Elyse Decks the Halls

I love Christmas Carols. The last couple of years we were in Eureka California and I had the privilege of leading a kid's choir for a special event. We had our share of funny moments...a 3 year old somersaulting off the 3rd stair of the platform, girls sitting not so lady like, one of them putting their fingers in their ears while someone sang a solo right next to them. All priceless moments!

Elyse has been giving us some laughs in her rendition of carols. Here's the latest:

Deck the halls with bows of holly fa la la la la la la la la

Twos the season to be jolly fa la la la la la la la la

Join the ni ni two be carol fa la la la la la la la la

deck the halls with bows of holly fa la la la la la la la la la

Enjoy your kids this Christmas season and make sure you write

down some of the funny stuff. I know I will be!

Bible Marathon

Back in October I posted a blog about Bible reading, and making it a part of our kids lives. Over the last week or so I have been developing a Bible reading plan for our Children's Ministry. Here's the idea:

• All kids who attend Bethel are going to be encouraged to make reading God's Word part of their daily lives.
• We, together, are going to read the New Testament all the way through from January to December, 2010.
• Parents of kids that aren't able to read yet are encouraged to read TO their children, allowing the kids to still follow the plan. Even if your kids are babies and toddlers, read to them!
• All of our kids can earn rewards every 2 months for bringing in their completed Bible reading plans. I'm saving a really awesome reward for those who stick to it all the way until December!

As I have been going through the New Testament, preparing this plan, I realized, once again, that there is some things weaved throughout God's Word that are hard for kids to grasp. There are things that will provoke conversations with your kids and move you out of your comfort zone a little. Even if your kids aren't understanding every word, imagine the impact reading God's Word every single day will have in their lives!

Over the next two weeks, I am going to be talking about this plan to your kids at church. It will make it's debut on December 20th, and will be available throughout the year. I do want to encourage you to grab a copy before January 1st so you can start with the group. I imagine the starting line of a marathon; we are all there ready to take on this challenge. Remember that it's not a sprint. It will take endurance and encouragement.

I believe by our kids reading or hearing the Word every single day, it will begin to transform their lives. Our Bethel kids are going to be growing in their relationships with Christ in exciting ways.

What do you say? Will you and your kids meet me at the starting line?

It's that time again...

December. My most favorite month. I grew up in a house where traditions are revered, Santa is real, and Jesus is first. My Dad loves Christmas more than any other person I know. Growing up, as a steadfast rule, we didn't start Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Decorating the tree was a family activity (some of my childhood creations still make an appearance on my parents tree!) My childhood memories of Christmas are precious to me.

It seems like every year Christmas is commercialized more and more. One thing that we have tried to instill in our own children is that Christmas is not about what we get. It seems to be a message that lays heavy on my heart each Christmas season. Jason and I have taken a couple of years and tried to simplify Christmas; buy less for ourselves and give cheerfully, to the fullest. Parents, that is the message that your kids will be bringing home this Christmas season from church. We will be answering some questions: Why do we give? What should we give? How can we give?

I want to encourage you as a family this month, not to get caught up in the "busy-ness" of the season. Take some time to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Enjoy your family traditions. If you are a young family and don't have traditions yet, start some. Don't let this month fly by. Don't buy into the idea that you have to experience "Holiday Stress." This might just be the year to simply your family Christmas.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas Season....

Thanksgiving

Today after church we are leaving for Colorado to spend the week with Jason's family. We are super excited. The last time we took a family vacation, JJ was a brand new baby. If you do the math, it's been nearly 2 years since then!

In just a little bit, I'll be with the kids in KidzBlast to talk about how we can serve, give and be thankful. Jason will be with CLUB56 talking about the same thing. I'm excited to be able to share these things with our kids.

In a few short days, the fall decor will change to Christmas, and our focus will be on other things. I'm glad that this week at least, the focus is on being thankful. What am I most thankful for? My amazing family, health, our new place in the family at Bethel, friends...and most of all, Jesus.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Jason Lee Peter, Jr.

I am working on making this blog more about updating parents on what is going on in our Children's Ministries here at Bethel, but there has been something stirring in my heart for the past few days, so...

