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Hello friends!

In case you've been wondering where our posts have been lately, we want to officially announce the new location for Dr. John Trent's blog.

The URL is so easy to remember: http://johntrent.com/

We're also excited to announce a brand new look and feel for our www.StrongFamilies.com website as well. Please check it out when you have a chance.

Thanks for your support! We look forward to hearing from you in 2011.

3 Keys to Leading and Influencing Others from your Strengths (Part 3 of 3)

We hope you enjoy the final segment of this 3-part article by Dr. Trent that was published recently in "Christian Counseling Today" magazine (Vol.17, No.4). The periodical is produced by the American Association of Christian Counselors. If you missed parts 1 & 2, you can read them in the posts below this one.

And this leads us to one final thought on leadership that I try to practice each day, and would recommend for you as well. Before I get out of the car at the office, I remind myself...

“We were all made for “more.”

So many people feel so unfulfilled, so unappreciated, so unused, so undervalued. We long for “more” in so many ways. At home, at work or in a ministry, we long for more impact, more openness, more love, more significance, more God-honoring service and more life-changing results.

So start your day by reminding yourself that God is a God of “more.”

In His Kingdom is more love, more grace, more fulfillment, more joy, more significance, more acceptance, more valuing of strengths and utilization of differences. Before you walk in the door at work, pray for more humility as a steward of one small part of God’s great Kingdom, and more patience and wisdom to see the “high value” of each person He has graciously, purposefully given you to lead or influence.

C.S. Lewis was right in saying, “ There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter claimed by Satan.”

May we claim His Kingdom, not our own, as we lead in our area of service, each and every day.

Would you commit to pray for more patience, wisdom and humility as you look for the "high value" of each person God has placed along your path?

Thank you for joining us for this 3-part series. Be sure to come back on Friday for our "Family Friday" video tidbit where Dr. Trent will answer life's common relationship questions each week.

3 Keys to Leading and Influencing Others from your Strengths (Part 2 of 3)

We hope you enjoy part 2 of this article by Dr. Trent that was published recently in "Christian Counseling Today" magazine (Vol.17, No.4). The periodical is produced by the American Association of Christian Counselors. If you missed part 1, you can read it in the post below this one.

If the first key in leadership is looking up to Heaven in humility, (instead of looking down on those under us), there’s a second related key as well.

Namely, not only has Almighty God “placed” us in our place of leadership -- He actively, purposely “places” those around us as well!

As a marriage and family counselor, I often hear from couples that they’re experiencing, “irreconcilable differences.” In truth, I’ve heard that same complaint in numerous churches, ministries and business teams I’ve worked with over the years. In fact, I just spoke with a pastor who actually said, “I know what I need to do. I need to fire my whole congregation!”

For many of us, it’s the people we work with or try to lead (particularly if we’re focused on “our kingdom”) who are the problem. And unfortunately (and unwisely) that often means, “I’m sick and tired of the people I work with who are so different from me!” Like that detail person who always seems to shoot down our ideas in a staff meeting. Or the dreamer who can’t seem to stay focused on the task. Or the leader who steps into other areas outside her own to “coach” people that don’t report to her. Or the sensitive person who says “Yes” to every assignment, even when they’re hopelessly buried in projects and know they can’t get that task done.

“Why isn’t everyone like me!” we can lament – and yet when we do, we are erasing a key reason God put “different” people in our life!

That detail person that frustrates us so much is also the person, if we valued his or her strengths, who could tell us those two or three things that are keeping our idea from becoming a reality. Or the “dreamer” with all the creativity that first attracted us to him (and that’s now so frustrating) might have the key idea that breaks through a log-jam we’re facing. Or the person who is gifted at coaching and feel “underutilized” could perhaps be given a broader area of influence or coaching others (so they use more of their gifts and we didn’t have to do so much). Or that caring person, who seems to slow down under pressure, could also share with us what, specifically, is causing hurt or holding back others from doing their best at work (because they see so much of what’s going on around them).

Rodney Cox, President of Ministry Insights (www.ministryinsights.com) and the online designer of The Leading From Your Strengths Online report, goes all over the country and world, sharing a very simple message.

“God gives us our strengths… but He delights in our differences.”

That is so true and so biblical! “Irreconcilable differences” can actually be grounds for a great ministry team, friendship, or family relationship! You see this clearly in 1 Corinthians 12 where we’re told, “For the body is not one member, but many. Yet it’s important to know that it’s God Himself who distributes gifts and talents, for to continue Paul’s thought, “But God has placed the members each one of them in the body, just as He desires.” (1 Cor. 12:18). In other words, it is Almighty God Himself who has placed us with those in our ministry or family – as Rodney says, “To complete us not defeat us!” To protect us, not lead us to frustration.

When we realize that our place of ministry is not our “Kingdom” to rule, and that its “subjects” are there by God’s divine design (not to live out our will), it can change our attitude and actions as a leader. For example, instead of demanding that every problem in our ministry be solved in an “aggressive” way, (because we’re an “aggressive” problem solver), we start realizing that Almighty God “placed” that “reflective” problem-solver on our team to protect us and help us make good decisions, not to stop us or frustrate us.

