LIGHTHOUSE 2911 HELPING FAMILIES CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS

Can You Stay Home?

2011-08-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

One of the first things you have to figure out when you realize that you want to stay home with your kids is whether or not you can afford to do so. You are probably used to living on two incomes, so making the switch to a single income may not be easy. However, it may not be as hard as you think.

If you have children already, the first thing that goes away when you decide to stay at home is the cost of daycare. However, if you work at home, part of that cost may remain, unless your work is such that you can keep the children home with you. Take a look at how much of your income right now is going to daycare. That cost alone may prove to you that you don’t need a high-paying work at home job to stay home – a simpler one may suffice.

There are several other costs that will drop if you stay at home. You’ll be in a different tax bracket. You’ll probably drive less, eat out less often and you won’t need clothes for work, which can save both on shopping and on dry cleaning bills.

When you’re figuring out how much it costs you to work outside the home, don’t assume that becoming a stay at home or work at home parent will cause you to stop eating out. You will have those days where you decide to take the kids out, more likely than not.

One thing many parents forget to think about when they decide to stay at home is to handle retirement planning. Now, if you’re just staying home for a year or two, it’s probably not a big deal, but if you plan on staying home for many years, this can be a huge impact on you when you do retire. You may not have the finances to fund your retirement account well when your family is living on only one income, but you should try to do at least a little. See my article on retirement planning for stay at home parents for more information.

Use this information to figure out what you will need to earn while staying at home. Some will be fine as a single income family, but others will need the stay at home parent to earn some kind of income. Ideally, this will be a relatively small amount, as the whole point of having a stay at home parent is to have more time with the kids and benefit them, not maintain a freely spending lifestyle. However, if a single income isn’t enough, a work at home job or home business will likely become necessary.

Figure out how much income will be necessary and how much risk you are willing to take. Work at home jobs are harder to come by, but home businesses are by their nature more risky, and it may take a few years to earn an adequate income from a business. Plan accordingly, and know that you might not be able to live your preferred lifestyle right away.

Fortunately, by the time you take out the costs of working outside the home, you will likely find you don’t need to earn what you used to. Half or even less of your previous income may be quite adequate. It may require sacrifice, but that’s what being a parent is about.

Four Fun Things you can do Outdoors Throughout the Summer Time

2011-07-06T09:31:00.001-07:00

With the arrival of Summer time, you ought to start benefiting from natural assets around you. Obviously, if you reside within the city it could be a bit more difficult but that doesn't mean you need to limit yourself to ultimately remaining inside. If you're bored of remaining inside, then listed here are four steps you can take together with your buddies and families outdoors.

The very first activity I prefer to mention would be to go fishing. Yes, not everybody has the persistence of awaiting a fish to bite the bait but it's still an enjoyable group activity. Fishing provides you with the chance to chatter with buddies while awaiting the fish to bite. If you wish to boost your odds of catching a fish then possibly you need to opt for an expert (group organized tours etc.) or visit a fishing farm in which you know you've got a possibility of catching a fish. If you will find no fish farms nearby then you might want to visit the nearest lake, pond, ocean, or river. Make certain you purchase the appropriate fishing license if you are planning to fish.

The 2nd activity you could do would be to go white water rafting. It's relatively inexpensive. Also it requires lots of team performance. There must be many local agencies which will have the ability to link you up with a white water rafting company. Even though this may require you to travel just a little beyond normal, I certainly think it’s well worth the travel as you will have fun and get wet simultaneously. Make certain you are able to swim. They provide you with life vests but there might be occasions if you need to swim towards the shores.

The 3rd fun activity would be to go hiking. You will find many great trails at each condition. They vary in difficulty so make certain you get a route that is appropriate for the level of fitness. Hiking is a superb time for you to socialize with buddies and families. If you wish to go up a notch then possibly you might like to consider going camping for a couple of nights.

The final activity I must mention is outside photography. Obviously, this can require you to either purchase or book camera tools but you will gain a great deal using this activity. You never know. Someone might want to purchase your photos when they have an attractive appearance.

A bonus activity, and closer to home, would be a family cookout with a sheet of plastic sprinkled with water which turns into a water slide. This could produce hours of fun in your own backyard.

Chores Can Help your Child Learn about Teamwork and a Strong Work Ethic

2011-06-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Chores can help develop a sense of responsibility and self worth in your child.
It should be understood by all family members they are expected and necessary to a household running successfully and efficiently. They can help create a sense of unity and family and are a great place for your child to learn about teamwork. Parents should take special care to handle the delegation of chores to children so they don't become a source of frustration or create arguments.
Allow your child to have an active say in the delegation of chores. Give them choices. We all have household chores that we don't like to do, but if it's a chore the child enjoys doing then there's less likelihood it will create a battle in the end. The child will most likely appreciate having the chance to be heard and having a choice.

