My 5^th grade son and I recently had a conversation about why Tim Tebow is such a good guy to idolize: he cares for others above himself, he understands his strength and abilities come from God, and he epitomizes the values Christ taught us.  That’s a good guy to look up to.

So, how did he get there and how can you help your own children find a path similar to that?

Take a few moments to read about Tim and share these works and his guiding principles with your children. It certainly will help guide their thoughts as they dream about what to be when they grow up.

Tim is the youngest of 5 children. He was born in the Philippines while his parents were missionaries there.  He was homeschooled by his mother when “homeschooling” was a new word for most people.

The Tebows were actually pioneers in the field of homeschooling.  According to the Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association’s website, “the Tebows planned each child’s schooling around their family values, character training, and the individual’s learning style, interests, and goals.”

They were also highly involved in getting their children to be able to play high school sports at their local schools. This was a new concept for homeschooled children and of course, was an important part of Tim’s athletic development.

Because of his parents’ heavy involvement in mission work, Tim grew up with a Christ-centered life and it shows today. When he was at The University of Florida, he wanted to start a foundation but was not allowed to due to NCAA regulations, according to the Tim Tebow Foundation website. He found a way around this rule by getting First and 15 approved through student government.

Post-college in 2010, he started his organization that helps four different outreach organizations – W15H in the Jacksonville, Florida, area, a partnership with CURE International, Timmy’s Playrooms at children’s hospitals around the country and Uncle Dick’s Home, an orphanage in the Philippines.

As I read about this, I wonder, how does he have time for football?

Another wonderful way he shows his never-wavering faith in Jesus was his eye black during Florida Gator games. A sample of these verses included:

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

Isaiah 40:31 – “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

And of course, one of our family’s favorites, John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

When you read these core things Tim does for people, it makes you believe in what a deeply strong individual he is. Who wouldn’t want that for their children? Please share this with your kids.

Please read more about Tim on his family’s website, his own foundation’s website and this wonderful article from Rick Reilly of ESPN about Tim’s behind the scenes activities.  Please comment if you have any feedback about this.

Photos: Tim Tebow Foundation (www.timtebowfoundation.org)

Marijo Tinlin is the Editor in Chief of Family First, one of the oldest family-oriented websites on the internet. She is also the author of the new book about patriotism and teaching our children to love this country called “How to Raise an American Patriot, Making it Okay for Our Kids to Be Proud to Be American.”  It features 13 interviews with patriotic Americans including Ed Meese, Erick Erickson and Jackie Gingrich Cushman. It’s available at www.raisinganamericanpatriot.com.

With many college basketball fans’ NCAA Tournament brackets in tatters after yesterday’s Louisville upset, now things get interesting, sports fans.

Here are few ideas that can make the games even more fun when you’re all together watching.

• Put on fun music for in between periods and during commercials.
• Keep the drinks in a cooler close by instead of the refrigerator and don’t forget some sports drinks if you are also serving alcohol.
• Get some foam basketballs and hoops to compete against each other or set up a basketball game on the video player for some good competition.
• Give little prizes or gift certificates for the best super fan – face paint, fan regalia and foam finger. Or hold a sports trivia contest and reward the biggest info geek.
• Don’t forget the snacks – Emerald Nuts and Kettle Brand Chips! If you visit www.underdogbracket.com you can win instant prizes and even a chance to win $10,000 if you pick the lowest-ranked winner. As the tourney heats up, you can visit www.kettlereal16.com and enter for another chance to win $10,000. For a chance to win $50 instantly, visit either site or text “Kettle” or “Underdog” to 87963.

Have fun – anything can happen. That’s what makes March Madness the best sports event of the year for many sports fan. Good luck!

But you have to admit it: you are hard-pressed to find a more exciting show in sports than the Big Dance. It may be rivaled if we ever get a college football playoff system, but for now, there’s nothing more exciting than March Madness.
Today’s FamilyFirst site is the official NCAA Basketball site. It has all the news, scores, and schedules of the current season, the upcoming conference playoffs, and, of course, the NCAA Tournament.
Keep it bookmarked, and keep coming back. You’ll be able to stay on top of all the action. And hopefully, you’ll be able to watch THREE MVC teams get their invites to the Big Dance.
Click here

I decided to go with what has long been my favorite print publication: The Sporting News.
Today’s site is TSN’s College Basketball section, which, of course, is now its March Madness coverage.
Get the scores, the articles, and the commentary on the games. And then comment yourself! Just sign up for free, and fire away.
And also get insight from TSN’s great writers. Get the thoughts of Andrew Skwara, Kyle Veltrop, Mike Hayes, and the inimitable Mike DeCourcy. These guys know how to write.
Of course, you can also download your official Sporting News bracket pdf, perfectly suitable for printing out on the old office laser!
So rev up your engines, mark your bracket sheet, and get into one of the most exciting college sports events, courtesy of The Sporting News!
http://www.sportingnews.com/cbasketball

Today’s FamSite looks at the NCAA Basketball site, a great location for information on the top college teams. But it is not limited to just Men’s basketball, but also includes Women’s as well. There is coverage of Division II and III teams as well. There is a special Coaches Corner where features about the men who shaped the game are presented, as well as soon-to-debut Kids Court, an area for children. You can also sign up to follow your favorite team thought out the season.

This is a great site that makes use of Internet technology. Extensive hyperlink text and audio/video make this a real haven for online sports nuts. Covering all levels of the sport make it a great site for all fans to visit. Enjoy your stop here today.

http://www.ncaabasketball.net/

This site is the official site of the NCAA Basketball Championships. Here you can see all of the pairings in from the four regions and print them out if you want. You can look at each team in depth, follow the tournament online, and explore the history of the event with sights and sounds from some of the most amazing games played. But it is more than just men’s basketball that is covered here. The Women’s Tournament is covered as well. And, of course, what site wouldn’t be complete without a place to get official tournament sportswear.

This is an interesting site that shows how the Internet is becoming mainstream in our lives. I find this tournament to be the most exciting of any sports I view, both college and pro. Enjoy your stop here today, and don’t forget to root for your favorite team.

http://www.finalfour.net/

Today’s FamSite looks at the NCAA Basketball site, a great location for information on the top college teams. But it is not limited to just Men’s basketball, but also includes Women’s as well. There is coverage of Division II and III teams as well. There is a special Coaches Corner where features about the men who shaped the game are presented, as well as soon-to-debut Kids Court, an area for children. You can also sign up to follow your favorite team thought out the season.

This is a great site that makes use of Internet technology. Extensive hyperlink text and audio/video make this a real haven for online sports nuts. Covering all levels of the sport make it a great site for all fans to visit. Enjoy your stop here today.

http://www.ncaabasketball.net/