Have you had a chance to take inventory of the strengths exhibited in those you enjoy life with every day and to actively appreciate them and thank God for the roles that they play in your life?

Don't forget that part 3 is coming tomorrow too! Sign up to follow Dr. Trent's blog so you won't miss another valuable post.

3 Keys to Leading and Influencing Others from your Strengths (Part 1 of 3)

We hope you enjoy this article by Dr. Trent that was published recently in "Christian Counseling Today" magazine (Vol.17, No.4). The periodical is produced by the American Association of Christian Counselors. We will post it in 3 parts over the next 3 days.

I have a good friend who is a businessman and an avid golfer. Several years ago, on an international business trip, he was invited to play on the King of Morocco’s personal golf course, called (fittingly) The King’s Course. He got up to the first tee and it was a dogleg right. His group finished that hole, and as he stood on the second tee box, he noticed that the second hole was also a dogleg right. And the third hole… and the fourth hole as well! Finally, he asked his caddy about the layout of the course and he was told, “Oh, yes, every hole is a dogleg right. The King has a slice!”

That story is funny and profound at the same time. It also illustrates the first of three key thoughts I’d like to share with you about the place of leadership and influence God has given you and me. In an earthly Kingdom, the sovereign ruler can establish the values, the priorities and even the laws as He sees fit. He sets the lead. His decisions impact everyone. In this case, the King could have taken a golf lesson and built a normal course. But instead, by accommodating his weakness, a slice, he influenced and impacted everyone else who played on His course.

“But I’m not a golfer!” You might say. To which I would say, “Yes, but you are a leader.” And every one of us has been placed in a leadership position – be it at home, in ministry, at our place of business, at school, or in our counseling practice. In some area of life -- we all lead. And for many of us, (unfortunately) we look at that place of ministry as our “Kingdom.”

I would bet that most of us have worked at some time in our life for someone who looked at (or lived like) their place of ministry or business was indeed their “Kingdom.” They may not have worn a crown, but they sought to install their own rules, values and priorities on others. With that “look” in their eyes, or that dismissive attitude in a meeting, or that growing list of “rules” and demands, each day you came to work you saw more of a “leader” working to bend other’s actions (if not their wills) to accommodate their weaknesses. Their focus become as a result, “lording it over” others, instead of leading from their God-given strengths.

This is the first thing to consider as a leader...

Whose Kingdom are we building?

Remember, Jesus spoke constantly about His “Kingdom.” About the character and nature of its subjects. About how as Believers, we’re to “seek first His kingdom” – not our own. And while it may seem like in this day-and-age it’s the “Lord it over” leaders who get “promoted,” not penalized, God’s judgment will indeed one day right all wrongs.

For example, the Bible speaks of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. He lived from 605-562 B.C., and was the most powerful man on the planet. Yet placed in a position of authority, he looked down on all he had, not up to the God who had given him all he had. In Daniel 4:30, we’re told, “The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’” And if you know the “rest of the story,” as for the next seven years, God judged him for exalting himself, and consigned him to dwell with the beasts of the field. What “woke him up” from acting like an animal (not a true King)? It was when he finally looked upwards to Almighty God as the true “Kingdom builder” – the One who is the giver of all his gifts, strengths, successes and abilities. In the words of a “reclaimed King,” he said, “I raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me.” (vs. 34).

That’s the first thing we need to realize as those placed in a position of leadership and influence. We battle God, not our employees, competition or teammates, when we seek to set up our own personal “Kingdom.” What does your kingdom look like?

Please visit us tomorrow for the second key to leading from your strengths.

Welcome to our very first "Family Friday"!

Are you juggling the activities of life and having trouble keeping all the balls in the air? Do you wonder how you can build better relationships with the variety of personalities in your home? Do you sometimes struggle with ways to show love to your spouse and kids?

As promised, beginning today and every Friday in the coming months, StrongFamilies will be celebrating “Family Fridays” by posting a short video tidbit to enrich your life, marriage and family.

In light of our busy holiday season, this week's question is:

Click on the "play" arrow at the bottom left of the video to see Dr. Trent's answer.

We trust that you'll be able to identify the skinny rabbits in your life and take steps to refocus on what's more important instead.

Be sure to tune in each week to Family Fridays. We’ll be posting these clips here on the StrongFamilies blog, as well as sending them out on Twitter and Facebook.

If you find them valuable please pass them along to your friends. Also, if you’d like to keep receiving these weekly communications, be sure to subscribe to the blog, follow us on Twitter or “Like” us on Facebook.

Have a great week!

Dr. John Trent

Recommended resource: Chasing Skinny Rabbits

Family Fridays are Coming!

Beginning Friday, December 3^rd and every Friday after that StrongFamilies will be celebrating “Family Fridays” by posting a video tidbit to enrich your marriage and family.