It's imperative that you set parameters early on for the successful completion of a chore. They may not perform up to snuff when they first start performing the chore, but show them where improvement is needed and praise them for a strong effort. Also make sure the child understands there will be repercussions if they only put forth a minimal effort. Ensure the child understands the need for the chore's effective and efficient completion. Set consequences for substandard completion as a team. Make sure they see that if they don't perform their chores, it affects the other members of the team. Spouses must work together and be a strong example for their children by completing their own chores each day. And don't allow a child to undermine your authority by battling with you over a designated chore. Stand your ground and don't give in, and emphasize the consequence and negative effect an uncompleted chore has on the family.

And keep an open mind when a child wants to discuss their thoughts or express their opinions about chores. Make sure the conversation stays positive and on target.

Bully-Busting Strategy: Respond Without Anger

2011-04-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

Let’s say that you come across two students having an argument (or one kid bullying another), and one of them starts calling the other names. It’s infuriating, right? But you have to train yourself not to let that anger show.

Why? Because when we get angry at what kids say, we’re teaching them that words are something to get upset about. But since we can’t actually control what other people say, getting upset over words becomes a losing battle.

Instead, Izzy Kalman, MS, NCSP, author of A Revolutionary Guide to Reducing Aggression Between Children, recommends that adults stay calm and say something like, “Those words aren’t appropriate to use in school,” or “We don’t use that language in our family.”

Why Does Getting Angry Make it Worse?
The whole point of using hurtful words or bad language is to get a rise out of someone, right? When we get angry, we give the bully exactly what he was hoping for! And to boot, we hand over to him the power to do it again and again.

Why Does Staying Calm Work So Effectively?
When we stay calm, though, we show the bully that his words aren’t so powerful after all. Eventually, the act of trying to get a rise out of us with words becomes boring, and he gives up.

Try it for Yourself
Don’t just take my word for it! Try it out on your own children or your students. Give this strategy a whirl the next time one of the kids is giving you an attitude, too, and see what happens.

Quite Possibly Andy’s Best Work

2011-04-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Andy Andrews has done it again with his new book, The Final Summit. Andy ties David Ponder and other travelers like Joan of Arc, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and a few surprises together to show us how the wisdom of the past and the wisdom of today collide to make the final summit. Andy weaves an intriguing story of history and challenges us to learn and teach others from our history. Sometimes what we perceive to be the answer is just a step towards that answer.

We see how David Ponder has progressed from The Traveler’s Gift to today, the ups and downs of his life to the joys and griefs of life. You will feel the exhilaration and the frustration that The Final Summit offers to all of us. Now I’m going to challenge you to do something. Read this book for the sake of your family, your city, your state and the world.

What are the Three Qualities of an A+ child?

2011-04-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

We tell our children that they need to be A+ kids, and there are only three things they have to do to accomplish this. These three things are to be respectful, responsible, and fun to be around. When you think about it, pretty much any behavior can fall in these three areas, and therefore if they aren’t A+ kids then you can name the category pretty easily.
Want some examples? We have family night every Saturday night, and on one family night much to my children’s chagrin we filled out a big poster board with examples of the three categories. Here are some of the things they came up with:
Respectful

Saying “Yes, Mom” and “Yes, Dad”
Leave other people’s things alone
Keep your word
Be kind

Responsible

Do your chores without being asked
Fast and snappy and right the first time
Clean up after ourselves
Ask for help
Be honest
Take care of feelings in an OK manner

Fun to be around

Don’t call names
Give people a chance
Brush teeth
Listen and don’t interrupt
Don’t swear
Good manners

In addition, we also came up with a list of “feeling words”, which we’ve discovered our kids have difficulty using. We’ve been trying to teach them how to tell each other (or us) how something makes them feel, instead of just saying “You’re a jerk” or “I hate you”. Some of the feeling words they came up with were:

Embarrassed
Angry
Happy
Lonely
Sad

So, if you’re really looking for something fun to do on a Saturday night, make an “A+ Child” poster of your own!
Looking for parenting help?
One tool that we’ve used is the Total Transformation program by James Lehman. It’s given us a lot of solid, common sense ideas for parenting our challenging children.

