Favorite Tweets for June

Happy Summer!!

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 To Kill a Mockingham, my first time reading this classic.

Hopefully, you get time to relax with a good book. And maybe some good tweets, like these:

From Others

@TGC:  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. http://bit.ly/1IcMZIR 

@StudentsFirst:  What the best schools have in common is that they set high expectations for students from day one: http://bit.ly/1G9lCjl  @Ninacharters

@Gospel_Project:  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...

@BRobson90:  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!

@GraceChurchCE:  "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 

@ChrchCurmudgeon:  Due to our inability to find VBS clean-up volunteers, tomorrow's wedding will be jungle-themed. 

@JonathanOwens21:  Guys, we are not just "offended" by the Confederate Flag. It's pain. Real, real pain. I wish people would understand that.

From Myself

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 can't believe that @MicahwilliamsSC & @mac_cavin just had senior night, and we forgot to submit this for a memory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFMMvbenhn0&feature=youtu.be …

"When teachers believe a student can perform at a high level, the student is much more likely to do so." http://buff.ly/1FYR5R3  #hope #grit

Big thanks to @oobeapparel for giving its employees time off to volunteer in our community… http://ift.tt/1MWdrIw 

We have a dentist that gives out cookies, & an orthodontist that gives out popcorn (& rents out movie theaters for all his clients).

Any Christian who puts his "Southern Heritage" over our identity and unity in Christ, tramples on the gospel.

Had a great time at Landon Powell Hit House! Grateful for their investment in youth, and t… http://ift.tt/1HjRm5U 

5 Ways to Teach Financial Literacy to Children

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.

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.

1. Play Games

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.

Here are a few others you can play for the same results:

- Life

- Pay Day

- Cashflow for Kids

2. Bring Money Into Everyday Activities

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?

3. Give Them An Allowance

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:

- How much they have left

- What they'd like to save up for

- How long it will take them to reach their financial goal

- How much they'd still have if they hadn't spent their last allowance frivolously

4. Involve Them in the Family Finances

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.

5. Get Connected

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.

Here are a few good websites where kids can learn about money:

- Kidworth

- Biz Kids

- Rich Kid, Smart Kid

Here are a few noteworthy apps:

- Kids Money

- Save! The Game

- P2K Money

There are many more, of course, but these should at least start a conversation about money.

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.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who focuses on personal finance and other money matters. She currently writes for Checkworks.com , a leading supplier of personal and business checks.

Related Links:

• More on Allowances and Responsibilities   
• Facilitating Independence: Why We're Giving Our Daughter a Clothing Allowance  

Double-Birthday, Double-Vacation

Soon after my sons and I returned from our Arizona vacation, 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!"

We've been to Legoland before 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.

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.)

Here are some pics of the fun:

Special thanks to my brother and his wife, who allowed Sender to tag along. With three boys of their  own, adding Sender meant an exponential amount of energy to the mix.

But apparently Sender followed our strict threats instructions to be a blessing to their family. My sister-in-law texted me:

"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."

Now, if only he would be more like that at home . . . .

Related Links:

• Divided Son: Sender's Half-Birthday (2014)
• Half-Birthdays Are a Whole Lotta' Fun (2013)

My Grandmother: A Woman of Influence

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.

They had hopes and dreams for my brother and I, some of which we didn't follow. But they never stopped loving us.

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.

I hope you'll read more of my story, and more about the story of my grandmother, on the Grace Church Women's Ministry blog. I had so much to say that I split it into Part 1 and Part 2.


Related Link:

• The Beauty Under the Bridge 

Fatherhood Lessons

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.

Ray Ortlund tells us some unforgettable lessons from his own father. I need this wisdom and these reminders:

1. He was never too busy. 
2. He was a Bible man. 
3. He praised God. 
4. He cheered me on. 
5. He had a real walk with God. 
6. He taught me theology in the backyard. 
7. He loved us when it wasn't easy. 
8. He helped me love the church. 
9. He lived his faith simply and practically. 
10. He told me ministry isn't everything.

And Tim Challies reminds us about The Most Difficult Time to Lead:

"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. 

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. 

There is no backup plan, there is no one to lead in your absence, no one better suited, no one better qualified."

Fellow Dads -- Keep leading. Keep pursuing Jesus. Keep loving. Keep learning.

As you celebrate Father's Day, remember that the joy of every day is in the privilege of servant leadership for our children.


Related Links:

• What Dads Need to Tell and Do with Their Children  
• Gifts FOR and From Dads [Videos]
• 4 Things That Dads Need to Do to Be Connected to Their Family    

A Gospel-Positive Approach to Dealing with Selfishness

Do your kids struggle with selfishness? If not, stop reading now.

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 months weeks days hours. I will leave with one example.

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.

How is that? Read more on my latest guest post for the Family Matters blog, Gospel Positive Correction. 

I'm selfishly positive you'll want to do this.


Other posts on the topic of selfishness:

• You Guys Are Being Selfish 
• "It's Not Fair!!"     
• How Can I Teach My Child to Be Generous?  

Selected guests posts on Family Matters:

• The Gift of Encouragement  
• Changing Your Child  
• Salvation: Not Automatic  

Be Intentional This Summer

"Sadly, it's much easier to create a desert than a forest."

-- James Lovelock (scientist / environmentalist)

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).

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.

But in our rest, let us not grow lazy. Let us build the forests of our lives, and not decay into deserts.

Do something constructive, for yourselves and to bless others. Grow spiritually (see the video below from Grace Church). Plan and create experiences, instead of just buying things. Memorize scripture or other literary works. Join your library reading club; this may be required for your kids, but make sure you are reading with them! Take the DoSummer Challenge (it started yesterday but it's not too late).

Whatever you do, whether you are working or resting, make your summer intentional.

"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  

~ I Corinthians 10:31

Related Links:

• Summer Opportunities  
• How to Keep Your Teens Busy This Summer (from Family Matters)

photo credit: Gobin Valley overlook via photopin (license)

Arizona Boys Trip [15 Pictures]

My sons and I had a great time in Sedona, Arizona (and at the Grand Canyon), courtesy of my Uncle Ricky and Delta Skymiles.

(A few more photos on my Facebook page.)

I hope you get some good vacation time this summer!

Favorite Tweets for May

From my birthday, to my sons and I taking a long-weekend in Arizona -- it's been a good month.

Here are some top tweets from May:

From Others:

@anonbaptist:  Many churches are like the electric plugs in my parent's house: polarized and not grounded.

@MarkMerrill:  Parenting is “heart work.” It’s not just about outward obedience; it’s about the inward attitude of your child. 

@ChalmersCenter:  “Just understanding that our money is God's money, and that He wants us to use it, is powerful.” – Faith & Finances Grad 

@JobsforLife:  “It is a frightful satire on the modern age that the only use it knows for solitude is to make it a punishment..." #NationalDayofPrayer 

@StAugOsteen:  There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future. Crows can’t hang with eagles.

@RayYarmartino:  If we're still using fax machines by the year 2030 I'm pretty sure our planet gets disqualified from the universe. 

@BruceFowler22:  Proud to have 25 players on the SoCon Honor Roll!! Thankful for the effort our players make to excel in the classroom. #OneFurman 

@ScottSauls:  Never trust a preacher who speaks as if the problem with the world is other people. 

From Me:

I just wore jeans to a job interview. Have I given up all hope?

My son was vacuuming at 7:10 AM. #AcceptResponsibility

No, @discounttire sales guy. I've never thought of getting custom wheels for our 16-year-old minivan. #thanksbutnothanks

"Mr. Espinosa, I thought we weren't going to have any tests or homework after PASS testing?" #wrong