When I was a little girl I was very afraid of the dark; not so much while in the bed and getting ready to go to sleep, but more when I had to walk into a room that was dark. Even before anyone thought much about saving energy, my dad was a stickler for turning off lights when you left a room. (Instead of “do you live in a barn?” associated with open doors, we heard “why is the house lit up like a Christmas tree?!”)
I remember many times coming home from being out all day- probably at the ball park- to a very dark house. Knowing I had to walk down that lonely dark hallway to my room made my stomach jump. There were periodic light switches down the hall before getting to my actual room, where I could also turn on a light, but that didn’t calm my fears.
Enter my hero daddy. Yes, he was the one that made me turn out the lights in the first place, but he was also the one who didn’t make me feel silly about being scared, but instead came to my rescue. Before I put one foot in the hallway, by dad was in front of me. He led the way…more than just into the dark- through it. The dark didn’t seem as if it would envelope me like it did when I thought of going in alone.
My dad went before me. My dad was with me.
This Advent season, we are focusing on Immanuel- “God with us.” How, when, and where is God with us? This past Sunday we introduced the idea that God prepares a way by going before us. In much the same way that my dad’s frame cut through the dark, our Heavenly Father makes a way for us.
Imagine the Israelites following a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, knowing that God was leading the way. Imagine their fears of leaving Egypt and heading into the unknown desert being overcome by the knowledge that God was going before them. God was with them.
As we get ready for Christmas, let’s not forget that our Immanuel- our “God with us” goes before us too. He cuts the dark.
My God goes before me. My God is with me.
This Week’s Announcements:PARK STREET TEACHER APPRECIATION
We will honor, encourage, and thank the teachers and staff at Park Street Elementary with a breakfast on Monday, December 8. To see how you can help, visit www.signupgenius.com and search under my email: penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
GIVING TREE
If you were here on Sunday you may have noticed a Christmas tree in the foyer with lots of ornaments on it. This is our "Giving Tree." There are items listed on each of the ornaments that will benefit families at Park Street Elementary, MUST Ministries, and Cobb Pregnancy Services. Please take an ornament from the tree and purchase the item listed on the tag. Donations may be dropped off at the church and placed under the tree on or before Sunday, December 21st. Items should not be wrapped. Please attach the tag to the item for easier distribution.
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 11/30.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
After sitting for several minutes with her knees curled under her, a first grader announced that she couldn’t stand up. I asked what was wrong, and if her legs had fallen asleep. She said, “No they aren’t asleep- they have fireworks in them and it hurts!” (Best description of the stinging tingles I get when my legs fall asleep)
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
More than a Statistic
One in Three...
If you’re anything like me, you’re not a fan of statistics. The word itself sends chills down my spine as I remember sitting in Mr. Zavonar’s seventh grade science class where the study of genetics was introduced by first having us look at statistics. Genetics and statistics- all at once?! It’s a wonder I don’t automatically fall into the fetal position at the very sight of any word containing “tic!” (God forbid that I couldn’t enjoy Tic-Tacs!)
Besides the bad memories, the reason I dislike statistics is that I’m always skeptical at their accuracy. Growing up hearing “one in three dentists recommend Crest” or “one in three moms use Tide” always made me wonder who they really asked. They never asked my mom, but she used Cheer anyway.
A few statistics floating around these days include things that aren’t very uplifting or encouraging. One in three children are obese, one in three teens will try drugs in high school, and one in three people living in urban environments live below the poverty line. (If you didn’t dislike statistics before, you certainly should now!)
By this point of the blog, you get the idea…and, if I’ve done it right, the phrase “one in three” is firmly planted in your brain. That was the objective!
Two weeks ago as we wrapped up our “It’s a Mystery” Series, this was the phrase I wanted firmly planted in the minds and hearts of our kids. Why? Because that is the Trinity. One God, Three Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) - still one God. Trying to explain the Trinity is almost as hard as truly understanding it, but God is always faithful to speak Truth to us- despite our very human attempts at doing that Truth justice. Through the use of three forms of water (liquid, solid, and gas) and candy corn, the kids grabbed onto the concept of One in Three/Three in One.
It’s my prayer that our children will have a very different idea of that statistical “one in three” phrase as they grow up. I pray that they won’t attach it to toothpaste or detergent commercials as I did, nor will they attach it to any overwhelming statistic they may read at some point later. I pray that even in the midst of advertising and statistics, they will naturally associate that phrase with our One God Who works as Three Persons, but is still One God.
Wouldn’t it be an amazing thing if our kids sifted all that they read, hear, or see through the Truth of Who God is?! Maybe then the idea of statistics- or genetics- or anything remotely resembling Mr. Zavonar’s science class won’t be so overwhelming.
