{Give Away Day} The Head, the Heart & the Great Gap

 

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I am so excited to have as my guest today my friend, Courtney DeFeo. I met my new friend this summer at She Speaks where we were both speaking. She  is a popular blogger and creator of ABC Scripture Cards featured on “The View.” Courtney and her husband, Ron, are the parents of girls – just like many of us. Two to be exact.

Courtney has just released her new book, “In This House We Will Giggle” and I am so excited to be giving away a signed copy today! Here is a few lines of the intro that drew me in, “I’m convinced we can let loose and enjoy our familyeven as we’re teaching profound principles for life…a  love-and-laughter approach to spiritual growth…Let’s close up our computers and ride bikes more often. And at the same time, let’s not waste a single opportunity to teach our kids to live out the virtues that can share their hearts.”

 

 

Now, from Courtney:

 

Have you ever listened to baptism stories and tried to gather a theme? It isn’t always the case – but a majority of them sound like this:

 

I grew up in a Christian home… and this happened and this happened… and then I discovered my need for Christ. I experienced Him in a real way. And today I am here today to say that Jesus Christ is my Lord and savior.”

 

If I am honest, this is a fear of mine. That I spend YEARS training my kids to know Jesus and they leave with a head full of knowledge – but a heart aching with a God-sized hole in their heart. A great gap.

 

I am on a quest to empower moms and change little lives through innovation in the home. I believe our kids are never too old and never too young to truly experience Jesus. I believe they can actually light up the world.

 

We need to invite them to the party.

 

I don’t want us to be overwhelmed by the to do’s of teaching them about God, I want us to be overwhelmed by the great privilege. We get to play a part.

Courtney

Now, take a deep breath with me.

 

It is not all up to us, He changes the heart.

 

The truth is that I grew up in a Christian home. My parents loved me and showed me Jesus. I made my own choices and put my faith on pause. My parents never gave up. They prayed, they forgave and they loved me always.

 

God didn’t let go either. He moved fiercely in my heart when I got out of Auburn and I have never been the same.

 

We don’t get to choose the time frame or the game plan for their faith. Scaring our kids is not our best tactic. Equip them. Show them.

 

We can show them that it feels good to serve. It feels good to love others. We can create environments – where they experience Jesus. They feel it.

 

How?

 

Well, this could look like a mission trip or serving in a soup kitchen to taking a meal to a neighbor. It could be praying as a family for something big. The options are endless. Ask Him.

 

 

The great gap (from the head to the heart) is why I wrote my book.

 

I want our kids to experience WHO we know more than WHAT we know.

 

I’m crazy about Lynn’s heart and what she is doing for teens. Magnetic is a great goal for my girls. Let the love of Jesus pour from their lives in a way that attracts others to their hearts – not their pretty faces.

 

Mom – You are doing great!

You haven’t lost them!

 

God created the earth and stars. He is all we need to raise these kids. He will use it all – the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

He used me.

 

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In This House, We Will Giggle: Making Virtues, Love, and Laughter a Daily Part of  Your Family Life  offers parents a practical approach to instilling virtues in their children through laughter, rather than lecture. Designed to cover an entire year, each of the 12 chapters highlights one key virtue in developing a child’s character, along with insights to help infuse the virtue into everyday life.

In This House, We Will Giggle teaches children to experience the goodness of God, the joy of following Jesus and the difference children can make in the lives of others.

Today, we’re giving away a signed copy of “In This House, We Will Giggle” to one blessed reader! To enter, please, in the comments below, share one idea of how we can make learning about Jesus fun in our families. And if it’s a busy day for you, just say, “I’m in”! I’ll announce the winner on Monday.

Lynn

73 Comments

  1. Maureen F. says:

    I’m In! Thanks for this opportunity 🙂

  2. Gretchen Scoleri says:

    I’m in! We love to be silly during bedtime prayers sometimes and pretend our basset hounds who come to join us are praying too. My teenage son “folds” Beau’s paws and uses his “Beau voice” and prays for him 🙂

  3. Tania Bazzell says:

    I’m in!! Blessings!

  4. I’m in— hoping this will help me with our boys in the craziness and busyness of life

  5. I’m in! This is just what I need! Thank you.

  6. I’m in! I don’t know if it’s still used but I remember the comment “scare the hell out of ’em”; it bothered me but now I realize it also makes us afraid of a loving, heavenly Father, Who wants relationship with His children. Thanks so much for moving from a ‘head’ knowledge to a ‘heart’ knowledge – an intimate experience of, yes, a God of wrath, but also a God who pursues and draws us to Himself!

