Playing For Keeps

My good friend Reggie Joiner let me know about something his staff has been working on this past year. After 25 years of working in Family Ministry, and seven years leading an organization that influences those who influence the next generation, Reggie has learned there are some things adults just can't do for kids. You can't force a toddler to eat broccoli. You can't make a teenager "not date him." And you can't make a kid love God. Can you? At some point it just starts to break down. 

That's why Reggie wrote Playing for Keeps. He wanted to talk to parents and leaders (and anyone else who influences the lives of kids and teenagers) about six things you can give a kid over time that will make a significant impact. These six things can help give a kid the kind of history that will show them why they matter to God. 

That's why He used the illustration of the marbles. 

Each marble represents one week in the life of a kid or teenager. 

There are approximately 936 weeks from the time a child is born until he or she graduates high school.

A leader who stays connected to small group of kids for a year will have 52 weeks of influence before those kids move on to the next group. 

Parents and leaders have a limited amount of time. Maybe that’s why Psalm 90:1 says,

"Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Reggie wants to help parents and leaders visualize their week. By counting their weeks, he hopes to help them make their week count just a little bit more.

Playing for Keeps and the marbles were pre-launched at The Orange Conference this past April and the feedback has been really exciting. Today they are kicking off the national Play For Keeps tour, I wanted to be a part of spreading this message to the parents and leaders in my circle. I highly recommend this book. (It's really 2 books in 1)

You need to get your hands on this new book "Playing For Keeps" and get it into the hands of the parents and small group leaders you serve! I've already read it and believe me this is a game-changer that you want to pass on!

Go to www.orangetour.org for more information about an Orange Tour event coming to a city near you!
I'll see you at the one in Nashville!