Christian video games, or even family-friendly games, can be difficult to find.  While some Christian companies have made an effort to push into the billion dollar gaming industry, lack of funding often inhibits competition within the market against competitors making millions off of releases such as Grand Theft Auto.  You do have choices, though, if you buy games online rather than looking in retail stores. 

With summertime and the end of the school year quickly approaching, it is time to start planning activities and things to keep your children and teens busy.  On rainy days when you can't send the kids outside, get them playing games you actually approve of.  Guiding Light Video has a large selection of computer games for all ages.  Here are just a few of them available for prices at or below other video and computer games --

Take a vacation with your faith, not from it!  If Vegas, Atlantic City, or a beach full of scantily clad alcoholics doesn't sound like the kind of fun you want for your family, try a visit to a monastery.  Camp Mahpiyato near the beautiful Blue Cloud Abbey in South Dakota is the perfect setting for an individual wanting a spiritual retreat, a family seeking that ever-elusive quality time together, or your church group retreat.

The camp grounds of Mahpiyato offer fishing, hiking, swimming, outdoor and indoor sports.  The Abbey also invites visitors to join them in their times of prayer.  Pitch your tent on the grounds, or stay in the dormitory facilities complete with full kitchen and indoor dining.  The average summer temperatures in South Dakota range in the mid-70's, perfect for outdoor activities. 

Blue Cloud Abbey is surrounded by the beauty of the South Dakota countryside.  This Benedictine Monastery was started in 1950 as a place for the monks who had been working with the Native Americans in the area.  "In the midst of this quiet and private setting, the monks of Blue Cloud Abbey have constructed a campsite, a place of retreat, a sacred space where the crowning of God's creation, His people, might pause from the business of life for reflection, refreshment, renewal and recreation."

The book The View from a Monastery by Brother Benet Tvedten is where I first learned of Blue Cloud Abbey.  The book is a behind-the-scenes and often humorous look at modern monastic life.  From bus trips to the drive-in movie to a heart-warming look at the final days of a beloved fellow monk, Brother Tvedten brings to life the beauty of Blue Cloud Abbey and its monastic brotherhood.  If you have never had a desire to visit a monastery before, you will after reading "The View from a Monastery."

Bookmark with:

           

A Christian Advice Site special review from Jean Lockwood 

If you are looking for something to do with your family this summer; something that includes Christian fellowship, fun for all ages, and many choices of entertainment that will encourage your growth in the Lord; Kingdom Bound Festival may be what you are looking for. 

Kingdom Bound is held in western New York at Darien Lake Theme Park, between Rochester and Buffalo.  For directions visit www.godarienlake.com/directions.php.  This is the 22nd year for Kingdom Bound and the dates this year are August 3-6, 2008. 

Featured at this year's festival will be musical artists such as Newsboys, Third Day, Delirious, Skillet, Jaci Velasquez, Salvador; worship leaders Robin Mark, Relevant Worship, Paul Baloche, and Lenny Leblanc; and communicators Reggie Dabbs, Jeri Barricks, and Family Counselor Kevin Leman -- as well as many more contemporary Christian artisits, worship leaders, and speakers. 

There will be special things going on each day.  The extreme skating and biking ministry called Enemy Opposition will be performing daily in the park.  There will be new artists introduced, as well as all of the ones you know and love.  On Tuesday night, Jaci Velasquez will sing with her husband Nick from the group Salvador.

Enjoying a time of worship in the morning is made easier by the option of having your kids ministered to in the Children's Tent where they will have worship, see skits and puppet shows, play games, win prizes, and have an all out good time, while you join in the corporate worship with other adults and families. 

There are options of what to do all day long, with the Performing Arts Center, Park Stage, and Worship Tent each offering concerts, seminars, and worship times.  At the end of the day the Laser Light Show offered by Darien Lake is a fun time for all, and then maybe enjoying a campfire with the family and some friends will make a wonderful memory that will last a lifetime.

When you purchase tickets to attend Kingdom Bound, included in the package is the Darien Lake Theme Park rides and entertainment.

According to Lisa Leone, Accommodations Director for Kingdom Bound, there are still accommodations available for this year's Kingdom Bound on ground at Darien Lake.  The camping sites, RV rentals, and Motel have the advantage of keeping you close to all that's available to do and see.  Kingdom Bound tickets are available for either a day or two, or for the entire event.

For more information about the Kingdom Bound Festival and to learn how to reserve a trip to Kingdom Bound for your family please visit www.kingdombound.org.

Kingdom Bound Festival is the experience of a lifetime.  Enjoying it with the whole family can make it even better. 

Jean Lockwood is a freelance writer in upstate NY, where she lives in the beautiful Mohawk Valley with her husband Dan and six of their seven children.  The Lockwood family has attended Kingdom Bound Festival each year for 20 years.  Visit Jean at www.parentingandreligion.com.

Bookmark with:

           

Kudos to Wheaton College professor Kent Gramm!  Divorce after 30 years of marriage is always saddening to hear about.  It is not the divorce that gets kudos, but rather Professor Gramm's firm stand to refuse to talk about it with his employers.

As an employee of Wheaton College, a conservative Christian school, Gramm signed a contract which includes statements that while divorce is allowed, the reasons are to be reviewed by school officials on a case-by-case basis.  I understand the concern of Wheaton in wanting to foster an environment of not only education, but sound faith and principles.  I stand by their policy as they see necessary to protect the students and expect their employees to be role models.  Gramm knew the requirements when he accepted employment 20 years ago, and he was aware of the consequences.  Still, he has chosen to resign from his position rather than discuss the intimate details of his marriage and its failure with his bosses.

Have you watched the news in the last year?  You can't sit through a segment without hearing a story of some very public dirty-laundry-airing couple battling it out in front of the cameras.  We've watched Paul McCartney fight it out with his wife; Bobby Brown has a new book about his divorce from Whitney Houston; Dr. Juanita Bynum and Bishop Weeks have been followed by the Christian and secular communities; now we have the YouTube divorce lady who decided to videotape her demand for divorce and air it to the world over the Internet. 

Guess what, world?  It's none of your business!  And for those who are deliberately using the media to publicize their failed relationships -- shame on you! 

Whatever the reasons for Gramm's divorce, there are only three people who should be involved: Mr. Gramm, Mrs. Gramm, and God.  Nobody else has any right to the details.  What would be the point?  To pass judgment?  To gossip?  To be able to look at this couple and say, "Now see, that's where they messed up.  I would never do that!"  Why do we need to know their reasons?  We don't.  

So although I am saddened to hear of yet another marriage falling to the wayside, the Gramms have their reasons, they have thought about it, and they have reviewed the consequences.  Mr. Gramm knows the ramifications of his decision, and he is accepting the responsibility and the outcome.  He has chosen to answer only to God for his actions.  

Mr. Gramm, you have my sympathy, my support, and my respect.  I only wish more people would look to you and see that sometimes keeping your mouth shut makes the loudest statement. 

Bookmark with: