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Friday, September 28, 2007
Parenting, Emotional Intelligence and the At-Risk Child
At risk children are at risk in part, because they have a hard time with emotional intelligence. They may be intellectually bright but at risk children may be "learning disabled" when it comes to emotional intelligence. Furthermore, at risk kids who fail to develop emotional intelligence may be handicapped for life. Emotional intelligence is is required for all three abilities of the inner triangle that I discuss in my books: ability to love, impulse control and moral reasoning. Remember, it is problems in these three abilities that cause risk for ADHD, addiction and antisocial behavior.
Emotional inteligence means capacity for emotional self-awareness, self reflection, anger management, reading other people's social cues, empathy, joy in affection, impulse control, self motivation, and the ability to delay gratification. Ability to love requires, emotional self-awareness, anger management, reading other people's social cues, empathy and joy in affection. Impulse control includes self motivation and the ability to delay gratification. Moral reasoning requires empathy and self reflection. Parents need to explicitly work on building these aspects of emotional intelligence in at risk kids.
I have put together a set of tools to help you build your at risk child's emotional intelligence. At the top of the list are Just Like His Father? and The Child Well-Being Workbook. These books teach you about the core character ablilities: Ability to Love, Impulse Control and Moral Reasoning. They also provide you with explicit exercises for building these abilities in your child and yourself. The rest of the tools found in The Parent's Store-Emotional Intelligence Page, are especially selected to go with these books and meet the needs of at risk kids.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Enhance your child's moral reasoning with tools for teaching moral values
The intensive parenting that at risk children require involves encouraging the development of three specific abilities I have called the Inner Triangle. These abilities are 1) Ability to Love 2) Impulse Control and 3) Moral Reasoning. On a regular basis I want to provide you with even more tools for parenting your at risk child.
Just Like His Father? and The Child Well-Being Workbook both include chapters on enhancing your child's moral reasoning ability. The process by which children come to understand morality is called moral development. During moral development, kids learn moral values. Values are emotional connections to ideas. So moral development means to fully possess the moral emotions of caring, guilt, respect and shame, and knowing moral rules. We may not think that guilt is a good emotion to experience. While excessive guilt is not good, recent studies show that too little guilt is a cause of behavioral problems. In order to have respect, children and teens must be capable of shame. So while shame is not a positive force in a child's life, it is important that children be capable of shame. Many child development experts agree that today's parenting practices are not helping children develop the capacity for moral emotions.
I have recently reviewed a number of parenting aids that will help you enhance your child's moral development. These may be found at The Parent's Store, Character Building Page and are all affordable. All the products in the character building section of the store will help parents of elementary school children and teens teach moral values. Moral values are a combination of moral thoughts and moral emotions. Moral values lead to positive character traits like caring, citizenship, cooperation, courage, fairness, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Among current the list of recommended resources is a great book for kids What Do You Stand For? By Barbara A. Lewis. There is also a teen version of this book. The true stories, inspiring quotations, thought-provoking dilemmas, and activities in this book help kids grow into capable, moral teens and adults. This award-winning book is a must for parents of at risk kids.
There is also a book for young children, 26 Big Things Small Hands Do written by Coleen Paratore and Illustrated by Mike Reed. AGES 1-4, Go beyond "A is for Apple" with an alphabet book that builds character. As children learn and review their ABCs, they discover positive actions they can perform with their own small hands—like applauding, building, giving gifts made with love, helping, planting, recycling, and volunteering.
There are also games, magnets and stickers that promote positive character traits and values.
I am continually adding pages of resources to The Parent's Store. Some pages are simply links to recommended books, games and toys. If you have a product you would like me to review for inclusion, email me.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Teach your child with movies
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Ambition Bad Associations Breaking Out Brothers Caring for Animals Child Abuse Coming Of Age Courage Courage in War Crime Disabilities Divorce and Separation Education Families In Crisis Father/Daughter Father/Son
Female Role Model Fighting Friendship Gambling Addiction Grandparents Grieving Human Rights Humility Illness (Serious) Justice Leadership Male Role Model Marriage Mental Illness Mother/Daughter Mother/Son Parenting Peace/Peacemakers Peer Pressure
Rebellion Redemption Revenge Romantic Relationships Running Away Self-esteem Sexual Orientation Sisters Sportsmanship Spousal Abuse Suicide Surviving Taking Care Of Yourself Talent Teamwork Work/Career
trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship
They also index by age:
Three Years Four Years Five Years Six Years Seven YearsEight Years Nine Years Ten Years Eleven Years Twelve Years Thirteen Years Fourteen Years Fifteen Years
I cannot reccomend this program more highly. The subscription that supports this work is only $1.00 each month. Those who purchase anything from The Parent's Store receive a coupon for $1.00 off this already low price.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
More on Anger Management
When other children are at the other end of your at angry risk child's verbal and physical aggression, they are likely to react by rejecting your child. Interestingly, good impulse control in kids predicts popularity with peers. Sadly, the at risk child craves social status and popularity but behaves in ways that undermines his standing with peers.
It is important that we parents teach our at risk kids anger management techniques. To help you do this, I recommend Hot Stuff to Help Kids Chill Out by Jerry Wilde, Ph.D. We are happy to offer this book through The Parent's Store. You can get Hot Stuff to Help Kids Chill Out, Just Like His Father? and The Child Well-Being Workbook for only $25.oo
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sign up for our NEW program
If that is you, don't give up. We now have an online program for you and your kids this summer. The program is called FIT AND SMART. It has three components:
1. 30-60 minutes of exercise each day for you AND your child.
2. At least 20 minutes of reading each day for you and your child.
3. Weekly story writing for your child.
Exercise treats anxiety and depression in adults and will help with child behavior. Exercise is a WIN-WIN for everyone.
Sign up for FIT AND SMART TODAY
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The link between exercise, diet and sleep patterns
I have always believed that exercise is an important part of a program of prevention of ADHD, addiction and antisocial behavior in at risk kids. This belief has only been strengthened over the past 3 months.
Late winter, it was rather cold in the Northeast. We did not go out a lot and I am sorry to say my at risk son did not get enough exercise. He attends preschool where he plays indoors for at least 30 minutes a day but this was not enough. If you read my website you know that I am a mother who believes in authoritative parenting with lots of love accompanied by rules for conduct that are enforced. I have to tell you that this parenting style was NOT ENOUGH to prevent the problems that developed at the end of winter.
