Weekend Recap

This weekend in the AZ Theater (1st - 5th grade environment) we continued our mini series Back 2 School. The topic was "Avoiding Temptation" as we explored Luke 4:1-13. We gave the kids an acronym to remember what to do when facing temptation. The goal is to RUN from temptation.

Remember What Would Jesus Do!
Understand what the Bible says!
Never stop asking God for help!

Family Exercise: Find a good time this week to ask your child what tough temptations they face and how they are handling those temptations. Warning: if your child opens up this is not the time to be judgmental, but the time to lovingly help them overcome their temptation.

Need Prayer?

Something I've been trying to do for a little while now is praying every Monday. Fresh off the weekend services where I talk with so many hurting kids and families I've decided to have an extended time of prayer every Monday for whoever wants it. I'll be praying for the various issues I am aware of. However if you have something you'd like me to be in prayer for you can email me @ dustin@fellowshiporlando.com All prayer request will of course be confidential and prayed for weekly. In Acts 3 Peter & John are asked by a beggar for some money. This is their response, "Look at us. I don't have any silver and gold for you. But I'll give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!" I feel like I can relate to this story. I don't have this or that but what I do have I will give you. I have a divine connection (we all do) with the ruler of the Universe. So that is what I offer. Big or small, messy or clean, whatever your burden I am here to pray for you. Blessings!

The 4 "R's" Day IV

The final “R” is the glue that holds the school year together. It’s the parent/child relationship. Parents can’t just put a plan in place; they must also be the child’s greatest encourager. Don’t just have a plan … be the child’s fan. Parental statements like, “I’m proud of you for getting your reading done before dinner,” will go along way toward motivating a child to win at school. When a child knows that his parents are proud of him it helps him make the right decisions in life with confidence. After all, what is the real purpose of school? It’s preparation for college and for the real world. It’s the process a child needs to go through to develop the discipline to excel as an adult. The school year is not something you get your child through; it’s a process parents use to train their child. Proverbs 22:6 instructs parents to, “Teach your child to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” Parents shouldn’t just try to motivate their children to do their best in school; parents should coach their children to do their best. The beginning of the school year is a time to:

The 4 "R's" Day III

The third “R” for a winnign school year is responsibility. Winning coaches tell the players the plan, teach the players the plan and then they hold the players responsible to follow through with the plan. Every student experiences some big challenges throughout the school year ... things such as science projects and book reports should not be last minute disasters that cause both the student and the parents to scramble to accomplish. Coaches can’t run out on the field to help a player do something he isn’t prepared to do. Parents need to anticipate the book reports, know when they’re due, put them on the calendar and then help the child work out a weekly reading schedule to get it done. Hold your child responsible to sit down for those predetermined thirty minutes, two evenings a week, to get the book read. Teaching responsibility will assist in preparing your child for college.

The 4 "R's" Day II

The second “R” for a winning school year is routine. Determine a school day routine for each child. In the NFL, the players don’t vote on their daily routines and workouts. The coaches pick them and post them. Setting a routine and sticking with it saves countless parent/child arguments, when (and only when) the child believes that you are committed to it. Knowing there’s a specific bed time on school nights and a routine to follow on school mornings will eventually help the child spend his energies on accomplishments rather than arguments.

The 4 "R's" to a winning school year.

This week's blog posts are from the ministry and insights from http://www.sheridanhouse.org/ and from my father in law who pointed me toward this great article, thanks.

"Parents could learn a lot from professional football coaches. Right now before the season begins, coaches aren’t just thinking about getting through it. They’re already busy working to help every player bring his “A” game to opening day. This coaching principle of preparation should also be true for parents. Opening day of the school year is upon us. This is the time parents must show up with their plan for a successful year. Coaches don’t wait for the first game to hold their first strategy meeting. Long before the games begin, coaches get together to develop a plan of action. They start by analyzing the individual players’ weaknesses and strengths. Once the plan has been established they inform the players. The players might not like the restrictions of the plan, but that doesn’t matter. The coaches don’t hold a vote to see if all the players are in favor. The purpose of a coach is not to be liked, but to help the players reach their full potential. As the school season approaches, it is the perfect time for parents to focus on the four “R’s” of a successful school year.

