Scooby-Doo and Other Mystery Hunters
Children have this natural curiosity and love of mystery that is lost on most adults. Adults want answers…all the time. I’m not sure who started Wikipedia (I’m sure google could tell me), but my guess is it was someone who not only wanted answers, but thought they knew them as well.
In a world where there are so many questions…
“Why should I blend up my spinach and drink it when I can simply eat a salad?” (Just to name one!)
…we are always looking for answers.
What if we didn’t look for answers as much as we searched our hearts and minds for questions. This is the thought around “It’s a Mystery” - our fall series in PathFinders. This fall we will explore what it means to ask questions of God, about God, and about His Word. We will embrace the fact that God is a God of answers, but also a God of mystery.
This past Sunday we learned that God holds both sides of that- answer and mystery- in perfect balance. There is tension and therefore power in having faith in a God that can be both. If we had all the answers, we’d assume that we are just like God ourselves, but on the other hand, if we had only questions, we’d stay confused. This is God’s perfect balance. He gives us answers through His Word, through our time with Him in prayer, and through the Holy Spirit, while also remaining a great mystery. After all, His ways are not our ways; His thoughts are not our thoughts.
So what does it mean to be a mystery hunter in the Spiritual sense? Scooby- Doo…Where are you?!
For those true Scooby-Doo fans (the original “Scooby Doo- Where are you?” is the only one that counts) there is no doubt that you understand the concept of a hidden in plain sight answer to a mystery. Who doesn’t remember Miner Forty-Niner scaring off employees and guests at the Gold City Guest Ranch? [Cue the chase scene music in your head] Even the bumbling mystery gang was able to catch the real culprit...old Hank in costume.
Many of the things we find mysterious about God may actually be hidden in plain sight. We may simply be asking the wrong questions… or asking no questions at all. There is no easy google answer to how, why, and when God works. There is no Wikipedia contributor, co-contributor, or fact checker (does Wikipedia have those?!) that has all the answers.
There are questions, and there is One who answers. There are answers, and there is also mystery. Just like Scooby-Doo, we may discover by chance (or more likely through a Holy-download) the answer to one mystery, only to learn that there is a new one to investigate.
Ask the questions, look and listen for the answers, and then…embrace the mystery.
This Week’s Announcements:
PathFinders Camping Day- Saturday, October 18th
If you have a child in 1st-5th grade, this day is for them! Sign up by clicking on the link in this week’s email update. Registration is required and will close out (no exceptions) on the registration dead-line. Payment of $15 per child is due at time of registration. **If you are interested in being one of the adult drivers and/or chaperones for this event, contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
Help still needed!
We are so blessed to have more than 80(!) volunteers who said YES to serving your children.
Even with that incredible number, we are still in need of help in certain rooms/areas.
Our specific needs are:
An adult male to lead 3rd-5th grade boys as a small group leader at 9am
Nursery help at 9am and 11am
What God is Teaching Us:
This section will have links to the previous Sunday’s lessons. Feel free (I encourage it!) to open, read, and review with your children. Click on the links below to view our lessons from 9/21/2014.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
While doing a school project on Egypt, one little guy was so fascinated by the culture, he decided that he must have actually lived during that time. He believed he may have been born then. When his parents questioned him further, saying- “you were not reincarnated and you couldn’t have been born then and still live now…so, huh?!” After some thought, he acquiesced by saying… “I meant my ansisters lived then!” {That’s not a typo- ansisters to a five year old is ancestors to us}
Monday, September 22, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
When "Because I said So!" Doesn't Work
When “Because I said So!” Doesn’t Work
A child asks “why?” and we give the parental answer that has stood the test of time. Our parents said it, our grandparents said it, and (at least in my case) our great grandparents said it. We’ve all heard it, and most likely we’ve all said it -at least once. You know it well…“Because I said so!” After saying it, our assumption is that one thing is clearly understood- no more questions! And here, my fellow parents, in lies the problem.
(Pause for thought) Now, you may be thinking…wait a cotton-pickin’ minute…I want my kids to obey with no questions. Sometimes they don’t get to ask why I tell them something- they just have to trust me and do it. Isn’t that what first time obedience is all about?
I get it. We all want obedient and polite children. So, let me make one thing clear- I’m not talking about when you yell “STOP” as they start to cross the street without looking. There is no time for them to ask why nor for you to explain. This is something altogether different…hang with me.
“When ‘because I said so’ doesn’t work” is not about obedience, it’s about questions, and more importantly finding the answers to those questions.