My son developed an extreme sweet tooth and an aversion for good healthy food. I thought I might have to ban him from the dinner table because he fell apart the moment he saw his healthy dinner stating, "I don't like that!" No amount of bribery or discipline was effective in eliminating this behavior. The same time this behavior developed, he also became more hyperactive-impulsive in general. He had poor sleep as well.
In response to the problems managing his behavior, I began a program of exercise with him. This program is at least one hour a day, either biking or walking. We also spend all Saturday afternoon doing an outdoor activity together. Within a weekof beginning this program, the change was dramatic. The improvements have been maintained over the last 3 months.
These are the beneficial effects of exercise I have observed for my son:
1) Dramatic reduction in hyperactivity
2) Dramatic reduction in impulsivity
3) Better mood, less anger
4) Less defiance, better cooperation
5) Better self direction- he plays nicely on his own with blocks and even colors on his own
6) Reduced aggression
7) Better sleep patterns
8) Much improved appetite- He now willingly eats vegetables and even TOFU!
9) LESS craving for junk food
These are the beneficial effects I have seen for myself:
1) Better mood and good feeling about mothering
2) Better sleep
3) A feeling of physical fitness
4) Weight loss (6 pounds so far)
The only down side is that I truly don't have enough time to clean house. I have decided that we can put up with things being a little messier because of the other benefits we are receiving.
In conclusion, your preschool child and your grade school child need a lot of exercise, but so do you! As a nation we are becoming obese, unhappy and substance dependent. The three are directly connected through insufficient exercise. Exercise is one part of a program to correct the chemical and spiritual imbalance that results in impulsivity and risk for addiction. Both you and your child will have better well-being if you exercise together. You will also have more love in your lives as you enjoy this healthy activity together!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Leadership and the At-Risk child
The problem this mother (and many other mothers) have is that after years of subjugation, she is finding it very difficult to be assertive. Her son needs firm limits and guidance, but his constant challenge to her authority is very stressful for her.
It helps to understand why children challenge authority and why this challenge is physically so stressful. There exists within us all a drive for social dominance. This drive is similar to the drive for sex and the drive to eat. It creates a compulsion to do certain behaviors. The drive for social dominance creates a compulsion to be in control.
Children who are impulsive and have poor impulse control, have difficulty managing all their drives and emotions. The social dominance drive is no exception. Parents can help domineering children (also called strong willed children)by educating them about the social dominance drive. Although we all have this push from within us, we don't have to be controlled by this or any drive/emotion. We can make choices about our behavior. To educated your child I highly recommend you watch together Animal Planet's The Most Extreme Leaders Tuesday May 8th follow this link for times.
The most constructive outlet for the social dominance drive is leadership. To be a good leader in our species requires impulse control and empathy. Since many kids want to be leaders but lack these two skills, they often become physically or verbally aggressive to dominate by force. We need to teach our kids that this is neither effective nor acceptable leadership. Kids need social skills in order to lead, they have to be taught these skills.
Mothers also need leadership skills. In July, we will be releasing The Single Mother's Leadership Guide. Email Dr. Leedom to preorder the book.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Organization to address the needs of at risk kids
The most disturbing letters I get are about the emotional, physical and sexual abuse of at risk children at the hands of a sociopathic parent. Tragically, the healthy parent tries to implement the prevention techniques outlined in my book Just Like His Father? only to have the efforts completely undermined by the other parent.
One women wrote into Lovefraud.com with a story of the sociopathic parent's sexual harassment of a teen aged daughter. This mother went to court to try to restrict visitation and was denied. All to often sociopaths also share custody and continue their abuse of the other parent, using the children to do so.
If we want to reduce antisocial behavior and addiction in our society, we have to start with children at risk. A child's genes are set at conception. We can however, take control of environmental risk. The courts need to do more to protect at risk children. We need an organization to explore court reform and to collect these stories of visitation gone bad. If you are interested in participating or hearing about this organization visit
http://howtospotadangerousman.com/public_html/index.php?board=8.0 and sign up.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Exercise and behavior including ADHD
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder the name seems to suggest that an increased activity level is part of the disorder. Tell me why then, there are so few scientific studies on the benefits of exercise in ADHD? This can only represent gross negligence on the part of the medical-scientific establishment. This had to be said, now what do we know?
Two studies indicate that children with ADD/ADHD may be resistant to exercise. Their stress hormones do not increase during exercise as much as normal children. It is also likely that in order to be beneficial, the exercise has to be intense.
Intense exercise means getting out of breath and/or breaking a sweat. The heart rate increases more during this kind of exercise. Parents should know that some medications may increase risk for heart rhythm problems, so check with your doctor.
Some specific recommendations
Based on my best guess and government recommendations for all children, I recommend the following. All children require one hour of exercise each day. Children with ADHD may require more. The exercise has to be vigorous, like running around the field playing soccer or court playing basketball. Walking, biking and swimming are also good provided the child maintains a fast pace. Karate and other martial arts may be good for strength and focus but generally the workout isn't vigorous enough.
Just like children with ADHD do not like to sit and focus and are often shifting from one new pleasure to the other, they may refuse to focus on exercise for a long period of time. I once took a group of kids to the beach. There was an 11 y/o boy with ADHD with us. Although he was hyperactive, and fidgeted a lot, he had the least ability/desire to sustain physical effort. But you know that when we got home he ran around the house like a mad man.
Getting kids to exercise requires time and effort. Your child's one hour a day requirement can be met in smaller chunks like 20 minutes three times a day. I strongly recommend you at least take walks with your child. In exercising with your child you show him that you think exercise is important.
If you start an exercise program and see improvements in your child's behavior, please write me and share your story. For more on exercise see http://www.parentingtheatriskchild.com/exercise.html.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
A difficult 4 year old: The boy who peed on his baby sister
"I have a son who's 4 years old and he's very active, sometimes aggressive but at the same time he's loving and caring. Sometimes I really don't know what to do with him (he drives me crazy, to the point that I feel like not seeing him again), but don't get me wrong, I do LOVE him with all my heart and I can't live without him.
