New Testament Readings: Thoughts on Parables

   When Christ taught his people he often used Parables; sheep, seeds, debtors, fish, wages. These were items the people things the people he was teaching understood. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes had corrupted the law of Moses to the point that the people no longer were able to understand its true intent and purpose. Jesus used parables to help bring the people back to an understanding to the law and to his Gospel.

New Testament Readings: Thoughts on The Beatitudes

   As many of you know, I am going back to school. I love going to BYU Idaho because part of the courses required to graduate are ecclesiastical. This term I am taking a course on the New Testament and each week, as part of the course, I will be sharing my thought on my readings.

   This week we are studying The Beatitudes from Matthew chapter 5.  When the Savior was teaching during the Sermon on the Mount, he spoke about attitudes we can adopt to be blessed. Each Beatitude is introduced with the phrase, “Blessed are…” The Savior could just say, ‘be poor in spirit.’ He doesn’t though. He outlines each character trait and then shares the blessings to those who adopt them. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Memorial Day Thoughts: "Earn This”?

“Earn This.” It is one of the most moving and motivating lines from Saving Private Ryan. If you have not seen this film, there are some major spoilers coming. If the R-Rating turned you away before, it is now available on VidAngel and you choose what material to edit.

Best Buy is Giving $7.50 Fandango Cash on Select Blu-ray Discs

I love taking my boys to the movies. Some of out favorite Dreamworks Movies of the last few years are on sale right now at Best Buy. I just got an Xbox One, but I don’t have many Blu-ray Discs. If you are like me, now is the time to stock up!

Best Buy has 16 Dreamworks titles ranging from $7.99-$14.99 each. The best part is though, that each Blu-ray disc includes $7.50 in Fandango Cash to use towards your next trip to the movies!

You can see the full list here, but here are some of the highlights we reviewed.

Opening Today! FREETOWN Renews Reverence and Respect For Missionaries

By Grady
(Grade B)

   Living and having served my mission in the United States, it can be tempting to see missionaries as just 18 year old boys in a shirt and tie. Freetown reminds us that these “boys” are servants of God and where they go, miracles follow and faith increases.

   Caught in the middle of a brutal civil war, six Liberian missionaries in Monrovia flee the widespread violence in their native country. Their destination: Freetown, Sierra Leone. With the help of local church member Phillip Abubakar (Henry Adofo), the missionaries make the difficult journey, only to have their troubles compounded by a rebel fighter bent on killing one of their own. Based on incredible true events, Freetown is a thrilling and inspiring story of hope and survival.

Read Full Review...

Family Night with The Boxtrolls

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Universal Pictures, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BoxtrollsFamilyNite http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

   Every Monday night our family likes to get together to spend time with each other. What we do varies from week to week. Sometimes we have discussion about an issue affecting our family, sometimes we play games, and sometimes we go on an adventure! The one constant on all these activities is that focus is always on how will this activity help us to grow closer as a family and increase our faith in Jesus Christ.

   Last week we had a wonderful time evening at the "drive-in" to see a movie. It all started last week when I was at Walmart with my oldest son. As we walked in he squeezed my hand and said, "Dad, I like being with you. We go fun places, you listen to me when I talk, and you always buy cool stuff!" My heart melted and I knew I had a reputation to uphold. We had been talking about The Boxtrolls coming out on DVD. Garren spotted it on the shelf so we grabbed it, along with a box of Pop Secret 10ct Home-Style Popcorn. The shelves were pretty empty for both items, so stop by Walmart and pick them up while supplies last.

       On Monday I got home a little early (on time) and started our activity. I brought home some cardboard boxes and my wife Kristie gave the kids some paints. The kids loved making their CAR-dboard boxes so they could have something to sit in during the movie. While they were busy, Kristie and I got busy on the Family Night treat. Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn is a great and fast snack, but we don't do anything halfway on Family Night.




   In theme with The Boxtrolls' trash digging habits, we made popcorn garbage balls. They aren't incredibly hard, and taste great! 

• 1 Bag of Pop Secret Home-Style Popcorn
• 1/3 cup of light corn syrup
• 1/8 cup of butter
• 1 teaspoon of water
• 1/2 cup of marshmallows
• 1 1/4 cup of powdered sugar
• assorted treats and candies 

   You basically throw everything but the popcorn and candies in a sauce pan on low heat until it all melts together. Pop your corn and put in a large mixing bowl. Then pour over your glaze from the sauce pan. Though it should not boil, it will hot, so caution if cooking with kids. From here, grease your hands and mix in your favorite candies and treats lying around the house! We made two batches. One had M&M's, Oreos, and Animal Crackers; while the other was more fruity with Nerds, Skittles, and Mike & Ike's. Then just form the mix into balls and serve!

   The kids loved watching The Boxtrolls at our in home Driver-in with their Popcorn Garbage Balls. I don't think I have even seen them sit on one spot for so long. Even our little Ginger stayed in her box for the whole film. The Boxtrolls is the story of a young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors. He tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator who has convinced the town that the trolls will steal their children in the night.

   After the movie ended we made sure to take time out to discuss the themes and lessons from the movie. Having just celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday the month previously, the kids were well versed in awful outcomes of prejudice. We also spoke about being loyal to your friends and supporting them during the good times, and in time of trial. 

   It isn't always easy making sure we get together every Monday, and honestly there are some nights that we just slap it all together. We continue to do it though because we never want our children to doubt that we love them, that home is a place they can feel safe, and that if they ever need to know what to do or how to act; they can feel comfortable having an open conversation with their parents about it.

"Dad, I don't have any friends at school... because of my Aspergers."

"Dad, I don't have any friends at school. I think it is because I am different because of my Aspergers."

It was a situation I knew one day we would face. We knew our oldest son Garren was different from a young age. He read really early and really well, he would talk nonstop about facts and figures of things he was interested in, and when with other children he was perfectly content playing independently. Once Garren started first grade we had confirmed that he had Aspergers.

Young kids were generally patient with his quirks and he had good friends at school that we were also friends with outside of school. Now he is facing more serious consequences in our new home in Arizona.

Last night Mom was at Homemaking and me and the kids were just sitting around the living room talking. Then Garren says, "Dad, I don't have any friends at school. I think it is because I am different because of my Aspergers." I didn't know what to say, and honestly would have cried if I opened my mouth. I just smiled at him.

I need some advice; how do I help my son gain the confidence in himself and create meaningful friendships at school?