Tuesday, April 27, 2010

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)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

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!

Friday, April 2, 2010

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!