Let's Parent on Purpose: Christian Marriage, Parenting, and Discipleship

Sometimes we overcomplicate things. My good friend and brother-in-law Brent Gibson has been using a simple spiritual growth strategy with his children for each of the last three summers. Today, we talk about being intentional dads, and Brent shares how he’s encouraged Bible Study, memorization, and reading with his children each summer. You might also want to check out my blog from Last Year: Summer Growth Plan Show Highlights If I am not the most centrally present male figure in my kids lives, I have no idea what I can expect from whoever is going to fill that role. There’s never been a more important time than now for Dads to be engaged with their kids. Kids are going to find a central male in their lives; let it be you, and work hard at it.  – Brent Gibson It doesn’t matter as much what you tell your kids; they’re going to model what they’ve experienced with you as their parent.  Being present and engaged goes a long way. Tools we can use to pour into our kids Set up intentional play time with others going the same direction Have other godly men in our boys lives (women for girls) Structure purposeful time together Implement subtle lessons Intentional growth opportunities for this summer Help your kids redeem free hours through the week with reward attached (praise, cash, etc) Cast a vision; inspire them if possible Brent and Lisa’s tools for a purposeful summer scripture memorization scripture reading general reading Aim to get 1% better on a goal each day Helpful formula to instill a new habit make it obvious make it easy make it attractive make it satisfying Tweet This If I am not the most centrally present male figure in my kids' lives, I have no idea what I can expect from whoever is going to fill that role. There's never been a more important time than now for dads to be engaged with their kids. Click To Tweet Kids are going to find a central male in their lives; let it be you, and work hard at it. - Brent Gibson Click To Tweet Resources www.audibletrial.com/letsparentonpurpose Atomic Habits by James Clear Previous episode: Summer Growth Plan

We invest in our retirement. We invest in our physical fitness. We invest in our caffeine habit. Why wouldn’t we invest in our family relationships?  My friend Brian Neal of True Course Counseling joins me today to talk about the benefits of pastoral and professional counseling, the different ways counseling can help a family get “unstuck”, and how counseling can help a healthy family reach the next level. We also talk about common conflict issues and tools you can use for resolution before you ever seek extra help. Thanks you to my Patreon Supporters! If it’s a blessing, support this podcast at https://www.patreon.com/letsparentonpurpose I’ve made this free tool for you. Download your Free Marriage Snapshot today! Show Highlights Understanding the difference between Christian Counseling and Biblical Counseling Biblical Counseling focuses on Biblical texts and relates ones problems to the text of Scripture Christian Counseling focuses on the truth and the Truth about Jesus. Christian Counseling aims to bring Jesus to the center of the issue. Some are hesitant to seek counseling or therapy because of time, money, or the stigma attached. You should look at counseling as an investment you make in yourself and your family. Some of the benefits include: Counseling helps you realize the cause of the problem you are facing; Counseling gives you tools to respond to various challenges It can bring healing to relationships Counseling can help you clarify your goals and determine a path towards success Brian helps clarify the differences between various forms of help and therapy available Psychiatrist – see a psychiatrist for medication if you are suicidal or clinically depressed. A psychiatrist will help you address the physical symptoms. The do not generally help with giving you the emotional tools to work through your challenges. Psychologist – a psychologist should have a doctorate. They will have more training and are often much more specialized than a therapist or counselor. Therapist or counsellor – typically these will have a masters level of education. Most people can be helped on a therapeutic level, unless they are in crisis. Pastoral counselor – Many people can be greatly helped by pastoral counseling. It’s important to understand that most pastors do not have extensive training in counseling, but are pretty adept at combining biblical wisdom with life experience. Since many of life’s challenges are common problems shared by others, pastoral counseling can help work through a great number of issues. Also, pastors will often have good networks of contacts for more advanced counseling needs. What are some of the situations where counseling might be helpful? When you are overwhelmed Whenever you feel helpless; If you are in conflict with a another person; If you find yourself in a confusing situation and don’t know how to react and others. Brian discusses the benefits a family can have by creating a culture of service and communication within the home. Tweet This Those with healthiest marriage and family are investing. It doesn’t just happen by chance. Click To Tweet Resources Mentioned You can find out more about Brain Neal and True Course Counseling https://truecoursecounseling.com Want to invest in your family? You can also check out my recent episode with Jenny Price “How Your Marriage Affects Your Parenting”  https://www.letsparentonpurpose.com/2019/05/05/how-your-marriage-affects-your-parenting/  

