For Parents
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“Get Outta My Face”
I read this book out of motivation to find a way to connect with the kids at SWAT as well as a way to better connect with my own kids. Lets face it, we all sometimes are a little “Outta My Face-ish” But one thing I have learned from my kids as well as from the SWAT kids is that they all want to be loved and they all want to be accepted. I have had a desire to figure out how to let the kids know that they are loved and accepted for who they are and where they are in life (even if they are at a point in life where they are a little difficult or doing things we don't necessarily agree with).
“Outta My Face” gives really good counsel on how to communicate more effectively with our teens. It also has what they call “Eight Biblical Lenses” for seeing our teens from a Biblical point of view. It also has really good information on how we are to keep our own attitude in check as well as our roles as parents. Specifically it talks about how our own attitude and reaction affects the whole conversation/interaction.
The thing I liked most about the book is that it gives you tools to use without manipulating the teens. It is a book with ideas for communication that we can use in many different situations.
After writing this little bit about this book I was talking to Brian (my husband) and he said what prompted him to get this book was a commentary he read from Tim Challies. I have included it below because I felt it is really good information about this book. I encourage each of you to read this book. You do not need a teen who has an “Outta My Face” attitude to learn from the writings of Rick Thorne.
Shelly Smith
SWAT Leader and Parent
Spiritual Gifts
Parents,
Recently at SWAT, we talked a little bit about spiritual gifts and the importance of finding your place to serve in a community of believers. I just wanted to give you, as parents, a couple resources I have come across and have found helpful. Maybe your students will approach you about wanting to find out their spiritual gifts. Maybe you will want to approach your student regarding spiritual gifts. I think a good thing to follow up with is to have your student(s) take a spiritual gifts inventory and discuss it with you, or you and your spouse.
Here are a couple ideas to get you started:
Abstinence is Up, but Consequences Not Down
Dear Parents,
At SWAT we just finished a two week series on Purity: Dating and Sex. I would encourage you to read the following article and please consider your involvement in encouraging your students to live a pure life. Considering your students just heard about what the Bible has to say about this issue, it may be a good time for you to follow up. I found the article to be encouraging in some ways and challenging in others.
I would love to hear your thoughts.
Serving Him,
Pastor Kyle
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XBOX Addict?
By: AFP
The family of a budding computer programmer have on Saturday launched a campaign to raise awareness about the health risks of playing online computer games after their son died following a marathon session on his Xbox.
A post-mortem revealed that 20-year-old Chris Staniforth -- who was offered a place to study Game Design at Leicester University -- was killed by a pulmonary embolism, which can occur if someone sits in the same position for several hours.
Pediatrics report details risks from energy drinks
Many students have asked me why Energy Drinks are not allowed at SWAT activities. This recent report is one of many reasons we ask that you not allow your students to bring energy drinks to SWAT events or allow your students to have them prior to SWAT events. Even if you disagree with my feelings on this issue, I would recommend reading the following article for your information.
Sincerely,
Pastor Kyle
Read more: Pediatrics report details risks from energy drinks