Parents. Here is an article that the Diceman is discussing on SMILE FM.
You can find the full article here http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davewillis/the-5-things-your-kids-will-remember-about-you
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
To Treat Or Not To Treat
Smile FM Explores Alternatives To Traditional Halloween Activities
By Brian Dumont
October is here and fall is officially upon us. It’s the time of year that brings a variety of exciting seasonal favorites including football, cider & donuts and for a lot of people, Halloween. I know some are sensitive to the negative spiritual connotation associated with Halloween. If that is you, I completely respect your position and will not be offended if you skip on to the next article at this point. However, if you are open to the possibility that Halloween could be more than just an excuse for kids to dress up in scary costumes, and gallivant about the neighborhood begging for candy from strangers, please continue reading.
First, consider the alternatives offered to traditional Halloween activities. Many churches will host a “harvest party” or “trunk-or-treat” event at their place of worship. Kids still get to dress up and get candy, and maybe even get a little something more. My church has been doing what we call a “Hallelujah Party” for as long as I can remember. It’s set up like a carnival where kids play games and win candy. Then at the end of the event everyone gathers in the sanctuary for a big prize drawing and while waiting, they are presented with a gospel message and an opportunity to receive Jesus. The end result is a lot of fun, a lot of candy and a lot of new souls added to the Kingdom of God. In the time my kids have grown up thousands have attended this annual event and hundreds (if not thousands) have made decisions for Christ. That’s just at my church. Imagine what kind of effect alternatives like this can have on the community as a whole when everybody participates.
Of course, if you’re going to attend a Halloween alternative, you might want to consider costumes. Depending on the event, costumes may be encouraged or frowned upon, so be sure to check with the organizers ahead of time to find out what is appropriate. In the case where costumes are part of the festivities, let me offer this suggestion… dress like the good guys. Stay away from traditional secular costumes like witches and devils and go for something a little less associated with the dark side. When in doubt, side with the good guys. For example, if you’re choosing between going as Batman or the Joker, choose Batman because he’s the good guy.
Since we’re talking about costumes, I’m feeling compelled to share some of my favorites from over the years. I’ve always loved theatre and acting, so putting on a costume and pretending to be someone else tends to come naturally. Halloween happens to be the one time of the year where I don’t get strange looks for doing so. One year in elementary school I found an old snowman costume leftover from a Christmas play. I didn’t really want to be a snowman at the time, so I made some modifications, added a piece of yellow material, a hula hoop and ta-da… I went as a fried egg! As an adult I’ve dressed up as fan favorites like Mr. Incredible and Nacho Libre, but I think my favorite costumes were some that I made for my kids to wear.
One year when my oldest son was in elementary school I asked him what kind of costume he wanted to wear. He said, “Optimus Prime” from that year’s incarnation of Transformers. One problem, the franchise wasn’t quite so popular back then. No costumes available to purchase. So I did one better… I made a costume from scratch! A little cardboard, some duct tape and paint… okay, it was a LOT of cardboard, duct tape and paint… and probably way to many hours invested into the project, but I was … er, I mean, HE was the star of the show. That year I also made a box of cereal for my youngest son to wear. He didn’t care for it so much, but everyone else thought it was the cutest thing ever. Wait, what were we talking about again? Oh, that’s right… Halloween alternatives.
For years, I used to only participate in church related alternatives to Halloween. I didn’t want to have anything to do with the “negative spiritual connotation” I mentioned earlier, so if there wasn’t another option on Halloween night I would simply turn off the porch light and ignore the kids walking by. But more recently I’ve been wondering if I’ve missed something. I’m thinking, what if I could use this opportunity to make a difference somehow? Kids are coming to my house with the expectation of receiving a free gift. Maybe I could give them something that would really change their lives. In the Bible, when a lame beggar asked Peter and John for a handout, they gave him a healing instead (Acts 3:1-10). Now, I’m not planning to set up a revival tent meeting on my front porch or anything (not this year, anyway), but maybe handing out candy to the kids on my block is a good way to show the love of Jesus to my neighbors. And if I happen to be playing Smile FM in the background, that might not hurt either.
If you are looking for Halloween alternatives in your community, please visit Smile FM’s Family Fun Calendar to find suggestions of events happening near you. Or if your church is hosting such an event, you can post the information there for others to see as well. And if you’re planning to pass out candy from your front porch, let your light shine and do it with a smile. In the meantime, I have a Nacho Libre costume to try on and make sure it still fits.
