It has been a long time since I have blogged. I guess life happens and time gets away from you. So I have been thinking a lot lately about my own kids and other kids that I come in contact with on a daily basis. Sometimes it seems I want more for them than they do. That is hard to deal with sometimes. I get so frustrated and worked up trying to get them to meet a mark. Make the standard. Sometimes I feel like I am fighting for them and they could care less.
I bet this is how God feels about us. He has a plan for us. He equips us to accomplish so much. He fights for us...all the way to the cross, and if we were honest with ourselves, at times we could care less.
I decided tonight to take a step back and think about what it is that makes me push so hard for kids to excel. Am I trying to avoid hurt in their lives that I experienced as a kid? Am I seeking to fulfill some great destiny through the life of a child? Do I sincerely want them to achieve everything they can in life? I may not have all the answers, but I did realize that I need to take a step back. If I have shown them the way and set the example in everything I do, say and live before them, then my battle needs to be taken to prayer. The Bible says to train up a child in the way they should go...Not hover over them every step of the way and blow a gasket and get worked up when they don't achieve everything in my timeline or do things my way. Jesus lived life before the people and gave them space and a free will to do with what they wanted. He continued to always point them in the right direction, gently, by his actions. I need to be sure that I am living every part of my life before those around me in a Christ-like manner. Actions speak louder than words!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Kitten's First Full Moon
I was reading a bedtime story to my daughter tonight titled, Kitten's First Full Moon. The story is about a hungry Kitten who runs into Luck, Bad Luck, and back to Luck, again...
What a Night! A hungry baby kitten is on her front step and looks up into the night sky and sees her first full moon. When she sees it, it looks like a little bowl of milk in the sky and she wants it. She closes her eyes, sticks our her neck, licks and all she gets is a bug on the end of her tongue. Still she sees the bowl of milk, just waiting. She pulls herself together and takes a flying leap, only to fall down the steps...still the milk is waiting. She runs down the sidewalk, through the garden, across a field and to the pond and is no closer than when she started to the little bowl of milk. She climbs the tallest tree only to find she is now scared of her surroundings. She looks down into the pond and sees...and even BIGGER bowl of milk (the reflection of the moon in the water). So...she takes a flying leap into the pond and all she get is WET! She is still hungry, sad, and now tired. After all this luck, or should I say bad luck, she returns home back the way she came. As she climbs back onto her safe porch there is a great big bowl of milk waiting just for her. Lucky Kitten!
This past week at church we talked about plucking out our eye if it causes us to sin. That's a funny thing for God to say to us. It is an even harder message sometimes to teach children because they will either laugh themselves silly because they can't get past the image of someone plucking their eye out, or they think, "OH! What kind of a God are you teaching me about that would want us to pluck our eye out."
This book was a great way for me to teach my children that sometimes there are going to be things on this earth that look really good, and we may think we have to have it. We may do everything in our power to try to reach it only to discover we are afraid of our surroundings. At times we will find that we can't get it because we don't need it, or if we reach it, it may be a disappointment that distracted us from what God really has for us.
The great thing about being a child of God is that even if we get distracted, we get off track, we fall into the temptation of sin...God is waiting with arms open wide to give us that special thing that is waiting JUST FOR US!
What a Night! A hungry baby kitten is on her front step and looks up into the night sky and sees her first full moon. When she sees it, it looks like a little bowl of milk in the sky and she wants it. She closes her eyes, sticks our her neck, licks and all she gets is a bug on the end of her tongue. Still she sees the bowl of milk, just waiting. She pulls herself together and takes a flying leap, only to fall down the steps...still the milk is waiting. She runs down the sidewalk, through the garden, across a field and to the pond and is no closer than when she started to the little bowl of milk. She climbs the tallest tree only to find she is now scared of her surroundings. She looks down into the pond and sees...and even BIGGER bowl of milk (the reflection of the moon in the water). So...she takes a flying leap into the pond and all she get is WET! She is still hungry, sad, and now tired. After all this luck, or should I say bad luck, she returns home back the way she came. As she climbs back onto her safe porch there is a great big bowl of milk waiting just for her. Lucky Kitten!
This past week at church we talked about plucking out our eye if it causes us to sin. That's a funny thing for God to say to us. It is an even harder message sometimes to teach children because they will either laugh themselves silly because they can't get past the image of someone plucking their eye out, or they think, "OH! What kind of a God are you teaching me about that would want us to pluck our eye out."