Do you wonder how you can build better relationships with the variety of personalities in your home?

Do you sometimes struggle with ways to show love to your spouse and kids?

If so, then tune in each week to Family Fridays. We’ll be posting these clips here on the StrongFamilies blog as well as sending them out on Twitter and Facebook.

We trust that you’ll find them valuable, so if you’d like to keep receiving these weekly communications, be sure to subscribe to the blog, follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook.

Speaking at AZ Women's LIFT Meeting!

Hey, this Friday, November 12th I'll be speaking at the Arizona LIFT (Leaders in Fellowship Together) meeting for Women's Ministry Leaders from all over Arizona!

If you live in Arizona and you're on the Women's Ministry team at your church, consider attending this free event. Or if you would like to encourage the women leaders on your church team, pass this along to them.

LIFT is a wonderful organization whose mission is to equip and encourage leaders in Women's Ministry.

Feel free to visit their website - www.LIFTAZ.org for more information and to RSVP for the event. Plus you can find out more about the ministry in general.

It's my privilege to share with these women that do so much to serve their church body.

Praise Report for Cindy!

Last Saturday morning, at 6:30am, my wife, Cindy started walking up the Mountain Preserve with her good friend, Donna. Why would that be a reason for praise, you ask?

It was almost a year ago in December that Cindy fell on that same trail – launching us into the most difficult period of time in her health history, and the focus of so many of your prayers these last 11 months!

In short, Cindy started back to teaching two weeks ago and now she even started back up the mountain for the first time since the accident!

Thank you Lord! And thank you all for your prayers!!!!

Parenting Seminar on Sunday in Tempe

On Sunday, November 7th I am looking forward to teaching a Parenting Seminar at Christ Life Church, Tempe, Arizona!

This is a church that wants to use "The Blessing" to equip parents to better love and encourage their kids.

Thank you for your prayers as I speak twice on Sunday morning, and then do a seminar on Sunday afternoon! If you're interested in more information, please visit the website or call the church today.

Encouraging parents in how to love their kids is always a blessing to me too!

Huge Meeting Tomorrow with Focus on the Family!

Friday, November 5th I will be in Colorado Springs on the beautiful Focus on the Family campus finalizing details for our partnering agreement with them.

Think about a meeting with the top book and DVD people, the publications executives, folks from broadcasting and radio programming, and on and on.

That’s who will be in the room to talk about how we move forward with our partnership to promote the message of "The Blessing" to a new generation of parents and families!

I fly in today and would appreciate prayers for wisdom and insight as we talk about everything from music that blesses others to seminars to radio programs to books and more!

For a ministry like ours, what an incredible gift this will be in helping us share our core message world-wide!

I hope to get photos of the actual "signing ceremony" just for fun.

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

Do you receive our eNewsletter?

Hello friends,

We just wanted to send a friendly reminder that our monthly eNewsletter will be sent out in the coming days, so watch your inbox.

This short monthly e-publication is a fun way to learn about “breaking news,” helpful studies and take-home tips to help you build a StrongFamily.

If you're not already part of the StrongFamilies community and want to receive our monthly updates, please visit our website here and sign up for the emails.

At StrongFamilies, we never have, nor will we ever share your email address with anyone else. You may unsubscribe to the newsletter anytime you choose.

Thank you for being a vital part of our family.

Win - Win Photo Shoot!

A few weeks ago, we did a StrongFamilies photo shoot with Kate Williams of Life By Kate. You will be seeing some of these images on our website, seminar manuals, and other SF materials. These are real families, they are beautiful inside and out. We truly had an incredible day doing the shoot.

Kate will be doing another SF shoot for us in October. If you are in the Phoenix area and are interested in doing a FREE photo shoot it's a win-win for all of us.

You will get copies of the pictures for personal use and SF gets to use them on our website, and other media! We are looking for singles, couples and families of all ages and walks of life.

If you'd like more information, add a comment here with your email address or send us an email at ktrent[at]strongfamilies[dot]com. We will only have limited spaces available, so let us know if you're interested as soon as possible.

We look forward to hearing from you!

A New Partnership with Focus on the Family!

Check out this picture of the view when I walk out of my hotel – it's The Empire State Building! Wow!

If you're reading this on Tuesday(9/21) then we’re just a few hours away from officially launching the Institute for the Blessing and Focus on the Family strategic partnership with a national broadcast! Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family, will be doing an interview with Tony Wheeler and I that kicks off our effort to bring the message of The Blessing to a whole new generation of parents.

We'd love it if you would pray with us today, that we can clearly present this timeless message in a way that stirs the hearts of parents of children young and old in these challenging times. Five radio stations here in the New York area have been promoting this event, and there’ll be a Christian comedian and lots of people from the area who make up the “studio audience". It’s kind of like a seminar, that’s a radio program – so I could sure use your prayers!

Hey, if you're reading this in the Big Apple, why not consider coming to the free event tonight at the Manhattan Center? Here's a link with more details and registration info.