  7. this book sounds fantastic. I love how you say you are never too old to learn. my 18 yr. old is starting to turn away from God. I keep praying she will return to Him. As a mom of 7 kids I do wonder if they know the Jesus I know and love. thanks for sharing today.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Congratulations on winning, Amy! Please send me your full name and address and I’ll get it shipped to you! Email me at [email protected].

  8. Shebrina Elrod says:

    I’m in! I would love to win this book. Im always trying to show my kids God through my actions vs the fear based ways others have tried. I just got finished doing Lynn’s bible study on Magnetic and I remind myself everyday of the key verse she put into the book Galatians 5:22-23

  9. I’m in! This past Christmas I asked the children to come up with ways
    we could serve as a family. I love this idea for your book!

  10. Fantastic. My mother’s legacy is/was a legacy of love and laughter. She did not allow sad to linger long with us. When we were elementary school age, she brought our breakfast to the table doing the can-can. As a member of a clan of 10 sibbling, all trying to outdo the others, she learned early the lesson laughter is a good medicine. Don’t let the laughter end.

  11. Katie Rettig says:

    I am in! I could totally use this tool. I feel like we are being pulled by our parents into a fear mentality and I do not want that for my kids (6, 3, and newborn).

  12. Kids are all grown now! But lots of laughter in the home! One of the fun things was the kids planning and putting on family worship or church services in the living room. Great memories!

  13. Not only by reading the stories of Jesus, when my children were little we went to nursing homes,toalso gave presents to choldren in need…now that they are older,we help at our church,homeless ministry,etc

  14. I’m in!!! My One Word for the past 2 years is CALM. My goal as a family is to have a HAPPY HOUSE. This would be a great tool for me to learn & show my kids how to be this. Thank you!!

  15. I’m in! We’re a silly family but you’ve peaked my curiosity on incorporating it into our faith. Love your emails and encouragement for Moms!

  16. I’m in! I have had the set of ABC scripture cards for a few years and love having them on display as we focus on another verse. Life has been so hectic lately with some heavy things, this book would be a great resource and reminder that I need to get back to more giggles!!!

  17. We eat a different Christmas cookie with our Advent book reading each day during the Christmas season. It just gives something extra special to go with the reading. I also include Bible verses often in their school lunches.

  18. I’m in! This sounds like an amazing book as we sometimes loose sight of just having fun with our kids. I know I am guilty of lecturing on too many occassions, especially with my older kids. In fact, my 17yr old daughter is in a very bad place right now and has completely shut me and God out of her life. I would welcome any suggestions on how to lighten things up and laugh with her. She is planning to move out in a few weeks when she turns 18.

  19. I’m in! I lead a mom’s group and this looks like a great resource to add to our lending library!

  20. I need help with ideas. That is why this book sounds great!!

  21. I’m in! Looking forward to reading this!

  22. I’m in! We make serving Jesus fun by being a blessing to others–raking leaves, shoveling snow, taking them a meal…many acts of kindness.

  23. Criztina Jean says:

    I really need more giggles…I seem to be falling into the lecture mode lately and I do not like this place or person. PLEASE give me insight into a better way. I will send one of my daughters off to college in 4 years and I would HATE for her last memories to be lecture mode.

  24. Much needed in my home; I’m in!!!

  25. I’m in….always feeling like I’m not doing enough to teach my children about God. I love this idea. Thank you

  26. I’m in! We sing songs 🙂

  27. I’m in…..I want a 2nd chance to do this with my grandchildren. I have made mistakes with my own but I want to show my grandchildren who God is.

  28. I’m in! Just moved to a new community.

  29. Dori Sheese says:

    I’m in! Sounds like a great book! I will share it with my step daughters who have young daughters of their own.

  30. Rachel Pueschell says:

    I’m in! Looking forward to reading this! Thank you for the chance to win!!

  31. On occasion, our kids have created plays on various Bible stories. They’ve enjoyed using their creativity to show us what the story means to them.

  32. I’m in!! Sounds like a great gift for several young moms in our church family 🙂

  33. This book sounds like amazing family medicine, but it will have a good, sweet taste!! In our family, we enjoy having each family member take a turn to choose a topic to study and focus on each week (humility, patience, kindness, etc). We keep track so that we can cover different ones each week, until it is time to repeat some! Thank you for sharing this new book!!!

  34. Jessica F says:

    Would love to get a copy of your book, we NEED to learn to giggle in this house!

  35. I’m in!!! Book looks fantastic!

  36. I’m in!!! This book sounds amazing!!

  37. I’m in! I’d love a chance to read this book.

  38. I’m all in!! Love her blog and would love to win her book.

  39. Love the concept of this book! Always looking for ways to make Jesus come alive for my kids!

  40. Mythyl T. says:

    Our kids (little ones: ages 6,4,and 2) take turns picking a Bible Story or choose their Bible for a Scripture passage to be read every night. We need new, fun ideas. Praise God for authors like Courtney, whom He uses to bless and encourage others through writing books like this. Thank you so much for the book in advance!