Handling an Angry Teen

2011-03-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

Handling an Angry Teen

Printable Version

When your thought patterns rub up against those of your teenager, you can either take it personally and get upset yourself, or you can use it as an opportunity to help bring healing and a new perspective to your child.
Teens get angry for a number of reasons; from fear, feelings of injustice, insecurity, loneliness, overactive hormones, lack of sleep, peer bullying, a growing need for independence and just trying to make sense out of life. Parents get angry when their teens behave in ways that aren’t appropriate or if they feel their children aren’t showing them proper respect. If parents don’t understand that their teenager’s anger may be about something totally separate from them, they might go about lighting the fuse in the dynamite by reacting too harshly. So, guess which party needs to “man up” and defuse the situation?
You don’t have to throw up your hands in resignation and despair if you’re dealing with an angry child. I want to share with you four powerful techniques you can use to defuse anger—practical steps that actually work in the real world.
1) Be a Model. Many times in the heat of anger a person realizes they’re going too far, but they don’t know how to back off and cool down. It’s an important ability for either party, but it is learned by the parent modeling it to their children. For instance, when I’m talking to a child who is angry, I look for a way to identify with him. If he accuses me of not understanding, I say something like, “You’re right. I didn’t listen well enough. I was wrong. Tell me again.” What I’m trying to show them is what it looks like to cool down, step back, and say, “I was wrong.”
One of the most important things to remember is that feelings aren’t something you can control or necessarily reason with. You can’t argue them away, even if you are completely right. In fact, the more right you are about the other person being wrong, the more angry they will get. If a pot is boiling over on the stove, telling it to cool off doesn’t help. You have to turn down the heat and let it cool.
The “stand your ground” drill sergeant approach of “yelling and telling” doesn’t work. That just models shouting and will turn your home into an unending scream fest as your teenagers gain the confidence to respond in kind. Correcting an angry teen with equal or greater anger is like throwing gasoline on a raging fire. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Instead, remain calm. Spend time listening and trying to get an idea of what they really want. Remember that anger is a symptom—so don’t try to beat it, treat it or cover it up. Find the disease—the disappointment that is driving the anger, and focus on dealing with that.
2) Make Your Home a Respite. Kids enter a jungle when they walk out the front door. School has always been a tough place. My nicknames in high school were “eagle beak” and “chicken legs.” Today the bullying is far worse, in and out of school through online chat rooms, cell phone texting, and social networks like Facebook and Twitter, where insults can reach the teen (and the world) wherever they are.
So, in our homes we can show our teens that even if they’re upset with us, or the whole world seems to be upset with them, we still love them and accept them unconditionally. When we’ve seemingly become the focus of their anger, it can really cut against our grain personally, but we need to wear our parent hats and avoid being defensive. In fact, don’t even try to quash their anger. If you do, they may well try to seek other ways to deal with their frustration, like drinking or taking drugs to cover up having to think about it. Rather, having a safe place to “blow off steam” and talk about it allows them to process what they’re feeling. After all, they probably aren’t even angry at you, they’re just taking it out on you because you are a convenient target.
This is the heart of the reason why conflict provides the opportunity to strengthen and deepen the relationship. If it is handled correctly, with caring and without defensiveness, it gives us opportunity to talk and to lift them up — to be on their side. We can also share the inappropriateness of shifting their anger to attacking the ones they love. And each time they are upset, they’ll be less explosive because they’ll know they can safely come to us to talk about it.
3) Get Closer/Lower. When I’m dealing with an angry teenager, I don’t walk away. I get closer to them and I intentionally position myself below them. If they’re standing, I sit. If they’re sitting in a chair, I sit on the floor. It’s a way to signal that I’m not going to force my opinion on them. I’m telling them without saying a word that I want there to be a two-way conversation about what is bothering them. It’s a way of lowering the temperature, and encouraging them to talk.
Because of the difference between the boys and girls communicate, I’ll often take a guy for a ride in the car to have a longer talk after things have cooled down. If they’re not facing me, it can be easier for them to open up about what is behind the anger they’re expressing. Or, do something physical, like fishing, playing basketball, or jogging. If you have a daughter that’s upset, that talk may go better on a walk, a visit to the mall, or at a coffee shop. In any case, find ways to get them to converse with you.
Remember that we’re not trying to squelch the anger and make it go away; we’re trying to get at the root cause and allow them to release some of their steam. There are many legitimate causes for anger. The Bible says, “Be angry, but don’t sin.” (Ephesians 4:26) But when anger brings the teen to a point that they are spinning out of control, it can be because their relationship with the parents isn’t such that they feel they can share their frustrations. Who else can they talk to?
4) Plan Ahead. If you know there is something bothering your teen, prepare yourself before you talk to them. Think about your objectives for the conversation, and how you will go about accomplishing them. Think about what you will say and how you will act if they attack you for not caring or understanding, or for letting them down. Think about what you can do to help them channel their angry energy into non-destructive outlets. Especially think about what could go wrong during the conversation. Spending some time like this ahead of the conversation will pay enormous benefits.
Dee-Dee Meyer points out the importance of positive feedback to healthy ego development for your teen. She says, “For every negative thing I say, I try to say two positive things.” So, in preparation for your talk, plan what positive things you will say. Put yourself in their place. Remember how important “little” things were to you when you were a teenager. Try to empathize with their emotions, even if they are unrealistic and immature. You’re helping them grow and develop by helping them respond properly to what is making them angry.
Finally, prepare an exit strategy for what you will do if things start to get out of hand. Though the issue does need to be resolved, often taking a break for everyone to cool off is the best step. You can say something like, “I want to think about what you said, and you can think about what I said. Then we’ll get back together and talk.” This doesn’t place blame or shame them; it puts you both on the same level and allows the conversation to continue when things calm down.
A Real Life Example
One of the young men we’re working with at Heartlight is here primarily because of anger. He was getting into a lot of fights and arguments with his parents. He told me, “There was a lot of conflict, especially with my dad. We both had a hard time admitting we were wrong. We went to a lot of counseling sessions but things weren’t getting any better. Eventually we stopped talking.” And then he stopped doing his schoolwork because his dad was really focused on his grades. “I did it to annoy Dad,” he said.
When he expressed his anger, he was punished, and that just frustrated him more, so it was a vicious cycle. Things finally got so bad that the counselor suggested his parents send him to Heartlight. In six months with us, he’s been learning to manage and control his anger. He’s learned the importance of blowing off steam appropriately. He gets his stress worked out by exercising. “After doing that for while, it’s easier for me to talk calmly,” he said.
Remember, conflict is a precursor to change. Look beyond their anger to what may be causing it. Never allow their anger to force you to reduce consequences, nor allow it to turn violent, disrespectful or threatening. If it does, it will only get worse, so get the help of another adult, a counselor or the authorities if needed. Hopefully you’ll get it under control before it gets so far out of hand by making an intentional effort to help your teen talk about and get beyond what is upsetting them.
We talked about this issue in-depth on our radio program last weekend titled “Defusing Teen Anger.” Listen online here (or look for the program dated March 23, 2011 at http://www.parentingtodaysteens.org).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder and director of Heartlight, a therapeutic boarding school located in East Texas. Call 903-668-2173. Visit http://www.heartlightministries.org, or to read other articles by Mark, visit http://www.markgregston.com.
MARK´S UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
• April 1st – Parenting Today’s Teens weekend half hour radio program joins Moody Radio Network
• April 2nd – Parenting Today’s Teens daily and weekend radio programs join KCBI Dallas, TX
• April 8th – Dallas 2011 Gala – Coyote Ridge Carrollton, TX – Concert with Joey+Rory, dinner and silent auction.
• April 9th – Board Meetings
• April 12th – Klife Atlanta Dinner – Dinner with Mark Gregston – If anyone is in the Atlanta area and would like more info or would like to attend go to the website.
• April 13th – Orlando, FL – Mark meeting with families.
• April 15th -Parent Retreat at Heartlight
• April 16th – Harley-Davidson Drag race Tulsa, OK
• April 28th-30th – Families in Crisis Conference at Heartlight (register here). Three day conference for parents needing help.
• May 6th -8th – Heartlight Mother’s Day Family Retreat
• May 10th- 13th – Radio recording session Chicago, IL

