May 31, 2008

Equipping Families

I just finished reading a book this week called Faith Begins at Home.

In describing the all-too-common scene of parents just dropping their kids off at church while they go elsewhere, the author quotes Roland Martinson who said this:

The church’s role is to be equippers of families.  What we ought to do is let the children drop their parents off at church, train the parents and send them back into their mission field—their homes—to grow Christians.

What do you think of this?  Post your comments below.

May 30, 2008

The Legacy You Want to Give

The sermon on Sunday is called, “Leaving a Legacy.”  You might want to take this evaluation called The Legacy You Want to Give beforehand.

And, it’s not too late to join Pastor Dick for the Parenting Seminar tomorrow.  It begins at 8:00 a.m.

May 30, 2008

Teens Doing Hard Things

I’ve referenced the book “Do Hard Things” previously and really appreciate this Breakpoint Commentary.

Teens, forgive us for looking down on you.  Thanks for leading the way.  See 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

May 30, 2008

Buy a Book Recently?

Note: See the comment below from Becky Anderson for a reminder to use our church library and the public library.

One other note: We will be having a Children’s Book Fair on June 8 and June 15 to help parents and grandparents pick up resources to help equip kids.  Come and take a look at some Children’s Bibles, Devotional Books, and Story Books.

A new Zogby Poll explores how and where readers shop, what makes them buy, and their reading and book-buying habits.

-Most book buyers head to bookstore with a purpose - but are often tempted into unplanned book purchases
-Most admit to judging a book by its cover
-Most head online or to chains for books, but nearly half also shop at independent booksellers
-Nearly one in four are reading more - but slightly more said they are reading less than usual

May 29, 2008

Teens and Isolation

Check out this Breakpoint Commentary about how alone and isolated many teens are today.

I hope you read the whole article but wanted to quote from the conclusion:

Clearly, it is time to knock down the walls that separate us from our teens—both at church and at home. As moms and dads, you must reclaim the God-appointed role of spiritually parenting your children and teens in a biblical worldview. And, while recognizing the value of teen-specific ministry, we need to do more to integrate our teens into the life of the whole community, where they can share their gifts and talents with the entire body of believers. 

May 29, 2008

Free Parenting Tips

I think I’ve mentioned this before but wanted to make sure you know about these free parenting tips by email.

May 29, 2008

GTLC Still at Work

I dropped in on Willard Baker and Tom McClain yesterday as they were constructing a new front porch for a woman who lost her old one due to the flood.  As I pulled up with a couple sub sandwiches I wasn’t sure if they were even going to stop and eat.  I had to tell them a couple times to sit down and take a break.  They just kept smiling as they measured and cut and nailed.

It’s cool that this ministry continues to help people in our county—quietly and yet with great joy.  Their motto could be this: “We’re happiest when we’re serving.”

Thanks, guys.  It shows.

May 29, 2008

The Supremacy of Christ

How do the postmodern mind and the biblical Christian mind grapple with life’s ultimate questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What is wrong with the world? How can what is wrong be made right? How should evangelicals respond to the challenges of postmodernism?  How can we place the emphasis on Christ rather than the culture as we do so? This compilation of messages from the Desiring God national conference, convened in the fall of 2006, seeks to sharpen our thinking and motivate our ministry by helping us address issues of culture, truth, joy, love, the gospel, and the church as they intersect with the truth of Christ in our contemporary world.

To read a summary of the book called, “The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern Culture,” see here.

May 28, 2008

Making Honoring Easier

Pastor Jeff has a helpful post about the importance of not exasperating our kids.

May 27, 2008

The Good Old Days

In the sermon on Sunday I mentioned the “Good Old Days.”  Here’s a follow-up from a Washington Post report that I thought you’d enjoy.

Readers were asked to tell Gen-Xers how much harder they had it in the old days:

Second Runner-Up:

In my day, we couldn’t afford shoes, so we went barefoot. In the winter we had to wrap our feet with barbed wire for traction.

