Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Are the Olympics about security, identity, belonging, purpose, or competence? They’re about all five. The athletes must be secure in themselves – their talent, experience, and training. Self-doubt will only distract them. They must be secure in their coaches and teammates. Doubting their sincerity and support would be disastrous. They must also be secure in the judges or they wouldn’t have gotten this far. To be distracted by coaches or the system wouldn’t bode well. Their identity is clearly wrapped up in their sport and their excellence within their sport. That’s understandable and essential for this … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #27: As the Olympics Begin, What’s Your Definition of “Compete?”
July 27, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — Words fascinate me. Did you know that the word “compete” has its roots in Latin and means “to seek together”? It means “to strive together for, to be qualified.” How does this jive with your view of “compete” as the Olympics begin once again? … [Read more...]
Identifying Eight Common Denominators in Intelligence Paralysis, Part 2
July 25, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — In last Wednesday’s post, I suggested that working to undo any intelligence paralysis that has occurred would be a great use of the last of our summer days and weeks. I covered four typical ways paralysis sets in. Today, I’ll write about four more. Although all children (and adults) have the capacity to develop all eight smarts, each must be awakened. Each also needs to be strengthened. (I’ll blog about this next week.)This is especially true when a smart has been paralyzed because it means it wouldn’t have been used for awhile and the person would be pessimistic about it. Paralysis can be … [Read more...]
Developing Your Own Personal Board of Directors
July 23, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Do you have a Board of Directors? You can have one even if you don’t have a ministry or company that, by law, must have one. Maybe you should have one. Surprised? My ministry Board of Directors meets tonight to review how things are going and to look at the future. Our meetings are always important and encouraging. I also have a Personal Board of Directors. It’s made up of men and women I respect who can speak into my life regarding various issues. They’re the ones I’m willing to listen to, because of our relationship, who have something to teach me that I need to learn. What do you need to learn? What are … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #26: What do you do when you get good news, more good news, and even more good news?
July 20, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — I’m curious. What do you do when you get good news, more good news, and even more good news? That’s what’s been happening to me in just the last ten days or so and I feel like I’m about to burst or something. Should I be content praising God alone? If I tell people, how can I make sure it doesn’t come across like I’m bragging? That’s the furthest thing from my mind. If I don’t tell my prayer warriors, they won’t know God has answered their prayers and how He has. And, they won’t be able to enjoy knowing they played a part in this. So, should I just tell the ones who I know have prayed? If people I tell don’t see the significance of what’s … [Read more...]
Identifying Eight Common Denominators in Intelligence Paralysis, Part 1
July 18, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Summer can be a perfect time to awaken each of the eight smarts in your children. Just because your children were born with the capacity to develop their smarts doesn’t mean they will. Awakening them is essential. And, the earlier you do it, the better. There’s a greater likelihood they’ll become strengths. (I blogged about eight ways of doing that here and here.) Another thing to do in your remaining summer weeks would be to work to undo any paralysis that has occurred. Yes, it’s possible that one or more of your children’s smarts have been paralyzed. It can be just temporary if the right … [Read more...]
You’re Special
July 16, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — What we believe about ourselves and others is important. Beliefs influence identity and identity controls behavior. Who we think we are is who we will be. I want children to know they are special. To believe it. To not doubt it. When they believe positive things about themselves, it’s more likely they’ll behave positively. They’ll take care of themselves, take life seriously, and invest themselves in life. For years, we’ve sold a poster that contains 20 statements all of us at Celebrate Kids wish every child believed. Many parents and teachers buy these to encourage children and students. A few days ago, at a … [Read more...]
“She’s Gone”
July 13, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
“She’s gone.” Has there ever been a time when one word – just one word – was the perfect word? Three years ago today, I got a call from a hospice worker and heard those two words. “She’s gone.” I knew my mom’s last day on earth was most likely going to be that day so I wasn’t shocked. I had just seen her and knew the end was near – but a new beginning was at hand. I loved – and still love – that I didn’t hear “Your mom died” because she was dead for only an instant and then alive in Christ and with Him. I grieve differently today than some because of this precious truth. What’s your one word? Or, what word do you hope you’ll one day here? … [Read more...]
The Universal Relevance of Multiple Intelligences
July 11, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Yesterday, it was my joy to share about multiple intelligences with students in a graduate education program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Friday and Saturday, I’ll be teaching 1000 men and women who work with young children in church settings about multiple intelligences . Next Wednesday, I’ll talk with soldiers transitioning from the Army to civilian life. And, guess what? I’ll be teaching them about multiple intelligences. What is it about multiple intelligences that makes it so universally relevant? “Smart” is a power word and it always will be. … [Read more...]
God’s Grace Is Truly Sufficient
July 9, 2012 by · 7 Comments
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Our five core needs and our eight multiple intelligences intersect in various ways. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s troubling. Because I’m logic smart, I think with questions and prefer it when things make sense. That can get in the way of how I try to meet my legitimate need for security. When things make sense to me, I am more secure. There’s nothing wrong with that. Maybe you can even relate. I like figuring things out and I prefer to not be surprised. But, lately, I’ve realized that some of my stress was caused by my wanting God to make sense to me. That’s arrogant. So, sin was also messing with … [Read more...]
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