This is just the beginning – but what a place to announce to the world that God’s timeless message of The Blessing is indeed the place where hurting can end, and love begin.

John Trent, Ph.D.
President

New Institute for the Blessing Facebook Page

Good news!

We now have a Facebook page for "The Dr. John Trent Institute for The Blessing at Barclay College".

Check it out and click the button to “like” us!

From there, we'll keep you posted on events and updates and share inspirational words and suggestions for using the elements of "The Blessing" in your everyday lives.

Post a note about how the Blessing has affected your life or something encouraging on the wall too, if you’d like!

Oh, and share the page and invite your friends to “like” us too!

Please Pray for our Big Meeting today!

Hey, StrongFamilies friends,

After months of prayers and planning, I'm at Focus on the Family today for a huge meeting. From this meeting could come a partnership between StrongFamilies.com, The Institute for the Blessing, and Focus on the Family, to take the message of The Blessing to a whole new generation of parents. If you'd like to read more about this, I've included the StrongFamilies Prayer Team Special Prayer Update below for you to read. Of if you've just got a moment, we'd ask for your prayers for the Lord to open the door for us to work together in sharing this life-changing Biblical message!

I'll post in the future about how the meeting went -- but thank you so much for your prayers today!
JT

StrongFamilies Special Edition Prayer Request!
August 31, 2010

We’re only a day away from our September prayer request email, but after months of all of you praying for us – today is the day!

I wish you could pull up a chair with us in the main boardroom at Focus on the Family (next to what used to be Dr. Dobson’s office). Today we have our major, and supposedly our final meeting with folks from StrongFamilies, The Institute for the Blessing, and Focus on the Family. After months of discussion – this is the “decision” meeting regarding all of us working together to take the message of The Blessing to a whole new generation of parents and people!

In the room will be a “who’s who” of FoF folks. If they decide to move forward after this meeting, the next thing would be for Dr. Wheeler and I to fly to New York City in September to launch the partnership with a national radio broadcast (in front of a huge live audience). But before that “launch” comes – comes this huge meeting and the decision to move forward together or not.

Tomorrow we present 11 areas where we could work with Focus to spread the message of The Blessing to others. (From working together on a “Blessing Institute Book line, to online classes on the Blessing, to seminars, to radio programs, to sharing music that “Blesses” others, to passing out a million “Blessing coins” and more.). I’ll send you a “What happened at the meeting!” update, along with a very busy September Prayer list on September 1st. But months of prayers these past months will end, and we pray, begin with tomorrow’s meeting here at Focus on the Family.

Here’s my prayer, “Lord, thank you that as we walk into that huge Boardroom tomorrow, we know You’re walking beside us – and that You’ve been there ahead of us as well. We know the word “life” means movement – and we ask for your guidance and favor as these ministries consider moving forward together to better share Your message. We ask if this strategic alliance could further Your Kingdom, then every door would open tomorrow. Lord, we know there are so many hurting families and individuals out there. And we know as well that Your concept of The Blessing jumps off the pages of Scripture and can bring love, hope and healing to men and women who need help so much. So Lord, we humbly ask that all our prayers and months of working toward this one meeting will end up with many thousands more “living the Blessing” in their homes, churches and communities, for Your glory and honor.

Amen and thank you for your prayers! JT

John Trent, Ph.D.
President, StrongFamilies.com
Founder, The Institute for the Blessing at Barclay College

Note: If you're not already on our prayer team and would like to be, please shoot us an email at friends@strongfamilies.com and we'll be happy to include you.

Win an Autographed Book!

Don't forget about our drawing to win an autographed John Trent book when our StrongFamilies Facebook page reaches 500 "LIKEs". We're inching closer and closer to that magic number. Remember, everyone who recommends it to their friends will be in the drawing along with your friends.

We'll also do another drawing when we get to 1000 "LIKEs" so keep up the great work!

Click here for more details about the contest.

Slight Change of Plans for the Half Marathon

So it looks like I'll be running the half marathon in Scottsdale instead of Chicago this Sunday. Let me fill you in on how that has all come about.

Frankly, we've been facing some tremendous challenges with my wife, Cindy. For those who haven't heard, Cindy experienced some serious chemical burns on her hands. Even though her hands have healed on the outside, the nerve pain continues unabated (picture your hands on fire and from there, overall pain shoots through your body and makes it terribly hard to sleep). We've been to a number of doctors, and are extremely grateful for all the folks who have been praying. We have seen some improvement, thank the Lord. However, we just need her brain to start saying "There's no reason to hurt anymore!" and for the pain to stop! (Not being able to sleep for more than 20 or 30 minutes at a time makes everything in life more challenging).

So that leads me to the change of venue for the race.

If you've seen earlier posts or visited our website, you'll remember that I was supposed to go to Chicago this weekend and run the Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon. That's our big summer fund-raising event for StrongFamilies, with people sponsoring me per mile, and all the funds raised going to build strongfamilies. However, with Cindy in such tough shape, I've had to cancel trips last week, and I can't fly out to Chicago this week as well.