First Runner-Up:

In my day we didn’t have MTV or in-line skates, or any of that stuff. No, it was 45s and regular old metal-wheeled roller skates, and the 45s always skipped, so to get them to play right you’d weigh the needle down with something like quarters, which we never had because our allowances were too small, so we’d use our skate keys instead and end up forgetting they were taped to the record player arm so that we couldn’t adjust our skates, which didn’t really matter because those crummy metal wheels would kill you if you hit a pebble anyway, and in those days roads had real pebbles on them, not like today.

And the winner:

In my day, we didn’t have no rocks. We had to go down to the creek and wash our clothes by beating them with our heads.

May 27, 2008

Teens and Entertainment

Chuck Colson offers some savvy advice related to entertainment and teens.

Here’s how the commentary begins:

The University of Minnesota School of Health recently published a study documenting how teenagers who have a television in their bedroom are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyles: from poor eating habits, to bad grades, to less time spent with the family.

May 27, 2008

Counting the Ten Commandments

Someone came up to me after the service on Sunday and wondered why I said that “honoring your father and mother” is the fifth commandment when he thought it was the fourth commandment.  I looked it up later and found out that the Catholic church and some Lutheran churches do indeed refer to this commandment as the fourth, not the fifth.  Most other churches and Jewish traditions count it as the fifth.  Here’s an explanation and here.

One site gave this summary: “The issue isn’t how we number them but how we respond to them.”

I was also asked after the service how a teenager can demonstrate honor when a parent is mistreating them.  I can’t imagine how difficult that must be, especially when a parent doesn’t see it.  I’m not sure I gave the best answer but as I’ve thought about it some more, here are some thoughts:

1.  How honor is expressed is different in different situations.  One idea is to not talk back to your parent.  That’s a way to honor.  Remember the wisdom of Proverbs 15:1.
2.  Another key is to pray everyday: “Lord, I want to honor my parent but it’s so hard because they are not honorable.”
3.  Find someone to talk to and pray with about this.
4.  Get plugged into a youth group where you can experience the family of God.
5.  Ask an older person to mentor you.
6.  Read Luke 6:27-36 and ask God to help you live this out in your home: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…”

This article may be of help as well.

May 26, 2008

Keep Believing in China

Ray Pritchard writes about how Keep Believing Ministry is partnering with a believer in China to distribute 10,000 copies of Anchor for the Soul in the aftermath of the earthquake.

May 24, 2008

Family Driven Faith

As part of our current sermon series that we’re calliing “Generation Next,” I’ve read several books.  This one called “Family Driven Faith” is now available on Christian Book Summaries here.

This summary is 10-pages long and captures the essence of the book quite well.  By the way, you can sign up for email alerts when new summaries are available by clicking here.

May 24, 2008

A Tribute to Vets

May 24, 2008

The Towel

Pastor Jeff spoke at the PCS graduation Thursday night and did a great job.  Click here to read it.

May 23, 2008

Needs and Wants

I’ve been listening to some podcasts by Dave Ramsey and have benefited from his wisdom related to finances.  Here’s his take on how to handle high gas prices.

May 23, 2008

In Memory of Maria

A blog has been set up in memory of Steven Curtis Chapman’s daugther Maria here.  You can leave a comment and read what others have said.  If you scroll down you can watch a video of her and her dad from two months ago.

In responding to the story about the Chapman’s daughter my friend Melissa (a regular blog reader) posted some very helpful comments.  Here’s what she said: As it should be, people around the world are bringing the Chapman family before the Lord at the news of this unspeakable tragedy. Sadly, a short time from now most of us will get caught up, and return to our own everyday thoughts and lives without a second thought. But, it is then, when the shock and numbness ware off, that the stain of grief, guilt, and blame will set in and begin to take its toll. 

