Dr. Haim Ginott once said, “Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” Ginott couldn’t have been more right. Children are incredibly impressionable. They watch our words, our actions, and our examples. We’ve all heard the phrase, “like father, like son,” or “like mother, like daughter.” Children are often shaped and…
In Maputo, Mozambique, many unfortunate children call the streets their home. Having been abandoned by their families, they are forced to grow up, seek shelter, and hide in the dark, wet, and perilous parts of the city. You will find these poor children in the shadowy crevices of bridges and abandoned buildings. Perhaps most tragic…
Pat Roberts is a former U.S. Senator and former Marine captain. Behind the dry, stoic demeanor, Pat Roberts seems to have a softer, childish side. Several years ago, he was in the middle of an (*cough cough*) extremely exciting and invigorating Senate Finance Committee hearing on U.S. tariff policy. As this riveting discussion was taking…
The crowd sat charmed at a performance by several young violin students. After the concert, the instructor spoke briefly about how young children are taught to play the violin. He said the first thing the children learn is the proper stance. The second thing the children learn, even before they pick up the violin, is…
It’s a heart-wrenching moment. Your kid is being bullied. Anger. Frustration. Payback. Fear. Protection. Many strong emotions course through us. Maybe you run to the school administration. Maybe you approach the kid’s parents. Maybe you set up a protective game-plan with your child. Maybe you confront the bully face-to-face. All we know is, this has…
It wasn’t just sympathy, it was pure empathy. It was 4 AM as my wife, kids, a friend, and I had been standing in line to check our bags at the airport. For over an hour we had been standing in the Frontier line. This line could have dwarfed even the longest lines at Six…
Jimmy told the story about the first girl who caught his eye. He was seven years old, in 2nd grade, and her name was Sherri. She was the cutest girl he had ever seen with little pigtails, a beautiful dress with a big teddy bear on it, and the prettiest smile, even with a middle…
As the morning progresses towards the afternoon, a little elementary school boy begins to get anxious. A time that is normally filled with laughter and a needed break has now become quite stressful. It’s lunchtime. For this little guy, even though his family qualified for reduced lunch costs, even the small cost every day adds…
I was about 5 years old when it happened. My family went out to California for the Yosemite Bible Camp. I had told my Mom I was going to the restroom near our campsite, which I had already done alone a few times during the week. It was one of those bathrooms where you could…
It was the final minute of the game between the New York Knicks and the New Orleans Pelicans. During a quick break in the action, a little boy somehow made it onto the court. Before anyone could stop him, he navigated his way past a few other players and directly over to Carmelo Anthony, one…
Samuel Forrest was put in perhaps the most difficult situation he has ever been in. About a year ago his wife, Ruzan, gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Leo. However, when the doctors took a closer look they informed Samuel that Leo had Down syndrome. Despite the difficulties this presented, the beaming father replied,…
As a result of Colorado’s poor decisions, marijuana coated candy is now posing a new set of concerns for our little trick-or-treaters. This month the Denver Police Department is cautioning parents to be especially watchful with their children’s Halloween candy. It seems some people may hand out marijuana candy that looks almost identical to normal…
How would you feel if an 11-year-old became a preacher for your congregation? On May 6, the Fullness of Time Pentecostal Church in Temple Hills, MD ordained 11-year-old Ezekiel Stoddard as a minister (where is parents are both ministers as well). According to Ezekiel, he was motivated to become a minister when God came to…
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. As they lay down for the night, Holmes said, “Watson, look up and tell me what you see.” Watson said, “I see millions and millions of stars.” Holmes asked, “And what does that tell you?” Watson replied, “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions…
A few months ago in Milwaukee, a surveillance video captured many teenagers swarming a BP gas station and stealing anything they could get their hands on. When one particular mother watched the news that evening, she was shocked to see her 13-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son on the surveillance tape. She now had a tough…
BP's Fuel For Thought 