That statement alone elicits visions of Zach Efron and a little Disney movie called “High School Musical.” Now that you’re humming the song…
As we spent 11 weeks this fall getting “ARMED and ready for Battle!” we’ve learned a lot about what it actually means to fight the enemy and his attacks. We’ve learned what it means to arm ourselves with the Truth of God’s Word, as well as the many important pieces of the Spiritual armor. As we wrapped up this series, emphasis was put on the fact that we never have to battle alone.
Our God is a God of relationship. He first wants us to have a relationship with Himself, and then He wants us to be in relationship with others. He instructs us throughout His Word to encourage and lift up other believers. He calls us to meet together for the purpose of those things. His desire for us to be linked together in the body of Christ extends to those times when we are in face to face combat with the enemy.
Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
God doesn’t intend for us to carry our burdens alone. Even in the times when an attack from the enemy is very personal, we can call on our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us fight. When we pray, we’re entering a battle on behalf of those for whom we pray. The power of prayer cannot be overstated, and our need for it cannot be stressed too strongly.
The enemy we face is a stubborn pest for sure. When he thinks we’re ‘handling’ one battle pretty well, he may see fit to come at us with more. This is when we need others to enter the battle and to carry for us what we’re too weary to carry on our own.
In the book of Exodus, Moses held up his arms as Joshua fought the enemy on the battlefield below. As long as Moses’ arms were up, Joshua and his men had victory. If his arms went down, their opponents gained ground. But…God is victorious, and He had a plan. Aaron and Hur held the arms of a weary Moses so that he in turn could continue his prayers for Joshua’s army. The battle was ultimately Joshua’s but God made a way for all of them to be connected and to support Joshua in battle. We all need people of faith like Moses, Aaron, and Hur to stand beside us in battle.
Our enemy is real and the battle is imminent, but we’re all in this together…
This Week’s Announcements:
How To…Christmas- Our next “How To” session is Wednesday, December 9th. Be sure to sign up for dinner and register your children for childcare. Registration is REQUIRED to guarantee a spot for your children. Visit our website www.stonebridgemarietta.org and click on event registration.
What God is Teaching Us:
For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about. They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house. They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible. This week our little ones continued learning about ways to praise God.
For 4k-5th Grade:
We continue to get “ARMED” and ready for battle! This week’s focus was prayer. Click the link to see lessons:
This link is no longer available
Amazing (and funny) Things Kids Do and Say…
While the 4k/K children were discussing prayer- ways we pray, things we pray about, and places we pray- some children expressed trepidation about praying out loud. Their small group leader emphasized that we don’t have to pray aloud for God to hear us; He can hear us even when we pray silently. She went on to explain that even Jesus went away by Himself to be quiet and pray to the Father. One little one exclaimed- “I remember that…He was in a garden!” The proud small group leader confirmed that answer and then asked if anyone knew the name of the garden. The same little one said, “Yes- olive…”- to which another child shouted, “Yep, that’s it- Olive Garden!” (Mount of Olives…Olive Garden…that’s the same thing, right?)
Friday, November 27, 2015
Monday, November 9, 2015
Incredible Minds
Take a minute to think about what you think about. Confusing, right? We don’t think about what we’re thinking about unless we stop and focus. God gave us brains that are capable of great and wonderful processes, thoughts, creative ideas, and dreams. The world (the enemy) is great at putting images, distractions, and lies in our lives to crowd our minds, and ultimately push out what God wants to put in. Without the Helmet of Salvation, our minds could be filled with everything but the Truth and hope that come from knowing Jesus.
When we say ‘yes’ to the incredible free gift of grace that is our salvation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit in us. As God changes us from the inside out, it is not just about our hearts, but also our minds. We are “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Is it any wonder then that the enemy who ultimately wants to steal, kill, and destroy would also want to play mind games with us? The enemy can’t read our thoughts- he’s not that powerful- but he sure tries to sneak his agenda into our minds.
Our brains- much like a colander- have the capacity to take things in, but also to sift things out. What we allow ourselves to be exposed to is one way to keep the enemy at bay, but it’s also about wearing the Helmet of Salvation offered to us as part of God’s armor. This spiritual head piece protects our minds by reminding us of the Truth of our Salvation, as well as continuing the process of our transformation.
There are so many powerful verses that remind us of what God can and does do in our minds. Two that are well worth reading and talking about with your children:
Romans 12:2- Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 4:8- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
This Week’s Announcements:
1. Family Dinner- Our next StoneBridge Family Dinner is Tuesday, November 17th. Please sign up to bring a dish to share AND don’t forget to register your children for childcare. We will provide childcare for birth-5th grade. Children in 4k-5th grade will also be fed dinner. Children under 4k should be fed before coming to church that night. *Please note, to maintain safety for your children we will “close” rooms once they are full. Registration is REQUIRED to guarantee a spot for your children. Visit our website and click on event registration.
2. BRING YOUR BIBLE! I’ve challenged the elementary (1st-5th grade) children to bring their own Bible each week. As we ARM ourselves with God’s Truth, one of the most important tools will be God’s Word. If you’re unsure if your child has the Bible that is appropriate for his or her age/maturity/reading level, I’m happy to be a resource for you. Contact me and I can give you suggestions about good options for your age child. Contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
What God is Teaching Us:For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about. They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house. They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible. This week they continued learning about the Bible- God’s True Story.
Click the link to see the nursery lessons:
This link is no longer available
For 4k-5th Grade:
We continue to get “ARMED” and ready for battle! This week’s focus was the helmet of salvation. Click the link to see lessons:
This link is no longer available
*Also- we are ARMING ourselves by learning a memory verse together each week.
This week’s Memory Verses:
For 2/3 year olds: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
For 3k preschool: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
For 4k/K and 1st-5th grade: “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.” Psalm 140:7 (NASV)
Amazing (and funny) Things Kids Do and Say…
A 4 year old child told his mom and dad that he wanted to “have a play date with Ms. Penny.” Being excited about such a proposition, I asked him if we could play Legos during our playdate. He replied, “Yes, we can but I have to show you my trains too. And then we need to talk about Bible study!” Sounds like my kind of play date.
When one 1st/2nd grade small group lea
der was talking to a group of boys about their hopes and dreams for the future, many of them started calling out things they would love to do when they grow up. Some wanted to be football players, others wanted to be builders, and then one very enthusiastically shouted out, “I want to work at Zaxby’s!” The other boys thought this was a great idea, considering all the great food he’d get.
When we say ‘yes’ to the incredible free gift of grace that is our salvation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit in us. As God changes us from the inside out, it is not just about our hearts, but also our minds. We are “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Is it any wonder then that the enemy who ultimately wants to steal, kill, and destroy would also want to play mind games with us? The enemy can’t read our thoughts- he’s not that powerful- but he sure tries to sneak his agenda into our minds.
Our brains- much like a colander- have the capacity to take things in, but also to sift things out. What we allow ourselves to be exposed to is one way to keep the enemy at bay, but it’s also about wearing the Helmet of Salvation offered to us as part of God’s armor. This spiritual head piece protects our minds by reminding us of the Truth of our Salvation, as well as continuing the process of our transformation.
There are so many powerful verses that remind us of what God can and does do in our minds. Two that are well worth reading and talking about with your children:
Romans 12:2- Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 4:8- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
This Week’s Announcements:
1. Family Dinner- Our next StoneBridge Family Dinner is Tuesday, November 17th. Please sign up to bring a dish to share AND don’t forget to register your children for childcare. We will provide childcare for birth-5th grade. Children in 4k-5th grade will also be fed dinner. Children under 4k should be fed before coming to church that night. *Please note, to maintain safety for your children we will “close” rooms once they are full. Registration is REQUIRED to guarantee a spot for your children. Visit our website and click on event registration.
2. BRING YOUR BIBLE! I’ve challenged the elementary (1st-5th grade) children to bring their own Bible each week. As we ARM ourselves with God’s Truth, one of the most important tools will be God’s Word. If you’re unsure if your child has the Bible that is appropriate for his or her age/maturity/reading level, I’m happy to be a resource for you. Contact me and I can give you suggestions about good options for your age child. Contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
What God is Teaching Us:For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about. They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house. They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible. This week they continued learning about the Bible- God’s True Story.
Click the link to see the nursery lessons:
This link is no longer available
For 4k-5th Grade:
We continue to get “ARMED” and ready for battle! This week’s focus was the helmet of salvation. Click the link to see lessons:
This link is no longer available
*Also- we are ARMING ourselves by learning a memory verse together each week.
This week’s Memory Verses:
For 2/3 year olds: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
For 3k preschool: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
For 4k/K and 1st-5th grade: “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.” Psalm 140:7 (NASV)
Amazing (and funny) Things Kids Do and Say…
A 4 year old child told his mom and dad that he wanted to “have a play date with Ms. Penny.” Being excited about such a proposition, I asked him if we could play Legos during our playdate. He replied, “Yes, we can but I have to show you my trains too. And then we need to talk about Bible study!” Sounds like my kind of play date.
When one 1st/2nd grade small group lea
der was talking to a group of boys about their hopes and dreams for the future, many of them started calling out things they would love to do when they grow up. Some wanted to be football players, others wanted to be builders, and then one very enthusiastically shouted out, “I want to work at Zaxby’s!” The other boys thought this was a great idea, considering all the great food he’d get.
Monday, November 2, 2015
Why We Love Fruit
It’s immensely accurate that none of us know the heart of another person, and equally true that God does. The only real measure we as mere humans have to assert what is in another’s heart is to look at the fruit in their lives.
As a Children’s Pastor I’ve come to terms with the fact that I may never get to fully see the fruit in the lives of those I minister to. Kids are ever changing and growing so the Spiritual fruit sometimes grows after they’ve left my care. That’s why, when I do get a glimpse at the fruit getting ripe on the vine, I get super excited.
This past Sunday we took a little pause in our ARMED series to review what we’ve been learning. God has given us so much to digest…rich and deep things…that a little look-back seemed in order. Through fun review games (like human tic-tac-toe) we did just that. The kids were ‘quizzed’ on their knowledge of the truths we’ve been learning, the memory verses they’ve been challenged with, and the Bible stories we’ve read that help us understand some of these hard concepts. To say I was blown away would be an understatement! Memory verses were being quoted, kids were explaining deep Spiritual truths, and the recall of stories about David, Daniel, Paul, Silas, and Jesus (just to name a few) were being told. There was fruit…big bowls of it…everywhere!
Why does fruit matter…why do we love it so? Simply put, it means God is at work in the minds and hearts of our kids. Literal fruit is good for our bodies. Spiritual fruit is good for our souls…and a Children’s Pastor’s heart!
This Week’s Announcements:
1. BRING YOUR BIBLE! I’ve challenged the elementary (1st-5th grade) children to bring their own Bible each week. As we ARM ourselves with God’s Truth, one of the most important tools will be God’s Word. If you’re unsure if your child has the Bible that is appropriate for his or her age/maturity/reading level, I’m happy to be a resource for you. Contact me and I can give you suggestions about good options for your age child. Contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
What God is Teaching Us:
For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about. They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house. They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible. This week they began learning about the Bible- God’s True Story.
Click the link to see the nursery lessons: This link is no longer available
For 4k-5th Grade:
We continue to get “ARMED” and ready for battle! To see this week’s review, click on the link below.
This link is no longer available
*Also- we are ARMING ourselves by learning a memory verse together each week.
This week’s Memory Verses:
For 2/3 year olds: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 For 3k preschool: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 For 4k/K: “Put on all of God's armor. Then you can stand firm against the devil's evil plans.” Ephesians 6:11 (NIrV)For 1st-5th grade: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11
Amazing Things Kids Do and Say…
One of my buddies turned six last week. “That’s a very big deal because-as you know, Ms. Penny- I have to use two hands to show you how old I am now!” After telling him he was exactly right, I asked if he’d had a good birthday so far and how many people had said “Happy Birthday!” He told me a number. I replied with, “Add one more…Happy Birthday!” He responded, “Thanks…hearing that never gets old!”
As a Children’s Pastor I’ve come to terms with the fact that I may never get to fully see the fruit in the lives of those I minister to. Kids are ever changing and growing so the Spiritual fruit sometimes grows after they’ve left my care. That’s why, when I do get a glimpse at the fruit getting ripe on the vine, I get super excited.
This past Sunday we took a little pause in our ARMED series to review what we’ve been learning. God has given us so much to digest…rich and deep things…that a little look-back seemed in order. Through fun review games (like human tic-tac-toe) we did just that. The kids were ‘quizzed’ on their knowledge of the truths we’ve been learning, the memory verses they’ve been challenged with, and the Bible stories we’ve read that help us understand some of these hard concepts. To say I was blown away would be an understatement! Memory verses were being quoted, kids were explaining deep Spiritual truths, and the recall of stories about David, Daniel, Paul, Silas, and Jesus (just to name a few) were being told. There was fruit…big bowls of it…everywhere!
Why does fruit matter…why do we love it so? Simply put, it means God is at work in the minds and hearts of our kids. Literal fruit is good for our bodies. Spiritual fruit is good for our souls…and a Children’s Pastor’s heart!
This Week’s Announcements:
1. BRING YOUR BIBLE! I’ve challenged the elementary (1st-5th grade) children to bring their own Bible each week. As we ARM ourselves with God’s Truth, one of the most important tools will be God’s Word. If you’re unsure if your child has the Bible that is appropriate for his or her age/maturity/reading level, I’m happy to be a resource for you. Contact me and I can give you suggestions about good options for your age child. Contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
What God is Teaching Us:
For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about. They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house. They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible. This week they began learning about the Bible- God’s True Story.
Click the link to see the nursery lessons: This link is no longer available
For 4k-5th Grade:
We continue to get “ARMED” and ready for battle! To see this week’s review, click on the link below.
This link is no longer available
*Also- we are ARMING ourselves by learning a memory verse together each week.
This week’s Memory Verses:
For 2/3 year olds: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 For 3k preschool: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 For 4k/K: “Put on all of God's armor. Then you can stand firm against the devil's evil plans.” Ephesians 6:11 (NIrV)For 1st-5th grade: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11
Amazing Things Kids Do and Say…
One of my buddies turned six last week. “That’s a very big deal because-as you know, Ms. Penny- I have to use two hands to show you how old I am now!” After telling him he was exactly right, I asked if he’d had a good birthday so far and how many people had said “Happy Birthday!” He told me a number. I replied with, “Add one more…Happy Birthday!” He responded, “Thanks…hearing that never gets old!”
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