Wow, where do I begin? So much has been happening over the last several weeks. To say that it's overwhelming is a HUGE understatement. So many lives have been impacted. So many lives have been changed - forever.
In a previous blog, 'Finding That Which was Lost,' (http://bloggin4god.blogspot.com/2009/03/finding-that-which-was-lost.html), I shared with you the possibility that my husband's biological family had found him. If you didn't read that article, click on the link and give it a good read. It will lay the important groundwork for what God has done in all of this. In summary, Scott was adopted at birth. His was a closed adoption. He had no idea of who his family was or could access that information. We had tried in the past, but with little or no luck. We had a couple of possibilities back in 2000 and 2001, but it wasn't his family. As I said in my previous blog, his father's wife and daughter had been searching for him for the last 14 years.
Scott and his 'potential' half-sister went through DNA testing. After years of searching, several weeks of anxious hoping, the results finally came in. The results were undeniable. It was 79% probability that they are half siblings, anything over 50% is a sure match. You cannot imagine the joy that Scott and his half-siblings had over these results! He had to talk to three of his four sisters yesterday- Denise, Sue, and Cathy. (I never thought I'd ever refer to Scott's sister...he grew up with one brother. There was NO hint of girls in the house. Poor Mrs. Denny!) And, for the very first time, he talked to his oldest brother, Jim. Though talking to his sisters was wonderful, it was when he talked to his brother that it hit him how real this all was. Scott said when he got on the phone with his brother, it was like hearing himself talking from the other end - like a recording of yourself. It's you, but it doesn't sound the way you think you sound, but you know it's your voice. That's what his brother's voice sounded like to Scott. Scott also spoke to his biological father's wife. She is just such a sweet lady, an admirable lady. They told Soctt that he sounded just like their father - southern accent and all. Their Dad was from Kentucky. Hearing Scott sounding like their Dad I think was just as emotional for them as well.
This family had been searching for years, not knowing if they were looking for a baby boy or girl. Not knowing if the child was alive or if it had been aborted. They were concerned that if it had been adopted out, did he have a good home, a good family? Was this missing sibling okay? Did he know they were looking for him? Each of them asked him if he had a good home growing up. I guess they had to hear it for themselves. And yes, Scott has the best parents anyone could ever ask for!
The DNA results were the last piece of a long string of evidence that convinced us all of what we had all been praying for. With there being no doubt as to Scott's relation to this family, all walls were down. His newfound family shared so many stories, so many wonderful memories, and lots of humor and laughter with Scott yesterday. He found out his biological Dad LOVED children. He also LOVED watching the History Channel. That he loved military history, especially. Sound familiar? As I said before, his birth Dad was a Korean War Veteran. He also received the Silver Star for gallantry in battle among other medals. Ever seen the movie Heartbreak Ridge with Clint Eastwood? Scott's biological father was at Heartbreak Ridge during that battle.
There's so much more that is happening as we forge ahead, navigating new relationships with a new family while insuring the strong bond his has for the loving parents who raised him. God has been so good in all of this and all of the pieces have fallen into place like a giant master plan. I love it when God's plan comes together!
Again, this has been a bit overwhelming at times for us as a family. It's been our top priority for several weeks, and though I'm not the adoptee in this case, it has impacted me as well. Our children have even been affected by all of this. Mathew's response has been very reserved, keeping things at arms length until he has more information. He's old enough that he has a complete understanding and it will have the most impact on him than our other two. I just don't know what he thinks about it all. Brittany has been excited and accepting. She been interested, at the right age to understand yet be more open about it. Michael, well, I don't think he really quite understands everything. Happy and blissful is his motto:-) So, if I've seemed out of place, lost, or forgetful, please know that this is why. We're taking it all in and having to sort through the emotions of it all at a very busy time in our lives. (It all started the week of FCAT- great timing for us, NOT, since we both teach!) Scott has heavily relied on me lately so most of my attention must be on him and our children as we go through this. Frankly, the emotions have physically drained both of us to the point we're plain out fatigued! We've also been spending more time with his parents as they are going through some health issues as well.
But this story isn't just about Scott. Since we've shared this with our church family, with those we work with, and with some of our students, we've witnessed God doing something amazing. We've had so many people tell us they are praying for Scott, his parents, and his birth family. There are also those who have approached us whose lives have been touched in one way or another by adoption. They are seeking to talk with Scott (or me) for advice on adoption, for advice on their adopted children, or other adoption related issues. One dear friend, who has adopted children, approached me this morning. One of her adopted children, now a young adult, had recently made contact with one of the biological parents. There's been so much going on with that situation and she wanted to talk with Scott about his situation. She also thought he and her adopted child would be able to relate to the emotions and feelings that they are experiencing...and yes there are emotions that rear up that only adoptees can understand. NO ONE can relate to what they experience. It's a unique situation.
For Scott and his parents, adoption was a blessing. I believe with all of my heart that Scott was placed in this unique situation to minister to those whose lives are touched by adoption - God has opened another door for us in ministry. When I pray for God to bless us and enlarge our territory, I'm always delighted at His response! And wow, what a response He gave us this time!
Please continue to pray, but not just for us, Scott's parents, and his biological family. Pray also for those God is sending to us, those who are searching for answers, help, and hope for their own personal situation. Please also continue to pray for my dear friends - Jodi and her Dad as he is still in the hospital in Colorado; Terri, Jeff, & their girls (The Ferro Family). Thank you friends.
In His Love, Cathy
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
TONIGHT (Wednesday, April 1)
HELPERS NEEDED TO STUFF GOODIE BAGS...6:30 p.m.
NOTE TIME CHANGE:
KIDS DINNER starts @ 6:30 p.m.
PK/KG Class FROM 7 to 8 p.m.
NO KIDS BIBLE STUDY FOR ELEMENTARY (1st through 4th grades)
Berryhill Manor Practice - 7 to 8 p.m.
In His Love, Cathy
NOTE TIME CHANGE:
KIDS DINNER starts @ 6:30 p.m.
PK/KG Class FROM 7 to 8 p.m.
NO KIDS BIBLE STUDY FOR ELEMENTARY (1st through 4th grades)
Berryhill Manor Practice - 7 to 8 p.m.
In His Love, Cathy
Monday, March 30, 2009
DNA is a Match!!!
The test results came in this morning!
STATEMENT OF RESULTS: Based upon the statical analysis of the above data, it is 3.68 times more likely (or a 78.63553627205% chance) that Tested Simpling 1 (Scott) and Tested Sibling 2 (Denise) are half biological siblings verses not related at all.
NOTE: Any result 50% or greater is desired to show a DNA match. This along with the pictures, Scott's original birth certificate, plus other information has confirmed for us and them that he is in fact their long lost brother.
Scott has officially be reunited with his biological family on his father's side. You can imagine the flurry of phone calls between he and his newly discovered sisters. To say that they are excited and happy is an understatement! To find out, according to his sisters, that 90% of them are believers, followers of Christ, priceless! They said they are very thankful that his adoptive parents gave him a good home AND that they raised him up in Christ!
More on this later! Thank you for your prayers over him, his birth family, and his adoptive family. God has ANSWERED 40+ years of prayer on their behalf and on Scott's behalf. AMAZING!
In His Love, Cathy
STATEMENT OF RESULTS: Based upon the statical analysis of the above data, it is 3.68 times more likely (or a 78.63553627205% chance) that Tested Simpling 1 (Scott) and Tested Sibling 2 (Denise) are half biological siblings verses not related at all.
NOTE: Any result 50% or greater is desired to show a DNA match. This along with the pictures, Scott's original birth certificate, plus other information has confirmed for us and them that he is in fact their long lost brother.
Scott has officially be reunited with his biological family on his father's side. You can imagine the flurry of phone calls between he and his newly discovered sisters. To say that they are excited and happy is an understatement! To find out, according to his sisters, that 90% of them are believers, followers of Christ, priceless! They said they are very thankful that his adoptive parents gave him a good home AND that they raised him up in Christ!
More on this later! Thank you for your prayers over him, his birth family, and his adoptive family. God has ANSWERED 40+ years of prayer on their behalf and on Scott's behalf. AMAZING!
In His Love, Cathy
Saturday, March 28, 2009
ROCK SOLID: What Your Child Learned in Church Today(March28)
Lesson Goal: The children will understand that they should learn from both the positive and negative examples of people in the Bible and from other people. They should use this knowledge to make better choices.
Main Point: I will learn from people in the Bible and from others!
Bible Story: King Belshazzar and the writing on the wall (Daniel 5).
Memory Verse: "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life." Proverbs 19:20 NLT
We are still in Medieval Times, learning to be people of noble character! We learned today how learning from other people can help us out in all areas of our lives. We can look to people in the Bible for both good examples to follow and bad examples to avoid. The Bible is rich with stories of godly men and women, people who were obedient, trusted, and loved God. We can follow their example in our own lives. Likewise, we also see the consequences of those people who disobeyed and rebelled against God. We can also look at godly people in our lives as examples to follow.
In today's story from Daniel, Chapter 5, we see King Belshazzar. Belshazzar had seen the consequences that had befallen King Nebuchadnezzar when he became arrogant and proud. Yet Belshazzar didn't learn from Nebuchadnezzar's mistake. Read Daniel 5 with your child. Find out if Belshazzar could read the writing on the wall!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Have your child memorize Proverbs 19:20 and recite it to me next week for a reward.
2. Read Daniel 5 with your child, explaining to them how important right choices, wise decisions, and learning from other's examples are.
In His Love, Cathy
Main Point: I will learn from people in the Bible and from others!
Bible Story: King Belshazzar and the writing on the wall (Daniel 5).
Memory Verse: "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life." Proverbs 19:20 NLT
We are still in Medieval Times, learning to be people of noble character! We learned today how learning from other people can help us out in all areas of our lives. We can look to people in the Bible for both good examples to follow and bad examples to avoid. The Bible is rich with stories of godly men and women, people who were obedient, trusted, and loved God. We can follow their example in our own lives. Likewise, we also see the consequences of those people who disobeyed and rebelled against God. We can also look at godly people in our lives as examples to follow.
In today's story from Daniel, Chapter 5, we see King Belshazzar. Belshazzar had seen the consequences that had befallen King Nebuchadnezzar when he became arrogant and proud. Yet Belshazzar didn't learn from Nebuchadnezzar's mistake. Read Daniel 5 with your child. Find out if Belshazzar could read the writing on the wall!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Have your child memorize Proverbs 19:20 and recite it to me next week for a reward.
2. Read Daniel 5 with your child, explaining to them how important right choices, wise decisions, and learning from other's examples are.
In His Love, Cathy
Friday, March 27, 2009
Prayer for My Friends
Please be in prayer for the following.
Pray for my friend Jodi and her Dad. He was in Colorado on vacation and was admitted to the hospital today. Jodi is flying out today to be with him and her son who was on vacation with his Granddad. Pray for safe travel for them all and healing for her Dad. Be also in prayer for Jodi as she had faced one medical issue after another. She is a godly woman who lovingly and willingly serves the Lord.
Pray for the families in our church who have lost loved ones this week. Pray for Renae, DJ, their Dad, and extended families. Pray for the reunion and restoration of relationships.
Pray also for LH who lost her husband this week. My heart goes out to her and her family. Pray for God's comforting arms around her and their family.
God you are so good and gracious. You hear us when we call out to You! Thank you!
In His Love, Cathy
Pray for my friend Jodi and her Dad. He was in Colorado on vacation and was admitted to the hospital today. Jodi is flying out today to be with him and her son who was on vacation with his Granddad. Pray for safe travel for them all and healing for her Dad. Be also in prayer for Jodi as she had faced one medical issue after another. She is a godly woman who lovingly and willingly serves the Lord.
Pray for the families in our church who have lost loved ones this week. Pray for Renae, DJ, their Dad, and extended families. Pray for the reunion and restoration of relationships.
Pray also for LH who lost her husband this week. My heart goes out to her and her family. Pray for God's comforting arms around her and their family.
God you are so good and gracious. You hear us when we call out to You! Thank you!
In His Love, Cathy
PCC Kidz Ministry Easter Plans
Berryhill Manor Easter Outreach
April 4th
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt & Churchwide Picnic
Bring food to grill
Saturday, April 11th
EGG HUNT begins at 11:30 a.m.
We are asking for Candy donations to help make goody bags for the children's egg hunt and the Berryhill Manor Outreach. Candy donations may be dropped off in the basket at the sign in table THIS SUNDAY. We are also requesting cookie donations for the residents of Berryhill Manor. Thank you and God Bless!
Join us on Saturday, April 4th at 8 a.m. to help get the grounds ready for our picnic and egg hunt!
EXTRA HELP NEEDED for egg hunt AND for Sunday Morning helpers. Contact me at pcckidzministry@aol.com to sign up today!
In His Love, Cathy
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Too Much Stuff - Decluttering & Simplifying Your Life
My new years resolutions for 2009 basically centered on simplifying my life and focusing on that which was most important - God, my husband, my children, family, friends, and health. I'm still struggling in keeping to my resolutions, often finding myself up at church on my only day off, Saturday, working. Being bivocational isn't easy. It's often difficult to carry the responsibilities of a ministry while working a full time job. Sadly, my family are the ones who sacrifice the most for me to do so. However, to serve in ministry is such an honor and reward in itself and it is something our whole family does together. Besides, I LOVE serving God in this way!
Even so, there are things I allow to clutter my life and knock me off track. These things cause me to stumble. They eat up precious time, fragmenting the time I do have to spend with my family. They cause undue stress, triggering massive migraines on almost a daily basis. They divert my focus from God and His work, wasting my efforts on the trivial instead of the eternal. These distractions cause me to get off focus, neglect my home, my friends, my health, and my God.
In Today's Christian Woman, author Mayo Mathers hit home in her article "Too Much Stuff: If clutter's got you down, try these secrets to simplifying." She made me realize that by reducing the clutter in my home, by clearing out the 'stuff' we have, can go a long way in simplifying our lives. Now I don't consider my home to be cluttered. However, as I read her article I realized just because you can't see the clutter, doesn't mean it's not there. I immediately related to the author's cluttered closet. I must admit, as a woman, I cannot relax in a messy, cluttered home. If my closet is cluttered, if my cabinets are cluttered, if there is 'junk' scattered everywhere, I'm a nervous wreck. When I come home from work, I can relax and destress if my home is nice and tidy. If it's a wreck, all I do when I get home is think about all of the WORK that I am facing. Mayo's article made me realize, that even though we have a modest home and live a modest life, we still have WAY to much stuff. You should see our GARAGE!!! So my plan is to start paring down and simplifying my home for starters. It'd be nice to open up a cabinet and not have tupperware spilling out everywhere! (Or cats jumping out from every direction!)
Our homes should be our refuge from the world. They should be our sanctuary for our families, offering peace, comfort, and relaxation. Our homes should be where we can detox, reorient, reenergize, and regroup. Ideally, our homes should offer us less stress, not more!
Is your life cluttered? Perhaps the stress isn't just caused by your busy schedule, responsibilities, or other issues, but also by an abundance of 'stuff' to maintain. Check out Mayo's article at http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/1999/janfeb/9w1052.html.
"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" Luke 12:15
In His Love, Cathy
Even so, there are things I allow to clutter my life and knock me off track. These things cause me to stumble. They eat up precious time, fragmenting the time I do have to spend with my family. They cause undue stress, triggering massive migraines on almost a daily basis. They divert my focus from God and His work, wasting my efforts on the trivial instead of the eternal. These distractions cause me to get off focus, neglect my home, my friends, my health, and my God.
In Today's Christian Woman, author Mayo Mathers hit home in her article "Too Much Stuff: If clutter's got you down, try these secrets to simplifying." She made me realize that by reducing the clutter in my home, by clearing out the 'stuff' we have, can go a long way in simplifying our lives. Now I don't consider my home to be cluttered. However, as I read her article I realized just because you can't see the clutter, doesn't mean it's not there. I immediately related to the author's cluttered closet. I must admit, as a woman, I cannot relax in a messy, cluttered home. If my closet is cluttered, if my cabinets are cluttered, if there is 'junk' scattered everywhere, I'm a nervous wreck. When I come home from work, I can relax and destress if my home is nice and tidy. If it's a wreck, all I do when I get home is think about all of the WORK that I am facing. Mayo's article made me realize, that even though we have a modest home and live a modest life, we still have WAY to much stuff. You should see our GARAGE!!! So my plan is to start paring down and simplifying my home for starters. It'd be nice to open up a cabinet and not have tupperware spilling out everywhere! (Or cats jumping out from every direction!)
Our homes should be our refuge from the world. They should be our sanctuary for our families, offering peace, comfort, and relaxation. Our homes should be where we can detox, reorient, reenergize, and regroup. Ideally, our homes should offer us less stress, not more!
Is your life cluttered? Perhaps the stress isn't just caused by your busy schedule, responsibilities, or other issues, but also by an abundance of 'stuff' to maintain. Check out Mayo's article at http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/1999/janfeb/9w1052.html.
"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" Luke 12:15
In His Love, Cathy
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
UNITE Picnic - In Case of Rain
UNITE PICNIC is TONIGHT starting at 6 p.m.
We are STILL ON for TONIGHT!!!
So bring something to grill and come on down!
Rain Plans
- YOUTH will STILL MEET but have dinner and a lesson indoors.
- CHILDREN will NOT MEET tonight if we get rained out for the picnic.
Let's pray for NO RAIN!!! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. God Bless!
In His Love, Cathy
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
An Update on Scott's Reuniting with His Biological Family
Several of you have been asking about and praying over Scott's reuniting with his biological family. Thank you for praying for him and them. Scott has been on an emotional roller coaster since he first made contact with his birth family. He's escatic to have possibly found them, but he also has times in which he's experiencing emotions that he himself doesn't understand. He says that these are feelings that only someone who is adopted would know. He's also needed me to stick close to home lately. He never knows when the next phone call will come, what it will bring, or what an email will say. I think it's overwhelming for him at times, but in a good way. Please continue to pray for him, his adoptive parents, and his birth family as they navigate through the emotions and feelings they are experiencing.
As of today, Scott has been able to speak to three of his four sisters on the phone. He's also emailed them and his father's wife. They are such a sweet family. Their mother is an incredible lady. Again, Scott's birth father passed away in 2005, so Scott is still struggling with the regret and grief of not ever knowing him. Scott and his sister sent in their DNA samples yesterday. The lab received it today. Please pray that the DNA test shows a match, that both Scott and his birth family will finally find closure after years of searching. Also pray for Scott's parents. They have always been supportive of Scott finding his birth family, however, his Dad (adoptive) is having a difficult time with the news. Because of his situation, we've decided it best not to mention it to him again. So please, if you know them, do not bring this up for discussion. We are keeping Scott's Mom informed. She can then determine if she should share any further news with his Dad.
Thank you for your prayers. We are praying for you as well.
In His Love, Cathy
As of today, Scott has been able to speak to three of his four sisters on the phone. He's also emailed them and his father's wife. They are such a sweet family. Their mother is an incredible lady. Again, Scott's birth father passed away in 2005, so Scott is still struggling with the regret and grief of not ever knowing him. Scott and his sister sent in their DNA samples yesterday. The lab received it today. Please pray that the DNA test shows a match, that both Scott and his birth family will finally find closure after years of searching. Also pray for Scott's parents. They have always been supportive of Scott finding his birth family, however, his Dad (adoptive) is having a difficult time with the news. Because of his situation, we've decided it best not to mention it to him again. So please, if you know them, do not bring this up for discussion. We are keeping Scott's Mom informed. She can then determine if she should share any further news with his Dad.
Thank you for your prayers. We are praying for you as well.
In His Love, Cathy
My New Email Address
In an effort to separate my personal life from my church and work life, I've established a new church email address that I will be able to access anytime and anywhere! It will be this email address that I will begin sending out church related information. Please be sure to update your spam blocker and address book for my new church email.
instead. SAME aumathchick....DIFFERENT EXTENSION on the END.
Thanks, ya'll! I just wanted to make sure I received your emails:-) Have a blessed day!
In His Love, Cathy
PLEASE NOTE: The EMAIL address of aumathchick@AOL.COM is NO LONGER in service and has been out of use for ONE YEAR this month. I sent out emails last year to this effect. I know some of you have mentioned sending emails to me that I have never received. I'm concerned that it might have been sent to the old address and not the MOST CURRENT PERSONAL email address. Be sure to use the
instead. SAME aumathchick....DIFFERENT EXTENSION on the END.
Thanks, ya'll! I just wanted to make sure I received your emails:-) Have a blessed day!
In His Love, Cathy
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sweet Stories to Make Your Day
Story #1: Change of Plans
Jessica is a sweet hearted child, smart, and always tries to do what is right. My Mom has intervened in her and her sister's lives to ensure they have a good spiritual upbringing, a solid foundation to build their lives upon. Her coming to salvation is a BIG ANSWER to years of prayer!
Her story is a story of encouragement for those who have a 'Jessica' in their own family or neighborhood. Don't give up on bringing your children, grandchildren, neices, nephews, neighbor's child, or children of friends to church! Keep inviting lost family members, lost friends, and coworkers to church. Even when it seems as though nothing is happening, seeds are being planted! God is faithful to do His part, don't give up on doing your part to reach children, youth, and adults for Christ! Keep inviting them! Keep bringing them! Keep praying for them! Keep up the 'good' work!
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
In His Love, Cathy
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
Last Wednesday Night I had the joy and the privilege to teach the PK class. (Now remember, PK is NOT my area of gifting, but I did so anyway because there was a NEED.) Robin, our regular PK teacher was unable to teach. Though she left a message, my cell phone was DEAD and I had not been home to check my voicemail. Thank goodnes she came by that Wednesday night to let me know.
Now, I usually teach the elementary age children. I don't usually teach PK and don't believe I have taught a PK class in years. The irony is that for the first time since we started Wednesday night children's Bible Study a year ago, I had absolutely NOTHING prepared for the usual Elementary age class I teach. I was so BOOKED UP and busy from FCAT testing the week before, school/church work, and QUARTER EXAMS that week that I had NO TIME to prepare a lesson. In fact, I was so panicked that I was trying to quickly piece together a lesson for the elementary kids right up to 6 p.m. that Wednesday. So, you can realize just how panicked I was to not only NOT have an elementary lesson prepared, but also to discover that the PK needed a lesson and teacher as well. But God already had it all worked out. Jodi had already planned to practice with the children who were participating in the Berryhill Manor outreach. (Thank you Jodi! You are awesome!) Thank goodness, there weren't any elementary children who were doing the Bible Study instead of practice! But there was still the problem of what to do with the PK class. I wasn't an experienced PK teacher!
But like I said, God had it all worked out. As I desperately searched the PK supply cabinets for something to do, I discovered a large container of bubbles. That's it! That day had been a gorgeous day. The late afternoon was budding with the signs of spring. I'd take the children outside and we'd blow bubbles. And that's exaclty what we did - for 45 minutes those little ones had a BLAST blowing bubbles and chasing them in the wind. Their laughter filled the air. It was so PRECIOUS and so SWEET! It was THE MOST FUN I'd had teaching in a long time. We talked about what made the bubbles move through the air - the wind. We talked about how we can't see the wind but it's there. Then we talked about how we can't see God (The Holy Spirit), but He's there. Even though we can't see Him, we can see the works of His Hands. I think they got the concept. Then we took a nature walk around the church grounds, looking for the things God created. They had a BALL and I enjoyed every minute of it, too. They minded, they did exactly what they were asked to do, and they had fun! I couldn't have asked for a better class! I have to give a SHOUT OUT to GOD for the wonderful lesson and the children that night. Like I said, PK is not my gifting so it had to be ALL GOD!
God reminded me that night that my plans, or the lack thereof, are not always His plans. And that His Plans are ALWAYS the BEST! All of that worry and fretting over planning the Elementary Bible Lesson was for naught, because that wasn't what He had planned for the evening. That's why everything seemed worked against me preparing the elementary lesson. God had planned something uniquely different that night, something even more wonderful. I should have known He was 'up to something.' :-) It was a blessing to teach those little ones for a change! Their pureness, innocence, and excitement over the littlest things thrilled my soul!
Yes, I love those times where we get off the beaten path, yet we are exactly where God wants us to be! Thank you, parents, for sharing your children with us each Wednesday and Sunday. We are blessed to be a part of their lives.
Sweet Story #2: An Encouragement for Doing Good
Jessica is a sweet hearted child, smart, and always tries to do what is right. My Mom has intervened in her and her sister's lives to ensure they have a good spiritual upbringing, a solid foundation to build their lives upon. Her coming to salvation is a BIG ANSWER to years of prayer!
Her story is a story of encouragement for those who have a 'Jessica' in their own family or neighborhood. Don't give up on bringing your children, grandchildren, neices, nephews, neighbor's child, or children of friends to church! Keep inviting lost family members, lost friends, and coworkers to church. Even when it seems as though nothing is happening, seeds are being planted! God is faithful to do His part, don't give up on doing your part to reach children, youth, and adults for Christ! Keep inviting them! Keep bringing them! Keep praying for them! Keep up the 'good' work!
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
In His Love, Cathy
Sunday, March 22, 2009
This Week in PCC Children's Minsitry -Spring Break
I guess you noticed no "What Your Child Learned in Church Today" Posting. I've been a bit under the weather last night and today with a little stomach bug. Not the way I planned to start up spring break!
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS:
THIS WEEK'S EVENTS:
UNITE
Churchwide Picnic
This Wednesday night
Grills hot at 6 p.m.
NO CHILDREN'S BIBLE STUDY THIS WEDNESDAY!
OTHER NEWS:
EASTER EGG HUNT & COOKOUT - April 11th. Hunt begins at 11:30 a.m.
EASTER SUNDAY -
We are expecting a BIG CROWD.
WE NEED EVERYONE TO PLUG IN AND HELP DURING ONE SERVICE.
Sign up - email me at aumathchick@mchsi.com!
VBS is June 15-19. We still have the following positions that MUST be filled in order to offer VBS:
- KG through 2nd Grade Bible Lesson Station Leader/teacher.
- 3rd through 5th Grade Bible Lesson Station Leader/teacher.
- Group Leaders (leads groups of children from station to station - no teaching involved)
- Registration Help
- Station Assistants (Bible Lesson, Arts & Crafts, PK, Recreation)
- Decorating/Set Up
- Public Relations helpers
Wednesday Nights are Changing:
- 6:30 p.m. Dinner (Donations toward meal requested)
- 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. PK/KG Bible Lesson
- 7:00 to 8:0 0 p.m. Beryhill Outreach Practices through April 1st / VBS Practices through June 10th
There will be no Children's Bible Study on Wednesday Nights for the remainder of the school year. We will be focusing our efforts on preparing for Easter and VBS. We ask that only those elementary age children interested in singing for the Easter Outreach and participate on stage for VBS attend these Wednesday night practices. Thank you for your understanding. Children who are participating are expected to be on the best of behavior at practices and on stage.
Have a wonderful SPRING BREAK!
In His Love, Cathy
Friday, March 20, 2009
"Who is the King of glory?
The LORD, strong and mighty;
the LORD, invincible in battle.
Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory?
The LORD of Heaven's Armies—
he is the King of glory"—Psalm 24:8–10
Read this to your child. Then ask them where they've heard this before. This is the opening verse to one of our worship songs this month!
What a glorious, mighty God we serve! He is the King of glory!
In His Love, Cathy
The LORD, strong and mighty;
the LORD, invincible in battle.
Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of glory enter.
Who is the King of glory?
The LORD of Heaven's Armies—
he is the King of glory"—Psalm 24:8–10
Read this to your child. Then ask them where they've heard this before. This is the opening verse to one of our worship songs this month!
What a glorious, mighty God we serve! He is the King of glory!
In His Love, Cathy
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Parents + PCC Children's Ministry = Doing Children's Ministry Together
This is my sixth year serving as Children's Pastor at PCC. I served for about 8 months as a volunteer in PCC's children's ministry prior to that, so you could say that I'm in my seventh year here. I love teaching and working with children. But it wasn't always that way. My degree is actually in math. I have a B.S. in Mathematics (Troy University) and a Masters of Science Degree in Mathematics (Auburn University). I've even published a technical mathematical paper in an international journal. ("A Focal Boundary Value Problem for Difference Equations", THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR MATHEMATICS AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES, 1993. You can look it up on the internet.) I spent the first ten years of my career as a computer programmer. NO WHERE in my makeup was I wired to work with children. Though I loved teaching and did switch careers 8 years ago to teach high school math, I steered clear of children who were 14 or younger. Sure, I helped at church as a volunteer, but only out of duty because of my children. I didn't mind working with youth. They were easy! Nope, younglings were not my cup of tea! But then God did something amazing. He called me to minister to children - the very ones I tried to avoid!
When God first prompted my heart with the calling to minister to children at PCC, I RESISTED! I had NO INTEREST in LEADING a children's ministry. That wasn't my gifting, I argued! It was a HUGE responsibility and who was I to do so? I had NO TIME to do so. It was like God had to THUMP me on my BIG OLD FAT HEAD to get my attention. God answered each of my excuses, tit for tat. He placed an URGENT PASSION for reaching CHILDREN for CHRIST in me that I had never possessed before. He showed me that even though it was a HUGE responsibility, I could RELY on HIM and...I was the one He called to do so. And as for not having the time for children's ministry, God's reply to me was just as audible as a live person speaking to me today, "I don't call the lazy to do my work. I call people who are busy to do my work because I know they will do it!" I remember exactly what I was doing when God said those words to me. I was sitting in my car, waiting on our oldest son to get off the bus in the high school parking lot. After months of resistance, I finally said 'Yes' to God on the matter.
I stepped out on faith, even though I questioned my own abilities and lack of gifting in the area of children. I was out on a limb. God was stretching me, molding me, creating things in me that had never existed before. I was being formed into something brand new! And I LOVE what He had made me into. I also LOVE the children He sends into our ministry!
One of the number one problems I face as a children's pastor is getting parents involved in the children's ministry that their children benefit from. One of the number one reasons parents tell me they can't volunteer is that they aren't 'gifted' in working with children. They are uncomfortable, are intimidated, or just plain don't like teaching kids. Well, sadly, that was me many years ago. Now look at what God has done!
Our excuses are flimsy when it comes to the LIFE CHANGING power of God. So what? You aren't 'gifted' with working with kids. God can change that! Besides, kids don't care whether you're a 'gifted'or not! THEY JUST NEED GODLY PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES TO LOVE THEM AND LISTEN TO THEM!!! You know, at some point, we parents and church members have got to quit making excuses and step out in faith! These children are too precious to not even try! THEIR ETERNAL LIVES DEPEND ON US! They are our responsibility as a church! We - Parents, Teachers, Church Members - WE the BODY are to "train them up in the way they should go!" It's ALL OF US. So, please don't tell me you are not called or gifted to work with children. I assure you, that claim will fall on deaf ears - I was the least talented of ALL and look at what God has done! If you have children, YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED! (Check it out...it's all over the Bible!) If your children attend with us, YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED! I'm calling you right now! Do you hear your cell phone ringing? That's me! (Oh, you put it on vibrate, my bad.) We have opportunities of service that just about anyone of just about any 'gift' can do.
LISTEN UP: As long as we stay in our COMFORT ZONE, we'll never grow up spiritually! It's only when we STEP IT UP and STEP IT OUT to the point we NO LONGER rely on ourselves, but instead rely on the HOLY SPIRIT that TRUE SPIRITUAL GROWTH takes place! So don't let the thought of working with children intimidate you! Man up! Pray up! Step up!
Let me share with you one last, IMPORTANT, observation. Over the last 7 years, I've noticed a POWERFUL trend. Most of the children whose parents served consistently in children's ministry have GROWN THE MOST SPIRITUALLY when compared to other children whose parents did not. Many of these children are NOW spiritual leaders both in youth group and among their peers at school. They are now bearing fruit, bringing others to the foot of the cross! They are NOW teaching the little ones who have followed them here at PCC. Many are now teenagers, STILL following and maturing in Christ because their family is ENGRAINED in the BODY! What parent wouldn't want these things for their child? Your involvement in serving in church, in children's ministry, in youth ministry, or any other of God's work has a big time spiritual impact for not only you, but your family as well. I've seen it in other families. I can testify about it for my own family. Please understand that serving in and of itself does not guarantee this outcome. These parents are dedicated and faithful followers of Christ, training their children at home and involved in the ministries of the church. I was simply noting a trend that seemed to strengthen the spiritual upbringing of these children.
