Bullseye: Proverbs That Hit the Target: Train a Child, 8/9/15

Aug 9, 2015

Bullseye- Train a child

Proverbs 22:1-6

A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

² Rich and poor have this in common:
    The Lord is the Maker of them all.

³ The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

⁴ Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor and life.

⁵ In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
    but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

⁶ Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it

Series info

Last week……. Trust in the lord

Today, train up a child

Irrelevant to me

No children, children grown, I'm a grand parent

We all have children…..we are all responsible for the children in this world

Jesus says, who ever harms a little one……

Matthew 18:2-6

2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: I will tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Train a child

Not just feed them, but train them

How?

          Have a plan

          Engage them

          Do it, show it, watch it……..

 teach

Teach them to play baseball. 

Cook.  Mow [in circles].  Math. Saw [dad taught]

Not all influences are good.

Yes there is good and bad in this world

Garbage in, garbage out

Words that we use [shut up]

Teach them to choose

You have to choose as well

          Right thing to do is the right thing to do…….

          Wrong thing to do is the wrong thing to do…….

          Keep saying it

          About the time you are sick of saying it, they  are just getting it

It applies to you as well

Just because the neighbors are doing a thing

Peer pressure is on adults as well…………

Bring them to faith

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported that 30 years ago, the greatest fears of grade school children were: 1) Animals, 2) Being in a dark room, 3) High places, 4) Strangers, 5) Loud noises. Today, kids are afraid of the following: 1) Divorce, 2) Nuclear war, 3) Cancer, 4) Pollution, 5) Being mugged.

They have a need for guidance and a need for christ
253 christians of retirement age were asked  friends at what ages they were converted. Here's what he discovered:
Under 20 years of age - 138
Between 20 and 30 - 85
Between 30 and 40 - 22
Between 40 and 50 - 4
Between 50 and 60 - 3
Between 60 and 70 - 1
Over 70 - 0

The value of faith…….. Teach them the plan of salvation

Teach them to love and honor god

Teach them that every person is gods creation

Teach them compassion

Teach them generosity

couples that get married unequally………

The value of faith in the valley

In order to do this, you needs  some grounding in the  faith

How will you do this?

          In church, in disciple bible study…..

          Tuesday morning mens group

Heavy or light……..

Teach them that god loves them

Try to build their self esteem

It is difficult, but certainly avoid every thing that you can that hurts them

Never discipline out of anger

·        Teach them to laugh…….Alli's first joke

·        Work hard.  Work first, play second

·        Paying your bills - balance a check book.  Dave Ramsey

Finally we stopped helping……

Sometimes they have to feel the pain of their choices

·        Leaving a thing better than how you found it – borrow the car…..

·        Clean your plate

·        Keep your word - when people ask me on Sunday morning….

o   when mom died……

·        Tell the truth……..kids with the screen and the couch

love

Model acts of love

Encourage them…… tell them you love them

Alli - the little red headed girl……

I was 38 when dad told me he loved me

I have told scott his entire life…….

You are the good son

Love their mother

I hug her.  They act grossed out.  Maybe they are.

But deep down you have to know that they are blessed to know that their parents love each other.

All the children of the world.

The children are not just our children, but the children in Nicaragua………..

How can we teach our children to reach out to all children of the world……..

They are all

1 cor 12 – parts of the body should have equal concern for each other

If one suffers then everyone of us suffers –

Finally, parenting is not convenient………

Spend time with them

O to spend the time, O to give love & guidance
Charles Francis Adams, 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today--a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father--the most wonderful day of my life!"

You never stop being a parent.

And if you don’t have kids of your own, we never stop being responsible for the children of this world

During the Bosnian War a reporter was covering that conflict in Sarajevo, when he saw a little girl shot by a sniper. The reporter threw down his pad and pencil and stopped being a reporter for a few minutes. He rushed to the man who was holding the child, and helped them both into his car.

As the reporter stepped on the accelerator, racing to the hospital, the man holding the bleeding child said, "Hurry, my friend, my child is still alive."
A moment or two later, "Hurry, my friend, my child is still breathing."

A moment later, "Hurry, my friend, my child is still warm."
A moment later, "Hurry, Oh God, my child is getting cold."

When they got to the hospital, the little girl was dead. As the two men were in the lavatory, washing the blood off their hands and their clothes, the man who held the child turned to the reporter and said, "this is a terrible task for me. I must go tell her father that his child is dead. He will be heartbroken."

the reporter was amazed. he looked at the grieving man and said, "I thought she was your child."
The man looked back and said, "No, but aren't they all our children?"

Billy moss - $5 chicken

conclusion

Nothing more painful

Nothing more humorous

Nothing more joyful

Nothing more rewarding

We cant fix everything but we can spend our lives trying to help them along the way. 

Don’t you appreciate every adult who tried to help you along the way?

You have a chance to be that person for another on this journey

Quote from a river runs thru it

From the movie - A River Runs Through it.........

Each one of us here today will, at one time in our lives...look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question.

“We are willing to help, Lord...but what, if anything, is needed?

“It is true we can seldom help those closest to us.

Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give...or more often than not, the part we have to give...is not wanted.

And so it is those we live with and should know who elude us...but we can still love them.

We can love completely...without complete understanding

We can always love

Who Is Jesus - Jesus Loves the Children Mark 10:13-16 03/04/2012

Sermon 3-4-12 lent 2 who is this jesus? bbn
jesus loves the children mk 10:13-16

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Jenny and pneumonia. We are deeply concerned for our children. Are we? So is God

Before we talk about our children being gone, or you might say, I have no children. Jesus had no children. All children are gods children.

Largest group of unchurched in any community – 37% of children attend church
Lowest % of children attending church than at any time in our history
Result – grow up spiritually illiterate, unprepared
What is the Christmas story………..twas the night before chirstmas and all thru thehouse
No biblical stories, no Christian mentors

In jesus day, children are property
In some countries they drown babies if they are the wrong sex.
Jesus is making new rules and they go against our grain
Jesus is changing the culture. In his kingdom, children are not property.

Disrupting the adult world to reach the young
Their world of power, control and status…
Jesus says, Its not about you
its what happens when you are new parents
When yo have a child, your life changes.
Guys you have a child, you just went from #2 too 3

Investing in children
Train up a child in the way he should go Prov 22:6
There needs to be a balance during the life years
Helping children vs helping children too much
They never learned anything until they had to do it themselves
Each parent is going to make their own way, but we have to ask the questions
We have to prepare them for the life that will be handed over to them
Churches need to do the same thing as well.
When we stop trying to reach the next generation, we are in trouble.
We can’t invite them to come like what we like
Children are the future of our church?
David hyatt, consult w the church in st Louis.

Children learn what they live
You teach fear, they live out fear. You teach trust. They live it out
Children take cues from you on how things are going
Children learn what they are taught. You can teach a child to fear and you can teach a child to love. Some teaching is done intentionally, a good deal of teaching is done subliminally. The children just watch you, and learn from your clues as to how to act.
Grandma is dying. How will a child respond? Exactly as you teach them. If you are a total basket case, then you can expect them to be inconsolable. If you tell them that it's ok, and that Grandma is going to be with Jesus, they will accept that and go back to playing. What you show them, they will emulate. If the worst of your insecurities are on display, then you can expect your children will mirror them. If the healthy part of you is on display, then you can expect that your children will take comfort in your leadership.

The role of we care, Sunday school, scouting, we care, playgroup and more
What they do there

Each Sunday school class has a prayer partner that prays for that specific class. One class in particular (11:15, 1st – 4th grade) has their prayer partners come in whenever they can to teach a class. They are an older couple and they always bring unique games and crafts for the kids to do. After one of those special Sundays, the mother of a 4th grader came up to me and said her daughter looks forward to those classes like they are Christmas.

During the months of December and January, the Children’s Ministry was collecting for tornado relief in Joplin. The money was going towards purchasing e-books students at a Joplin elementary school. One child had saved up all of her change and could not wait to stop by and drop her money down the coin vortex. Her mother said she talked about it all week.

A couple years ago a parent told me a story about how her child (then a 1st grader) had visited and elderly uncle and was telling him every detail about the story of Lazarus. The uncle was surprised at how much the child knew. When he asked her how she knew so much, she proudly proclaimed, “I learned it in Sunday school!”

This summer we invited some of the neighborhood children that play basketball outside the church to come to our VBS. They made the effort on their own to come in and get the forms, take them home and get them filled out. They were responsible for getting themselves here. They were present every night and loved every minute of it. Rhonda and jodi

-=-=

Yes, We are 2nd Grade Brownie Troop 1893 from Voy Spears Elementary in Blues Springs. We are all about SERVICE to the communities around us. We have had food drives for Harvesters and packed food for them, made up backsnacks for children who don't have food at home, collected coats during the winter, made lunches for the homeless, delivered cookies to our police force in Lees Summit, sent care packages and cookies to our troops in Afghanistan, and are currently working on helping our sister troop in Rawanda get set up and going with Girl Scouts! We also have a lot of fun too!