Yesterday he did something that was unthinkable and that's why I'm writing to you. Out of all of his pranks, this was the one that open my eyes that there may be something wrong with him. He brought my daughter (his sister) to the kitchen and told me that she spit on herself (she was all wet. her hair, clothes) I took him to his room and asked him to tell me what happened. Then he changed the story. This time he said that she spilled her milk on top of her. I knew it wasn't milk, because it didn't smelled like it. I told him that I had a camera in his room and that I was going to check the video to find out what happened. Then he's like: "ok! I'll tell you the truth... I peed on her... Ok!!, Im going on time out... I was like WHAT!!! You peed on her?!!!"
Parent's feelings about at risk children
This note beautifully illustrates the dynamics of a relationship with an at risk child. Many but not all are loving during the preschool years. However, they have poor impulse control. The poor impulse control sets up a series of very negative interactions. Parents end up feeling a combination of love and hate for these children. These feelings on the part of parents are normal and understandable.
How to dig yourself out of this pit
First of all, 75% of kids more or less raise themselves because they have reasonable levels of impulse control; 25% require intensive parenting. Step 1 to a better life is acknowledging you have a child WHO REQUIRES CONSTANT SUPERVISION! Every time he gets in trouble when left alone and you feel the need to punish him, he is in a sense rejected by you. This constant rejection impairs his ability to love.
Step 2 is to use supervision wisely to set your at risk child up for success. Keep your at risk child constantly with you and help him find things to do. You will have to specifically train him to occupy himself while you are busy. Step by step instructions for how to do this are found in The Child Well-Being Workbook.
If your at-risk child is very active, managing him requires an exercise plan. Children need 1 hour of exercise a day. Make your life easier. Take him out to exercise before you try to get anything done.
About the boy who peed on his baby sister
At risk children respond to their impulses, if given the opportunity to do so. Little boys like to pee! It gives them a feeling of power, and may be somewhat sexual. Every time a child has the opportunity to act on an impulse like this he will take it. When he enjoys the act, no amount of punishment after the fact will undo that enjoyment. At risk kids respond to pleasure more than they respond to pain.
This is what the mother did in response to the incident, "I took the baby out of the room and spank him on his butt... How could you do that? Why you did that? He said that the baby was teasing him (the baby is 1 yr) and that she's always hitting him. I asked him if that was the right way to act, he said no. I explained to him that she didn't know and to let me know when she hits him or does something to him that he doesnt like... I asked him how would he feel if I or somebody else peed on him... he said that he wouldn't like that..."
The spanking part likely did nothing here. Spanking after the fact does not undo the earlier pleasure he got from the act. Think about yourself, if you eat a delicious peice of chocolate cake does the punishment of weight gain stop you from eating it again?
Verbal reprimands serve a purpose
Talking to the at risk child about managing impulses is very important. He can build the verbal part of his brain and use these verbal lessons to control himself next time. The explanation was good. Verbal lessons should be short, so that the child can remember them. I would say, "The only place we pee is in the toilet." Then have the child answer the question, "Where do we pee?" Then say, "Do not pee on anyone else, that is not nice!" To ask, "How would you like it if someone peed on you?" is good. That trains the child to be empathetic.
When the verbal lesson is over, LET IT GO! At risk children have many impulses, you will likely face another tomorrow.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Daycare for an at-risk child?
This week the results of an important study of children in daycare were reported in the scientific journal Child Development. To read an account of the study see Daycare linked to child disruption. The study of 1364 children is yet another that has demonstrated that the daycare lifestyle leads to increased aggression in at-risk children.
As a mother of an at-risk child, I am not surprised by the findings of this research. My at- risk son requires 1:1 attention to encourage him to be loving as opposed to focusing on dominance. He also needs daily training in the skill of impulse control. He does very well in his small half-day preschool class, where his teachers tell me, "We can tell he has benefited from your teaching. He is very loving and very emotionally intelligent. The karate dance has almost disappeared!" I am convinced that if I was working full-time, I would not have had the time and energy this at-risk child has required.
In contrast, I also have two daughters, who were in daycare, and cared for by a nanny while I worked full-time. Neither of the two girls were ever aggressive or difficult to parent. One of my colleagues used to say that he couldn't believe how well I was able to balance single motherhood with my professional life. Of course, I never told him the truth. That was that I had very easy kids!
In my opinion we should take the results of this research for what they reveal. That is, some kids do not do well in daycare, even quality daycare. We have to stop thinking that our at-risk kids need anything other than exceptional parenting. When we say that a child is at-risk we mean that he/she may carry the genes that predispose to antisocial behavior, addiction and/or ADHD. Furthermore, children who are truly at-risk show us through their temperaments.
A very good friend of mine runs a community daycare center. Recently, he has had to contend with an aggressive child. The parents of the child act surprised every time the aggression is reported to them. Sadly, they also seem unwilling to amend their fast-paced lifestyle for the sake of their child.
In summary, we should not make a blanket statement that daycare is bad for children or society. Instead, we should acknowledge that some children are not suited for the daycare lifestyle. We should encourage parents to have expectations that suit their particular child. The sacrifices that may have to be made for our at-risk children will be for a finite period of time. The time invested in parenting our at-risk children properly will pay off a thousand fold when they are in grade school.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
What can we learn from the Dog Whisperer?
The first principle of getting along with a dog that Cesar so beautifully illustrates in all of his shows is, "To get along well with a dog you have to be the leader!" If you do not lead the dog, he/she will try to lead you. Life with a dog who tries to tell you what to do is most unpleasant.
Good parenting also boils down to leadership. If a parent fails to lead, often a child will attempt to fill the leadership void. Life with a child as your leader is also most unpleasant. However, the consequences of failed parental leadership for a child are even more grave. Children require an understanding of parental authority in order to develop moral reasoning ability and impulse control.
Last night one of my Child Development students discussed her boyfriend's childhood. Father left the home when her boyfriend was 6 and his younger brother was 4. Mother was devastated and never recovered. When father left, he told his eldest son, "Now you are man of the house." Since mother abrogated her leadership role, the family is still lead by my student's boyfriend.
Hearing this story, I said to my student. The outcome of this situation depends on the amount of inborn impulse control a child has. A child with a lot of natural impulse control, will become a leader and a care-taker in this situation. However, this situation will rob the child of his childhood. For children with average to poor impulse control, parental abrogation of authority has dire consequences. These children develop antisocial behavior and/or addiction. My student said, "Wow! That is my boyfriend's younger brother." Even though the eldest son tried to provide leadership and love to his younger brother, being parented by another child was inadequate. The younger brother failed to develop impulse control and moral reasoning. He has been arrested multiple times and is addicted to drugs.