  41. One way we can make learning about Jesus fun is having Family Devotion Time, where we can read scripture, talk about scripture, learn from scripture, learn how to apply sscripture, and pray together.

  42. I’m in! I have a 20 and 23 year old adult children. Tough. I have to remind myself that the Lord loves them and they are His children first. They are walking with the Lord, however there is so much temptation in the world. I will always continue to pray for them and release them to Him. I love what you said about our children experiencing WHO we know more than WHAT we know.
    Barbara Johnson ( a Women of Faith leader) once said ‘It’s my job to love my kids, and it’s God’s job to touch their lives’).
    Blessings

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      I love this saying, Grace! “It’s my job to love my kids, and it’s God job to touch their lives.” Such a great reminder!

  43. I’m In!!!! Thanks !!

  44. I’m in! Thank you!!!

  45. I’m in. My kids and I love to laugh. My daughter, she is 5, told me that she knows God and Jesus but she doesn’t feel Him in her heart. We have started short morning and evening devotionals which has blossomed her and I in our relationship not only with each other but with God. I would love to read this book. Adding it to my wish list. Blessings and thank you!

  46. I’m in. With two older teens and college at our doorstep I want to cover any bases not already covered. Thanks for the opportunity.

  47. Rosalie Rockers says:

    I’m in! Thank you.

  48. Elizabeth says:

    I’m in! Look forward to using this book ! We all need this reminder. Thank you!

  49. I’m in!!!!! Love it!

  50. Too often I forget to laugh- that’s why I need to read this book and remember to keep it fun!

  51. Susan Gruener says:

    I think everything about Jesus is fun… I tell my two grandkids that live with us, with our daughter, about the miracles I’ve seen Jesus do, about ‘hearing’ His voice, and yes, even about being obedient…but also about God’s humor! My mother told me decades ago about God’s humor, and over those next few decades I experience God’s humor personally! I have personal alone time with God, laughing, and telling Him “Good one!” when I see Him do something that ‘we’ know is an ‘inside’ joke. 🙂 There is nothing more FUN than experiencing God personally, getting to know Him almost as much as He knows us.
    Thanks Lynn!

  52. christelle says:

    Having 5 boys whom loves action figures, we sometimes pretend the action figure is some one out the bible & have a discussion.

  53. Elizabeth says:

    I would love to read this book! I try to weave Jesus into our conversations throughout the day, so the kids can see how He is in everything, but sometimes I don’t. Thanks for the opportunity!

  54. Looking at some of the crazy looking creatures that God made reminds us that God has a great sense of humor.

  55. I’m in. My grandson is 2. We started out by clasping our palms together and blessing our meals, now every time he gets something to eat he puts his hands together bows his head murmurs something then says out loud, Amen.

  56. What an awesome giveaway. Sadly, I think I need this book. I think we’ve forgotten how to giggle. At least it doesn’t happen as much as it should. I too, hand a couple of adult children who are not walking as straight as they should be. Thanks.

  57. Jennifer D. says:

    Taking them to participate in activities in the community that demonstrate Christ’s love is fun for our family, We serve dinner to those less fortunate and spend time soon for others less fortunate. It doesn’t cost a dime!

  58. Amen and thank you for these soothing words to a mom’s heart that can sometimes be prone to worry and fear…. God will always be with us through this!

  59. I need this read!!!! Lol I’m def a type A personality and I so often need to regroup and be used in my children’s lives instead of checking off the list.

  60. I’m in! This book would bless my heart, give me ideas and encouragement. After loosing our oldest daughter (she was 13) in March 2013, I’ve felt lost. Like I’m just wandering through life. We have a 10 year old daughter that I desperately want to bond with. Thank you for sharing your heart!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Oh Tricia, my heart breaks for you. I cannot imagine the pain you have experienced and continue to go through. Jesus, please give Tricia the heart and emotional strength to invest in her girl. Show her how to connect and bond them together in you! Amen

      1. Thank you Lynn…I know God will guide me!!

  61. I’m in. One night recently, I was trying to go through the story of Gideon. And my son was not exactly interested. Right now he likes Pokemon cards. A big thing with the cards is what the character evolves into and how there skills change as they evolve. So I tried to explain Gideon that way from the least in the family, in the least tribe to O mighty man of valor and the victory that would come. I talked about his “evolution” or transformation as he obeyed God. My son thought that was really cool and seemed to understand. So anyway we can bring the ordinary back to God for our children’s sake and his glory, I’m game. Thank you!!

  62. I’m in. With teenagers it is especially important to be real and relevant with our messages.

  63. I’m in. Hope it’s not too late.

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