By Brian Dumont
October is here and fall is officially upon us. It’s the time of year that brings a variety of exciting seasonal favorites including football, cider & donuts and for a lot of people, Halloween. I know some are sensitive to the negative spiritual connotation associated with Halloween. If that is you, I completely respect your position and will not be offended if you skip on to the next article at this point. However, if you are open to the possibility that Halloween could be more than just an excuse for kids to dress up in scary costumes, and gallivant about the neighborhood begging for candy from strangers, please continue reading.
First, consider the alternatives offered to traditional Halloween activities. Many churches will host a “harvest party” or “trunk-or-treat” event at their place of worship. Kids still get to dress up and get candy, and maybe even get a little something more. My church has been doing what we call a “Hallelujah Party” for as long as I can remember. It’s set up like a carnival where kids play games and win candy. Then at the end of the event everyone gathers in the sanctuary for a big prize drawing and while waiting, they are presented with a gospel message and an opportunity to receive Jesus. The end result is a lot of fun, a lot of candy and a lot of new souls added to the Kingdom of God. In the time my kids have grown up thousands have attended this annual event and hundreds (if not thousands) have made decisions for Christ. That’s just at my church. Imagine what kind of effect alternatives like this can have on the community as a whole when everybody participates.
Of course, if you’re going to attend a Halloween alternative, you might want to consider costumes. Depending on the event, costumes may be encouraged or frowned upon, so be sure to check with the organizers ahead of time to find out what is appropriate. In the case where costumes are part of the festivities, let me offer this suggestion… dress like the good guys. Stay away from traditional secular costumes like witches and devils and go for something a little less associated with the dark side. When in doubt, side with the good guys. For example, if you’re choosing between going as Batman or the Joker, choose Batman because he’s the good guy.
Since we’re talking about costumes, I’m feeling compelled to share some of my favorites from over the years. I’ve always loved theatre and acting, so putting on a costume and pretending to be someone else tends to come naturally. Halloween happens to be the one time of the year where I don’t get strange looks for doing so. One year in elementary school I found an old snowman costume leftover from a Christmas play. I didn’t really want to be a snowman at the time, so I made some modifications, added a piece of yellow material, a hula hoop and ta-da… I went as a fried egg! As an adult I’ve dressed up as fan favorites like Mr. Incredible and Nacho Libre, but I think my favorite costumes were some that I made for my kids to wear.
One year when my oldest son was in elementary school I asked him what kind of costume he wanted to wear. He said, “Optimus Prime” from that year’s incarnation of Transformers. One problem, the franchise wasn’t quite so popular back then. No costumes available to purchase. So I did one better… I made a costume from scratch! A little cardboard, some duct tape and paint… okay, it was a LOT of cardboard, duct tape and paint… and probably way to many hours invested into the project, but I was … er, I mean, HE was the star of the show. That year I also made a box of cereal for my youngest son to wear. He didn’t care for it so much, but everyone else thought it was the cutest thing ever. Wait, what were we talking about again? Oh, that’s right… Halloween alternatives.
For years, I used to only participate in church related alternatives to Halloween. I didn’t want to have anything to do with the “negative spiritual connotation” I mentioned earlier, so if there wasn’t another option on Halloween night I would simply turn off the porch light and ignore the kids walking by. But more recently I’ve been wondering if I’ve missed something. I’m thinking, what if I could use this opportunity to make a difference somehow? Kids are coming to my house with the expectation of receiving a free gift. Maybe I could give them something that would really change their lives. In the Bible, when a lame beggar asked Peter and John for a handout, they gave him a healing instead (Acts 3:1-10). Now, I’m not planning to set up a revival tent meeting on my front porch or anything (not this year, anyway), but maybe handing out candy to the kids on my block is a good way to show the love of Jesus to my neighbors. And if I happen to be playing Smile FM in the background, that might not hurt either.
If you are looking for Halloween alternatives in your community, please visit Smile FM’s Family Fun Calendar to find suggestions of events happening near you. Or if your church is hosting such an event, you can post the information there for others to see as well. And if you’re planning to pass out candy from your front porch, let your light shine and do it with a smile. In the meantime, I have a Nacho Libre costume to try on and make sure it still fits.
