking-blogging-break-sorta.html"><b>month</b></a>, but for the rest of the year (or longer).<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Investment of Blogging</h3>
Writing
has been good for me, personally. It forces me to think deeply, and to
analyze and clarify my thoughts. And then when I get pushback or
comments, it makes me think even more deeply and broadly. And it's been
an outlet for my frustrations and confusion, whether or not anyone else
reads what I write.<br />
<br />
But it also has taken a lot of time. The thinking, the writing, the editing, the planning, the promoting . . . it all adds up.<br />
<br />
For
a long time, this process has been worth my time. During our time in
Allendale, blogging was our primary way of keeping our friends and
supports informed of what we were doing. For us, regular blogging was
better than occasional newsletters.<br />
<br />
Now that I'm back in Greenville, working for <a data-mce-href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/the-why-behind-elevate-youth/" href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/the-why-behind-elevate-youth/"><b>Mill Community Ministries</b></a>, and (now) <a data-mce-href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2015/07/faith-and-work.html" href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2015/07/faith-and-work.html"><b>Furman</b></a>, and (for a while) a <a data-mce-href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/by-the-grace-of-god/" href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/by-the-grace-of-god/"><b>school</b></a>, I don't think my need for a "newsletter" is as great. It's easier to keep people posted of what's going on.<br />
<br />
But
even more than that, God has been pressing me to consider how I'm using
my time. With the two or three jobs I've had, plus some upcoming
additional responsibilities, I have to shave off some things that don't
directly help me provide for my family.<br />
<br />
And speaking of family, I need to spend more time engaging them, and cultivating my relationships with my <i>wife</i> (as we are in the midst of some challenging transitions), <i>daughter</i> (beginning high school in two weeks!), and <i>sons</i> (one of whom is not far from becoming a teenager).<br />
<br />
God has also been revealing that I need to do better with how I am <a data-mce-href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/citizenship-culture-and-the-church/" href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/citizenship-culture-and-the-church/"><b>engaging my community and culture</b></a>. I am convinced that I need to spend more time in intentional-discipleship relationships.<br />
Adding
time for jobs, family members, and ministry . . . means I have to shave
time off somewhere else. And one place I'll try to gain time back is by
ceasing from regular blogging.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Giving Up for Good?</h3>
Let me
be clear. I'm not saying that I'm giving up blogging for good. I'm just
taking a break until the end of the year, and I'll re-evaluate then.<br />
<br />
I will also be doing some guest posting. But writing 2 or 3 posts a month is very different than 3 or 4 posts per week.<br />
<br />
I
have lots that I'd love to write about. I have stories to tell,
silenced voices to amplify, and images to make known. So, I'll be
depending on and looking for other ways to communicate.<br />
<br />
Check out my <b><a data-mce-href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/contact/" href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/contact/">Contact page</a></b>
to connect with me in other ways (social media, website, etc). I may
even write an occasional post here if I feel like this would be the best
way to communicate.<br />
<br />
Heck, this may all be a mistake. I may be
missing out on a great opportunity. But I'm trusting that God is leading
me in this way. And if I'm wrong, I'll trust that He can make up the
difference. (He can.)<br />
<br />
<h3>
Thank You, and Please Help Me</h3>
I'm
thankful for the opportunity that blogging has given me to get thoughts
out of my brain, and I'm thankful for you reading those words and
connecting with me.<br />
<br />
And now I can still use you. . . . If and as you feel led, please keep me accountable. Ask me if I'm <i>redeeming</i> the time I am gaining back. Instead of using my time to escape, I need to use this extra time to:<br />
<ul>
<li>lead and disciple my family</li>
<li>disciple others on a personal level</li>
<li>find other ways to be a voice for those who need a voice</li>
<li>rest and recreate (see sessions 5 and 6 of <a data-mce-href="http://gracechurchsc.org/uncategorized/a-man-and-his-work/" href="http://gracechurchsc.org/uncategorized/a-man-and-his-work/"><b>A Man and His Work</b></a>)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<i>"Cease striving and know that I am God;</i><br />
<i>I will be exalted among the nations,</i><br />
<i>I will be exalted in the earth."</i><br />
Psalm 46:10</blockquote>
</div>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-82476202504895756112015-08-01T05:00:00.000-04:002015-08-01T05:00:04.016-04:00Top Tweets for July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTeSDJjbdvh_kWOeVZ5kcoszCtqF28kZ69WxCRch4wWBT_Fi1vSolX9O0CEh_vBUFiiT7m-C0M0pYuIBFOmUJz5VuJPOp2vRciXuTjdjAK2uTVOWuODwDgHGtXRKElNpGZ24zY4hLOfqY/s1600/2015-07-13+13.28.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTeSDJjbdvh_kWOeVZ5kcoszCtqF28kZ69WxCRch4wWBT_Fi1vSolX9O0CEh_vBUFiiT7m-C0M0pYuIBFOmUJz5VuJPOp2vRciXuTjdjAK2uTVOWuODwDgHGtXRKElNpGZ24zY4hLOfqY/s320/2015-07-13+13.28.55.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I started a new job this month, back at my alma mater.<br />
<br />
Here's some other new things in the twitter world . . .<br />
<br />
<h3>
From Others:</h3>
<a href="https://twitter.com/brentnelsen"><b>@BrentNelson</b></a>: <i>A good reminder that Germany got 50% debt relief before postwar econ miracle. <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://nyti.ms/1KQ3oFe" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/wF4gYkORzF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://nyti.ms/1KQ3oFe"><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">nyti.ms/1KQ3oFe</span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a> <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreekCrisis?src=hash">#GreekCrisis</a> <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/FurmanNews">@furmannews</a></i><br />
<br />
<div class="TweetTextSize TweetTextSize--16px js-tweet-text tweet-text" data-aria-label-part="0" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/DearTeacherLT"><b>@DearTeacherLT</b></a>: <i> <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Teachers?src=hash">#Teachers</a>, join me in the revolution to remind the world: <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/education?src=hash">#education</a> is <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/morethanscores?src=hash">#morethanscores</a>! <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://wp.me/p3wPYp-iZ" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/ikJ5wDAxCC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://wp.me/p3wPYp-iZ"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">wp.me/p3wPYp-iZ</span><span class="invisible"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a> <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/edchat?src=hash">#edchat</a> <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/teach?src=hash">#teach</a> <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/students?src=hash">#students</a></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/snandez"><b>@Snandez</b></a>: <i> "Being a good father comes down to showing our kids how to live, love, think, and behave." - <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/RealMikeRob">@RealMikeRob</a> <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://ctt.ec/P55L2+" data-original-text="http://ctt.ec/P55L2+ " dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/PymCE4RqhR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ctt.ec/P55L2+">http://ctt.ec/P55L2+ </a> <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllProDad?src=hash">#AllProDad</a> </i></div>
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/scottsauls"><b>@ScottSauls</b></a>: <i>The devil knows your name but calls you by your sin. God knows your sin but calls you by your name. <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/BurkParsons">@BurkParsons</a></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/MarkMerrill"><b>@MarkMerrill</b></a>: <i>Parenting is about unconditionally loving your child for who they are, not for what they do.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/itsandygill"><b>@itsandygill</b></a>: <i>"Forgiveness is not an utterance, it's a process."
— Cornel West</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/gracechurchsc"><b>@GraceChurchSC</b></a>:<i> </i><i>Establish a new community, a colony, with singleminded purpose and full
of love, sympathy, tenderness, and blessing for “one another.” </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Gospel_Project/"><b>@Gospel_Project</b></a>: <i> </i><i>Only the gospel changes the heart, and therefore, only the gospel can lead to lasting change in our lives. </i><br />
<br />
<h3>
From Me: </h3>
<i>Followers of Jesus -- God calls and empowers you to live out your faith.</i><br />
<br />
<i>We welcomed some <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllendaleSC?src=hash">#AllendaleSC</a> friends (and new teachers at <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeadAcademy?src=hash">#LeadAcademy</a>) to Greenville! #1… <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://ift.tt/1J1p5lV" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/MApUl1QPlO" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ift.tt/1J1p5lV"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">ift.tt/1J1p5lV</span><span class="invisible"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a> </i><br />
<br />
<i>If I was doing all this blogging and social media stuff for God, I’d think there would be more <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gospel?src=hash">#gospel</a> fruit. <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://buff.ly/1J21pxI" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/j5cqHOGBcm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://buff.ly/1J21pxI"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">buff.ly/1J21pxI</span><span class="invisible"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible">I love the <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/Circles_USA">@Circles_USA</a> initiative! And now it's coming to <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yeahTHATGreenville?src=hash">#yeahTHATGreenville</a>. You can learn more on August 4: <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://buff.ly/1KptcHa" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/SVZdX2aGOh" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://buff.ly/1KptcHa"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">buff.ly/1KptcHa</span><span class="invisible"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a> </span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> 20 years ago today, I committed my life to Jesus. BEST decision I ever made. <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://buff.ly/1MydbkJ" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/5XUDzmdDOc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://buff.ly/1MydbkJ"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">buff.ly/1MydbkJ</span></a> </span></span> </i>Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-62007135648141040612015-07-28T06:52:00.000-04:002015-07-28T06:52:36.449-04:00The Sacred Discipline of Awe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMhzemgJnuenQ4nTAbXLYDKTpT-7JrKLFvB4yRyyb6D3FSbU5Ks8sIzslxZxMcFWu_amke-D6qExn_hG9F52G6N_QhcQdnWMc9cO5jQqM3ygKhDf8GPrbL4Prp5g4tonyTRUiIPQ_sxJV/s1600/2015-05-23+10.08.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMhzemgJnuenQ4nTAbXLYDKTpT-7JrKLFvB4yRyyb6D3FSbU5Ks8sIzslxZxMcFWu_amke-D6qExn_hG9F52G6N_QhcQdnWMc9cO5jQqM3ygKhDf8GPrbL4Prp5g4tonyTRUiIPQ_sxJV/s320/2015-05-23+10.08.07.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
From Hannah Anderson, in <a href="http://gcdiscipleship.com/catechizing-our-children-in-wonder/"><b>Catchizing our Children in Wonder</b></a>: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>A quick Google search for “children’s discipleship” brings back resource
after resource—everything from catechisms to Bible memory systems to
pint-sized devotional books–all promising to produce faith in the next
generation of believers. What I rarely hear discussed is the necessity
of discipling our children through “natural revelation.” . . .</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>As you go about discipling your children, as you teach them their Bible
verses and correct them when they disobey, do not neglect the sacred
discipline of awe.</i><br />
<i></i>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Take them to the mountains to walk forest trails in search of the
millipedes and butterflies that are the works of his hands. </i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Take them to
the seashore to be knocked over by the power of a wave so that one day
they’ll know how to be knocked over by power of God. </i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Take them to the
art museum to thrill at colors and shapes and textures whose beauty can
only be explained by the One who is Beauty himself. </i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Take them to the
cities to crane their necks to the see the tops of sky scrapers and
shiver at God’s miracle of physics that keeps them from tumbling down.</i></blockquote>
<br />
And then take them to church. </blockquote>
<i><br /></i>
Read <a href="http://gcdiscipleship.com/catechizing-our-children-in-wonder/"><b>the full article on Gospel-Centered Discipleship</b></a>. <br />
<br />
Related Links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-review-case-for-creator-for-kids.html"><b>[Book Review] Case for a Creator for Kids </b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/03/i-am-six-day-creationist.html">I Am a Six-Day Creationist</a> </b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-do-we-know-that-god-is-real.html">How Do We Know That God Is Real? </a> </b> </li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-37979741946831054392015-07-24T05:00:00.000-04:002015-07-24T07:27:13.657-04:00Faith and Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxaadWLf1nQG24ol5Z0Wd7Kn7ecfXeowSfRQkIytMGap_llomaYZFSTYNReQveZUUbcbkAjq76mKALn9uci7RFF2eRYuZjSOz1NHUbYyIGjVqATsK8dFX__3gWIVGY25slQeVx586Wf4B/s1600/2015-07-13+13.28.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxaadWLf1nQG24ol5Z0Wd7Kn7ecfXeowSfRQkIytMGap_llomaYZFSTYNReQveZUUbcbkAjq76mKALn9uci7RFF2eRYuZjSOz1NHUbYyIGjVqATsK8dFX__3gWIVGY25slQeVx586Wf4B/s400/2015-07-13+13.28.55.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Every new quarter (much better than a semester format) at Furman University, I felt a pit in my stomach. I would look at all the work listed on my class syllabuses, and feel overwhelmed.<br />
<br />
This was the life of a chemistry major (it was kinda' tough) at a liberal arts college (that part was really tough). <br />
<br />
Especially my last couple of years, when I had my hardest classes, I realized that <i>I couldn't do it</i>. I knew that I could not make the grades I wanted, while also playing football, all by myself.<br />
<br />
It was a time to pray and trust God. And that's what I did. As soon as I saw my syllabus, I would pray for God to help me through the term.<br />
<br />
And then was a time to buckle down and get to work. <br />
<br />
<h3>
My New Job</h3>
I'm in a similar situation now. Yes, I'm back at Furman, but not as a student. I now work for the university, in a part-time job at the <a href="http://www.furman.edu/academics/shicenter/Pages/default.aspx"><b>Shi Center for Sustainability</b></a>. I am the Program Coordinator for the <a href="http://www.furman.edu/sites/sustainability/CommunityOutreach/Pages/CommunityConservationCorps.aspx"><b>Community Conservation Corps</b></a>.<br />
<br />
The short description is that I help low-income families get <i>free assistance</i> <i>with weatherization </i>for their homes. The shorter description is that I'm a project manager, a set of responsibilities that's completely new to me.<br />
<br />
And that's why I'm praying. I have had a lot to learn, in my two weeks of overlap with the previous coordinator (whose last day is today). So that leaves me, and a student worker (who will be done in a few weeks), and my boss (who is on maternity leave).<br />
<br />
So that leaves me. And God. (And, of course, a great team of folks at Furman who will do everything they can to help me succeed in this role.) <br />
<br />
I'm thankful to be in this role. And I see how my skills and experiences (especially community connections) will add value to this program.<br />
<br />
But I almost turned this job down.<br />
<br />
<h3>
The Job Before Me</h3>
I applied for the job last month, and was invited for an interview. I was pretty surprised when I received a call a few days later offering me the position. During the interview, I didn't think they were impressed by what I could offer, for what the job needed.<br />
<br />
But they made an offer, and I asked for the weekend to talk with my wife and think about it. And I very nearly said "no." I reasoned that . . .<br />
<ul>
<li>Project management wasn't what I wanted to do. I thought God was drawing me to work with kids and youth. </li>
<li>The 20-hour work week would limit my time with my job with <a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/the-why-behind-elevate-youth/"><b>Elevate Youth</b></a>, and other youth-related opportunities that would come up. </li>
<li>The job didn't pay as much as I thought it would. </li>
</ul>
<br />
But by Monday, I knew I needed to take it, and I'm glad I did. And that weekend's sermon from Grace Church was a key part in my decision (Coincidental timing? I think not.)<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ybzD_Mn0sU" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
In hearing this sermon on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ybzD_Mn0sU&feature=em-uploademail"><b>the miracle of God providing manna</b></a>, God showed me:<br />
<ul>
<li>This was the job <i>He put before me</i>. He might use it to open new opportunities down the road (and of course, He may not). </li>
<li>I need to trust God enough to <i>work diligently</i>. </li>
<li>I need to be <i>willing</i> to work in a job that I don't necessarily enjoy. </li>
<li>I need to look for ways to <i>meet the needs of those around me</i>. And this job is such an opportunity to do that. </li>
</ul>
Above all that, God has created a world where faith is required (<a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a>). This job at Furman, like my years of schooling at Furman, is a way for God to drive me to trust in Him.<br />
<br />
As with <a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/by-the-grace-of-god/"><b>my teaching job at Lead Academy</b></a>, God can do a great thing, and it will be all because of His grace.<br />
<br />
<h3>
My Other New Job</h3>
In September, I will be starting another new job. I will be teaching a 6th grade math class at Upstate <a href="https://www.homeschool-life.com/263/"><b>Homeschool Co-Op</b></a>, where our kids have attended. It's a new class for this co-op, and I'll teach two days per week, for an hour each day, for 24 weeks.<br />
<br />
I've got some work to do, if I want to make this class engaging and helpful for 6th graders.<br />
<br />
Again, I'll be depending on God for His grace and help.<br />
<br />
<h3>
More Great Teaching </h3>
I've also been learning a lot about work through some other great teaching from Grace Church. A group of eight of us guys are meeting weekly to discuss the material called <a href="http://gracechurchsc.org/uncategorized/a-man-and-his-work/"><b>A Man and His Work</b></a>. Like the above-mentioned sermon on manna, these teachings come at just the right time.<br />
<br />
Here are some of my take-aways:<br />
<ul>
<li>God is a worker, and in my work I <i>reflect His image</i>. </li>
<li>I need to make money to <i>provide </i>for my family (as I wrote <a href="http://familymatters.net/blog/2015/01/16/loving-my-family-pursue-provide-protect/"><b>here</b></a>).</li>
<li><i>Skillful and excellent</i> work glorifies God. </li>
<li>I should provide something or some service that <i>makes the world better</i>. </li>
<li>Work shapes <i>character</i>. </li>
<li>I need to<i> take Jesus to work</i>, especially by praying through the day. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
I look forward to growing in my new jobs (and my "old" one), and for seeing how God works through them, and in me.Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-31555880882193897062015-07-21T05:00:00.001-04:002015-07-21T05:00:01.323-04:00WHY and HOW the Church Should Equip Parents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zuqN59eojn7w9zn3B7-UunWCnX_7R8utB_C_HmxDOgfzLRroCFd-5TfRaa8O4MiffFUaeWcgarLN3Fr3D6qH6hiD9uejKRa-StPt7_xM7QmE3g8ZiKLrUa8sqNv8eYG3bpX672-wZ2X9/s1600/Its-Time-to-Engage+TimothyPaulJones.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zuqN59eojn7w9zn3B7-UunWCnX_7R8utB_C_HmxDOgfzLRroCFd-5TfRaa8O4MiffFUaeWcgarLN3Fr3D6qH6hiD9uejKRa-StPt7_xM7QmE3g8ZiKLrUa8sqNv8eYG3bpX672-wZ2X9/s400/Its-Time-to-Engage+TimothyPaulJones.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My wife and I are deeply connected and committed to family ministries at <a href="http://gracechurchsc.org/">Grace Church</a>.<br />
<br />
For years, Joanna and I volunteered in Children's Ministry. Then, in 2007, I came on staff as the Pastor of Children and Families. It was during that time that we came up with <a href="https://missionallendale.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/on-a-mission/"><b>our family mission</b></a> (or "adventure"):<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Through <em>exhortation </em>and <em>serving</em>, to <strong>equip the next generation</strong>, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">including in our <em>family</em>, our <em>church</em>, our <i>community</i>, and our <em>world</em>.</span></div>
<br />
After living out this adventure in Allendale, we moved back to Greenville to launch <a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/the-why-behind-elevate-youth/"><b>Elevate Youth</b></a>. That ministry focuses on children in our community, but we are still involved in family ministries at church. I serve in Fusion (for 5th and 6th graders), while my wife and daughter serve in Preschool Big Group.<br />
<br />
So, from our perspectives as parents and church members, we are always thinking about how we can help other parents. We wonder: <i>What do parents need? Do they want more events, or are they overbooked as it is? What are parents' biggest struggles and concerns? </i> <br />
<br />
Timothy Paul Jones shared some great thoughts about <a href="http://www.timothypauljones.com/2015/05/19/family-ministry-three-tips-to-engage/"><b>how a church can engage families</b></a>. First, he gives three truths:<br />
<ol>
<li>Most parents in the church know their responsibility. </li>
<li>Most parents are not intentionally discipling their children. </li>
<li>Most parents are not being trained, but are willing to be.</li>
</ol>
Do you agree? If so, what do we need to do to help parents?<br />
<br />
I'd love to hear your ideas: <b>What does your church do to help engage and equip parents? Or, what do you wish your church would do to equip you as a parent?</b><br />
<br />
Let us know in the comments, or on <b><a href="https://twitter.com/EspinosaJoey">Twitter</a> </b>or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.m.espinosa"><b>Facebook</b></a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
Related Links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-connecting-church-and-home.html"><b>Book Review: Connecting Church and Home</b></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2012/07/family-ministry-is-about-unity.html"><b>Family Ministry Is About Unity</b></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/09/gardens-of-home-and-church.html"><b>Gardens of Home and Church</b></a> </li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-31514751260927416412015-07-17T05:00:00.001-04:002015-07-17T05:00:04.653-04:00Marriage Is Not about Fairness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0hQE8sHzYd8232vPNDYetssGAz1IsXgpIvr6IIIriScIJd94R48QDL8kvv2fCukUqlERe_C-0yUfUG8l6QD27J_J9sAwdQOCdATHR-tsC71-AmTEEDjpCmvirtamJzvHZS3t8-N6wBw8/s1600/Wedding.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0hQE8sHzYd8232vPNDYetssGAz1IsXgpIvr6IIIriScIJd94R48QDL8kvv2fCukUqlERe_C-0yUfUG8l6QD27J_J9sAwdQOCdATHR-tsC71-AmTEEDjpCmvirtamJzvHZS3t8-N6wBw8/s400/Wedding.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Tomorrow is a special day for my wife and I. Only July 18, 1999 I asked Joanna to marry me (<a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/07/she-said-yes-to-this-adventure.html"><b>I was serious</b></a>), and she said "Yes," of course.<br />
<br />
I could give lots of reasons for why I asked her to marry me (<a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2011/07/11-reasons-i-asked-my-wife-to-marry-me.html"><b>here's 11</b></a>), and many more for why I'm glad she did.<br />
<br />
We have learned a lot over the past 16 years -- about each other, about our gracious God, and about ourselves. We've learned how selfish we can be, and we've learned that God can transform our minds and hearts. Even more, He transforms our hearts to <i>want</i> to be changed.<br />
<br />
If there is one thing we have learned, and are still learning, it's that marriage is not about "fairness." Marriage is about sacrificially putting your spouse first. Marriage is about truly knowing that you are "one flesh" (<a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>).<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Marriage is not 50/50. It's 100/100.</span></b></i> It flourishes when both spouses give 100% of who they are, regardless of how they feel and irrespective of return expectations.<br />
<br />
Here's what others have to say on this topic:<br />
<br />
Jen Pollock Michel (<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/women/2015/may/is-this-love.html?paging=off"><b>Is This What Love Looks Like?</b></a>): <i>"Fairness cannot be demanded in marriage. Unfortunately, many refuse this advice, entering marriage today like collective bargaining. . . . The only biblical model for marriage we have isn't equity; it's self-sacrifice." </i><br />
