I'm In

I love this time of year, especially living in a part of the country that actually gets cold during Christmas. I hope you have Christmas traditions with your children. One of our traditions is to read the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2 on Christmas Eve. However, there in a passage in Luke 1 that always amazes me. I have discussed this with a few people recently. When Gabriel visits teenage Mary and shares all that will be happening, she does not understand it all but does not hesitate to say, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” In today’s jargon Mary was saying, “I don’t get it all, but I’m in.” She didn’t encourage Gabriel to look for a better candidate; she didn’t make excuses; she simply trusted God and was willing to be used by Him for His great purpose.
There have been times in my life when God has asked a thing of me, and my response was not a Mary response. I have tried to find excuses. I have tried to get someone else to do it. But here’s the thing, when God makes a request, we need to be ready to respond like Mary did, “I don’t understand it all, but I’m in.” That’s the person I want to become. More and more, when God makes a request of me I want to be the kind of believer that does not respond in any other way than to say, I’m in.” How about you?

For Us?

The Holiday Season is in full swing. I hope your Thanksgiving was a great one. As we approach Christmas, I sometimes get caught in the tension of trying to slow down, reflect, and be thankful for all God has provided in Christ and the need to visit people and complete the shopping. I love the season and being with family; I am not so much about the business of shopping and running around. Okay, I feel better.
During the month of December our focus in Kids Quest will be Compassion – caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. This is a great study for the month of December, and will help us all stay focused on why we celebrate. God sending Jesus to live with us, so he could die for us was the ultimate act of compassion. God saw our need and cared enough to do something about it. What a gift.
One way we are showing compassion as a church is through the Open Table food pantry we are starting. I hope you will be able to participate as a family. You can learn more about this ministry at gracepoint.cc/opentable.
I wish your family a Very Merry Christmas. May it be a great celebration of life and joy in the Savior.

Time, Time, Time

Adults moving around the room with their children. There is a fun buzz of young voices involved in activity. Business, but a good busy. Parents and preschool children doing activities together and talking about what God has created. Cookies were iced and extra icing was eaten or saved for later. There is nothing like sitting with mom and dad, snacking on cookies and milk while listening to the story of creation. Thank you for all who attended out Starry Night event last Friday and especially for those Preschool Leaders and teachers who made the night happen. Families had a great time making creation crafts together and being reminded of God’s goodness. I don’t know about you, but my fondest memories of childhood do not include lots of stuff. My fondest memories include card games, ice skating, and the story of the birth of Jesus while with my family. Kids like stuff, there is no doubt, but they like time with mom and dad a whole lot more. As we move into the holiday season, there will be a temptation to fill our moments with activity and shopping. Let me encourage you to carve out some family time as well, if you haven’t already. Stuff will be forgotten, but the moments spent together as a family will last a lifetime.

Does God deal with you on areas of life you need to improve? Lately He has been dealing with me on an issue. I feel bitter-sweet about these times. On one hand I hate the feeling of disappointing God and His revelation of my shortcomings. It can be painful. On the other hand I am thrilled God reveals these shortcomings to me, because in doing so, it reminds me of His love for me and that He is still molding and shaping me. When God points out needed areas of growth I become a better person; at least I think that is God’s plan. So, I continue to grow, and in doing so will continue to be reminded by God that there are things in my life that don’t please Him. On the up side, He reminds me when I do please Him as well. This is love in action.
On another note, Faith in Action Sunday was a great day, and a great tie in to what we will be studying this month in Kids Quest. In November we will be looking at Cooperation – working together to do more that you can do alone. Our memory verse will be Ecclesiastes 4:9. One way we will help our students put action to this study is through Operation Christmas Child. Your child will receive information this Sunday on how your family can participate. I know that not all families can participate, but if you can, I hope you will. I’m looking forward to Sunday already.

U Can 2

This past Sunday we used the story of Dorcas to continue our study of Individuality. Our push was, when you use what you have to help others, you can make a difference. We reminded the kids that everyone has the ability to do something, no matter how old they are. Like Dorcas, we all have things we can do to help, and in doing so, make a difference in the lives of others. On Sunday, November 1st, our church will have a chance to put this teaching in action by participating in Faith in Action Sunday. On this day, we will meet at the church (more information about times to come) and then go out in our community doing a variety of activities that will tell our community that we care. These activities will be easy to do, and very kid friendly. This will be a great way for families to live out the concept that when you use what you have to help others, you can make a difference. I hope you will join us.

Dscovering Who You Are....

In Kids Quest on Sunday, we continued our discussion about Individuality – discovering who you are meant to be so you can make a difference. We talked about Epaphroditus, just a regular guy who God used in a big way to make a difference in Paul’s life.

Many times I can be guilty of thinking that I am not able to do big things to impact lots of people, but that may not be who I was meant to be. I can help those around me who have a need; people from my family to strangers.

God can us me to make a difference, and sometimes those small things are huge in the life of the recipient. When we take care of others, even in what we may think are small ways, we do make a difference. My problem is that sometimes I am so busy doing stuff that I miss the need God places before me.

My prayer is that I will see the opportunities God places before me, and if He has placed it before me, He has already equipped me to accomplish it. We serve a great God.

October News...

Welcome to the Kids Quest blog. We will try to use this blog to share thoughts about what we are studying each month in Kids Quest so we can partner together to speak the same things into your child. We will also post pictures and share information about activities. In addition, I will try to share information for parents and thoughts about Scripture. Your thoughts are always welcome.
In October, we will be looking at the virtue of Individuality; discovering who you are meant to be so you can make a difference. All too often, our kids get wrong information about what it takes to be important. We are all important because we were created by God. He chose to create each of us and that is what gives us worth. He chose to create us all differently and with a purpose. As we journey through life, we strive to find that purpose. God has a great plan for your child. It will be exciting to see that plan unfold in the days ahead.

A New School Year..

I can remember all the firsts of the beginning of a new school year. First week, new teacher, first homework due, first gym class. It was fun to be back at school with all my friends. The school had shiny clean floors, we all had new shoes, new lunch boxes, new crayons, and new jeans. We made new friends and we hung around our old friends.

Debi and I enjoyed supper with our girls on their first week of school. It gave us time to talk about their concerns and helped them get over their instant worries of the day.

Take time at the supper table to laugh and tell stories of your school memories, this frees your children to open up and tell stories of their week.