This book was a great way for me to teach my children that sometimes there are going to be things on this earth that look really good, and we may think we have to have it. We may do everything in our power to try to reach it only to discover we are afraid of our surroundings. At times we will find that we can't get it because we don't need it, or if we reach it, it may be a disappointment that distracted us from what God really has for us.
The great thing about being a child of God is that even if we get distracted, we get off track, we fall into the temptation of sin...God is waiting with arms open wide to give us that special thing that is waiting JUST FOR US!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Straight from the Source
I was in Science class with some third graders today. Each one was given a bracelet with 5 beads. Each bead looked white, plain and boring...nothing special about them. They wore them in class for about an hour, wondering all the while, what they were wearing the bracelets for.
THEN...we took a walk outside. "Keep your eyes on your bracelets," they were told. As they went from the building to the outdoors, the beads began to change colors. When they got to the playground, in the sun, the colors became brighter...more vibrant. "Wow! That's cool!" they all said. Of course, scientifically speaking each bead reacted to the heat from being outside. When the beads came in contact with direct sunlight, they really reacted and changed.
While they were all in amazement of these magnificent beads I was thanking God for being our power source. Each one of us may look like plain, ordinary beads (I mean beings)...nothing special by ourselves. We come in contact with other Christians and a change begins to take place within us. We change colors, so to speak, and begin showing signs of being special. Thank God we have other Christians to encourage us along the journey of life that can begin bringing out the special qualities placed in us all. However, I really want to thank God today for being the direct power source that can completely change us and show our full potential...our brightest colors. When we come into direct contact with God we will change into His likeness.
Thanks God for being there...even in a 3rd grade Science lesson.
THEN...we took a walk outside. "Keep your eyes on your bracelets," they were told. As they went from the building to the outdoors, the beads began to change colors. When they got to the playground, in the sun, the colors became brighter...more vibrant. "Wow! That's cool!" they all said. Of course, scientifically speaking each bead reacted to the heat from being outside. When the beads came in contact with direct sunlight, they really reacted and changed.
While they were all in amazement of these magnificent beads I was thanking God for being our power source. Each one of us may look like plain, ordinary beads (I mean beings)...nothing special by ourselves. We come in contact with other Christians and a change begins to take place within us. We change colors, so to speak, and begin showing signs of being special. Thank God we have other Christians to encourage us along the journey of life that can begin bringing out the special qualities placed in us all. However, I really want to thank God today for being the direct power source that can completely change us and show our full potential...our brightest colors. When we come into direct contact with God we will change into His likeness.
Thanks God for being there...even in a 3rd grade Science lesson.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Out of the Mouths of Babes
Very rarely do I share an account of my kids and I on here, but this can't be ignored...
I was mowing the yard this week one morning before it started to rain, and I bumped the fence and annoyed a hive of yellow jackets. Not surprisingly, I was stung on the back of the neck by one. It hurt terribly, probably the most pain I have been in for a while. When I came inside I was actually unsure what had happened because I never saw the yellow jackets. I was crying and very much in pain. You would think that the children I have spent many nights with when they were sick, or was very supportive of when they were hurt...you know normal mommy stuff...would give sympathy back to their mother in her time of need. WRONG!!! My son ran out of the bathroom laughing so hard he didn't want me to see him and my daughter continued to tell me to "quit my whining" until the crying stopped...Out of the Mouths of Babes!
I was mowing the yard this week one morning before it started to rain, and I bumped the fence and annoyed a hive of yellow jackets. Not surprisingly, I was stung on the back of the neck by one. It hurt terribly, probably the most pain I have been in for a while. When I came inside I was actually unsure what had happened because I never saw the yellow jackets. I was crying and very much in pain. You would think that the children I have spent many nights with when they were sick, or was very supportive of when they were hurt...you know normal mommy stuff...would give sympathy back to their mother in her time of need. WRONG!!! My son ran out of the bathroom laughing so hard he didn't want me to see him and my daughter continued to tell me to "quit my whining" until the crying stopped...Out of the Mouths of Babes!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Aftermath
I went to CPI training today. This training is designed to teach people how to safely deal with children or other people in an anxious, defensive or "acting out" state. A lot of times we think of a crisis situation as only the action part, the building up. However, there is a very important level that can not be overlooked when dealing with such situations and that is the tension release time, "The Aftermath". A boiling pot will never cool down until you release the steam from the pot. Likewise, people can never fully release and get over a problem without being able to release that negative energy building up inside of them and reflect on how they got there.