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
My Modern Family- A Dad’s Story
By:Faron Dice
The group photo was taken at my grand- daughter's baby dedication a few weeks ago. My grown-up daughters are in there and their children (they are single moms), and there’s even an ex-husband and a current boyfriend who is not the father of my granddaughter, too. Did you catch all that? Me either. It certainly wasn’t my plan. I was going to have the perfect little Christian family. I grew up as a preacher’s kid. My parents listened to Focus on the Family on the radio, and I did, too. I went to a Christian high school and eventually Evangel College in Springfield MO. After that, I took my first full time Christian radio job. Oh, I was so sure that I had it all figured out. For the next 15+ years, I couldn’t wait to be on the radio every day to air shows like Focus on the Family and Point of View, and of course, my own radio show where I could be a *true* Christian radio DJ, sharing cool quotes and Bible verses, and best of all, I could act like I had it all together on the radio. I loved to discuss the evil going on in the culture, and things that needed to change. I even had a guy tell me once… “Everything is black and white for you, there is no grey.” (He wasn’t being complimentary.)
On the personal side, my wife and I thought we had it all
figured out, too. We were raising our
kids, believing “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (I thought it was guaranteed to happen.) Then, life took a turn.
My 17 year old daughter started getting into all kind of
trouble, and eventually got pregnant in high school. My other daughter married a guy, but that
quickly ended in divorce. My perfect
little Christian family was broken. The
truth is…during the process, I was broken.
You see, I never did really have it all together. I spent way too much time acting like I had
it all together on the radio, and trying to control my teenagers into what I
wanted them to be, and not enough time on my knees just pulling close to Jesus.
I can honestly say that it is only now that, Bible verses
like this one really make sense to me…
2 Cor 12:9-10 (The
Message)And then God told me, My grace is enough;
it’s all you need.My strength comes into its own in your weakness. So, I quit focusing on
the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s
strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with
good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents,
opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get,
the stronger I become.
So, now I work at Smile FM, and I can assure you, the people
that work here don’t have it all together.
I doubt that most of the people that are in your church have it all
together either. If your family is messy, and you feel like you don’t fit in
with the church crowd…you’re wrong.
The Bible is fully of messy families and so is the
church. This recent photo of my version
of Modern Family might be the new normal.
And it’s OK. God is working in
us.
Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our
Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle
by praying to God for me.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
What atheists think about Christians
Check this out... 6 Eye Opening Things that Atheists think about Christians. Just click on this link.
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Galleries/6-Eye-Opening-Things-Atheists-Think-About-Christians.aspx?utm_campaign=GlobalScope&utm_medium=paiddistribution&utm_source=JesusChristPageDesktopAtheistsChristiansJUN
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Which Bible Dad are you like?
Take this quiz. Find out which Bible Dad you are most like. (The Diceman was most like Abraham)
http://www.crosswalk.com/culture/infographics/quiz-which-biblical-father-are-you.html
Thursday, May 28, 2015
The article every woman should read...
So, I’ve been married for 29 years. I’m like an expert now. This, ladies… is an article that every woman should read.
http://branthansen.com/2015/05/26/she-never-crushed-me/
Whether you are married, thinking about getting married, etc. This article is what every guy wants from his wife.
Friday, March 06, 2015
For Parents of Grown Kids
• I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you.
• I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
• I can give you directions, but I cannot always be there to lead you.
• I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
• I can teach you right from wrong, but I can't always decide for you.
• I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
• I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
• I can advise you about friends, but I cannot choose them for you.
• I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
• I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
• I can warn you about sins, but I cannot make your morals.
• I can love you as a child, but I cannot place you in God's Family.
• I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
• I can teach you about Jesus, but I cannot make Him your Savior.
• I can teach you to obey but I cannot make Jesus Your Lord.
• I can teach you how to live, but cannot give you Eternal Life.
Friday, February 27, 2015
22 Questions
John Wesley and The Holy Club's 22 Questions
In 1729, while John Wesley was a student at Oxford, he started a club with his brother Charles. It was soon mockingly dubbed The Holy Club by some of his fellow collegians. The club members rigorously self-examined themselves everyday by asking the following 22 questions:
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I
am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give the Bible time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the
Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a
resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
The first list appeared about 1729 or 1730 in the preface to Wesley's second Oxford Diary. Similar questions appeared in his 1733 A Collection of Forms of Prayer for Every Day in the Week. As late as 1781, Wesley published a list of questions like this in the Arminian Magazine.
In 1729, while John Wesley was a student at Oxford, he started a club with his brother Charles. It was soon mockingly dubbed The Holy Club by some of his fellow collegians. The club members rigorously self-examined themselves everyday by asking the following 22 questions:
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I
am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to others what has been said to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give the Bible time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the
Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a
resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
The first list appeared about 1729 or 1730 in the preface to Wesley's second Oxford Diary. Similar questions appeared in his 1733 A Collection of Forms of Prayer for Every Day in the Week. As late as 1781, Wesley published a list of questions like this in the Arminian Magazine.
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