Approximately 2 years ago right now I was pregnant. Very pregnant. The day the ultrasound revealed we were having

a boy (we already have 2 girls) after the little celebration in my heart, I immediately started dreaming about what his name would be. It didn't take me long to pick my name, the name I felt like my son was destined to have. His name would be Andrew Reese, (middle name after his Papa Peter, first name just cause I like it) and we would call him Drew. I was set on it. Then, Jason told me he wanted to name him Jason Jr. I couldn't believe it. I had so many misconceptions about "Juniors." I didn't want to name him that! I fought it and fought it. I loved the name I picked out, and I didn't want my little boy running around being called Junior! I wanted him to have his own identity, and his own name.

A couple of months later, with no prompting whatsoever, Madelyn starting bringing home a paper daily from school that she had drawn in "choice time" of her and her little brother, J.J. Seriously?? I couldn't believe it, but I kept the hope alive for my choice, Andrew Reese.

Then, one day I was laying down trying to nap, and I was praying about this whole name situation. I'm not sure exactly what I prayed that day, but I know I was confident that God would change Jason's mind and we would settle on my name of choice. However, that's not what happened. I laid my head back, closed my eyes, and God gave me a very vivid picture. I saw Jason walking, and behind him, a little boy that looked very much like him. He wasn't walking hand in hand, but behind him, copying Jason's every move. God whispered to me in that moment, "Aimee, this baby boy is going to adore his father. Don't you think he would love having his name?" Ugh! I knew in that moment, I had to lay my desires aside and choose the name my husband wanted for his son.

So, fast forward 2 years. We have a 22 month old son named Jason Jr. It hit me like a ton of bricks a few nights ago as I saw JJ copying Jason's every move that the picture I had seen 2 years ago was unfolding before my very eyes. Daddy was pretty close to JJ's first word. He looks just like him, and his personality is pretty much identical. He beats on everything like it is a drum, and loves music more than any other child I have ever seen. Every Sunday when Jason is on Worship Team, JJ runs upstairs and wants to go in the Worship Center and listen, and catch a glimpse of Daddy. No other name would have done him justice. I'm thankful for that picture that God gave me 2 years ago, and thankful that I surrendered my will even though it was hard. As for Andrew Reese....well, I'm sure it made a fine name for some other little boy.

It's all in how we perceive things

This morning I had a surprising conversation with our oldest, Madelyn. As I was brushing her hair in the bathroom, she told me "it stinks in here." Now, it didn't "stink" at all. It actually smelled great because I had just bought a new air freshener; some harvesty, fallish, thanksgiving type smelling stuff. I explained to her that it smelled great in there; like Fall. She then tells me the part that surprises me: "I HATE Fall. It's cold, it rains, it's dark before dinner, the leaves all fall off the trees and I you can't swim in the Fall. I hate it." I was floored. Mostly because lately I have been enjoying Fall so much! I love that it's getting colder, love that it's dark earlier, love the pretty leaves on the ground and frankly, love that I don't have to sit out by the pool in the baking hot sun anymore! So how can my precious daughter who is like me in so many ways have such stark difference in opinion about my most beloved season? Perception. I can see why a kid could dislike Fall; it takes away summer fun. She's not looking past that. Rather than seeing what Fall takes from us, I see that it ushers in Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the holiday blends at Starbucks.

We all know that a child's perception of things is so much different than our own. I had another conversation with Madelyn yesterday evening about attitude. We had a difference in perception over why I had to raise my voice to get her attention. She explained to me her side of things and we both agreed to be more aware of how we perceive the situation (in 8 year old language of course).

My point today? Kid's have perceptions and opinions of things and most of the time, they aren't wrong. They are just seeing things through their very childlike eyes. I like to talk through opinions and perceptions with my girls and the kids at church because it helps me to see how they view their world. It's then that we can open up the door to Godly conversation that helps shape their worldview.

I hope one day Madelyn loves Fall as much as I do. One day she may see the beauty in the falling leaves or love the crispness in the air. But if she doesn't that's okay too.

BGMC Pop Out for Missions

On Sunday we are launching a month long campaign that will challenge our kids, and hopefully boost our children's giving to missions before we wrap up 2009. The national BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge) office is challenging kids to give up soda or pop or whatever YOU call it during the month of November. The money that would have been spent on soda would then be given to BGMC, which helps needy children around the world. Here's how it works:

Kid's across the nation are to make a pledge to give up soda pop for one, two or three weeks ending on Thanksgiving Day. On that day, kids may once again drink soda - remembering to be thankful for their own blessings, but also remembering the children around the world who don't get to celebrate the many material blessings we are thankful for on Thanksgiving.

Okay, so as a parent you are saying "but I am the one who buys the pop for them." You are encouraged not to buy soda a restaurants or the grocery store, and calculate that savings to be giving to BGMC. Kids can also get pledges from friends and family. There are downloadable pledge forms at www.BGMC.ag.org

Then of course, there are those of you who don't drink soda or sugary drinks that would be hard for your kids to give up. That's another time when the pledges would be a creative way for your kids to gain support for BGMC. Maybe they can talk adults around them into giving up a favorite treat - like Starbucks, Sonic, etc. GASP you say?? Okay so coffee would be hard, but I'm giving up Diet Pepsi. I will, however reinstate my soda drinking on Thanksgiving in order to drink the traditional glass of cold root beer, no ice.

The point is simply to give up a little in order to give a little; for our kids to feel the sacrifice in order to bless others. This Sunday, November 1st K-6th graders will be given one last can of soda, with a sticker label to wrapped around it. After they drink it and wash it out, they can use it to put all of the money the collect during the month. On Sunday, November 29th they will bring them back and we'll celebrate together what God has done through their sacrifice!

Sickness

Today is my first day back in the office after a wave of sickness hit my house. My girls were out for 2 days, then I got it, then JJ and I got it together...yuck. I'm still getting better, but it feels good to be back at my desk working.

Just a reminder for those of you who have been fortunate not to be ill yet - wash your hands tons, use lots of lysol/clorox in your homes to sanitize, and stock up on hand sanitizer. Also, I'm going to start taking some immune system boosting stuff this week. This was my second round of sickness in 2 months, and I want it to be my last!

Also parents, please remember that if you have kids with symptoms, take a break from church! We are doing our part by putting huge bottles of sanitizer at our check in areas (thanks Nurse Janice :) ) but the best preventative measure is always to keep sick kids home!

And last, I'm praying for all of our Bethel families that sickness will stay far from you!

The happenings

Well, school is in full swing, Fall is finally here, and the flu is an ever present reality. Must be October! Great things are happening in the Children's Ministry at Bethel Church.

• In KIDZBLAST we are walking through the Exodus of Israel in On the Trail, a western cattle drive theme. The kids are loving it, and learning a ton! Every week they are excited to see what's next with Tex & Cookie, our friends that are working their way through their first cattle drive. We've learned some great new songs and all grades are learning how to find Scripture in their Bibles.
• CLUB56 is an environment charged with excitement and fun. On Sunday we have been walking through issues that apply to our every day lives such as My School and My Family. Next we're going to tackle My Church! On Wednesday's we're learning tons and tons of amazing stuff about the Bible in Konnect 5.
• Promiseland is plugging away with promotions done and kids adapting to their new classes. Our volunteers are amazing! Stop by Promiseland and grab a Post It off of our "needs" board. We need simple, everyday items like hand sanitizer, wipes, snacks and clorox spray. Thanks!
• Every Wednesday night we have a bunch of boys and girls here at Royal Rangers & Missionettes. Thanks to all of the Commanders and Missionettes leaders that are so faithful. You're doing a fantastic job!
• On October 24th we are taking about 15 kids to Portland to participate in our first JBQ meet of the year. It's going to be a great season. I'm so proud of these kids and their commitment. Go Bethel!!

The Fall is just going to get better and better!

The Word

One of my rally cries lately has been not only to be in the Bible myself, but to find ways to get our kids at Bethel in the Word as well. This is going to be BIG for our Children's Ministry in 2010, and I'm excited to see what God has in store.

The Bible has been a major theme in my life, study and through the things that influence me lately. To me, that says that this is an area that God deems highly important, and something He wants to be embedded into the DNA of the Children's Ministry here at Bethel. No brainer, you say? Not exactly. How many kids are reading the Bible? My 2nd grader can read, and with some help, does really well reading the Bible. But it's not just reading. It's digesting what they are reading, living it out, and then turning back to it time and time again for answers when they need them. A commitment to the Word of God that goes WAY beyond reciting all of the Bible stories that we learned in Sunday School.

Last Sunday morning I poked my head in as we had several kids practicing for JBQ (Junior Bible Quiz). I've had the privilege of being both a Pastor and a Parent in this endeavor as my two girls are participating. I was SO excited to hear all of the kids eagerly buzzing in to answer questions taken directly from God's Word. Now, if only Nickelodeon would turn JBQ into a game show...I'm sure they could fit some green slime in somewhere!

My challenge to you parents - get your kids in the Word. If they can't read it, read it to them. Encourage them to take their Bible to church so they have it when we dig through it during service. Make it your goal as a parent for your child to know more than the stories - take it a step farther so that the Word of God is weaved into the fabric of their lives.

Challenge

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deut. 6:5-7

What an enormous task. Or is it? If we are loving God with all of our hearts, souls and strength, doesn't it seem natural that it would be the most talked about thing in our homes? I think about all of the things we talk about over dinner - school, work, the funny thing JJ did today or what we are going to do after dinner. How often are we having those conversations with our kids that are provoking them to think about God and who he is in their lives? They learn a lot at church - I know this for a fact! They have started Junior Bible Quiz and are memorizing Scripture in Missionettes, so I know they are exposed. But, are they "impressed" as it says in verse 7? Are we impressing these things upon their tender hearts?

The challenge to myself today - love God with all of my heart, soul and strength, so that naturally Jesus flows out of my life and is impressed upon my kids hearts. Are you up to the challenge? Let's live out Deuteronomy 6 this week!

4%

I heard recently that of all of the Baby Boomer generation, 40% are aware of God, believe in Him, or have knowledge of Him. If our current generation, the one that I have the privilege of pastoring, keeps walking the path that they are, only 4% will know God. Startling. The same day I heard this statistic, I was reminded that this fact is directly tied to my obedience. I need (as do all of us) to be more aware that I am responsible to rise them up into the knowledge of Jesus Christ and disciple them to be passionate Christ Followers. Pastor Tim said it best Sunday - we want our kids to "love God more than anything!" More than X-Box, Hannah Montana, PS3, Internet, and on and on. We are in a difficult battle today - I imagine even more difficult than ever. Let's be obedient to God's call and rise up and meet the challenge of increasing that 4%! How?

• Pray for them
• Pray WITH them
• Hold them accountable (their time, friends, choices)
• Make church an important part of your families DNA
• Cut back on extra curricular activities that cut into church time

God is our partner in this pursuit; He will bless our obedience in this area. Let's do this!

Launch

Tomorrow morning we are launching 2 new ministry names and logos. I have (alongside a few amazing people) been working all week on a new set for KIDZBLAST, our new Sunday Morning Worship Experience for K-4th graders. Here is our new logo:

We are also launching a new name/logo for our preteen ministry:

Exciting days are ahead for the Kid's at Bethel Church! Beyond new set design, logos and programs, however is the desire to see kid's make a decision to follow Christ for the rest of their lives, grow in their knowledge of Him and excited to share the love of Jesus with their friends. Let's do this!

School Days

Hello Parents. Hopefully by now you have sent your kids (most excitedly I presume!) off to their first day of school. Ours was yesterday, and except for a couple of tears in the midst of confusion, we did fine. (And no, the tears were not mine!).

Something that I want to encourage you to do each day is to pray over your kids. I have begun to see our schools as battlefields lately. Not a physical battlefield of course, but a spiritual one. Some things to pray over your kids...

• Physical safety. It's the first thing on my mind most days. Injury on the playground, exposure to germs...you know what I'm talking about!
• Emotional safety. Kid's can be cruel and say things that hurt.
• That God will guard their hearts. There is so much that kids are exposed to today. Even my first and second grader aren't immune to that.
• For their teachers. They spend 6 hours or more each day with your kids; pray that God will shape the way they teach, and the influence they have. If they're not a Christ Follower, pray for their salvation!
• Good friends. I want the little people who have influence on my kids to be hand chosen by God.
• Their academics. Pray that they stay focused and on task, reaching their full potential as a student.

And rest assured, I will be praying for your kids too. It's going to be a great year!

Enough

We had a harrowing Target experience the other night.  On our way in the store I told the girls if they could be good, they would get a little treat on the way out.  Well, they did a great job behaving and when it came time to check out, they reminded me of my promise. However, they waited until my items were being scanned by the gracious Target employee before running towards the candy.  As they go running, I try to scoop JJ up in my arms and shield him from the whereabouts of his sisters because he loves candy.  I don't mean he is a casual fan of candy.  I mean he LOVES candy, in any shape or form he can get it.  It was very near his bedtime, and I, thinking I'm being a responsible mother denied him.  As the girls go sprinting for the candy, I was able to distract him, until....until Madelyn twisted her ankle in her rush and started screaming at the top of her lungs.  This of course demanded JJ's immediate attention.   As he broke free from me, he realized the object of the girls pursuit....CANDY.  This is all happening while I'm paying (I wasn't about to make the people behind me wait!).  Jason is dealing with Madelyn as I finish up, as I go over and get the Lifesaver gummies out of JJ's hand and grab him kicking and screaming, candyless away from the scene.  I stealthfully one handedly, pay for the girls candy choices and hand them to a limping, still tearful Madelyn.  All the while holding JJ's head far away from my own so that I don't get a fat lip in this amazingly loud, flailing tantrum.   As Jason and I are giving each other the "we will never bring this child in a store, ever, ever again" look, I couldn't help hearing a gentle whisper from God....  

I was thinking and processing the situation as I strapped a still screaming baby boy into his carseat, wondering how many times I have had a reaction like this when I didn't get something that I wanted from God.  See, I knew that the candy tasted good, and of course so did JJ.  He was also aware that his sisters got candy and I know was wondering what was up with that.  But what I understood that he did not, was that it was about to be bedtime, and really, should a 19 month old be eating that junk anyway?? It wasn't good for him, and even though I knew it, he didn't understand. Sometimes I WANT things.  God has reminded me though, lately in fact, that some times enough is....well, enough.  What we want may not be best; it may hurt us in the end rather than benefit us.  JJ won't understand this for awhile, but even though I hate to see my baby boy cry over something that he desperately wanted, I knew best.  I was probably 18 before I fully wrapped my brain around that concept, but what I know now is that God knows best.  He loves us enough to protect us, and sometimes that means protecting us from ourselves, and the desire for things that aren't good for us.

If you have been reading my posts on Facebook, you can go to www.aimeepeter.blogspot.com, subscribe to my blog, or read older posts.

Camp 2

Friday afternoon I arrived back home after a great week at camp.  We took 21 kids from Bethel, and packed what seemed like a million activities into 5 days.  The theme for the week was Trek West - this year is a major anniversary year of the Oregon Trail.  We played a week long game which at times was really fun, and at times really frustrating, but the kids loved it.  (Nevermind that 2 of the Bethel girls cabins came in last...)  We canoed, fished, learned archery, shot BB guns at the rifle range, made butter, rope, ice cream, t-shirts, whirligigs (google it), went tubbing on a ski boat and went swimming everyday.  Talk about a packed week!  

Even with all of those fun activities, I think the highlight of most of our kids week was the chapel services.  I haven't been in very many services where kids sang so purely at the top of their lungs "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you're my God...."  It was enough to cause all the adults in the room to be reduced to a puddle of tears.  We saw 3 kids from our church filled with the Holy Spirit, 1 called to be a missionary, and 1 called to be a pastor.  Even though I got to pray with every single one of those kids, the highlight for me was when one of our boys from Bethel came up to me and said with tears running down his face "Pastor Aimee, can you pray for me to get closer to God?"  I love it when kids get what it means to be a Christ Follower.  

I didn't get much sleep, and I spent the bulk of the week with 5 pre-teen girls and 1 nine year old that made up my cabin.  I thought I knew everything I needed to know about Hannah Montana and Camp Rock, but apparently, I did not.  In short, it was an amazing week, one that I will not soon forget.  Now, I will be praying that what transpired at camp will keep growing into a deeper love of Christ in these kids.  And that that passion will spread to all of the kids who could not go.   

Camp

Tomorrow I head to Kid's Camp.  I'm leaving my iPhone and MacBook behind, and will be armed with only my Bible, journal and a suitcase full of play clothes (and a few minor necessities)!  I'm looking forward to this week.  I remember how much I looked forward to camp when I was younger.

Tonight I blog mainly to ask those of you who read it to pray for the kids who are heading up on Monday.  That God will work in their lives, and do things that some people think don't happen in the lives of children.  That they will become more passionate Christ Followers, that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit, and when we return, their love for Jesus will spread to all of the other kids who couldn't go.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Last Night

I love being a Children's Pastor.  I get caught up in it enough that sometimes I feel sorry for those around me that don't get to do what I do...just kidding....kind of :)  Honestly though, it's nights last like last night that give me the most joy and excitement about this calling that God has placed on my life.

We had "salvation night" at Mega Sports Camp last night.  We have had 7 weeks of building on our theme "Undefeated" teaching the kids how to live an Undefeated life in all areas.  Last night we learned how we can live an Undefeated life over the power of death.  I told the story of the crucifixion, but focused on the resurrection and the power that Jesus had over death.  

After the story, we broke into Huddle Groups, which are small groups of kids that meet with their coaches to reinforce the story.  Side note -I have to say, I love my church so much and the amazing workers that have given up their Wednesday nights this summer to work with these kids...  Our Huddle Coaches used an evangelistic tool - the EE Cube, to visually show the kids the message of salvation (you'd have to see it to appreciate it.  Come by my office and I'll show you!)  We had several kids respond with a desire to pray and ask Jesus into their hearts.  Awesome!  I'm so excited about what God is doing this summer in our kids, and I know even better things are yet to come!

"I'm So Glad I'm Your Child"

"I'm so glad I'm your child..." These words were spoken to me just a few days ago by Elyse, my six year old.  Of course they made my heart flutter with love and maternal satisfaction, but I immediately wondered "what in the world did I do today to make her say that?" Why are we hard wired like that?  In my last post I talked about some world religions we were talking about in Children's Church last Sunday.  Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam...they are all religions that depend on works.  People spend their entire life trying to do enough good deeds to fall into good graces with their gods.  It makes me wonder how many of us are really trying to earn our way into the heart of God. Even though we "know" what His Word says about not needing to do it, we have the tendency to try and earn spiritual brownie points.  

So, why is Elyse glad she's my child?  Probably because I nurture her, I wash her clothes, I feed her meals, I kiss her owies...the list goes on and on.  But I bet the main reason why she's glad she's my child is because I am her Mommy.  I love her; not because she is hilarious, not because she is selfless, not because she's beautiful, and most certainly not because she tries hard to please me by doing the things she feels would make me happy.  I love her because she is mine. And she knows that's all the reason I need to love her.

I'm reminded tonight that every day I should wake and remind Jesus that I'm so glad I'm His child, and I'm sure that He is satisfied with that thought, even before I tackle my to do list for the day.

Missions Minded Kids

Today I'm putting the  finishing touches on KidzRoc for Sunday Morning where we'll be doing a BGMC emphasis.   As I'm preparing an object lesson on different World Religions and looking through pictures of not only adults practicing these religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam...) I'm seeing pictures of children.  It's difficult to look through picture after picture of children who have been taught these things from birth, and will most likely live out these things until death.  My immediate first thought is, 'what in the world can I do to help reach these?'  A couple of things...pray of course, but maybe also support a missionary or even go on missions trips myself.  The second question and in my mind, the more important question, is what am I going to do to teach not only my kids, but the kids at church about the need?  How can I instill that passion in their hearts to be consumed with compassion for the lost?  

The answer is probably that I can't teach it.  I can pray for it.  In the mean time, I'm going to show them some of the pictures that have brought me to tears this week as I prepare.  I'm going to do an Object Lesson that hopefully will have them thinking well after they leave the service Sunday morning.  I will collect their Buddy Barrels and send the money to BGMC.  And I'm going to pray.  Pray hard that some of these kids will catch a passion to reach the lost.

Raising More Joseph's

Recently I read a book entitled "Raising a Modern-Day Joseph" by Larry Fowler.  Amazing book. It uses Joseph as a model for a person full of good character.  Isn't that what we are aiming for in our own children?  I know I am.  Reading that book has me interested in the life of Joseph, so I have been reading through those chapters in Genesis the past few days.  So far, two things strike me most in these chapters. 

1.  Joseph was incredibly trustworthy.  When Jason and I were in Youth Ministry we defined the word character to the kids as "the person that you are when no one is looking."  I want to raise my kids to be trustworthy and honest no matter what situation they are in; whether they have someone looking in on them or not.  

2.  Joseph had an amazing amount of compassion.  In Chapter 42 it is telling us how Joseph's brothers have come to Egypt in search of food to buy during the famine, and they come before Joseph to ask him.  He is dealing with his brothers, the very men who betrayed them and in verse 24 it says "He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again...."  Joseph felt intense emotion towards his brothers, perhaps dealing with anger, resentment, etc. but at the end of the day, he provides for his brothers and does not seek vindication against them.

Just two of many lessons to be learned from Joseph, but I'm thinking they are two things worth intentionally instilling in our kids, and it's ever to early to start.  Let's raise some trustworthy, compassionate kids!

Stormy Culture

Last night at Mega Sports Camp we introduced a couple of Key Points to the kids.  One of them was that God is bigger than storms in life.  As I was preparing this last week to present this to the kids, I thought a lot about "storms." I've been challenged lately through a book and blogs to really try and investigate and become a student of the culture of kids today.  I've been hitting the Nickelodeon website, watching a little Sponge Bob & Hannah Montana.  I pay attention when we're at the mall to what kids are talking about what they are wearing.  These cultural influences make a big difference in how our kids handle the junk that comes up in their lives.  Just on Sunday alone, I was blown away by a couple of things that I was hearing from kids; stuff they are concerned about and asking prayer for.

It's so important that we are teaching our kids how to navigate through storms.  If we don't, we're leaving it up to their peers, to the internet, even to Hannah Montana to show them how to react to tough situations.  So how do we do that? 

 1. Model prayer as a number one action to tough times.  By the time our kids are teenagers, their first reaction to a bad situation will be to Google the answer.  Let's teach our kids how to pray. 

2.  Be in the Word.  Let your kids see you reading your Bible, and read with them.  In a previous post I talked about the Kid's Devo Bible.  Find something that shows your kids tangibly how to turn to God's Word.

3.  You are your kid's filter for cultural influences.  Don't let the world out there dictate how your child is raised.  Modesty, purity and holiness can still be instilled in your kids, even in this day and age.

4.  Model to them how to seek out Godly council in tough times. Let your children see you going to church and seeking the refuge of the body of Christ in tough times.

The culture that our kid's our being raised in makes it hard to raise Godly children.  Hard, but not impossible. Keep at it, your reward is coming!

Nurturing our Kids

JJ, our 18 month old, is a kick in the pants. Today he prematurely woke up from his nap and was a little cranky, so I got him out and rocked him while he dozed for a little while longer. I know, it's a big no-no in the world of parental schedules, but on a normal day I'm not there when he wakes up, so I decided to indulge him a little (and myself a little too). As I was holding him, I realized how much he as grown in the last 18 months. He doesn't fit so nicely in my arms anymore. JJ had a bit of a rough start, just for a few hours. When he was born, he was born with the cord wrapped several times around his neck, and because of that, they helped me deliver him quickly. But because of the quick delivery, he had fluid in his lungs and had some respiratory troubles. He spent the first few hours of his life the NICU. Not fun for Mom and Dad, but if you know JJ, you know he's fine now! As we've nurtured him, he has grown into this wonderful, hilarious little boy.

Beyond physical nurturing, what else can we do as parents to make sure that our kids are being raised as Christ Followers? Providing them healthy meals is important, so is a warm bed and happy home, but what are we doing for their spiritual health that will help them in the end, choose Christ? I was reminded again today that it's not too early to start nurturing JJ's spiritual growth. He can sit on the bed with us as we read the Bible to the girls. Will he retain or even understand what we are reading? Probably not, but the commitment to do that will become a habit, and a habit will be a meaningful part of his life in a couple of years.  

The commitment we make as parents to be faithful to our own Bible Study, to serving in our Churches, to fellowship with other Christian friends...all of those things nurture our Children's Faith, because they are seeing it lived out in our lives. Simple thought? Yep, but think about how much time you invest into this area in your life. I can definitely invest more of myself into the spiritual nurturing of my kids. How about you?

The Kid's Devotional Bible

Lately, I have been using a kid's study Bible with my girls to get them thinking about the Word, rather than just hearing it.  I found this Devotional Bible put out by Zonderkidz (Zondervan).  It has one year of devos that you can read with your child, along with a corresponding passage of Scripture.  The thing I really like about this Bible is that is takes Scripture that we ordinarily wouldn't think about reading to our kids, and puts great lessons with them.  Last night as we were reading, it took us to the passage in Proverbs 6 about ants, and how they are not lazy, but store up for harvest time without having to be told.  It gave a lesson that drew a parallel for the kids about not having to be told to clean their rooms a hundred times before doing it, or about doing homework without having to be asked over and over.  I saw a light bulb go on in Elyse's head (she's 6) when I read that.  Cleaning up their room is a huge struggle for my kids, but when a biblical analogy was presented to them, they thought a little deeper about it.  Cool, huh?  

I want to challenge you as a parent to not only read the Word to your kids, but find some practical applications that you can put with them so that they can better understand how this huge book is relevant to their lives.  This devo Bible does a great job of that.  It's written in NIrV (New International reader's Version) which is presented as being more readable and understandable for kids.  This Bible will encourage Bible study, and help develop habits in your kids that they'll want to keep!  Do we get it done every night?  Not always, but when we do, it's valuable time with the girls as we get to go a little deeper into the Word.

MEGA

Last night we had our 4th night of MEGA Sports & Ministry Camp.  I love it.  The excitement from the kids is really high, and things are starting to move along like a well oiled machine.  I have so many fantastic volunteers that are giving of their Wednesday nights all summer to hang out with our kids.  I had the opportunity last night to watch some of the sports sessions, and it was really great to see the smiles on the kids faces as they were challenged to learn more about each sport, but were having a ton of fun.  At snack time, I sent the basketball players up to grab their oranges, graham crackers and grapes, and it seemed like by the time I turned around a group of boys were running back down to the basketball area mouths full, chewing, ready to get back to b-ball.

As I walked through the halls, I heard hysterical laughter coming from the Ministry room as they were all totally immersed in the drama exercise they were doing.  Kids are learning what it means to minister with their talents...awesome.

My favorite part though is the opening rallies where we get to sing songs, jump around, give God crazy praise and learn more about how to live an "Undefeated" life.  The excitement has been high, kids are learning not just our key points, but the HUGE Theme Verse as well.

I am thankful for this program, for the kids who are loving it, and for the volunteers that make it possible.  4 weeks down, 9 to go!

Summer is in Full Swing

I really liked living in Eureka.  Mostly.  Mostly that is, except for summer.  It never really felt like summer there...55 degrees & rainy.  No shorts, no outdoor swimming pools.  I love summer.  I love the sun, freshly manicured yards, swimming, barbecues, and the laid back attitudes that most people adopt for a couple of months.

Summer as so far been pretty crazy.  We've been having a blast at MEGA Sports Camp for the last few weeks, and I'm excited to see how it goes for the rest of the summer.  On Sunday Mornings we've been traveling to Hawaii in KidzRoc; that's been super fun too.  I can't wait to hang with the Next Steppers on Sunday.  But, I have to admit that the best part about this summer has been the spontaneous trips to friends houses to swim, the extra late nights with the girls up, the watermelon, bike rides, and long walks with the kids.   Those are the parts of summer that I will remember long after I'm shivering in the winter months.

So, take some time to do yard work with your spouse, or grab slushies from Sonic and take a drive with the family.  Remember that even though you've got lots to do, there's lots to enjoy, and it begins with your family.