About eight years ago, a friend gave me a CD with a song on it when I was going through a tough transition. I was disillusioned, scared and in turmoil. The song was Lee Ann Womack's song, I Hope You Dance. I have written about it before, but this week I want to use it as we wrap up my series on PurposeParents. What does this song have to do with PurposeParenting? Ah, for the answer you know you will have to read on.
A SIMPLE MESSAGE
The message in I Hope You Dance is basically be yourself and don't give up when life happens, as it does to everyone. If every parent can impart that message to his or her children, along with values that stress the importance of service, integrity and love, their job as a PurposeParent will be a success.
I am not going to include the words to this song in this Memo, but I have attached Monday Memo 242 below, which included the words when I last wrote about the song. I am doing this because I would rather you watch Lee Ann's rendition of the song, sung to her children, at this link. It would be great to watch this with your children and discuss the implications for purpose, life, career and God's will. It may even have some relevance not just for PurposeChldren, but PurposeParents as well.
That's it for this week. Enjoy the song and get ready as we embark on a series focusing on Daniel starting next week. Have a great week, and Happy Fourth of July to my American readers.
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1. THE SOPHIA FUND UPDATE: Just $75 came in last week for The Fund, which is a little under what had been coming in! I am grateful, however, for every penny that arrives and I know it is making a difference in Africa. As you know, I am using the money to feed AIDS orphans and widows in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
I wrote an update and a thank you for those who have given to the Fund four weeks ago and you can read it here. You can also read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother).
Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more. You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.
If you give a gift of $25 or more up until June 30, I will send you a free copy of my book, Strictly Business, while supplies last (I sent out eleven so far). Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you play a part in addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and world hunger. I will have an offer involving my latest book that I will announce next week, so be watching for that.
2. REVELATION: I still need your help, although I had two good leads for publishing last week but no money. I have finished a devotional focusing on the book of Revelation and I feel an urgent need to self-publish this work, which will cost about $2,500. I wrote about this project in my blog a few months ago and encourage you to read what I wrote there. You can also read some sample excerpts of the book here.
In that post, I explain my urgency in wanting to get it out for people to read. Once you read my rationale, please consider if the Lord wants you to help me to restore an important book of the Bible that has been distorted by so many weird interpretations. I know there is someone out there who is going to help me with this project. Maybe it is you.
3. DAILY PROVERB: I am now posting a short daily devotional focusing on one verse every day on my blog site. If you would like to read it or subscribe to receive it, just go to my site and register there. I promise to have it updated every day.
4. FACEBOOK: I update my status on Facebook (you can find me by searching my email, johnstanko@att.net) every morning to include a daily verse from Proverbs and an inspirational quote. I do the same on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow along.
5. UK AND KENYA: I am scheduled to be in the UK from September 18-September 27 and then in Kenya from September 29-October 4. If you can use my services while I am there to speak, consult or conduct a purpose seminar for your company or church, please let me know as soon as possible.
Dear Dr John:
Thank you for the link to this beautiful and inspiring song. I first heard the song just as it came out. The dance team at our church did a dance to the song and performed it in church. Isn't it odd that you can take a secular song and when it is done for the glory of the Lord, the anointing can not only be present but effective to change lives.
I can remember one Christmas where one of our dancers performed to Celine Dion singing "O Holy Night". By the time the performance was done, a great percentage of our congregation had fell prostrate to the floor or to their knees with passionate weeping. Our dance team was virtually started with the song, "I hope you dance". Our dance team instructor went on to teach a worship dance studio and quite literally, hundreds of girls across denominational lines took the year long class and or participated in an annual dance event at our church.
I think you are spot on with your analysis in the Monday Memo. The message of this song should be chisled and engraved inside the heart of every parent to pass along to their kids. I believe way too many parents miss the opportunity to pass along the gift of imagination to their children. That gift is the Key to unlock the door to children and teens alike to help them find the purpose of God.
Your friend
Paul
Posted by: Paul | June 29, 2009 at 10:59 AM