What your Child Learned in Church Today, Jan 25

TODAY'S PRE-K LESSON - Unit: Yippee Ti Yi Yo - Jesus can do anything!
Bible Lesson: Jesus raises His friend Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
Main Point: Jesus can do anything! He always cares for me!
Bible Verse: "He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7b


TODAY'S ELEMENTARY LESSON (KG through 4th grades)
Unit: To the Depths: An In-Depth Study of James

Bible Lesson: Today's lesson was on controlling the tongue. We explored a good example of how to use our words to be helpful - Jethro's Wise Words to Moses (Exodus 18).

Main Point: I will use my words to help others!

Memory Verse: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Bible Readings at Home: Please read through the Book of James with your child through the months of January and February. James is so rich with messages from God on how to live the Christian Life. The primary passages that correspond to today's lesson is James 3:1-12. Controlling the tongue is a difficult thing. Our words should be used to help others, like Jethro's wise words to Moses. Our words should encourage, build up, and show loving correction. Even when others say hurtful things to us or about us, we are not to use our words to retaliate. WE can not control what others may say. But, we can control what we say. GOD WANTS US TO USE OUR WORDS TO HELP OTHERS! Like my Mama used to say, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all!" But Psalm 19:14 takes this one step further. Not only are our words to be pleasing to God, but our THOUGHTS as well! So, if you can't SAY or THINK anything nice, then DON'T SAY or THINK ANYTHING at ALL! How can you not think anything at all? Well, that would seem impossible. So our only option is to clean up our thoughts and our words! Christ said that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Our thoughts affect everything we say and do! That's why the Psalmist wanted his words and the meditations of his heart to be pleasing to God!

TRAINING UP A CHILD HOMEWORK:
1. Help your child memorize Psalm 19:14 and be able to recite it to me next Sunday.
2. Keep reading through the Book of James with your child for the months of January and February - Specifically James 3:1-12.

In His Love, Cathy

To The Depths: What Your Child Learned in Church Today (Jan 11)

Bible Lesson: Today your child learned the story about Paul and Silas in Prison(Acts 16:16-36).

Main Point: When troubles come our way, I should praise God!

Bible Verse: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2

Bible Readings at Home: Please read through the Book of James with your child through the months of January and February. James is so rich with messages from God on how to live the Christian Life. The primary passages that correspond to today's lesson is James 1:2-4.

Your child learned today that when we are having a problem or going through tough times there is a correct way God wants us to act. Whining, complaining, criticizing, worrying, and avoiding the problem are not ways God wants us to respond to troubles. In fact, we must do quite the opposite. IN TIMES OF TROUBLE WE ARE TO PRAISE GOD!!! We saw how Paul and Silas were unjustly beaten and jailed in Acts 16:16-36. Instead of complaining, worrying, and giving up hope, they sang praises to God in prison. Even Jesus Christ, as He was being crucified, never uttered a word of complaint. Unjustly beaten, falsely accused, arrested, and sentenced to death, Our Lord never once complained. If anyone had a reason to complain, it would be He. But He didn't!

Praising God when we face troubles does two things. First, it takes the focus off of us and our problems and refocuses us on God - where our focus should be! He already has delivered us, we just need to claim the victory. Plus, by focusing on God in times of trouble, something bad is removed from our focus and replaced with something good. Second, by praising God in times of troubles, our faith is strengthened and we develop the endurance we need to grow into more mature believers. See my article A Walk through the Book of James: Perseverance. http://bloggin4god.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-depth-walk-through-book-of-james.html

TRAINING UP A CHILD HOMEWORK:
1. Help your child memorize James 1:2 and be able to recite it to me next Sunday.
2. Keep reading through the Book of James with your child for the months of January and February. Take it in small chunks at a time. James is rich of life applications of the Word!
3. Help your child with their verse word puzzle they received in class today. It will reinforce the memory verse.

God bless you! Grace and peace!
In His Love, Cathy

To the Depths: What Your Child Learned in Church Today (Jan 4)

Bible Lesson:
Today your child learned the story about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35).

Main Point:
God loves everyone so should I!

Bible Verse:
"For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Galatians 5:14

Bible Readings at Home: Please read through the Book of James with your child through the months of January and February. James is so rich with messages from God on how to live the Christian Life. The primary passages that correspond to today's lesson is James 2:8-9.

