Best of the Best 2008

I’m pleased we can present our “Best of the Best” 12-CD Set for our most popular programs from the past year. So  many memorable moments from the past year! Making up these “most responded to” broadcasts from 2008 are Dr. Dobson’s interview with two families at the heart of the 2007 Colorado church shootings, a look at depression, suggestions for successful parenting, and even a special recorded presentation from Art Linkletter. I’m telling you, there are some great conversations in this exclusive set! See the entire list here.

Shutting Down The Power

In the film “Apollo 13″ there is a scene in which the main capsule’s power is shut down and the men are moved to the LEM. It is a precarious situation, with a lot of tension in the air about the fate of the space explorers. Their lives were now controlled by the good folks in Houston, who had to work the problem and come up with a viable solution. The astronauts were powerless, literally, to do anything about their immediate circumstances.

This reminds me of a point I read the other day with my son from a catechism book, about God’s control over creation. He has everything under His control (Colossians 1). That encompasses the “small things” as well as the “big things” of life. It is all under His watchful eye. But just HOW does God do that? Is there anything so small or insignificant that it is not under His jurisdiction?

“In other words, the ‘big’ things really depend on the ‘little’ things. If the little things are not under control, the big things cannot be either.”

I’ve heard the objections to this view of God’s sovereignty, including the argument that it would mean men are merely pawns on the chessboard of life, or that it reduces us to helpless robots. This is a difficult doctrine to comprehend, and some would dismiss it because it is not more clearly explained. Again, the catechism:

We know from the Bible that we are responsible. We know from the same Bible that God does control us, so that He also determines what we do. So we accept this teaching because it is the teaching of the Bible, and not because we can explain it.

I realize there are different interpretations of Scripture and that many would disagree with this perspective. But today I want to put it into practice. I want to “power down” as the astronauts did in the movie…letting go of any grip I have on life.  I want to give up control of my life and place my day in God’s hands, into His control. I want to allow Him work as He sees fit in my life, in our family’s life.

Do You Have Old Home Movies?

Maybe you’re like me, with a bunch of family memories on old 8mm video tape, or perhaps even VHS tape. If you do, and you’ve been thinking about converting those tapes to a digital format on your computer, here’s a tip: Get moving!

Seems computer manufacturers can see the trend of non-tape camcorder sales…and are adjusting hardware accordingly. And in a few years, it’ll start to become difficult to find a computer to which you can hook that old videotape machine up, so you can make digital archives.

Here’s what a trusted tech guru, David Pogue, from the New York Times, recently learned. It affects his own library of home movies and alters his plans to work on those considerably:

…the writing is on the wall. Tape is dead; camcorder manufacturers have been saying as much for years now…Deep down, I’ve known all along that the window for rescuing those old tapes would eventually close.

Read the full story – and start transferring those memories now, while you still can!

And leave a comment if you have suggestions about saving those old movies.

Parenting Webcast Follow-up

For the folks joining us for the live webcast with well-known marriage and parenting expert, Dr. Kevin Leman, a couple of things.

First, thanks so much for joining us for this interactive and engaging time with Dr. Leman! We had some great questions from parents across the land.

Second, the picture here was taken prior to going “live,” and responding to our studio crew’s advice, I changed to more…conservative attire. I was a bit disappointed, because I wore the shirt and tie in honor of Dr. Leman, who has a history of showing up at Focus on the Family in floral shirts and checkered socks. I just wanted to be like him!

Here’s a link to Dr. Leman’s site, where you’ll find information about his “Couples of Promise” cruise in January (sounds great!) and some superb resources for parents and couples.

UPDATE: The entire webcast is now available for online viewing here. Send the link to a parent you know. When you’ve watched, leave a comment. Do you enjoy these webcasts?

Family Helps Delay Teen Sexual Activity

Parents, you DO impact your teen! Here’s some interesting research from Heritage Foundation about the positive effects of a strong, intact family upon teen sexuality.

Webcast With Dr. Kevin Leman

As noted on our broadcasts this week, we’ll have some fun as Dr. Kevin Leman joins us for a special webcast from 11am-1pm (Eastern) Wednesday, December 10. Plus, he will be answering questions on our parenting forum. All in all, an outstanding opportunity for parents to talk to a trusted expert! Details here.

Parenting: A Welcome Reminder

Yesterday was a day to spend time with my oldest daughter. It wasn’t planned that way, but it turned out to be time well spent.

We started with our weekly “Bagel and Bible” time, in which we head to a local shop and have some breakfast. Along the way, we open the Scriptures and interact about a particular passage. Yesterday was a hard one – Lamentations. All of it. The “weeping prophet” needed some contextualization for an 11 year-old, and I think it was a meaningful conversation for both of us. I benefited from the reminder of right living and God’s forgiveness.

Several hours later, I ended up being the driver to pick her up from an after-church event. That made for a nice drive home, in which we discussed the activities and people involved.

Mid-afternoon found us headed on another errand. Casual, a little chit-chat time for us.

Late afternoon she called when I was at the grocery store, and asked me to bring home some Cheerios for a dessert recipe she had started. This was a treat to take on a trip. Dutifully, I grabbed a box. Not an overly meaningful exchange, but I helped her out in a small way.

All in all, a number of little interactions with a girl who still looks up to me and values my attentions.

So…this morning. As I head out the door, on my desk I find a small item, wrapped carefully in foil, with a note. It was a nice little gesture. And it reminded me that the payoff was not just today, in getting a sweet treat from my daughter.

The payoff really was yesterday. Time invested wisely. Not always overly purposeful. Didn’t have to be. The point for my adolescent daughter was that she spent time with her Daddy. And that I cared enough to be there for the little rhythms of life. I had made time to be with her.

Her note was simple and to the point. And it made me tear up.

“To my father who loves me.”

What a welcome reminder…of the power God has given me as a Daddy.

His Cup Overfloweth?

We’re all running fast, it seems, trying to get more done in less time. And in the process, sometimes we make choices that don’t seem all that wise.

In an interesting Wall Street Journal review of a business book about the ups and downs of working hard to achieve some success, this sentence about misplaced priorities jumped out:

In a discussion of work-life balance, Mr. Ramakrishnan cites an American executive who prefers to talk about “work-life blend,” which he demonstrates by taking his laptop and a stack of papers to work on during his son’s baseball games.

Is this really finding work-life balance, or is it symptomatic of a parent who is trying to jam too much into his life? I mean, what’s wrong with an hour or two of parental “down time” – wouldn’t there be some benefits to setting aside the work and enjoying his son’s game?

Friday Five: Your Favorite Christmas Music?

Here are some Fuller Family Faves for this blessed season:

  1. Amy Grant, A Christmas Album
  2. Michael W. Smith, Christmastime
  3. Kathy Mattea, Joy For Christmas Day
  4. Cliff Richard, Cliff At Christmas
  5. John Tesh, A Romantic Christmas

What do YOU listen to in December?

Feeling Stressed This Christmas Season?

It is all a matter of perspective, don’t you think? May your Christmas season be less stressful than this video clip.

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