Single mothers can have difficulty in the area of leadership. Many women have not had training in leadership. Many women also believe that their role is to nurture and love as opposed to lead.
Single mothers need to develop leadership skills and deal with any barriers to leadership they might be experiencing. Anxiety and depression interfere with a mother's ability to lead. Since these disorders are very common in women, these disorders pose a threat to child well-being. Recent studies reveal high rates of antisocial personality disorder in the sons of depressed mothers.
If you are a single mother consider this information carefully. If you suffer from depression, get help. There are now very good treatments for depression. You can also learn leadership skills and better lead your family.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Why are America's college students abusing drugs and alcohol?
What is responsible for the increase in substance abuse among college students in America? I believe the increase is due to lack of development of the Inner Triangle, which is a common problem in young people today. Remember that the Inner Triangle is our Ability to Love, Impulse Control and Moral Reasoning. These develop in a mutually dependent manner in concert during childhood and adolescence.
Why would a problem with Ability to Love, Impulse Control and/or Moral Reasoning lead to substance abuse and ultimately to addiction? First consider Ability to Love. The enjoyment of loving relationships has to be a person's number one joy in life. When love of friends/family is not number one, a person seeks to fill the void. Often the void is filled with substances of abuse, food or even sex.
Poor Impulse Control is associated with excessive thrill seeking or sensation seeking. This sensation seeking correlates highly with substance abuse and unsafe sexual behavior during adolescence and young adulthood.
Moral Reasoning is the way we think about moral values, and the way these values guide our behavior. College students who are not trying to do their best are lacking in moral values.
Why would a problem with the Inner Triangle be so prevalent today? The reason is parenting. Parents today are too busy and too burdened to model, influence and teach Ability to Love, Impulse Control and Moral Reasoning. To give your child the gift of a well-developed triangle takes time and effort. Children and Teens need lots of quality time with the right adults or they will not fully develop the Inner Triangle.
The models and influences of our popular culture that surround or children and teens impart poor Ability to Love, poor Impulse Control and bankrupt moral values. The proof of this is in the fact that these models (like B. Spears), themselves suffer with defective Ability to Love, Impulse Control and Moral Reasoning!
To counteract these influences, parents must keep themselves in the center of their children's lives for as long as possible. Do not abandon your child/teen to his peer group. Peers should not raise your child, you should. If you need to take corrective action, start by spending time with your child/teen. Gradually shift his/her time away from unsupervised peer activities toward supervised activities. The more time your child/teen spends growing as a person, the better developed his/her Inner Triangle will be.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Daily lessons for an at-risk child
Cross-cultural studies also suggest that physical holding of infants and much physical affection toward young children decreases impulsivity as children mature. There is little doubt that an at-risk child needs plenty of time spent loving every day. This daily time spent loving will also lessen the complications of ADHD. It is likely that it is much harder to have a close relationship with an impulsive child. These children protest a great deal when their desires are not being gratified.
The goal with at-risk children is to help them to fully develop Ability to Love. Ability to love involves both enjoyment of affection and care-taking behavior. It is possible for children to enjoy being affectionate and yet not learn care-taking behavior. Think about it, loving without care-taking is rather empty and meaningless. Our children need lessons in care-taking every day.
Teaching kids care-taking can be tricky. I am not suggesting that it is healthy for a child to be burdened with the responsibility of taking care of everyone else at the expense of his childhood. Somewhere between over-indulgence and excessive burden is the happy medium of teaching care-taking. In between times of playing and enjoyment a child needs to be directed to take care.
Tips for teaching care taking
At-risk kids need care-taking lessons repeated every day. Teaching care-taking occurs with teaching manners. For example, have you noticed your child run for a door, open it and go through without a thought regarding who is behind him? Teach your child to stop and look to see if anyone else wants to enter or exit. Teach him to hold the door for other people especially if they are elderly or handicapped. In this way lessons in care-taking and manners go hand in hand with lessons in impulse control. When you teach a care taking behavior to your child, follow your instructions with the statement, "We all have to take care of each other." If your child hears this everyday it will eventually sink in!
Pets are also a good vehicle for teaching care-taking. Often however, a pet comes into the family, children are told the pet is their responsibility and mother ends up with yet another being to care for. To avoid this trap, have your child accompany you while you both care for the pet. Ask him to retrieve food and water dishes, clean the cage with you etc. If you have a dog, insist your child walk with you and the dog every day. Don't give him the option of saying, "No!" When you have a dog you have to take care of him even when you think you have better things to do.
Children also learn care-taking through chores. Again, at-risk children may not be capable of doing chores alone. Instead, do them together. The important lesson your child learns is that he has to stop playing awhile to spend time taking care. This also builds impulse control.
At-risk children are often preoccupied with ideas of power. For example a child will say, "I'm as big as you." Or "I'm Superman." When you hear your child boast of his power, use this as an occasion to say, "Since you are big, you have to help take care of things." Use your child's drive for power to his benefit. Teach him daily that power means responsibility and care-taking not just privilege.
The price of not learning care-taking
People who are power-motivated and have no concept of caring for others, have an enormous sense of entitlement. The price you will pay for not teaching care-taking will be your child developing a sense of entitlement. This entitlement means that he believes it is everyone else who must take care of him. A child raised in this way will not be capable of functioning as a parent or spouse. Teaching your child care-taking may involve upsetting him. Why should he slow down to help an older person? Why should he put down the videogame to walk the dog? Sometimes children have to feel uncomfortable in order to learn important lessons. If this is your situation, and your child complains and protests, don't give up. Keep insisting he put his own needs and desires aside a little every day to take care.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Parenting Pitfalls with ADHD kids
The problem with ADHD is not so much the ADHD itself but the complications of the disorder. Complications include school failure, substance abuse, and disruptive behavior disorders (ODD and CD). Researchers have identified three patterns of parent child relationship problems associated with complications of ADHD.
Pitfall 1: Accidental training of undesired behavior
Most parents are concerned and want the best for their kids. However, everyone is so stretched these days. Full time employment is in itself tiring and leaves little energy left to cope with a child that has problems. Parental fatigue and depression often set the state for the first pitfall, accidental training of bad behavior. Children with ADHD have a great deal of energy, this energy makes them want. They want possessions and they want to do what ever impulsive thing comes to mind at any given moment. They lack the brain structure required to cope with this feeling of constant wanting. All they know is want means do!
