Two other things that I learned is that droping everything and resting while spending time with family means a ton to your family. At first I think Julie and Whitney didn't know if I was serious about doing nothing or if I would just do a lot of different stuff. I have said before that the good thing about a day off is you get to pick what you work on. I still agree with that but on a vacation it's important to unwind. The first two days where hard but the more I relaxed and did nothing the more excited and energized my family got also. You owe it no your family as well as yourself to take a break on a regular basis. Read More »
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The first thing I learned is that resting is hard. This was the first time in my life that I went on a trip without my laptop. Yes, I had my ipad and my mifi but not havng access to my hard drive was a huge step to let go. To rest you have to be intentional and this means letting go of your need to prove your worth. Anything that's hard requires focus and want to. Not bringing my laptop was a huge step. Making a plan to rest was another key part. Read More »
Well I did it. I took a vacation without doing any ministry. I know that might not be hard for some of you but for me it was a huge victory. Not only did I take a week off from the church but I also took a week off from my blog, infuse 1,2,3, & 4 and all other Jim Wideman Ministries projects. Read More »
Memorial Day has a long and interesting history. Unfortunately, the generations-old story of the holiday and its beginnings has been forgotten by most people. Originally named “Decoration Day”,” it was officially proclaimed by a Union general in 1868 following the Civil War, celebrating the lives of Union Soldiers. However, it wasn’t celebrated by all — Southern states refused to recognize the holiday, instead honoring confederate soldiers on separate days. Though all states now celebrate Memorial Day, many Southern states still recognize separate days commemorating lost lives of the “boys in gray.” The term “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, but didn’t really catch on until after World War II. Read More »
Memorial Day has a long and interesting history. Unfortunately, the generations-old story of the holiday and its beginnings has been forgotten by most people. Originally named “Decoration Day”,” it was officially proclaimed by a Union general in 1868 following the Civil War, celebrating the lives of Union Soldiers. However, it wasn’t celebrated by all — Southern states refused to recognize the holiday, instead honoring confederate soldiers on separate days. Though all states now celebrate Memorial Day, many Southern states still recognize separate days commemorating lost lives of the “boys in gray.” The term “Memorial Day” was first used in 1882, but didn’t really catch on until after World War II.
5. Just because it’s on TV or in a movie doesn’t make it right or true. I’m not sure when the TV changed roles with parents but in many households it has. Because of the craziness of our schedules we never really watched anything when it came on. It turned out to be a tremendous blessing because we were able to fast foreword through some stuff and pause and talk about other stuff! When I was a child Lucy and Ricky couldn’t even sleep in the same bed. Today our kids are bombarded with messages contrary to the Bible. Whether it’s a TV program or the news you need to tell your children the truth. It’s seems like all the media wants to talk about is bad news. I know there are some things that need to be reported but I want to point out the promises of God that work in every type of economy. We still serve a God who is more than enough. He is our supply and our provider. Feel free to correct the wrong voices and remind kids what the Bible says. Read More »
5. Just because it’s on TV or in a movie doesn’t make it right or true. I’m not sure when the TV changed roles with parents but in many households it has. Because of the craziness of our schedules we never really watched anything when it came on. It turned out to be a tremendous blessing because we were able to fast foreword through some stuff and pause and talk about other stuff! When I was a child Lucy and Ricky couldn’t even sleep in the same bed. Today our kids are bombarded with messages contrary to the Bible. Whether it’s a TV program or the news you need to tell your children the truth. It’s seems like all the media wants to talk about is bad news. I know there are some things that need to be reported but I want to point out the promises of God that work in every type of economy. We still serve a God who is more than enough. He is our supply and our provider. Feel free to correct the wrong voices and remind kids what the Bible says.
. So with these things in mind here’s my top ten list as a Children’s Pastor and a Dad on how to instill in your kids a Biblical World View. 1. Always be open and honest with your children about every subject. One thing I see in the ministry of Jesus he was never too busy for questions. Encourage your kids to ask questions. Listen to what they are asking and give them why as well what what. If freak out then they’ll stop asking. Help them understand that there is a difference between a question and doubt and unbelief. Never be to busy for questions a big part of that is spend time with your kids. The time time you spend with them and the less you freak out the more questions they’ll ask at home and at church. 2. Model to children what you want them to do when they grow up and place other models around them. Never forget when it’s come to Bible living that when you point at others there are three fingers pointing back at you. There can’t be one set of rules for you and another for them. Follow Paul’s words as he says “Come follow me as I follow Christ.” Read More »
. So with these things in mind here’s my top ten list as a Children’s Pastor and a Dad on how to instill in your kids a Biblical World View.