<br />
Philip Holmes (<a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/she-is-me"><b>She Is Me</b></a>): <i>"Refusing to nourish my wife by providing for her is more foolish than not feeding myself. . . . God empowers me to see that she is me, and to love selflessly and sacrificially as I have been loved." </i><br />
<br />
Matt Chandler (<a href="http://www.vergenetwork.org/2015/07/06/the-importance-of-marriage/"><b>The Importance of Marriage</b></a>): A 12-minute video, worthy of your time. My main take-away: <i>If you want your marriage to stand out in this culture, make sure it's covenantal, not contractual. </i>Here's the video:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G6Qy2x6BLsw" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Brett and Kate McKay (<a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/07/06/the-surprising-benefits-of-marrying-young/"><b>The Surprising Benefits of Marrying Young</b></a>): A little off-topic, but applicable since I was 23 when I got married, and Joanna had just turned 25. <i>"My goal with this article is to simply provide some reassurance to the
young gents out there who are in their early to mid-twenties, have
already met the right person, and feel like they’re ready to get
hitched, but are scared to pull the trigger because they’ve heard the
constant drumbeat of “Marry young and you’ll regret it!”" </i><br />
<br />
Of course, we should always listen to Paul's words, in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5"><b>his letter to the Ephesian church</b></a>: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="text Eph-5-22"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-23" id="en-NASB-29328">For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-24" id="en-NASB-29329">But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.</span><span class="text Eph-5-25" id="en-NASB-29330"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Eph-5-25" id="en-NASB-29330">Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,</span> <span class="text Eph-5-26" id="en-NASB-29331">so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,</span> <span class="text Eph-5-27" id="en-NASB-29332">that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-28" id="en-NASB-29333">So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;</span> <span class="text Eph-5-29" id="en-NASB-29334">for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,</span> <span class="text Eph-5-30" id="en-NASB-29335">because we are members of His body.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-31" id="en-NASB-29336"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;"> </span></span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Eph-5-31" id="en-NASB-29336"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh</span>.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-32" id="en-NASB-29337">This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-33" id="en-NASB-29338">Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.</span></i></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Finally, I <i>highly</i> recommend <a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2011/02/recommended-what-did-you-expect.html"><b>What Did You Expect??</b></a>, the best marriage book I've ever read.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy engagement anniversary, Joanna! </span></b></i><br />
<br />Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-82187811479486061872015-07-14T05:30:00.001-04:002015-07-14T05:30:01.970-04:00The Wisdom of Atticus Finch<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYDDot6blnezUjzhtVmeL4POZD7Dh5SyBWfpb_kty-rycI5xDVkyIp_r-heOuhx_PUouavnIQOTQyWVTwhxdgQiu9VLKGQfNG_GAP72WLFfx5MSBwe04t4NRYh-JUjGZl4XaeJoiMRx5e/s1600/book+to+kill+a+mockingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYDDot6blnezUjzhtVmeL4POZD7Dh5SyBWfpb_kty-rycI5xDVkyIp_r-heOuhx_PUouavnIQOTQyWVTwhxdgQiu9VLKGQfNG_GAP72WLFfx5MSBwe04t4NRYh-JUjGZl4XaeJoiMRx5e/s320/book+to+kill+a+mockingbird.jpg" title="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harperperennial-Modern-Classics-ebook/dp/B00K0OI42W?ie=UTF8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" width="211" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>". . . but remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." </i></span></blockquote>
</div>
<br />
My daughter read <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harperperennial-Modern-Classics-ebook/dp/B00K0OI42W?ie=UTF8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969"><b>To Kill a Mockingbird</b></a> </i>last month, and immediately told me, "Dad, you <i>have</i> to read this." Since her last recommended book was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Giver-Quartet-Book-ebook/dp/B003MC5N28?ie=UTF8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969"><b><i>The Giver</i></b></a>, I knew I had to listen to her.<br />
<br />
It was my first time ever reading this American classic. I'm glad. I don't think I could have appreciated it as much as I did had I read it 10 years ago. And much, much more than if I read it 20 years ago.<br />
<br />
Atticus Finch taught me a lot of things:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
On justice: <i>"This case, Tom Robinson's case, is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience -- Scout, I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn't try to help that man." </i><br />
<br />
On persecution: <i>"It's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you."</i><br />
<br />
On sin: <i> "This is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, . . . ." </i><br />
<br />
On protecting others: <i>"If spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children out there."</i></blockquote>
<br />
Of course, other characters had just as much wisdom. Miss Maudie explains Atticus's protective love for mockingbirds.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. . . . They don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." </i></blockquote>
<br />
<b>Have you read this book recently?</b> If not, maybe you should pick it back up again soon.<br />
<br />
<i>Warning</i>: Your local library probably has a waiting list. You can buy the e-book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harperperennial-Modern-Classics-ebook/dp/B00K0OI42W?ie=UTF8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969"><b>here</b></a>. <br />
<br />
<i>Double Warning</i>: Don't even try to get on the waiting list to borrow Harper Lee's follow up novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Go-Set-Watchman-Harper-Lee/dp/0062409859?ie=UTF8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969"><i><b>Go Set a Watchman</b></i></a>, which arrives in stores next week.Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-60942125347095822972015-07-10T04:30:00.000-04:002015-07-10T04:30:01.181-04:00100 Happy Days<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiDhR4uJL2yEYBlRJY4Rhx81Repiuf9WpuUQW3mbkm1fRuZCgsFJgqQ_q_L6YxzfO6nmx5jHP2PvBEbwV_OotDN1xxJUvkWoFylD1ioezWKyUnxe_PGEHUfD91IjvZk8cCc1I90-wqgaX/s1600/2015-06-25+08.48.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiDhR4uJL2yEYBlRJY4Rhx81Repiuf9WpuUQW3mbkm1fRuZCgsFJgqQ_q_L6YxzfO6nmx5jHP2PvBEbwV_OotDN1xxJUvkWoFylD1ioezWKyUnxe_PGEHUfD91IjvZk8cCc1I90-wqgaX/s400/2015-06-25+08.48.04.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Can't you tell how happy we are?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do you remember earlier this year, when I did a 13-week Ben Franklin journalling challenge? Following Franklin's example, I focused on a specific virtue each week, and noting when I <i>failed </i>in that virtue. <br />
<br />
Do you remember how it made me feel? It was <a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2015/03/burden-of-virtues.html"><b>a depressing burden to carry</b></a> (although it did help me to better appreciate the Good News that I don't have to make myself a virtuous person).<br />
<br />
If you follow me on Instagram (<a href="https://instagram.com/joeyespinosa/"><b>@JoeyEspinosa</b></a>), you've seen some recent posts tagged <a href="http://100happydays.com/">#100HappyDays</a>. I don't know why other people have attempted this challenge, but I've done it to make myself recognize and appreciate small but enjoyable moments in my everyday life.<br />
<br />
If you are like me, most of your days are in monotonous and tedious routines. Hey, life is difficult, and work is frustrating, and parenting is very hard and frustrating. I need to be reminded to enjoy the everyday happy moments.<br />
<br />
Does this mean that every single day is overwhelmingly joyful? Not at all! But it does make me recognize that I have a choice of whether or not to look for joy, and it makes me realize that God constantly gives me "every good and perfect gift" (<a href="http://biblehub.com/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a>). <br />
<br />
Gifts like . . .<br />
<br />
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/3cOMWPDyvi/"><b>My students making superb grades</b></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-a44I1Ur9JqKC7bm-sfiNZh2carLs5ctT0tEIvG9PaoYZuWPTTdtNxYkzSZooTxpIqwT41L7f1yHK3K2llgf04rfPVAk16-lwoHewlyJcl9TwO1Zm5uVff95NSUL_GqUG_M6DynMa-4i/s1600/algebra+grades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-a44I1Ur9JqKC7bm-sfiNZh2carLs5ctT0tEIvG9PaoYZuWPTTdtNxYkzSZooTxpIqwT41L7f1yHK3K2llgf04rfPVAk16-lwoHewlyJcl9TwO1Zm5uVff95NSUL_GqUG_M6DynMa-4i/s400/algebra+grades.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/3uynJ-jyv9/"><b>A sweet note from the boy I mentor</b></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_-ckK9AgPf3sHPcfvVkoHUbGOpJXLFtBQJpnw6pWrJDcIhmJ5Zqh6AHR0zyoiC1BaotDkoaAwYZRWzZO7nL-yCJxVcD7x12OmMUAGFfV2KWEYvWD2UjjrOJyC_rp-xankHxnqvAzPb4t/s1600/note+from+malachi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_-ckK9AgPf3sHPcfvVkoHUbGOpJXLFtBQJpnw6pWrJDcIhmJ5Zqh6AHR0zyoiC1BaotDkoaAwYZRWzZO7nL-yCJxVcD7x12OmMUAGFfV2KWEYvWD2UjjrOJyC_rp-xankHxnqvAzPb4t/s400/note+from+malachi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4C9XIFDypa/"><b><br /></b></a>
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4C9XIFDypa/"><b><br /></b></a>
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4C9XIFDypa/"><b>Teaching chess to kids at summer camp</b></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj2IxtuJWHL4v9K_UtJUwyLCUgfuZRAfIlm4qq9_AfYHfqlU_E5PTSfMqlHxGTNGR-xbcUxTW2HF9-BwUN5E3GhSr-g7cW2BG5TT45W1Ddl90lrHH4DPED0Y52TdNJp2YLGvj9B68u8lN/s1600/chess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj2IxtuJWHL4v9K_UtJUwyLCUgfuZRAfIlm4qq9_AfYHfqlU_E5PTSfMqlHxGTNGR-xbcUxTW2HF9-BwUN5E3GhSr-g7cW2BG5TT45W1Ddl90lrHH4DPED0Y52TdNJp2YLGvj9B68u8lN/s400/chess.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4LIJoCDysV/"><b>My sons enjoying Star Wars and each other's company</b></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKCBplIqbwF-XK9-imuBWqrMu8blAvJgnxA2A-ERoUYFCnt5r009Hz_SCEXqrfsZXJWRDQ3DSTd32vl_6sfUDtdIQ6a6Tj9_-5U6pMjhhzxUPuOxZ6o6f1H1naJngEDeFeAkHPHi2xig_/s1600/Sender+Elijah+Couch+StarWars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKCBplIqbwF-XK9-imuBWqrMu8blAvJgnxA2A-ERoUYFCnt5r009Hz_SCEXqrfsZXJWRDQ3DSTd32vl_6sfUDtdIQ6a6Tj9_-5U6pMjhhzxUPuOxZ6o6f1H1naJngEDeFeAkHPHi2xig_/s400/Sender+Elijah+Couch+StarWars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4W7oCnDyso/"><b>Realizing I have a twin</b></a> (see above)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4fTSA6jyio/"><b>Free pizza</b></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleWpkSEny5SRF9tSULk6xf5qqI5TNjHc_NLZVHwWrytdu8C99fnOol8d14MzzMOxPbijrxYfViMTGIJTvTJxiu783b5H5j8jSZ10KMJFqnTdldJ0noYCJhyEBAnzVDNKPqj_khUYvZGnt/s1600/Marcos+Pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleWpkSEny5SRF9tSULk6xf5qqI5TNjHc_NLZVHwWrytdu8C99fnOol8d14MzzMOxPbijrxYfViMTGIJTvTJxiu783b5H5j8jSZ10KMJFqnTdldJ0noYCJhyEBAnzVDNKPqj_khUYvZGnt/s400/Marcos+Pizza.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you need a reminder of God's goodness in your life, maybe you should take the <a href="http://100happydays.com/"><b>100 Happy Days challenge</b></a>. Every day, you can experience His good grace. Whether you do this challenge or not, look for it.<br />
<br />
Related Links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/01/review-of-in-between-and-my-other-top.html"><b>Review of "The In-Between"</b></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://acuff.me/2015/06/how-to-look-good-on-the-internet/"><b>How to Look Good on the Internet</b></a> (Jon Acuff's caution about why we post things on social media)</li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-91459311725578699882015-07-07T05:00:00.000-04:002015-07-07T05:00:01.609-04:00Becoming a Better Parent, from the Inside Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFn5EeILa2K4Ao5sMn9rlj7lyBTEvxsFS3n4w6WIV3X2QJFUipSUCehb38r6yDgautIGrxRYgFsec1FrzKfH4F5vAF-SlSxAK2duMdfu_DOriWNDvz0ErRGHJJNfj2-o3BDI1OzNJxyle/s1600/inside_out+imdb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFn5EeILa2K4Ao5sMn9rlj7lyBTEvxsFS3n4w6WIV3X2QJFUipSUCehb38r6yDgautIGrxRYgFsec1FrzKfH4F5vAF-SlSxAK2duMdfu_DOriWNDvz0ErRGHJJNfj2-o3BDI1OzNJxyle/s320/inside_out+imdb.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
Can a movie help you become a better parent? Even more, can a <i>kids</i> movie help you?