My deepest desire is for each and every child to have the most wonderful lifelong, growing relationship with Christ! I know that the only way that is possible is for parents and the church to partner in the spiritual training of the child. We want to offer your child programs that are not just fun, but more importantly SPIRITULLY TRANSFORMING. To provide these programs, we must have parental involvement. Ideally, every parent should be involved to some degree in the children's ministry. This is our expectation! Our ministry isn't a babysitting service. We aren't here to give parents a break or just to entertain children with arts and crafts. We are a REAL MINISTRY called of GOD, ministering to CHILDREN! We have an awesome team of people who are great to serve with. We can't wait for you to plug in! So, where can we sign you up?
PARENTS + PCC CHILDREN'S MINISTRY = DOING CHILDREN'S MINISTRY TOGETHER
In His Love, Cathy
When God first prompted my heart with the calling to minister to children at PCC, I RESISTED! I had NO INTEREST in LEADING a children's ministry. That wasn't my gifting, I argued! It was a HUGE responsibility and who was I to do so? I had NO TIME to do so. It was like God had to THUMP me on my BIG OLD FAT HEAD to get my attention. God answered each of my excuses, tit for tat. He placed an URGENT PASSION for reaching CHILDREN for CHRIST in me that I had never possessed before. He showed me that even though it was a HUGE responsibility, I could RELY on HIM and...I was the one He called to do so. And as for not having the time for children's ministry, God's reply to me was just as audible as a live person speaking to me today, "I don't call the lazy to do my work. I call people who are busy to do my work because I know they will do it!" I remember exactly what I was doing when God said those words to me. I was sitting in my car, waiting on our oldest son to get off the bus in the high school parking lot. After months of resistance, I finally said 'Yes' to God on the matter.
I stepped out on faith, even though I questioned my own abilities and lack of gifting in the area of children. I was out on a limb. God was stretching me, molding me, creating things in me that had never existed before. I was being formed into something brand new! And I LOVE what He had made me into. I also LOVE the children He sends into our ministry!
One of the number one problems I face as a children's pastor is getting parents involved in the children's ministry that their children benefit from. One of the number one reasons parents tell me they can't volunteer is that they aren't 'gifted' in working with children. They are uncomfortable, are intimidated, or just plain don't like teaching kids. Well, sadly, that was me many years ago. Now look at what God has done!
Our excuses are flimsy when it comes to the LIFE CHANGING power of God. So what? You aren't 'gifted' with working with kids. God can change that! Besides, kids don't care whether you're a 'gifted'or not! THEY JUST NEED GODLY PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES TO LOVE THEM AND LISTEN TO THEM!!! You know, at some point, we parents and church members have got to quit making excuses and step out in faith! These children are too precious to not even try! THEIR ETERNAL LIVES DEPEND ON US! They are our responsibility as a church! We - Parents, Teachers, Church Members - WE the BODY are to "train them up in the way they should go!" It's ALL OF US. So, please don't tell me you are not called or gifted to work with children. I assure you, that claim will fall on deaf ears - I was the least talented of ALL and look at what God has done! If you have children, YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED! (Check it out...it's all over the Bible!) If your children attend with us, YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED! I'm calling you right now! Do you hear your cell phone ringing? That's me! (Oh, you put it on vibrate, my bad.) We have opportunities of service that just about anyone of just about any 'gift' can do.
LISTEN UP: As long as we stay in our COMFORT ZONE, we'll never grow up spiritually! It's only when we STEP IT UP and STEP IT OUT to the point we NO LONGER rely on ourselves, but instead rely on the HOLY SPIRIT that TRUE SPIRITUAL GROWTH takes place! So don't let the thought of working with children intimidate you! Man up! Pray up! Step up!
Let me share with you one last, IMPORTANT, observation. Over the last 7 years, I've noticed a POWERFUL trend. Most of the children whose parents served consistently in children's ministry have GROWN THE MOST SPIRITUALLY when compared to other children whose parents did not. Many of these children are NOW spiritual leaders both in youth group and among their peers at school. They are now bearing fruit, bringing others to the foot of the cross! They are NOW teaching the little ones who have followed them here at PCC. Many are now teenagers, STILL following and maturing in Christ because their family is ENGRAINED in the BODY! What parent wouldn't want these things for their child? Your involvement in serving in church, in children's ministry, in youth ministry, or any other of God's work has a big time spiritual impact for not only you, but your family as well. I've seen it in other families. I can testify about it for my own family. Please understand that serving in and of itself does not guarantee this outcome. These parents are dedicated and faithful followers of Christ, training their children at home and involved in the ministries of the church. I was simply noting a trend that seemed to strengthen the spiritual upbringing of these children.
My deepest desire is for each and every child to have the most wonderful lifelong, growing relationship with Christ! I know that the only way that is possible is for parents and the church to partner in the spiritual training of the child. We want to offer your child programs that are not just fun, but more importantly SPIRITULLY TRANSFORMING. To provide these programs, we must have parental involvement. Ideally, every parent should be involved to some degree in the children's ministry. This is our expectation! Our ministry isn't a babysitting service. We aren't here to give parents a break or just to entertain children with arts and crafts. We are a REAL MINISTRY called of GOD, ministering to CHILDREN! We have an awesome team of people who are great to serve with. We can't wait for you to plug in! So, where can we sign you up?
PARENTS + PCC CHILDREN'S MINISTRY = DOING CHILDREN'S MINISTRY TOGETHER
In His Love, Cathy
Financial Wisdom
"The earnings of the godly enhance their lives,but evil people squander their money on sin."—Proverbs 10:16
Encouragement for Today
"What wisdom this succinct verse contains for what to do and not do with money! Godly use of money is simply to enhance life. When you make decisions about how to spend your money, ask yourself honestly, "Will this expenditure enhance my life or someone else's life in some way? Or will it be wasted on something that is, at the heart, sinful?" If it's something that will truly enhance life, spend with joy and peace (assuming you actually have the money to spend). If the expenditure will draw your heart or someone else's away from God, that is sin."—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
I love what this verse says about money. What should our bank account say about us? Are we being good stewards, using that which God has given to benefit, enhance, and bring joy in life. Does our account reflect generousity? Or does our spending habits reflect a heart that is self-serving, greedy, and selfish. Do our spending habits reflect an overindulgence on ourselves and children only? Do the things we buy or services we pay for cause other's to sin by drawing their hearts away from God? Does it cause our children to be drawn away from God?(Inappropriate movies, clothing, music CDs, video games....) This is really cause for me to think twice about how we use what God has blessed us with.
In His Love, Cathy
Encouragement for Today
"What wisdom this succinct verse contains for what to do and not do with money! Godly use of money is simply to enhance life. When you make decisions about how to spend your money, ask yourself honestly, "Will this expenditure enhance my life or someone else's life in some way? Or will it be wasted on something that is, at the heart, sinful?" If it's something that will truly enhance life, spend with joy and peace (assuming you actually have the money to spend). If the expenditure will draw your heart or someone else's away from God, that is sin."—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
I love what this verse says about money. What should our bank account say about us? Are we being good stewards, using that which God has given to benefit, enhance, and bring joy in life. Does our account reflect generousity? Or does our spending habits reflect a heart that is self-serving, greedy, and selfish. Do our spending habits reflect an overindulgence on ourselves and children only? Do the things we buy or services we pay for cause other's to sin by drawing their hearts away from God? Does it cause our children to be drawn away from God?(Inappropriate movies, clothing, music CDs, video games....) This is really cause for me to think twice about how we use what God has blessed us with.
In His Love, Cathy
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
In a Funk - Count Your Blessings!
Every now and then I get in a 'funk.' I mean I just get down about even the littlest of things. We all have those days. Sometimes this hits when my medication dosage isn't right. Sometimes it hits when I'm stressed, overbooked and overworked. And then sometimes it hits when I'm just being plain selfish! Thank goodness this mood doesn't hit often, but when it does, I just can't seem to shake it! Well, today was one of those days. There was no particular event that set it off, just a culmination of factors. For one thing, I'm just a little S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D!!! This is a SUPER BUSY time of year with so much going on and so much to be done everywhere I turn - home, school, and church! Part of today's 'funk' is also a side affect from the migraine meds I've taken the last several days. I always feel so 'down' after taking them. YUCK! I hate feeling like this!
So anyway, as I said, I was in a 'funk' today. Little things that I usually don't affect me really bothered me today. So, instead of going to bed in a funk tonight, I'm going to break the cycle. I'm going to count my blessings and be thankful. So here they are:
1. My husband. Bless his heart...he's so patient with me!
2. My children - they are such a joy and a blessing!
3. Hearing our precious daughter pray tonight over the meal at the basketball banquet. Thank you, God, for these young ladies on this team who honor you!
4. The touching thank you note I received from a student recently - my heart was touched!
5. Our church family! You are all AWESOME! We love doing life with YOU!
6. The email a student's mother sent thanking me for helping her daughter. That was so sweet and uplifting! Thank you God, for caring parents!
7. Our FRIENDS!
8. Our parents!
9. The AMAZING turn of events connecting Scott to his biological family. It was all in God's wonderous timing!
10. The WONDERFUL works God is doing in our church family and through our church!
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ." Ephesians 1:3
There's absolutely NO REASON to be in a 'funk,' for we are truly blessed!
In His Love, Cathy
So anyway, as I said, I was in a 'funk' today. Little things that I usually don't affect me really bothered me today. So, instead of going to bed in a funk tonight, I'm going to break the cycle. I'm going to count my blessings and be thankful. So here they are:
1. My husband. Bless his heart...he's so patient with me!
2. My children - they are such a joy and a blessing!
3. Hearing our precious daughter pray tonight over the meal at the basketball banquet. Thank you, God, for these young ladies on this team who honor you!
4. The touching thank you note I received from a student recently - my heart was touched!
5. Our church family! You are all AWESOME! We love doing life with YOU!
6. The email a student's mother sent thanking me for helping her daughter. That was so sweet and uplifting! Thank you God, for caring parents!
7. Our FRIENDS!
8. Our parents!
9. The AMAZING turn of events connecting Scott to his biological family. It was all in God's wonderous timing!
10. The WONDERFUL works God is doing in our church family and through our church!
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ." Ephesians 1:3
There's absolutely NO REASON to be in a 'funk,' for we are truly blessed!
In His Love, Cathy
Monday, March 16, 2009
A View of This Week's Children's Events & News
WEDNESDAY, March 19
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner in Room 1 (Donations toward dinner accepted.)
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- BERRYHILL MANOR PRACTICE in ROOM 2
- PK/KG Class in Room 1
- 1st through 4th Grade Bible Study Line up in Hallway after meal.
(for children not participating in Berryhill Manor Easter Outreach)
6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Dinner in Room 1 (Donations toward dinner accepted.)