So, Cindy came up with a great idea (I think).

This Sunday at 5:00am here in Phoenix (the same time they step off in Chicago), I'm going to run the "Cindy Trent is Going to Get Better Scottsdale Canal 1/2 Marathon!" Meaning, I'll just use the Nike+ GPS on my shoe (which posts to our StrongFamilies Facebook page), and will run the 13.2 miles here in town so I can be with Cindy this weekend.

I'm going to send out an email to all those who have already agreed to sponsor the race in Chicago, to explain the situation. I simply can't leave Cindy right now, so while people can certainly pull their sponsorship, I'm still going to run the 13.2 for StrongFamilies.

If they'd like, or if you'd like to help the ministry, then just email jefft@strongfamilies.com (that's Jeff Thibault, our director of training for StrongFamilies) and let him know you're in for the "Cindy Trent is Going to Get Better" run as a sponsor!

As a ministry, all gifts are tax deductible and go directly to helping us help couples, singles and families!

Thanks for your prayers and understanding!

John Trent, Ph.D.

Sponsor John as he runs for StrongFamilies!

There are so many couples and families who need encouragement, hope and help! Join the Team that’s helping to sponsor Dr. John Trent as he runs the Rock & Roll Half Marathon on Sunday August 1st, in Chicago!

How do I sponsor Dr. Trent?

1. Just pick an amount, ($1.00, $5.00, $25.00, $100 or more) that you’d like to pledge “per mile.” A half-marathon is 13.2 miles.
2. Email Jeff Thibault (our Director of Operations and Training at StrongFamilies) at JeffT@strongfamilies.com (That’s Jeff “t” for Thibault at StrongFamilies.com) with the amount you’d like to pledge and your mailing (snail mail) address. (That way we can send you a donation receipt after you send in a check or go online and donate your pledge online).
3. We also have a special gift for all of our sponsors! A signed book from our online bookstore! Just visit StrongFamilies.com and go to our bookstore and pick out the book you’d like. You'll find more details about how on the sponsorship page here as well.
   

How do I know how John did at the race?

It’s a pretty sure bet that John won’t win the race – but he is persistent and barring a huge piece of space debris falling on him or some other unlikely catastrophe, it’s likely he’ll finish the race! Whatever happens – you’ll know exactly how far (and how slow) he ran as Jeff Thibault will be sending you an email when John lands in Chicago to get ready for the race, then another email on that Sunday morning that gives you his start time, split time (the half-way point) and his finish time! All runners at the Rock & Roll get a “chip” that goes on your shoe. Jeff will actually get email updates sent to him as John passes each point in the race! Is technology amazing or what!

You can find more details about the race and how you can sponsor John by visiting the StrongFamilies Sponsor Page.

So please join us as we support and encourage healthy and StrongFamilies!

Calling all sponsors!

Sponsor Dr. John Trent as He Runs for StrongFamilies®! ...and get a signed book to help Strengthen Your Family!

There are so many couples and families who need encouragement, hope and help! Join the Team that’s helping to sponsor Dr. John Trent as he runs the Rock & Roll ½ Marathon on Sunday, June 6th in San Diego and/or again on Sunday August 1st, at the Rock & Roll 1/2 Chicago!

How do I sponsor Dr. Trent?

A half-marathon is 13.2 miles.

Just pick an amount, ($1.00, $5.00, $25.00, $100 or more) that you’d like to pledge “per mile.”

Email Jeff Thibault (our Director of Operations and Training at StrongFamilies) at jefft@strongfamiles.com (That’s Jeff “T” for Thibault at StrongFamilies.com) with the amount you’d like to pledge and your mailing (snail mail) address. (That way we can send you a donation receipt after you send in a check or go online and donate your pledge online). You'll receive one book per sponsor after your donation is received, and please let us know in your pledge email what one book you’ve picked.

You can find more information on the sponsor sheet here.

Two more ways you can help...

First, please print out or email the link to the Sponsor Sheet and hand/send it out to friends and relatives who want to help couples grow in their love for each other and the Lord, and who want to help parents build strong families and become the spiritual trainers in their home! The needs of families are great and your gift is tremendously helpful to us as we reach out to families across our country.

Second, are you already running the Rock & Roll ½ Marathon in either San Diego or Chicago?
If so, consider joining the StrongFamilies running team and get people to sponsor StrongFamilies on your behalf! Right now, our “team” is just John – but if you know someone who’s running or are running yourself and want to help out a great cause, email Jeff at JeffT@StrongFamilies.com!

A 2-degree Suggestion to Bless Your Child

Take sticky notes to their school!

It’s hugely important to give our child our Blessing. (Genesis 27:34, Esau cries out after missing his father’s “blessing, “Bless me, even me also, o My father!”).

