Hope

This month we are studying the theme, "Hope, believing that something good can come out of something bad."  We spent some time with the kids last Sunday talking about all the Bible stories they know that started out bleak and without hope (Jesus on the cross, Daniel being thrown into the lions Den,  David facing Goliath, Noah on the ark)  and then compared it to how the stories turned with such good results we could have never imagined.

As I have reflected up on hope this month I was reminded of the flood of 1993.  I was only six years old sitting in church with my dad in the pulpit and my mom and brother beside me when the corp of engineers came through the back doors and told us the levy was in danger of breaking and we needed to all leave.  The levy didn't break that morning but not long after we were at my grandparents emptying their basement when the sirens started to blow.  We knew that meant the levy had broken.  We heard a noise and as we turned to look down the street we saw water rushing towards us.  We quickly loaded into the vehicles and took off.  The flood was worse than any flood our town had seen in recent history.  The church where my father pastored and where my brother and I were seventh generation members was destroyed along with countless homes.  How could something good come from something so destructive.  How would our church continue when we had no wealthy members who could build a new building and like everyone else in the town flood insurance had been unattainable.  The church board met and after a long meeting voted unanimously at midnight that they build a new church,  but that they would build it by faith as the money came in.  As they left the building the biggest brightest rainbow any of them had ever seen shown in the midnight sky, what a sign from God!  One year later and more volunteers and donations that you could imagine we were sitting in our brand new building completely debt free.  Hope is powerful, it's not just wishing, but it's a belief that God can take a bad situation and turn it into a good situation that brings Him glory.  My prayer is that this month you would find the true "Hope" found only in Christ.

Self-Control

We're only two weeks into this month's theme "self-control" and it's already been an amazing experience.  As I was preparing for Firm Foundation tonight and reading a blog on orangeparents  I began to realize just how important self-control is.  Seriously, think about a time when someone hurt you or you hurt someone...it probably had something to do with a lack of self-control.  Think about something that you regret in your past (super uplifting post huh?) The things we regret in our past usually have something to do with lacking self-control and choosing our way over God's way.  We say hurtful things when we need to speak blessings, we over schedule ourselves when we need to carve out time for family and friends, we indulge in a lifestyle that isn't healthy, we select our own path instead of allowing God to direct our paths.  While we serve an amazing God who is able to take the pain in our past and turn it into good (Romans 8:28) it's important to realize that this pain could have been prevented by practicing a healthy dose of self-control.  While this month is an awesome opportunity for our kids to learn about self-control, it's also an amazing opportunity for us to reflect on ourselves so that we can set a strong example for our children.  May God richly bless you as we explore this incredible fruit of the spirit together.

New Year's Resolution

What is your New Year's resolution this year?  There are a lot of good resolutions out there; eating healthier, getting regular exercise, battling addictions and the list goes on.
This year I'd like to suggest a resolution that is a little unusual but if you're a parent it's one of the best resolutions you can make.  That resolution is to intentionally partner with the church to support your child's spiritual growth.  Below are several different suggestions for how we can partner together to support your child in 2012.

1. Join us on Wednesday evening for Firm Foundation at 6:30 to worship as a family.
2. Make sure to pick up the Parent Cue papers to find out what your kids learned and for suggestions of activities to do at home.
3. Let us know about issues your child may be struggling with so we can join you in prayer and support of your  child.

Any other ideas you can think of?

Christmas Poem

This month our toddler and preschool classes are going to be learning the Christmas story, and you can practice at home with your child. The poem comes from the reThink First Look curriculum that we utilize in all our nursery classrooms.  If your house is ever like mine was, than this could be a great distraction to stop your kid's grandma and aunt from fighting over politics.

Week 1

The angel came down (make a flying motion)

from God to say (cup hands around mouth like you want to say something)

that Mary will have a baby (pretend to rock a baby in your arms) on Christmas Day.

His name will be Jesus (make a ‘V’ with both arms up and fists closed),

God’s only Son (point a finger and arm straight up).

He will show that God loves everyone. (Hug yourself.)

