No shoes? Really? How cool is that! In order to raise awareness of the need around the world for shoes & Christ our Pastor Chip Bernhard is challenging the church to leave their shoes at home - or better yet to carry their shoes in with them on Sunday and give them away to someone who needs them more. We're collecting shoes for Solesforjesus.org who will take them to Africa and give them away to people who need them. Super cool.
What's even "cooler" is that this Sunday I'll be re-telling the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet. What a great day to be teaching Humility. I won't even need shoes though I may need some foot washing!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Your Child's Bent
Do you know your child's "bent"? Christy and I had a recent chat about the importance of knowing our children's bent after she sat through an enouraging session with our student ministries pastor and his wife. The basic idea is that children have strengths and if parents pay attention they can encourage those strengths in the activities they choose for their children. The flip side is true also. If parents don't pay attention they may and will likely stifle those strengths.
My thought today is that sometimes strengths are hidden and are perceived as a weakness. Take energy and enthusiasm for example. I have a son who has enough energy and enthusiasm to move the world off its axis. If I'm not careful I'll be tempted to stifle that energy because it can be annoying or distracting. Or I can fan the flame and direct it toward helping him understand ambition and determination. I've come to understand that this child is extremely head strong and willing to do just about anything to get the job done WHEN HE SETS HIS MIND ON IT. So to help him with this bent I give him tasks that allow him to see how this ambition can benefit him and others.
There is another side to this coin. Can a coin have three sides? This one does. In my estimation a bent can be used for good or bad. And here is the third side of the coin. The bent is not necessarily the problem but how it is being used. My task as a parent is to recognize the bent, how it is being used, and TRAIN my child how to use it for the good. When my child uses his or her bent to accomplish bad things it is my job to help him or her know why and how to correct it. When I was in middle school I had a little trouble holding my tongue. Whatever came to my mind first I said. One time I spoke out too quickly and apparently loud enough for the BIBLE teacher to hear. I couldn't take it back. I spent the next hour wondering what my penalty would be. I don't remember the penalty but I do remember what the BIBLE teacher told me. He told me that the same thought had crossed his mind (well before I blurted it out) but that he had learned to control his tongue. He didn't discourage my quick whit just my quick mouth. In doing so he gave me the freedom to strengthen my whit and think about how to use it for the positive. I'm still learning.
My thought today is that sometimes strengths are hidden and are perceived as a weakness. Take energy and enthusiasm for example. I have a son who has enough energy and enthusiasm to move the world off its axis. If I'm not careful I'll be tempted to stifle that energy because it can be annoying or distracting. Or I can fan the flame and direct it toward helping him understand ambition and determination. I've come to understand that this child is extremely head strong and willing to do just about anything to get the job done WHEN HE SETS HIS MIND ON IT. So to help him with this bent I give him tasks that allow him to see how this ambition can benefit him and others.
There is another side to this coin. Can a coin have three sides? This one does. In my estimation a bent can be used for good or bad. And here is the third side of the coin. The bent is not necessarily the problem but how it is being used. My task as a parent is to recognize the bent, how it is being used, and TRAIN my child how to use it for the good. When my child uses his or her bent to accomplish bad things it is my job to help him or her know why and how to correct it. When I was in middle school I had a little trouble holding my tongue. Whatever came to my mind first I said. One time I spoke out too quickly and apparently loud enough for the BIBLE teacher to hear. I couldn't take it back. I spent the next hour wondering what my penalty would be. I don't remember the penalty but I do remember what the BIBLE teacher told me. He told me that the same thought had crossed his mind (well before I blurted it out) but that he had learned to control his tongue. He didn't discourage my quick whit just my quick mouth. In doing so he gave me the freedom to strengthen my whit and think about how to use it for the positive. I'm still learning.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Big Asks Bold Moves
I was thinking about the importance of making Big Asks and Bold Moves this week after reading "axiom" by Hybels.
Here's why I've made the Big Ask of Spring Creek to serve their First Look and 252 children on a weekly rather than monthly basis.
What else that's really important to you do you commit 1 hour a month to? Its a value statement isn't it? How would we feel about a different teacher every day in your child's local school? How effective would that one day a week teacher be compared to the teacher down the road who spends all day with his students?
Look at this from your child's perspective. How much more likely is it that she will be comfortable seeing the same face each week rather than a different one from Sunday to Sunday. What are the chances that she will connect on a spiritual/relational level with the month to month teacher? Many families struggle to get their kids to connect at church already. Kids from different schools, a new learning environment, and strangers all contribute to their anxiety. One simple change in our approach will make a dramatice difference.
I'm just saying that the leader that's willing to spend 40-52 hours A YEAR influencing children for Jesus is more likely to make a lasting impression on their hearts than the leader that commits 9-12.
Here's why I've made the Big Ask of Spring Creek to serve their First Look and 252 children on a weekly rather than monthly basis.
What else that's really important to you do you commit 1 hour a month to? Its a value statement isn't it? How would we feel about a different teacher every day in your child's local school? How effective would that one day a week teacher be compared to the teacher down the road who spends all day with his students?
Look at this from your child's perspective. How much more likely is it that she will be comfortable seeing the same face each week rather than a different one from Sunday to Sunday. What are the chances that she will connect on a spiritual/relational level with the month to month teacher? Many families struggle to get their kids to connect at church already. Kids from different schools, a new learning environment, and strangers all contribute to their anxiety. One simple change in our approach will make a dramatice difference.
I'm just saying that the leader that's willing to spend 40-52 hours A YEAR influencing children for Jesus is more likely to make a lasting impression on their hearts than the leader that commits 9-12.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Making A Difference
Parents often tell me great stories about how KidsCreek is making a difference in their lives and their children's lives. I'm thrilled that KidsCreek 252, first look, and Awana are helping parents in their efforts to shepherd their children's hearts. Some of the stories are very fun and encouraging so I want to share them here through your posts.
So, tell us your stories. We'll all enjoy them together.
There is an ancient "specialness" that occurs when parents take initiative in and responsibility for the spiritual lives of their children. When we are young we need mom and dad to guide and mentor us. We need mom and dad to take a specific interest in our relationship to Christ. We need mom and dad to show us where Christ fits in the "normalness" of life. Conversations on the way home from church, school, and soccer games, along with regular conversations at breakfast, dinner, or bedtime combine to harness the normalness of life for Jesus. If normal doesn't include Jesus our influence will be toward something other than a healthy spiritual life.
So, tell us your stories. We'll all enjoy them together.
There is an ancient "specialness" that occurs when parents take initiative in and responsibility for the spiritual lives of their children. When we are young we need mom and dad to guide and mentor us. We need mom and dad to take a specific interest in our relationship to Christ. We need mom and dad to show us where Christ fits in the "normalness" of life. Conversations on the way home from church, school, and soccer games, along with regular conversations at breakfast, dinner, or bedtime combine to harness the normalness of life for Jesus. If normal doesn't include Jesus our influence will be toward something other than a healthy spiritual life.
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