Parenting and Transracial-Blackness?

I have to chime in on this trans trend we have going on in the Western world. This was one of my concerns when I first heard about relativism. Where we can each choose our own truth, facts do not matter, rather how we feel about a certain subject is more important. Rachel Dolezal in point of fact is a Caucasian female. She has chosen to live her life as a black female. 20 years ago the headline would have been, White women pretending to be Black, does she have a right to high jack the Black Experience? Today the headline, is it a possibility that white people feel black inside? REALLY?

We have slipped so far from Dr King character dream. We are year by year moving away not just our character being celebrated, but moving closer to where character is relative. This case is a prime example. As parents look at this story, what should they tell their children?

Honey, it is okay she lied about being black, got a scholarship to an all black college. But, sued another one for denying her a scholarship because she was white. It is okay because she identifies herself as a transracial black person. So, even though she in fact has Caucasian skin on the inside she feels black.

I am not that confused! Parents should take a page from Dr. King and instead, tell their children something more like this.

Honey, we all get confused sometimes. However, we need to keep three things in mind.

1. It is important to be honest to yourself above all. We all have things we wish were true about us.The key to living a happy life is finding those wonderful qualities we possess then focusing and growing those things.
2. Authenticity is about learning to accept ourselves just as we are. Then sharing that person with the world. Our skin, eye, or hair color are only the surface  of who we are. If we live our lives based on those surface areas we rob ourselves of authenticity. This woman could have achieved all she did without trying to become something she was not. She chose the surface.
3. Your character is your most valuable asset. Character is all about living the values you have been taught. Honesty, integrity, honor, justice, patience are all aspects of character. People see your surface and will often prejudge what they see. However, if you live your life based on the principle of values  whether people like you or not they will respect you. Ms. Dolezar chose a different path. Which is why we are having this discussion. 
4. 
   

Whatever, happens in this situation, I want you to s
tay focused on these three things.

In other words parents can chose to give their children tools to better their lives and teach them to live honest, authentic, and character driven lives.

Believe in Parenting!

Inspiring, Motivating, and Empowering

Often over the course of my career I have said, parenting is the toughest job you will ever love and hate. The purpose of parenting is to help a child sent here by the Creator to find, fulfil, and thrive in their purpose. This begins by teaching them how to be a remarkable person. It continues with teaching them how to love the creator, how to be guided and directed by Him, and ultimately to walk in the purpose He sent them here to do.

Interstingly enough a large part of parenting is doing this yourself. Dr Phil McGraw makes a great statement, "You cannot leave where you haven't been." emission Pete ene is to help parents to inspire, motivate and empower their children to become remarkable adults. I often get asked how do you do that?

My answer is you inspire by living your own dream and talking about the things you're doing to accomplish them.

You motivate by helping your children find out what they're good at, what they love to do, and helping them  to find ways to do it. Then encouraging them on every step of the way.

Empowerment comes as we teach children how to make decisions, based on who God made them to be, teaching them to follow in His statues, and encouraging them to follow where the Holy Spirit leads.

God expect Christian parents to raise a Holy generation. Holy means loving Him, placing His standards and His statutes above all else, while loving our neighbors as ourselves.  it is our job to live this out in front of our children. It is also our job to talk about these things (as we drive down the road, when when we are chilling at home, when relaxing  with barbecue and lemonade with our friends, on playdates, placign God's Word on iPhones, iPads, and CD players.)

Children live the life they see their parents live. Inspiring, motivating, and empowering your children, in the end is all about inspiring  motivating, and empowering yourself. you can do this!

Believe in Parenting!

Dangerous Games!

Relenant Children's Ministry introduced me to the demon calling game Charlie, Charlie. Do you remember Ouji boards, visiting mediums, and conjuring demons? Well, here comes Charlie. This game is a 21st Century version of the ouji board. This is a spiritually dangerous game.

For those of you who do not believe in the Supernatural may not recognize games which involke demons are harmful. Those of us who have seen the resulting devastating effects can only shake our heads.

These games seem harmless, but many serial killers report playing these kinds of games. These gamed invite evil into the lives of children.

Whether you believe in evil or not, it is sure that children who chose to engage in drinking, drugs, promiscuity, and can get involved in other nefarious activities also play games like these. The question is,which comes first?

Parents need to talk to, oversee, and help tweens and teens to understand that these kinds of games can lead to other troubles and many other issues.

Communication and supervision become necessary for all children this age. Charlie, Charlie invites, bad influences on children ptotect them and teach them to protect themselves.

Believe in Parenting