The boys are huge into Star Wars right now. So, I went online to find automated Jedi name creation programs so that I could create for them distinctive Jedi names so that they wouldn't constantly fight over who gets to be Obi Wan Kenobi...I could hope anyway...
So, I didn't completely like what they came up with, so I made a few tweaks on my own...but, I did make names for the whole family:
Jaden = Jam-Ja Moblu
Jacob = Dav-Ja Mogre
Jude = Mic-Ju Mored
Kristen = Kri-Ju Mohar
Jason = Jas-Bo Mocol
I kept them all similar enough since we are a family, but changed things around so that they weren't too similar either :)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
11 Down, 25 to go
Initially, I wasn't planning on including these books in my count...but, I think I will just to help me out :)
They are books really for the pre-teen and teenage kids, but I am reading the series to Jaden...so...here is what I thought of the first one. We finished it a little while back and we just finished the second one, which I will post soon as well.
The Door in the Dragon's Throat by Frank E. Peretti
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am reading this book to my son as he is not quite old enough to read it on his own. I picked it up specifically for he and I to do together as good father-son time...and I had read some of Peretti on my own and really enjoyed it.
This was a great book for the pre-teen and early teen set. I think that finding an author who can tell a story and interest the kids while also keeping characters biblically minded might be difficult, but Peretti did a great job of it. He pulled up just a few scriptures but wove it into the story line and had the characters act like normal people that have a strong faith that they rely on...maybe it is a little overdone in spots, but with the age range that this is intended for, I would not expect subtlety to reign.
So, neat locations to engage kids in thoughts about geography and alternate cultures....check.
An entertaining story...check.
Something that ultimately shows that good defeats evil...check.
A biblical perspective that keeps truth in the forefront...check.
A book and a series that I will enjoy with all of my sons?... Check :)
View all my reviews.
They are books really for the pre-teen and teenage kids, but I am reading the series to Jaden...so...here is what I thought of the first one. We finished it a little while back and we just finished the second one, which I will post soon as well.
The Door in the Dragon's Throat by Frank E. PerettiMy review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am reading this book to my son as he is not quite old enough to read it on his own. I picked it up specifically for he and I to do together as good father-son time...and I had read some of Peretti on my own and really enjoyed it.
This was a great book for the pre-teen and early teen set. I think that finding an author who can tell a story and interest the kids while also keeping characters biblically minded might be difficult, but Peretti did a great job of it. He pulled up just a few scriptures but wove it into the story line and had the characters act like normal people that have a strong faith that they rely on...maybe it is a little overdone in spots, but with the age range that this is intended for, I would not expect subtlety to reign.
So, neat locations to engage kids in thoughts about geography and alternate cultures....check.
An entertaining story...check.
Something that ultimately shows that good defeats evil...check.
A biblical perspective that keeps truth in the forefront...check.
A book and a series that I will enjoy with all of my sons?... Check :)
View all my reviews.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Teaching truths
During the summer, our church asks people to volunteer to teach the kids classes while the "regular" teachers that handled the classes during the school year get a break. I signed up for one class of Jacob's and one class of Jaden's. I may do more...but, started there.
I had Jacob's class yesterday and it is always fun, entertaining and challenging to teach a bunch of 4 year-olds a bible story. We learned about sharing by using the story of Joseph interpreting the Pharaoh's dream and ultimately collecting grain and sharing it during the 7 years of drought that came about just as the dream had described.
If you repeat things enough, ultimately they started remembering that sharing was the theme of the day and hopefully they will remember more than it seemed that they listened to :)
For me, and one of the great reasons why teaching is so awesome, I always enjoy reading the way the the publishers simplify the stories that are in the Bible so that the kids get A point for each one. We tend to make things so complex sometimes that it is nice to see the simple truths that are there and that we can focus on when we read these stories.
I had Jacob's class yesterday and it is always fun, entertaining and challenging to teach a bunch of 4 year-olds a bible story. We learned about sharing by using the story of Joseph interpreting the Pharaoh's dream and ultimately collecting grain and sharing it during the 7 years of drought that came about just as the dream had described.
If you repeat things enough, ultimately they started remembering that sharing was the theme of the day and hopefully they will remember more than it seemed that they listened to :)
For me, and one of the great reasons why teaching is so awesome, I always enjoy reading the way the the publishers simplify the stories that are in the Bible so that the kids get A point for each one. We tend to make things so complex sometimes that it is nice to see the simple truths that are there and that we can focus on when we read these stories.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Beautiful weekend
Posted some new pictures on Facebook...the kids got to play outside without being pummeled by rain and we even went to a neighborhood barbeque. It was a nice weekend.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Growing Up in God's Family
I started writing something last year with this title and I didn't get as far as I wanted to...it seems that I have a bunch of ideas for books and things that I want to write, but I haven't explored them fully enough and then haven't spent the time to just sit down and start writing.
