One of the issues that I have really tried to emphasis with married couples is for them to make sure they maintain the habit of dating. In today’s climate, not only is time at a premium but also there is the added issue of a failing economy. So, many couples feel they do not have the time or the money to go out on an occasional date together.
Dealing with the time issue is simple. If a couple has such a busy schedule they do not have time to spend with one another, they are too busy and need to cut back on some lesser important activities. Couples should dedicate at least 10-15 uninterrupted hours per week together and, I believe most can find that time if a true effort is made.
The financial issue is not so easy to overcome. It takes effort and creativity to find activities a couple can do together that are fun and will nurture the relationship. Just the typical dinner and movie night will cost no less than forty bucks. However, that is only attainable if the restaurant is relatively inexpensive and no food or drinks are purchased at the theater. So, is the only option available staying at home? While that may not be a bad idea at times, I think getting out and enjoying life together as a married couple is very important.
Today, I wanted to help out a little by suggesting some relatively inexpensive date night ideas.
• The University of Tennessee hosts a variety of events such as choir and band concerts, plays, topical lectures, forums, movie series, and exhibits. Many of these are very cheap or free. You can see the UT events calendar at http://www.utk.edu/events/events
• The Knoxville Museum of Art hosts a variety of exhibits throughout the year. Their information can be found on the internet at http://www.knoxart.org
• The City of Knoxville hosts a variety of events at the Worlds Fair Park and on Market Square Mall that are almost always free to the public. You can see a calendar of events at http://www.ci.knoxville.tn.us/events/events.pdf
• Check out a local High School sporting event, play, or musical presentation.
• Pack a picnic dinner and drive to the Smokey Mountains in the late evening to star gaze. On a clear nigh the sky is amazing. Find an overlook point, spread out your dinner and enjoy the scenery.
• Plan an old movie night. Many movie rental places carry older movies, some you may have already seen or have always wanted to but never have. Plan a simple meal, pop some popcorn for later, and curl up together to watch the movie.
• Plan a creative pizza night. Go to the store with your spouse and each of you separately choose ingredients to make a small pizza. Be creative with the ingredients by selecting things you have never had on a pizza before or that you think sounds good. Assemble and bake the two pizzas together then have a taste-off to see which is best.
• Take a digital camera and go to 10-12 unusual places around town and have strangers take pictures of you there. Prepare an album of the pictures and share them electronically with your friends.
• What about volunteering to help out a charitable cause you are both passionate about? There are plenty of great Christian agencies that are desperate for volunteers.
Of course, couples should be discerning when selecting events that are hosted by UT, The Knoxville Museum of Art, and the City of Knoxville. Some events may have questionable content or not provide a wholesome atmosphere.
I can hear some parents saying right now, what about the kids. Babysitters are a bulk of the expense when planning a date night. Here are a couple of suggestions. Why not have an agreement with another couple, or couples, to trade out babysitting for one another. Watch a friend’s children one night and let them watch your’s on another night. Another idea is to go together with another couple to offset the expense of the baby sitter. This will only work with small numbers of children and it helps if there is an older, more responsible child in the mix to help out the sitter.
In closing, I hope the state of the economy does not prevent FBC couples from going out on regular dates. Maybe some of the date ideas above will help you find a less costly way to spend time together.
David
Friday, February 13
Wednesday, February 4
Teach Them to Pray
One of the sweetest things any parent can experience is listening to their child pray. My children are adults now and it still warms my heart when I hear them simply pray for God to bless a meal we are sharing. In that same respect, one of the most fulfilling things a parent can experience is in teaching their child to pray.
Usually, parents begin teaching their preschool children to pray before meals and at bedtime which is a great place to start. This usually involves guiding them to thank God for specific people and blessings He has placed in their lives. The rounds include mentioning each family member by name, the family pet, a favorite toy, the baby sitter, or a friend next door. I especially like to hear what children come up with when they begin to freelance it. You never know what might be said when they openly express to God what is on their hearts.
Once a child starts elementary school, I think it is a good idea to begin teaching them a short, easy to remember, prayer guide. The guide I recommend comes from Pete Lord’s 29:59 prayer journal. It is called 29:59 because you can pray through the daily guides in about thirty-minutes but he did not want people to get legalistic about praying exactly thirty-minutes so he took one second off. This guide is easily adaptable to elementary and youth age children. Though your child will not be able to pray for thirty-minutes until they get older, they can gain an understanding about the important elements of prayer.
Here is a condensed 29:59 guide for children:
1. Let your child trace his hand on a sheet of art paper.
2. Tell your child that he can use his fingers to remember how to pray.
3. Over the thumb, write "Praise".
4. Tell your child to start her prayer by praising God in words or song.
5. Over the first finger, write "Thanksgiving".
6. Tell your child that next she can thank God for something He has done or provided.
7. Over the second finger, write "Confession".
8. Tell your child that, in prayer, it's good to tell God the things she has done wrong.
9. Over the third finger, write "Intercession".
10. Tell your child that he can close his prayer by asking God to help others who need Him.
11. Over the fourth finger, write "Petition".
12. Tell your child that next she should ask God for the things she needs, including asking for forgiveness for the things she confessed.
13. Across the palm of the hand, write “Listen”.
14. Tell your child that prayer is more than just talking to God, it also includes listening to what He has to say.
15. Put the picture up where it can be seen and remembered. When your child has it memorized, she will have the steps in prayer with her all the time.
If you are a parent and have not yet begun the process of teaching your child to pray, I hope this guide will help you get started. It is not too late even if you child is already out of elementary school. The investment made in teaching a child to pray will pay great benefits in their adult life later on.
David
Usually, parents begin teaching their preschool children to pray before meals and at bedtime which is a great place to start. This usually involves guiding them to thank God for specific people and blessings He has placed in their lives. The rounds include mentioning each family member by name, the family pet, a favorite toy, the baby sitter, or a friend next door. I especially like to hear what children come up with when they begin to freelance it. You never know what might be said when they openly express to God what is on their hearts.
Once a child starts elementary school, I think it is a good idea to begin teaching them a short, easy to remember, prayer guide. The guide I recommend comes from Pete Lord’s 29:59 prayer journal. It is called 29:59 because you can pray through the daily guides in about thirty-minutes but he did not want people to get legalistic about praying exactly thirty-minutes so he took one second off. This guide is easily adaptable to elementary and youth age children. Though your child will not be able to pray for thirty-minutes until they get older, they can gain an understanding about the important elements of prayer.
Here is a condensed 29:59 guide for children:
1. Let your child trace his hand on a sheet of art paper.
2. Tell your child that he can use his fingers to remember how to pray.
3. Over the thumb, write "Praise".
4. Tell your child to start her prayer by praising God in words or song.
5. Over the first finger, write "Thanksgiving".
6. Tell your child that next she can thank God for something He has done or provided.
7. Over the second finger, write "Confession".
8. Tell your child that, in prayer, it's good to tell God the things she has done wrong.
9. Over the third finger, write "Intercession".
10. Tell your child that he can close his prayer by asking God to help others who need Him.
11. Over the fourth finger, write "Petition".
12. Tell your child that next she should ask God for the things she needs, including asking for forgiveness for the things she confessed.
13. Across the palm of the hand, write “Listen”.
14. Tell your child that prayer is more than just talking to God, it also includes listening to what He has to say.
15. Put the picture up where it can be seen and remembered. When your child has it memorized, she will have the steps in prayer with her all the time.
If you are a parent and have not yet begun the process of teaching your child to pray, I hope this guide will help you get started. It is not too late even if you child is already out of elementary school. The investment made in teaching a child to pray will pay great benefits in their adult life later on.
David
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