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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)