Your child learned today that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We talked about how it's easy for us to love our family and our friends. However, there are a lot more people in the world than our family and friends - and God commands us to love them all. God loves everyone - He chooses to love us - all of us. Therefore, we should love others as well. It's not always easy. We discussed how we always tend to love the popular, cool kids, or tend to gravitate toward the kids who are easy to like or who are funny. However, God's love doesn't stop there so neither should ours. We saw how it's often hard for us to love those who we see as different, strange, weird, or mean. But they are our neighbors, too, and therefore we should show them love. How? By treating them the way we want to be treated, by looking out for their interests and not just our own, and by treating them with respect, or helping them if they are in need.

Showing love to others this week is a great way to start off the New Year!

TRAINING UP A CHILD HOMEWORK:
1. Help your child memorize Galatians 5:14 and be able to recite it to me next Sunday.
2. Your child brought home a Friend Journal. Have them find a friend (preferably someone new) and answer the questions asked on the journal page. The goal is for them to reach out to someone new and show an interest in learning about them. Then encourage your child to show that person God's love and pray for them.

God bless you and your family as you dive into God's Word and live it! This is a perfect opportunity to instill in your family the Spiritual Development Pastor Ronnie preached about today! (BTW, wasn't today's sermon just AWESOME!)

In His Love, Cathy

PCC Children's Weekly Events (Dec 22-28)

NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK or NEXT WEEK (Wed Dec 24 and Wed Dec 31)
Wednesday Night Activities RESUME on JAN 7
6 p.m. - Dinner
6:30 to 7:30 Bible Study
7:30 to 8:00 Breakout Sessions

ROCK SOLID CHILDREN'S CHURCH
Every Sunday Morning, both services
PK Class meets in Room 1 (3 years & completely potty trained through 5 years old not in KG)
KG - 4th Grade meetes in Room 2

COMING TO ROCK SOLID IN JANUARY - "To the DEPTHS" An undersea adventure with an "IN DEPTH" study of the Book of James!

KIDS - remember to BRING YOUR BIBLES TO CHURCH every Sunday & Wednesday!!!

UPCOMING CHILDREN'S EVENTS
Now recruiting volunteers to serve in leading, planning, organizing, teaching, and helping with the following HUGE CHILDREN'S OUTREACH events. With these programs, we want to reach as MANY CHILDREN of PACE as possible with THE GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ!

EASTER
Vacation Bible School
Berryhill Manor Outreach
Wednesday Night Bible Study (Teachers Needed)
Sunday Morning Services (Sign In, Helpers, Teachers, Large Group Leaders)
Summer Fun Days

In His Love, Cathy

Children's Christmas Party TONIGHT!!!

6 - 6:30 p.m. - Dinner in room 2 (Pizza)
6:30 Christmas Party Begins!

Join us for a fun evening of celebration! Pictures with Santa & Rudolph, Arts & Crafts, and Wonderful Christmas Treats are on tonight's agenda.

But wait, there's more...we'll round out the evening with a special reading of a Christmas Story on the REAL meaning of Christmas. We'll complete the evening with a round of Christmas Carols, worshipping the Savior who gives us life!

Be there or be square!

In His Love, Cathy

From A Child

Because you have the heart of Christ,

So many lives are changed.

A child may one day say to you,

"It was because of you I came."

"I came to the cross because you told me of

The Man who died for me.

He took away my sin

by being nailed to a tree.

He did no wrong, yet He did die,

And suffered in such pain.

You told me that He was God's only Son,

and is alive today.

I was young and just didn't get it.

I just didn't understand, 'Why?'"

"But as I grew and my questions sometimes tried your faith,

your love for Him and your patience with me

helped me to see the way.

You shared His love not just through what you said,

but what you did as well.

You loved me just like you said He loves me,

whether I was good or I was bad."

"Because of you I'm here today, about to enter Heaven's Gates,

to finally meet my Savior face to face. Boy! I've come a long way!

But when I go back and think about it, I know just what He's like.

For I saw Him first in you, through your heart and in your loving eyes."

Cathryn Denny

Dec 13, 2008

Thank you all who answer the call of Christ, who serve children and minister to them.

Every person and every job in this ministry is so vital in ensuring children have the opportunity to hear the message of Salvation! Though we know that salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit, God uses us and works through us to bring that message to all mankind - young and old.