<br />
Movies have helped me other times, such as with <a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2010/12/lesson-from-toy-story-3-we-belong-to.html"><b>Toy Story 3</b></a> and <a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2015/02/willy-wonka-parenting.html"><b>Willy Wonka</b></a>. And it happened again recently, when I took my sons to see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/"><b>Inside Out</b></a>, the latest Pixar movie.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(<i>Disclaimer and shout-out</i>: We rarely go to movies, but this movie was provided for free for us, and for all the patients of <a href="http://www.palmettofamilyortho.com/">Palmetto Family Orthodontics</a>.) </blockquote>
How did this movie help me, and help me lead my family? We've started a new "tradition" -- sharing our feelings from the day, each evening at the dinner table.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(<i>2nd disclaimer and shout out</i>: This idea is also influenced by one of my favorite books I read this year, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Giver-Quartet-Lois-Lowry/dp/0544336267?_encoding=UTF8&camp=213689&creative=392969&linkCode=btl&tag=adifway-20">The Giver</a>.) </blockquote>
Want to learn more about how God is helping me be a better parent, and what we are doing based on this movie? Check out my latest guest post on the Family Matters blog, <a href="http://familymatters.net/blog/2015/07/03/how-inside-out-made-me-a-better-parent/"><b>How "Inside Out" Made Me a Better Parent</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Related Links: <br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/pixar/what-parents-can-learn-from-inside-out-about-a-dangerous-mistake-we-make-with-children-s-emotions.html"><b>Inside Out Can Help Parents Avoid This Big Mistake</b></a> (from Crosswalk) </li>
<li><a href="http://www.ccef.org/resources/blog/inside-out-lessons-sadness-sonship-and-prodigals"><b>Inside Out: Lessons in Sadness, Sonship, and Prodigals</b></a> (from CCEF) </li>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2011/02/dysfunction-among-disney-families.html"><b>Dysfunction Among Disney Families</b></a> (just classic) </li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-537151651077026832015-07-03T05:30:00.000-04:002015-07-03T07:32:30.192-04:00Forgiveness, Patriotism, Heritage, and the Gospel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGni8Te1cG3Dk5a6P2tER8Iri3egGRmYMcwud_I7RLbOmW_02tNQqTMv3LddnkvyK2cXIcl4ofW-5R5i5ruDZBMu43YsIm88Y8j09QtowVF4_CergvUUPgUrkZ6ervvscLppEur8WcnJ4l/s1600/banner_god_we_trust+rgbstock+melodi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGni8Te1cG3Dk5a6P2tER8Iri3egGRmYMcwud_I7RLbOmW_02tNQqTMv3LddnkvyK2cXIcl4ofW-5R5i5ruDZBMu43YsIm88Y8j09QtowVF4_CergvUUPgUrkZ6ervvscLppEur8WcnJ4l/s400/banner_god_we_trust+rgbstock+melodi2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I love our family meal times. Not every meal time involves a serious discussion, but almost every Saturday morning I have been trying to <a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/08/focusing-our-family-on-bible.html"><b>focus my family on the Bible</b></a>. <br />
<br />
One of the themes that we've focused in on this past year is "Love God, Love Others." Some recent current events presented a great opportunity to explain Biblical forgiveness.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, as I'm sure you know, Dylan Roof shot and killed nine people at a prayer meeting in Charleston, SC. Unfortunately, senseless murder is not too uncommon nowadays.<br />
<br />
However the <b><a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/420059/watch-charleston-victims-forgive-shooter-david-french">response</a></b> by the remaining family members was striking. <i>They offered forgiveness and prayed for God's mercy on him</i>.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e26Eysq22Yg" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
As a family, we discussed how we would feel if someone killed one of us. <i>Sad</i>. <i>Angry</i>. <i>Upset</i>. And those feelings are all valid.<br />
<br />
Then I read Ephesians 4:32: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." </i></blockquote>
<span class="p"></span> <br />
<span class="p">Paul makes it clear that our actions should not be dependent on our feelings. Our actions should flow out of our relationship with Christ. That is, our <i>love for God</i> is directly connected with our <i>love for others</i>. And love for others should know no bounds, even if those bounds involve hate-filled murder.</span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<span class="p">More Thoughts on the Charleston Shooting </span></h3>
<span class="p">Brandon Smith writes in <a href="http://gcdiscipleship.com/reflect-christ-deflect-satan/"><b>Reflect Christ, Deflect Satan</b></a>: </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="p">"</span><span class="p">The gospel frees us from our own interests. Christians have an
obligation to love God and love others well precisely because of the
cross."</span></i></blockquote>
<span class="p">And my friend Jim Taylor, before he preached a sermon that I really needed to hear, shared <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=migbZNbFvms&feature=em-uploademai"><b>thoughts on the Charleston shooting</b></a>:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/migbZNbFvms" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<h3>
<span class="p"> </span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="p">On a Related Topic . . . </span></h3>
If you've been following the story of this shooting (and probably even if you haven't), you know that our country is awash in a Confederate Flag controversy. Again. (Yes, I know that the flag is technically the Confederate <i>Battle </i>Flag.)<br />
<br />
A few days after it began, I tweeted this late one night:<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Any Christian who puts his "Southern Heritage" over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel.</div>
— Joey Espinosa (@EspinosaJoey) <a href="https://twitter.com/EspinosaJoey/status/613171539752652800">June 23, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
And then I followed up a few days later with <a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/06/25/confederate-flag-controversy-whats-your-worldview-and-identity/"><b>a 1500-word expansion on that thought</b></a>.<br />
<br />
Now, as we are about to celebrate our nation's independence, I want to expand on that thought even more. It's not just "Southern Heritage" that Christians need to be careful of. We can put any other identity issue in that tweet as well.<br />
<br />
Here are a few other variations you can try on for size:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Any Christian who puts his <i>Patriotism </i>over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel.<br />
<br />
Any Christian who puts his <i>family ancestry</i> over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel.<br />
<br />
Any Christian who puts his <i>work or ministry </i>over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel.<br />
<br />
Any Christian who puts his <i>ethnic group </i>over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel.<br />
<br />
Any Christian who puts his <i>hobby </i>over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel.<br />
<br />
Any Christian who puts his <i>(________) </i>over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel. </blockquote>
<br />
Examine <i>your </i>heart. What could <i>you</i> fill in this blank with?<br />
<br />
Remember, Christian, any freedom you have in your heritage is trivial compared to the freedom Christ brought for you.<br />
<br />
These posts may help you think through why our Christian identity should matter so much:<br />
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/07/patriotism-and-church.html">Patriotism and the Church</a> </b></li>
<li><b><a href="https://missionallendale.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/good-bye-christian-america/">Good-Bye, Christian America</a> </b></li>
<li><b><a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/whats-the-difference-between-race-and-ethnicity/">What's the Difference Between Race and Ethnicity?</a> </b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3>
Final Thoughts and Related Links</h3>
I encourage you to spend some time reading one or more of these links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/06/22/the-southern-avenger-repents-i-was-wrong-about-the-confederate-flag.html"><b>The 'Southern Avenger' Repents: I Was Wrong About the Confederate Flag</b></a>. The title says it all. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BenjaminWatsonOfficial/posts/718321871628280"><b>Benjamin Watson shares his story</b></a> about a teammate who learned what this flag meant to others. </li>
<li>A former co-worker (a Southern country boy through-and-through), began <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/bill-wires/the-confederate-flag/7746881828"><b>opposing the Confederate Flag at a Christmas Parade</b></a>, over 7 years ago.<i>"I don’t know how the men on that float had the nerve to wave, smile, and
send Christmas wishes to the people lining the street while waving a
flag that symbolizes hatred to those same people."</i></li>
<li><b><a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/why-dont-we-strive-for-racial-reconciliation/">Why Don't We Strive for Racial Reconciliation?</a> </b>(from my Justice Kindness Humility blog)</li>
<li><a href="https://missionallendale.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/2-great-videos-about-race-community-and-the-gospel/"><b>2 Great Videos About Race, Community, and the Gospel</b></a> (from my Mission: Allendale blog)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>**image courtesy of melodi2 via rgbstock </i></span></div>
<ul>
</ul>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-66619989027081755272015-06-30T05:30:00.000-04:002015-06-30T05:30:00.823-04:00Favorite Tweets for June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDYp541gBg4MS2ztm3zE-Z89tZuLzqB7_GRoNw5GQSQHGbqkiyNnNtWdNgynN1_kdUrN52it7WNQIQMiawRxm6wSjUAUTjUFTJ6QAnn8Mwd0bv6xba24VoMN6E_De5g4xhbddohPyF0sB/s1600/book+to+kill+a+mockingbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDYp541gBg4MS2ztm3zE-Z89tZuLzqB7_GRoNw5GQSQHGbqkiyNnNtWdNgynN1_kdUrN52it7WNQIQMiawRxm6wSjUAUTjUFTJ6QAnn8Mwd0bv6xba24VoMN6E_De5g4xhbddohPyF0sB/s400/book+to+kill+a+mockingbird.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
Happy Summer!!<br />
<br />
It's hot around here, which means it's a good time to do a little reading. I've read a few fiction books this month, which is abnormal for me. One of those books was <i>To Kill a Mockingham</i>, my first time reading this classic.<br />
<br />
Hopefully, you get time to relax with a good book. And maybe some good tweets, like these:<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
From Others</h3>
<a href="https://twitter.com/TGC"><b>@TGC</b></a>: <i>20 years of marriage have taught me much about my own heart and the way in which God works to make us like his Son. <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://bit.ly/1IcMZIR" data-original-text="http://bit.ly/1IcMZIR " dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/qleEZYNDME" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/1IcMZIR">http://bit.ly/1IcMZIR </a></i> <br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://twitter.com/StudentsFirst">@StudentsFirst</a>:</b> <i>What the best schools have in common is that they set high expectations for students from day one: <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://bit.ly/1G9lCjl" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/kR4V623ziD" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/1G9lCjl"><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">bit.ly/1G9lCjl</span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a> <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/Ninacharters">@Ninacharters</a></i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Gospel_Project"><b>@Gospel_Project</b></a>: <i> It is important that we tell ourselves again today that we need the
grace of Jesus right now as much as we needed it when we first...</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/BRobson90"><b>@BRobson90</b></a>: <i> </i><i>Any other desire of our heart will look like rubbish when compared to
the immense riches and treasure of having Christ as our chief desire!</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/GraceChurchCE"><b>@GraceChurchCE</b></a>:<i> </i><i>"God is God. I dethrone Him in my heart if I demand that He act in ways that satisfy my idea of justice." -Elizabeth Elliot </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ChrchCurmudgeon"><b>@ChrchCurmudgeon</b></a>:<i> </i><i>Due to our inability to find VBS clean-up volunteers, tomorrow's wedding will be jungle-themed. </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/jonathanowens21"><b>@JonathanOwens21</b></a>: <i>Guys, we are not just "offended" by the Confederate Flag. It's pain. Real, real pain. I wish people would understand that. </i><br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
From Myself</h3>
<i>Thanks to generous church members, I just dropped off a check to provide