Besides just the initial release of energy, there has to be a reflection time or evaluation of the situation. I think this is the time in even our own lives that we don't spend that much time on. How often do we reflect on a situation to discover what the little things were that set us off? What is it about our environment that leaves us on edge? What factors contribute to our anxiety and frustration? I think that when we take the time to recognize what it is that "sets children off" or even "sets us off" we can be one step ahead of the things Satan would like to use to trip us up.
Just this past Sunday at church, as soon as praise and worship started frustrating thoughts entered into my mind. At that point I recognized these thoughts were about to push my discouragement buttons because I had dealt with and reflected these type of thoughts before. Satan's plans were to shut me off and prevent me from entering the holy of holies. I've been there before...many times, lately. I was prepared with the truth of God and was quickly able to redirect myself back into worship. This concept can help us with so many areas of our lives. We may not always have another person there for immediate intervention, but praise the Lord, God is always available to intervene on our behalf.
Besides just the initial release of energy, there has to be a reflection time or evaluation of the situation. I think this is the time in even our own lives that we don't spend that much time on. How often do we reflect on a situation to discover what the little things were that set us off? What is it about our environment that leaves us on edge? What factors contribute to our anxiety and frustration? I think that when we take the time to recognize what it is that "sets children off" or even "sets us off" we can be one step ahead of the things Satan would like to use to trip us up.
Just this past Sunday at church, as soon as praise and worship started frustrating thoughts entered into my mind. At that point I recognized these thoughts were about to push my discouragement buttons because I had dealt with and reflected these type of thoughts before. Satan's plans were to shut me off and prevent me from entering the holy of holies. I've been there before...many times, lately. I was prepared with the truth of God and was quickly able to redirect myself back into worship. This concept can help us with so many areas of our lives. We may not always have another person there for immediate intervention, but praise the Lord, God is always available to intervene on our behalf.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Amazing
Children are so amazingly individual. Two children growing up in the same home, with the same parents, and in the same environment can be so amazingly different. That is the awesomeness of God and His creativity.
We are so fearfully and wonderfully made. Each one individual and yet God knows the very number of the hairs on each of our heads. I thank God that He is creative, that we are all so very different (yet made in His image), and in the chaos of the world and our day to day lives He has a PERFECT plan for our lives to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future.
Isn't God amazing!!!?
We are so fearfully and wonderfully made. Each one individual and yet God knows the very number of the hairs on each of our heads. I thank God that He is creative, that we are all so very different (yet made in His image), and in the chaos of the world and our day to day lives He has a PERFECT plan for our lives to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future.
Isn't God amazing!!!?
Monday, April 16, 2007
The Incredibles
I have been doing series in Kid's Church for the past several months. It helps build momentum and keeps the kids coming back each week. It helps the kids build and idea or purpose in their lives. The youth pastor and I have been developing our last few series together. 2 or more brains are definitely better than one.
Here is the series synopsis for my April series.
Series Verse: Acts 1:8
Subject: Power of the Holy Spirit
Series Big Idea: Everyday People…Incredible Power
Series Synopsis:
As everyday people we have been given incredible power by Jesus, the “Incredible Hero”. When we identify ourselves with Christ, we receive power through the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission. Our mission is to connect people to the Incredible Hero for Eternity. Live For Christ…Change The World.
Messages:
Date – April 1, 2007 (Incredibles: Jack Jack)
Message Title – “The Incredible Hero”
Speaker – Dawn Givan
Bottom Line – Be powered up to do it through Christ.
Scripture – Philippians 2:5-8
Application – Think like Christ
Message Synopsis – Jesus is the ultimate example of a hero. Even though He was God, He came as a man, an everyday man, and did incredible things through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8 He said, “You”. This was telling us that it is now our time to go and be Incredible Heroes. We can be powered up to do it through Christ as we begin to think like Him as in Philippians 2:5-8 and become the Incredible Heroes He has called us to be.
Date – April 8, 2007 (Superman)
Message Title – “Incredible Power”
Speaker – Dawn Givan
Bottom Line – The Holy Spirit gives us Incredible Power.