Studies show 66% of teens who are active in church leave the church after high school.  Ben Trueblood of LifeWay Student Ministry joins me today to discuss the missing links and how we can help our kids stay connected to the church as they leave home. Show Highlights Lifeway released a survey of 23-30 year olds who were active in church throughout their high school years.  The goal was to track their church engagement from ages 18-22.  The biggest focus of this study was on the retention rate of the students who were active in high school years and remained active throughout their college years. What were the big picture findings of the survey? 66% of Active High School Students (attends 2x or more per month) leave church in the first couple of years after graduation. Why? Life change/situations 96% Church/pastor related reasons 74% Religious, political, ethical reasons 70% Student/youth ministry reasons 63% Why do 2/3 students leave the church? There is statistically no significant difference in church drop out rates between college, military or workforce graduates.  It’s not a college/career problem; it’s an age gap / transition from high school problem. only 39% of students who leave say their dad was active in church as well #1 reason why they walk away was life change was that they moved to college and stopped attending church; its generally not about hating God or purposefully walking away from the faith They didn’t feel connected to people in the church (not just kids but other generations too). Why do the 1/3 stay connected to the church? When teens can identify 3 or more spiritual mentors through the high school years, they are THREE times more likely to stick with the church during college years Mentor relationships can begin to take root in early stages of elementary and middle school!  Adults who will take the kids seriously make the kids want to stick around longterm. The stay rate is 13% higher for students who have a father who attends church Virtually no evidence of a student ministry “coolness factor” keeps kids in church. Help your teenager connect beyond just the worship service.  (student ministry, life groups, mission trips, etc help them become more connected to the body of Christ). The goal isn’t to become a good church-goer, but when someone is growing in their faith, there is more connection and likelihood to be with the people of Jesus. Advice to parents: Help your teen overcome the initial barriers because there’s nothing that pulls them to be part of the body of Christ when they start out on their own. If you do a college visit, its ESSENTIAL you take time to visit churches in the area as well Parents, stay connected to the church; show genuine love and interest in the church.  Pay attention to the pipeline of ministry. 31% of those who left had returned to church by age 30, and the number one reason why they came back is because a parent invited them. Our parental influence goes far beyond when our kids move out.  Don’t give up on inviting them back to church! Listen for Ben’s answers to these Patreon Questions: At a smaller church, where people are already volunteering at capacity, how do we make mentoring, discipleship and relationships with our kids and students a foundational part of our church? Is there a significant long-term difference between students who come out of student ministry vs those who didn’t? Tweet This The stay-in-church rate for teens is 13% higher for students who have a father who attends. Click To Tweet When teens can identify 3 or more spiritual mentors through the high school years, they are THREE times more likely to stick with the church during college years. Click To Tweet Mentor relationships can begin to take root in early stages of elementary and middle school! Adults who will take kids seriously make the kids want to stick around longterm. Click To Tweet Resources When Mom is Managing Alone Atomic Habits by James Clear https://bentrueblood.com twitter.com@bentrueblood https://www.lifeway.com Within Reach by Ben Trueblood (statistical results geared toward pastors, youth pastors) A Different College Experience by Ben Trueblood and Brian Mills (read this with your graduating seniors and kids early in college life; also a great grad gift; good last-semester curriculum for youth) Your local student ministry! Marriage Snapshot tool www.patreon.com/letsparentonpurpose https://www.audibletrial.com/letsparentonpurpose