God is using you to CHANGE YOUNG LIVES FOREVER!

Thank you for an awesome year of Children's Ministry! I'm can't wait to see what God has planned for 2009!

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

In His Love, Cathy

PCC Children's Events This Week - Dec 8 through 14

WEDNESDAY, DEC 10
6:00 -6:30 p.m. Dinner in Room 1 (Children & Families). We welcome donations to help with the cost of the meal or canned food for the Angel Pantry to help families in need. Desserts to share are always welcome, too:-) Parents, we need help cleaning up after the meal as well. Thank you!

6:30 - 8:00 Hot Chocolate & Jesus AND Practice for Children's Worship Team Church Performance (room 2)

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Volunteer Worker Meeting (room 1)

SUNDAY, DEC 14

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE, Children Must have attended Wednesday night practices to perform in church.

CHILDREN'S VOLUNTEER COVERED DISH LUNCHEON for WORKERS and THEIR FAMILIES! Bring your favorite covered dish to share with everyone and enjoy Christmas fellowship with one another. We'll get together in room 3 right after 2nd service. I can't wait to see you then!

WEDNESDAY, DEC 17 CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY! 6 - 8 p.m. We have some awesome activities planned! Be sure your child is for a great night of fellowship and fun! Parents, be sure to sign up to help on the table outside of room 1. We still have some open slots for helpers!

Grace and Peace!

In His Love, Cathy

Why I Love Being a Children's Pastor

This past Sunday I asked the children to write down things they were good at. At the top of one little girl's list...

speling.

Praise God for the joy of children!

In His Love, Cathy

The Littlest Butterfly

This story is dedicated to my little sister in Christ, Lexi. Thank you Lexi for the butterfly and the sweet note you wrote me. I will cherish it forever...your gift really encouraged me and is so very special. You will always have a special place in my heart! So to encourage you and all of our friends at church, I wrote a little story about you. I hope it's ok with you:-)

Once upon a time, not too very long ago, there was a very small catepillar. This little catepillar, like many of her friends, was a very sweet little catepillar. But she was very small and still just a little catepillar. Her parents were beautiful butterflies who could fly anywhere they wanted to fly. They could fly way up high into the blue sky or simply flutter way down low in the grasses and the trees. They could flutter around the most beautiful of flowers. Maybe that's why her parents always smelled as beautiful as they looked. But alas, she was just a little catepillar who could only crawl about. She couldn't ever go very far and so she lived in the tiny world of a little catepillar. It was so very hard for her to even climb up a stem to just smell a flower!


Catepillar's butterfly parents loved their little catepillar so very much. In fact, they loved her so much that they taught her about the love of Jesus Christ. They taught her how He gave His life to pay for her sins. How He died on the cross, but rose from the dead on the third day. They knew that their little catepillar needed Christ, for without him, she'd always remain nothing more than a little catepillar. Catepillar's parents also took her to church every Sunday where she joined other little catepillar's in worshipping and learning about God. She went to Bible Study on Wednesday nights where she learned how she could become a new creation in Christ.

Catepillar took in everything she learned. But even more so, she saw the beauty of her parent's faith even in the most difficult of circumstances. They reassured her that she never had to worry or be scared, that God loved her so much and would always love her. And no matter what, He would be with her always. All she had to do was trust Jesus. So one day, Catepillar decided to ask Christ to be her Lord and Savior. Catepillar told her parents what she wanted to do. They were overjoyed with Catepillar's decision. So she prayed. She admitted to God that she was a sinner and asked Him to forgive her. She believed that Jesus was the Son of God, who died on the cross for her sins and rose on the third day. Then she confessed Jesus as her Lord and Savior. At that very moment, the most spectacular thing happened! Catepillar transformed into a beautiful little butterfly! She was no longer a catepillar that had to crawl about the ground, limited to the small world of a catepillar. She now had the freedom to fly like her parents! She could fly up to the sky or down to the trees! She could go from flower to flower, just as she pleased...and some even made her sneeze! She had a freedom that she never had before! She was a new creation!