Parents have the enormous job of teaching a child with a lot of desires that want does not mean do. To teach this lesson parents must train consistently. Accidental training of nagging, temper tantrums and other impulsive behavior occurs when parents give in to the want that set off this behavior. Unfortunately, giving in periodically trains negative behavior as well if not better than giving in all the time! Beat this pitfall with consistency. Maintain consistency by taking care of yourself.
Pitfall 2: Harsh parenting
Parents of kids with ADHD know that their kids have a lack of impulse control and other skills required for ae appropriate behavior. The struggle is to see this lack of skills as associated with a disability rather than stemming from something the child is doing on purpose. The behaviors of some kids with ADHD try the patience of the best of parents. Parents usually repress the anger and frustration they feel about a child's behavior. But repression isn't perfect and the parent who struggles with anger and frustration can fall into the trap of harsh parenting. Harsh parenting and punitive discipline make ADHD related behavior problems worse. Parents prone to hash parent can do better by taking tie away from the child, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and practicing stress management techniques.
Pitfall 3: Proactive parenting becomes a luxury not a way of life
Researchers have observed a correlation between a lack of proactive parenting and complications of ADHD. What is proactive parenting? Proactive parenting means knowing what kinds of situations get your particular child in trouble and avoiding these situations. It means redirecting your child toward constructive activities. Proactive parenting is a lot of work and again may be difficult to do when exhausted.
A common theme
All three of these pitfalls have a common theme. That theme is parents who are tired, stressed and or depressed. A parent with a difficult child should think of himself/herself like a star athelete. You have to take charge of keeping yourself in tiptop shape in order to win! Practice self care including a healthy diet, exercise, stress management and fun time. The good news is that all of these positive health habits will also help your ADHD child.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Teaching Kids Anger Management: Lesson 1
1) We are in charge of our own feelings.
• Although we can't always stop ourselves from being provoked, we own our own feelings.
• We feel our own feelings.
• We must label our own feelings.
• We must calmly communicate our own feelings.
• Since feeling anger is part of being human, we have to learn healthy ways to deal with anger.
• We can find ways to let anger go.
2) We are in charge of our own thoughts.
• Some thoughts keep us angry. Some thoughts calm us down.
• We can choose to have calming thoughts.
• We can practice using calming thoughts to cool off.
3) We are in charge of our own behavior.
• We own the hurtful actions that we inflict on others.
• We can stop hurting people with actions.
• We can learn to control what we do with anger.
• We can express angry feelings in ways that are fair to others and ourselves.
4) We are in charge of our own words.
• We own the hurtful words we speak when angry
• We can stop hurting people with words.
• We can use the firm and fair words: "I feel ____ when you _____."
• We can talk about feelings and try to work things out.
Learn these truths for yourself and teach them to your child verbally and by modeling the behavior. Recently my four year old son said, "I feel mad at you!" I then said, "If you are mad,take a deep breath and walk away." He said, "Like the monkey in the video?" He was referring to this site: http://www.angriesout.com/index.htm#kids
We visited the site once, one month before he said this, He remembered it better than I did. He therefore highly recommends this site! The monkey exercise is gone but there are other videos to watch together.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Make your New Year's Resolution stick
Further support for a link between impulse control and obesity in children comes from a recent study, Relationship of childhood behavior disorders to weight gain from childhood into adulthood published in Ambul Pediatr. 2006 Sep-Oct;6(5):297-301. In this study Dr. Anderson and colleagues followed 655 kids for 20 years into adulthood. They found that impulse control disorders (like ADHD) were associated with obesity that began during childhood and continued into adulthood.
In the light of this recent scientific data, we can surmise that knowing how to strengthen impulse control is important in seeing your New Year's Resolution stick. Willpower is another word for impulse control. The most important thing to know about willpower is that it is a finite resource and can be used up. Stressful life events and daily hassles use up our willpower and this is why people tend to eat fattening foods in the evening. Focused academic problem solving also tends to use up willpower, as the brain gets tired. Willpower is strengthened by sleep, relaxation and social support. A healthy diet will also strengthen impulse control and will power.
Help your child and yourself keep that New Year's Resolution by not stocking up on unhealthy foods. Share plenty of affection and get plenty of rest. If you and your child are under stress try to eliminate the sources of stress. Cope with tension by taking walks together for 30 minutes a day.


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Yep, Lancaster was all "Ballplayers Gone Wild!" last night. Dustin will have the full story for you later this morning.This is what a scorebook looks like when a team scores 29 runs. @JetHawks pic.twitter.com/4SqSkrdoig— Jason Schwartz (@jasondschwartz) May 27, 2016
You can't miss even one day! In addition to the roster moves I posted yesterday, here are a few more that happened later in the day.
5-26: LHP Chris Cotton assigned from Corpus Christi to Fresno
5-26: RHP David Schmidt assigned from Corpus Christi to Quad Cities
5-26: RHP Andrew Thome assigned from Quad Cities to Lancaster
5-26: LHP Alex Winkelman assigned from Quad Cities to Lancaster
5-26: RHP Elieser Hernandez assigned from Lancaster to Quad Cities
Winkelman didn't receive the warmest welcome in his Lancaster debut, but the offense picked him up ... and then some! Look for my interview with Andrew Thome next week, a non-drafted free agent that has shone since his signing by the Astros last season.
It's been a full 11 days since we last checked in on the standings. Let's see how things have gone for the farm crews. Fresno is still in third place and has dropped another couple of games behind the division-leading Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners), but they have gone 6-4 in their last 10 and are on a nice little 4-game win streak. They are two games behind the second place Reno Aces (Diamondbacks). The Hooks, however, have been rolling along very nicely, going 8-3 in their last 11. They are now in sole possession of second place in the division and are only two games behind Frisco (Rangers). Lancaster has been changing their fortunes as well. Their 7-4 record over the last 11 has been enough to lift them to third place in the division and get them a couple of games closer to division leaders High Desert (Rangers) and Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers) who are tied for first. Quad Cities is on a two-game win streak, but they are still looking for some sustained momentum. They have gone 5-6 over their last 11.
AAA Fresno 3rd 21-25 .457 7.5GB W4
AA Corpus Christi 2nd 28-18 .609 2.0GB L1
A+ Lancaster 3rd 21-24 .467 7.5GB W1
A- Quad Cities T7th 20-26 .435 7.0GB W2
Happy Memorial Day Weekend and Happy Baseballing!!!