My good friend Jenny Price joins me today to talk about THE most important relationship in your home!  Nothing affects the development and stability of your children as much as your marriage. Ignore the health of your marriage at your own (and your children’s) risk! In conjunction with this episode I’ve created a free tool for you and your spouse. Download your free Marriage Snapshot Tool and invest in your marriage! Show Highlights Your top two most important investments: 1) your relationship with Christ and 2) your marriage Christ-centered marriages Mommy and Daddy show they love each other the most (after Jesus) Your kids need to see you spending time together during daylight hours Out-serve each other, honor one another in front of your children Child-centered marriages / dangers when marriage isn’t on solid ground Parenting on a divided marriage makes children feel unsafe and unstable Staying together FOR the kids sake is a terribly destructive way to live Too many “love tank” withdraws without deposits leads to crisis Important Key ingredients in a healthy marriage His Needs Her Needs:  we are making deposits or withdraws with every interaction Kids entering the picture can begin to cause more withdraws than deposits Love and Respect Core need for men is respect and admiration Core need for women is love, adoration and tenderness The 5 Love Languages Quality time, physical touch, acts of service, words of affirmation, and receiving gifts The danger of the unmet need How I speak to my spouse and about my spouse Choosing to honor my spouse, choosing to honor my spouse in front of my kids I will speak LIFE over my spouse, or I will speak death. Study your spouse.  Be intentional about studying your spouse at least 5-10 minutes a day. Pray with your spouse. Three different consequences when you and your spouse aren’t on the same team: It makes your kids unstable The first questions kids ask in divorce is what they did wrong Classic dysfunctional family (perfect child, scapegoat, clown, etc) You are easy targets for manipulation when you aren’t on the same team Resentments build and blame gets spread We don’t react to what’s said; we react to the story we’ve built about what’s said When you aren’t on the same team, you’ve put everyone on the defensive Take responsibility as the adults in the family as a model to your kids When you’re on the same team: Life lessons are caught, not taught (the tone of your home will become their default) You don’t feel alone The absurdities of parenting don’t quite feel so heavy More helpful notes: Advice for step-parents on sharing authority in the household Sexual intimacy in marriage is critical, and it’s important for your kids to know. A few steps to help align your marriage Take a marriage snapshot to get the tone of your marriage Get professional help. Do prevention ahead of time. Don’t want until crisis. Connection to your spouse is extremely important and is a snapshot of how well your children will do in their own marriages. Repent of your stuff without expectation or reciprocity. out-serving your spouse, forgiving faster, apologizing faster, apologize publicly Date Nights!  Pursue your spouse. Keep coming back and making little investments Tweet This Your top two most important investments are your relationship with Christ and your marriage. Click To Tweet We don't react to what's said; we react to the story we've built about what's said. Click To Tweet One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is a healthy marriage. Click To Tweet   Resources Mentioned This episode is sponsored by Audible. Go to www.audibletrial.com/letsparentonpurpose for a free audiobook as you try out Audible for free for one month.  If you don’t know what to pick, I just finished Atomic Habits by James Clear and loved it! As always, thank you to my Patrons!  You’ve made these show notes possible, as well as the equipment used to record my interview with Jenny! His Needs Her Needs: Building an Affair Proof Marriage by William Harvey Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman Episode 112 “Tools for Taming the Tongue” with Aidan Till Marriage Snapshot Questionnaire Jenneagram.com for marriage counseling or personal coaching with Jenny Price