Though this tale is make believe, the Truth of the story is very real. For it is through the Blood of Jesus Christ our sins can be forgiven. It is only through Jesus Christ that salvation is possible. And for those who chose Christ, they, like the catepillar who turns into a butterfly, become a brand new creation in Christ! The old nature has passed away, and a new nature has taken it's place! How complete and beautiful is the work of our God!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

In His Love,
Cathy

Candy Corn & Jesus

Okay, so my family and I just finished dinner. We were sitting around the table enjoying our dessert of ....Candy Corn. As we were enjoying a few sweet candy corn treats, my youngest son excitedly exclaimed, "Hey! Tomorrow is Ice Cream & Jesus!" Of course, I had to break the sad news to him that Ice Cream & Jesus was a summer program. Since it's officially fall, we were not having ice cream at Bible Study. But then, the Holy Spirit zapped my little pea brain with a novel idea...Candy Corn and Jesus!

Just like that, an idea was born! Not to minimize God's glory and greatness by any means, but I'd like to share with you some of the discussion among our family that was sparked by the Candy Corn & Jesus idea.

1. Candy Corn is the shape of a triangle, pointing to the Trinity...God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
2. Candy Corn is three in one...three colors in one wonderful treat. The Holy Trinity is three in one.
3. Candy Corn is sweet...there's nothing sweeter than God's Word!
4. Candy Corn consists of three colors. These colors could represent parts of the Story of Salvation.

• White - Represents the perfect Lamb that was slain, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It could also represent our cleansing from sin when we accept Christ. This is the top part of the candy corn...pointing to the Risen Savior!
• Orange - Represents the sin in our lives and our need for a Savior. Orange could also represent the Sun setting on (dying to) our old life once we accept Christ.
• Yellow - Represents the new life we have in Jesus Christ. Could also represent His Resurrection on the third day.

5. Candy Corn is reliable, you know you'll get it every fall and you know it'll taste the same from year to year...and it never seems to run out! GOD IS RELIABLE. He is the ONE who WAS, who IS, and IS to come. HE is the SAME yesterday, TODAY, and TOMORROW! HE IS ALWAYS THERE!

Ok...so the idea here sounds a little 'corny.' But I hope it delighted you and gave you ideas for creative means to share Christ with your child, too. In fact, I might just use this at tomorrow night's Children's Bible Study! My pea brain is already spinning off ideas to utilize this at Halloween! Anything to help children understand God's amazing love for them!

In His Love, Cathy

TRAINING UP A CHILD: Let's Get Our Priorities Straight!

Hi. My name is Cathy and I have a confession to make.

I'm a soccer mom...as well as a basketball mom, cross country mom, and in past seasons of my life, a cheerleader mom, golf mom, dance mom, and a football mom. I guess you can say I'm an All Star Mom! Like the t-shirt says, "Any Game! Any Field! Any Time!" and I'll be there with the gatorade and the team snack! BRING IT!

Not only am I an 'all sport' mom, I'm married to an 'all sport' guy who played basketball, baseball, and even ran cross country at good old Pace High. He also played football when he was younger. He and his best friend even prided themselves on being "Quarterback Killers!" Yes, all you former quarterbacks, Scott LOVED squashing you!

Sports and extracurricular activities play big roles in our lives. There was a time in my life where I thought that it was so very important that my children be involved in sports. I guess that's an understatement. I felt that it was IMPERATIVE that they were intensely involved in sports and extracurricular activities. I was under the delusion that these things not only would lead them to social success but also athletic success. I was so sure that they had to be heavily involved in their sport, play on all of the 'select' teams, and just immerse their lives in the sport in order to play at the high school level. But wait, there's more! I not only wanted them to be ready to play competively in high school, I hoped they would earn an athletic scholarship to college! You know, it isn't a bad deal if they went pro, too! The problem wasn't the desires I had for my kids to be successful in their sport. The problem was the priority that this took in our lives.

"Then there was light." I realized, like the scripture says, our lives are but a vapor. Earthly success is fleeting. I was leading my children in worldly persuits, chasing after the wind. Our family life revolved around the wrong things. Sure, we were believers. Sure we taught our kids about Jesus and Salvation. But our family life wasn't centered on Christ. It was centered on sports.

All too often, it's easy for us parents to place way too much importance on extracurricular (or worldly) persuits and not enough importance on what impacts our children for ETERNITY. We all want our kids have the best and be the best. We all should support our children in this way. However, we must be careful not to sacrifice the spiritual for that which is earthly. You see, it's quite easy for our focus to be shifted off of God. Anything that shifts our focus off of God is a distraction, (and is idolatry if we give it higher priority than God). Distractions are what Satan uses to keep us Christians off task and off mission. Our mission as parents is to raise children up in Christ. So, are you on task? I wanted to share a verse with you that speaks volumes to me as a parent.

