.  .  .  to the Republic for which is stands .  .  .

In the Growing Kids God’s Way Epilogue, we put forth a belief that a fundamental relationship exist between parenting and the preservation or destruction of our society. The principles shared in Growing Kids and other places aim first and foremost to help parents glorify God through their families. Yet, the same principles governing family conduct are also investments in the preservation of our Nation.

The moral and political destiny of any society will always be in the hands of the present parenting generation. By that statement, I do not mean to imply that God is not in control, but rather that His sowing/reaping principles are at work (Matthew 7:17-20; Galatians 6:7). What children become in the future will largely be a reflection of what their parents believe today. So the Nation follows. The family is the values-generating institution of our society. Once it becomes philosophically humanistic, there is little likelihood that it will return to the values that once made our Republic strong.

Biblical ethics clarifies our purpose in life by defining who we are and our duty to prepare the next generation to morally influence society. There is little hope for our collective future without a biblical sense of otherness, fairness, compassion, honesty, and justice. Can a Republic survive without biblical ethics? Can biblical ethics influence a society without a strong Christian witness maintained by each parenting generation?

America at one time had a collective moral conscience and our citizenship lived within a moral consensus. Biblical values guided that accord. That does not mean we were a Christian Nation, but it does mean we allowed a God-centered world view to guide our morality by providing fundamental virtues and values that had their origin in life, not cosmic chance. The more we lose our moral consensus as a Nation, the more we splinter into subgroups, each vying for power or striving to form coalitions of power. To maintain social stability more and more external laws are needed to replace the vacuum created by the loss of common values ─ common values that were at one time, intrinsically part of our commonness.

Our country has one of the greatest legal instruments ever written by man-the United States Constitution. It guarantees individual freedom to live without government intrusion. As great as it is, the instrument quickly loses value if we remove the moral foundations on which our liberty is based. Alter any underlying principles on which the Constitution was constructed and you alter the meaning of the Constitution. If we redefine the moral basis on which our liberty is granted, we inevitably redefine liberty itself. As each generation redefines the values that forged the Constitution they change the public character of authority that represents the Constitution. When that happens, the very premise of what a “Republic” is gets lost or muted.

We believe any generation of children not giving a working understanding behind the values that make a Republic what it is, is destined to lose the gift of true liberty. When it comes to parenting and values, we can help. When it comes to teaching your children the meaning of “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of American and to the Republic for which it stands. . .” here is a resource to consider: Our Republic

One of the most memorable and talked about scenes in the Growing Kids God’s Way video series can be found during Chapter 8 – Character Development: Respect for Peers, Property, and Nature.  The scene shows a shopping cart driven by the wind making its way towards a car and the lady in the driver’s seat of the car can do nothing to stop it.  I was reminded of this GKGW lesson when I read the post that Michael Josephson wrote titled Shopping Carts and Rationalizations.  Anne Marie Ezzo sent me a link to Mr. Josephson’s article a couple of weeks ago and suggested that I review it.

In this article Mr. Josephson not only reminded me of the famous Growing Kids God’s Way video scene, but he reminded me of how these small actions like returning shopping carts can become teachable moments with our children and help build family identity.  A dad in Mr. Josephson’s story was trying to explain to his son why it was important to return the shopping cart.

After a moment, he said, “Son, there are two kinds of people in this world: those who put their carts away and those who don’t. We’re the kind who return their shopping cart. Now go put it back.”

Mr. Josephson goes on to say:

This story isn’t just about grocery carts. It’s about doing the right thing in a world that seems to promote rationalizations and excuses that demean or trivialize simple acts of virtue…People of character do the right thing even if no one else does, not because they think it will change the world but because they refuse to be changed by the world.”

The last line reminds me of a favorite scripture, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

A Pre-conference Symposium was something new and seemed well received. Thursday evening was great fun and fellowship with Growing Kids leaders and alumni competing in a GK Trivia game . . . Ohio delegates did well and tied for first place.

Friday morning Joey and Carla Link, GFI National Ministry Overseers presented teaching on the three ‘Transitions” that we experience during our parenting as we move our children through the phases of parenting. This teaching gave us all things to contemplate in regards to where we are now and what we are to work toward in training our children for the future.

JOEY AND CARLA LINK TEACHING WORKSHOPS

The Ezzo’s opened the conference with joy, giving updates on the ministry-at-large. It’s helpful to see how God is furthering His kingdom through this ministry around the world.

Gary Ezzo gave two Keynote addresses during the conference – Here are some of the thoughts he shared:

1. “Holiness is a Lifestyle” – in biblical parenting it’s God’s perspective that matters! Holiness empowers! Once you’re given a glimpse of God’s unseen power elsewhere, you begin to see His power in you. Our perspective can limit God or unfold His power and blessings. Key passage Luke 6.

2. “A Look at Perspective” – Perspective should be considered since perspective can affect our Hope. Consider what is defining your thinking and influencing your perspective. God turns periods (.) into commas (,)—He’s done it many times in scripture—a wonderful example is the death of Christ–which seemed like the end–a period, but was really only a comma–then came resurrection Sunday.