Summer Camp
A third grade boy (sizzler) accepting Jesus at the bowling alley. He was waiting for his turn to bowl and told his teacher he wanted Jesus in his heart. We had talked about accepting Jesus in our hearts at Gathering that morning. (parent was overwhelmed and stunned…said she made the right choice for summer).

Brianne now 6th grader) was walking in from the playground and said to her teachers, “the only church I go to everyday is Gathering at camp….that’s my church”. Her father now volunteers here at church….Tae Kwon Do.

Will said, “Ms. Judy, I love you. We need to pray for my mom cause she is going somewhere to get better.” (Mom was going to rehab…..and Will was one of those children that you wouldn’t think got it )

Charlie father died last fall. Charlie glows when he talks about Jesus. Charlie knows that Jesus loves him. Charlie’s father had a very strong faith. Mom is grateful that Charlie was here during the difficult time Charlie’s dad was dying.

Will….at Chapel Lakes…you told me the story about the teacher? seeing Will with the kids everyday and the bus with the church name on it.

The parent of one of tykes used to have a terrible time dropping her child off for Sunday school. Last week that parent told me her daughter had gotten up and dressed herself and said, “Come on, mama. I wanna go to church!”

recap

Marriages lived out in quiet desperation result in kids living in confusing and painful places

Since they cant articulate some of their struggles, sometimes adults dismiss them
Children are thirsty for hope and joy
They need mentors
Create a climate of compassion and hope
We should never have to beg for teachers………

Help children see themselves as persons of worth…..a child of God….”I am OK.” We help build self image because children must love themselves to love others.
Help them to be involved with other people….to give as well as take.

conclusion
As a child in the Lutheran church
Lets provide an atmosphere where children are always loved and welcomed. All of us, at any age can do this.

Seminary- if their cats and dogs and kids like you……..you’re ok.

How can you reach out to children
How can you reach out to the generation behind you?
Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them. This is what the kingdom of god is like

Taking Care of the Children - Matthew 18:1-6 4-19-09

Taking Care of the Children - Matthew 18:1-6 4-19-09

1At that time the disciples can to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?"
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: I will tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

If you had one day left, one act of kindness - who?

before I had children - i thought they were annoying.
My life was largely about me
Then I had some children and realized that they are wonderful
Now, mine are leaving and I think about what is left...
What will we do, and the vital role that adults can make in the life of a child

What is this scripture about?
Jesus is welcoming children
Protecting children - their innocence, their future, their opportunities

It is about setting aside adult agenda, so that children get what they need.
Side bar - do you ever hear parents talk about doing something for the kids, but it is really for them or their egos...my life didn't turn out just how I wanted, so I am going to relive it thru my kid...

What is a millstone? How did it work?
This is not a nice wish that Jesus has for those who harm children.

Why this is spiritual - Why is this important?
When children are not cared for:
They are hurt, broken, even killed
Examples of this are too many

Let's take a moment to recognize use of children as soldiers around the world
Comments made by children who were rescued from this life-
"An army recruitment unit arrived at my village and demanded two recruits. Those who could not pay 3000 kyats had to join the army." (Zaw Tun, Burmese ex-army soldier)

I was so afraid of dying. But my friends warned me if the rebel commanders detected any fear in me, they would kill me. So I had to pretend to be brave." (Charles, 12, Rwanda refugee)

"They abducted me but still went ahead to kill my mother and father that night." (Richard, 12, Rwanda refugee)

"When I get older, I will organize a gang and seek my father's revenge." (Asif, 12, Afghan Refugee)

"In counseling sessions they said they had only killed small children. They believed that made it a smaller sin." (BBCSwahili Reporter, Valerie Msoka)

"I just want to go home and be with my family." (Christopher, 12, Uganda)

And it gets closer to home

• Liberty UMN
• Sandra Cantu, 8 years old, murdered in Tracy California
• Pastor & wife in KCK

Not every life is scarred, some just don't get what they need
raised in families where everything else is important except faith, they find themselves at 18 or 25 or 35 or older with no foundation of faith.
Yes, they were not abused or hurt, but I wonder what Jesus would say to those parents?

when boundaries are put in place and priorities set
Children have a chance to grow up safely and to learn about God's love.

How does this relate to us? What are we doing at WCC?
Relationships are based on trust. Churches are based on trust
How do you build trust? By setting up policies and procedures that allow ministry to happen.