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
- BERRYHILL MANOR PRACTICE in ROOM 2
- PK/KG Class in Room 1
- 1st through 4th Grade Bible Study Line up in Hallway after meal.
(for children not participating in Berryhill Manor Easter Outreach)
WE WILL BE FINISHED AT 8:00 P.M. this WEEK!!!!!!
PLEASE PICK UP YOUR child up NO LATER THAN 8:00 p.m.
No Corporate Worship Time this WEDNESDAY due to high school exams.
NEXT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
UNITE!!! Churchwide PICNIC
GRILLS HOT AT 6 p.m.!
EASTER CANDY NEEDED for EASTER EGG HUNT and BERRYHILL MANOR OUTREACH. COOKIES NEEDED FOR BERRYHILL EASTER OUTREACH. DONATIONS MAY BE DROPPED OFF AT THE CHILDREN'S SIGN IN TABLE. Thank you for helping us share Christ's love with the children and the elderly in our community!
EASTER EGG HUNT , SATURDAY, MARCH 11 at 11:30 a.m.
Churchwide picnic at 12 noon - bring food to grill and enjoy a beautiful day of fellowship!
Help needed hiding Easter Eggs at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 11.
Help also needed in sectioning off the grounds for the different areas of the egg hunt. Contact Cathy Denny at aumathchick@mchsi.com or 995-0027.
VBS IS AROUND THE CORNER!!!
Join us for BOOMERANG EXPRESS!
DATE: June 15 - 19
TIME: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
WE STILL HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU!!!
Sign up today to HELP!
It's going to be AWESOME!
In His Love, Cathy
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Rock Solid: What Your Child Learned in Church Today, March 15
ROCK SOLID (Kg through 4th Grades)
Main Point: I will Make Wise Choices!
Today's Bible Lesson: King Solomon Asks God for Wisdom (1 Kings 3)
Memory Verse: "Wise Choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe." Proverbs 2:11
Lesson Summary:
For the months of March and April, we are exploring what it means to have noble character. Our Bible adventures are set in Medieval Times in which we meet King Earl the Undecided. King Earl will encounter situations in which he must learn to be a king of noble character, a person that God wants him and us to be. Be sure your child joins us each Sunday for Kingdom Tales!
Today, children pretended to be knights and ladies of old. Children once again added to their Medieval names. Ask your child what their NEWEST Medieval name is. We also learned the importance of making wise choices. Wisdom is making choices based on hat God has taught us and using His guidance to make decisions. We saw how we shouldn't just make decisions to benefit just ourselves. Instead, we should make wise decisions, decisions that please God and benefit others. We, like King Solomon, can ask God for wisdom. Only God's wisdom can help us make the best decisions. Wisdom can help us in all areas of our lives! Sometimes making wise choices isn't so easy. However, we should make choices that please God, no matter how hard it may be! Now that's wise!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Read 1 Kings 3 with your child. Help your child understand how seeking godly wisdom is better than fame and riches. God's wisdom is what is best, always!
2. Help your child memorize this week's memory verse, Proverbs 2:11, and tell it to me next Sunday for a prize.
3. Encourage your child to make wise choices this week, choices that benefit others and please God. Help them understand that they can pray for wisdome. Remind them that when they are faced with a choice, they can recall this week's memory verse to help them make a wise decision.
Grace and peace friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Main Point: I will Make Wise Choices!
Today's Bible Lesson: King Solomon Asks God for Wisdom (1 Kings 3)
Memory Verse: "Wise Choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe." Proverbs 2:11
Lesson Summary:
For the months of March and April, we are exploring what it means to have noble character. Our Bible adventures are set in Medieval Times in which we meet King Earl the Undecided. King Earl will encounter situations in which he must learn to be a king of noble character, a person that God wants him and us to be. Be sure your child joins us each Sunday for Kingdom Tales!
Today, children pretended to be knights and ladies of old. Children once again added to their Medieval names. Ask your child what their NEWEST Medieval name is. We also learned the importance of making wise choices. Wisdom is making choices based on hat God has taught us and using His guidance to make decisions. We saw how we shouldn't just make decisions to benefit just ourselves. Instead, we should make wise decisions, decisions that please God and benefit others. We, like King Solomon, can ask God for wisdom. Only God's wisdom can help us make the best decisions. Wisdom can help us in all areas of our lives! Sometimes making wise choices isn't so easy. However, we should make choices that please God, no matter how hard it may be! Now that's wise!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Read 1 Kings 3 with your child. Help your child understand how seeking godly wisdom is better than fame and riches. God's wisdom is what is best, always!
2. Help your child memorize this week's memory verse, Proverbs 2:11, and tell it to me next Sunday for a prize.
3. Encourage your child to make wise choices this week, choices that benefit others and please God. Help them understand that they can pray for wisdome. Remind them that when they are faced with a choice, they can recall this week's memory verse to help them make a wise decision.
Grace and peace friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Finding that Which Was Lost
"We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” Luke 15:32
In my last posting, I shared with you that something really big was happening in our family and asked for your prayers. I am now free to share with you what is going on. What is happening is something that is so incredible, so miraculous that it defies human logic.
As many of you know, my husband, Scott, was adopted when he was a baby. His parents were very open and honest with him about his adoption. They shared with him what details they knew about his birth mother and father. Scott was told he was Yugoslavian/Serbian. He was told his birth father was around 5'10" and his birth mother was about 5'6". He was born in Oakland, CA (Alameda County). These seemingly minor details, along with other verbal details about his birth parents, and minor details on his birth certificate lead to the discovery of a lifetime.
This past Monday, Scott came home to find a message on our answering machine. A person from the Adoption Database, a non-profit online research center dedicated to reuniting adopted children with their birth families, had called. Their message indicated that Scott's birth father's family was trying to find him. Scott was completely taken aback. He had wanted to find his birth family for many, many years. He had always wondered who they were, where they were, and if they ever thought about finding him. We had started a search in 2000, but since his adoption was a closed adoption, we hit one brick wall after another. We thought we had a match back then, but it turned out not to be his biological family. So, as life became busy and our schedules filled up, his searching for his family went on the back burner. Then in December, he expressed a deep, burning desire to find his birth family. It was heavy on his heart. He knew that his birth parents were getting older and was afraid he'd miss the opportunity to find them. He wanted to know if he had brothers and sisters, if they ever thought about him. Now, on Monday, March 9, what he had dreamed of for decades, had finally happened. Someone was searching for him!
Scott was hesitant to return the call. For those of you who know him, he's a laid back kind of guy. However, he is also not one to rush into things. He sits back, evaluates the situation before making a move or decision. He is a very wise, patient person. Then on Wednesday, he came home to find another message on the answering machine - a message from his birth father's wife. Her voice quivered in the message, emotions from the past surging forth. She wanted to carry out her late husband's wish, to find his missing son and make sure he was okay. Unfortunately, the answering machine cut off her complete message AND the phone number left by the Adoption Database researcher. Fortunately, we were able to find the phone number for the Adoption Database Center online.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009, Scott made the call that will forever change his life. He made contact with the researcher at the Adoption Database. Scott's hesitancy and skepticism melted away the minute the researcher gave identifying facts of his birth - date, place, time, identifying information on his birth parents. The researcher told Scott all of those little things that were on his birth certificate, and more! She verified information about his birth parents that wasn't written down but were verbally told to his parents. Convinced of the researcher's authenticity (and the fact I was looking at the organization's credentials online as he was on the phone), Scott finally had hope that this was his birth family.
Once the researcher herself was convinced that Scott was the child the family had been trying to locate, she gave Scott a wealth of information about his birth parents and their families. One question remained. Out of all the children that were born in the U.S. on his birthday, how did they know it was him? It was his mother's last name. Her family was Serbian. Her parents had immigrated to the U.S. from Yugoslavia. Her family was the ONLY family in the U.S. with that particular last name. What are the odds of that? The birth father's family knew her last name and it was on the birth certificate of the ONLY baby boy born in Oakland, California at the time and date of Scott's Birth. It was also the last name on Scott's ORIGINAL birth certificate, that Scott's parents had been given many years ago. However, they did not share this with us until last night when we spoke to his real (adoptive) parents. Of ALL the children born in the U.S. and put up for adoption, Scott was the ONLY ONE whose original surname (birth mother's) was UNIQUE to ONE FAMILY in the entire NATION!!! Now THIS can ONLY be the WORK of GOD!!!
On Thursday, March 12, 2009, after playing phone tag Wednesday and most of the day Thursday, Scott and his half sister finally made first contact. She had been diligently searching for him for 14 years - just in the wrong state. They thought he had been born in Oklahoma. Their father had passed away in 2005, regretting that he had never found Scott. From what we understand, he wanted to apologize to Scott and wanted to know that he was okay. His wife and daughter carried on the search. Not knowing the gender of the child, Scott's half sister was somehow convinced they were looking for boy. Scott and his half-sister talked twice on that night. So many questions that Scott had were answered. He found out he has 8 half-siblings from his father - four brothers and four sisters. The eldest brother died in a car accident in 1968. Scott's sister sent us pictures of the family and the resemblances of Scott and his siblings is uncanny. What's even more uncanny is that our oldest son and our daughter strongly resemble the brother who passed away. All of Scott's siblings are blue eyed and light to dark blonde (now I know how my oldest two ended up with this coloring)! We also discovered that his father's family are in Washington state. Scott also found out that his birth father fought in the Korean War, and was decorated with the Silver Star for gallantry in battle, along with other medals. Scott's father was a great story teller and loved to joke around. (Sounds like someone I know!) He also played guitar and had a beautiful, soft singing voice (so that's where Brittany gets it!) Scott is deeply saddened that his birth father has passed away. He is grieving his loss and the fact he never had the chance to meet him. However, after having this conversation with his half-sister, Scott said for the first time in his life he felt more confident about himself. He knows his birth family, his family history, and his story. Being a history teacher, a man who loves researching and learning from the past, he now feels complete.
Scott was also given information on his birth mother and her family. She was a Captain in the Army, a nurse at the time of his birth. Scott is her only child, though she married years later. After researching her on the internet, we know she participated in medical research and helped write articles for antibiotic research and it's affects on children. Her parents had immigrated from Yugoslavia and settled in Ohio. They are Serbian. She has one sister, who lives in Oakland, California (ring a bell). She also has three brothers, we'll call them G, M, and D. G is the only brother who knows of Scott's existence, from what we understand. G is a CEO and accountant, M is a lawyer, and D we think is in real estate. We found G's biography on the internet with his picture, the resemblance to Scott and little Michael is incredible! G said that Scott's mother loved to help and care for others. Sounds like Scott, huh? We also discovered that she is still alive and now lives in...FLORIDA!!! Another SHOUT OUT to GOD for this is obviously HIS HANDIWORK as well!!!
There is so much more to this story, too much to share in one blog. I'm trying to convince Scott to write about his journey as an adopted child to help others who have experienced what he has. His story is truly a miracle of God, an answer to decades of prayer, one that needs to be told.