Simple example- when my kids were little I taught them to take their shoes off as soon as we walked in the door. They were taught early on that once they removed those shoes, they went in a basket near the door that we entered and exited through every time we came and left our home. One day my three year old asked why we had to do that. In my haste to avoid another string of “whys” – I said it- “because I said so.” I could just as easily taken the time to explain my reasoning- that it helped us find our shoes quickly, while also helping mom keep the floors a little cleaner. So…one day, when I left our house with no shoes myself, he reminded me of the shoe basket and why (he thought) we used it. “Mom- your shoes got lost ‘cuz they weren’t in the basket!” (The master had become the student)
Now this seems like a silly example, but realistically he answered his own question through ‘study’ and experience. Isn’t this the best way to learn anything? As babies, we let our children (where safe) put things in their mouths, and we want them to touch and feel everything possible. As they get older, we know better than to do our kids’ homework for them. We’re tempted sometimes, but we know if we did it, they would never learn it for themselves. We welcome our children’s use of imagination and experiments to learn about the world around them. Seriously, if your child said, “Why does 2+2=4?”- you would not answer with “because I said so!” Most likely, you’d show them, and then encourage them to test it for themselves.
Okay…you get it, ‘because I said so’ doesn’t work in all situations. Here is my challenge…why do we think it works in the area of Spiritual growth? We are great at giving our children information about the Lord and the Truth of His Word. We read to them, we talk to them, we pray with them. For any child of a parent who is following the Lord and wants their kids to do the same, there is no lack of information. But what about the questions?
As adults we don’t know all there is to know about God; we have questions, we have doubts, there are things we don’t understand. If we feel this way, can you just imagine how our children feel? Our children can’t come to know the Lord “because we said so”- they have to know Him for themselves.
We have to leave room for them to study and experience God and His Word for themselves. We have to leave room for them to ask questions, and even to doubt. Then…here’s the really tough part- we have to be willing to say that we don’t have all the answers, but we know the One who does.
We may be tempted to say “because I said so” this week…or even today. Okay...but make it about shoe baskets, eating green peas, or not hitting your sister, but not about Who God is. Sometimes “because I said so” is not only a really bad answer- it’s a dangerous one.
This Week’s Announcements:
Baby Dedication Orientation – Tuesday, September 16th; 6:30-7:30pm
If you have (or will have) a child aged 3months-2 years old between now and March, 2015, and would like to publically dedicate him/her to the Lord, this orientation is for you. Parents wishing to participate in a baby dedication for their child at StoneBridge should attend one of our Baby Dedication Orientation sessions. These sessions will be held twice a year. September’s orientation is open to parents who wish to dedicate their baby before our next session in March. Please sign up by emailing me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org Childcare during the orientation will be provided with reservations.
Help still needed!
We are so blessed to have more than 80(!) volunteers who said YES to serving your children.
Even with that incredible number, we are still in need of help in certain rooms/areas.
Our specific needs are:
An adult male to lead 3rd-5th grade boys as a small group leader at 9am
Nursery help at 9am and 11am
What God is Teaching Us:
This section will have links to the previous Sunday’s lessons. Feel free (I encourage it!) to open, read, and review with your children. Click on the links below to view our lessons from 9/14/2014.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
Few things are funnier or cuter than when a child calls something by the wrong name. What’s even cuter is when what they call it actually makes sense when we see it from their perspective. A few I’ve heard lately: Lego instruction books being called “the constructions” and binoculars being called “my close up glasses.” My favorite has to be when a child was describing something crazy. She spun her pointed index finger at the side of her head (making the universal sign for crazy), but then said, “That is roundy!”
A child asks “why?” and we give the parental answer that has stood the test of time. Our parents said it, our grandparents said it, and (at least in my case) our great grandparents said it. We’ve all heard it, and most likely we’ve all said it -at least once. You know it well…“Because I said so!” After saying it, our assumption is that one thing is clearly understood- no more questions! And here, my fellow parents, in lies the problem.
(Pause for thought) Now, you may be thinking…wait a cotton-pickin’ minute…I want my kids to obey with no questions. Sometimes they don’t get to ask why I tell them something- they just have to trust me and do it. Isn’t that what first time obedience is all about?
I get it. We all want obedient and polite children. So, let me make one thing clear- I’m not talking about when you yell “STOP” as they start to cross the street without looking. There is no time for them to ask why nor for you to explain. This is something altogether different…hang with me.
“When ‘because I said so’ doesn’t work” is not about obedience, it’s about questions, and more importantly finding the answers to those questions.