Ken Woodruff - so glad to hear that staff do not handle money
Frame work of safety is in place so that kinds and adults can learn that Jesus lovesme

The state has requirements that we have to meet
Extensive background checks
Class size ration
Hot line procedures
and more

The conference has requirements that we have to meet
Safe boundaries training
mandated reporters
conference accountability agent: Dick Curry
where ever 2 or more are gathered...bad things can happen

We have added our own boundaries
employment policies include sections on child abuse and endangerment
key fob system on child care perimeter
secure perimeter on the office
background checks
all doors have windows in them
tag system for kids - sifn in, sign out in SS
security cameras

sometimes restrictions bother us
we don't like to jump through hoops
it is a different world. We have to keep our children safe.
Spiritually developed people set aside their own comfort and preference and ego for the sake of the mission

All of this si that the message of Jesus can be heard thru the way we live and through the programs offered at the church

Conclusion:
I am asking you today to:
be comforted by this information
to feel confident about the way that your church is operating
I am asking you to support all children

During the Bosnian War a reporter was covering that conflict in Sarajevo, when he saw a little girl shot by a sniper. The reporter threw down his pad and pencil and stopped being a reporter for a few minutes. He rushed to the man who was holding the child, and helped them both into his car.

As the reporter stepped on the accelerator, racing to the hospital, the man holding the bleeding child said, "Hurry, my friend, my child is still alive."

A moment or two later, "Hurry, my friend, my child is still breathing."

A moment later, "Hurry, my friend, my child is still warm."

A moment later, "Hurry, Oh God, my child is getting cold."

When they got to the hospital, the little girl was dead. As the two men were in the lavatory, washing the blood off their hands and their clothes, the man who held the child turned to the reporter and said, "this is a terrible task for me. I must go tell her father that his child is dead. He will be heartbroken."

the reporter was amazed. he looked at the grieving man and said, "I thought she was your child."

The man looked back and said, "No, but aren't they all our children?"

Step up and help with programs
When I was a teenage our church had so many volunteers for Sunday school that some were turned down
We should never have to ask twice for volunteers for Sunday school or VBS.

You may want to go on the march on Saturday

Our children are waiting for you
Sunshine center, operation breakthrough, Ronald McDonald house, camino verdad verdida [5 year olds who have never seen a doctor] Russia orphanage ministry, adoption resource group, vbs, upward basketball, children's Sunday school, the Spofford House, DFS

How many children will sit in the waiting room at the Ronald McDonald House with no one to comfort them?
How many children will go to be hungry in our city tonight?
Just because they do not attend our church, doesn't mean that they don't matter-

Jesus is still saying, let the children come to me. Freinds, comeone has to bring them

That someone is us.
Change a life, help a child - let us pray

Hearts .....Children Luke 15:17 11-10-96

Hearts....Children 11-10-96 Luke 1 5:17

Intertestamental period.....400 years without prophecy
Now one will come who will turn the hearts of the fathers toward the children
it was needful....the people were far from God,
selfish, measuring life by their own wants
Sometimes we are so faithless, an angelic appearance wouldn't even move us

Today's sermon..... Hearts.....Children
Little Boy's Prayer
God please help us get more food.
Help us get more money so we can buy food for poor people and sad people.
Pray that everyone believes in God.
Help us pray to God every day and night.
If we ever get lost, please help us find our way back.

Amen

What are we teaching our children? and other significant folks in our lives"
-do we put them off, fail to love them because we are busy doing our own things?
what will this teach them about life? Harry Chapin.....Cats in the Cradle.....
-do we fail to discipline them because we are too busy doing our own things?
a Father chastens those whom he loves.
if you don't care enough to discipline, you don't care
This "me" thing is a sly thing.....
our weaknesses cause us to over compensate
root problem of the world.....reason Jesus was sent to earth
selfishness = sin, sin+ selfishness

What are we giving to our children and to those we love?

Do we give them what makes sense to our left brain minds?
Or are we in touch with our hearts....
do we care, love and give from the heart, with the spirit?

Paul discussed struggle between Spirit & Flesh in Romans 6, 7, & 8

He that loseth wealth, loseth much; he that loseth friends, loseth more;
but he that loseth his spirit loseth all.

Love shares, and love guides, even when it is hard to do so
-It is not my job to entertain you....or to bail you out of every trial you find...
-It is my job to love you and spend time with you when I can
-It is my job to help you to grow up safe and reach your potential
-It is my job to help you to learn to do the right things....to live responsibly.

Children will never learn to love if we do not teach them....

John Fitzgerald Kennedy
I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit---

Wouldn't it be nice if some of us were remembered for our contributions to the human spirit?
to the souls of our children, to the hearts of our loved one.....


I wonder if God is still interested in turning the hearts of the fathers towards the children?