As we pray for the Chapman family today may we consider making a note on our calendars to pray for them in say July, and September, and December, and maybe make one in next years calendar when you get it also. Pray for them now but pray later as well.

May the God of all comfort meet all of their needs as only He can and may our prayers remain with them in the days and months ahead.

May 22, 2008

Sad Story

Follow this link and then let’s link together in prayer for this family.

May 22, 2008

Total Commitment

I’ve used this before but can’t resist passing it along again…

A pig and a chicken were walking by a church where a gala charity event was taking place. Getting caught up in the spirit, the pig suggested to the chicken that they each make a contribution.

“Great idea!” the chicken cried. “Let’s offer them ham and eggs?”

“Not so fast,” said the pig. “For you, that’s a contribution. For me, it’s a total commitment.”

May 22, 2008

Parenting Seminar

As part of our focus on the family these days, I’ve asked Pastor Dick to lead a parenting seminar on Saturday, May 31st from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Topics to be covered include: Loving Discipline, Role of Grandparents, Communication, and more.

Cost is only $5 which includes lunch and childcare.  To register, simply send Pastor Dick an email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

May 21, 2008

It’s Your Turn Now

I had the privilege of speaking to the junior high students from Pontiac Christian School this morning.  I titled my message, “It’s Your Turn Now.”

I didn’t manuscript the message but here’s the outline.

It’s Your Turn Now
Junior High Retreat
5/21/08

Introduction: Put games on each table and have students set the game up.

Questions: (Put answers on white board)

1.  Describe the object of the game.
2.  What are the rules of the game?
3.  What’s the best way to win?

Transition: Key in every game is to wait your turn – and no one else can take your turn…I want to propose that it’s your turn now.

Don’t be like…

• Samson – running with wrong crowd
• Jonah – running away from God

Be like…

• Joseph – Flee temptation and forgive those who’ve wronged you
• Caleb – Be courageous
• Deborah – Be a leader
• Esther – Use your position for God’s purposes

• Daniel –

Note: Pastor Jeff and Rev. Troy Watson have both taught on Daniel.

- Much was beyond his control: could have said that he was a victim of circumstances
- But Daniel declares, “It’s my turn now…”
- We all have many choices:

What will you feed your mind?
What thoughts will you dwell on?
Whom will you talk to?
Where will you direct your desires?
How will you take care of your body?
How will you guard your purity?
Will you get up for church?
Will you plug into your youth group?

- NO ONE ELSE CAN TAKE YOUR TURN…

1:8 – “But Daniel resolved…”  Daniel determined to honor God.  Proposed a ten-day test.

Illus: “People do what they want to do.”  Choose your choices and your choices choose you.

1:9 – “Now God had caused…”

- Daniel did not know ahead of time what God would do
- We must resolve and then God will cause
- When we step out, God will step in
- Don’t let your resolve dissolve

Don’t forget the “now God” factor…

Daniel and Friends made difficult decisions:

Throw us in the furnace…we will not bow.
Throw me to the lions…I will not stop praying.

Key: Determine ahead of time, take your turn now…

Illus.  Experiment in which a group of dogs was given a series of small electric shocks.  Some dogs learned they could stop the shocks by jumping over a wall; other dogs were given shocks at random.  The second group simply lay down and quit trying to do anything.  Later on they were put in the setting where they could have stopped the shocks by jumping over the wall, but they never tried.  Unfortunately, they had “learned” that they were helpless.

Daniel flourished because even in exile he refused to believe he was helpless.

Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.

IT’S YOUR TURN NOW!

Closing Comments

1.  The Christian life is not a game – it’s your life.

2.  Most of you won’t make it through high school with your faith intact.  By the time you enter college or the workforce, according to Barna, only 20% of you will still be walking with Jesus (have four students stand).

Illus.  Number of PCS grads walking with Jesus and a number have walked away.  It’s your turn now.