A Change For The Better

2011-03-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

By Kendrick Callis

Staff Writer

A change is taking place at Edna Junior High one student at a time. Phrases “I love you,” “I'm sorry,” “please forgive me,” and “thank you” are the new buzz words being used on the campus. They are being used to replace hurtful, harmful, or otherwise belittling words that can be used to label, pick on or bully fellow students. Paul Beard, executive director of Lighthouse 2911, and his staff of seven are the creators behind the emotional and impactful "Be The Change" program that the district has implemented. Junior high principal Demetric Wells has seen the change first-hand as he had hand picked a diverse group of kids to attend to interact with one another.

"Lighthouse 2911 has transformed a lot of our students that have gone through the program," Wells said. "They share with the kids their life-changing experiences and the things they've gone through and do a wonderful job of relating to the kids and getting them to open up and understand things about bullying and respect for others’ feelings. I had four students who had been repeat offenders to the office and since going through the program they have not been in my office once."

Serving youth and their families, Lighthouse 2911 was founded six years ago by Beard and his wife. After noticing the steady decline in state funding for juvenile justice, Beard realized that more needed to be done for the youth in the seven county Golden Crescent area. The group started off working primarily with the juvenile justice centers but has branched out to reach as many high school and junior high students in Jackson, DeWitt, Lavaca and Gonzales counties with the Be The Change program hopefully to preempt the number of referrals to juvenile probation..

"We try to help kids see that regardless of what their situation may be at home or otherwise they can still be be positive members of society," said Beard. "If a young person knows that there is somebody in their corner and they are affirmed and lifted up, their attitude changes and they realize that they have a choice to either be a positive member of society or a negative member."

A pastor by trade and and avid collector of lighthouses, the name Lighthouse 2911 comes from the philosophy that like lighthouses that guide ships in the dark we are all supposed to be shining lights in our community to share the light to guide and prepare our youth for the future. Jeremiah 29:11 speaks about thoughts of peace and not evil and a future of hope.

Besides the Be The Change program, Lighthouse 2911 has the Positive Attitude and Life Skills (PALS) and the Parents in Crisis Program (PIC). PALS is a multi-faceted program directed at improving the attitude and life skill of youth. It is a drug-use and violence prevention and educational support program that includes support groups, social skills outings, a summer camp, education services and community service restitution. PIC is directed towards parents of troubled youth by offering support groups, support while their child may be going through the court system, workshops and parent liaisons.

It is evident that Beard and his staff all have a special place in their heart for kids. They work 50 weeks out of the year giving kids hope.The traveling counselors use First United Methodist Church twice a week to work with youth on juvenile probation. The more intense first offender program gets the kids to think what they were thinking when they did wrong, why and how they would correct it. The offenders must sign up to abide by a set of values when they begin the court-ordered program.

According to Steve Minch, juvenile probation officer for Jackson County, the recidivism rate is down on the number of first offenders who reoffend but the number of referrals to his office are up. "I have seen some noticeable improvements on some of the kids that are attending Lighthouse 2911. I am hopeful that the Be The Change program going into the schools will cut down on the number of kids referred to my office," said Minch.