Week 2

“Mary and Joseph traveled far, far away. (Walk in place.)

When they got to Bethlehem, they had no place to stay. (Hold your hands out and shake your head ‘no.’)

God gave them a barn filled with cows and sheep. (Use your arms to make a pretend roof over your head.)

Jesus was born (pretend to hold a baby in your arms);

in hay He did sleep (fold your hands under your head like you’re sleeping).

Week 3 

“The shepherds were watching their sheep at night. (Put your hand above your eyes like you’re looking for something.)

An angel cam and caused a fright! (Put your hand over your mouth and make a scared face.)

‘Don’t be afraid. Shake and wave your hands ‘no.’)

I have good news! (Give two thumbs-up.)

Jesus is born (use your arms to make a ‘V’ above your head)

for you and you and you!’ (Point to different people.)

The angels sang! (Pretend to hold a microphone.)

The shepherds ran! (Run in place.)

All to the see the baby (pretend to hold a baby)

God sent to man!” (Point both thumbs to your chest.)

Week 4

“The wise men came following a special star. (Wiggle your fingers overhead.)

All the way to Jesus (make the sign for Jesus by pointing to the center of each hand with your middle fingers),

they came from afar. (Put your hand above your eyes like you’re looking out.)

They knocked on His door (pretend to knock),

then they knelt on the floor (kneel down on both knees)

and gave their gifts to Jesus.” (Hold your hands out like you’re giving a gift.)

Gratitude

This month we've been learning about Gratitude.  It's really been an awesome experience, our kids have been showing gratitude at church this month, and I hope at home too!
So far this month our key points have been;
1. You always have something to be grateful for.
2. Check your attitude and change it to gratitude.
3. Take time to say thank you.
Those sound awesome don't they?  We want our kids to be able to pause and check their attitude and realize that they have a lot to be grateful for even if they don't always get their own way.

What I've found this month is that this one hits a lot closer to home than most of our topics do.  The other day I was getting ready to leave the house and I was just in a funk, as I stepped out the front door I saw our 93 year old neighbor in the front lawn.  He had fallen and his wife was trying to help him up.  I got my husband and as we helped the man to his feet suddenly my problems didn't seem so big.  I continued my day and when I ran into a friend I found out that her husband had just lost his job, while in comparison my husband had just started his new job the day before.  In that moment I was humbled, my problems weren't so big and I had a lot to be grateful for. May God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving and may you have a clear focus of the many things we truly have to be grateful for this year.  What are you giving thanks for this year?

Everyone needs to be rescued, even me.

Next Sunday we are going to start a three week series on the prodigal son in our elementary area and in our Wednesday evening programming.  To prepare for this time of learning some of our parents got together yesterday evening to consider the questions, "Why do people need to be rescued?" and "What did God do about it?"  One of the things the adults talked about, is what some of the messages are that our kids receive from others that counteract what we are trying to teach them.

Those concerning messages are:
You know everything
Rescue yourself
Nobody is there to rescue you
I don't need to be rescued
Do the right thing and you won't need to be rescued
Don't discuss religion outside of church
There is no God

As we prepare for this time of learning about how God rescued us, what is your response to the above statements, and how do you demonstrate the fact that "everyone needs to be rescued, even you" within your family?

Top reasons to read the Bible

If you missed Firm Foundation tonight, the adult small group wanted to help you stay connected! Tonight in preparation for what the kids will be learning Sunday, the adults discussed what some of the top reasons to read the Bible are. Below are the top reasons they shared. Join the conversation and let us know your top reason.

Alone time with God; get away from the world and listen to God (and even without explaining that, children will see your example and understand that it is important)

Increases our understanding of God and us

Help to understand what's happening in your life

Other people have survived so we can too - great examples of perseverance and faith

Prepares us for the future as well as we learn to trust

'cause God said so!

Speaks to me as a person; i'm not anonymous to God; I matter to God

See who God is and that God is consistent

You're not alone

May be feeling same things that others have, yet they trusted God and survived (God is good)

Read daily, so our children see that reading scripture is a part of our lives that feels normal.