partial scholarships for 5 kids to attend Long Branch's summer camp. </i><br />
<br />
<i>I can't believe that <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/MicahwilliamsSC">@MicahwilliamsSC</a> & <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/mac_cavin">@mac_cavin</a> just had senior night, and we forgot to submit this for a memory. <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFMMvbenhn0&feature=youtu.be" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/eZpOEoBVQF" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFMMvbenhn0&feature=youtu.be"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="js-display-url">youtube.com/watch?v=QFMMvb</span><span class="invisible">enhn0&feature=youtu.be</span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span>…</span></a></i><br />
<br />
<i><span class="tco-ellipsis">"When teachers believe a student can perform at a high level, the student is much more likely to do so." <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://buff.ly/1FYR5R3" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/ApQE0ONsd9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://buff.ly/1FYR5R3"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">buff.ly/1FYR5R3</span><span class="invisible"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a> <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hope?src=hash">#hope</a> <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/grit?src=hash">#grit</a> </span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Big thanks to <a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/OobeApparel">@oobeapparel</a> for giving its employees time off to volunteer in our community… <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://ift.tt/1MWdrIw" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/Lh77z4CTLH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ift.tt/1MWdrIw"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">ift.tt/1MWdrIw</span><span class="invisible"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a></i> <br />
<br />
<i>We have a dentist that gives out cookies, & an orthodontist that
gives out popcorn (& rents out movie theaters for all his clients).</i><br />
<br />
<i>Any Christian who puts his "Southern Heritage" over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Had a great time at Landon Powell Hit House! Grateful for their investment in youth, and t… <a class="twitter-timeline-link" data-expanded-url="http://ift.tt/1HjRm5U" dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/Q4z5S5f41e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://ift.tt/1HjRm5U"><span class="tco-ellipsis"></span><span class="invisible">http://</span><span class="js-display-url">ift.tt/1HjRm5U</span><span class="invisible"></span><span class="tco-ellipsis"><span class="invisible"> </span></span></a></i> Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-49727015182318714592015-06-26T04:30:00.000-04:002015-06-26T04:30:01.061-04:005 Ways to Teach Financial Literacy to Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zw4CraVHz8usrKPHMct8PuxPuXzB0sWrfR-g_XwVWFmeOB98yYloWLq393syfalF8NgA0ynWk_bvEEoGBPzUP7YGVfs8JPgKQL6h1FUsAYp7ZTMlFOIhMHlizy9Ka_cezRgPP1i2Q_Mk/s1600/image+money_hands+google.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zw4CraVHz8usrKPHMct8PuxPuXzB0sWrfR-g_XwVWFmeOB98yYloWLq393syfalF8NgA0ynWk_bvEEoGBPzUP7YGVfs8JPgKQL6h1FUsAYp7ZTMlFOIhMHlizy9Ka_cezRgPP1i2Q_Mk/s1600/image+money_hands+google.jpeg" /></a></div>
<i>Today's guest post is from Jessica Kane. I think you'll find this information to be helpful as you teach your children about money and finances.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">There comes a point in every child's life when they realize that book bags and candy bars don't magically appear out of thin air. When this moment arrives, it's important to open a dialogue about money. The way you teach them when they're young will have ripple effects on how they manage their bank accounts in the future, so here are just five tips for starting a conversation about financial responsibility.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<br />
<h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Play Games</b></span></span></div>
</h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sit your child down for a lecture about personal accounting and they may or may not remember what you said three days later. Sit them down and play a game of Monopoly, however, and they'll learn all about saving, investing and spending within your means, no lecture required. Games that stimulate financial thinking are a great way to introduce your child to the concept that money is finite.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are a few others you can play for the same results:</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Game-of-Life/dp/B00CM2IFT2%20/h"><b>Life</b></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pay-Board-Game-Editions-vary/dp/B00083HIJK%20/h"><b>Pay Day</b></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-CASHFLOW-for-Kids/dp/B00B8DOJLO%20/h"><b>Cashflow for Kids</b></a></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2. Bring Money Into Everyday Activities</b></span></span></div>
</h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many parents don't think of the amusement park as a learning opportunity, but with the right planning, it can turn into a real teachable moment. For example, give your child a certain amount of money and explain that it's all they have to spend for the entire day. Do they use it for games, rides or souvenirs? Do they exchange sodas for water to make their lunch budget stretch? Would an all-day pass be a better investment than paying for each roller coaster individually?</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
</h4>
<h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3. Give Them An Allowance</b></span></span></div>
</h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most kids won't understand the value of money until they actually have it in their hands to spend or save as they see fit. You'll want to give them an age-appropriate amount, of course, but otherwise the sky is the limit in regards to how they earn it and how often they receive it. You can drive the lesson even further home by having a weekly discussion about the following topics:</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">- How much they have left</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">- What they'd like to save up for</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">- How long it will take them to reach their financial goal</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">- How much they'd still have if they hadn't spent their last allowance frivolously</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
</h4>
<h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>4. Involve Them in the Family Finances</b></span></span></div>
</h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is an excellent way to teach them everyday financial skills that will come in handy as they grow older. Young children can practice their arithmetic as you add up the monthly bills together; preteens and adolescents can learn about checks, taxes and credit cards. Once they've demonstrated a certain degree of financial wisdom, you can allow them to open their own savings account or take out a student charge card. The goal is to prepare them for handling their finances independently by the time they're eighteen and headed for college without your supervision.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>5. Get Connected</b></span></span></div>
</h4>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's the 21st century, and many children learn how to operate a smartphone before they can do long division. You'll need to be hip to the trends if you want to impress financial responsibility on them in a way they can understand.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are a few good websites where kids can learn about money:</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.kidworth.com/%20/h"><b>Kidworth</b></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://bizkids.com/%20/h"><b>Biz Kids</b></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.richkidsmartkid.com/%20/h"><b>Rich Kid, Smart Kid</b></a></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are a few noteworthy apps:</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kids-money/id366849176%20/h"><b>Kids Money</b></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/save-the-game/id360805496%20/h"><b>Save! The Game</b></a></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/p2k-money/id405631656?mt=8%20\h"><b>P2K Money</b></a></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are many more, of course, but these should at least start a conversation about money.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the end of the day, your children will look to you when it comes to financial literacy. Your example is the one they'll emulate; your lessons will be the ones they remember through adolescence and adulthood. If you're serious about teaching your little ones the value of a dollar, follow these tips for the best results.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 14px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 14px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><i>Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who focuses on personal finance and other money matters. She currently writes for</i></span></span> <a href="http://checkworks.com/%20/h"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><i><u>Checkworks.com</u></i></span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;">,</span></span></a> <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><i>a leading supplier of personal and business checks.</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-highlight: white;"></span></i><br /></div>
Related Links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2012/03/more-on-allowances-and-responsiblities.html"><b>More on Allowances and Responsibilities</b></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/01/facilitating-indpendence-why-were.html"><b>Facilitating Independence: Why We're Giving Our Daughter a Clothing Allowance</b></a> </li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-13431211954819167032015-06-23T05:30:00.000-04:002015-06-23T05:30:01.896-04:00Double-Birthday, Double-Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZad6joEGXOeUvRuSRPADUt-FwQHkn-JAWF1UY6EK5OHnhGnJV_ziOMXXXwm3zHXZF3tUVi19_iETnDmzKIiK_0AGvWcCyxMOm-GEpBWDlwJbdZ_RRk1HF01pHdnpk3lBkZHVOK1QbbaM/s1600/Sender+Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZad6joEGXOeUvRuSRPADUt-FwQHkn-JAWF1UY6EK5OHnhGnJV_ziOMXXXwm3zHXZF3tUVi19_iETnDmzKIiK_0AGvWcCyxMOm-GEpBWDlwJbdZ_RRk1HF01pHdnpk3lBkZHVOK1QbbaM/s320/Sender+Horse.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
Soon after my sons and I returned from our <a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2015/06/arizona-boys-trip-15-pictures.html"><b>Arizona vacation</b></a>, Sender was invited to join his cousins to a trip to Legoland. After having less than a days' notice before leaving, Sender eagerly said "Yes!"<br />
<br />
We've been to <a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2012/12/secret-vacation.html"><b>Legoland before</b></a> as a family, and Sender is in the right age range to still enjoy it. Plus, they spent a day in the water park, which we didn't do last time. <br />
<br />
My brother and his wife took the boys to Legoland because it was their oldest son's birthday. But this trip also doubled our present to Sender for his "half-birthday." (Since his birthday -- December 23 -- is so close to Christmas, we buy him gifts 6 months earlier, or later. Don't worry, he still gets a cake and a special birthday dinner in December.)<br />
<br />