My main premise with this idea was that we are all growing up in God's family...regardless of how messed up it is, was or will be. We all end up with a unique story to tell that will be significant to someone else.
I guess it kind of hit me today again because I re-connected with my Mom's side of the family and I think that is a pretty neat thing. I hope that I get to know them better and that it will only enrich my life, my children's lives and those that know us.
For better or worse, I thought I would share my intro that I started with last year...you can comment if you like, but more than that...maybe anyone who reads this will realize that they have a story worth telling as well.
What kind of person has grown up in God’s family? I am not a preacher or a pastor and no, my father was not either. I have had no training in ministry or psychology; I didn’t major or minor in philosophy and I have written no other books, so far.
I am simply a person who decided to write his story down and share it with others. I have drawn conclusions that not everyone would agree with and I have probably categorized things in ways that clinical doctors would shake their heads at. I have not written this as an expert in the field, or as a person trying to create the next ‘big thing’ or a new field of study. It is my story and some of my interpretations and reflections thus far. It is how I see God working in our lives.
This is not a testament to overcoming challenges. There are people who have had a much more difficult life. There are people who have had it easier. However, no one has had my story. Each of us has our own story to tell and ways in which that story can reach people. I am writing this because I think that there are people out there that need to read it. There are people that could benefit from seeing something familiar in these pages and deciding that there is a truth here that could be useful to them. It is for me and for them...the other people who are growing up in God’s family.
My main premise with this idea was that we are all growing up in God's family...regardless of how messed up it is, was or will be. We all end up with a unique story to tell that will be significant to someone else.
I guess it kind of hit me today again because I re-connected with my Mom's side of the family and I think that is a pretty neat thing. I hope that I get to know them better and that it will only enrich my life, my children's lives and those that know us.
For better or worse, I thought I would share my intro that I started with last year...you can comment if you like, but more than that...maybe anyone who reads this will realize that they have a story worth telling as well.
What kind of person has grown up in God’s family? I am not a preacher or a pastor and no, my father was not either. I have had no training in ministry or psychology; I didn’t major or minor in philosophy and I have written no other books, so far.
I am simply a person who decided to write his story down and share it with others. I have drawn conclusions that not everyone would agree with and I have probably categorized things in ways that clinical doctors would shake their heads at. I have not written this as an expert in the field, or as a person trying to create the next ‘big thing’ or a new field of study. It is my story and some of my interpretations and reflections thus far. It is how I see God working in our lives.
This is not a testament to overcoming challenges. There are people who have had a much more difficult life. There are people who have had it easier. However, no one has had my story. Each of us has our own story to tell and ways in which that story can reach people. I am writing this because I think that there are people out there that need to read it. There are people that could benefit from seeing something familiar in these pages and deciding that there is a truth here that could be useful to them. It is for me and for them...the other people who are growing up in God’s family.
Monday, July 6, 2009
10 Down, 26 to go
Epic: The Story God Is Telling and the Role That Is Yours to Play by John EldredgeMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
"We find ourselves in the middle of a story that is sometimes wonderful, sometimes awful, usually a confusing mixture of both, and we haven't a clue how to make sense of it all."
John Eldredge starts this short book with the premise that Life is a Story and that our personal story wraps around the larger story of God, humanity, Christ and eternity. That the reason that we all are drawn to epic stories and battles, good versus bad, right versus wrong, and the hero coming to save the day is that each of us is actually in the midst of that story from the moment we were born.
Maybe this book will only draw those readers in that love the stories that he uses as examples...Star Wars, The Matrix, Apollo 13 and others...If you loved those stories, then you are likely to enjoy this book and love the way that John lines up our lives in the context of these stories.
I know that I always have longed for my life to have meaning...to feel like I have a crucial role to play. We often lose steam if we compare our lives to those that have more worldly wealth, influence, etc. This book helps give back hope and context to remind us that we each have a crucial role to play. The Story is playing out all around us...both in the visible world and the invisible world...you are a player regardless of whether you choose it or not...so, best to understand it and ensure you understand what the risks and rewards are within the battle.
Fo all of you out there, may you understand your God-given role and play it to perfection.
View all my reviews.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Bethel Exam - Part 3
Promised I would post it...though I figured I would just share a link because it is 7 pages, not too many, if anyone, would want to read it...and I don't think it really makes a great blog post. If you have read Nehemiah, it might be interesting to go through and see the references that he used (that I could think of and associate without going through notes) and get a view of how well the Old Testament really is a cogent whole in terms of God's covenant with the people of Israel.
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ea8f2644-9442-4ca8-9512-1599abef7ceb
If you have thoughts on it, would love to hear them :)
http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=F.ea8f2644-9442-4ca8-9512-1599abef7ceb
If you have thoughts on it, would love to hear them :)
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