During the Be The Change program students watch videos of a group of classmates from a high school who attend a camp to get to know one another and talk about their life and how they feel they are treated and fit in with the student body. Then in groups of five led by an adult leader, the youth openly talk about their own feelings and the effects of peer-pressure, bullying, suicide, drug-use. Emotions run high as each kid must stand in front of the group and tell what they learned.

"We are dedicated because we want to see a better future for our state and nation," said Beard.

Funding comes from various charitable foundation grants, yet donations and volunteers are always needed. For more information on Lighthouse 2911 or ways to donate or volunteer, go to their Website at www.lighthouse2911.org or email Paul Beard at lighthouse2911@msn.com.

Kendrick Callis

Jackson County Herald-Tribune

361-782-3547news@jacksonconews.com

What have I learned from LIGHTHOUSE 2911 and how will I apply it to my life and my community? Part 2

2011-03-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

At LIGHTHOUSE 2911 I learn something every time I go to class. I’ve learned what to do in different situations. If I need to, I know how to deal with anger, sadness, difficult people, fights, and any other problem. I’ve learned that you can solve many problems and come out with a solution. I learned how other kids think, and the kind of problems they face, and the decisions they make. I also learned to ask someone if you need help with something.

I can apply what I learned in LIGHTHOUSE to almost anything in life. If I’m in a situation I can think back to LIGHTHOUSE and decide what to do. Specifically I will spend more time on making a choice.

In the community I can use it a lot too. All day you see hundreds of people, so all the people you talk to you rub off some of the LIGHTHOUSE kindness on them, because of how I talk different to them. AR - 17

How I Became A Lifesaver Surfing The Net‏

2011-03-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

LIGHTHOUSE 2911 - How I Became A Lifesaver Surfing The Net‏

Let me tell you a little about LIGHTHOUSE 2911.

Our goal is to provide critically needed services to:

· challenged/disadvantaged families,

· youth offenders,

· youth offender siblings and friends,

· at risk and latch key children

· youth gang, and potential gang members

This will be accomplished by:

· improving participants' life skills,

· promoting family stability,

· reducing youth crime,

· providing a healthy foundation for a successful education, and

· providing a platform for appropriate youth accountability.

Presently, we offer these programs in four locations in the South Texas area with plans to branch out to other locations. But you're wondering how you can be a lifesaver just like I am. At GoodSearch.com we are allowed to search the internet and each time we search, they give a penny to LIGHTHOUSE 2911. If all my friends and all your friends, and all their friends search the internet just a couple of times a day, we could buy school supplies and snacks for each location and even offer some new after school programs just because we use GoodSearch.com. What if LIGHTHOUSE 2911 earned a penny every time you searched the Internet or shopped online? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates a percentage of each purchase to your favorite cause. More than 100 great stores including The Gap, Best Buy and Barnes and Nobel have teamed up with GoodSearch and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter LIGHTHOUSE 2911 as the charity you want to support. And be sure to spread the word! But that's not all. I would love to say Thank You to each one of you and let you know that you are a lifesaver also. Contact me at lighthouse2911@msn.com . Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ and type in LIGHTHOUSE 2911 as your charity of choice.

Thanks so very much!

Paul Beard,

Executive Director, LIGHTHOUSE 2911

PS: Please share this with all your friends.

LIGHTHOUSE 2911 and Calvary Baptist Church in Cuero Support Cuero High School

2011-03-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

We are proud to announce that through a combined donation, LIGHTHOUSE 2911 and Calvary Baptist Church presented three beautiful acoustic guitars to the CHS Guitar Club. These instruments will be used to encourage the creative abilities of the youth who use them. LIGHTHOUSE 2911's Executive Director, Paul Beard, stated that he enjoyed playing guitar as a youth and encouraged the youth of CHS to begin to play. Program Director Randy Layh invited the youth to seek opportunities like this and other opportunities to broaden their skills. We are proud to tagteam with Calvary Baptist Church in Cuero to bring about this opportunity for the youth in Cuero High School. Look for more opportunities like this with Calvary Baptist Church and LH2911 to come together in the future. We can't wait for the first presentation of some great music provided by the students of CHS. Go Mean Green!

One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life

2011-03-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life

By Kerry and Chris Shook

The book is easy to read and the use of metaphors makes it very easy to understand and apply to your life. I read this book practically in one setting - just couldn't put it down because it has such great insight. I plan on re-reading it and following the 30 day plan to a life with no regrets. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Everyone can find useful insight to improve his or her life!

Reading One Month to Live has inspired me to rekindle those lost dreams. Sure, it's important to work hard and take care of our families, but it's also important to live the life we were made to live. Through the four principles discussed in the book: Live Passionately, Love Completely, Learn Humbly and Leave Boldly, I can now see new ways to bring my faded dreams back to life.

The book provides tools for starting to do little things that make a big difference. It's not about having to reinvent yourself or do a major overhaul of your life, it's about loving the people around you more pro-actively, doing things that you are passionate and excited about and serving others in the way that creates a lasting legacy.

Take the 30-Days to Live Challenge at www.OneMonthtoLive.com!

