What are you doing after High School?

I am in the middle of actually reading a book. Yeah, I know it's a rare occasion, but this is actually really riveting. The book is called, "Raising a Modern Day Joseph." I am about 4 chapters in right now, but it is eye opening.
The entire book is written off the premise that somewhere around 80-90% of all kids who grow up in church fall away, if not for just a year, when they graduate from High School and how we, as parents can raise children who do not fall away but stand strong in the knowledge of God and His realness. I left the book at work, so I have to do this from memory (I may have to re-read chapter 4 -- although this is set up like a discussion book -- I may lead a Sunday night Discipleship class during AWANA for parents) but the book starts out with the idea of a parent's MDM - or Most Dramatic Moment. The MDM is the point where a parent loses control of their child and has to let him or her go off into the real world without their guidance. And they do an interesting thing in comparing Jacob with the father of the Prodigal Son -- or more appropriately, their sons.

Looking into the life of Joseph, he was 17 when he was forced to leave home -- much like our children who grow up and stay in the house until they are 25... oh wait. He was thrown into a hostile situation which tried to get him to betray his beliefs. He was alone. He was put into a situation where temptation was strong. He was betrayed. He was accused of a crime he didn't commit. He went to jail. He festered in jail for years. But through it all, he stayed true to his beliefs. How do we raise children like that?

They talk about 5 qualities that Joseph had (of course, I'm only 4 chapters in). These 5 (I hope I remember them) are:
1) He respected fellow humans - He respected Potiphar and the authority he was in his life.
2) He respected human relationships - He would not defile Potiphar's marraige by indulging in the temptation given by Potiphar's wife
3) He knew there was right and wrong - He would not indulge with Potiphar's wife because it was evil
4) He knew God was the source of wisdom
5) He respected God -- He knew that sinning in the flesh with Potiphar's wife was a sin against God

I think that's right, although I'm going to have to re-read chapter 4. That was a heavy chapter.

This is something I have been looking for for quite a while and I think I've found it (well, my wife found it and showed me.) I am going to get pretty gun-ho about this. One of the things they talk about is the having a growth plan from preschool through high school -- something I've talked to Randy and Shawn about recently anyways. I've been talking about doing a vision team with Youth, Children and Preschool ministries and I think this may end up being part of it. I am thinking and praying about it.

In some additional news, Roger, the pastor up at Northwinds, has asked our church if we would help them this year do their harvest festival up at a park in North Fontana. I am actually leaning towards doing that this year. Our area really isn't hungry for another harvest festival since Mt. View does a really good one right up the street while there is nothing in North Fontana. God has been putting some things in motion that we may be moving up to North Fontana as it is (I'm actually hoping we do) and maybe merging back with Northwinds, since we were their mother church so this would be a good opportunity for our people to get to know their people better (I love their people. I had a year working with them and training them how to run an AWANA program. They are great.)

Well, it's nearing midnight and I have work in the morning. Curse you Olympics! That was a nice job by the USA higbar dude :)