Scripture – Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8
Application – Stay Connected
Message Synopsis – As everyday people our only way of doing what Jesus did is to be tapped into a power source. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “You will receive power.” God has supplied us with that power source by allowing us to work as Jesus did through the power of the Holy Spirit. We now have the power to make a difference and fulfill the mission God has given us. It is important that we stay connected as we live for Christ and change the world.
Date – April 15, 2007 (Spiderman)
Message Title – “Incredible Identity”
Speaker – Dawn Givan/Mike Antoine
Bottom Line – A New Identity for a Powerful Mission
Scripture – 2 Corinthians 5:17, I Timothy 1:15-17, Phil 1:27-28, Rom. 12:1-2
Application – Rewire Your Identity
Message Synopsis – As newly realized heroes who are filled with an incredible power from on high, we now understand that our identity is no longer the same. In fact we are beginning to comprehend that we have a new identity. Christ has changed us and given us a power to “live for Him and change the world”. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses.” Cloaked in this new identity given by God, we can now live a life of purpose and change in order to make a true impact.
Date – April 22, 2007 (Kim Possible)
Message Title – “The Incredible Mission”
Speaker – Dawn Givan/Mike Antoine
Bottom Line – Live for Christ…Change the World
Scripture – Philippians 1:21, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20
Application – Live the Mission
Message Synopsis – We are everyday people who have been given incredible power. This power was meant for a purpose. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” God has given us power and a mission. It is now up to us to go out and be INCREDIBLE for God. It is up to us to go and make a difference living out our mission to “Live for Christ…Change the World”.
Here is the series synopsis for my April series.
Series Verse: Acts 1:8
Subject: Power of the Holy Spirit
Series Big Idea: Everyday People…Incredible Power
Series Synopsis:
As everyday people we have been given incredible power by Jesus, the “Incredible Hero”. When we identify ourselves with Christ, we receive power through the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission. Our mission is to connect people to the Incredible Hero for Eternity. Live For Christ…Change The World.
Messages:
Date – April 1, 2007 (Incredibles: Jack Jack)
Message Title – “The Incredible Hero”
Speaker – Dawn Givan
Bottom Line – Be powered up to do it through Christ.
Scripture – Philippians 2:5-8
Application – Think like Christ
Message Synopsis – Jesus is the ultimate example of a hero. Even though He was God, He came as a man, an everyday man, and did incredible things through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8 He said, “You”. This was telling us that it is now our time to go and be Incredible Heroes. We can be powered up to do it through Christ as we begin to think like Him as in Philippians 2:5-8 and become the Incredible Heroes He has called us to be.
Date – April 8, 2007 (Superman)
Message Title – “Incredible Power”
Speaker – Dawn Givan
Bottom Line – The Holy Spirit gives us Incredible Power.
Scripture – Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8
Application – Stay Connected
Message Synopsis – As everyday people our only way of doing what Jesus did is to be tapped into a power source. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “You will receive power.” God has supplied us with that power source by allowing us to work as Jesus did through the power of the Holy Spirit. We now have the power to make a difference and fulfill the mission God has given us. It is important that we stay connected as we live for Christ and change the world.
Date – April 15, 2007 (Spiderman)
Message Title – “Incredible Identity”
Speaker – Dawn Givan/Mike Antoine
Bottom Line – A New Identity for a Powerful Mission
Scripture – 2 Corinthians 5:17, I Timothy 1:15-17, Phil 1:27-28, Rom. 12:1-2
Application – Rewire Your Identity
Message Synopsis – As newly realized heroes who are filled with an incredible power from on high, we now understand that our identity is no longer the same. In fact we are beginning to comprehend that we have a new identity. Christ has changed us and given us a power to “live for Him and change the world”. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses.” Cloaked in this new identity given by God, we can now live a life of purpose and change in order to make a true impact.
Date – April 22, 2007 (Kim Possible)
Message Title – “The Incredible Mission”
Speaker – Dawn Givan/Mike Antoine
Bottom Line – Live for Christ…Change the World
Scripture – Philippians 1:21, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20
Application – Live the Mission
Message Synopsis – We are everyday people who have been given incredible power. This power was meant for a purpose. Acts 1:8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” God has given us power and a mission. It is now up to us to go out and be INCREDIBLE for God. It is up to us to go and make a difference living out our mission to “Live for Christ…Change the World”.
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