Simple example- when my kids were little I taught them to take their shoes off as soon as we walked in the door. They were taught early on that once they removed those shoes, they went in a basket near the door that we entered and exited through every time we came and left our home. One day my three year old asked why we had to do that. In my haste to avoid another string of “whys” – I said it- “because I said so.” I could just as easily taken the time to explain my reasoning- that it helped us find our shoes quickly, while also helping mom keep the floors a little cleaner. So…one day, when I left our house with no shoes myself, he reminded me of the shoe basket and why (he thought) we used it. “Mom- your shoes got lost ‘cuz they weren’t in the basket!” (The master had become the student)
Now this seems like a silly example, but realistically he answered his own question through ‘study’ and experience. Isn’t this the best way to learn anything? As babies, we let our children (where safe) put things in their mouths, and we want them to touch and feel everything possible. As they get older, we know better than to do our kids’ homework for them. We’re tempted sometimes, but we know if we did it, they would never learn it for themselves. We welcome our children’s use of imagination and experiments to learn about the world around them. Seriously, if your child said, “Why does 2+2=4?”- you would not answer with “because I said so!” Most likely, you’d show them, and then encourage them to test it for themselves.
Okay…you get it, ‘because I said so’ doesn’t work in all situations. Here is my challenge…why do we think it works in the area of Spiritual growth? We are great at giving our children information about the Lord and the Truth of His Word. We read to them, we talk to them, we pray with them. For any child of a parent who is following the Lord and wants their kids to do the same, there is no lack of information. But what about the questions?
As adults we don’t know all there is to know about God; we have questions, we have doubts, there are things we don’t understand. If we feel this way, can you just imagine how our children feel? Our children can’t come to know the Lord “because we said so”- they have to know Him for themselves.
We have to leave room for them to study and experience God and His Word for themselves. We have to leave room for them to ask questions, and even to doubt. Then…here’s the really tough part- we have to be willing to say that we don’t have all the answers, but we know the One who does.
We may be tempted to say “because I said so” this week…or even today. Okay...but make it about shoe baskets, eating green peas, or not hitting your sister, but not about Who God is. Sometimes “because I said so” is not only a really bad answer- it’s a dangerous one.
This Week’s Announcements:
Baby Dedication Orientation – Tuesday, September 16th; 6:30-7:30pm
If you have (or will have) a child aged 3months-2 years old between now and March, 2015, and would like to publically dedicate him/her to the Lord, this orientation is for you. Parents wishing to participate in a baby dedication for their child at StoneBridge should attend one of our Baby Dedication Orientation sessions. These sessions will be held twice a year. September’s orientation is open to parents who wish to dedicate their baby before our next session in March. Please sign up by emailing me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org Childcare during the orientation will be provided with reservations.
Help still needed!
We are so blessed to have more than 80(!) volunteers who said YES to serving your children.
Even with that incredible number, we are still in need of help in certain rooms/areas.
Our specific needs are:
An adult male to lead 3rd-5th grade boys as a small group leader at 9am
Nursery help at 9am and 11am
What God is Teaching Us:
This section will have links to the previous Sunday’s lessons. Feel free (I encourage it!) to open, read, and review with your children. Click on the links below to view our lessons from 9/14/2014.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
Few things are funnier or cuter than when a child calls something by the wrong name. What’s even cuter is when what they call it actually makes sense when we see it from their perspective. A few I’ve heard lately: Lego instruction books being called “the constructions” and binoculars being called “my close up glasses.” My favorite has to be when a child was describing something crazy. She spun her pointed index finger at the side of her head (making the universal sign for crazy), but then said, “That is roundy!”
Monday, September 8, 2014
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to our blog!
Welcome back? You may be thinking… “But, I didn’t go anywhere!”
True, you may have been right where you are now- looking at your computer and wondering- where are the updates? OR- You may never have realized it wasn’t updated because you never checked it.
No matter…clean slate…new year…welcome back! (Or welcome for the first time!)
This one will start simply by reminding you of why I do a blog for PathFinders. It’s simple- I want to keep you informed about what is going on in our Children’s Ministry here at StoneBridge.
I think it’s safe to say that you are involved, well-informed parents already. I know your smart, alert, curious, and wonderful children; they didn’t get that way because no one was paying attention. You pay attention to what they eat, what they watch, who they spend time with, and what they are learning in school. (And that’s just the beginning of a very long list!) So, why not pay attention to what they are being taught and who is teaching them in your church home?
Nothing…nothing…nothing is more important that making sure your child is receiving biblically sound guidance. I encourage you to stay informed. Keep me accountable, and I will do the same for you. My job as your child’s pastor is to partner with you. You are the first (and last) ones responsible for your child’s Spiritual growth. The Lord entrusted them to you; however, He didn’t say you had to do it alone.