But before we get our hopes up too high, Scott and his half-sister are doing a DNA test this week to confirm once and for all what we all suspect, that he is indeed their lost brother. Yet the pictures she sent of his Dad and his siblings have such an uncanny resemblance to Scott and our oldest two children, and you know a picture is worth a thousand words! Please pray for the results of this test, that Scott has finally found his biological family!
The bottom line is this, though Scott may have found his biological family, his real family are the parents who raised him and the little brother whom he grew up with. Scott is looking forward into the next chapter of his life, a life enriched by the love and relationships from both his adoptive and biological families.
In His Love, Cathy
(PS - We did not include the names of his birth family as not all have been contacted. We want to confirm with a DNA test. We also want their permission before we include their names in such a public forum as this.)
In my last posting, I shared with you that something really big was happening in our family and asked for your prayers. I am now free to share with you what is going on. What is happening is something that is so incredible, so miraculous that it defies human logic.
As many of you know, my husband, Scott, was adopted when he was a baby. His parents were very open and honest with him about his adoption. They shared with him what details they knew about his birth mother and father. Scott was told he was Yugoslavian/Serbian. He was told his birth father was around 5'10" and his birth mother was about 5'6". He was born in Oakland, CA (Alameda County). These seemingly minor details, along with other verbal details about his birth parents, and minor details on his birth certificate lead to the discovery of a lifetime.
This past Monday, Scott came home to find a message on our answering machine. A person from the Adoption Database, a non-profit online research center dedicated to reuniting adopted children with their birth families, had called. Their message indicated that Scott's birth father's family was trying to find him. Scott was completely taken aback. He had wanted to find his birth family for many, many years. He had always wondered who they were, where they were, and if they ever thought about finding him. We had started a search in 2000, but since his adoption was a closed adoption, we hit one brick wall after another. We thought we had a match back then, but it turned out not to be his biological family. So, as life became busy and our schedules filled up, his searching for his family went on the back burner. Then in December, he expressed a deep, burning desire to find his birth family. It was heavy on his heart. He knew that his birth parents were getting older and was afraid he'd miss the opportunity to find them. He wanted to know if he had brothers and sisters, if they ever thought about him. Now, on Monday, March 9, what he had dreamed of for decades, had finally happened. Someone was searching for him!
Scott was hesitant to return the call. For those of you who know him, he's a laid back kind of guy. However, he is also not one to rush into things. He sits back, evaluates the situation before making a move or decision. He is a very wise, patient person. Then on Wednesday, he came home to find another message on the answering machine - a message from his birth father's wife. Her voice quivered in the message, emotions from the past surging forth. She wanted to carry out her late husband's wish, to find his missing son and make sure he was okay. Unfortunately, the answering machine cut off her complete message AND the phone number left by the Adoption Database researcher. Fortunately, we were able to find the phone number for the Adoption Database Center online.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009, Scott made the call that will forever change his life. He made contact with the researcher at the Adoption Database. Scott's hesitancy and skepticism melted away the minute the researcher gave identifying facts of his birth - date, place, time, identifying information on his birth parents. The researcher told Scott all of those little things that were on his birth certificate, and more! She verified information about his birth parents that wasn't written down but were verbally told to his parents. Convinced of the researcher's authenticity (and the fact I was looking at the organization's credentials online as he was on the phone), Scott finally had hope that this was his birth family.
Once the researcher herself was convinced that Scott was the child the family had been trying to locate, she gave Scott a wealth of information about his birth parents and their families. One question remained. Out of all the children that were born in the U.S. on his birthday, how did they know it was him? It was his mother's last name. Her family was Serbian. Her parents had immigrated to the U.S. from Yugoslavia. Her family was the ONLY family in the U.S. with that particular last name. What are the odds of that? The birth father's family knew her last name and it was on the birth certificate of the ONLY baby boy born in Oakland, California at the time and date of Scott's Birth. It was also the last name on Scott's ORIGINAL birth certificate, that Scott's parents had been given many years ago. However, they did not share this with us until last night when we spoke to his real (adoptive) parents. Of ALL the children born in the U.S. and put up for adoption, Scott was the ONLY ONE whose original surname (birth mother's) was UNIQUE to ONE FAMILY in the entire NATION!!! Now THIS can ONLY be the WORK of GOD!!!
On Thursday, March 12, 2009, after playing phone tag Wednesday and most of the day Thursday, Scott and his half sister finally made first contact. She had been diligently searching for him for 14 years - just in the wrong state. They thought he had been born in Oklahoma. Their father had passed away in 2005, regretting that he had never found Scott. From what we understand, he wanted to apologize to Scott and wanted to know that he was okay. His wife and daughter carried on the search. Not knowing the gender of the child, Scott's half sister was somehow convinced they were looking for boy. Scott and his half-sister talked twice on that night. So many questions that Scott had were answered. He found out he has 8 half-siblings from his father - four brothers and four sisters. The eldest brother died in a car accident in 1968. Scott's sister sent us pictures of the family and the resemblances of Scott and his siblings is uncanny. What's even more uncanny is that our oldest son and our daughter strongly resemble the brother who passed away. All of Scott's siblings are blue eyed and light to dark blonde (now I know how my oldest two ended up with this coloring)! We also discovered that his father's family are in Washington state. Scott also found out that his birth father fought in the Korean War, and was decorated with the Silver Star for gallantry in battle, along with other medals. Scott's father was a great story teller and loved to joke around. (Sounds like someone I know!) He also played guitar and had a beautiful, soft singing voice (so that's where Brittany gets it!) Scott is deeply saddened that his birth father has passed away. He is grieving his loss and the fact he never had the chance to meet him. However, after having this conversation with his half-sister, Scott said for the first time in his life he felt more confident about himself. He knows his birth family, his family history, and his story. Being a history teacher, a man who loves researching and learning from the past, he now feels complete.
Scott was also given information on his birth mother and her family. She was a Captain in the Army, a nurse at the time of his birth. Scott is her only child, though she married years later. After researching her on the internet, we know she participated in medical research and helped write articles for antibiotic research and it's affects on children. Her parents had immigrated from Yugoslavia and settled in Ohio. They are Serbian. She has one sister, who lives in Oakland, California (ring a bell). She also has three brothers, we'll call them G, M, and D. G is the only brother who knows of Scott's existence, from what we understand. G is a CEO and accountant, M is a lawyer, and D we think is in real estate. We found G's biography on the internet with his picture, the resemblance to Scott and little Michael is incredible! G said that Scott's mother loved to help and care for others. Sounds like Scott, huh? We also discovered that she is still alive and now lives in...FLORIDA!!! Another SHOUT OUT to GOD for this is obviously HIS HANDIWORK as well!!!
There is so much more to this story, too much to share in one blog. I'm trying to convince Scott to write about his journey as an adopted child to help others who have experienced what he has. His story is truly a miracle of God, an answer to decades of prayer, one that needs to be told.
But before we get our hopes up too high, Scott and his half-sister are doing a DNA test this week to confirm once and for all what we all suspect, that he is indeed their lost brother. Yet the pictures she sent of his Dad and his siblings have such an uncanny resemblance to Scott and our oldest two children, and you know a picture is worth a thousand words! Please pray for the results of this test, that Scott has finally found his biological family!
The bottom line is this, though Scott may have found his biological family, his real family are the parents who raised him and the little brother whom he grew up with. Scott is looking forward into the next chapter of his life, a life enriched by the love and relationships from both his adoptive and biological families.
In His Love, Cathy
(PS - We did not include the names of his birth family as not all have been contacted. We want to confirm with a DNA test. We also want their permission before we include their names in such a public forum as this.)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
All in God's Great Time
Something really big is going on in our family right now. Something that has been lifted up in prayer for many, many, many years. Something wonderful! Something great! Something that was once incomplete will soon find completeness. Something that I thought was an impossibility. But God had it all under control and planned out from the beginning. I wish I were at liberty to say exactly what is taking place, but it's not my story to tell. I just wish to ask for prayer for our family and for the people involved. Please cover us all in prayer as each one of us works through the emotions and the unknowns of the situation.
"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11
In His Love, Cathy
"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11
In His Love, Cathy
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Real vs Fake Faith
Today's Proverbs 31 Ministry Devotion, "Bootleg Faith" by Susanne Scheppmann, brought up interesting points on those who bootleg their faith. (http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2009/03/bootleg-faith.html) By bootleg, she means those who copy the faith of others. In elementary school, we called people who copied others 'copy cats.' If you were ever called a copy catter, you know what I mean.
Today, we have those who complain that the faith of others isn't authentic or that they themselves are not being spiritually fed. I would like to suggest that perhaps these feelings could very well spring forth from a person whose faith isn't grounded in Christ - from someone who is merely a 'bootlegger', a 'copycatter', a person who simply mirrors the walk of other believers but who hasn't genuinely worked out their own faith in truth and suffering.
As human beings, when we develop a dissatisfaction we often look to others to blame. As believers, we can even experience dissatisfaction with our own spiritual walk. We may not even realize our dissatisfaction is with our own spiritual life. So our worldly nature sometimes kicks in and we sometimes end up blaming others for our own spiritual state. In an authentic faith, however, the Holy Spirit would kick in and convict us of our wrongdoing, and hopefully we'd respond. Now, imagine that the person who has developed dissatisfaction is in fact a spiritual bootlegger. Because they simply mimic the faith of someone else, because they are not living out an authentic faith, when dissatisfaction occurs they have no spiritual foundation to stand on. Their reaction will be worldly because their faith is not real. When life gets tough, their 'copycatter' faith offers them no comfort or help. They are quick to point to others to blame - how others are not meeting their spiritual needs, how their Sunday School class, Church, Pastor, Small Group Leader, Children's/Youth Ministry is not meeting the spiritual needs of their family. But like my Grandma used to say, "When you point your finger at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at you!" So, what's the 'point'? When we become dissatisfied in our spiritual walk, we must first take a long, hard look in the mirror at ourselves. Chances are, those three fingers pointing back at us are right, the problem is most likely within us and not with others.
In His Love, Cathy
Today, we have those who complain that the faith of others isn't authentic or that they themselves are not being spiritually fed. I would like to suggest that perhaps these feelings could very well spring forth from a person whose faith isn't grounded in Christ - from someone who is merely a 'bootlegger', a 'copycatter', a person who simply mirrors the walk of other believers but who hasn't genuinely worked out their own faith in truth and suffering.
