Five Smooth Stones is a about one father's journey to deposit and develop excellence in the lives of his five sons. The author provides personal insights as to what it was like growing up in the inner-city of Detroit during the 80's. Being raised in a single-parent home, the author talks about the relationship with his mother, grandparents, his absence father, selling drugs, dropping out of school; and how God orchestrated and miraculously turned his life around. After accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior things begin to turn around. Having a new outlook on life, the writer is determined to fulfill his purpose as a husband, father, but most importantly as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. This book is NOT about perfect parenting. It's about overcoming challenges - learning to deal with the mistakes and benefits associated with parenting. Do you need a parenting timeout? Then this book, Five Smooth Stones, is for YOU. After 26 years of parenting and making mistakes along the way, author R. V. Sykes, Sr. adopted seven teaching principles. These seven principles can be summed up in word T.H.R.E.A.D.S T is for Transparency - requires real conversation, truth, systematic dialogue and a willingness to admit mistakes His is for Honor - children must learn to honor God, their parents and other authority figures R is for Responsibility - Teaching children to be responsible requires consistency and patience E is for Example - We must lead by example - children watch almost everything that we say, do and don't do A is for Affirmation - involves approving, validating, declaring, confirming, truthfulness and correcting D is for Decisions - it's critically important to teach and train your children about the importance of making good decisions S is for Selflessness - demonstrate to your children what it truly means to be SELFLESS rather than SELFISH These concepts and other helpful tools in this book will empower parents to establish a wholesome relationship with their children Pastor R. V. Sykes, Sr., is a native Detroiter. He is happily married to Christine Sykes for 28 years. Together they have 6 children Rick, Jr, Julian (Kamyla), Christian, Kourtney, Jalen and Caleb Sykes. One granddaughter, Karis Peyton Sykes. Pastor R. V. Sykes, Sr., is the founder and pastor of The Prevailing Church. For more information regarding The Prevailing Church, please log onto our website www.theprevailingchurch.com. Pastor Sykes has over 30 combined years of experience working in the corporate and non-profit arena as well as ministry. He has a degree in Business Administration from William Tyndale College and is in the final stage of completing his Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry. Pastor Sykes also has additional training from the University of Michigan-Ross School of Business, (Management), Michigan State University (Employment Training) and Eastern Michigan University (Quality Assurance Training). A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Care Net Pregnancy Center Berkley/Detroit. Care Net exists to represent Jesus Christ and to offer alternatives to abortion-vulnerable individuals. They provide medical, material and spiritual support, and they encourage godly sexual attitudes and practices in the community. To reach Pastor Sykes Kamyla Sykes Executive Assistant to Pastor R. V. Sykes, Sr. (248) 571-9535