subset: commoncrawl


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THOUSANDS of jobless in Southport have been thrown a lifeline to help them get back into employment.
The Skills Funding Agency's 'Job Ready' project will help thousands of people to gain essential training.
Funding will be offered to train people who have either been made redundant or are facing redundancy.
Up to £1,000 will be available if the individual is undertaking at least 75 learning hours.
The news has been welcomed by the local community, which has felt the pinch of redundancy with the latest figures showing that unemployment in Merseyside has risen to almost 56,000.
The funding, which is being provided by the Skills Funding Agency and supported by the European Social Fund (ESF), will give each person bespoke training which will be tailored to an individual's needs.
Peter Johnson from nextstep, the national free service that offers adults face-to-face help and advice on training, learning and the world of work, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Merseyside and this free training will help large numbers of people move into a new career and a new start after redundancy."
The scheme is being funded in Merseyside by a £9.8 million cash injection as part of a national £100 million package of measures announced by the Skills Funding Agency in response to the economic downturn.
Employers can also access the support to provide skills training to staff under consultation for redundancy, ensuring people can move quickly and easily into new employment.
Businesses and individuals requiring more information, careers advice or guidance should contact nextstep on 0151 944 6170.


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Psychedelic Grungy mixed with Lo-Fi Punk and Rock N' Roll from Philadelphia, PA may resemblance to the first wave of the Seattle-Sound revolutions start back to the early nineties when nobody knows about saying Alternative Rock music genre yet. Rigid hysteria of the excess on hi-energy sleazed glammy but as well underground and anti-commercialism branded onto this mini recording of the group – Purling Hiss as being led by Mike Polizze, carrying their silly jokes about themselves and their career so far via Hissteria (get it ?).
So either the audiences and the listeners wanted to have them into their stereo system but the louder noises making people pukes or run escaping, nothing seems to be fixed or polished anymore by the band.
Grab your guitars and follow them cranking some good music of honesty via Space Roots/Limerence; Down on The Delaware River or Passenger Queen can figure out what's cooking in the kitchen …


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The Trail of Faith: Following the Waldensians to America.
The Waldensian Exodus
By the middle of the 19th century, the Waldensian situation had begun to improve. Centuries of persecution for their protestant faith had come to an end. In 1848, King Charles Albert signed the Edict of Emancipation, giving them the legal right to openly practice the religion that defined them. Yet all was not well. The Waldensians were still relegated to their territory in the Piedmont region of the Cottian Alps. By the end of the century, population pressures and failing crops had forced groups of Waldensians to emigrate from their Italian homeland. One the largest and most successful of these exoduses was the migration to Burke County in North Carolina in 1893.
From Piedmont to Piedmont.
The first group of 29 Waldensians crossed the Atlantic to settle new land in Burke County, North Carolina in May of 1893. They arrived by train and were tasked with taming uncleared land and setting up shelter for themselves and the approximately 200 fellow Waldensians that were forthcoming. They left the Piedmont region of the Italian Alps to settle in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, and though the similar names are a coincidence, the foothills of the Appalachians must have seemed a familiar landscape. Their settlement became the town of Valdese, NC, incorporated in 1920. By 1938 Valdese was known as the fastest growing town in North Carolina. It survives as a beautiful village set at the edge of the Appalachians. Its transformation from unsettled wilderness to its present state is chronicled in an outdoor exhibit called the Trail of Faith, located just beyond the center of Valdese.
The Trail of Faith
The Trail of Faith is an open-air museum that recreates the physical spaces inhabited by the Waldensians. Churches, houses, and monuments come alive and the visitor can stand where the Waldensians stood, and see what they saw. A visit to the trail is a moving experience that creates a palpable sense of the Waldensian's suffering, struggle and perseverance. The Trail begins in Italy and moves through time and space to the present day. What follows is a photographic tour of the trail, shot on a quiet winter day when I had the whole exhibit to myself.
The Barbi College.
The Barbi College, where the early Waldensians worked to memorize the scriptures and train to spread the gospel in secret. The college was both a seminary and sanctuary fortified to fend off the attacks of persecutors. The stable, or lower floor of the exhibit features a gallery of medieval prints that illustrate the persecutions of the Waldensians in their native land. The prints are from woodcuts and even in their primitive style their detail of the torture wrought upon the Waldensians by their persecutors is haunting. The study room is reportedly the place where Pierre Robert Olivetan created the very first vernacular language Bible by translating it into French.
Church of the Cave.
Another moving site is the recreation of the Church of the Cave. An actual cave has been recreated to reflect caves that the Waldensians used to conduct their worship in secret. The original Church of the Cave is the most famous of these, having a natural shaft of light that gave inspiration to the Waldensian worshipers. The shaft of light has been recreated in the exhibit.
The Monument at Chanforan
The Monument of Chanforan commemorates the Waldensians official coalition with the Reformation. It is also dedicated to the Olivetan Bible that was so influential to this movement.
The Temple at Ciabas
A replication of the original temple in Ciabas that was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the 33 wars of invasion that were wrought on the Waldensians. Like the Barbi College, the temple was built like a fortress with thick walls and barricaded windows designed as gun turrets. The original still stands in Italy, and may be the oldest Protestant church in the world.
Exit Departure site
Exile Departure Site.
The genocidal campaigns launched against the Waldensians reached their height in the middle to late 17th century. Many thousands were slaughtered, and many of those killed suffered brutal torture by forces led by the Duke of Savoy. Those that were not killed were imprisoned, but a small number managed to escape and formed a heroic guerrilla resistance. This small band of survivors succeeded in bargaining for the release of the remaining prisoners. The Duke gave the prisoners the choice to either accept conversion to Catholicism, or exile to Switzerland. Most chose exile, and in the winter of 1687 almost 3,000 Waldensians began a march across the Alps. About 200 froze to death.
The Monument at Sibaud.
One thing thing in clear evidence throughout the near-millennium long history of the Waldensians is their unconquerable spirit. Less than two years after their near-extinction and exile, they fought their way back to regain their homeland. 900 resolute Waldensians successfully routed 2500 French troops led by the Duke of Savoy. The French suffered casualties 20 times that of the Waldensians in a battle that Napoleon called "the greatest military exploit of the 17th century." The Monument at Sibaud is engraved with the names of every church that was recaptured.
The Beckwith School.