This Week’s Announcements:
PARK STREET TEACHER APPRECIATION
We will honor, encourage, and thank the teachers and staff at Park Street Elementary with a breakfast on Monday, December 8. To see how you can help, visit www.signupgenius.com and search under my email: penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
GIVING TREE
If you were here on Sunday you may have noticed a Christmas tree in the foyer with lots of ornaments on it. This is our "Giving Tree." There are items listed on each of the ornaments that will benefit families at Park Street Elementary, MUST Ministries, and Cobb Pregnancy Services. Please take an ornament from the tree and purchase the item listed on the tag. Donations may be dropped off at the church and placed under the tree on or before Sunday, December 21st. Items should not be wrapped. Please attach the tag to the item for easier distribution.
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 11/16 and 11/23.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
Don’t you love the conversations you have at bedtime with your children? Here is one a mom sent me recently. Child: “What if your arm got cut off?” Mom: “I guess I'd only have one arm to hug you with.”
Continuing back and forth… What if both of your arms got cut off? Then I couldn't hug you at all! Well then your arm will grow back after a while and you can hug me. No...arms don't grow back if they are cut off. What?...It doesn't grow back?! No. It doesn't grow back, baby. Ever?! Nope...not ever. What about in Heaven? Yeah...God probably gives new arms in Heaven.
The child thinks for a minute and ends this way: “But how does it get on there? Like with glue or something…or maybe God’s imagination? Like He closes His eyes and imagines it and then it's there? Wait....that's teleportation.”
If you’re anything like me, you’re not a fan of statistics. The word itself sends chills down my spine as I remember sitting in Mr. Zavonar’s seventh grade science class where the study of genetics was introduced by first having us look at statistics. Genetics and statistics- all at once?! It’s a wonder I don’t automatically fall into the fetal position at the very sight of any word containing “tic!” (God forbid that I couldn’t enjoy Tic-Tacs!)
Besides the bad memories, the reason I dislike statistics is that I’m always skeptical at their accuracy. Growing up hearing “one in three dentists recommend Crest” or “one in three moms use Tide” always made me wonder who they really asked. They never asked my mom, but she used Cheer anyway.
A few statistics floating around these days include things that aren’t very uplifting or encouraging. One in three children are obese, one in three teens will try drugs in high school, and one in three people living in urban environments live below the poverty line. (If you didn’t dislike statistics before, you certainly should now!)
By this point of the blog, you get the idea…and, if I’ve done it right, the phrase “one in three” is firmly planted in your brain. That was the objective!
Two weeks ago as we wrapped up our “It’s a Mystery” Series, this was the phrase I wanted firmly planted in the minds and hearts of our kids. Why? Because that is the Trinity. One God, Three Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) - still one God. Trying to explain the Trinity is almost as hard as truly understanding it, but God is always faithful to speak Truth to us- despite our very human attempts at doing that Truth justice. Through the use of three forms of water (liquid, solid, and gas) and candy corn, the kids grabbed onto the concept of One in Three/Three in One.
It’s my prayer that our children will have a very different idea of that statistical “one in three” phrase as they grow up. I pray that they won’t attach it to toothpaste or detergent commercials as I did, nor will they attach it to any overwhelming statistic they may read at some point later. I pray that even in the midst of advertising and statistics, they will naturally associate that phrase with our One God Who works as Three Persons, but is still One God.
Wouldn’t it be an amazing thing if our kids sifted all that they read, hear, or see through the Truth of Who God is?! Maybe then the idea of statistics- or genetics- or anything remotely resembling Mr. Zavonar’s science class won’t be so overwhelming.
This Week’s Announcements:
PARK STREET TEACHER APPRECIATION
We will honor, encourage, and thank the teachers and staff at Park Street Elementary with a breakfast on Monday, December 8. To see how you can help, visit www.signupgenius.com and search under my email: penny@stonebridgemarietta.org
GIVING TREE
If you were here on Sunday you may have noticed a Christmas tree in the foyer with lots of ornaments on it. This is our "Giving Tree." There are items listed on each of the ornaments that will benefit families at Park Street Elementary, MUST Ministries, and Cobb Pregnancy Services. Please take an ornament from the tree and purchase the item listed on the tag. Donations may be dropped off at the church and placed under the tree on or before Sunday, December 21st. Items should not be wrapped. Please attach the tag to the item for easier distribution.
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 11/16 and 11/23.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
Don’t you love the conversations you have at bedtime with your children? Here is one a mom sent me recently. Child: “What if your arm got cut off?” Mom: “I guess I'd only have one arm to hug you with.”
Continuing back and forth… What if both of your arms got cut off? Then I couldn't hug you at all! Well then your arm will grow back after a while and you can hug me. No...arms don't grow back if they are cut off. What?...It doesn't grow back?! No. It doesn't grow back, baby. Ever?! Nope...not ever. What about in Heaven? Yeah...God probably gives new arms in Heaven.
The child thinks for a minute and ends this way: “But how does it get on there? Like with glue or something…or maybe God’s imagination? Like He closes His eyes and imagines it and then it's there? Wait....that's teleportation.”
Monday, November 10, 2014
We All Want to be Included
In the age of Facebook we’ve all had the unpleasant experience of seeing a group of people we know having a wonderful time somewhere equally wonderful without us. If we’re any sort of normal we feel a little pang of hurt or jealousy, or both. No one- no matter how confident- likes to be left out. We all have this innate desire to be a part of a pack in some form.
Some of us find that this desire to be included comes from the fact that we ourselves are “includers.” We don’t like to see anyone left out. In some cases this is so true that we see it as our personal responsibility to include others…everyone. This can be both a blessing and a burden.
If you’ve been a believer for very long at all, you’ve most likely heard this argument… “If God is so loving then how can He leave so many people “out” by saying following Jesus is the only way to Him?”
Maybe the root of this argument is something as simple as those people are themselves includers and/or they know firsthand what it means to be left out. Those that pose what can feel like a very divisive question may be searching for real answers in Jesus, but their hearts are having a hard time accepting that someone – maybe someone they know and love- will be left out.
This is a tough topic, but one I felt very strongly the Lord wanted the kids to know and learn about. This past Sunday we tackled it. We learned that God is both inclusive (He loves the world) and exclusive (Jesus is the only way to Him). With hoola-hoops, stories of walking down different paths at Kennesaw Mountain, examples of being invited to a birthday party, and two important Scriptures (Matthew 7:13-14 and John 3:16), we tackled it.
For a topic that is even hard- and at times divisive- among adults, the kids grabbed hold. For this, I am so very grateful. God is faithful to reveal Himself to us…all of us- no matter the age. God wants us to tackle the hard topics. God wants to include us not just in a loose term sort of way, but in a very literal way.
We have a God Who invites us in; into His family and into what He’s doing. Are we doing the same for Him?
This Week’s Announcements:
What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
Want to say ‘thanks’ to those who serve your children? Want to give back in some way? It won’t cost you a thing…except a little time.
Sunday, November 30th is not only the Sunday after Thanksgiving, it is one of those rare (okay…four times a year is not that rare)- 5th Sundays. Since our volunteers are scheduled on a four Sundays a month schedule, this leaves us with some spots to be filled. If you are in town and willing to say “thanks for serving” by serving yourself, please contact Christina Busey at christina@stonebridgemarietta.org to see how you can serve on November 30th. *We will need help in all ages, so claim the spot and age group you want!
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 11/9.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
While making the point about God’s desire to “include” us to a group of 4k and Kindergarten children, I used the example of a birthday party; one where I would personally invite all of them. After describing this party in detail, complete with what we’d do, and how they had the choice to accept my invitation or not, one 4 year old raised her hand. Thinking she had a question about the Truth I had just very eloquently made clear for them, I called on her. Instead of asking a question, she announced that she would have to ask her mom for permission to come to my party. She was concerned that I wanted to play tag at my party because she didn’t know if her mom would let her play that game. This interaction reminded me just how humble kids can keep us!
Some of us find that this desire to be included comes from the fact that we ourselves are “includers.” We don’t like to see anyone left out. In some cases this is so true that we see it as our personal responsibility to include others…everyone. This can be both a blessing and a burden.
If you’ve been a believer for very long at all, you’ve most likely heard this argument… “If God is so loving then how can He leave so many people “out” by saying following Jesus is the only way to Him?”
Maybe the root of this argument is something as simple as those people are themselves includers and/or they know firsthand what it means to be left out. Those that pose what can feel like a very divisive question may be searching for real answers in Jesus, but their hearts are having a hard time accepting that someone – maybe someone they know and love- will be left out.
This is a tough topic, but one I felt very strongly the Lord wanted the kids to know and learn about. This past Sunday we tackled it. We learned that God is both inclusive (He loves the world) and exclusive (Jesus is the only way to Him). With hoola-hoops, stories of walking down different paths at Kennesaw Mountain, examples of being invited to a birthday party, and two important Scriptures (Matthew 7:13-14 and John 3:16), we tackled it.
For a topic that is even hard- and at times divisive- among adults, the kids grabbed hold. For this, I am so very grateful. God is faithful to reveal Himself to us…all of us- no matter the age. God wants us to tackle the hard topics. God wants to include us not just in a loose term sort of way, but in a very literal way.
We have a God Who invites us in; into His family and into what He’s doing. Are we doing the same for Him?
This Week’s Announcements:
What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
Want to say ‘thanks’ to those who serve your children? Want to give back in some way? It won’t cost you a thing…except a little time.
Sunday, November 30th is not only the Sunday after Thanksgiving, it is one of those rare (okay…four times a year is not that rare)- 5th Sundays. Since our volunteers are scheduled on a four Sundays a month schedule, this leaves us with some spots to be filled. If you are in town and willing to say “thanks for serving” by serving yourself, please contact Christina Busey at christina@stonebridgemarietta.org to see how you can serve on November 30th. *We will need help in all ages, so claim the spot and age group you want!
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 11/9.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
While making the point about God’s desire to “include” us to a group of 4k and Kindergarten children, I used the example of a birthday party; one where I would personally invite all of them. After describing this party in detail, complete with what we’d do, and how they had the choice to accept my invitation or not, one 4 year old raised her hand. Thinking she had a question about the Truth I had just very eloquently made clear for them, I called on her. Instead of asking a question, she announced that she would have to ask her mom for permission to come to my party. She was concerned that I wanted to play tag at my party because she didn’t know if her mom would let her play that game. This interaction reminded me just how humble kids can keep us!
Monday, November 3, 2014
Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words
Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words…really?
Kids love to draw pictures. Rainbows, animals, trees, flowers, and the people they love- just to name a few. Our refrigerator doors, bulletin boards, or the walls of our garage all become museums for those priceless drawings that little chubby hands create. The most precious of those are the ones handed over with the words, “I made this for you.” Oh, how I miss those beautiful scribblings once made by my two boys. Taking a close look at whatever is conjured up in their little minds is a window into what our kids see as important and worth thinking about.
If their creations let us in on what they think is important, then what do we gain by asking them to draw what we think is important? When we take the opportunity to request a drawing, we get to see how they view something. Simply think about the times you’ve asked your child to draw your family. We’ve all seen those drawings with arms coming out of heads, a mom’s smiling face, or a dad who is significantly taller than everyone else in the picture. Their little hearts and minds put on paper how they view any given topic.
This very idea is why I asked kids to draw their perception of God. I emphasized that there was no right or wrong answer…this was to be their view of Him. What does He look like? What is around Him? Is He sitting or standing? After they had time to draw this, I asked them to then put themselves in the picture. Where are they in relation to God in that drawing? Again…no right or wrong answers.
The pictures were as varied as the children who drew them. Some put God in the sky on a cloud with themselves on the ground. Others made God so big with light all around Him that they couldn’t fit in the picture at all. Still others drew a very human appearing God, so personal that His arms were stretched out toward the drawing of themselves.
We serve a God Who is all of these things and more. He is above us, in front of us, behind us, and through the Holy Spirit- in us. He sees all things, He knows all things, He holds all things together. The earth is like His footstool. He knows and numbers the stars and at the very same time, knows and numbers the very hairs of our heads. Two words describe this kind of God. Sovereign and Intimate.
The Psalmist David “put on paper” for us many reminders of the God we serve. I found none that described both God’s sovereignty and His intimacy with us more vividly that Psalm 139:1-18. This was David’s drawing of God and where he was in the picture.
We all draw things as we view them. Those sweet creations our kids paper our homes with- the ones with dad bigger and mommy smiling- let us know that our child sees his/her world as wonderful. Do we know how our kids view God…really? Ask them to draw Him, and see for yourself. Maybe a picture really is worth a thousand words, and then some.
This Week’s Announcements:
What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
Want to say ‘thanks’ to those who serve your children? Want to give back in some way? It won’t cost you a thing…except a little time.
Sunday, November 30th is not only the Sunday after Thanksgiving, it is one of those rare (okay…four times a year is not that rare)- 5th Sundays. Since our volunteers are scheduled on a four Sundays a month schedule, this leaves us with some spots to be filled. If you are in town and willing to say “thanks for serving” by serving yourself, please contact Christina Busey at christina@stonebridgemarietta.org to see how you can serve on November 30th. *We will need help in all ages, so claim the spot and age group you want!
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 11/2.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
One mom reported that during BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) they had been learning about how God provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. At the end of one morning’s study, the mom asked her 3 year old what God gave the Israelites to eat. Finding the right answer in her memory was a quick process. She proudly said "mayonnaise!" (Yuck…I would’ve starved!)
Kids love to draw pictures. Rainbows, animals, trees, flowers, and the people they love- just to name a few. Our refrigerator doors, bulletin boards, or the walls of our garage all become museums for those priceless drawings that little chubby hands create. The most precious of those are the ones handed over with the words, “I made this for you.” Oh, how I miss those beautiful scribblings once made by my two boys. Taking a close look at whatever is conjured up in their little minds is a window into what our kids see as important and worth thinking about.
If their creations let us in on what they think is important, then what do we gain by asking them to draw what we think is important? When we take the opportunity to request a drawing, we get to see how they view something. Simply think about the times you’ve asked your child to draw your family. We’ve all seen those drawings with arms coming out of heads, a mom’s smiling face, or a dad who is significantly taller than everyone else in the picture. Their little hearts and minds put on paper how they view any given topic.
This very idea is why I asked kids to draw their perception of God. I emphasized that there was no right or wrong answer…this was to be their view of Him. What does He look like? What is around Him? Is He sitting or standing? After they had time to draw this, I asked them to then put themselves in the picture. Where are they in relation to God in that drawing? Again…no right or wrong answers.
The pictures were as varied as the children who drew them. Some put God in the sky on a cloud with themselves on the ground. Others made God so big with light all around Him that they couldn’t fit in the picture at all. Still others drew a very human appearing God, so personal that His arms were stretched out toward the drawing of themselves.
We serve a God Who is all of these things and more. He is above us, in front of us, behind us, and through the Holy Spirit- in us. He sees all things, He knows all things, He holds all things together. The earth is like His footstool. He knows and numbers the stars and at the very same time, knows and numbers the very hairs of our heads. Two words describe this kind of God. Sovereign and Intimate.
The Psalmist David “put on paper” for us many reminders of the God we serve. I found none that described both God’s sovereignty and His intimacy with us more vividly that Psalm 139:1-18. This was David’s drawing of God and where he was in the picture.
We all draw things as we view them. Those sweet creations our kids paper our homes with- the ones with dad bigger and mommy smiling- let us know that our child sees his/her world as wonderful. Do we know how our kids view God…really? Ask them to draw Him, and see for yourself. Maybe a picture really is worth a thousand words, and then some.
This Week’s Announcements:
What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
Want to say ‘thanks’ to those who serve your children? Want to give back in some way? It won’t cost you a thing…except a little time.
Sunday, November 30th is not only the Sunday after Thanksgiving, it is one of those rare (okay…four times a year is not that rare)- 5th Sundays. Since our volunteers are scheduled on a four Sundays a month schedule, this leaves us with some spots to be filled. If you are in town and willing to say “thanks for serving” by serving yourself, please contact Christina Busey at christina@stonebridgemarietta.org to see how you can serve on November 30th. *We will need help in all ages, so claim the spot and age group you want!
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 11/2.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
One mom reported that during BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) they had been learning about how God provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. At the end of one morning’s study, the mom asked her 3 year old what God gave the Israelites to eat. Finding the right answer in her memory was a quick process. She proudly said "mayonnaise!" (Yuck…I would’ve starved!)
Monday, October 27, 2014
What Happened to all the See-Saws?
What Happened to All the See-Saws?
If you are of a certain age you most likely remember a playground or park with see-saws. Several years ago in an effort to make playgrounds safer, see-saws were taken away. (Some playgrounds don’t even have swings anymore…don’t get me started on that trend!)
Anyway…because of the no see-saw rule, many children have not experienced the power rush of jumping from the top, sending your see-saw mate crashing to the ground. Neither have they encountered the awesome experience of being that friend who, while falling to the ground, has to decide in a split second whether to be okay hitting the ground or risk trying to get his feet down fast enough to catch himself. (Side note: I was the kid who BEGGED my friends not to make me fall before I would even agree to get on the see-saw) Yep, gone are the days of risking life and limb in the pursuit of fun.
As I ‘wax nostalgic’ for a bit, I did wonder what our kids are losing - all in an attempt to keep them safer. This reality became apparent to me two Sundays ago as I was reviewing the topics we’ve covered in the “It’s a Mystery” series.
Introducing kids to the idea of how God keeps all things in balance, specifically being both a God of answers and mystery seemed like a large topic to tackle. Since I’m very visual myself, I’ve tried to help children connect a visual with this concept. A simple balance scale seemed like my best bet. For kids who have seen these in school, it was a great option. For others, who have never seen one, I had to teach them what it was, how it was used, and what it meant to be balanced before I could use it to demonstrate my point.
I couldn’t relate the mechanical genius of a balance scale to the see-saw because no one knew what I was talking about. Literally…I don’t remember a single child who knew what I was describing when I referenced the see-saw. Big deal- right?
Probably not a big deal, but then again I think the see-saw is the perfect picture of another layer of God’s balance- and the balance He wants us to keep in our minds and hearts. Picture this…
If a person doesn’t fully understand that God has the answers; if he/she thinks they do, they are out of balance. Any person who thinks they have all the answers themselves will also think they don’t need God. They are what we as Christians would call- “lost.” On the other side of that is a person who thinks that life is one big mystery- there is no purpose to it at all; we’re all just spinning in space until we die. These people are also lost.
If we’re doing it right, we’re staying right in the middle of both- we’re in balance. We know that God is a God of answers, that He wants us to know and understand Him and His world. At the same time, we understand that God is a God of mystery- His thoughts are not our thoughts.
What does this have to do with see-saws? I think- if we’re really honest, our minds and hearts do an up and down with this balance thing. Depending on what is going on in our lives, we’re either trusting God fully for the answers, or we’re questioning His mysteries. Leaning too far to one side or the other is a dangerous thing- much like jumping off the top or plummeting to the bottom. Wherever we are, we need to ask God to keep us in balance. We want to ride but we want to be safe…better yet, secure.
If you think about it, and actually have memories of riding a see-saw, wasn’t it great fun to sit in the middle and just enjoy the up and down with no fear of falling off?
This Week’s Announcements:
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 10/19 and 10/26.
*Note that no lessons are included for 4k-5th grade for 10/26. This is because small groups did not meet; children were engaged in outreach projects instead.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
While leading the outreach project with the 4k/K children this past Sunday, the leader was telling the story of the 10 Lepers who Jesus healed. (If you don’t remember the story, look it up in Luke 17) As she told the story, one child yelled out, “I know about lepers! They have spots so they can hide in the jungle.” Hmm…I think that’s leopards- just a little different.
If you are of a certain age you most likely remember a playground or park with see-saws. Several years ago in an effort to make playgrounds safer, see-saws were taken away. (Some playgrounds don’t even have swings anymore…don’t get me started on that trend!)
Anyway…because of the no see-saw rule, many children have not experienced the power rush of jumping from the top, sending your see-saw mate crashing to the ground. Neither have they encountered the awesome experience of being that friend who, while falling to the ground, has to decide in a split second whether to be okay hitting the ground or risk trying to get his feet down fast enough to catch himself. (Side note: I was the kid who BEGGED my friends not to make me fall before I would even agree to get on the see-saw) Yep, gone are the days of risking life and limb in the pursuit of fun.
As I ‘wax nostalgic’ for a bit, I did wonder what our kids are losing - all in an attempt to keep them safer. This reality became apparent to me two Sundays ago as I was reviewing the topics we’ve covered in the “It’s a Mystery” series.
Introducing kids to the idea of how God keeps all things in balance, specifically being both a God of answers and mystery seemed like a large topic to tackle. Since I’m very visual myself, I’ve tried to help children connect a visual with this concept. A simple balance scale seemed like my best bet. For kids who have seen these in school, it was a great option. For others, who have never seen one, I had to teach them what it was, how it was used, and what it meant to be balanced before I could use it to demonstrate my point.
I couldn’t relate the mechanical genius of a balance scale to the see-saw because no one knew what I was talking about. Literally…I don’t remember a single child who knew what I was describing when I referenced the see-saw. Big deal- right?
Probably not a big deal, but then again I think the see-saw is the perfect picture of another layer of God’s balance- and the balance He wants us to keep in our minds and hearts. Picture this…
If a person doesn’t fully understand that God has the answers; if he/she thinks they do, they are out of balance. Any person who thinks they have all the answers themselves will also think they don’t need God. They are what we as Christians would call- “lost.” On the other side of that is a person who thinks that life is one big mystery- there is no purpose to it at all; we’re all just spinning in space until we die. These people are also lost.
If we’re doing it right, we’re staying right in the middle of both- we’re in balance. We know that God is a God of answers, that He wants us to know and understand Him and His world. At the same time, we understand that God is a God of mystery- His thoughts are not our thoughts.
What does this have to do with see-saws? I think- if we’re really honest, our minds and hearts do an up and down with this balance thing. Depending on what is going on in our lives, we’re either trusting God fully for the answers, or we’re questioning His mysteries. Leaning too far to one side or the other is a dangerous thing- much like jumping off the top or plummeting to the bottom. Wherever we are, we need to ask God to keep us in balance. We want to ride but we want to be safe…better yet, secure.
If you think about it, and actually have memories of riding a see-saw, wasn’t it great fun to sit in the middle and just enjoy the up and down with no fear of falling off?
This Week’s Announcements:
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 10/19 and 10/26.
*Note that no lessons are included for 4k-5th grade for 10/26. This is because small groups did not meet; children were engaged in outreach projects instead.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
While leading the outreach project with the 4k/K children this past Sunday, the leader was telling the story of the 10 Lepers who Jesus healed. (If you don’t remember the story, look it up in Luke 17) As she told the story, one child yelled out, “I know about lepers! They have spots so they can hide in the jungle.” Hmm…I think that’s leopards- just a little different.
Monday, October 13, 2014
A Game of Uncle
A Game of “Uncle”…or better named- “Mercy”
If you are of a certain age, you’ve undoubtedly played a game of “uncle” at some point in your life. That same game of torture is known now as “mercy.” In case you’ve forgotten, you grab hands with another person (most commonly played with a vicious sibling) and then try pushing their hand back until they yell, “mercy!” This is a game that many of us- myself included- tried to avoid at all costs since you were never quite sure if you’d be the victor or the victim.
When we consider God’s mercy, we certainly don’t think of a game of torture; however, it is interesting that the very definition of godly mercy is “compassion when you have the power and/or right to punish.” I guess calling ‘mercy’ in the game is calling for such compassion.
This past Sunday we explored the next “both-em” of God- mercy and justice. God holds both of these in perfect balance. They are not opposites; they aren’t even at odds with each other. In reality God’s justice is really His mercy.
Since justice is best understood in a child’s mind as discipline/consequences, let’s think of it that way too for a moment. Think of how you mead out justice in your household. You direct and guide your children. When they make a decision to stray from your direction with disobedience in some form, you discipline them. Is this because you want to be mean? Is this because you’ve stopped loving them? On both counts- of course not! You correct because you love them.
The same is true of God’s justice in our lives. His correction is always because He loves us. Sometimes that correction is gentle, and sometimes it feels more heavy-handed. Either way, it’s always mixed with a heavy dose of His mercy.
We live lives that cry out for God’s justice. We can also cry out for His mercy. When we cry out for one, we receive both. And…if we’re smart, we won’t wait until our hands are being twisted in pain to cry out for either.
This Week’s Announcements: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 10/12.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
On any Sunday in the fall, you can find at least one child who wants to discuss a college football game from the day before. (It’s not just the boys!) This week one guy was talking about his beloved Clemson Tigers. Another child, overhearing only a portion of the conversation, interjected, “I like tigers, but I like rhinos more!” Confused…I asked, “What team is that… with a rhino as their mascot?” Puzzled look, and then, “Oh, I thought y’all were just talking about your favorite animals.”
If you are of a certain age, you’ve undoubtedly played a game of “uncle” at some point in your life. That same game of torture is known now as “mercy.” In case you’ve forgotten, you grab hands with another person (most commonly played with a vicious sibling) and then try pushing their hand back until they yell, “mercy!” This is a game that many of us- myself included- tried to avoid at all costs since you were never quite sure if you’d be the victor or the victim.
When we consider God’s mercy, we certainly don’t think of a game of torture; however, it is interesting that the very definition of godly mercy is “compassion when you have the power and/or right to punish.” I guess calling ‘mercy’ in the game is calling for such compassion.
This past Sunday we explored the next “both-em” of God- mercy and justice. God holds both of these in perfect balance. They are not opposites; they aren’t even at odds with each other. In reality God’s justice is really His mercy.
Since justice is best understood in a child’s mind as discipline/consequences, let’s think of it that way too for a moment. Think of how you mead out justice in your household. You direct and guide your children. When they make a decision to stray from your direction with disobedience in some form, you discipline them. Is this because you want to be mean? Is this because you’ve stopped loving them? On both counts- of course not! You correct because you love them.
The same is true of God’s justice in our lives. His correction is always because He loves us. Sometimes that correction is gentle, and sometimes it feels more heavy-handed. Either way, it’s always mixed with a heavy dose of His mercy.
We live lives that cry out for God’s justice. We can also cry out for His mercy. When we cry out for one, we receive both. And…if we’re smart, we won’t wait until our hands are being twisted in pain to cry out for either.
This Week’s Announcements: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 10/12.
This link is no longer available
Funny Things Kids Do and Say…
On any Sunday in the fall, you can find at least one child who wants to discuss a college football game from the day before. (It’s not just the boys!) This week one guy was talking about his beloved Clemson Tigers. Another child, overhearing only a portion of the conversation, interjected, “I like tigers, but I like rhinos more!” Confused…I asked, “What team is that… with a rhino as their mascot?” Puzzled look, and then, “Oh, I thought y’all were just talking about your favorite animals.”
The Ugly Truth about Wrath
The Ugly Truth about Wrath
From A to Z, there are words in the Bible that many of us can’t pronounce. Need some examples? Here you go: Artaxerxes and Zerubbabel. That’s just one A and one Z… think of all the others in between! In addition to the brain-boggling task of deciphering some terms in God’s Word, there are also those words that we just don’t understand.
These words are easily pronounced for most anyone. We can read a definition in the dictionary or a Bible commentary. We may even have some way of defining it in our own words, but do we really understand them? You know the words…wrath, justice, judgment…just to name a few. Do we really understand God’s wrath, tempered with grace?
Wrath was the topic of last Sunday’s lessons for our elementary kids. Kids understand anger. Just imagine the sea of hands raised when I asked if anyone had ever been mad at a brother or sister. And…I won’t tell you how many kids (unsolicited) wanted to tell how mom or dad showed wrath!
Wrath is a word that is not talked about a lot in children’s ministry. God is loving. God is kind. God is powerful. Kids “get” a God that is loving, kind, and powerful, but looking at a God Who is also capable of great anger is a little harder.
The ugly truth about wrath is that…well, it’s Truth. The Bible is chockfull of times when God’s wrath was “poured out.” This makes us uncomfortable so we skip over those stories. The reality is that we shouldn’t skip over anything that gives us a better understanding of God’s character, including the parts that make us scratch our heads or shift in our seats.
Look at those stories where God’s wrath was poured out. What is He mad about? Sin. God is holy so therefore He cannot tolerate anything that is unholy.
It was explained this way to children…
Imagine that you created something perfect and wonderful. You loved your creation so much that you wanted to hang it on the refrigerator so you could enjoy its beauty every day. Now imagine that a big, hairy, nasty, slobbering (they loved that part) monster rips it off the fridge, tears it up, stomps on it, and then takes it outside to roll it in the mud. How would you feel? Mad!
Now, think about what happened to God’s world…
He created a perfect world and put His most prized creations right in the middle of it. He said, “This is very good.” He wanted to spend time with His creations, and enjoy the beauty of what He’d created. Enter the big, hairy, nasty, slobbering monster- sin. The enemy and sin are all about destroying God’s creation. How does God feel? Mad! That is what God’s wrath is about. He is mad at sin, BUT He is kind (in the form of grace) to us.
Wrath is ugly, but it’s Truth worth exploring. When we better understand what God’s wrath is about, we also understand more about those “comfortable” things too- His love, kindness, and power in our lives.
This Week’s Announcements:
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 9/28 and 10/05.
This link is no longer available
From A to Z, there are words in the Bible that many of us can’t pronounce. Need some examples? Here you go: Artaxerxes and Zerubbabel. That’s just one A and one Z… think of all the others in between! In addition to the brain-boggling task of deciphering some terms in God’s Word, there are also those words that we just don’t understand.
These words are easily pronounced for most anyone. We can read a definition in the dictionary or a Bible commentary. We may even have some way of defining it in our own words, but do we really understand them? You know the words…wrath, justice, judgment…just to name a few. Do we really understand God’s wrath, tempered with grace?
Wrath was the topic of last Sunday’s lessons for our elementary kids. Kids understand anger. Just imagine the sea of hands raised when I asked if anyone had ever been mad at a brother or sister. And…I won’t tell you how many kids (unsolicited) wanted to tell how mom or dad showed wrath!
Wrath is a word that is not talked about a lot in children’s ministry. God is loving. God is kind. God is powerful. Kids “get” a God that is loving, kind, and powerful, but looking at a God Who is also capable of great anger is a little harder.
The ugly truth about wrath is that…well, it’s Truth. The Bible is chockfull of times when God’s wrath was “poured out.” This makes us uncomfortable so we skip over those stories. The reality is that we shouldn’t skip over anything that gives us a better understanding of God’s character, including the parts that make us scratch our heads or shift in our seats.
Look at those stories where God’s wrath was poured out. What is He mad about? Sin. God is holy so therefore He cannot tolerate anything that is unholy.
It was explained this way to children…
Imagine that you created something perfect and wonderful. You loved your creation so much that you wanted to hang it on the refrigerator so you could enjoy its beauty every day. Now imagine that a big, hairy, nasty, slobbering (they loved that part) monster rips it off the fridge, tears it up, stomps on it, and then takes it outside to roll it in the mud. How would you feel? Mad!
Now, think about what happened to God’s world…
He created a perfect world and put His most prized creations right in the middle of it. He said, “This is very good.” He wanted to spend time with His creations, and enjoy the beauty of what He’d created. Enter the big, hairy, nasty, slobbering monster- sin. The enemy and sin are all about destroying God’s creation. How does God feel? Mad! That is what God’s wrath is about. He is mad at sin, BUT He is kind (in the form of grace) to us.
Wrath is ugly, but it’s Truth worth exploring. When we better understand what God’s wrath is about, we also understand more about those “comfortable” things too- His love, kindness, and power in our lives.
This Week’s Announcements:
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 9/28 and 10/05.
This link is no longer available
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