Here’s a small, 2 Degree suggestion on one way to do just that the next time you go to your child’s “Open House” or end of the year activities at school! When our girls were in grade school (and all the way through high school actually), I always took “sticky notes” with me to their “Parent/Teacher” nights. Ahead of time, I’d write lots of positive statements like, “Praying for you!,” and “You’re an awesome kid!” and “You’re an even neater kid then we prayed for!” and “You are a really good friend to others.”

Then we went from room to room (or stayed in the same room in grade school), I’d open up their desk, take a book, folder or notebook, and slip in a sticky note. One of the five “elements” of the Blessing is “spoken message” and a second is “attaching high value.”

The next day, when your child is at school and opens their notebook or book and finds a note of “blessing” from you – you’re making their day and blessing their heart! (Suggestion from The Dad’s Everything Book for Daughters, John Trent, Ph.D., Zondervan books)

Enter to win an autographed John Trent book of your choice!

Are you a StrongFamilies Facebook Fan?

Here are some questions that could win you an autographed book to help strengthen your family!
• Have you been impacted by Dr. John Trent's ministry to families over the years?
• Have you read one of the books he's authored and co-authored, like The Blessing, The Two Sides of Love, The 2 Degree Difference or The Treasure Tree?
• Have you been to a Strongfamilies seminar that Dr. Trent has taught or heard him on the radio?
Here's the last question!
• Have you joined Facebook as a way to stay up to date on the latest news, and information about family, friends, ministries, and causes that are dear to your heart?

If so, we encourage you to become a fan of Strongfamilies on Facebook by clicking the "LIKE" button at the top of the page. By doing so, you'll be entered for a chance to win ONE of TEN Dr. John Trent books we'll be giving away. Plus he'll personally autograph it for you!

Once you're a fan, you'll receive Dr. Trent's latest blog posts, event and book announcements, as well as ongoing communication with the Strongfamilies community all on your Facebook page. It's one of the easiest ways to stay in touch. And it's easier then you think to win a free signed book from Dr. Trent.

Here's how!

Contest Rules
• Visit the StrongFamilies Online Bookstore to decide which book you'd like to receive if you win.
• Click this link to go to the StrongFamilies Facebook page.
• Click on the "LIKE" button to become a fan.
• In the "What's on your mind?" box, tell us the book you've chosen and briefly one important aspect of having a Strong Family.
• That's all you need to do!
• Then when we reach 500 Fans we'll have drawings for 10 of you to each receive your choice of one free autographed book from the StrongFamilies online bookstore...and the winner could be you!
• Are you already a Facebook fan? Don't worry, you'll still be included in the drawing from the first 500, then 1,000 fans.
• But don't forget to spread the word, so we can have the drawing as soon as possible. Once we reach 500 soon - we'll round up the names and choose a winner! Remember that special book could make a great Mother's Day, Father's Day, wedding, birthday, baby or graduation gift.

We look forward to seeing you on Facebook!

What a Trip! (Part 3 of 3)

If you missed parts 1 or 2, then click here to start from the beginning of the adventure.

7:00PM – Off to the StrongFamilies – Strong Airmen Conference!

There is a great group present for a StrongFamilies – Strong Airmen Conference. I get to talk to them about their incredible, God-given strengths – and how they can head home and better “value” their spouse and loved ones…
And I get to tell them about The Blessing – and how those 5 things the Bible tells us to give our children, spouse and friends can transform their relationships – and we give them all a “blessing coin” as a reminder for them to live out the Blessing when they get home!

9:00PM – Conference ends and something amazing happens! I’m one of the few civilians inducted into "The Order of the Blue Nose"!

It begins with Col. Gentry requesting that everyone stand at attention, and then “Chappy” Haltom is instructed to take the blue “chalk” (that’s used on the tip of a pool cue) and rub it on my nose!

Then I’m handed this plaque that will be one of my most treasured possessions.

Click to enlarge the photo below to see what it says.

10:00PM – I sign the last book and talk to the last Airman and then head back to my “billet” for a few hours sleep…

4:00AM The sun rises over Thule (within three weeks, it will be up for 24 hours-a-day) and I get ready to head home to Arizona.

I finally make it back on Saturday, just in time to mow the yard in my shorts in the 85 degree weather…

Thank you again so much for your prayers and encouragement! It was a non-stop (little sleep) opportunity to be of whatever help I could be to honor the power of prayer, challenge some incredible leaders with thoughts on staying strong and focused, then get to “bless” a large group of people who want to go home from Greenland and have a StrongFamily!

If you’re ever near the StrongFamilies office, stop by and see the “coin” Col. Gentry and Captain Haltom gave me (it’s a big deal to get a “coin” from an officer – usually meaning you’ve done a pretty good job) and of course, my “induction” papers as a Knight of the Blue Nose!

What a Trip! (Part 2 of 3)

(if you missed part 1 of the trip, go here to the previous post to see how it all started)

I have been flying all night to get to Thule AFB and get to speak at the luncheon. (Every Air Force Base across the world does a Prayer Luncheon – Not the same as The National Day of Prayer here, but similar!) I spoke on how prayer can break down the toughest walls that men and women can face in their jobs – and families.