This school is an exact replica of one of 165 that was built with the help of Canadian Charles Beckwith. Beckwith was a veteran of the Napoleonic wars who learned about the Waldensians in the early 1800s. He came to visit and was inspired enough to live with them in the Piedmont for 30 years building schools.
Memorial Fountain at Torre Pellice.
In 1844, King Charles of Sardinia made a trip to meet with the Waldensians at Torre Pellice and he too, was impressed. Charles became sympathetic to the Waldensian cause and four years after his visit, he signed the Edict of Emancipation finally granting them the right to practice their religion. King Charles had the fountain erected as a gift to the Waldensians for their hospitality during his visit.
The Tron House
The Tron House.
At the Tron house, the Trail of Faith enters the new world of Valdese, NC. The house was built by Pierre and Louise Tron as part of the initial settlement. It is not a replica, but is the actual house; one of the first buildings built by the first party to arrive in Valdese. It was originally 15 x 15 feet -- one half of its current size, due to the shortage of wood available as the first 29 settlers scrambled to provide living space for the 200 that were on the way that year.
The Sawmill with Big Waldo
The Sawmill & Big Waldo.
The land in Burke county was originally mortgaged to the Waldensians as a sort of trade agreement. A sawmill was given to the settlers, and they agreed to sell surplus lumber to pay for the land. Unfortunately, this arrangement did not work out. The Waldensians were unfamiliar with the mill's operation, and they were unable to make a surplus of wood. "Plan B" was instituted, and the land deal was rescinded, with the Waldensians buying back the land in farm-sized parcels. The mill is a replica built around the original gasoline engine: "Old Waldo."
The Community Oven
The Community Oven.
One of the first buildings to go up in the settlement was a community oven. In Italy, the Waldensian families took turns baking bread in ovens like these in every village. The settlement's women raised money for the masonry to be built by visiting local churches and singing French hymns.
The Refour House
The Refour House is an Italian-style farmhouse that was typical of the permanent homes of the Valdese settlers. Typically, a bare bones wooden structure like the Tron house would be augmented with fieldstone and expanded into a three-story house. The Refour house is built in the style of the Waldensians in the Piedmont Alps, and indeed could exist there. One typical feature is the bottom story that acts as a stable for the farm animals, thereby providing auxiliary heat for the upper floors.
The Waldensian War Memorial and Pentagon Memorial.
The Trail of Faith comes abruptly into the modern age with two memorials that commemorate their commitment to their new home in the U.S. The War Memorial lists the name of every Waldensian who has served in a U.S. armed conflict, including many who were lost.
The Pentagon Memorial honors Lieutenant Eric Allen Cranford, who died in the September 2001 attacks. The memorial contains a piece of the rubble from the destroyed section of the Pentagon.
More to see.
There is more to the exhibit, including a bocci ball court complete with stands, and an outdoor amphitheater exclusively for performances of "From This Day Forward," a drama that recounts the Waldensian story, written by Valdese native Fred Cranford. It has been running for 30 years.
The museum is open year round, and guided tours are available, or you are free to wander around by yourself as I did. More information is available at their website: waldensiantrailoffaith.org.
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Song title: Brock Berrigan – Curtain Calls
© Sean Womersley 2013
Last updated 07/01/2018


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Reaching Hyderabad..
I was all excited. Comming to the city 11 months after I have left it was really wonderful. Yeah, I am back in Hyderabad. Good to see it again. I had dropped Sabyasachi in a hotel, and then got to didi's house. She was there to welcome me. We met after 11 months. Though I met Rajiv da in between, still meeting Sumona di was something different.


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One of the great dividing points
(after the issue of tongues) in Evangelical Christianity is the issue of
prophecy. We see in this passage an example of prophecy in the New Testament.
We shall then examine three things:
Prophecy in the Old Testament - as background to this passage
Prophecy in the New Testament, and
Are there prophets today?
(Acts 21:1-16 NIV) After we had torn ourselves away from
them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos. The next day we went to
Rhodes and from there to Patara. {2} We found a ship crossing over to
Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. {3} After sighting Cyprus and passing to
the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was
to unload its cargo. {4} Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven
days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. {5} But
when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and
their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach
we knelt to pray. {6} After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the
ship, and they returned home. {7} We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed
at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. {8}
Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the
evangelist, one of the Seven. {9} He had four unmarried daughters who
prophesied. {10} After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named
Agabus came down from Judea. {11} Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied
his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this
way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him
over to the Gentiles.'" {12} When we heard this, we and the people there
pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. {13} Then Paul answered, "Why
are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but
also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." {14} When he
would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be
done." {15} After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. {16} Some
of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of
Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early
It must be remembered that there
is a change of covenant - the basic working relationship between God and man -
at the Cross. So the activities and abilities of the Old Testament prophet may
not be entirely applicable. But before we can decide that, we need a
convenient classification of those abilities and activities:
In the Old Testament, we see the
prophets engaged in two kinds of activities:
Foretelling. In this activity, we see the prophet
predicting the future. This can be done in one of two ways:
1. National
foretelling relates to the nation of Israel, and by extension to the people of
God. In particular, this type of prophecy is most related to the coming of
Christ, which is the central event of the entire Bible. This type of prophecy
usually relates (in symbolic terms) great events on the scale of nations, kings
and empires. It is particularly focussed on the people of God; it is not a
comprehensive "future history" but rather the particular perspective
of the people of God.
2. Personal foretelling
relates to specific individuals. It may be a pronouncement of warning; it may
be the announcement of doom. On occasion, it is the foretelling of good news.
Forth-Telling. In this activity, we see the prophet
warning. It is the picture we most commonly associate with prophecy: the
courageous prophet in the king's face.
1. The most
prominent activity, however, is the giving of commandment. It is by the
prophets, particularly Moses, that God explains the Law to the people. This
"laying down the law" is a major prophetic activity. It usually
includes the consequences of disobedience as well. This is a national form of
2. There is also a
personal form of forth-telling. It comes to individuals (most commonly the
king) and it either serves to warn them, pronounce doom upon them - or
encourage them in righteousness and faith.
The last of the Old Testament
prophets is found in the New Testament: John the Baptist. He foretells the
coming of the Christ (in ministry), and tells forth the message of repentance.
He does so to the nation, and to individuals.
What, then, is the difference
between Old and New Testament prophecy? This might just be our first clue: in
the NIV version of the Old Testament, we find this phrase - "the word of
the Lord came to…" - 98 times. It occurs not once in the New Testament.