"You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me." Exodus 20:5

As parents, God commands us to raise up our children in His Truth, teaching them His Word, sharing with the the Good News of Salvation of Jesus Christ. We are to help them to grow up spiritually as well as physically. We are to discipline them ...a.k.a. DISCIPLE! When we parents prioritize worldly persuits over spiritual, we are in danger of showing 'affection' for other gods and rejecting God's plan for raising our children. As parents, to fail in our spiritual responsibilities to our children is to 'lay our sins' on our children. The consequences for our children could be eternal.

Let's get our priorities straight! Let's make sure our families are in church every week. Let's join a small group and connect with other believers. Let's get our children to Youth and Children's groups on Wednesday nights. Let's pray daily with our family and take time to read the Bible with our children. All are very simple steps, but steps in the right direction.

We love our children and want what's best for them. But God loves them more than we could ever imagine ! He has such wonderful plans for our children...even better than a pro basketball contract. Our children's future begins by making HIM the foundation of our family life!

Grace and peace be with you, my friends! I love you and I'm praying for you!

In His Love, Cathy

Training Up a Child: The First Step

I love Casting Crown's newest song...Slow Fade. Being a children's pastor, the song immediately touched my heart the first time I heard it. Click on it and really invest yourself in what the message of this song is about. Then continue to read my blog below the video link. I do have important words to say to families of all shapes and sizes.



We parents have a HUGE responsibility. God has COMMANDED US to train up our children in Christ. The church is there to support parents in helping their child hear the Word, grow in Christ, and in discipling their child. But God never meant for the church to be the primary spiritual caregiver to the child. Children are only at church for 2 to 4 hours a week. Quite frankly, we parents have the most influence on our children and are the ones our children watch more than anyone else.

"Be careful little eyes what you see..." Casting Crowns remind us in this song that it's the ones who come behind us that are watching us, copying us, modeling their lives after ours. I'm going to ask you a tough question. Please think honestly about your answer. My question is meant to streghthen your faith and your family.

From a spiritual perspective, are you living the type of life you want your children to emulate?

If not, then what do you need to do to change that? You see, children learn by copying others. What they see you do, they will do also. Do you model Christ daily and live for Him daily? If not, then take another listen to the song, because it's the little feet that come behind whose ETERNAL LIVES ARE AT STAKE!

The first step to training up a child in the way he should go is to model that life yourself. You can not teach what you do not know. You can not live what you do not believe. You can not lead YOUR CHILD to Christ if You don't know the way yourself.

Think about your own relationship to Christ. How are YOU living FOR HIM? Do you seek HIM DAILY in prayer? Do you think of Him like a majic genie, who blesses you if you're good? Or do you see HIM as the RISEN LORD of your life? Do you READ His WORD on a DAILY basis, READING to CHANGE your life? Or do you hardly look at your Bible? Do you attend church regularly, serve Him, and seek HIM everyday? Or do you just think about Him once in a while, when you're not too busy and have a few minutes to spare? Do you LOVE HIM with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Or are you just using Him to get what you want out of life? Are you living life looking out for your own interests? Or are you putting Christ first? Have you asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? Ask Him to help you be honest with yourself.

Tough questions, hard questions, but questions you must answer for yourself. Examine Your relationship with the Lord. Prayerfully ask HIM to point the way. For it is from where you stand with Christ that the process of training up YOUR CHILD begins. You don't have to be perfect, that's God's job (to be perfect, that is). Yours is just to love Him and be His willing servant. He LOVES YOU and YOUR CHILD more than you know. He will help you raise up your child! He will HELP YOU walk in His Ways. You can COUNT ON HIM!

"Be careful little feet where you go..." it's the ones who come behind who will follow you.

"The godly walk with integrity; blessed are the children who follow them." Proverbs 20:7

In His Love, Cathy

May I suggest a wonderful resource for leading children to Christ. It's "I Believe in Jesus" by John McArthur. It is a wonderful starting point for parents to talk with their children about Jesus Christ and their need for salvation.

Training Up a Child: FREEDOM

I'm finally getting started on the training up a child series that I had intended to start a month ago. Though I feel I've left some of you wondering when I would start, I know that to have started earlier was not in God's timing. Here's why.