3.  The small choices you make are really big choices.  Watch that you don’t slide.

4.  It’s your turn now – Choose your friends wisely

5.  Go against the flow.

6.  Fight for what’s right.

It’s your turn…which way are you going to turn?

Have each student state the name of the person next to them and say this:

“But

[student name]

resolved.”  And then all of us say together: “Now God caused.”

Application:

Take 10 days (until end of May) and dare to be a Daniel.  Read the book.  Do what’s right.  Pick an area were you can take action.  And for ten days choose to honor God in that area. 

John Ortberg: “To get the most out of life, you must arrange your priorities around what matters most.  A life that focuses on temporary prizes will result in disappointment when the game is over.  Life’s greatest fulfillment comes when you love God, when you love others, and when you nurture your own soul.”

Closing: Put the game back in the box.  One day it will all go back in the box – you’ll go out in a box….

It’s Your Turn Now!

May 21, 2008

Five on Forgiveness

I highly recommend these five sermons on forgiveness by Ray Pritchard.

May 20, 2008

How Children Change Us

Here’s an excerpt from a helpful article…

I remember the first time my youngest daughter pulled her chubby little hand away from mine as we walked into the grocery store together one day. I automatically reached out to re-hold her hand, and again she pulled away. “I don’t need to hold your hand,” she said. Her unspoken message was clear:I’m growing up, Mommy. Deal with it.

Read more here.

May 19, 2008

The Value of Values

As children get older, parents gradually release control of decision-making and allow their kids greater freedom to make choices for themselves. Too much freedom too early can be disastrous but too much control and then instant freedom can be dangerous as well.

The key to making good decisions has a lot to do with values, but children don’t get to hear about values as often. Children hear rules. If, when your kids are growing up, you talk about the values behind the rules then when they have the freedom to make their own decisions, they’ll be able to do so with wisdom.

Children outgrow rules, but they don’t outgrow values. When kids are young you may not allow them to go down the street without an adult. When they get a little older they’ll have to check in and be home at a certain time. Those are rules but they come out of very important values of safety and accountability. When a college student is invited to stay out late with her friends, those values from childhood will still ring true, and will help guide her to wise decisions.

Prepare now for your child’s future decision-making. What are the values behind the rules you’ve created? Share those values regularly as opportunities to teach your kids. Your children will carry the values on for the rest of their lives.

This idea was taken from the book Home Improvement, The Parenting Book You Can Read to Your Kids by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN BSN.

May 18, 2008

Earthquake in China

Click here to view an interactive map that shows how extensive the damage was from the earthquake in China.

If you click on the camera icons imbedded in the map you will see pictures that give an idea of the utter devastation that took place in those areas.

Imagine what this must be like for the survivors and then intercede for them.

May 17, 2008

Like Dad, Like Daughter

Emily has joined the blogosphere.  She set this up so she can post udpates while she is the Dominican Republic this summer—she leaves June 16th.  I told her she needed to blog every day.  She said, “Not.”

May 17, 2008

Parenting Helps

The message tomorrow is called “Parenting is Heart Work.”  In an effort to provide some supplemental parenting tips during this series, I will be posting various links.  Here are two for today.

This article has some practical parenting advice for deepening a young child’s interest in God.

I should have done better than I did on this Parenting Quiz.

May 17, 2008

Study Guide

The Stealth Attack Study Guide is now available online.

May 16, 2008

It All Goes Back in the Box

The game of life really boils down to these sobering facts. You will die, and when you do, you will lose all the stuff you have. Therefore, instead of focusing on things you cannot keep, focus on those you can.  I enjoyed reading this book by John Ortberg.  You can read a summary here.

May 15, 2008

Parenting Resource

As we continue in our series called “Generation Next,” I’ll be passing along some resources that will be of help in your home.

Focus on the Family has just released a new Parenting Forum as an opportunity to help parents discuss issues and concerns that affect families.

There are also some helpful articles on the site including:

Bullying
Approaches to Discipline
Parenting Grandchildren

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