"Radical, by David Pratt, you will be challenged to see Christ'

2011-02-04T20:12:00.000-08:00

In Radical, by David Pratt, you will be challenged to see Christ from a perspective that you may have not considered in the past.
Each of the opening chapters of RADICAL begin with a powerful story out of Platt's experiences among populations under severe persecution. He reflects on the contrast between their hunger for God's word and the typical person sitting and soaking in the pews of American churches.

This is an inspiring and excellent book. Platt's thoughtful emphasis on the "basics" of Christianity is truly radical, as true Biblical christianity has always been radical. His analysis of the American dream and how it conflicts on multiple levels with following Christ is likewise insightful and penetrating

Platt recommends five personal resolutions for radical life reformation:
1. Pray for the entire world
2. Read through the entire Word
3. Give my money sacrificially
4. Go on a mission trip
5. Commit to my local church
Highly recommended Radical is a quick read, but not necessarily an easy one. If your heart is at all open to God, you will be challenged and inspired to action. I highly recommend it. This is a five star book.

Living Life in the Zone is a Touchdown

2011-02-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

Living Life in the Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Gameplan for Men by Kyle Rote Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew

is an outstanding book for anyone wanting to become closer to their spiritual being. This book would be useful in any men's study group. The devotionals are divided into 15-20 minute segments. It is set in the tradition of a coach explaining the game of life.
Some of the featured playmakers include: Charles Barkley, Bill Bates, Coach Bill Belichick, Larry Bird, Coach Bobby Bowden, James Brown, Coach Bear Bryant, Truett Cathy, Lee Corso, John Daly, Coach Tony Dungy, Clay Dyer, J.D. Gibbs, Mike Glenn, Coach Mike Gottfried, A.C. Green, David Green, Orel Hershiser, Coach Mike Homgren, Coach Lou Holtz, allan Houston, Wayne Huizenga Jr., Magic Johnson, Bobby Jones, Michael, Jordan, Coach Bobby Knight, Coach Tom Landry, Ken Lay, Coach Vince Lombardi, Archie Manning, Chris Mortensen, Joe Namath, Coach Tom Osborne, Terrell Owens, Bud Paxson, Scottie Pippen, Coach Mark Richt, Mark Sanford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, O.J.Simpson, Ron Springs, Coach Gene Stallings, Roger Staubach, Les Steckel, Bob Stoops, Joe Theismann, Michael Vick, Everson Walls, Kurt Warner, Bob Weiland, Reggie White, Coach John Wooden.

Each devotional will take about 15-20 minutes to read through allowing the devotion to sink in and make life changing events happen. This was an easy read and quite practical. Playing off the popular 40 Day model of studies, this book can be a great tool to help establish the personal discipline of reading or a men's group in your community. Each day's reading takes no more than a few minutes and could be fit into anyone's daily routine; early morning, lunch break or end of the day. I would recommend this as a gift for the Men in your life, and I give it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Finally, this book will put you in the end zone with better relationships with your family, your friends, and yourself.

Year End Fun

2010-12-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

"I'm smarter than the average bear." Yogi Bear is an outstanding movie for the holidays. Youth from LIGHTHOUSE 2911 enjoyed the movie and great hamburgers from Ganado Cafe afterward on a Social Skills Outing today. As one youth said, "I've never spent a day like this before." What a way to spend one of the last days of the year, enjoying a great movie, burgers, and the fun and laughter of youth. All who participated had a great time, even the adults.
Oh, the last day of the year, a great day to make a tax-deductible donation to LIGHTHOUSE 2911. I'm thinking that the first ten people who go to http://www.lighthouse2911.org/, click on the donations button, and donate $25 or more, we will send you a LIGHTHOUSE 2911 cap or t-shirt. Remember - year-end donations are tax deductible and remember LIGHTHOUSE 2911 continues to build a better future for all.

Please repost on Facebook and Twitter so others might hear about LIGHTHOUSE 2911.
Thanks,
The LIGHTHOUSEKEEPER

What have I learned from LIGHTHOUSE 2911 and how will I apply it to my life and my community?

2010-12-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

I have learned how to get along with others that there is a better way of life like instead of getting into a fight, try to make friends and there is a CD playing in your head and you decide whether to change your CD. I have also learned manners and respect for others.

I will erase the bad CD in my head and start over clean with a new CD. I will be a leader instead of a follower. I will be more kind to others. I will help a friend in need.

I will encourage people to be leaders instead of followers. I will show people how to treat others and how to be respectful and responsible and I will tell them there is a better way of life. I will pass on what I have learned to others. KC – 12

This young man is becoming a lighthouse for change in his community. If you would like to help, go to http://www.lighthouse2911.org/ and make a year-end donation. This donation is tax-deductible and it doesn't matter how large or small. Every donation is needed. Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Transforming Church in Rural America

2010-10-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

I just finished a great book called, "Transforming Church in Rural America" by Shannon O'Dell. I have read many books on transforming the church, but this one is far and above the best I have ever read. I hope that every pastor will read this book. It holds encouragement, hope, and vision for the rural church.