(No Spoilers!)  Whatever your preconceived notions are about this episode, you’re probably wrong!  Student pastor and host of the We Think God is Awesome Podcast, Aaron Mamuyac, joins me for a fun look at movies and culture, including how we find traces of the gospel repeated over and over again in our favorite stories. Your children and their friends are most likely going to see Avengers Endgame. This gives you a great opportunity for discipleship as you help them be gospel detectives with a modern cultural phenomenon. This week’s episode is brought to you by Audible. You can Audible for free for one month, including downloading a free book at www.audibletrial.com/letsparentonpurpose As always, thank yo so much to my Patreon Supporters! These show notes and the extra microphones for my interview are from your generous support! Show Highlights Discover the gospel story with your students through movies in modern culture.  It can sometimes be a struggle to find commonalities with your kids, but we have a golden opportunity for connection and discussions into what our kids are interested in and focused on!  New movie releases (like Avengers Endgame now released after a 22-film build up) provide great conversational pieces and really interesting ways to help train your kids to observe hints of the gospel. There are redemptive analogies in each culture. Missionary to canibalistic tribe: Peace Child by Don Richardson Don studied cultures and found redemptive analogies in each culture Don and his family were missionaries to a canibalistic tribe who’s highest values were trechery, revenge and betrayal (people who befriended you, make you feel safe and then kill you) Don learned this tribe’s culture but couldn’t communicate the gospel in a way the tribe could understand Don eventually found a gateway to the tribe by teaching Jesus as the peace child Finding the gateway story for this tribe lead to massive conversion in the village and eventual spread of the Gospel to other tribes There are redemptive analogies in our culture as well! Our redemptive analogies are played out through our stories. The stories we like follow a similar framework, and this pattern seems to be naturally embedded in us: there a peace that’s somehow broken hero comes from the most unlikely place help appears and tries to fix the brokenness good over evil arc redemption when rescue comes, it’s when all hope is lost the rescue comes at great personal sacrifice to the hero, sometimes to his own life peace comes after the hero sacrifices himself How our culture’s favorite stories parallel our lives as believers: Life is broken and confusing now, and Jesus triumphs over evil and He wins The end is better than even the beginning was! There’s HOPE As parents, we want to connect with our kids and find the gateways into their culture. We start with telling them the Gospel story and how it’s TRUE. Story form holds our attention more than anything else.  The reason we like these books and movies is because there’s a TRUE story that God has written into our hearts to respond to. Go with your child to watch the movie and talk with them ahead of time – explain how this seems to be the similar narrative of the Gospel. Teach your children to be explorers of redemptive meaning. Stories are so captivating because it leads us to the greater narrative of Jesus.  Over-fascination and over-involvement in characters and video games is because we desire the Gospel in its true form; the characters are just shadows. Kids learn morals, ethics, and values in these stories.  We need to address the values and proactively teach our kids values from Scripture and help them understand how to differentiate culture vs God’s way Three Circles: a simple method to sharing the gospel God’s Plan, Brokenness, Jesus Tying Three Circles method into movies: set up a framework for your kids to see the Gospel framework played out in the movies Where did we see God’s design in this movie? Where is the brokenness? In what ways are they trying to escape the brokenness? What are elements of the Gospel in this movie? Tweet This Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible. ― Karl Barth Click To Tweet If you can give your kids a big enough vision, it will keep them from being distracted by all of these little destructive ones. Click To Tweet     Resources Mentioned Aaron Mamuyac Sunlight Church, Port Saint Lucie Website: https://www.sunlightcc.org Email:      aaron@sunlightcc.org God is Awesome Podcast God is Awesome on Facebook Peace Child by Don Richardson (missionary to canibalistic tribe) Three Circles: a simple method to sharing the gospel Avengers Endgame Try you first book on Audible for free: https://www.audible.com/letsparentonpurpose