The first “R” for success is to be reasonable. Start by deciding to have reasonable expectations about what can be and needs to be on your family calendar this season. Your children can’t do it all … and they shouldn’t have to try. Make the family calendar your playbook. Set your top family priorities (such as family time, academics, worship, etc.) and make everything else work around it. This is the time to determine the family non-negotiable and negotiable activities. Decide which extra-curricular activities you will do and which you will say “No” to. Parents should ask themselves, “What’s the priority? What does our child need most to become a healthy, fully functioning adult in the future?” Now is the time for parents to decide to help their child become a healthy human being rather than a frazzled “human doing.”

Hiliarious!!!

How does this happen? Earlier in the week TJ went to brush her teeth in the morning when she discovered a huge FROG was just chillin in our toothbrush cup holder. TJ freaked out of course not expecting to see a frog. I wasn't home so she took the frog outside and thought that would be the end of it all. Well about several hours ago Callie Joy (my 4 yr old daughter) woke up to go to the bathroom and she completely freaked out and starting crying hysterically. As I rushed in to see what was the matter I see Callie Joy pointing at the sink. Sure enough there was another frog. After calming her down she explained that as she went to "potty" the frog just jumped out at her from inside the toilet. It was so hard to comfort my daughter without cracking up. How do two frogs invade two different bathrooms in two different days? I'm 100% clueless. I guess they are coming in from the toilets, is that even possible. All I know is if I don't find a solution quick TJ is going to check in at the local resort. If anyone has a clue let us know. Seriously let me know, thanks!

Interview with Francis Chan on book Crazy Love

One of the best books I've read by one the greatest pastors I respect. Good stuff!

Sharing my heart with my community

Classic Vacations Part 2 from Fellowship Orlando on Vimeo.

Resently Pastor Rodney was asked to speak at Fellowship Church ( http://www.fellowshipchurch.com/index.php ) in place of Ed Young, (I'll be posting his message later this week). While he was out I was aksed to share my heart during our 3 weekend worship services. For those that asked or care here is a video of the message or you can follow this link to the audio version via our podcast. http://fellowshiporlando.com//sermons.asp Thanks for your prayers. Praying we continue to give up everything to the one who already gave up everything.

Louie Giglio on song "God of this City" formed in a brothel.

Above: Louie Giglio @ http://www.268generation.com talks about how the song "God of this City" was written in a Brothel in Thailand.
Below: Listen to Chris Tomlin cover the song "God of this City".

Backyard Missions?

I'm in the process of praying through some ideas for FOkids to serve our community this fall in a BIG way. I'm looking to set up opportunities for our kids and families to simply love and serve our community. I'd love to hear some of your ideas. Either ideas you've done, heard of, or ideas you thought would be cool to try. Obviously different communities have different needs but I'd still like to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

Camp Bahamas: Pray 4 ballers

Early in the Summer I got to go with our High School ministry to the Bahamas for a mission trip. Over the week I was able to meet some really awesome people as well as some serious ballers. At the end of the basketball tournament I was able to present the gospel. The men in the picture above are the ones who made the decision to begin a relationship with Jesus. I ask that you pray for them. That God would bless them each with a love and passion for Him and His Word. Also some of them may read this blog so if you'd like to encourage them you can by leaving a comment on this post. Boys, I'm proud of you. I think of you often and will continue to pray for you. I pray God improves your basketball skills so I don't have to dominate you all again next summer :), just kidding you guys were killing it! Live for Him, Love each other, and don't get dunked on!

Research Results...

So after much research I have concluded some pretty amazing facts regarding one Funny Man Dan.
Fact #1: FMD is in fact very Funny.
Fact #2: FMD is a male, making him a Man.
Fact #3: FMD is, after viewing his birth certificate with my own eys I have confirmed that his real name is actually "Dan." (I lied, I actually have never seen his birth certificate)

In light of confirming these 3 facts I too shall buy in and subscribe to The Thursday Blog http://thethursdayblog.com/ as well as add it to my blogroll.

FMD, if America could ask you to do 3 things it would be the following: 1) to always stay Funny, 2) To always be a Man, and 3) never go by another name other than Dan.

My Pregame Jam

This has been my pregame jam before every service for the past 6 months. I can't get enough of this song, it pumps me to go and to do whatever God calls me to do. Be sure to wait for the song after about a minute and a half muscical introduction. Thanks Hillsong United for another Home Run!