I believe that he is....let's think about it.....Amen

Children 9-20-03

Sermon 9-20-03 Children
UMC in Nebraska….SS class attended church together…notes to the pastor
Dear Reverend, I liked your sermon Sunday. Especially when it was finished.—Ralph, 10.Dear Reverend, I like to go to church on Sunday because I don’t have any choice.—Margaret, 10.Dear Reverend, Thank you for your sermon Sunday. I will write more when my mother explains to me what you said.—Justin, 9.Dear Reverend, I think more people would come to church if you would move it to Disneyland.—Loreen, 9.

Children are wonderful, do we give them what they need
It is a fundamental responsibility
Men are generally more careful of their horses and dogs than of their children. Wm Penn
There are some bad things going on in the world
Childrens Army
“An army recruitment unit arrived at my village and demanded two new recruits. Those who could not pay 3000 kyats had to join the army.” (Zaw Tun, 15, Burmese ex-army soldier)”I was so afraid of dying. But my friends warned me if the rebel commanders detected any fear in me, they would kill me. So I had to pretend to be brave.” (Charles, 12, Rwandan refugee)”When I get older, I will organize a gang and seek my father’s revenge.” (Asif, 12, Afghan refugee)”I just want to go home and be with my family.” (Christopher, 12, Uganda)”They abducted me but still they went ahead to kill my mother and father that night.” (Richard, 12, Rwandan refugee)“In counseling sessions they said they had only killed small children. They believed that made it a smaller sin.” (BBC Swahili Reporter, Valerie Msoka)

His name was Brian and he died alone in the dark, encased in suffocating coils of duct tape. He was 9. Today, three adults who were supposed to keep the boy safe will go on trial for allegedly causing his death. Brian Edgar’s parents, Christy Edgar and Neil Edgar Sr., were the leaders of a small Kansas City, Kan., church.
precious doe
what do they experience when they are killed??
Good stuff
Childrens department
Work with dfs
We are adopting children
We sponsor them at the orphanage

I want to do more than raise children
I want to provide children with character
I want them to live lives filled with compassion for others

They went to the missions trip in Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Favorite memory…..san jose rescue mission
taking the kids to restart…..
lets try it for a month

there is a world where children are raised
where they have everything they want but nothing that they need
I got the addidas shoes
My dad didn’t tell me that he loved me until I was 39 years old

Charles Francis Adams, 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: “Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted.” His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: “Went fishing with my father—the most wonderful day of my life!”
Problems with adult behavior
When the 10-year-olds in Mrs. Imogene Frost’s class at the Brookside, N.J. Community Sunday School expressed their views of “What’s wrong with grownups?” they came up with these complaints:
1. Grownups make promises, then they forget all about them, or else they say it wasn’t really a promise, just a maybe. 2. Grownups don’t do the things they’re always telling the children to do—like pick up their things, or be neat, or always tell the truth. 3. Grownups never really listen to what children have to say. They always decide ahead of time what they’re going to answer. 4. Grownups make mistakes, but they won’t admit them. They always pretend that they weren’t mistakes at all—or that somebody else made them. 5. Grownups interrupt children all the time and think nothing of it. If a child interrupts a grownup, he gets a scolding or something worse. 6. Grownups never understand how much children want a certain thing—a certain color or shape or size. If it’s something they don’t admire—even if the children have spent their own money for it—they always say, “I can’t imagine what you want with that old thing!” 7. Sometimes grownups punish children unfairly. It isn’t right if you’ve done just some little thing wrong and grownups take away something that means an awful lot to you. Other times you can do something really bad and they say they’re going to punish you, but they don’t. You never know, and you ought to know. 8. Grownups are always talking about what they did and what they knew when they were 10 years old—but they never try to think what it’s like to be 10 years old right now.
Parenting is not for cowards, one Christian psychologist recommends the following steps to raising children in the difficult moments:1. Get involved early and bring the situation to an end.2. Be neutral—don’t empty the Emotional Bank Account. Kindness counts. 3. Be firm—be an example of self-control, not power.4. Label the behavior for the child—label behavior, not the child.—Elaine M. Gibson, “Management Techniques for Parenting Children With Difficult Traits,”
Age of conversion
Under 20 years of age - 138 Between 20 and 30 - 85 Between 30 and 40 - 22 Between 40 and 50 - 4 Between 50 and 60 - 3 Between 60 and 70 - 1 Over 70 - 0

What we think is important isn’t always that important.
Change your perspective
What are you loving? What should you be loving…..
Lose the eye, enter the kingdom

family from liberty killed in flash flood
Robert Rogers
the dads message, hug them, hold them, love them

Funny Things Kids Say About the Bible Timothy 3:16 6-9-02

Sermon 6-9-02 2 Tim 3:16
Read Scripture

Funny things kids say about the bible

Common problem with scriptures
Were afraid of them
Don’t make time for it
Read wrong places

Paul wrote to Timothy

My goal is not to
Make you feel guilty for not reading it
Force my interpretations on you

My goal is to create a hunger for you to read
Use the space for sermon notes in bulletin

Favorite scriptures of friends

My favorite…Romans 5:8 we have a hope that keeps us from being ashamed, for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit.

John Wesley- man of one book
I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God:…..a few moments hence, I am no more seen! I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, the way to heaven: how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end he came from heaven. He has written it down in a book! Oh, give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri: "A man of one book." Here then I am far from the business of life. I sit down alone: only God is here. In his presence I open, I read this book; for this end, to find the way to heaven. …..I meditate thereon, with all the attention and earnestness of which my mind is capable. ….. And what I thus learn, that I teach."

Close to thy word is a lamp unto my feet

We Are Thankful for Children 11-18-01

Sermon 11-18-01
We are thankful for our children

It is our job to father, parent, raise, guide them

They are all ours
Mine
Swansons
Emily Earnshaw
Jeff Brinkman

Missions children
How many are we helping this Christmas

They are all impt
Mine, yours, adopted, young, old

Paul to Timothy
Son
Phil 2
1 tim 1
phil 10
eph 6
2 thess 3 15
Spiritual sense of brotherhood
Brother Jeff, Sister Cathy

Children are a Blessing Exodus 2:1-6 11-18-01

Sermon 11-18-01 Exodus 2:1-6
When alli was 2, Jenny was 1
3 in diapers,…..whatever this kid is, we are done.
We love children, they are a blessing, a gift

Moses in the river
Sister watches him
Children are valuable
You never know what they will become
All children are valuable

We are thankful for our children
It is our job to father, parent, raise, guide them
In order to save them, we must let them go [not in a basket]
They belong to God

They belong to all of us ...All over the world…Missions children
Easter baskets 175 – back to school 80 – fishing derby 20
Peacemaking academy 7 – this Christmas - 200
Total for 2002 582 - plus 242 bags of diapers for Rachel house
They belong to all of us…right here at home
Mine/Swansons/Emily Earnshaw/Jeff Brinkman

Paul to Timothy
Son-Phil 2-1 tim 1-philemon 10-eph 6-2 thess 3 15
we protect our egos by surrounding ourselves with those like us [pharaoh]
looking beyond the differences
little ones and big ones

Spiritual sense of brotherhood
Brother Jeff, Sister Cathy

We pause to give thanks, for our children
For one another [brothers & sisters in Christ]
For our church family

Next week, send me your cards & e mails
What are you thankful for?

Train Up A Child 7-29-01

Sermon 7-29-01 train up a child
Bill Gates rules for teens

Train them up
Not just to tie their shoes
Train them for life
prepare them for an event ahead of time ie baptism or going to a store
Consistent/Discipline
Your home is the number one influence in the life of your child. The average church has a child 1% of his time, the home has him 83% of his time and the school for the remaining 16%. This does not minimize the need for churches and schools, but it establishes the fact your home is 83% of your child's world and you have only one time around to make it of maximum benefit.

Follow thru with discipline
If you make them stay grounded, they will respect you,
If you count to 3 5 times, you are in trouble

Slide one don’t harm the little ones
Don’t give them everything they want
Mother in walmart….kid screaming for more….they are used to getting it all
This is not a democracy, it is a benign dictatorship
Be the parent, it is ok to say no
Not too many activities….Choose wisely
Make sure they have time for the important things
The world will not lay down for your child,
don’t raise them with the expectation
Do not live vicariously thru your child
Strong discipline, strong love

Do not discipline them out of your dysfunction
Know your own dysfunction, rise above it
Don’t discipline out of your weakness

- Self esteem….they wont always like you
Not your job to make them happy
- Past memories…..cut from the ball team
- Marriage issues….Parents unified in goals of raising children
- Anger issues delivered to children

They want to be the center of attention
The marriage is the primary relationship in the home




Slide 2 the lord disciplines those he loves
Its not easy,
Not convenient

Be there even when it doesn’t come easy

Help others build character in your kids

In trouble at school, in trouble at home
Support the teacher


Slide 4
Fear and admonition of the Lord
- take them to SS and church

- Hang a picture of Christ in each child's bedroom. Children are often quicker to respond to pictures than to words.

- Teach your child how to pray.

- Take short walks. Get outside to God's world as much as possible. You can identify trees, capture bugs and look at scenery. Let creation declare the glory of God.

- Purchase a bible in their reading level

- Display your child's Sunday school lesson. Letting a youngster's efforts die a painful death on the car floor can leave hurt feelings.

- be ready at any time to discuss with them their questions

Conclusion
You can do all you can, but still not end up with the results you want

Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands. Anne Frank









I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you.
I can teach you things but I cannot make you learn.
I can give you directions but I cannot always be there to lead you.
I can take you to church but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong but I can't always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes but I cannot make you lovely inside.
I can offer you advice but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to be a friend but I cannot make you one.
I can teach you to share but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect but I can't force you to show honor.
I can grieve about your report card but I cannot doubt your teachers.
I can advise you about friends but I cannot choose them for you.
I can tell you the facts of life but I can't build your reputation.
I can warn you about drugs but I can't prevent you from using them.
I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I can warn you about sins but I cannot make your morals
I can love you as a daughter or son but I cannot place you in God's Family.
I can pray for you but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can teach you about Jesus but I cannot make HIM your Saviour.













Requests from children
Feed me
Hug me
Love me, don’t yell at me
Show us and prepare us for what the real world is like
Don’t cave in when we want dumb things
Tell us we are great kids

Litany of wise advice for parents
Love your spouse
Provide Unconditional love
Remember They do not belong to you, they are gods child
Always know who their friends are
Talk to them
Be honest with them about life and about your mistakes
Share your stories with them
Visit about church stuff
Have fun
avoid rescuing your children
do not threaten a punishment that you will not follow thru on
hug them for no reason
teach respect
work to develop feelings of belonging
laugh with them
be a better listener
take time to encourage them
get out of the way, let them learn
let them be ready to leave

Sayings from successful parents
If you cant say anything nice, don’t say anything at all
If you join the track team, stick with it
We are your parents not your pals
Church & ss not an option
We love you, just not the decision that you made
It is not our job to entertain you
You don’t need a friend over ever day
Tattoos are painful and expensive to remove

Scouting Stories - Feb. 18, 2001

The pop up trailer event

Scouting stories

Charles Francis Adams, 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today--a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father--the most wonderful day of my life!" The father thought he was wasting his time while fishing with his son, but his son saw it as an investment of time. The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing is to know one's ultimate purpose in life and to judge accordingly

Property Laws of a Toddler: Some might say that this is evidences of Original Sin
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
Source Unknown.

Nineteenth century Scottish preacher Horatius Bonar asked 253 Christian friends at what ages they were converted. Here's what he discovered:
Under 20 years of age - 138
Between 20 and 30 - 85
Between 30 and 40 - 22
Between 40 and 50 - 4
Between 50 and 60 - 3
Between 60 and 70 - 1
Over 70 - 0
Daily Bread.

In a Harvard study of several hundred preschoolers, researchers discovered an interesting phenomenon. As they taped the children's playground conversation, they realized that all the sounds coming from little girls' mouths were recognizable words. However, only 60 percent of the sounds coming from little boys were recognizable. The other 40 percent were yells and sound effects like "Vrrrooooom!" "Aaaaagh!" "Toot toot!" This difference persists into adulthood. Communication experts say that the average woman speaks over 25,000 words a day while the average man speaks only a little over 10,000. What does this mean in marital terms? . . . On average a wife will say she needs to spend 45 minutes to an hour each day in meaningful conversation with her husband. What does her husband sitting next to her say is enough time for meaningful conversation? Fifteen to twenty minutes--once or twice a week!
Gary Smalley and John Trent, Husbands and Wives.

When the 10-year-olds in Mrs. Imogene Frost's class at the Brookside, N.J. Community Sunday School expressed their views of "What's wrong with grownups?" they came up with these complaints:
1. Grownups make promises, then they forget all about them, or else they say it wasn't really a promise, just a maybe.
2. Grownups don't do the things they're always telling the children to do--like pick up their things, or be neat, or always tell the truth.
3. Grownups never really listen to what children have to say. They always decide ahead of time what they're going to answer.
4. Grownups make mistakes, but they won't admit them. They always pretend that they weren't mistakes at all--or that somebody else made them.
5. Grownups interrupt children all the time and think nothing of it. If a child interrupts a grownup, he gets a scolding or something worse.
6. Grownups never understand how much children want a certain thing--a certain color or shape or size. If it's something they don't admire--even if the children have spent their own money for it--they always say, "I can't imagine what you want with that old thing!"
7. Sometimes grownups punish children unfairly. It isn't right if you've done just some little thing wrong and grownups take away something that means an awful lot to you. Other times you can do something really bad and they say they're going to punish you, but they don't. You never know, and you ought to know.
8. Grownups are always talking about what they did and what they knew when they were 10 years old--but they never try to think what it's like to be 10 years old right now.
J.A. Petersen, ed., For Families Only, Tyndale, 1977, p. 253.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported that 30 years ago, the greatest fears of grade school children were: 1) Animals, 2) Being in a dark room, 3) High places, 4) Strangers, 5) Loud noises. Today, kids are afraid of the following: 1) Divorce, 2) Nuclear war, 3) Cancer, 4) Pollution, 5) Being mugged.
Back to the Bible Today, Summer, 1990, p. 5.