1:30PM – Get a Briefing with the Top Brass!

These are extremely busy, overworked and serious people. But they roll out the red carpet for me and I get a “briefing” – not unlike what they just did for a general who had been on base a few weeks before!

Here’s the base commander of the 821 Air Base Group, Col. Christopher Gentry, and Lt. Col Jim Hickman, his 2nd in command. While I can’t repeat all they do, in short these men and women are tasked with spotting, identifying, and assessing the threat level of anything coming over the North Pole and toward the United States and it’s Allies. In short, the 280 airmen are the very tip of the spear, looking every day, 24 hours-a-day, for anything that might need to be “knocked down” before it reaches our shores.

While their primary mission is our defense, they also do a tremendous amount with groups like NASA who do mapping and satellite tracking work from Thule. And if you’re an Arctic explorer – like many trips staged by National Geographic – you start your trek to the North Pole from Thule! Add in Danish planes flying in and joint Canadian/American air exercises – and you have just landed at the home of “multi-tasking!

Please pray for these men and women who help so many. They live in 24-hour dark for months, and then 24-hour sun for months (And “Chappy” Haltom told me that as many airmen have tremendous challenges with the sun never going down (and their brains never feeling like going to sleep) as those who only want to sleep when it’s dark 24/7!

3:00PM – I get to go to Dundas Village –

The Danish Air Officer wants to take me to Dundas Village, an Eskimo (Inuit) village with huge sled dogs and a few homes. One of the last inhabited places between Thule and the North Pole.

We drive through the snow and wind. Even with four wheel drive, we only get close enough to take some long distance pictures of the village. (Visibility drops to zero several times).

I get to see an Arctic Hare! Incredible! Many people have been on base for months and haven’t seen one. They have long pencil-thin legs and fluffy white bodies – they look like a “Q-Tip” rabbit! We saw one on the way out and two on the way back! An awesome experience to get to traverse the Polar Ice Cap – even if we couldn’t see the road several times! (My pictures of the “hare” didn’t turn out. This photo courtesy of the Canadian Museum of Nature gives you an idea of what they look like.)

5:00PM Officer’s Dinner and Training

Because I’ve spoken on leadership and team-building over the years to many groups (including military groups), I was asked by the Col. Gentry, the Base commander (pictured below) to share with his top officers and enlisted men.

What an incredible honor. And before I spoke, I get to hear Col. Gentry go all the way around the table (probably 20 officers and the top enlisted men and women present) and hear him introduce his staff to me. Talk about giving the Blessing! I was blown away by the way he addressed each person on his staff. I know parents and bosses who have never verbally honored their spouse or children or co-workers as specifically, and powerfully as this outstanding leader did that night. Absolutely amazing – and I found out from “Chappy” Haltom later that it was totally unexpected (but incredibly appreciated by everyone)!

He had already heard me talk to him about “Blessing” others – and he did a great job of doing just that!

Then I shared what little wisdom I have to a very “thirsty” group. They ask questions and are hungry for anything you can share that can help them do their job even better, be a better team, and go home and be better with their families. An incredible time.

It's been a busy day, but I still have one more conference to go...more on that in my next post. Thank you for coming along on this journey. It was an honor to be there!

What a Trip! (Part 1 of 3)

Thank you for your prayers as I headed out for the “Top of the World! Thule Air Force Base, Greenland!

Here’s a quick, 24-hour tour of one of the great honors I’ve had, in flying and trying to be of encouragement to some of America’s finest airmen and civilian contractors!

8:00AM Phoenix, Arizona…

It started with that long flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to Baltimore, MD airport. I land at 6:00pm. I eat dinner and try to find a place to sleep because we don’t fly out to Thule until 2:00am!

2:00AM We begin our flight to Thule, Air For Base – from where we land, we will be a 25 minute flight to the North Pole!

There is one flight a week to Thule… and one flight out. I’m on the flight in (and the flight out the next morning!). I try to grab some sleep at the airport because my flight doesn’t take off until 2:00am! I was incredibly fortunate on the outbound flight to get one of the two officer's seats in the back of the passenger compartment of a converted cargo plane! We’re given blankets. We need them. It’s freezing when we get up to altitude! 'Little different than leather seats in Southwest Airlines!

10:00AM – Thule, Greenland

Eight hours later, we are landing “on the ice” in Thule, Greenland. We are 800 miles north of the Arctic Circle! The runway itself is built on the permafrost – meaning the runway (and all the buildings there) literally lie (float) on the polar ice!

We’re told over the speaker by the pilot that the winds are significant and our landing will be very challenging. Unlike many airports, there is only one runway. Meaning, you can’t “turn around” and land from another direction when there are cross-winds.

To put our landing into perspective, I am a 3 Million Miler with American Airlines - all domestic flights. Meaning I’ve been on a lot of flights over the past 30 years (and that’s just on American!). Over the years, as you might imagine, there have been times when the flights I’ve been on experienced turbulence – sometimes severe turbulence.