1. Always be open and honest with your children about every subject. One thing I see in the ministry of Jesus he was never too busy for questions. Encourage your kids to ask questions. Listen to what they are asking and give them why as well what what. If freak out then they’ll stop asking. Help them understand that there is a difference between a question and doubt and unbelief. Never be to busy for questions a big part of that is spend time with your kids. The time time you spend with them and the less you freak out the more questions they’ll ask at home and at church.
2. Model to children what you want them to do when they grow up and place other models around them. Never forget when it’s come to Bible living that when you point at others there are three fingers pointing back at you. There can’t be one set of rules for you and another for them. Follow Paul’s words as he says “Come follow me as I follow Christ.”
The Bible tells us we are in the world but we are not of the world. The Bible also tells us to come out of the world and be separate yet we are told to be salt and light to the world. Over the years I have studied families and the different way they parent. I’ve also studied churches and the different way they do church. To me the families and churches who have the greatest success are the ones who have teamed together to join their forces to develop in individuals a biblical view of how to live 24/7. I have had the wonderful honor of raising two wonderful daughters. They are both successful not only in business but also in their spiritual walk. They are as different as night and day, if I had not been in the delivery room with both of them I would not believe they were kin. I have had to discipline them differently, I have to communicate and instruct them differently. But when it comes down to making choices and how to live it was the same for them as it was for their mother and I and that was what does the Bible say? Read More »
The Bible tells us we are in the world but we are not of the world. The Bible also tells us to come out of the world and be separate yet we are told to be salt and light to the world. Over the years I have studied families and the different way they parent. I’ve also studied churches and the different way they do church. To me the families and churches who have the greatest success are the ones who have teamed together to join their forces to develop in individuals a biblical view of how to live 24/7. I have had the wonderful honor of raising two wonderful daughters. They are both successful not only in business but also in their spiritual walk. They are as different as night and day, if I had not been in the delivery room with both of them I would not believe they were kin. I have had to discipline them differently, I have to communicate and instruct them differently. But when it comes down to making choices and how to live it was the same for them as it was for their mother and I and that was what does the Bible say?
The Bible is the benchmark of how we should view the world and how we live. My goal for every child I have the opportunity to teach and pastor is for them to grow up to become a doer of the word. I realized early in my ministry that children couldn’t live what they couldn’t remember and they couldn’t remember what they didn’t understand. Read More »
The Bible is the benchmark of how we should view the world and how we live. My goal for every child I have the opportunity to teach and pastor is for them to grow up to become a doer of the word. I realized early in my ministry that children couldn’t live what they couldn’t remember and they couldn’t remember what they didn’t understand.
I had no idea that saying yes to the command “Get your guitar and your Bible and go back to Children’s Church” from my Pastor in 1977 would change my life forever. Not only has it changed me as a person and a Christ follower, it’s changed me as a husband, a father, an employee, a minister and has changed the lens I view everything through. It began a journey that at fifty-three years young I’m still on, “to know God and love His word and help sons and daughters do the same.” Read More »
I had no idea that saying yes to the command “Get your guitar and your Bible and go back to Children’s Church” from my Pastor in 1977 would change my life forever. Not only has it changed me as a person and a Christ follower, it’s changed me as a husband, a father, an employee, a minister and has changed the lens I view everything through. It began a journey that at fifty-three years young I’m still on, “to know God and love His word and help sons and daughters do the same.”
I also attend conferences to be exposed to bigger vision. I believe that there is nothing more contagious than a God inspired, Spirit lead vision. I’m the type learner that it helps me to see something with my own eyes. It’s easier for me to grasp by seeing than just hearing or reading about it only. Seeing a big vision in action has always helped me to catch the vision. I think that big vision is easier caught than taught and that being exposed to a larger vision than what you presently have and open your eyes to the possibility of “I can do this too!” Read More »
I also attend conferences to be exposed to bigger vision. I believe that there is nothing more contagious than a God inspired, Spirit lead vision. I’m the type learner that it helps me to see something with my own eyes. It’s easier for me to grasp by seeing than just hearing or reading about it only. Seeing a big vision in action has always helped me to catch the vision. I think that big vision is easier caught than taught and that being exposed to a larger vision than what you presently have and open your eyes to the possibility of “I can do this too!”