Here are some pics of the fun:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAkSD4cLLyQbVhiLu1rPfn6xK4D5FaZXebry_7SlMTXPrSTdKxP_JMWOPBOpdGTHTQdJeg_qlxn-6ROXS5ltmcnAYm_Zi-JTdLBIoNcN01mH0Lko2B_us29oH9Xw2giPTX0_aIqa3Rh-r/s1600/Legoland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAkSD4cLLyQbVhiLu1rPfn6xK4D5FaZXebry_7SlMTXPrSTdKxP_JMWOPBOpdGTHTQdJeg_qlxn-6ROXS5ltmcnAYm_Zi-JTdLBIoNcN01mH0Lko2B_us29oH9Xw2giPTX0_aIqa3Rh-r/s400/Legoland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnNCffF90B25v75vgWvE6HmVgFsU_8OQoO_cqEC80TyUnsHTAv93BFzL42it-KriRx4xR_sOicqXvqZ4nCewP-84btJKflYdiFhOZAUBb9pDcdD6ixflv8fjZkupYtMaorA2aq-Iv4L2g/s1600/Sender+Caleb+Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnNCffF90B25v75vgWvE6HmVgFsU_8OQoO_cqEC80TyUnsHTAv93BFzL42it-KriRx4xR_sOicqXvqZ4nCewP-84btJKflYdiFhOZAUBb9pDcdD6ixflv8fjZkupYtMaorA2aq-Iv4L2g/s400/Sender+Caleb+Boat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYRuqxRW6lftZOplJ0rxWkVUzKuoolvjLJu42VJ9ImzKOsO2elHteh0nVh6KCZboDH20P_wBYI7Y87O66WZgX-qkLq8BpBSFb_8nrYyCEGIvUQCJx-RC5n8GGsNeh6pgW1gd3FHN0xzfN/s1600/Sender+Caleb+Jeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYRuqxRW6lftZOplJ0rxWkVUzKuoolvjLJu42VJ9ImzKOsO2elHteh0nVh6KCZboDH20P_wBYI7Y87O66WZgX-qkLq8BpBSFb_8nrYyCEGIvUQCJx-RC5n8GGsNeh6pgW1gd3FHN0xzfN/s400/Sender+Caleb+Jeep.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FuvPLWgjcC5GEcS0SUTv82cXEwGOT7pJQSeVDYJ0kATOqPYiPKvHEij-NHPWmmG00mxgfx3Hx0vhdyYIWh6q4l1vYXEMyRW00OKdQgr4lmrH_mQ-66SlByXUYyBFpj2Jnzb2dJpowGNb/s1600/Sender+Isaac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FuvPLWgjcC5GEcS0SUTv82cXEwGOT7pJQSeVDYJ0kATOqPYiPKvHEij-NHPWmmG00mxgfx3Hx0vhdyYIWh6q4l1vYXEMyRW00OKdQgr4lmrH_mQ-66SlByXUYyBFpj2Jnzb2dJpowGNb/s400/Sender+Isaac.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cAdBppRJiGkVXG08webOovTUAOmn8bH1Wunb1bQ5aws09MJ0CKVF229vXBekh0RBzV6rMP5u28_8X80z6l19ovWDkscAHR0pmV0fISH_qbwfcqBauIaw7SFyhAmsw0-x9c1_5TcPwXuC/s1600/Sender+Joshua+Legoland1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cAdBppRJiGkVXG08webOovTUAOmn8bH1Wunb1bQ5aws09MJ0CKVF229vXBekh0RBzV6rMP5u28_8X80z6l19ovWDkscAHR0pmV0fISH_qbwfcqBauIaw7SFyhAmsw0-x9c1_5TcPwXuC/s400/Sender+Joshua+Legoland1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl-F6vqw8Wq8EBIrVWNs19n01RiuxQu4TbPBnXUElGV2QZv_rjhRSDUl-fu4M23iyMC-2hVnQcbQnIPEeoMwad-bQEWRKlh8lfwI6lia2XmSN1eo3IbSpKdcO51U_y78sx8lD7Mzk_G-a/s1600/Water+Cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl-F6vqw8Wq8EBIrVWNs19n01RiuxQu4TbPBnXUElGV2QZv_rjhRSDUl-fu4M23iyMC-2hVnQcbQnIPEeoMwad-bQEWRKlh8lfwI6lia2XmSN1eo3IbSpKdcO51U_y78sx8lD7Mzk_G-a/s400/Water+Cannon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Special thanks to my brother and his wife, who allowed Sender to tag along. With three boys of their own, adding Sender meant an <i>exponential</i> amount of energy to the mix. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKTm-J9GdnH2TMbPHC50xAx134SenjaYvwmkdjYP4996GImbHkxyKnBFz7-V8fQoqOboVIWMwK98gRCcvp2hRqnh8SIcnoTn9o7mUMJfD_dUE3kEPjAmlKekTn6KwLcx2HVtcYN0wJUxC/s1600/Boys+elevator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKTm-J9GdnH2TMbPHC50xAx134SenjaYvwmkdjYP4996GImbHkxyKnBFz7-V8fQoqOboVIWMwK98gRCcvp2hRqnh8SIcnoTn9o7mUMJfD_dUE3kEPjAmlKekTn6KwLcx2HVtcYN0wJUxC/s320/Boys+elevator.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
But apparently Sender followed our strict <span style="color: #990000;"><i><strike>threats</strike></i></span> instructions to be a blessing to their family. My sister-in-law texted me:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"I am not exaggerating one bit when I say that he was a delight. He obeyed every time he was told to do something with no argument, and he was always offering to do things for us." </i></blockquote>
<br />
Now, if only he would be more like that at home . . . .<br />
<br />
Related Links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/06/divided-son-senders-half-birthday.html"><b>Divided Son: Sender's Half-Birthday</b></a> (2014)</li>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2013/06/half-birthdays-are-whole-lot-of-fun.html"><b>Half-Birthdays Are a Whole Lotta' Fun</b></a> (2013)</li>
</ul>
<br />Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-6051523845144504962015-06-19T05:00:00.000-04:002015-06-19T05:00:04.898-04:00My Grandmother: A Woman of Influence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EpuqhrDy3dMGdVzE8oRyhNOMVtofjd7Do6FKoVS4bjWU21eJy-pe11aFWznXx1AgGLlsGFG-t7sU3hPPafdVsX-JkzaNRVq-4akNap2z3VIUCL8LbebpK1bZOA-LvesQ8HObNUdG58i1/s1600/Nanny+Poppop+Boys+cropped+1976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EpuqhrDy3dMGdVzE8oRyhNOMVtofjd7Do6FKoVS4bjWU21eJy-pe11aFWznXx1AgGLlsGFG-t7sU3hPPafdVsX-JkzaNRVq-4akNap2z3VIUCL8LbebpK1bZOA-LvesQ8HObNUdG58i1/s320/Nanny+Poppop+Boys+cropped+1976.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My Jewish grandparents had an immense influence on my life. While I didn't follow in their faith, I did learn a lot about hope and hard work.<br />
<br />
They had hopes and dreams for my brother and I, some of which we didn't follow. But they never stopped loving us.<br />
<br />
My grandmother, especially, poured out her time, energy, and money for our sake. When I look at the influence I get to have with the next generation, I see how her efforts have flowed through me. That is, not only did she bless me, but others are blessed because of her influence on my life.<br />
<br />
I hope you'll read more of my story, and more about the story of my grandmother, on the <a href="http://www.gracewomensministry.org/gwmblog/woman-of-influencewoman-of-hope"><b>Grace Church Women's Ministry blog</b></a>. I had so much to say that I split it into <a href="http://www.gracewomensministry.org/gwmblog/woman-of-influencewoman-of-hope"><b>Part 1</b></a> and <a href="http://www.gracewomensministry.org/gwmblog/woman-of-influence-woman-of-nurturing"><b>Part 2</b></a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
Related Link:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-beauty-under-bridge.html"><b>The Beauty Under the Bridge</b></a> </li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-17588911827434398742015-06-16T04:30:00.000-04:002015-06-16T04:30:00.814-04:00Fatherhood Lessons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq25xACbn9MhqGrRPjw6K6Gw06EEJdPT8xYKwHL9gHAl_uefcDIlwwv1MCx8cjr-fpsR84BlB8eOU-T-GfmSInsruyYRg7YKm8-gPnWS0ABSGDFNxtIbDos6Fe4HqMwA-lropDSOb_XtC/s1600/2015-02-26+10.10.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidq25xACbn9MhqGrRPjw6K6Gw06EEJdPT8xYKwHL9gHAl_uefcDIlwwv1MCx8cjr-fpsR84BlB8eOU-T-GfmSInsruyYRg7YKm8-gPnWS0ABSGDFNxtIbDos6Fe4HqMwA-lropDSOb_XtC/s400/2015-02-26+10.10.52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The biggest challenge and the most rewarding adventure I've ever had is being a Dad. I'm thankful for my three healthy, creative, goofy, and forgiving kids, and for my wife who helps me be a better father to them. <br />
<br />
Ray Ortlund tells us some <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/10-unforgettable-lessons-from-my-father-on-fatherhood"><b>unforgettable lessons from his own father</b></a>. I need this wisdom and these reminders:<br />
<ol>
<li>He was never too busy. </li>
<li>He was a Bible man. </li>
<li>He praised God. </li>
<li>He cheered me on. </li>
<li>He had a real walk with God. </li>
<li>He taught me theology in the backyard. </li>
<li>He loved us when it wasn't easy. </li>
<li>He helped me love the church. </li>
<li>He lived his faith simply and practically. </li>
<li>He told me ministry isn't everything. </li>
</ol>
<br />
And Tim Challies reminds us about <a href="http://www.challies.com/articles/the-most-difficult-time-to-lead"><b>The Most Difficult Time to Lead</b></a>: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"You don’t lead because you are worthy, but because you are
called. And, my friend, you have been called— commanded and called by
God himself. </i><br />
<br />
<i>If you are a husband, you have been called. If you are a
father, you have been called. You have been called to lead—you and no
one else. You have been called to lead despite your sin and your
failure, despite your fear and apathy. </i><br />
<br />
<i>There is no backup plan, there is
no one to lead in your absence, no one better suited, no one
better qualified."</i></blockquote>
<br />
Fellow Dads -- Keep leading. Keep pursuing Jesus. Keep loving. Keep learning.<br />
<br />
As you celebrate Father's Day, remember that the joy of <i>every </i>day is in the privilege of servant leadership for our children. <br />
<br />
<br />
Related Links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-dads-need-to-tell-and-do-with.html"><b>What Dads Need to Tell and Do with Their Children</b></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/06/gifts-for-and-from-dads-2-great-videos.html"><b>Gifts FOR and From Dads</b></a> [Videos] </li>
<li><a href="https://missionallendale.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/4-things-that-dads-need-to-do-to-be-connected-to-their-family/"><b>4 Things That Dads Need to Do to Be Connected to Their Family</b></a> </li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-13804977295752121992015-06-12T05:00:00.001-04:002015-06-12T05:00:04.895-04:00A Gospel-Positive Approach to Dealing with Selfishness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-vMowI4JzQm2CtIs3fjAELFNdtsrL2WL380otiXFMUN1wV0LQTxMhnQZxehaoR_NTWdFZdVIs4PmyKrITjSIn6racBKZQwfrelmDyK2aZ87Th2OQBHPDyGrZpr7bwP1qIEmrv22tCu4R/s1600/FosterIsntEasy+child_adult+Family_Matters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-vMowI4JzQm2CtIs3fjAELFNdtsrL2WL380otiXFMUN1wV0LQTxMhnQZxehaoR_NTWdFZdVIs4PmyKrITjSIn6racBKZQwfrelmDyK2aZ87Th2OQBHPDyGrZpr7bwP1qIEmrv22tCu4R/s400/FosterIsntEasy+child_adult+Family_Matters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Do your kids struggle with selfishness? If not, stop reading now.<br />
<br />
But for the other 99.8% of us, I have some thoughts for you. I could have used any number of examples over the past few <span style="color: #990000;"><i><strike>months</strike> <strike>weeks</strike> <strike>days</strike></i></span> hours. I will leave with one example.<br />
<br />
Why this one? Because where I usually just overbear my children with commands ("Share, or else."), God showed me how I can engage their sinful hearts, while also affirm their value to God.<br />
<br />
How is that? Read more on my latest guest post for the Family Matters blog, <a href="http://familymatters.net/blog/2015/06/10/gospel-positive-correction/"><b>Gospel Positive Correction</b></a>. <br />
<br />
I'm <i>selfishly positive </i>you'll want to do this.<br />
<br />
<br />
Other posts on the topic of selfishness:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2012/07/you-guys-are-being-selfish.html"><b>You Guys Are Being Selfish</b></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-not-fair.html"><b>"It's Not Fair!!"</b></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-can-i-teach-my-child-to-be-generous.html"><b>How Can I Teach My Child to Be Generous?</b></a> </li>
</ul>
<br />
Selected guests posts on Family Matters:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-gift-of-encouragement.html"><b>The Gift of Encouragement</b></a> </li>
<li><b><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/10/changing-your-child.html">Changing Your Child</a> </b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/11/salvation-not-automatic.html">Salvation: Not Automatic</a> </b></li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-71197051740503624022015-06-09T05:00:00.000-04:002015-06-09T07:34:49.167-04:00Be Intentional This Summer <div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXsNeCnnzCHEPWxA5BvLOdjppyUguBbHi1zPYArb_R07aZKgq8popqMgHKSlVkzqtVOyrQmGPzvgZrEdBqnvMVkF_swEXrWWfSOrAWvHbjVbFNhH4dfizzu76ys2lEyIedWItJrsvMrZ1/s1600/desert_gobin_valley+photopin+creativecommons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXsNeCnnzCHEPWxA5BvLOdjppyUguBbHi1zPYArb_R07aZKgq8popqMgHKSlVkzqtVOyrQmGPzvgZrEdBqnvMVkF_swEXrWWfSOrAWvHbjVbFNhH4dfizzu76ys2lEyIedWItJrsvMrZ1/s400/desert_gobin_valley+photopin+creativecommons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Sadly, it's much easier to create a desert than a forest."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-- James Lovelock (scientist / environmentalist)
<br />
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's hard work to build something useful. It's much easier to let something decay over time. For example, look at my car (peeling paint) or my wife's minivan (one hubcap left). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The same is true with our summers. For many of us, summer is seen as a time to relax and unwind and go-with-the-flow. And the rest is good.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But in our rest, let us not grow lazy. Let us build the forests of our lives, and not decay into deserts.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Do something constructive, for yourselves and to bless others. Grow spiritually (see the video below from Grace Church). Plan and <a href="http://m.fastcompany.com/3046696/the-7-reasons-that-science-says-you-should-pay-for-experience-not-things"><b>create experiences</b></a>, instead of just buying things. <a href="https://www.memverse.com/?referrer=joey-espinosa"><b>Memorize scripture</b></a> or <a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/06/09/30-days-to-a-better-man-day-10-memorize-if/"><b>other literary works</b></a>. Join your library reading club; this may be required for your kids, but make sure you are reading with them! Take the <a href="http://acuff.me/its-time-to-dosummer/"><b>DoSummer Challenge</b></a> (it started yesterday but it's not too late).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Whatever you do, whether you are working or resting, make your summer intentional. </div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/htpKEa8nGkU" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.<span class="p">" </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="p">~ I Corinthians 10:31</span> </i></div>
<br />
Related Links:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/summer-opportunities/"><b>Summer Opportunities</b></a> </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://familymatters.net/blog/2015/06/05/how-to-keep-your-teens-busy-this-summer/"><b>How to Keep Your Teens Busy This Summer</b></a> (from Family Matters)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124370018@N01/6054252700">Gobin Valley overlook</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a></i></span>
