Letting Love Abound

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God" Philippians 1:9-11

The work of the Sower is given to each of us in this world, and we fall short of our duty when we let those with whom we are brought in contact leave us without having given them a kind thought or pious impression.

Nothing is so sad as the cry, "I am useless!" Happily none need ever be so.

A kind word, a gentle act, a modest demeanor, a loving smile, are as so many seeds that we can scatter every moment of our lives, and which will always spring up and bear fruit.

Happy are those who have many around them ... they are rich in opportunities, and may sow plenteously.

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ" Philippians 1:27

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Holding forth the word of life" Philippians" 2: 13-16

Fitness and Self Esteem For Our Daughters

Children and adolescents often have multiple motives for playing organized sports. "Having fun" rated as the most important motive for both boys and girls. Other primary reasons that children play organized sports typically include improving skills, being with friends, becoming physically fit, liking the challenges and experiencing success (Weiss & Petlichkoff, 1989). A recent diverse, nationwide survey of ten thousand boys and girls ages ten to 18 found that when asked about their reasons for playing their best school sport, girls rated “to have fun” first, followed by “to stay in shape,” “to get exercise” and “to improve skills” as their next most important reasons (Ewing & Seefeldt, 1989).

“The Wilson Report: Moms, Dads, Daughters and Sports” (1988) also found that girls who participate in sports most often report fun as their major motive, with physical, health and social factors frequently mentioned. The majority of motives cited, and certainly the most important motives, are intrinsic or internally-based, rather than extrinsic or externally-based. Only limited research is available on motives for exercise, as opposed to competitive sport involvement, in youngsters (Rowland, 1990), though one study of junior high-school students revealed that girls exercised primarily because they wanted to look better whereas boys wanted to have fun!

The primary reason girls engaged in physical activity was to have fun, followed by positive health benefits. Numerous studies have found a positive relationship between physical activity and self-esteem. Girls who felt most confident about themselves and their abilities were more likely to participate in physical activities at higher levels than girls who felt less confident. Younger girls derived positive self- esteem through challenge, achievement in sports, risk-taking experiences and skill development, while older girls cited these sources of self-esteem as well as gaining esteem from the approval of others and through a belief that girls are capable of playing sports well.

Exercise programs, particularly weight and strength training, can enhance the self-concepts of adolescent female participants as well (Gill, 1993). For example, Brown and Harrison (1986) found that participation in a 12-week program of weight training significantly enhanced self-concept in both younger and older girls and women.

Another study examined the use of competitive and cooperative physical fitness programs with high-school girls (Marsh & Peart, 1988). Both the competitive and cooperative programs resulted in enhanced physical fitness; however, the cooperative program enhanced physical ability self-concept and physical appearance self-concept, while the competitive program lowered them. The competitiveness of physical education programs was one of the more negative aspects of the experience for girls. Girls just want to have fun!

Do Some Good

"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 9

A young girl, in one of those moments when the heart seems to overflow with devotion, wrote thus in her journal: "If I dared, I would ask God why I am placed in the world; what have I to do? I know not; my days are idly spent, and I do not even regret them.... If I might but do some good to myself or another, if only for the short space of a minute in each day!." A few days later, when in a calmer mood she re-read these lines, she added, "Why, nothing is easier! I have but to give a cup of cold water to one of Christ's little ones."

Even less than that: a word of advice; something lent to another; a little vexation patiently borne; a prayer for a friend offered to God; the fault or thoughtlessness of another repaired without his knowledge—God will recompense it all a thousand-fold!

Random Acts of Kindness

What useful lessons can we share with our most cherished little loved ones?

A kind word, a gentle act, a modest demeanor, a loving smile, are as so many seeds of kindness and love that we can scatter every moment of our lives. Seeds which will always spring up and bear fruit.

Through our own actions and behavior, we might show them to be good-natured, kind and sharing, keep a cheerful expression. Try to please, to console, to amuse, to bestow, to thank, to help others. Try to do some good to the souls of others! An earnest word, some encouragement, a prayer softly breathed.

"For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"
1 Peter 3:10-13

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4: 8-10

“children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.”—1 John 3:18

"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." Benjamin Franklin

For more ideas please check out Random Acts of Kindness.

Encourage Healthy Habits

The look of fear in her eyes and on their faces was undeniable. Their son had just been carried off the field on a stretcher. As they loaded him into the ambulance the parents hastened their step.

Their teenage son had just taken a nasty fall on the football field. He didn't get up when the rest of the young men did. Every parents worst nightmare.

More than half of the 7 million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages 5 and 24. Thankfully, there are steps that we parents can take to help make sure our children stay safe on the field, the court, or wherever they play or participate in sports and recreation activities.