As human beings, when we develop a dissatisfaction we often look to others to blame. As believers, we can even experience dissatisfaction with our own spiritual walk. We may not even realize our dissatisfaction is with our own spiritual life. So our worldly nature sometimes kicks in and we sometimes end up blaming others for our own spiritual state. In an authentic faith, however, the Holy Spirit would kick in and convict us of our wrongdoing, and hopefully we'd respond. Now, imagine that the person who has developed dissatisfaction is in fact a spiritual bootlegger. Because they simply mimic the faith of someone else, because they are not living out an authentic faith, when dissatisfaction occurs they have no spiritual foundation to stand on. Their reaction will be worldly because their faith is not real. When life gets tough, their 'copycatter' faith offers them no comfort or help. They are quick to point to others to blame - how others are not meeting their spiritual needs, how their Sunday School class, Church, Pastor, Small Group Leader, Children's/Youth Ministry is not meeting the spiritual needs of their family. But like my Grandma used to say, "When you point your finger at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at you!" So, what's the 'point'? When we become dissatisfied in our spiritual walk, we must first take a long, hard look in the mirror at ourselves. Chances are, those three fingers pointing back at us are right, the problem is most likely within us and not with others.
In His Love, Cathy
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Wonderful Surprise
I'm really into this geneaology thing. I've researched my family tree extensively, one branch going all the way back to late 800 A.D., believe it or not! But what a wonderful surprise that I received last week. Carole B. was online researching her family and discovered that we are related! We have a common ancestor, making us 5th or 6th cousins (or something like that.) That means Brittany and Shelby P. are cousins too! The girls were excited to learn this. Not being from this area, I didn't think I had ANY relatives here, as this side of the family is from Pike County, Alabama. So when I found out Carole and I were related, it felt like a homecoming. And what's the odds that we'd not only end up in the same small community in Florida, but also members of the same church? In addition, I grew up away from extended family so to find out Carole was my distant cousin was very exciting! To be related to Carole and Shelby (and you too, Ron) is a blessing! But to have Carole and Shelby as my sisters in Christ - priceless!
In His Love, Cathy
In His Love, Cathy
Monday, March 9, 2009
PCC Children's Ministry Weekly Update (March 9,2009)
FCAT WEEK is THIS WEEK
Therefore we are cancelling 1st-4th Grade Wednesday Night Bible Study
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Easter Planning Meeting at 6:30 p.m. - LOTS of HELP needed for EASTER. Plan to join us to map out our plans and assignments for Easter weekend!
In His Love, Cathy
Therefore we are cancelling 1st-4th Grade Wednesday Night Bible Study
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Easter Planning Meeting at 6:30 p.m. - LOTS of HELP needed for EASTER. Plan to join us to map out our plans and assignments for Easter weekend!
In His Love, Cathy
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Rock Solid: What Your Child Learned in Church Today, March 8
ROCK SOLID (Kg through 4th Grades)
Main Point: I will Stand Up for What is Right!
Today's Bible Lesson: The Story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3)
Memory Verse: "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
Lesson Summary:
For the months of March and April, we are exploring what it means to have noble character. Our Bible adventures are set in Medieval Times in which we meet King Earl the Undecided. King Earl will encounter situations in which he must learn to be a king of noble character, a person that God wants him and us to be. Be sure your child joins us each Sunday for Kingdom Tales!
Today, children pretended to be knights and ladies of old. Children came added to their Medieval names. Ask your child what their NEWEST Medieval name is. We also saw how it is so very important that stand up for what is right, even if bad things might happen as a result of doing good. We heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). They refused to bow down and worship King Nebechadnezzar's Statue. As a result, they were thrown into the fiery furnace. But what's worth noting in this story is their response to King Nebechadnezzar when he demanded they bow down and worship him or face death. Read Daniel 3 and note their response to the King. It was AWESOME! Note the fourth person walking with them in the furnace! How great is that!
Help your child understand that is is so very important to stand up and do what is right, no matter the circumstances. We must do the right thing even if it means that people want us to do wrong, want us to do the popular thing, get mad at us, or make fun/hurt us. To do anything less would dishonor God. In addition, there are people who need for us to do the right thing! We need to be that example that God wants others to see. Whether people realize it or not, they are watching us believers and are depending on us as an example for standing up do to what is right! We need to be a reflection of Christ for their sake!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Read Daniel 3 with your child. Help your child understand the response given by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
2. Help your child memorize this week's memory verse, 1 Corinthians 16:13, and tell it to me next Sunday for a prize.
3. Encourage your child to make good choices this week and do what is right. Help them understand that they can pray for God's help in doing so. Remind them that when they are faced with a choice, they can recall this week's memory verse to help them make the right decision.
Grace and peace friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Main Point: I will Stand Up for What is Right!
Today's Bible Lesson: The Story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3)
Memory Verse: "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
Lesson Summary:
For the months of March and April, we are exploring what it means to have noble character. Our Bible adventures are set in Medieval Times in which we meet King Earl the Undecided. King Earl will encounter situations in which he must learn to be a king of noble character, a person that God wants him and us to be. Be sure your child joins us each Sunday for Kingdom Tales!
Today, children pretended to be knights and ladies of old. Children came added to their Medieval names. Ask your child what their NEWEST Medieval name is. We also saw how it is so very important that stand up for what is right, even if bad things might happen as a result of doing good. We heard the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). They refused to bow down and worship King Nebechadnezzar's Statue. As a result, they were thrown into the fiery furnace. But what's worth noting in this story is their response to King Nebechadnezzar when he demanded they bow down and worship him or face death. Read Daniel 3 and note their response to the King. It was AWESOME! Note the fourth person walking with them in the furnace! How great is that!
Help your child understand that is is so very important to stand up and do what is right, no matter the circumstances. We must do the right thing even if it means that people want us to do wrong, want us to do the popular thing, get mad at us, or make fun/hurt us. To do anything less would dishonor God. In addition, there are people who need for us to do the right thing! We need to be that example that God wants others to see. Whether people realize it or not, they are watching us believers and are depending on us as an example for standing up do to what is right! We need to be a reflection of Christ for their sake!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Read Daniel 3 with your child. Help your child understand the response given by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
2. Help your child memorize this week's memory verse, 1 Corinthians 16:13, and tell it to me next Sunday for a prize.
3. Encourage your child to make good choices this week and do what is right. Help them understand that they can pray for God's help in doing so. Remind them that when they are faced with a choice, they can recall this week's memory verse to help them make the right decision.
Grace and peace friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A Beautiful Day
Today was a special morning. I lay in bed, slowly awaking to what is sure to be a beautiful day. It was wonderful to lie there, enjoying the last moments of my slumber. I savored the tingling of my senses by the unhurried instrusion of the day. The sun quietly peeking in through the windows chasing away the last shadows of the night. The melodious songs of the birds creeping in, interrupting my dreamy thoughts. I lay there trapped in a world between sweet dreams and alertness, drifting back and forth into both worlds. My eyes struggling to open, to take in the sights of a new day. My mind fighting to free itself from sluggish sleep. But I lay there, still, quiet, enjoying the arrival of a new day, a beautiful day, my birthday.
As I lay there, my thoughts became a behive of activity. My mind arose to thoughts of thankfulness. Thankfulness to God for a such a beautiful day to celebrate. Thankfulness for another year of life, another year to live for Him! Thankfulness for my husband and children, and for Christ. Thankfulness for our church, our family, and friends. I lay there reflecting over my life and all that God has done. In those first, still, quiet moments of this day, my birthday, I declared my love for our wonderful Lord! I renewed my pledge to live for Him! My life is Yours, Lord!
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8
In His Love, CathyFriday, March 6, 2009
Time Change THIS WEEKEND
The time change comes EARLY this year. Don't forget to set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed Saturday night (March 7)! Then rise and shine early Sunday morning for church!
In His Love, Cathy
In His Love, Cathy
Three Books That Impacted My Life
I would like to share with you three books that God used to impact my life. The timing of when I read them occurred at crucial times in my life. God was orchestrating a symphony of change in my haphazard walk in Christ...changes that drew my family and I closer to God. Change that God used to embolden my faith.
Here's my top 3, life changing books:
1. The Bible
(Read through the Bible every day, for years. It and prayer are my lifeline to our wonderful God!)
2. The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkenson
(Read as our family was going through my cancer diagnosis. Made me realize God wanted more from me than what I had been giving Him - He wanted all of me! He had a wonderful future planned for us, if we obeyed and lived with the right motivation - to live for Him! He would bless us indeed. And He has!)
3. The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren
(Read our first year at PCC, leaving the 'traditions' of our past and entering a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. Helped me realize life was not about me - it was about God!)
If you haven't read these books, I highly recommend doing so. I reread through each of them at least once a year to refresh my memory and remind myself of what God has done in my life since reading them the first time. The latter two books, by no means, should ever replace the works of the Bible on our lives. The BIBLE should be our #1 source of Godly Truth, application, and standard. However, the perspective offered by the latter two books helped me to reassess my life and redirect my focus. Just thought I'd share:-)
Grace and peace, friends! It's FRIDAY! AMEN!
In His Love, Cathy
Here's my top 3, life changing books:
1. The Bible
(Read through the Bible every day, for years. It and prayer are my lifeline to our wonderful God!)
2. The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkenson
(Read as our family was going through my cancer diagnosis. Made me realize God wanted more from me than what I had been giving Him - He wanted all of me! He had a wonderful future planned for us, if we obeyed and lived with the right motivation - to live for Him! He would bless us indeed. And He has!)
3. The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren
(Read our first year at PCC, leaving the 'traditions' of our past and entering a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. Helped me realize life was not about me - it was about God!)
If you haven't read these books, I highly recommend doing so. I reread through each of them at least once a year to refresh my memory and remind myself of what God has done in my life since reading them the first time. The latter two books, by no means, should ever replace the works of the Bible on our lives. The BIBLE should be our #1 source of Godly Truth, application, and standard. However, the perspective offered by the latter two books helped me to reassess my life and redirect my focus. Just thought I'd share:-)
Grace and peace, friends! It's FRIDAY! AMEN!
In His Love, Cathy
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wednesday Night Wrap Up, March 4
I love what God does on Wednesday nights. Let me share with you some pretty awesome things that happened tonight.
Kids acted out ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives. They came up with some pretty creative 'acts' for the verses they were assigned. It was fun for them and for me.
We talked about how the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us when we become a Christian. How we are a new creation in Christ - the old has passed away and we become new. We talked about how we can try to change our behavior, but in the end, our human efforts alone are not enough to effect real change. The only true change is a change that is internal and eternal. That change can only occur through the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us. And this, my friends, is pretty awesome - God's presence in the form of His Holy Spirit - INSIDE YOU and ME! WHOA!
Another amazing thing that happened tonight was really special to me. As we were discussing scenarios in which a person did what they wanted to do instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to be in control, the children just opened up and really began sharing their own experiences. One particularly 'hot topic' was how to react in a cheating situation. I was amazed at the wisdom, the sense of honesty, and the integrity the children expressed. Parents, you'll be happy to know they weren't the ones cheating, but they were sharing their opinions of peers that they knew had either cheated or tried to cheat off of them. These children expressed so much in our time together - sometimes they just need to talk and we need to simply listen. How amazing. I'm thankful for lessons where we get off the beaten path, but yet we're exactly where God wants us to be. Amen?