So…welcome – or welcome back. Let’s get started.
This Week’s Announcements:
Baby Dedication Orientation – Tuesday, September 16th; 6:30-7:30pm
If you have (or will have) a child aged 3months-2 years old between now and March, 2015, and would like to publically dedicate him/her to the Lord, this orientation is for you. Parents wishing to participate in a baby dedication for their child at StoneBridge should attend one of our Baby Dedication Orientation sessions. These sessions will be held twice a year. September’s orientation is open to parents who wish to dedicate their baby before our next session in March. Please sign up by emailing me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org Childcare during the orientation will be provided with reservations.
Help still needed!
We are so blessed to have more than 80(!) volunteers who said YES to serving your children.
Even with that incredible number, we are still in need of help in certain rooms/areas.
Our specific needs are:
An adult male to lead 3rd-5th grade boys as a small group leader at 9am
Nursery help at 9am and 11am
What God is Teaching Us:
This section will have links to the previous Sunday’s lessons. Feel free (I encourage it!) to open, read, and review with your children. Click on the link below to view our lessons from 9/07/2014.
*Note that lessons for 4k/K and 1st-5th were “get to know you” lessons to help small groups build community*
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
While playing a game of banana grams with a small group of elementary kids, one child received the dreaded “x” tile. (It’s better only to the “Q” tile) He very seriously looked at his tiles, then at me, then back at his tiles. Then, in all prudent seriousness asked, “Can I please trade in my “e”…I only have two other letters left- this x and an s. I don’t think there is a word I can make with this e, but if I’m lucky and get an “i” – then I can spell six.” Bless him! (And, yes…it really happened- you can’t make this stuff up!)
Welcome back? You may be thinking… “But, I didn’t go anywhere!”
True, you may have been right where you are now- looking at your computer and wondering- where are the updates? OR- You may never have realized it wasn’t updated because you never checked it.
No matter…clean slate…new year…welcome back! (Or welcome for the first time!)
This one will start simply by reminding you of why I do a blog for PathFinders. It’s simple- I want to keep you informed about what is going on in our Children’s Ministry here at StoneBridge.
I think it’s safe to say that you are involved, well-informed parents already. I know your smart, alert, curious, and wonderful children; they didn’t get that way because no one was paying attention. You pay attention to what they eat, what they watch, who they spend time with, and what they are learning in school. (And that’s just the beginning of a very long list!) So, why not pay attention to what they are being taught and who is teaching them in your church home?
Nothing…nothing…nothing is more important that making sure your child is receiving biblically sound guidance. I encourage you to stay informed. Keep me accountable, and I will do the same for you. My job as your child’s pastor is to partner with you. You are the first (and last) ones responsible for your child’s Spiritual growth. The Lord entrusted them to you; however, He didn’t say you had to do it alone.
So…welcome – or welcome back. Let’s get started.
This Week’s Announcements:
Baby Dedication Orientation – Tuesday, September 16th; 6:30-7:30pm
If you have (or will have) a child aged 3months-2 years old between now and March, 2015, and would like to publically dedicate him/her to the Lord, this orientation is for you. Parents wishing to participate in a baby dedication for their child at StoneBridge should attend one of our Baby Dedication Orientation sessions. These sessions will be held twice a year. September’s orientation is open to parents who wish to dedicate their baby before our next session in March. Please sign up by emailing me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org Childcare during the orientation will be provided with reservations.
Help still needed!
We are so blessed to have more than 80(!) volunteers who said YES to serving your children.
Even with that incredible number, we are still in need of help in certain rooms/areas.
Our specific needs are:
An adult male to lead 3rd-5th grade boys as a small group leader at 9am
Nursery help at 9am and 11am
What God is Teaching Us:
This section will have links to the previous Sunday’s lessons. Feel free (I encourage it!) to open, read, and review with your children. Click on the link below to view our lessons from 9/07/2014.
*Note that lessons for 4k/K and 1st-5th were “get to know you” lessons to help small groups build community*
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
While playing a game of banana grams with a small group of elementary kids, one child received the dreaded “x” tile. (It’s better only to the “Q” tile) He very seriously looked at his tiles, then at me, then back at his tiles. Then, in all prudent seriousness asked, “Can I please trade in my “e”…I only have two other letters left- this x and an s. I don’t think there is a word I can make with this e, but if I’m lucky and get an “i” – then I can spell six.” Bless him! (And, yes…it really happened- you can’t make this stuff up!)
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