Other news:

The new curriculum is underway and slated to be launched next year. It’s said to be ‘cutting edge’ to engage the new generation of parents that are seeking parenting wisdom. Training will be provided on how to best use the new material at next year’s national. Watch the GrowingKids.org website or our local GrowingKidsNEOhio.org site for conference locations and details which will be posted as they are announced.

It was an honor for us to be asked to teach two workshops. We were asked to develop a new workshop entitled “Building Character in your Children”. We also presented one we’ve taught before, with two of our children, titled “How to Teach your Children to Understand the Bible”. God taught us greatly in preparing for these presentations.

Other insightful workshops:

How to Keep your Children Pure in a World that Isn’t

Teaching your Children to be ‘Money-Wise’

Dating, Courtship and Mating – What works?

Topics of Turmoil for Typical Teens and How to Tiptoe through Them

The Key to Unlocking your Child’s Heart

AND MORE . . . sound interesting? Watch for conference details and plan to attend next summer!

One of the ongoing highlights for us personally as we attend these conferences is seeing our ‘GFI Family’ from all over the country. There’s a sweetness in fellowship with the like-minded community that we want all to experience. We hope you can be a part of this wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth and encouragement next year.

Grateful to Be – In His Service,

Don and Karen Kurtz

Photos by Amy Link

The principles found in Preparation for Parenting and On Becoming Babywise have been educating parents for two decades on the importance of nighttime sleep and how to obtain it with infants. A TIME.com article highlights researchers from Harvard and other institutions who have recently published articles in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine addressing the importance of nighttime sleep in children.

The researchers quoted in this article recommend allowing a child to “cry it out” and suggest that parents avoid co-sleeping from the start. The over all focus of this article speaks more to the longer term affects of nighttime sleep. The Time article highlights some problems in older children associated with inadequate nighttime sleep like night terrors, anxiety, depression, and obesity. In response to some of these problems Dr. Elsie Taveras from Harvard says, “There’s room for prevention even in the first month of life.”

The overall theme of the research referenced in the TIME article should be very familiar for those who have read Preparation for Parenting and/or Babywise. In my first reading of Preparation for Parenting I breezed right past the Healthy Sleep Patterns section of chapter three. It was easy as a young parent to get caught up in the immediate benefits of healthy nighttime sleep experienced though PDF (Parent-directed Feeding). Right under my nose was research referenced by Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo in Preparation for Parenting linking poor nighttime sleep with emotional, behavioral and learning problems. It is comforting to know that there are longer term benefits to the sleep skills that we have taught our children at a young age.

Near the conclusion of the TIME article you’ll find the following quote:

“The most important message is that there’s a lot we can do to prevent problems from starting — in sleep,” says Taveras. “Parents and pediatricians should keep in mind that children have to develop the capacity to regulate their own sleep early in life and self-soothe themselves during the night.”

This quote should offer some encouragement if you are still “working on” those healthy sleep habits with your little one.

Come and take a look at our new website for GFI anglers at garyezzo.netCarolina Fishing from Grandpa’s Dock is a little corner of my world. I am by no means an expert or guide, nor do I aspire to those titles but ever since my first fishing experience as a four year old, the anticipation, hope and sometimes the thrill of the catch has never left me. I realize our new site will attract those intrigued by the rich variety of sport fishing along the

On the edge of the marsh I noticed a marvelous white egret stood on one leg, the other foot suspended in mid-air as the creature paused in stride, then moved forward. The bird stopped, it’s head cocked to one side searching for any small water creature. Its’ long, sharp, yellow beak poised at an awkward angle was now ready to thrust instantly at an unwary fish or shrimp. Then without warning the bird stopped and for whatever reason, pushed with his legs and the great white wings began to spread lifting the creature majestically in to the air. Now it became a thing of beauty and grace as it’s broad wings stretched slowly and rhythmically drawing its body upward and across the open expanse of water. This is nature at its best.

Across the little bay a small grass island separated from the shore by a narrow channel offered promise. I put the motor in gear. My neighbor Roy showed me this place last year. A small outcropping of oyster beds forms a ridge near the island’s neck creating a perfect place for an ambush. The boat slowly moved between the island and the shore when I saw a hint of movement just above the protruding edge of marsh grass. Pushing the red kill switch, the motor went silent and I began to drift while my eyes focused on the area where some oyster beds met the marsh grass. There was no further sign and I was just ready to push on when a few tall blades of grass swayed slightly as if in a breeze. But there was no breeze. Maybe a fluttering wren? My father taught me not to let my anxiousness defeat my patience.

I sensed the next motion more than I actually saw it. The sun had just lifted above a passing cloud when the smooth water surface surrounding the blades vibrated again. Movement, possibly a dorsal fin touching the surface above the oyster bed. Red drum will do that. Then the water trembled with excitement as a school of mullet scampered in unison across the surface. Something moved them which meant it was time for me to move.

Slowly maneuvering the skiff into position I began to troll toward the neck of the island, slowly twitching my Bass Pro light weight to the rhythm of the ebbing tide. The boat slid quietly passed the strike zone trailing a dark brown curled-tailed grub. I twitch the rod, paused a few seconds and twitched again. The skiff continued its forward movement in stealth form. Then it happened! Read what happens next at GaryEzzo.net “An Afternoon on the