Shannon weaves his personal story into a step-by-step roadmap for transforming the church, from growth and how to generate that growth, to evangelism. He gives you steps for transformation and ways to implement those steps, but more than that, he gives you the encouragement that you can do it if you are persistent and can stand in the gap with God and endure the arrows of change that will fly your way. One of my favorite lines in the book is, "Small doesn't have to mean boring." This is a five star book, a must read for every pastor who follows Biblical principals for the church.

Key Facts

2010-07-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

Key Facts
Geographic areas served: Golden Crescent - Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca and Victoria Counties, Texas

Target demographics: Youth ages ten to seventeen. Other specifics vary by program.

Results to date: Very low rescidivism rates in justice programs, lower referrals, better student body moral in other programs.

Direct beneficiaries per year: Varies with program, total of all programs: 2500 Indirect beneficiaries per year: 8800

Obstacles: Funding for general operations

With 3 hours a volunteer can: Help with databasing; sell tickets; distribute materials; assist a caseworker (once trained)

What your donation will allow us to do: Offer our highly successful programs to more youth.

Your donation of $35 enables us to: Teach our Positive Attitude and Life Skills (PALS) class to one student for one month.

Your donation of $500 enables us to: Send one child, living below the federal poverty level, to camp during the summer.

Your donation of $1200 enables us to: produce one “Be the Change” session (all day) for a group of students.

Board Members and Affiliation: Rev. Paul Smith, President; Ron Langford; Ricki McKinney, Rev. Dr. Paul Beard, Executive Director; one vacancy

Past and Current Funders: Robinson Foundation, MG & Lillie Johnson Foundation, Trull Foundation; Rachel Foundation; WalMart, Texas CJD grants

Key Staff
Paul Beard, Executive Director
Randy Layh, Program Director
Vernon Gresham, Communications Director
Mary Beard, Administrative Assistant

DescriptionLighthouse 2911 is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit that for the past five years has provided tangible services to youth in a seven county area. We provide a large multi-faceted weekly program for at-risk juveniles currently dealing with juvenile justice issues, as well as multiple one day training programs dealing with teen and pre-teen issues. Many of the youth in our weekly PALS program are living below the federal poverty level.
ProgramsLighthouse 2911 offers different programs for youth in the Golden Crescent area. Our "PALS" program tangibly assists 10-17 year old youth at risk of or currently dealing with the juvenile justice system. Our "Be The Change" program provides an intense one day program for high school freshmen, dealing head on with teen issues like suicide, bullying, eating disorders, labeling, etc. Our "SafeDate" program provides an open discussion on teen dating issues from the perspective of both sexes, gives guidance on what is appropriate, excepted, and expected. "Beautiful You" addresses self-esteem issues for young ladies.

Life Rules for Teenagers

2010-05-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

Life Rules for Teenagers
This week I thought I’d pass on some classic words of wisdom from Charles J. Sykes, author of the 1996 book Dumbing Down Our Kids: Why American Children Feel Good About Themselves But Can’t Read, Write, Or Add. These rules have been incorrectly attributed to a number of other people over the years. Most recently, emails have been circulating stating that they were a part of a high school graduation ceremony speech by Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft, but that attribution is false.
In any event, these rules are timeless, humorous, and so very true. They caught my attention, so I think they will catch yours as well. Feel free to pass them on, but be sure not to attribute them to me.
Life Rules for Teenagers

Rule No. 1: Life is not fair. Get used to it. The average teenager uses the phrase “It’s not fair” 8.6 times a day. You got it from your parents, who said it so often you decided they must be the most idealistic generation ever. When they started hearing it from their own kids, they realized Rule No. 1.

Rule No. 2: The real world won’t care as much about your self-esteem as your school does. It’ll expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself. This may come as a shock. Usually, when inflated self-esteem meets reality, kids complain that it’s not fair. (See Rule No. 1)

Rule No. 3: Sorry, you won’t make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you won’t be a vice president or have a car phone either. You may even have to wear a uniform that doesn’t have a Gap label.

Rule No. 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait ’til you get a boss. He doesn’t have tenure, so he tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, he’s not going to ask you how you feel about it.

Rule No. 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping. They called it opportunity. They weren’t embarrassed making minimum wage either. They would have been embarrassed to sit around talking about Kurt Cobain all weekend.

Rule No. 6: It’s not your parents’ fault. If you screw up, you are responsible. This is the flip side of “It’s my life,” and “You’re not the boss of me,” and other eloquent proclamations of your generation. When you turn 18, it’s on your dime. Don’t whine about it, or you’ll sound like a baby boomer.

Rule No. 7: Before you were born your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way paying your bills, cleaning up your room and listening to you tell them how idealistic you are. And by the way, before you save the rain forest from the blood-sucking parasites of your parents’ generation, try delousing the closet in your bedroom.

Rule No. 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn’t. In some schools, they’ll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. Failing grades have been abolished and class valedictorians scrapped, lest anyone’s feelings be hurt. Effort is as important as results. This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblance to anything in real life. (See Rule No. 1, Rule No. 2 and Rule No. 4.)