Scott and I just went through a major life change with our oldest son. He graduated from high school and left for college one week ago. Through the last two weeks, we are learning to let go, to allow our son to have freedom he's never had before. We thought he was going to come home this weekend. He did, on Friday, for two hours, to get some things he forgot, and then left again. I didn' t get to see him because I was at work. Yes, I was disappointed as I thought he planned to stay the weekend at home. But, his plans changed. He had a new group people to hang out with. He had a newfound freedom that he never had before. He has discovered that freedom much more quickly than we expected! We thought for at least the next month, he'd come home every weekend. Boy, were we wrong! (Son, if you're reading this, you're welcome home anytime, but do what you want to do.) Now, mind you, I was EXTREMELY happy that he had made friends so quickly. I was happy that he wanted to be at college this weekend to participate in college church activities that were going on. He came home to get dress clothes...dress shirt, dress shoes, dress pants...and yes, even a TIE!!! He also got his XBox 360...so I'm sure he has lots of friends, now:-) Here's the point, he didn't ask permission from us in any of these decisions. He wasn't being disrespectful, it's just that we are encouraging him to branch out on his own and make his own decisions. He's been happy to oblige. Just in a week's time I've seen him grow as a young adult. I've been amazed by his maturity and independence. He is able to do so many more things than I ever thought he would. Not because I doubted him, but because he's never had the experience to do so before. His driving the distance from college to home and back again on his own was an eye opener for me. My baby can go the distance! He even did his own laundry!

You may be thinking that this story doesn't apply to you. Some of your children may not have even started school yet. It may seem to you that I'm starting this series at the wrong end of childhood. So how is this story related to training up a child? It is to remind all of us of the desired END RESULT...what we as parents need to ALWAYS be mindful of the goal of raising our children to be God loving, Christ-centered, wise, responsible adults. We want to train up our children so they have a solid foundation in Christ so that as they grow they learn to handle their independence in a godly manner. FACE IT...they are going to be independent from us SOME DAY. Knowing my son gave his life to Christ years ago, that we trained him up, raising him up in church, and seeing him grow in Christ is a HUGE comfort to me now that he's away from home. Don't you want that comfort and peace? Children who have found freedom in Christ will be better equipped to handle their personal freedom as young adults with great wisdom. That may not always be the case, but we can trust God with our young adult children. We can also trust Him to help us with difficulties along the way. The bottom line, we as parents must be mindful of our children's eternal future, not just the present, and not just their earthly future. Though the future for my college age son will include ups and downs for him, I know that we've trained him up. Now, we MUST trust him and trust God with him. We don't have a choice! I can hear Matt loud and clear, "FREEDOM!" Yep, that's his new mantra!

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

Proverbs 22:6

In His Love, Cathy

There's a New King in Town

All Hail King Michael! Not even a full week has gone by since big brother Mathew left before the little prince appointed himself King. By the way, that's one of Mathew's senior crowns from high school that the New King is wearing. He's now officially taken over two rooms of the house (his room and Mathew's room) plus Mathew's throne at the head of the dinner table...not to mention the royal bathroom throne.

Long Live the King!

(PS - Also pictured is her royal highness, Princess, who rules on high the land above the cabinets and furniture.)

His Royalness at the Royal Command Center, Mathew's Room.

Her Most Royal Highness, Princess, Ruler of the Land above Cabinets & Furniture.

Top 10 Things Parents Need to Know

I asked my youngest son, who is ten, what were 10 things he thought parents need to know about their kids - especially his parents. His responses were pretty amazing and insightful for a 10 year old. I thought I'd share some of them with you today.

1. Need to know their names. I guess this is a natural response from my son as I can't keep my three kids' names straight! "Whoever you are, come here right this instant!"
2. What they eat. Seems simple right? Do you know what your kids eat? What their favorite foods are? Mac & Cheese all the way, baby!
3. What they are watching on TV. Wow, out of the mouths of babes! What are our children watching? What are their favorite shows? Is it appropriate? Does it compromise God's teachings?
4. What they are learning. Wow, again!
5. What they like to play. Do you know what each of your children like to play? Do you ever play their favorite game with them? I think I do, maybe, hmmm...
6. Where they like to go on vacation. My youngest is the easiest to please - just a hotel with a pool, thank you very much!
7. What kind of difficulties they are having. This one took me by surprise. How true! We parents do need to ask our kids how things in their lives are going. We need to go beyond the basic, "How was your day?" question without sounding like we are super secret agents attempting to probe top secret information out of them.
8. Who their friends are. Wow, again!
9. What they are doing.