</div>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-14712127063117479832015-06-05T05:00:00.000-04:002015-08-28T07:33:30.941-04:00Arizona Boys Trip [15 Pictures]My sons and I had a great time in Sedona, Arizona (and at the Grand Canyon), courtesy of my <a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/mentor-like-uncle-ricky/"><b>Uncle Ricky</b></a> and Delta Skymiles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1EFGse5c2H9X4nOsUoA1V1ShKVSLb1szFZ1tC07XsvVlnLWJ16y6_oBfw6wPKRTAMB06LdC85knLPJMRQ1w5KaYe39YESLg86YeJLiLZOdqpVmtMRxD_DFFSn5aBDt81yL2YIAzMR6e8/s1600/2015-05-21+17.51.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1EFGse5c2H9X4nOsUoA1V1ShKVSLb1szFZ1tC07XsvVlnLWJ16y6_oBfw6wPKRTAMB06LdC85knLPJMRQ1w5KaYe39YESLg86YeJLiLZOdqpVmtMRxD_DFFSn5aBDt81yL2YIAzMR6e8/s400/2015-05-21+17.51.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GouMl4JeD1Cyjuz_bxQmZtwBIqSN1lIL_cwM3nxhAlVqiDEtoqwg_SircMrCn-q4vGCQLDP0re88AffexIwWKniodZXOGZa1FjLsG-xsbACUPCxXIQ1BEyvtHZvDxKTDCgLOrQWfqoAM/s1600/2015-05-23+09.59.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GouMl4JeD1Cyjuz_bxQmZtwBIqSN1lIL_cwM3nxhAlVqiDEtoqwg_SircMrCn-q4vGCQLDP0re88AffexIwWKniodZXOGZa1FjLsG-xsbACUPCxXIQ1BEyvtHZvDxKTDCgLOrQWfqoAM/s400/2015-05-23+09.59.35.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzY0qt1XGSHZkCirf3-VFoc5wYzAYhyNITEiyIk3JfZupd1DvvNW6m0UdNp7y5rDPFyvM88YN-Et6QNj5bUjATGYsdX0zbQJcSj6eWaaMSeLcKYXaihWyN2iA0vu5yFdPfRcCGIueExfX/s1600/2015-05-23+10.37.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzY0qt1XGSHZkCirf3-VFoc5wYzAYhyNITEiyIk3JfZupd1DvvNW6m0UdNp7y5rDPFyvM88YN-Et6QNj5bUjATGYsdX0zbQJcSj6eWaaMSeLcKYXaihWyN2iA0vu5yFdPfRcCGIueExfX/s400/2015-05-23+10.37.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHFg9NlFRQRUm7s4JGQViRq0ha9SqbXXzvCaagWzMhbomF9eAkHEX-en0UYeOP_3vvx98bioslD2JefK3arCTUhcrgLPSSzx2AhSz6URx1GkIEXwwvvb3tt-5ZQUVwCFDuNViHl9uVNiD/s1600/2015-05-24+11.25.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHFg9NlFRQRUm7s4JGQViRq0ha9SqbXXzvCaagWzMhbomF9eAkHEX-en0UYeOP_3vvx98bioslD2JefK3arCTUhcrgLPSSzx2AhSz6URx1GkIEXwwvvb3tt-5ZQUVwCFDuNViHl9uVNiD/s400/2015-05-24+11.25.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVP3vEAlkzx0_dRlFywkF5G0RPmwFUBZ2lknaAoTSeAlzL__FHbDqVBRfyVBnP9ukVKeaDoTeL1CIv9vuZRH7VB63YzPu7CBNp-fn1rJm01E5_XrGAioO8tcDVTmgzv6gKRNuc_7Y1dZz/s1600/2015-05-25+18.24.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVP3vEAlkzx0_dRlFywkF5G0RPmwFUBZ2lknaAoTSeAlzL__FHbDqVBRfyVBnP9ukVKeaDoTeL1CIv9vuZRH7VB63YzPu7CBNp-fn1rJm01E5_XrGAioO8tcDVTmgzv6gKRNuc_7Y1dZz/s400/2015-05-25+18.24.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15fHKcT8xMI4Ivu8CBXmzHZOjq_ftyaj1POw5ZyzWrg5oo57pMBUS-1mzkEfIVgcC377cNORR6qdxNQyf1TosvDUcDNhhdOJAPHXd5v9nMlVynFKqRG6-WwTNsXBjcpPnHQxpo4ZewR52/s1600/Arizona+Trip+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15fHKcT8xMI4Ivu8CBXmzHZOjq_ftyaj1POw5ZyzWrg5oo57pMBUS-1mzkEfIVgcC377cNORR6qdxNQyf1TosvDUcDNhhdOJAPHXd5v9nMlVynFKqRG6-WwTNsXBjcpPnHQxpo4ZewR52/s400/Arizona+Trip+040.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv70dSFOj8zASp0BU6-MsPBDEU2i-dZifjR-UPp-jX4ulPz-4HYSW_HogAXvMwHE6sQLnus-tHpevXe1tnIPyWBBObjf2cC65k4D5_qNHeBAz4XSPbKu1HrQ8yaCelGv1BtrvenRVTJ_M9/s1600/Arizona+Trip+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv70dSFOj8zASp0BU6-MsPBDEU2i-dZifjR-UPp-jX4ulPz-4HYSW_HogAXvMwHE6sQLnus-tHpevXe1tnIPyWBBObjf2cC65k4D5_qNHeBAz4XSPbKu1HrQ8yaCelGv1BtrvenRVTJ_M9/s400/Arizona+Trip+064.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR8NmdEDj-o02L57PAnndWkEQa5by7n-CdnyHaxXSqFm4WrGdFbb1eJ08zTqeATSKL4YXsFJlaIWYSBRWZUO2PGmq1TZYTUJvolgnED5A-QMlhVQarpNGlj_2WCfupVQJGsvQgR1JnPmN/s1600/Arizona+Trip+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR8NmdEDj-o02L57PAnndWkEQa5by7n-CdnyHaxXSqFm4WrGdFbb1eJ08zTqeATSKL4YXsFJlaIWYSBRWZUO2PGmq1TZYTUJvolgnED5A-QMlhVQarpNGlj_2WCfupVQJGsvQgR1JnPmN/s400/Arizona+Trip+069.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FXAS1yx3PU6zxsTzoPyRbYCCqsHxWSO9aMEM8Y6ZIaO5SbBiyhOe97c34mRO3jYrcDu3VYQXBUVziZOv4ITpWxc9NTPKyqBiaaQl1dARSyunicsBq58iusf55_BWC5mEvOwMP4Lqj4T7/s1600/Arizona+Trip+127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FXAS1yx3PU6zxsTzoPyRbYCCqsHxWSO9aMEM8Y6ZIaO5SbBiyhOe97c34mRO3jYrcDu3VYQXBUVziZOv4ITpWxc9NTPKyqBiaaQl1dARSyunicsBq58iusf55_BWC5mEvOwMP4Lqj4T7/s400/Arizona+Trip+127.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwsWk_NT0vstC0z_dBrK9ZPyKsyop7hvSRGFHqTOdwCZWDjYeQsMUU9NBy3nSV2wO0fEMQUz0Uz9PJ7-BfHAfur_nLYwrAVYQXPlqrPP1g6nX2-ZCdQfph1c8vAmq3EvGw0eF4axCZSge/s1600/Arizona+Trip+143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwsWk_NT0vstC0z_dBrK9ZPyKsyop7hvSRGFHqTOdwCZWDjYeQsMUU9NBy3nSV2wO0fEMQUz0Uz9PJ7-BfHAfur_nLYwrAVYQXPlqrPP1g6nX2-ZCdQfph1c8vAmq3EvGw0eF4axCZSge/s400/Arizona+Trip+143.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GQfjGmizLoK3WfaBdEHBlLWWGXro0KzLbWKLonNUipj3LEgFwRndTLn69GSSUlIHgmhz_Srjz-KSaJkQXS1Z2Kfe-B0W-ShG_Xfzr6nWatALpZwJrHMaMenOisJdUEIGkvyYNQljGT8P/s1600/Arizona+Trip+164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GQfjGmizLoK3WfaBdEHBlLWWGXro0KzLbWKLonNUipj3LEgFwRndTLn69GSSUlIHgmhz_Srjz-KSaJkQXS1Z2Kfe-B0W-ShG_Xfzr6nWatALpZwJrHMaMenOisJdUEIGkvyYNQljGT8P/s400/Arizona+Trip+164.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFf-OSPrGLdeuVUraDoCTXp5QewVcNhNUHRVVnM4J-R8FLBu-FkuIst819wBE3jy8wVb6tRs6Vt0_CGlBijJkZiPhoE9SGPn35atz3iqzsdKR5g8b2G9fTHshUDYUBtW6pQqDguCXH-qox/s1600/Arizona+Trip+166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFf-OSPrGLdeuVUraDoCTXp5QewVcNhNUHRVVnM4J-R8FLBu-FkuIst819wBE3jy8wVb6tRs6Vt0_CGlBijJkZiPhoE9SGPn35atz3iqzsdKR5g8b2G9fTHshUDYUBtW6pQqDguCXH-qox/s400/Arizona+Trip+166.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmW-o3QS8Ah8w2BQvQytexSlWPu8kR3rj0xC4fzkHfBc_TOCdekM8azmXFw75knb9PGUBRx5OQX7Z2Xr5RLrsgq52K9LZLKb77EX2RFiZTnhrIE4TbcnnA4zFdcVtdMTzUim4SeT_Gy7B/s1600/Arizona+Trip+171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmW-o3QS8Ah8w2BQvQytexSlWPu8kR3rj0xC4fzkHfBc_TOCdekM8azmXFw75knb9PGUBRx5OQX7Z2Xr5RLrsgq52K9LZLKb77EX2RFiZTnhrIE4TbcnnA4zFdcVtdMTzUim4SeT_Gy7B/s400/Arizona+Trip+171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8oZ0sL9b5rrJrXXokvgo-xO5VWtY72BHcFPYfBV9vgo5wgP4XyT_vf5eVJgt6wyddd2ImyPKI6nSJ02jRb08XSMD855umyGWzlV9w1vE7HIrbUDXO_YRBLYQDkCVJdN_av3EM2LmHr1B/s1600/Arizona+Trip+213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8oZ0sL9b5rrJrXXokvgo-xO5VWtY72BHcFPYfBV9vgo5wgP4XyT_vf5eVJgt6wyddd2ImyPKI6nSJ02jRb08XSMD855umyGWzlV9w1vE7HIrbUDXO_YRBLYQDkCVJdN_av3EM2LmHr1B/s400/Arizona+Trip+213.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSaPIfAOajhyO3gFHOM518UMAagvGb2NEqYWtUIgEZ7THz_oLWJgFGqH1KEfYMr20WbabgDdDc0Xcrwqcv5jIeOdQrlZhT_u45xnQlIQzJRSyPwIgfYfnfRzyTGRpCUWR_sD8OrUyAoIO/s1600/Arizona+Trip+222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSaPIfAOajhyO3gFHOM518UMAagvGb2NEqYWtUIgEZ7THz_oLWJgFGqH1KEfYMr20WbabgDdDc0Xcrwqcv5jIeOdQrlZhT_u45xnQlIQzJRSyPwIgfYfnfRzyTGRpCUWR_sD8OrUyAoIO/s400/Arizona+Trip+222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(A few more photos on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.m.espinosa/media_set?set=a.10204678784153598.1073741838.1355772877&type=3&uploaded=21"><b>Facebook page</b></a>.)<br />
<br />
I hope you get some good vacation time this summer!Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-37538517889929517562015-06-02T05:30:00.000-04:002015-06-02T05:30:02.869-04:00Favorite Tweets for May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FBn458DQO2igmi-WgvAgaBjPA49FJ003GGq-XhdIYk4nifUv29xWpLiBDv2rLjuKrP1ryjmItZYdOvOO4WoEMKViS7F_7-7_NFMwGD1f9CRlxqUgSayVHTWVvi4jQRDnjwyg3saUi40z/s1600/2015-05-25+18.24.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FBn458DQO2igmi-WgvAgaBjPA49FJ003GGq-XhdIYk4nifUv29xWpLiBDv2rLjuKrP1ryjmItZYdOvOO4WoEMKViS7F_7-7_NFMwGD1f9CRlxqUgSayVHTWVvi4jQRDnjwyg3saUi40z/s320/2015-05-25+18.24.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
From my birthday, to my sons and I taking a long-weekend in Arizona -- it's been a good month.<br />
<br />
Here are some top tweets from May:<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
From Others:</h3>
<a href="https://twitter.com/anonbaptist"><b>@anonbaptist</b></a>: <i> Many churches are like the electric plugs in my parent's house: polarized and not grounded.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/MarkMerrill"><b>@MarkMerrill</b></a>: <i>Parenting is “heart work.” It’s not just about outward obedience; it’s about the inward attitude of your child. </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/chalmerscenter/status/597100080445988864"><b>@ChalmersCenter</b></a>:<i> “Just understanding that our money is God's money, and that He wants us to use it, is powerful.” – Faith & Finances Grad </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/jobsforlife"><b>@JobsforLife</b></a>: <i> “It is a frightful satire on the modern age that the only use it knows for solitude is to make it a punishment..." #NationalDayofPrayer </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/StAugOsteen"><b>@StAugOsteen</b></a>:<i> There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future. Crows can’t hang with eagles.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/rayyamartino"><b>@RayYarmartino</b></a>:<i> If we're still using fax machines by the year 2030 I'm pretty sure our planet gets disqualified from the universe. </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/BruceFowler22"><b>@BruceFowler22</b></a>:<i><b> </b>Proud to have 25 players on the SoCon Honor Roll!! Thankful for the effort our players make to excel in the classroom. #OneFurman </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/scottsauls"><b>@ScottSauls</b></a>: <i>Never trust a preacher who speaks as if the problem with the world is other people. </i> <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
From Me:</h3>
<i>I just wore jeans to a job interview. Have I given up all hope?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My son was vacuuming at 7:10 AM. <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AcceptResponsibility?src=hash">#AcceptResponsibility</a></i><br />
<br />
<i>No, <a href="https://twitter.com/discounttire">@discounttire</a> sales guy. I've never thought of getting custom wheels for our 16-year-old minivan. #thanksbutnothanks</i><br />
<br />
<i>"Mr. Espinosa, I thought we weren't going to have any tests or homework after PASS testing?" #wrong </i><br />
<br />
<div class="ProfileTweet-actionList u-cf js-actions buffer-inserted" role="group">
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--reply">
</div>
</div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--reply">
</div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--retweet js-toggleState js-toggleRt">
</div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--retweet js-toggleState js-toggleRt">
</div>
<div class="action-buffer-container">
<a class="ProfileTweet-action js-tooltip" data-original-title="Add to Buffer" href="https://twitter.com/EspinosaJoey#"><span class="icon icon-buffer"></span></a></div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--favorite js-toggleState">
</div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--favorite js-toggleState">
</div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--analytics">
</div>
<div class="ProfileTweet-action ProfileTweet-action--analytics">
</div>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-62013384152303969582015-05-29T05:30:00.001-04:002015-05-29T05:30:01.235-04:00Parenting, Sin, and Ezekiel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UcSGLDUDkABTO5np1Jw6rGlN5KmLXyl4Owu8poalTLbayGZLQPM_XElOVd4nJIUmvP2Lnm_4GjIWsJs4g_TVmeBHOs2Lze-l_5fQUq5bUtYXxiHZSETGUCKLpMSCCqLmKly-CHVWZCVf/s1600/clouds+parenting-in-the-valley-of-dry-bones+desiringgod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UcSGLDUDkABTO5np1Jw6rGlN5KmLXyl4Owu8poalTLbayGZLQPM_XElOVd4nJIUmvP2Lnm_4GjIWsJs4g_TVmeBHOs2Lze-l_5fQUq5bUtYXxiHZSETGUCKLpMSCCqLmKly-CHVWZCVf/s1600/clouds+parenting-in-the-valley-of-dry-bones+desiringgod.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I often feel helpless in my feeble attempts to reach my kids' hearts. Can you relate? If so, <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/parenting-in-the-valley-of-dry-bones"><b>Kim Ransleben</b></a> has some great wisdom for us:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Again, we know this parable in our own lives and in the lives of our
children. So often, we’ve seen them walk through the motions of a
gospel-centered life, doing what they “know” is right, but without the
power of the Spirit. They have the appearance of life and all the right
structures in place, but the heart is not beating. . . . </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>God, being rich in mercy, promised that he would restore Israel. He
would give them life, fill them with his Spirit, make them his people.
Isn’t that all we really want for our kids? We want their hearts to be
his, not just their motions. We want God’s kingdom to come in them and
through them. We want them to treasure Jesus above all things. </i><br />
<br />
<i>And what
was true for Ezekiel’s day is still true for ours. The life for which we
long comes by speaking of the words of God — by sharing, again and
again, the word of Christ. . . .</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Go into the chaotic, death-filled valley of your kids’ sins and walk
amongst it all because you know that every raindrop that falls on the
earth today shows his mercy toward those who’ve rejected him (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Matthew 5.45" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matthew%205.45" target="_blank">Matthew 5:45</a>).