Rule No. 9: Life is not divided into semesters, and you don’t get summers off. Not even Easter break. They expect you to show up every day. For eight hours. And you don’t get a new life every 10 weeks. It just goes on and on. While we’re at it, very few jobs are interested in fostering your self-expression or helping you find yourself. Fewer still lead to self-realization. (See Rule No. 1 and Rule No. 2.)

Rule No. 10: Television is not real life. Your life is not a sitcom. Your problems will not all be solved in 30 minutes, minus time for commercials. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop to go to jobs.

Rule No. 11: Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for them. We all could.

Rule No. 12: Smoking does not make you look cool. It makes you look moronic. Next time you’re out cruising, watch an 11-year-old with a butt in his mouth. That’s what you look like to anyone over 20. Ditto for “expressing yourself” with purple hair and/or pierced body parts.

Rule No. 13: You are not immortal. (See Rule No. 12.) If you are under the impression that living fast, dying young and leaving a beautiful corpse is romantic, you obviously haven’t seen one of your peers at room temperature lately.

Rule No. 14: Enjoy this while you can. Sure parents are a pain, school’s a bother, and life is depressing. But someday you’ll realize how wonderful it was to be a kid. Maybe you should start now. You’re welcome.

These Life Rules for Teens were first written by Charles J. Sykes.

2nd Big Announcement from LIGHTHOUSE 2911

2010-04-05T21:08:00.000-07:00

Our second big announcement from LIGHTHOUSE 2911 is that we will be implementing a new program called "Tough Choices". It deals with building character, healing self esteem, and managing anger. This comprehensive video-driven cognitive-emotional-behavioral program goes beyond managing anger to deleting the negative and programming the positive thoughts of youth and adults. You could say it's rewriting the mind.

This four step program consists of:

Awareness and willingness
Deleting negative thoughts
The physical piece
Building new personal power life skills

We will be implimenting this program in the near future to help youth in Edna, Goliad, Cuero, Waelder, Yoakum and Hallettsville.

Tune in soon for our third announcment.

Three big changes coming to LIGHTHOUSE 2911 (well, maybe more than three)

2010-03-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

Today I received notification that we will be able to initiate our GED and pre-GED program. This program has been three years in the works. It's not complete the way we need it to be, but with help from you and other volunteers, we can be ready to offer this in the locations which we serve. We don't have everything we need in place today, but we are 10,000 miles down the road from where we were three years ago when we first began to dream of this program opportunity. I would like to thank Mr. John for his generous donation.
And now for the other two announcements. Check back in a few days.
Paul

A Day of Change

2009-12-14T20:57:00.000-08:00

This past Friday history was made in Edna, TX. with "You Can Be The Change", a program to stop the teasing and bullying that go on on school campuses. We had 25 youth who took the challenge to change their school one person at a time. It was a special time for some to seek forgiveness and others to receive forgiveness. The day was a complete success as we shared some of our concerns for our home, our school, and our city. A big thank you goes out to the administration and staff of the Edna Jr. High School.

Answered Prayer by Two Angels

2009-11-10T20:40:00.000-08:00

This morning I was on my way to a meeting when I remembered about Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up. I guess I didn't just remember it. It's been on my mind for some time now. But I said a quick prayer asking God to provide for some families who desparately need some help during the holiday season. I drove into the parking lot and sensed that God would take care of this issue sometime in the future. As soon as I grabbed coffee and began my hellos a couple there said "Good Morning" and said "Oh, don't leave. I have a check for you." Not thinking too much of it, I continued my rounds, and as I finished I realized that I needed to pick up my notebook from the car. Not wanting to lose the check, I was going to lock it in the car. When I pulled it out of my pocket, it fell open. It was the exact amount that I had prayed for not twenty minutes earlier. Two angels heard God speaking to them as I was speaking to God. What an awesome God we serve! Something that had been bothering me for several days now was answered the moment I gave it to God. So don't forget all you saints out there, we have not because we ask not.

What if an evening out could change the life of a child?

2009-11-08T20:32:00.000-08:00

We all love to spend an evening out with our families, our loved ones, but there are many children in our immediate area who will not celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas with gifts or a special meal. But for the price of an evening out, you can help change all that and take a great deal of pressure off parents who are struggling and youth who feel hopeless. Won't you consider staying at home one evening this holiday season and helping these families celebrate the holiday season? Make your donation to lighthouse2911@msn.com with paypal or send your donation to LIGHTHOUSE 2911 at 202 Willis St, Yoakum, TX 77995.
Thanks in advance for your generous donations.

The Great South Texas Deer Hunts for LIGHTHOUSE 2911

2009-10-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

LIGHTHOUSE 2911 is very blessed to have Ricki and Francey McKinney as friends. Ricki is a long-time hunter and breeder of Texas white-tailed deer. He is offering two great hunts for LIGHTHOUSE 2911 - a three day hunt for a 140-160 trophy buck or a management buck or doe hunt, so if you are a seasoned pro or new to deer hunting, we have a hunt for you. Please

check them out on ebay at the links below. If you have questions, email me and I will try to answer your questions. Please tell your friends about these two hunts.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280412064130&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280412078500&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT