Picnics seem to be a great venue to draw people together. A picnic is open enough so you can talk to whoever you want. You can walk around and easily talk to whoever you see. A private conversation can be had by simply walking a few feet away. Yet, a picnic is open enough to […]
It is often said that attitude is everything. This is especially true when you are teaching children. If your attitude towards teaching is to discipline the children into doing what you want them to do, then you will be frustrated. It will be a constant battle, you against the children. But if your attitude is […]
It was a typical message at the graduation commencement of our friend who graduated from Talbot School of Theology last night. It was about the future: years of studies have now equipped you to go out and impact the world. It was a typical message at the funeral this morning of our friend who died […]
I am doing 3 loads of laundry today. Yesterday I did one load of laundry. Tomorrow I’ll probably do another load of laundry. And so it goes. Is this what life is about? 80%, or even 90% of what I do is repetitive. What I accomplished today will have to be done again tomorrow. It […]
Teaching children category: You are likely at least 20 years older than the children you teach. How can you talk in a language that they understand? When you try to teach a difficult concept by using an illustration, what word picture can you use that they can relate to? If you try to think back […]
Some tips on teaching children, not necessarily your own. Just some thoughts and practical help based on my experiences and training. Dealing with trouble makers – First, you need to adjust your attitude. This little monster today may become a great world leader tomorrow. Would you look back with pride that you had a positive […]
“You are a good mom. I want to be a mother like you one day.” Someone said that to me yesterday, and it is to me the best compliment I could ever receive. There is not a single thing I have invested my life in more than what I have put into my children. Seeing […]
Nagging is so satisfying because you feel like you are doing something productive to get the work done. You want the trash taken out by your son, and he doesn’t. So you nag him. It gives you a sense of satisfaction to think that he will take the trash out now that you’ve nagged him. […]
Vegetarian veg·e·tar·i·an [vej-i-tair-ee-uhn] = An Old Indian word that means Bad Hunter I saw that on a shirt on the man in front of me at the post office today. It made the waiting time felt shorter. 🙂
If you are wondering what my middle child daughter gave me for Mother’s Day – She took the lead in cooking dinner AND washed the whole day’s dishes. She found a recipe and with the help of my husband and youngest daughter, made a delicious chicken with cream sauce over broccoli entree, served with pasta. […]
I don’t eat candy. I don’t like chocolates. I don’t want flowers that die in a few days. What do I want for Mother’s Day? In Sunday School, I asked my class of young adults to name a few people who has influenced their Christian life. My son is in my class, and he said…my […]
While Congress and the White House remain deadlocked over Iraq, recent polls suggest that neither side is winning any points with the public. I’m sure you have heard over and over again that the president’s ratings remain low, but what you probably haven’t heard is that Congress’ approval rating is just as bad and dropping! […]
What has God been teaching you? If your answer is “I don’t know”, then think again. God teaches us with everyday experiences. We just have to be observant. Take this example: I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom. I saw that thorns had grown up all […]
I attend a Bible Study on Tuesday mornings, studying the book of II Timothy this year. I want to remember what I’ve learned by jotting down three major lessons that I learned: 1. Don’t expect the Christian life to be easy. Paul and Timothy and countless others suffered for the sake of the gospel. Paul […]
We gave away three baby hamsters, we should have three left. Yet we can only find two in the cage. Count them again, and we still see only two baby hamsters. Maybe we gave one to someone and forgot who it was…maybe we gave two to that lady instead of one…maybe one is dead… Then […]
Rick Warren, in his workbook for 40-Days of Community, says on page 45, …pray for God to soften your heart. Say, “I’ll be honest,God. I don’t care that much about other people. I care about myself. I care about my own plans and priorities and my family.” I do care, but I don’t care enough […]
When someone tells me that laws can never change a fallen person’s heart, I ask them if they apply that philosophy to their children. Does the moral training of our children consist merely of preaching the Gospel to them? Wouldn’t we consider it unconscionable to neglect a child’s moral instruction with the excuse that laws […]
My parents used to own a Chinese restaurant in Pasadena from the 60’s to the 80’s. Back then, I grew up in Pasadena with only a handful of other Asian families. Since the majority of Pasadenans don’t know anything about Chinese food, Egg Foo Young, Chop Suey, Fried Rice, BBQ ribs, Fried Shrimp, Chicken Noodle […]