Serve them with peace and humility because you can smell the breakfast
cooking on the beach for a man who, three times, denied even knowing
Jesus (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="John 21.9–19" data-version="esv" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2021.9%E2%80%9319" target="_blank">John 21:9–19</a>). . . . </i><br />
<br />
<i>Do not fear the death you see in their lives. God knows what to do
with it. After all, dry bones are all he’s ever had to work with in his
people."</i></blockquote>
<br />
Read the full article, <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/parenting-in-the-valley-of-dry-bones"><b>Parenting in the Valley of Dry Bones</b></a>. <br />
<br />
<br />Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-52103385501765933192015-05-26T05:20:00.000-04:002015-05-26T05:20:00.428-04:00"Going" on Mission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80Xg5aNyH_5yTq7GDr07QHH26ID9720pJ0Iig8YiyY3ga6CqjpgmmWGGxu_lM-Yla9vsW_OQ9nwAMRY2WnfZdDuIiT-B-S9GfHU21yF904uw5IxfMKck96W12DCU7R2_bf_3rtx8P3qWp/s1600/kids+rgbstock+coloniera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80Xg5aNyH_5yTq7GDr07QHH26ID9720pJ0Iig8YiyY3ga6CqjpgmmWGGxu_lM-Yla9vsW_OQ9nwAMRY2WnfZdDuIiT-B-S9GfHU21yF904uw5IxfMKck96W12DCU7R2_bf_3rtx8P3qWp/s400/kids+rgbstock+coloniera.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's the most-cited passage of missionaries (and missions committees) everywhere:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"<span class="text Matt-28-19" id="en-NASB-24215"><span class="woj">Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,</span></span></i><span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NASB-24216"><span class="woj"><i><sup class="versenum"> </sup>teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”</i> (Matthew 28:19-20)</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NASB-24216"><span class="woj">But have we missed the point? Have we focused so much on the first word, that we have misunderstand the core command? </span></span> <br />
<br />
In the original Greek, there is one strong verb -- one command -- from Jesus: <i>make disciples</i>. The other verbs are participles, describing what it looks like to make disciples:<br />
<ul>
<li><i>going</i> </li>
<li><i>baptizing </i></li>
<li><i>teaching </i></li>
</ul>
Note that a better translation of "go" is "going." This is not a command to go anywhere, but to make disciples <i>as we are going</i> through life, everywhere and every day.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Helpful Questions as Your Children Go</h3>
In <a href="http://www.gospelproject.com/2015/05/09/sharing-jesus-as-we-go/"><b>Sharing Jesus as We Go</b></a>, Brian Dembowczyk explains that this means "as you go" or "as you are going." He explains:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Realizing that the verb that begins the Great Commission can be
translated “as you are going” should give us a different perspective of
how we are to live it out. This verb phrase positions the Great
Commission as a task in our daily lives, not just on mission trips. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>As I go to work. As I go to the store. As I go to school. As I go to the
ball field. As I go through my daily routine, whatever that looks like, I make disciples." </i></blockquote>
Then he gives four helpful questions we can use to guide them to think about how they can share Jesus <i>as they go</i>, not just when they go on mission trips:<br />
<ol>
<li>Where do you go? </li>
<li>Who do you know? </li>
<li>How do you grow? </li>
<li>What can you show? </li>
</ol>
<br />
Of course, these same four questions will help us also live on mission for Jesus and the gospel. Be sure to read the <a href="http://www.gospelproject.com/2015/05/09/sharing-jesus-as-we-go/"><b>full article</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a
defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is
in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."</i> (I Peter 3:15)<span class="p"><br /></span> </blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Related Links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://missionallendale.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/whats-so-great-about-the-great-commission/"><b>What's So Great About the Great Commission?</b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/01/simple-ways-to-disciple-your-kids-on.html">Simple Ways to Disciple Your Kids on Mission</a> </b></li>
<li><b><a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/united-and-sent/">United and Sent</a> </b></li>
<li><a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/why-did-jesus-come-to-earth/"><b>Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?</b></a> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>**image courtesy of coloniera via rgbstock </i></span></div>
<ul>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-68654767987018318242015-05-22T04:30:00.000-04:002015-05-22T04:30:01.531-04:00The Gift of Encouragement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnIRAw6Lz1F5vG2JPOa158-lsQk09CL0rwBhTt8IsHjUlZzsrizpNyPjJxjUMJzJ32zF6cUxmYMGGzyao6IFNtz7DLYy-iY8h-RODaDpt-E6GElK2t7Cv59fS59z3MRJmbkvtFWgdnds6/s1600/2015-05-06+17.33.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfnIRAw6Lz1F5vG2JPOa158-lsQk09CL0rwBhTt8IsHjUlZzsrizpNyPjJxjUMJzJ32zF6cUxmYMGGzyao6IFNtz7DLYy-iY8h-RODaDpt-E6GElK2t7Cv59fS59z3MRJmbkvtFWgdnds6/s320/2015-05-06+17.33.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
My wife and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Love-Languages-Secret-Lasts/dp/080241270X?ie=UTF8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969">Gary Chapman</a> agree: my "love language" is <i>words of affirmation</i>. <br />
<br />
I'm not sure if my daughter, Hannah, knows that. But something she did recently filled my "love tank" to the full.<br />
<br />
On my birthday (earlier this month), she gave me a beautiful handmade card. But the best part of the present was the gift of her encouragement.<br />
<br />
Want to learn more? Check out my latest post on the <a href="http://familymatters.net/blog/2015/05/20/the-gift-of-encouragement-from-my-daughter/"><b>Family Matters blog</b></a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
Then check out these related posts:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-beauty-under-bridge.html"><b>The Beauty Under the Bridge</b></a> </li>
<li><b><a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/08/reflecting-gods-image-in-her-optimism.html">Reflecting God's Image in Her Optimism</a> </b> </li>
</ul>
Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-12947305819310103752015-05-19T05:00:00.000-04:002015-05-19T05:00:00.814-04:00Free-Range Parenting: Have We Become Insane?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj80xJ2vRSb0H_QibIyOclABQczdnk2GqVydveKYrfdDfpDsWuK4xL9QG1f_Ar6pAnzbO1JQZfZe5Z_OQn0PB5QpV2dUER3dCQvSLWII8EYWqJnTOQhjJNdpJ27PFjIYJNsqMvcyBgT_D/s1600/Elijah+CooterFest+Ride+2014f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj80xJ2vRSb0H_QibIyOclABQczdnk2GqVydveKYrfdDfpDsWuK4xL9QG1f_Ar6pAnzbO1JQZfZe5Z_OQn0PB5QpV2dUER3dCQvSLWII8EYWqJnTOQhjJNdpJ27PFjIYJNsqMvcyBgT_D/s1600/Elijah+CooterFest+Ride+2014f.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
I couldn't resist sharing this article: <a href="http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-13/seven-reasons-we-hate-free-range-parenting"><b>Seven Reasons We Hate Free-Range Parenting</b></a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Why has America gone lunatic on the subject of unattended children?
Parents hover over their kids as if every step might be their last. If
they don't hover, strangers do, calling the police to report any parent
who leaves their child to run into the store for a few minutes. . . ." </i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"I don't think there's one easy answer to why we've become insane;
rather, there are a lot of forces that are pushing in this direction.
But that doesn't mean we can't push back." </i></blockquote>
<br />
Be sure to read the <a href="http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-13/seven-reasons-we-hate-free-range-parenting"><b>full article</b></a>. <br />
<br />
Am I crazy for liking these thoughts? Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-50269099995732621192015-05-15T05:30:00.000-04:002015-05-15T05:30:01.574-04:00Common Core Math, ExplainedI shared this on social media last week, but I believe it is worth sharing here. Vox explains <a href="http://www.vox.com/2015/4/9/8376937/common-core-math-why"><b>why Common Core math look weird</b></a>, but why this number sense forms a crucial foundation to build on in mathematics.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tBkQAxt1JXA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
It strikes me how so many people complain about how much our education system is "failing," or how teenagers can't do simple math reasoning, and yet those people are resistant to the type of teaching shown in this video. And I can tell you (as someone who has been <a href="https://justkindhumble.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/lead-again/"><b>teaching middle school math</b></a> the past few months), that there are a lot of generally-smart children who don't have a basic number sense. <br />
<br />
Maybe I'm biased, because this is how I do mental math when I add or subtract. (And maybe I'm biased because I believe <a href="http://differentway4kids.blogspot.com/2014/10/common-core-is-not-common-problem.html"><b>Common Core is NOT the Common Problem</b></a>.) So let's here from you:<br />
<br />
<b>Do you understand math problems like this? Or even if not, does this video help explain why elementary students are getting "weird" math instruction?</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let us know in the comments, or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.m.espinosa"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Facebook</b></a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/EspinosaJoey/"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twitter</b></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, please consider sharing this post (or the video itself)
with others. It’s easy – you can just click one of the buttons below. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>We need to clarify this issue!!</i></div>
<br />
<b> </b><b></b>Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-35556920464851416822015-05-12T04:53:00.000-04:002015-05-18T17:29:55.488-04:00[Review]: Cottonmouth and the End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLORx2ovBjdsaWpzeXjjjcSY3PRigBYepvVhht8yVLPaDzlxKIUYkRc2_-dobQBw9xVUkL27KBkflRij4ImexhdxzBGtbPpPwHTqg5GsGPgiaFSeWSyYUtR1J64DHp_Yy6J8qbOxbhMkar/s1600/cottonmouth+and+the+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLORx2ovBjdsaWpzeXjjjcSY3PRigBYepvVhht8yVLPaDzlxKIUYkRc2_-dobQBw9xVUkL27KBkflRij4ImexhdxzBGtbPpPwHTqg5GsGPgiaFSeWSyYUtR1J64DHp_Yy6J8qbOxbhMkar/s320/cottonmouth+and+the+end.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
Are you looking for an Narnia-like, easy-to-read book for your children? Do you want a book with a powerful message of hope and love? Then you <i>must</i> get the Cottonmouth series!<br />
<br />
C. S. Fritz (see the parallel with C. S. Lewis already?!) has written a short and captivating story about Freddie Cottonmouth, broken up into three books:<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cottonmouth-River-C-S-Fritz/dp/0781410339?ie=utf8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969.com"><b>Cottonmouth and the River</b></a>. We meet Freddie and Tug, and learn about pain, love, and sacrifice. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cottonmouth-Great-Gift-C-Fritz/dp/1434706907?ie=UTF8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969"><b>Cottonmouth and the Great Gift</b></a>. Freddie is sent on a mission, with a guide. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cottonmouth-End-C-S-Fritz/dp/1434706915?ie=utf8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969.com"><b>Cottonmouth and the End</b></a>. Freddie continues the mission. Victory comes, but not by the hand of Freddie. </li>
</ol>
I <i>highly</i> recommend that you introduce your children to the Cottonmouth series. My kids called these stories "cool," "awesome," "mysterious," <br />
"adorable," and other positive adjectives. And I think your kids will do the same.<br />
<br />
Your children will smile. They will think. They may even cry. (And don't be surprised if you join them.) And throughout the pages, you'll hear the Biblical message of redemption. <br />
<br />
And you're in luck! You can win a free copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cottonmouth-End-C-S-Fritz/dp/1434706915?ie=UTF8&tag=adifway-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969"><b>Cottonmouth and the End</b></a> by leaving a comment below, or on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.m.espinosa/posts/10204566607429250"><b>Facebook</b></a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/EspinosaJoey"><b>Twitter</b></a>. If you want to win, you must enter by <b>Sunday, May 17</b>.<br />
<br />
Plus, you can win an original, signed piece of Cottonmouth artwork using the Rafflecopter entry below:<br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="cd758dd82" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cd758dd82/" id="rcwidget_vrgjmt53" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Want another fun idea for your kids? Have them mail a letter to Freddie Cottonmouth himself! They'll receive a personal reply. Here are the details:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRyTQ_EYCj9uNXMSgo1oa9rcDVyO_mPpYgKXnB2lsVXps1DzWoyC-2zVWWZaFgUHj8dCYcAPqqmFaLvB5asjGT0CDZQUZcrf4ATw77rf17zXE6l-h9VMpdAfiCDPneDGSTHxezfQavolZ/s1600/cottonmouth+penpal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRyTQ_EYCj9uNXMSgo1oa9rcDVyO_mPpYgKXnB2lsVXps1DzWoyC-2zVWWZaFgUHj8dCYcAPqqmFaLvB5asjGT0CDZQUZcrf4ATw77rf17zXE6l-h9VMpdAfiCDPneDGSTHxezfQavolZ/s640/cottonmouth+penpal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>**Disclaimer:</i> I was provided a free copy of all three books in the series, in return for this unbiased review. Joey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.com3