How do you discipline your child properly? Well, first you start from day one. If a child is not disciplined early, they begin to believe that their way is preferable and then they demand it. This erodes empathy and creates narcissism. If not kept in check, a narcissist heads their logical extreme and they become sociopathic. In this episode, licensed therapist Mark Howerton explains his 5 tips for practical parenting.
Discipline Math – A+B = C
A = Clarify Expectations
B = Take the opportunity to Warn them
C = The consequences if they don’t heed your warning
The Parent’s State of Mind: CFCF – Calm, firm, consistent, follow through
Choose Your Battles – There are many things we can and should ignore. We must remember that our children just want our attention, so lavish them with good attention or they will seek negative attention by acting out poorly.
Say yes as much as possible, but when you say no mean it.
Be a United Front – Be your spouse’s partner in the raising of your children. Have proactive standards that you adhere to.
For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org
Struggle was a big part of host Dino Katsiametis’ life until he surrendered to Jesus Christ. Dino struggled through infidelity, divorce, financial ruin and a party lifestyle. Through Christian teaching and men’s group Dino found stability and created the God’s Men of Influence ministry. Prayer and scripture now lead his decisions and his life improves as he surrenders to the Word.
“As Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another” – Proverbs 27:17
God’s Men of Influence ministry is based on Proverbs 27:17
Dino believes men’s groups are crucial because there are things that men can only hear from other Christian men. Talking to other men with Christian values is the best way to be held accountable.
Biggest Weakness – Competitiveness and Pride. The love of money get’s a hold of Dino and he struggles against this weakness.
Biggest Strength – Dino’s desire to be more like Jesus drives him.
Dark Time – During his first marriage when things got bad Dino cheated on his wife. He became very selfish and yet was in denial. Financially things crumbled, his marriage crumbled and he was blaming his circumstances.
A-ha moment – Began going to Saddleback Church, but when he went to men’s group for the first time it was a turning point.
Dino began reading the bible and would wake up at 4 in the morning and studied until 5:30. He absorbed the scripture and refused to skip any part. God’s Men of Influence Facebook page came out of this study
God’s Men of Influence page became Dino’s accountability along with his men’s group. He posted scriptures that were meaningful for him every day.
Dino’s experience with Money Matters With Dino happened so that he could prepare for the God’s Men of Influence podcast.
Surrender vs. Struggle. Dino has surrendered the God’s Men of Influence ministry to God’s will and it has been effortless in comparison to his other projects.
Prayer is the key to all his decisions. Dino won’t act until he feels it’s time to act and therefore, it becomes easy.
God’s Men of Influence – Be a man of action. If you see a man in need and you walk by him, you’re not being a good Christian.
Recommended Book – “Raising A Modern Day Knight” – Robert Lewis click here to view… http://amzn.to/1MAfeWj
For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org
Many times in my life I’ve thought to myself, “I am who I am. I’m too old and it’s just too hard to change.” It’s easy to think that way. Easy to excuse my behavior because of difficult people or circumstances. In the past it was always comforting to blame everything and everyone but myself for my financial situation, my divorce and even my personal happiness. When I put it like that it sounds ridiculous. At one point, I think a part of me even blamed God for the way I felt. After all, he made me the way I am right? As I’ve come to know the Lord, I’ve been opened up to the truth. The Lord waits patiently with open arms for us all to walk with him and when we truly surrender to his love we find our peace. God has put within us this power to surrender, the ability to change.
Recently, I had a guest on whose story was so powerful that I was moved to do a 3 part series with him. His name is Pastor Pete Cropsey and he epitomizes our God given ability to change our lives and walk with him. I couldn’t help but recall scripture. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4 As I listened to Pastor Pete’s story I couldn’t help but see the man who struggled to feel complete, lacking in nothing.
At age 7, Pete Cropsey was a victim of violent molestation that lasted for almost 2 years. Pete was broken and began to think of himself as a “Lost Boy” always feeling the presence of something greater that was just out of his grasp. By age 13, Pete was smuggling Heroin in from Mexico and developed a very serious addiction to it that led to a life spent in and out of prison for various drug related crimes. When he wasn’t in prison Pete was a member of the Vagos Motorcycle Club living the life of an outlaw. Pete didn’t think he was worthy of God’s love and It wasn’t until things were darkest, that he allowed for the possibility that he could walk the path.
Pastor Pete’s testimony left me in awe of what Jesus could do. Our Lord sat in waiting for Pete, always letting him know that he was loved and would be welcomed when he was ready. That time finally came and Pete accepted Jesus into his heart and worked tirelessly to become a Pastor at Calvary Chapel. I reflected back on my own struggles which seemed very small in comparison and remembered how comforting it was to accept Jesus. All change seems possible when you walk with the Lord…all change.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” – Romans 8:28
Be blessed, be joyous and be welcomed at God’s Men of Influence.
After his second divorce, Mike Parker was broke and without hope. He didn’t have enough money to provide Christmas for his boys and he spent all his time on the road trying to spend time with his daughter. Friends and faith were the things that Mike needed to hold onto.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4
Mike sees himself as a dad first and a man who struggles with his faith, but is always trying to understand it.
Biggest Weakness – His desire to control things. Mike has trouble letting go of resentment.
Biggest Strength – Belief in Jesus. Mike loves discovering that people believe in God, ministering and finding fellowship.
Dark Time – Mike became a bad husband when he started struggling financially. He lost his job in Palm Springs and was exhausted all the time driving to see his daughter from his first marriage. Mike fell out of love with his second wife and began drinking a lot and cheating. Soon his wife filed for a restraining order and he had to leave his home within a week. Mike set up bunk beds in his dark 2 bedroom apt for his sons and after saying goodnight snuck back into their room and cried for 3 hours.
Ego caused Mike to stop caring about his wife. He took everything for granted and when his job started going south he began blaming and became selfish. He has yet to earn the faith and trust of his ex-wife, but he still resents the way she’s treating him.
Many times during this dark period Mike didn’t think God was in his life and began asking what faith really means.
Mike has turned his anger at being away from his kids to gratitude at the time he spends with them.
Advice – Don’t be an island unto yourself, because you can’t do it alone. Small men’s groups are essential.
Recommended Book – “Raising A Modern Day Knight.” – Robert Lewis
God’s Men of Influence – Reaching out when it’s not easy, because you never know who you will touch.
For past shows and to learn more about the God’s Men of Influence community, check us out at www.godsmenofinfluence.org
