Journey With Our Families!
On January 17, Ben Blankenship led a discussion on the topic of Communicating Within Families. He reviewed some communication basics and provided a checklist that helped us asses how well we communicate within our family and where we could stand to improve.
Ben also introduced us to the “Faith 5″ concept. The essence of it is that we take 5 minutes out of each day before bedtime to drop what we’re doing, turn off the television, put down the newspaper or homework, set the cell phone on silence and gather together. Then each person takes turns going through these five steps:
1. SHARE highs & lows of the day
2. READ and highlight a verse of Scripture in your Bible
3. TALK about how the verse relates to your highs & lows
4. PRAY for your highs & lows, for your family, and for the world
5. BLESS one another
You want a great relationship with your kids? You want openness, honesty, caring and sharing in your family? You want to raise a child to be a strong, thoughtful, empathetic, positive, healthy adult out in the world some day? You can’t buy that. You have to invest in it. And the investment is the most expensive currency you own – your TIME – aimed at that most precious young person in your life. Ben shared that this has been a great way to bring his family closer together. He even does it with his parents and grandmother via a 3-way call every day! If you want to learn more, visit http://www.faiththink.com/.
Men of Valor Conference on February 13, from 8:30 to 4
The sexualization of our culture has a profound impact on men, women, children, marriages, families and all relationships. We are all exposed to sexual images and messages through the media that can take a spiritual toll over time and lead to sexual temptation and destructive decisions by even the strongest of Christians.
As men, we owe it to ourselves, our wives or girlfriends, and our children to maintain sexual integrity and to do all we can to protect them from the potential harmful effects of our sex-filled culture. A conference to help will be held in Dublin on February 13 (from 8:30 to 4) - Men of Valor, Pursuing A Life of Sexual Integrity. The conference will cover other topics geared towards men related to winning the heart of your wife, prayer life, raising kids, financial planning and more. To learn more, see the posters in the fellowship area of the church or visit www.nationalcoalition.org/columbus.asp. This conference is for men in all seasons of life, Junior High School and older. If you would like to attend the conference at a discounted group rate or $39 (a $6 savings), please contact me at 740-548-4651 or doug.bierl@gmail.com by January 25.
Our next Journeymen gathering will be on January 31 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. We are going to do something different and share songs that have inspired, touched or spoke to us in some way. So, bring your favorite CD or CDs or lyrics to share! All men are welcome to join us for an inspiring gathering.