AND THE #10 THING PARENTS NEED TO KNOW IS...

10. RULES for HUGGING! My youngest sat me down on a bench in Wal Mart one day last summer to give me the "Rules for Hugging for Parents"
- No hugging, holding hands, or kissing on cheek in public.
- No calling him baby, sweetie, or other embarrassing name in public.
- None of the above may happen especially in the presence of teenage brother.
- Hugging, kissing on cheek, holding hands is only allowed at home if older siblings are not in viewing distance.

I guess I've been told!

Grace and Peace, Cathy

The Sweetest Sound

I just heard the sweetest sound today.

A sound that causes my heart to leap for joy.

The sound of our children, singing and praising God.

As I sit in my office, busying about the tasks that never seem to end,

God broke through today with the sweetest memory I will forever cherish.

Our children, joining their voices together as one worshipping our Lord and Savior.

Yes, two teenagers, who could be spending their time elsewhere involved in other things.

Instead, they are here, at church. Singing. Playing. Worshipping.

Their sweet melodies seep slowly into my office as one strums along on the guitar.

My heart cries out in praise, my eyes tear up in joy, at the sound of their voices blending in harmony.

How wonderful to know that our children are joining together in worship, praise, and love for our Risen Savior!

How thankful I am that they have given their hearts, lives, and all that they are to Christ.

How amazing that ones so young could have such a passion for our glorious Lord!

How awesome it is that God works in and through them.

How magnificent is our Lord that He uses ones so young, innocent, and sweet.

I wish I could preserve this moment forever.

Yes, what a sweet sound I hear today as I sit in my office.

Thank you, Lord!

In His Love, Cathy

Reach for Your Star

That was the theme for my daughter's middle school awards ceremony. I didn't think too long or hard about the meaning of "Reach for Your Star" when I saw it that morning. My focus was on my daughter and her friends. It wasn't until I looked at that title on her awards program just now and thought back on the ceremony that I fully grasped its essence. What seemed like a a nice sentiment that encouraged children to find their own success in their own way provoked my thoughts on the matter.

You know, every single child received an award for something that day. ALL 300 8th graders got an award! I thought, "How nice! Everyone got something." Although everyone was a winner that day, it became very apparent that some were bigger winners than others. But that was okay, because everyone was recognized for something.

There are so many life parallels I can pull from this event and write to. But I will limit myself to this one impression it left with me - how the event was an echo of the way society says we are to raise our children today. As I reflected over all of this, it just got me to thinking...

I think there is a deeper lesson here that we can derive. All children need to feel loved, cared for, and good about themselves. We all know that. As parents and teachers, we walk a fine line. We need to build up our children's self esteem recognizing their strenths, weaknesses, talents, and abilities. But we must be realistic in doing so. Children graduate from high school with shelves full of awards. Then they go off to college, try to get a job in the real world, and reality hits them in the face. Many do very well, but others don't. They don't get the participation award just for doing their job or going to class. They lose confidence in who they thought they were. I've known quite a few former bright, aspiring students come back home 'defeated' by college. The bottom line - society built some of them up with the right intentions but in the wrong way for the wrong reasons.

So what are we to do? How do we help our child reach for their own special star? Well, for starters, let's build up strong characters in our children by helping them have a healthy self esteem...one that is realistic and help them succeed in life. Let's reward them and cherish THEIR individual special abilities. Let's help them discover their true strengths and weaknesses and build upon those things. Help them develop goals in life and show them how they can accomplish those goals. We need to get involved in our children's education, extracurricular activities, and most importantly, their SPIRITUAL UPBRINGING. Let's take time to know our kids and have high, realistic - not lower - expectations of them as well. Offer encouragement instead of empty praises - that is give praise when it is truly due. Love on them and ensure they understand that you love them unconditionally. Most importantly, build up your child in the Lord Jesus Christ asking for His help in raising your child. He's just a prayer away... or two or three...or however many it takes to raise that child!

"Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless." Psalm 127:1

I don't know all of the answers, but God does and he's on call 24 hours a day!
In His Love, Cathy