Without question, however, this was the most turbulent decent and most white-knuckle landing that I’ve ever been through in my life. Nothing before was even a close second! The NASA engineer seated next to me has been flying up to Thule for a decade. He says it qualified as the worst landing he’d been through! (Which was comforting as it seemed like a semi-controlled crash to me!).

The first thing I was supposed to do, as soon as we landed, was to speak at a National Prayer Luncheon. Trust me – anyone on that plane with any religious convictions was already praying when we were coming down through the gusting winds and blowing snow!!! Mt. Dundas (above) is the first thing you see as you’re landing – only we could barely see it! Right after we landed the runway was closed, and the wind and snow created a white-out!

10:15am – From Danish Customs to The Top of the World Club!

I was handed a huge parka before the door opened, staggered against the wind as we walked from the plane to the terminal, and went through Danish customs! (Having a Greenland stamp in your passport after that landing was a must!). Lots of very large Air Force security MP’s to greet us. No nonsense until you get out of security. (This is a very secure base as you might imagine with the mission they’re tasked to do). I’m taken right to the Officers Club (The Top of the World Club) where the National Prayer Day Luncheon was ready to take place.

Here are some of America’s finest Airmen (women are called Airmen too) along with some of the base civilians working at the base who were able to come.

My host throughout the trip was Captain David Haltom. Here’s Captain Haltom, below introducing me as I get ready to speak for the luncheon. What an awesome, godly, servant and all around great guy! Dave spent a year dodging IED’s in Iraq as he ministered to the troops there, then was told that he had been selected to go to Greenland. His first child (a precious daughter) was born while he was in Iraq.

He has seen her all of two weeks between deployments before going Greenland. Greenland is considered a combat post, meaning no wives or children – except for one week during your year long deployment. During his wife’s one-week trip, they got pregnant with their second child! (A tremendous answer to prayer for them). They are having a boy, who is due to join the family two weeks after Dave gets home from Greenland! (Pray the baby doesn’t come early! He really wants to be there for this birth!). THINK ABOUT THE SACRIFICE THIS FAMILY HAS MADE. He’s been gone a year to Iraq, gets a few weeks home, then on to Greenland. That’s basically two years apart form your family.

Two great things about being asked to serve in Greenland. First, you’re considered one of the “best of the best” if you get to go to Thule. That’s because the mission is so important, and the base is so small, you have to be great at what you’re doing. Most positions at Thule are “one deep,” meaning, you have to be able to jump right in and do the same job that several people are tasked with doing at a normal base (no back-up person). Dave is a licensed professional counselor, and a pastor to the 280 airmen on the base! He works seven days a week, and loves, encourages and blesses the officers and Airmen. What a guy!

The second great thing about getting to serve at Thule is that – In most cases (not all but 95%) you get your pick of your next posting! So David and his wife are going to an air base in Hawaii after the birth of their second child!

Here’s a picture of what you get to see for a year when you live and serve on Thule! It went down to 8 below with 40 mph winds while I was there – but warmed up to 20 above one afternoon! (And remember, I’m there at a good time of year!).

That's it for today's post. Come back tomorrow to hear about the rest of the adventure...

I'm on my way to Greenland!

I'm excited to report that by the time you see this, I'll be on my way to Thule Air Force Base in Greenland where I'll have the privilege of speaking at their National Day of Prayer Luncheon and working with their officers on team building on Thursday.

It will be a quick, but arduous trip, but I'm always honored to work with our military personnel who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.

Please keep us in your prayers.

You can click here to see the weather forecast. It's going to be chilly, to say the least! I definitely won't be in Phoenix anymore.

Here's the poster that they're using to promote my visit.

What an honor to serve them!

Check back soon for more updates and photos from the trip.

Being a Father Deemed Men's Most Important Job!

Here's some encouraging news!

If you think that dads get a bad rap in movies and television - you're right! Fathers are pictured as lame at best by the media and Hollywood - but that's not true in real life!

In a recent Rassmussen Report, 72% of non-married adults and adults without children agreed with this statement:

"The most important role a man can fulfill today is being a father!"

Is that cool or what! In short, three-out-of-four American adults feel that being a dad is a man's greatest calling!

To further that point, A father's influence upon a child's academic success later in life is felt the most when he's involved from the very beginning, according to a new study in the Journal of Educational Psychology.

Brent McBride, a professor of human development at University of Illinois says that if fathers establish early on that they're going to actively engage in the parenting process they're much more likely to continue that engagement (often with positive results) as they grow older.

"We need to help fathers realize that what they do is really important. If we wait and only get fathers involved when kids are having problems in school, that's too late."

"We need to look at the bigger picture, because these analysis all point to the same conclusion: that men and women each contribute uniquely to child outcomes," he said.

That's why it's so important that we help men discover what fatherhood really means and give them a model toward healthy and positive relationships with their child."