POEMS
Father, hear us, we are praying.
Hear the words our hearts are saying.
We are praying for our children.
Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril.
Father, hear us for our children.
From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Father, Father, keep our children.
Through life's troubled waters steer them.
Through life's bitter battles cheer them.
Father, Father, be thou near them.
And wherever they may bide,
Lead them home at eventide.
Amy Carmichael.

Scouting Stories - Feb. 18, 2001

The pop up trailer event

Scouting stories

Charles Francis Adams, 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today--a day wasted." His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father--the most wonderful day of my life!" The father thought he was wasting his time while fishing with his son, but his son saw it as an investment of time. The only way to tell the difference between wasting and investing is to know one's ultimate purpose in life and to judge accordingly

Property Laws of a Toddler: Some might say that this is evidences of Original Sin
1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it's broken, it's yours.
Source Unknown.

Nineteenth century Scottish preacher Horatius Bonar asked 253 Christian friends at what ages they were converted. Here's what he discovered:
Under 20 years of age - 138
Between 20 and 30 - 85
Between 30 and 40 - 22
Between 40 and 50 - 4
Between 50 and 60 - 3
Between 60 and 70 - 1
Over 70 - 0
Daily Bread.

In a Harvard study of several hundred preschoolers, researchers discovered an interesting phenomenon. As they taped the children's playground conversation, they realized that all the sounds coming from little girls' mouths were recognizable words. However, only 60 percent of the sounds coming from little boys were recognizable. The other 40 percent were yells and sound effects like "Vrrrooooom!" "Aaaaagh!" "Toot toot!" This difference persists into adulthood. Communication experts say that the average woman speaks over 25,000 words a day while the average man speaks only a little over 10,000. What does this mean in marital terms? . . . On average a wife will say she needs to spend 45 minutes to an hour each day in meaningful conversation with her husband. What does her husband sitting next to her say is enough time for meaningful conversation? Fifteen to twenty minutes--once or twice a week!
Gary Smalley and John Trent, Husbands and Wives.

When the 10-year-olds in Mrs. Imogene Frost's class at the Brookside, N.J. Community Sunday School expressed their views of "What's wrong with grownups?" they came up with these complaints:
1. Grownups make promises, then they forget all about them, or else they say it wasn't really a promise, just a maybe.
2. Grownups don't do the things they're always telling the children to do--like pick up their things, or be neat, or always tell the truth.
3. Grownups never really listen to what children have to say. They always decide ahead of time what they're going to answer.
4. Grownups make mistakes, but they won't admit them. They always pretend that they weren't mistakes at all--or that somebody else made them.
5. Grownups interrupt children all the time and think nothing of it. If a child interrupts a grownup, he gets a scolding or something worse.
6. Grownups never understand how much children want a certain thing--a certain color or shape or size. If it's something they don't admire--even if the children have spent their own money for it--they always say, "I can't imagine what you want with that old thing!"
7. Sometimes grownups punish children unfairly. It isn't right if you've done just some little thing wrong and grownups take away something that means an awful lot to you. Other times you can do something really bad and they say they're going to punish you, but they don't. You never know, and you ought to know.
8. Grownups are always talking about what they did and what they knew when they were 10 years old--but they never try to think what it's like to be 10 years old right now.
J.A. Petersen, ed., For Families Only, Tyndale, 1977, p. 253.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported that 30 years ago, the greatest fears of grade school children were: 1) Animals, 2) Being in a dark room, 3) High places, 4) Strangers, 5) Loud noises. Today, kids are afraid of the following: 1) Divorce, 2) Nuclear war, 3) Cancer, 4) Pollution, 5) Being mugged.
Back to the Bible Today, Summer, 1990, p. 5.

POEMS
Father, hear us, we are praying.
Hear the words our hearts are saying.
We are praying for our children.
Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril.
Father, hear us for our children.
From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Father, Father, keep our children.
Through life's troubled waters steer them.
Through life's bitter battles cheer them.
Father, Father, be thou near them.
And wherever they may bide,
Lead them home at eventide.
Amy Carmichael.