In closing, the children had to write down something they were struggling with that they needed to give over to the Holy Spirit's control. Each child folded up their paper with their need for help written on it, sealed it in an envelope, and prayed over it. They gave them to me to hold on to this week. They are to pray for their request every day, especially when the situation or issue they wrote arises. Please remind them to pray for what they wrote down. Next Wednesday, we'll unseal the envelopes and see how God has worked in their situation. I'm amazed at how seriously they took this assignment! I'm excited for the children as they see how God will work out their circumstances.
Here's a few other things that were just awesome tonight:
1. Our Children's Ministry Team - You're my Peeps! You TOTALLY ROCK! Everyone who provided food tonight for the children & teens! Thanks especially to Terri & Jeff for grilling the hot dogs, buns, and the AWESOME potato salad! Thanks to Lorraine, Sidney, Crystal, Christy, Holley, Robin, Miss Peggy, Michelle, Robert, Jodi, Evelyn, & Paul for the food,help with Dinner, and teaching/helping.
2. GOD! You're AWESOME, LORD! You knew many of us were tired tonight, yet You gave us strength to carry out your work. You knew Scott had a bad migraine, yet you healed him so that He could teach the youth tonight. Thank you for answering our prayers with awesome deeds!
In His Love, Cathy
Kids acted out ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives. They came up with some pretty creative 'acts' for the verses they were assigned. It was fun for them and for me.
We talked about how the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us when we become a Christian. How we are a new creation in Christ - the old has passed away and we become new. We talked about how we can try to change our behavior, but in the end, our human efforts alone are not enough to effect real change. The only true change is a change that is internal and eternal. That change can only occur through the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us. And this, my friends, is pretty awesome - God's presence in the form of His Holy Spirit - INSIDE YOU and ME! WHOA!
Another amazing thing that happened tonight was really special to me. As we were discussing scenarios in which a person did what they wanted to do instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to be in control, the children just opened up and really began sharing their own experiences. One particularly 'hot topic' was how to react in a cheating situation. I was amazed at the wisdom, the sense of honesty, and the integrity the children expressed. Parents, you'll be happy to know they weren't the ones cheating, but they were sharing their opinions of peers that they knew had either cheated or tried to cheat off of them. These children expressed so much in our time together - sometimes they just need to talk and we need to simply listen. How amazing. I'm thankful for lessons where we get off the beaten path, but yet we're exactly where God wants us to be. Amen?
In closing, the children had to write down something they were struggling with that they needed to give over to the Holy Spirit's control. Each child folded up their paper with their need for help written on it, sealed it in an envelope, and prayed over it. They gave them to me to hold on to this week. They are to pray for their request every day, especially when the situation or issue they wrote arises. Please remind them to pray for what they wrote down. Next Wednesday, we'll unseal the envelopes and see how God has worked in their situation. I'm amazed at how seriously they took this assignment! I'm excited for the children as they see how God will work out their circumstances.
Here's a few other things that were just awesome tonight:
1. Our Children's Ministry Team - You're my Peeps! You TOTALLY ROCK! Everyone who provided food tonight for the children & teens! Thanks especially to Terri & Jeff for grilling the hot dogs, buns, and the AWESOME potato salad! Thanks to Lorraine, Sidney, Crystal, Christy, Holley, Robin, Miss Peggy, Michelle, Robert, Jodi, Evelyn, & Paul for the food,help with Dinner, and teaching/helping.
2. GOD! You're AWESOME, LORD! You knew many of us were tired tonight, yet You gave us strength to carry out your work. You knew Scott had a bad migraine, yet you healed him so that He could teach the youth tonight. Thank you for answering our prayers with awesome deeds!
In His Love, Cathy
Who Do You Go to for Advice?
I received this devotion this morning...the topic further expounds one of the points the children learned this past Sunday. It's not a bad point for us adults, either! Grace and peace, friends!
"The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense." —Proverbs 10:20–21
"When you need encouragement or advice, to whom do you turn? These verses suggest seeking counsel only from godly people. The perspective, the worldviews, of those who follow God and those who do not are quite distinct. Words come from the heart, and that which comes from the heart of those who don't follow God (called "fools" in Proverbs) is worthless. Whether it's from a book or in person, make sure the important advice you take is from a godly source."—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
In His Love, Cathy
"The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense." —Proverbs 10:20–21
"When you need encouragement or advice, to whom do you turn? These verses suggest seeking counsel only from godly people. The perspective, the worldviews, of those who follow God and those who do not are quite distinct. Words come from the heart, and that which comes from the heart of those who don't follow God (called "fools" in Proverbs) is worthless. Whether it's from a book or in person, make sure the important advice you take is from a godly source."—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
In His Love, Cathy
Monday, March 2, 2009
An Encouraging Thought For Monday Morning
On the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13.
"The entire idea of Jesus addressing God as the Father is one of personal love and devotion. You cannot know a person unless you love him. And you certainly cannot love God unless you know Him and realize He is intimately in love with you." - Dr. Charles Stanley (Into His Presence)
Friends, God is INTIMATELY in love with you! He held nothing back from us, including giving the life of His Own Son as a sacrifice for OUR sins, so that we may be saved! Lord, Your love is so AMAZING!
In His Love, Cathy
"The entire idea of Jesus addressing God as the Father is one of personal love and devotion. You cannot know a person unless you love him. And you certainly cannot love God unless you know Him and realize He is intimately in love with you." - Dr. Charles Stanley (Into His Presence)
Friends, God is INTIMATELY in love with you! He held nothing back from us, including giving the life of His Own Son as a sacrifice for OUR sins, so that we may be saved! Lord, Your love is so AMAZING!
In His Love, Cathy
Sunday, March 1, 2009
The Flat Belly Diet
This is the diet for me! Scott and I are starting the Flat Belly Diet beginning Monday! Believe it or not, I've put on about 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks and ALL in my belly. The final straw was when I put on a pair of pants this past week that were BIG on me three weeks ago (and have been for the past several years). I could still fit in them, but by the end of the day, the waist had rubbed me raw because it was too tight!
Anyway, pray for us! The diet promises us a flat belly in up to 32 days! We shall see:-) I wonder if there is a 'turkey neck' diet. If so, gobble at me, I need to go on that one too!
Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Anyway, pray for us! The diet promises us a flat belly in up to 32 days! We shall see:-) I wonder if there is a 'turkey neck' diet. If so, gobble at me, I need to go on that one too!
Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy
What Your Child Learned in Church Today, Sunday, March 1
ROCK SOLID (Kg through 4th Grades)
Main Point: I will do what God wants!
Today's Bible Lesson: The Story of Gideon (Judges 6 & 7)
Memory Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Lesson Summary:
For the months of March and April, we are exploring what it means to have noble character. Our Bible adventures are set in Medieval Times in which we meet King Earl the Undecided. King Earl will encounter situations in which he must learn to be a king of noble character, a person that God wants him and us to be. Be sure your child joins us each Sunday for Kingdom Tales!
Today, children pretended to be knights and ladies of old. Children came up with their Medieval names. Ask your child what their Medieval name is. We saw how it is so very important that we do what God wants us to do in our lives. We heard the story of Gideon, how God called him to lead an army against the Midianites even though he had never lead an army before. Gideon sought out what God wanted him to do as he lead the Israelite army against the powerful Midianite army. Read this story with your child this week. You can find it in Judges 6 and 7.
Children learned that is is so important that we do what God wants us to do. We learned four ways we can find out what God wants us to do. First, we can read the Bible to find out what God wants us to do. Second, we can go to church to learn what God wants us to do. Third, we can ask godly people. And fourth, we can pray to God Himself, to ask Him what He wants us to do. We also talked about how God tells us what He wants us to do in more than one of these ways, and usually a through a combination of these ways. For example, I know when God is working on me when I read something in Scripture in my quiet time, then hear it again Sunday mornings as Pastor Ronnie is preaching, and then 'coincidentally' it comes up in some other setting ( a random conversation, a devotional email that I subscribe to, the Holy Spirit impressing it upon my heart, a random email...) You see, God uses multiple sources to confirm what He is telling us to do. Our part is to listen, expectantly watching for His Will.
For example, our lesson today, which is purchased from an independent source, just happened to coincide with Pastor Ronnie's message (which was EXCELLENT by the way.) Did we plan it that way? No, but God did!
Help your child look for God's will in their lives. Help them to learn how to do what God wants!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Read Judges 6, 7 with your child this week.
2. Help your child memorize this week's memory verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, and tell it to me next Sunday for a prize.
3. Encourage your child to follow the four ways of finding out what God wants us to do: reading our Bible DAILY; praying DAILY (without ceasing); going to Church (Sundays & Wednesdays); and seeking the counsel of godly people.
Grace and peace friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Main Point: I will do what God wants!
Today's Bible Lesson: The Story of Gideon (Judges 6 & 7)
Memory Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Lesson Summary:
For the months of March and April, we are exploring what it means to have noble character. Our Bible adventures are set in Medieval Times in which we meet King Earl the Undecided. King Earl will encounter situations in which he must learn to be a king of noble character, a person that God wants him and us to be. Be sure your child joins us each Sunday for Kingdom Tales!
Today, children pretended to be knights and ladies of old. Children came up with their Medieval names. Ask your child what their Medieval name is. We saw how it is so very important that we do what God wants us to do in our lives. We heard the story of Gideon, how God called him to lead an army against the Midianites even though he had never lead an army before. Gideon sought out what God wanted him to do as he lead the Israelite army against the powerful Midianite army. Read this story with your child this week. You can find it in Judges 6 and 7.
Children learned that is is so important that we do what God wants us to do. We learned four ways we can find out what God wants us to do. First, we can read the Bible to find out what God wants us to do. Second, we can go to church to learn what God wants us to do. Third, we can ask godly people. And fourth, we can pray to God Himself, to ask Him what He wants us to do. We also talked about how God tells us what He wants us to do in more than one of these ways, and usually a through a combination of these ways. For example, I know when God is working on me when I read something in Scripture in my quiet time, then hear it again Sunday mornings as Pastor Ronnie is preaching, and then 'coincidentally' it comes up in some other setting ( a random conversation, a devotional email that I subscribe to, the Holy Spirit impressing it upon my heart, a random email...) You see, God uses multiple sources to confirm what He is telling us to do. Our part is to listen, expectantly watching for His Will.
For example, our lesson today, which is purchased from an independent source, just happened to coincide with Pastor Ronnie's message (which was EXCELLENT by the way.) Did we plan it that way? No, but God did!
Help your child look for God's will in their lives. Help them to learn how to do what God wants!
Training Up a Child Homework:
1. Read Judges 6, 7 with your child this week.
2. Help your child memorize this week's memory verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, and tell it to me next Sunday for a prize.
3. Encourage your child to follow the four ways of finding out what God wants us to do: reading our Bible DAILY; praying DAILY (without ceasing); going to Church (Sundays & Wednesdays); and seeking the counsel of godly people.
Grace and peace friends!
In His Love, Cathy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)