When children play sports, encourage - even demand they use protective gear, such as helmets, wrist guards and knee and elbow pads—in addition to any other sports gear appropriate to their sport. Further, during informal recreation activities children should also always wear helmets when recommended, especially during activities such as in-line skating and biking.

Make sure they use the right stuff. Be sure that sports protective equipment is maintained correctly and is in good condition—for example, without missing or broken buckles or compressed or worn padding. Poor fitting equipment may be uncomfortable and may not offer proper protection.

Practice makes perfect. Have children learn and practice skill sets relevant to their chosen activity. For example, appropriate tackling technique is important in preventing injuries in football. Proper form can play a role in preventing injuries during baseball, softball, and many other sports. Also, encourage sufficient warm-up and cool-down time before and after the big game - or even. Staying fit and being in good condition can help protect participants from injury.

Pay attention to temperature. Allow time for child athletes to gradually adjust to hot or humid environments to prevent heat-related injuries or illness. Parents and coaches should pay close attention to make sure that players are hydrated and appropriately dressed.

Practice what you preach. Be a good role model. Communicate positive messages about safety and serve as role models for safe behavior, including a wearing helmet and following the rules.

Maybe if we encourage healthy fitness habits - our children will grow into healthy young adults!

Fear

Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your sons will be like olive shoots
around your table.

Thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD

Thinking Good Thoughts

".... whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phillipians 4:8

Children are like little sponges. They absorb things from us and everyone they encounter. Sometimes they see and hear "stuff" that we later come to realize was not exactly a healthy influence. ( Like that silly TV that stays on for way too many hours every day. )

Maybe, just maybe, if they don't hear and see too much violence and inappropriate stuff on TV or on the street - may they'll be prone to think healthy positive thoughts more often. Maybe we can ever so subtly lead them towards healthier choices. Like reading more. Studying a little harder.

Maybe if they see us doing unselfish and anonymous acts of kindness - maybe they'll become accustomed to helping those who happen to be less fortunate than us.

Maybe if they see us make the choice to turn off the TV and go for a run or head out to the golf course. Maybe they'll want to go out and play more and watch that stupid box a little less.

Maybe....

"Educate your children to practice self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society." Benjamin Franklin

Sharing

"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. " John 8:12

Alms given in secret; that is the charity which brings a blessing.

What sweet enjoyment to be able to shed a little happiness around us!

What an easy and agreeable task is that of trying to render others happy.

Give Your Children a Head Start - Enjoy a Healthy Breakfast

And Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst" John 6:35

The annual crowds at Flushing Meadows signal the unofficial end of Summer! This weekend millions will hit the beach or the lake or just hang out and enjoy the final weekend of Summer. For many children the new school year has already started.

One way we can help our beloved little ones as they embark upon another new school year is feed them a healthy breakfast before sending them off to school. Numerous studies have arrived at the conclusion that children do better in school when they start their day with a healthy breakfast!

To fire up your metabolism furnace, start with good nutritious breakfast

Here are some ways that you and your family can eat better:

Eat breakfast every day. Try a whole-grain cereal like raisin bran with fat-free or low-fat milk, or whole-wheat toast spread with jam. Enjoy some fruit with your breakfast too.

Teach kids that healthy foods taste good. Make macaroni and cheese with fat-free milk and low-fat cheese. Try a peanut butter (spread thin) and jam or preserves sandwich instead of a burger and fries.

Choose fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese instead of full-fat dairy products.

Choose whole-grain foods like whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, or whole-wheat pasta more often than refined-grain foods, like white bread, white rice, and white pasta.

Snack on fruits and vegetables. Keep a bowl of fruit on the table, bags of mini carrots in the refrigerator, and boxes of raisins in the cupboard.

Do not keep a lot of sweets like cookies, candy, or soda in the house. Too many sweets can crowd out healthier foods.

You don't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen or shell out a wallet full of money to eat well.

Buy foods that are easy to prepare, like pasta and tomato sauce, rice and beans, or canned tuna packed in water.

Plan ahead and cook enough food to have leftovers. Casseroles, meat loaf, and whole cooked chicken can feed your family for several days. (Be sure to freeze or refrigerate leftovers right away to keep them safe to eat.)

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season. Buy only as much as you will use, so they will not go bad.

Buy frozen or canned vegetables (no salt added) and canned fruit packed in juice. They are just as good for you as fresh produce, and will not go bad.

Try canned beans like kidney, butter, pinto, or black beans. They are loaded with protein, cost less than meat, and make quick and easy additions to your meals.

Maybe if we teach our children to enjoy eating healthy foods they will do better in school!

Walk the Talk

Today's thought comes from Psalm 119:

1 Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, Who walk in the law of Our Lord.

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.

3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways.

4 Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.

5 Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7 I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart, When I learn thy righteous judgments.

8 I will observe thy statutes: Oh forsake me not utterly.

9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.