Babies help unlock the origins of morality – CBS News

19 11 2012

Babies help unlock the origins of morality – CBS News.

Do babies have an innate sense of right and wrong, justice and desire for punishment, bias towards others who are like them and against those who are not like them, greed for personal gain at the expense of others?

Evolutionary thinking and theological preferences aside, this little video is fascinating. It shows that while these pieces of morality seem to be there from early on, the familial and cultural influences can ultimately shape how those values are embraced or reinforced.





What Kids Talk About and Why We Must Listen

28 03 2011


I love kid talk. Especially the talk of the littlest ones. Most of the time it doesn’t make sense. It is usually blurted from the context of their own minds. Then, we as adults have to constantly try to catch up and figure out what that context is to figure out what they really want us to know. Their talk is filled with imagination. Superheroes, unicorns, bumps, food, owwies, and on and on the conversation goes from their world of fantasy mixed with reality.

As children grow, so does their talking ability. Things become a little more complex, although not necessarily less silly. The stories they tell become more elaborate and increasingly coherent. It is truly a wonder to watch this develop in a child. Through this conversation, whether it be with others or simply self-talk, kids are shaping their view of the world. Through learning a joke, talking sports, imagining crazy scenarios, or chattering about favourite whatevers, kids are learning what life is all about. But they are not learning this on their own.

Read the rest of this entry »





Orange Parents

19 01 2011

Orange Parents.

The link above will take you to a site devoted to helping parents and churches collide. Something wonderful (orange) happens when the light (yellow) of the church blends with the love (red) of the family.

I’ve been meeting with a small group of friends to discuss the book Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. It’s a book with this orange concept in mind and we have been having very meaningful talks on topics such as fighting for the heart, imagining the end and creating a Godly rhythm.

We’ve been moved to looking at parenting as more than just a task to keep us sane, but a story to get wrapped up in–God’s story. We are leading our kids on a journey of wonder and discovery. We are leading our kids to a lifelong friendship with God. But we are not doing this alone! We are widening the circle of influence to include strategic relationships outside of the home.

We are not in this alone. This is what church is meant to be.





Coach Carter and Discipline for Parents

2 09 2010

As a young dad, I’m always looking for ways to improve my fathering. Discipline is tough. I want my kids to grow up with mature character. Now, my frame of reference, when I say I want my kids to have mature character, is God’s standards as recorded in Scripture. However, this blog is not about the goal of Christ-like character as much as it is about effective principles for reaching that goal.

The movie, Coach Carter, is a case study in turning around a group of broken teens. Their family units are fractured. Their neighbourhood is disjointed. Their school system is faltering. Coach comes in with a very difficult situation and takes them through rigorous drills to bring them to a sense of respect for themselves, each other and authority.

Read the rest of this entry »





Aaron Reynolds’ Children’s Ministry Equipping Event

12 08 2010

SEPTEMBER 18 AT BLUEWATER BAPTIST CHURCH IN SARNIA, ON

For more information and to RSVP for this “must attend” event with Aaron Reynolds go to my Facebook event page or contact me at steve@bluewaterbaptist.ca.

UPDATE:

Schedule

9:00am – 12:00           “The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School” (Large Group Teacher focus)

12:00                           Lunch

1:00pm – 1:30pm        Ooze: Creating Children’s Ministries that Overflow with Excellence

1:30pm – 3:00pm        Creating Transformational Small Groups






CMX: My Experience Part 2

28 07 2010

Further ideas, resources and links I liked from the Children’s Ministry Expo, 2010 that will benefit children’s ministry leaders as well as parents influence the next generation to walk with Jesus.

(For part 1 click here).

In this article:

  • Links
    • Just a random collection of websites you may want to check out.
  • Resources
    • Parenting, family and church resources worth looking into.
  • Ideas
    • Jim Wideman on organization
    • Coach D on fathering
    • Karen Rhodes on mission minded kids

Read the rest of this entry »





Cam the Coop Student

16 06 2010

Think Cam think!

Over the last few months I’ve had the privilege of working with my first coop student named Cam. Cam worked hard, was willing to try new things and made a great slave! Thanks for all the grunt work Cam!! Hopefully I was able to balance the tough stuff with enjoyable experiences as well. I know the kids love you Cam.

Here’s the experience in his words:

My Semester as a Co-op Student

My time as a co-op student was great I loved to work with kids and learn many things about how the church works. I have noticed that I have improved greatly over my semester of co-op. When I first started I had no idea what was in store for me. Steve had me doing all kinds of crazy (but fun) things from preparing events, to writing papers, to visiting sick people and helping out  with vbs. I laugh when I think of how little I helped, how uninvolved I was and how scared I was to move ahead. Through this semester I have moved my way through the programs to teaching the whole Sunday school, wow I don’t think I would of seen this coming. It amazes me that there is such an awesome God who knows the whole plan of my life and says, hey this is only the beginning you have no idea the wonderful things that are in store for you. I can’t wait it will be sweet to see what He calls me to do, who’s life I change and how changed I’ll become. Last year I was going to switch schools but God had a different idea for me, clearly he wanted me to stay and co-op here. He wanted my life to change and for me to change the lives of others. Now I look forward to volunteering in the church and helping the children’s ministry grow further and help others to love Jesus.

By   Cameron Huizinga





FREE E-book for Children’s Ministry

18 05 2010

Don’t miss this straightforward, passionate look at what matters now in children’s ministry! The read is easy and laid out in short 200 word answers to the question: “What matters now in children’s ministry?” Answers are from 33 leaders who really care about children and those who lead them. Contributor’s include Amy Dolan (Lemon Lime Kids), Christine Yount Jones (Group), Karl Bastian (Kidology) and David Staal.

Click here to read it now.





Men: Take the Initiative!

12 05 2010

Ever since the beginning when Eve took the forbidden fruit while Adam passively watched, men have been waiting for someone else to take the initiative. God designed men to lead, to take the initiative, to conquer and to take the courageous first step. So many men sit idly by, waiting for something to happen. Meanwhile, God is waiting for men to get up and make something happen! Read the rest of this entry »





Little Big Things

24 04 2010

I spent a couple hours today with a group of kindergarten and grade one kids. Not a big deal really. We had some popcorn and a movie.

Or is it a big deal? I think maybe it is.

One boy, when his mother asked if he still wanted to come to the party, came quickly when called. Rubbing shoulders with each child while there, I knew the kids wanted to be there.

Read the rest of this entry »








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