The reason? The Word of the Lord has come - to us.
We must face the fact squarely
that many preachers firmly teach that there is no such thing as prophecy in the
church today. I disagree - but to understand this, we need to examine three
The types of prophecy permitted in the New Testament church after
the time of the Apostles.
The "proof text" used to prove that prophecy does not
exist now.
Restrictions on the New Testament prophet.
Using the classification we
devised in the start of this lesson, we may ask: "Are all forms of
prophecy permitted after the time of the Apostles?" The answer is
clearly, "no."
Foretelling, in the national sense, is complete. John the
Apostle assures us that there is nothing to be added to his Revelation:
(Rev 22:18-19 NIV) I warn everyone who hears the words of
the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him
the plagues described in this book. {19} And if anyone takes words away from
this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of
life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
So we must conclude that any
prophecy relating to the second coming of Christ, and other great events
surrounding this, are not permitted. National foretelling is out.
Similarly, the giving of commandment (as Moses did) is also
restricted - for now that the Word has come, the revelation is complete.[1]
So we conclude, then, that
prophecy in the New Testament, after the time of the Apostles (we must exempt
John's Revelation) is purely of a personal nature, either foretelling or
One can understand why preachers
would not want to allow the existence of prophets. They can be messy people to
deal with (John the Baptist never made anyone's best dressed list) and rather
stubborn. The usual (indeed, only) proof text for this is this:
(1 Cor 13:8 NIV) Love never fails. But where there are
prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
The argument is then made that
the Bible records no instance of prophecy being passed on by anyone but an
Apostle; the Apostles are all dead; therefore, there is no prophecy.
To understand the problem,
however, we must begin with this: prophecy is not a gift of the Apostles - but
of the Holy Spirit. As one of the Apostles quoted:
(Acts 2:17-18 NIV) "'In the last days, God says, I
will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. {18} Even on
my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and
they will prophesy.
The question, then, is one of
"when." Look at the proof text again. Many non-Pentecostals are
perfectly content with prophecies ceasing and tongues being stilled - but they
forget the third comment about knowledge passing away. If this has happened,
why is there still preaching?
The answer, simply, is that these
will all go away. But when? To understand that, we must read the entire
(1 Cor 13:8-12 NIV) Love never fails. But where there are
prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away. {9} For we know in part and we
prophesy in part, {10} but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
{11} When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I
reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. {12}
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to
face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
So they fail "then" -
when we shall see "face to face." And when do we see our Lord face
to face? At His return. And at his return tongues, prophecy and knowledge
will cease, for all things will be revealed. The partial will become whole.
Until then, as the Spirit provides, these things continue. So there shall be
prophecy. But under what conditions?
We should be wise about this:
prophecy is to be treated with great caution. Our Lord explicitly warns us
about this:
(Mat 7:15-16 NIV) "Watch out for false prophets. They
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. {16}
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes,
or figs from thistles?
So we shall have false prophets
(which does not eliminate the existence of true ones) - but we'll know who they
are by what they produce. How shall we know?
One way is this: do they produce
disorder and a lack of harmony in the church? Paul is rather explicit about
this restriction on prophecy:
(1 Cor 14:32-33a NIV) The spirits of prophets are subject
to the control of prophets. {33} For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As in all the congregations of the saints,
We are indeed taught to
explicitly test the prophets. One such test comes from the Old Testament: if
the prophet is not 100% correct in prediction, that's not a prophet of God.
Other tests?
They are to acknowledge the head of the church, Jesus Christ.
(1 John 4:1-3 NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many
false prophets have gone out into the world. {2} This is how you can recognize
the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in
the flesh is from God, {3} but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is
not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is
coming and even now is already in the world.
They are to acknowledge and be subject to the leadership of the
church, starting with its Apostles, and the writings of those Apostles, the New
(1 Cor 14:37-40 NIV) If anybody thinks he is a prophet or
spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the
Lord's command. {38} If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. {39}
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in
tongues. {40} But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
The Living Word of God has come,
and the prophet must acknowledge that, like his Old Testament forebear, the
word has come to him.
We have shown, at most, that
prophets may exist today. We have not shown that they must exist
today. The matter is not one which we decide; it is a matter for the Holy
(1 Cor 12:28 NIV) And in the church God has appointed
first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of
miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those
with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
Note that the phrase is
"appointed" - and the God does the appointing, not us. For us to say
they cannot be appointed today is bordering on blasphemy. But it also means
that God does so at his choice. What then, determines his choice?
The first requirement for a
prophet is faith. If you will, only the faithful need apply for the job, for
as Paul tells the Romans:
(Rom 12:6 NIV) We have different gifts, according to the
grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to
his faith.
One solid question is this: why would
God want a prophet in his church? Paul tells the Corinthians this:
(1 Cor 14:3-5 NIV) But everyone who prophesies speaks to
men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. {4} He who speaks in a
tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. {5} I would
like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you
prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless
he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
The prophet is there that the
church may be edified. There are three primary activities:
Strengthening. The word in the Greek is translated either
"strengthening" or "edification". It is a word that comes
from architecture; it roughly means to put the roof on the house. You can see
it as completing the structure of the faithful Christian.
Encouragement. This is the same word that is used to
describe the Holy Spirit as a comforter. It means to come along side and build
up in courage and strength, to equip someone for a task.
Comfort. This word also implies one who comes along side,
in this instance to give consolation and comfort, as one might to a friend in
Perhaps we have missed the
point. Perhaps the prophets are among us, quietly and in order, doing the work
of the New Testament prophet, with no fanfare or fuss. Where the teaching of
the church is Biblically sound, what is the need of a prophet to proclaim God's
teaching? But wherever God's people need strengthening, encouragement and
comfort, the New Testament prophet will be sent by the Spirit.
Hebrews 1:1-2
Author: John Hendershot
Views expressed do not represent the teaching of any particular church.
Copyright © 2015, All Rights Reserved.


text: This medium lightly toned baby pink oval is a nice size. It appears to be eye clean and has fine crystal. Now all this could indicate a gemstone from Afghanistan or Nigeria, but that can not be proven by its look, because this is a pretty common set of color and cleanliness from many deposits around the world. Problems with feathers and inclusions are more common with darker toned pink gemstones. This bright flashy oval weighs 2.09 carats.