Today I share why Easter gives me hope even in the darkest days of family life. I conclude with a post I wrote at 3AM on Easter Sunday five years ago, just one week after my son was diagnosed with Leukemia. As always, thank you Patreon Supporters! You’re awesome!  If you want to support this podcast for as little as $1 an episode, you can do it through www.patreon.com Tweet this I am created in the image of God and am a brother of the King Most High. Who cares whether my kid qualifies me for an honor roll bumper sticker? Click To Tweet Easter is a reminder that life comes from death, that light comes after the darkness, and that God is actively at work even when nothing makes sense. Click To Tweet Show Highlights As a dad who has never seen, but still believes, here’s how I feel blessed and hopeful as a parent: Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.  The resurrection is the validation of everything Jesus said and did: It means that His teachings aren’t just sound advice, they are commands with a supernatural power behind them. It means that wen Jesus says I can call God my Father, it’s true.  He’s not just some distant authority figure, He’s my Daddy. It means I’m truly forgiven of my sins.  I don’t have to live a life of penance making up for past mistakes (including parenting mistakes).  I can focus on walking in grace and humility, trying to do what’s right today instead of wallowing in the guilt of my failures from yesterday. I’ve trusted Jesus to save my soul, and I’m trusting Him to give me the grace for what He’s commanded me to do as a parent. 2. Easter is a reminder that life comes from death, that light comes after the darkness, and that God is actively at work even when nothing makes sense. It means that even my worst parenting days are redeemable, and that what I (or others) meant for evil, God will turn for good. It means that my children’s disabilities, shortcomings, and failures are just details in a greater story that God is writing.  He is forming their character as well as mine, and He is making All Things New! It means that my son getting cancer or my wife dying is not the last word.  My hope is not in a particular outcome, it’s in a Person.  And that Person conquered death and the grave and promised to do the same for me and all of those that love HIm. 3. Easter is a conviction that I am not the center of the universe, and neither are my children. I don’t have to have it all figured out, because I’m not in charge of this planet.  I’m not God and I don’t get to dictate everything in my life or my children’s life.  That’s really freeing. My kids get to mess up as well, because my pride and identity should not be wrapped up in them looking impressive.  I am created in the image of God and am a brother of the King Most High.  Who cares whether my kid qualifies me for an honor roll bumper sticker? Since I’m not the center of the universe, or even the dictator in my own house, I get to REST like it depends on God.  Because it does. Resources Mentioned My Easter Morning post from 2014 after my son’s diagnosis Andrew Peterson High Noon by Andrew Peterson

“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” – Oswald Chambers Today’s topic highlights the intersection between the fear of man, shame and how it’s indicative of how small our God is. Learn to identify shame and then how to view it in light of God’s truth.  When people are big in your life, God is small, but if God takes the proper proportion, you genuinely get to experience freedom. Thank you to my patreon supporters!  You are making the show notes and production of the show possible!  If you believe in Let’s Parent on Purpose, you can support the show for as little as $1 an episode. Show Highlights Living in a shame-driven culture Pervasive culture We’re living our lives in the fear of man People will see me People will reject me People will hurt me When fear of people becomes bigger than fear of God Identify different ways the fear of disapproval affects our daily lives before we can diagnose and help our children The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.     Prov 29:25 Living in the Shame What is shame? Finding what our shame is based in The garden story in Genesis 22:25 / Genesis 3:7-8 Then the eyes of both were opened and they knew they both were naked Different causes of shame and the powerful force in peoples’ lives Shame from sin we do Shame from being victimized or sinned against (which then amplifies our own natural shame) Different effects of shame Low self esteem (and the wrong antidote we’re prone to fix it with) Hiding Spy through the peepholes in our walls The TRUTH The truth is that we don’t measure up so stop trying to measure up. You can wear a mask; you can hide from people, but you aren’t hiding from God.   You’re seen by the one who is the most righteous.   Psalm 139 We let people get very big and live in the paralysis of the fear of man How understanding the gaze of God can release you from the shame and fear of man: Questions to ask ourselves What are you most afraid of? Who are you most afraid of? What scripture tells us: Matthew 10:28 / Fear the one who has power over our souls.  God sees you. Romans 5:6-11 / While we were still weak, Christ died for the ungodly. We are enemies against God, but God died for his enemies and divinely exchanged our sin for his glory. He took on our sin and shame physically and spiritually. He exchanged our sin and shame and gave us his righteousness. In Christ, you are not shamed and exposed.  You are clothed with his righteousness.  You don’t have to be afraid of God. Isaiah 61:10 Scripture references: Hebrews 13:6, Proverbs 29:25, Psalm 56:4, Romans 8:31 How will seeing people and God in their proper places affect your marriage and parenting? Know that you are seen, loved, known and accepted by God who made everything. Knowing how you are loved frees you to offer the same grace you have been given. When people are big in your life, God is small, but if God takes the proper proportion, you genuinely get to experience freedom. Tweet This The gospel is the story of God covering his naked enemies, bringing them to the wedding feast, and then marrying them rather than crushing them. Edward T. Welch Click To Tweet In Christ, you are not shamed and exposed. You are clothed with his righteousness. Click To Tweet Resources Mentioned When People Are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man by Edward T. Welch    

We don’t love our children the same. We love them uniquely, because they are each unique. Because of their uniqueness, a parenting approach that works for one child could cause another one to wilt. My good friend, partner in ministry, and coach/strategist Jenny Price joins me today to talk through various personality types we find among children, and what strategies can help us get the best out of each one. Thank you to my patreon supporters!  You are making the show notes and production of the show possible!  If you believe in Let’s Parent on Purpose, you can support the show for as little as $1 an episode. Show Highlights What does it mean to fully love your children, but not love them the same Personality differences that become evident in the baby/toddler years How different discipline techniques work with different personalities The tender children Helping them differentiate correction from “I’m a horrible person” Their tendency for secretive shame The importance of asking question Teaching them that God is both The Lion and The Lamb Assertive, strong-willed children The need for discipline and structure Their need for short conversations and a brick wall Why lectures aren’t effective The easy, under the radar children The Glass Child Why they are so easily overlooked Their need of one on one time Special needs children Their need for higher attention Beware of them working the system The critical need for parents to take care of themselves The importance of saying sorry to your children Three questions to ask your children What’s working for you? What’s not working for you? What’s next in relationship to me? Three other great questions What do you want more of from me? What do you want less of from me? What else are you not telling me? Reminding your children that you love them, you are for them, that God loves them and is for them Ensuring other mentors are involved in your children’s life Tweet This Our goal isn't to raise children that 'aren't bad', our goal is to raise adults that thrive and are a blessing to the world. Click To Tweet Your performance driven children need permission to not be perfect. Click To Tweet Three important questions to ask people in your life -What do you want more of from me? -What do you want less of from me? -What else do you need to tell me? Click To Tweet Resources Mentioned Jenny Price Coach/Consultant:  Personal/Professional/Enneagram www.jenneagram.com Jenny on instagram: : www.instagram.com/JenneagramCoach Let’s Parent on Purpose Episode 49: Depression and Anxiety In Parenting and Marriage with Jenny Let’s Parent on Purpose Episode 112: Tools for Taming the Tongue Ian Morgan Cron, The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery

We all want to be great parents with thriving kids, but the truth is that only God can change a heart.  I do the best I can with all the means I can, but it’s ultimately His Spirit that reaches them.  Learn how to trust that God will reach our kids hearts, shape them and eventually bring freedom as we faithfully walk this parenting journey. Show Highlights Trusting God Even When Life Hurts – the sovereignty of God.  Why doesn’t He stop pain if He is all-powerful and all-loving. If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He stop the pain? Ryan Leak’s consulting on on the danger of ego – what percentage of credit you feel like you should get for the success of “X” Why you should get 0 credit for the growth of “X” We are responsible to point our kids to Jesus, but it’s HIM who changes hearts How to deal with situations beyond my control and my illusion of control Finding encouragement from Psalm 127, the theme song of my life What do I do when I don’t know what to do or how to pray? The Spirit helps us in our weakness and the Spirit intercedes with groaning too deep for words Romans 8:26-28: He causes ALL things work together for good for those who Love God and are called according to his purpose.  It doesn’t mean that everything that happens is good; it means that He can bring good, even out of sin and pain. Thomas Watson’s book: All Things for Good God is a great pharmacist. A pharmacist’s role is to combine drugs to bring healing. The very same lethal drug, if mixed correctly, can save your life. (i.e. NACL) Some things are not good, but God will work them for good. It may take a very long time He didn’t spare his own son and how much more will he give us everything we need. NOTHING will separate us from the love of God Not death, life, angels, rulers, things present powers, OR your kids stupid decisions, a mean person, bad grades, even complete rebellion of a child Look back and see how God used sin and hardship to mold you towards Jesus The mystery of how God uses most unlikely things to turn us towards Him You can’t control every decision your kids make, or their sicknesses, which friends love and hurt them, etc.  But their pain is not wasted; God uses loss and suffering to bond us to Him. 7 steps to help you center your trust in God Believe that God loves your children more than you do Trust that whatever is happening isn’t the end of the story The pain isn’t senseless or wasted Jesus is going to make all things new Acknowledge your doubts and fears Psalm 88 — and darkness is my only friend God, I believe.  Help my unbelief.  — Mark 9:24 Faith is not a lack of fear.  It’s walking forward even in the midst of our fear.  It’s remembering what you know to be true in front of something that you don’t understand Notice the circumstances of your life that God put together to provide for you Remember that you are a work in progress too Parent today in the power of the Holy Spirit Trust God for the grace today and look forward to the results for tomorrow Tweet This This is God's universe, and God does things his way. You may have a better way, but you don't have a universe. --J. Vernon McGee Click To Tweet Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. --Mark 9:24 Click To Tweet Faith is not a lack of fear. It's walking forward even in the midst of our fear. It's remembering what you know to be true in front of something that you don't understand. Click To Tweet Resources Mentioned Ryan Leak – https://www.ryanleak.com https://twitter.com/ryanleak Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges Psalm 127  Romans 8:26-28 All Things for Good book by puritan Thomas Watson  

Gratitude is a crucial component in changing our circumstances and in helping develop the character of our children. Join me today as I discuss three ways you can encourage a heart of gratitude in your household. I want to say a special thanks to my growing group of Patreon Supporters!  For as little as $1 an episode you can invest in making this podcast as I invest in your family! Show Highlights Headwinds vs Tailwinds: why we notice our disadvantages while glossing over our advantages Why we should notice the advantages and resources at our fingertips What or who is the real problem to our lack of gratitude? Learn what God’s antidote is to taking life for granted Learn what God says His will is for your life. One of the greatest works that can change our circumstances and help develop the character of our children Hear about one of my personal goals this year with my kids How to model and then encourage a lifestyle of gratitude for my family Become a life tour guide pointing out multiple levels of amazing that God has graced us with Three practical steps to cultivate a culture of gratitude in your home Check-in (“roses and thorns” or “highs for the day”) Compliment and celebrate Check out the Global Rich List.  See where your family ranks among the wealthiest humans in the world. You’ll be shocked! Make a list with your children of how your family has been given advantages See how it takes a person in a different country to earn “x” amount of money for just a cup of coffee vs. how it takes us about 10 minutes in the US to earn the same amount of money. Begin a month-long process of identifying all the advantages God has given us God blessed Abraham so that he could be a blessing too many. Help your kids see the responsibility that comes along with being blessed. A family that is thankful is a family that is fun to be in! Thankful families are a blessing to the world.   Tweet This A culture of gratitude is one of the greatest works that can change our circumstances and help develop the character of our children. Click To Tweet Gratitude is a marathon, not a sprint. Click To Tweet   Resources Mentioned Freakonomics podcast: Gratitude and Noticing our disadvantages while glossing over our advantages Episode 110: A Little Change that Makes a Big Difference  Global Rich List: interactive website to see where you find your wealth rank among the world and its wealthiest people